Directed By: Amy Poehler Written By: Liz Cackowski & Emily Spivey Cinematography: Tom Magill Editor: Julie Monroe
Cast: Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Maya Rudolph, Ana Gasteyer, Paula Pell, Tina Fey, Jason a Schwartzman, Maya Erskine, Cherry Jones, Liz Cackowski, Emily Spivey, Jay Larson, Kate Comer
During a vacation to Napa Valley, a group of long-time friends reunite and revisit past choices in this hilarious and heartfelt comedy.
This film had me with the cast alone. Though while entertaining I can’t say that this film has too much to feed on.
As it is a middle-life crisis movie for women. That stays hilarious throughout but it also feels very lightweight and More of a reunion for ex-female SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE cast members. Though it does allow them more of a showcase than usual.
As each major cast member gets their time to shine and a major plotline. Some are just not as serious as others. When commonly cast men Evers in other films are relegated to memorable cameos. Here they get to shine.
The film is light entertainment that feels more like fluff but stays funny and entertaining throughout.
Though even the so-called normal characters end up being zany or skewed in their own way.
Everyone is good but Maya Rudolph is a particular delight and comes off as the MVP. Not to mention she is the only character whose story comes close to being actually dramatic.
Like the liquor, it celebrates in the title. This movie goes down like a fine one.
The characters seem more like types or come across that way at times. Though it’s not central it feels like it is about empowerment to a certain degree and watching women who are successful in some ways fall apart in others where their personal weaknesses lie.
The film even takes a look at generational differences. All in all, it is just a fun hang-out movie without too many stakes but plenty of funny scenes and characters. Who are relatable
The film wants the audience to watch but also take part in the fun times. Where it almost feels like a hangout movie.
Directed By: Amy Poehler Written By: Tamara Chestna & Dylan Meyer Based on the book by: Juliet Mathieu Cinematography: Tom McGill Editor: Julie Monroe
Cast: Hadley Robinson, Lauren Tsai, Alycia Pascual Pena, Nico Hiraga, Amy Poehler, Ike Barinholtz, Marcia Gay Harden, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sydney Park, Anjelika Washington, Josie Totah, Josephine Langford
Inspired by her mom’s rebellious past and a confident new friend, a shy 16-year-old publishes an anonymous zine calling out sexism at her school.
One applauds the film on it’s Diversity and constantly wearing it’s message on it’s Sleeve. That is actually empowering to young women and promotes a positive message. While also being a movie that is entertaining and enjoyable.
It’s notable for being Amy Poehler’s directorial debut and she has a supporting role as the lead character’s mother.
What works for the film is its message that saves it from being another forgettable teen comedy that is centered around female characters.
The script is smart enough to tackle serious subjects and allow a different point of view. That while being heavy at times in subject matter reminds us that the film is centered around young characters who are allowed to be silly at times and immature. Yet still right on when it comes to certain subjects.
Two-thirds of a satisfying movie then In The last third it all come to a head with the aspects that previously have been annoying become problematic. That beats you over the head with its message
The film is Not subtle with the foreshadowing. It also quickly becomes what can be seen as Peak white feminism. As while the lead character sees injustice and decides to do something about it and pretty soon has a diverse set of new friends to support her as they are the ones who usually is being oppressed and picked on.
Soon they are spreading the message and empowering her and getting stuff done. They are also the ones taking the punishment and the hits more and as soon as it is introduced that she is ignorant when it comes to culture and race and takes it as a personal Insult and soon is having a breakdown as she has no defense and lashes out. So then the movement becomes more about her emotional arc and loses the message and she is especially threatened when it becomes about more than her and the others of various races soon seem to take over and are more vocal.
Not to mention when the film takes down a major villain who uses the patriarchy to his advantage and stays protected because of it. I. A storyline that hat is major but treated minority again as it is more supposed to be about the actual victim it is more centered around her and the change SHE the leader brought about.
It seems that for all fo it’s politics it seems to skip one glaring faux pas of it’s own. Why is there a caucasian lead in a film full of minorities and different types. Where we are supposed to see injustices supposedly from her eyes though she doesn’t suffer and yet constantly acts like she is the one who Is. when in fact they happen to all those around her. The biggest crime perpetrated against her is that nothing really happens to he because she is so unnoticeable
Then the film has the other characters applaud because she cares. The movie might have been more interesting if seen through the eyes of a downtrodden character. That can show an alliance with the caucasian character but can also say something about how it seems white feminism only worried about it’s own concerns and not the universal concern of people of color females.
The way the movie Presents itself is from that kind of liberal feminism that tries to have a positive message but also shows it’s own problems that it refuses to see or at least acknowledge.
In the end when she reveals herself it is seen as her taking back her identity and all the minorities cheer her on. Which feels like white feminism propaganda to a certain extent.
Especially when Amy Poehler who directs the film and plays the leads mother keeps getting credited by the lead as her inspiration it feels like ego pleasing on display. As she is shown With very few faults herself.
In the end, the film is very empowering and worth watching. Especially for younger viewers but doubt for older teens, it will be as memorable.
With: Gilda Radner, Martin Short, Laraine Newman, Paul Shaffer, Bill Hader, Chevy Chase, Melissa McCarthy, Amy Poehler, Lorne Michaels, Maya Rudolph
In her own words, comedienne Gilda Radner looks back and reflects on her life and career. Weaving together recently discovered audiotapes, interviews with her friends, rare home movies and diaries read by modern day comediennes, LOVE Gilda offers a unique window into the honest and whimsical world of a beloved performer whose greatest role was sharing her story.
There is nothing wrong with the film as it gives a pretty full portrait of actress/comedienne Gilda Radner’s slice and careers us by excerpts from her journals and other personal writings and a bunch of colleagues and family are interviewed as well as footage from her performances and personal home movies.
There is no sadness except when You know the end is coming and the documentary more shows highlights from her life and the sadder stuff while mentioned is given short shrift.
Though rather than have that be a mark against it. Sometimes it seems if a documentary is more of a happy affair it is though more real Or white-washed when it might be that while we all have troubles and problems in life they don’t have to be marketed or shown to be more real. Just as in Life some people’s lives are more focused on the positive while acknowledging the tougher aspects. It doesn’t need to necessarily focus on it. Unless it is information that has to be mentioned to get a fuller picture.
As it seems in Gilda’s life her happiness cake from entertaining others around her and Her audiences. The film seems to try to showcase and celebrate that aspect of her and focus on that.
The documentary uncovers a few things, Some might not have known as well as giving important collaborators of her life like writer Alan swivel a chance to reminisce and for one me Who is a fan of his a chance to finally see him in the flesh so to speak on the screen
If you are a fan the film doesn’t reveal anything you might not already know but allows for more personal insight from her.
By the end, you wish the film felt more full, but then you realize how little time we had with Gilda before she was gone. She had a lasting career but it was brief and has a spectacular beginning that defined her but never got a chance to get beyond that to a greater work. Considering how many she inspired and entertained we realize just like her family and friends she and we were robbed of her presence way too soon and it leaves a lasting impression but also leaves a hole of sorts. She never got to get the recognition not the best of her never really got a chance to come through.
Directed By: Andrew Jay Cohen Written By: Andrew Jay Cohen & Brendan O’Brien Cinematography By: Jas Shelton Editor: Evan Henke & Michael L. Sale
Cast: Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Jason Mantzounkas, Nick Kroll, Lennon Parham, Randall Park, Rob Huebel, Andrea Savage, Steve Zissis, Ryan Simpkins, Allison Tolman, Rory Scovel, Cedric Yarbrough, Kyle Kinane, Michela Watkins, Jeremy Renner, Sam Richardson, Wayne Federman, Andy Buckley, Jessica St. Clair
After the town scholarship program no longer has funding, two parents are left without money to send their daughter to university. Left without any other options, they along with a friend, start an illegal casino in his home to make cash before the summer ends.
This seems like a more packaged film where the studio hoped all the comedic stars would help illuminate the script with improv
The problem is that the film is filled with notable comedic stars who really are given little to do. So they are mainly just doing what is required
It also feels more like the stars are wacky to be wacky, they seem more on autopilot. Acting crazy and wacky but for no real reason except the script tells them too. It would help if the characters started off on a normal playing Field and started going crazy due to pressure, but they are pretty much the same beginning to the end.
Maybe as the film doesn’t offer anything challenging or new for the lead actors. Who we have gotten used to at this point. It doesn’t seem a stretch. It also doesn’t feel up to the quality of the heights that we have seen them do before. So it’s disappointing in both ways.
There aren’t many strong visual choices either. So the style of the film feels slapdash instead of composed.
Understandably this is a studio comedy but seems so outlandish and far-fetched. even if that seems to be the point. While trying to make the characters somewhat identifiable.
Not distinct enough to be memorable characters. They just seem borderline off the assembly like and given not only comedic personas but also just weird afflictions instead of quirks. This idea seems like it would be better on paper or as an idea. Rather than a barely 90-minute movie.
The film doesn’t wait to really begin with it’s premise. So we are off to the races immediately. So that we don’t really notice too. If a change when it comes to the characters. There are some chuckles and inspired bits of comedy and scenes.
Though really the film’s humor is in watching adults act like teenagers at a keg party with gambling. Borrowing heavily from shows like BREAKING BAD, as far as older characters who do illegal activities to help pay for their kid’s education and helps the other character loosen up. While also having allusions to many gangster movies and television shows
This is a film Where all the comedic actors even to be trying to go over the top and outdo one another not so much out of the competition but just to be noticed. Especially when they are given so little to do.
While the stars don’t seem to be trying hard enough as they aren’t really characters as they keep making such rash decisions and jumping around in emotions and behavior that it seems more put on the. Believable I know this isn’t the film you go into for rational thought, but it still seems haphazard
The film lacks a proper villain. So it tries to come up with a few. Who are just as easily eliminated as they are Introduced. In fact, the one who lasts the longest is the most wearily but easily to see conquer by and never comes off as a real threat.
Jason Mantzounkas is entertaining and one of the only enjoyable elements of this film, but also he is playing the type of role he has done before. If anything this character is more honorable there the ones he usually plays.
The film feels like fast food as it is digestible and offers a quick fix as far as entertainment but not necessarily healthy. Usually, fast food tastes great, but this is more fast food that is ok. So that once it is over your fix is satiated but you will have indigestion as you are pretty much paying for it.
Which the film wouldn’t feel as disappointing if one didn’t have to pay for it, but it feels like for the money you pay they might try, but it feels fairly standard and like a rip off of sorts. As there seems to be little effort put into it. You know what you are going to get but you still expect more and better.
Directed By: Jason Moore
Written By: Paula Pell
Cinematography By: Barry Peterson
Editor: Lee Haxall
Cast: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Ike Barinholtz, John Cena, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Samantha Bee, John Leguizamo, Bobby Moynihan, James Brolin, Diane Wiest, Greta Lee, Heather Matarazzo, Kate McKinnon, Jon Glaser, Chris Parnell, Paula Pell, Dan Byrd, John Lutz, Brian D’arcy James
Two sisters decide to throw one last house party before their parents sell their family home.
Cut To The Chase 