DESPERADOS (2020)

Directed By: LP
Written By: Ellen Rapoport 
Cinematography: Tim Orr
Editor: Christian Hoffman 

Cast: Nasim Pedrad, Anna Camp, Sarah Burns, Lamorne Morris, Robbie Amell, Heather Graham, Jessica Chaffin, Jessica Lowe

A panicked young woman, with her reluctant friends in tow, rushes to Mexico to try and delete a ranting email she sent to her new boyfriend.


It’s Nice to see Nasim Pedrad in the lead. Even if from the beginning we notice her character is disturbed and throughout the movie seems to get worse and more desperate. That it is hard at times to have any sympathy for her. 

But just as she really barely had time to make her mark on Saturday night love this film doesn’t seem to be the best material for her it gives her more to do but nothing really to do to make a mark. She is attractive and entertaining. Though just as the film

Focuses on later. It’s hard to age. Any sympathy for her and you wonder why her friends do either.

As they have real problems but while having humorous scenes. They barely have anything to do but sit back and watch her and at times get pulled into the ridiculousness.

At times the film gets a little raunchy but it more stays ridiculous than gross

As the script isn’t really that great it seems like a script talking down to the audience as even the premise seems strange for a feature that just like the main character reeks of desperation. 

Maybe as it comes off more like a stereotype a more male one about how they truly believe women view relationships basically needy 

That seems like a female version of the movie OVERNIGHT DELIVERY. Whereas this film has more the feel of early Netflix premiere movies. This film Works but strangely feels haphazardly put together. 

Which makes sense as this was originally meant to be made in 2009 with Isla Fisher starring. As the material does feel dated. 

Even if it is refreshing To see a female character be quite messy as the lead and having the male love interest more, have it altogether more and love her for being herself and be there to try and keep everything on the straight and narrow. Even if he has a minor problem But is willing. To get over it for her

In the end, the film shows that there is somebody for everybody. Even those who you might not expect. Unfortunately, I doubt that the same can be said when it comes to this movie and an audience.

Grade: D+ 

THE LOVEBIRDS (2020)

Directed By: Michael Showalter 
Written by: Brendan Gall & Aaron Abrams
Story By:  Brendan Gall, Aaron Abrams & Martin Geri
Cinematography: Brian Burgoyne 
Editor: Vince Filippone & Robert Nassau

Cast: Issa Rae, Kumail Nanjiani, Paul Sparks, Anna Camp, Kyle Bornheimer, Catherine Cohen, Andrene Ward-Hammond, Barry Rothbart

A couple experiences a defining moment in their relationship when they are unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery. As their journey to clear their names takes them from one extreme – and hilarious – circumstance to the next, they must figure out how they, and their relationship, can survive the night.


This movie works as a screwball romantic comedy. Where we see the couple get together in the beginning. Then even though still together recognize they are having problems and slowly throughout the film fall in love again.

As they realize how much they care for one another and not judge their relationship by other’s standards or against others.

Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani make a good on-screen pair. They have chemistry even if not romantic chemistry.

It’s fun and funny watching them Go through more and more challenges while on the run to figure out a mystery and clear their names. As they both have manic energy and the film gets more ridiculous as it goes along. Not to mention predictable.

As with everything and issue they talk about in the beginning they end up having to face or deal With, Including how much of this is like the amazing race.

By the end the story is silly but works as a movie. As this is the first film star kumail Nanjiani and director Michael showalter have worked on together since their previous film THE BIG SICK which was oscar nominated. Maybe it was thought they would work on something stronger besides a more out and out mainstream comedy. That more compliments them As they both come from more Comedic backgrounds. Plus neither one wrote this script.

So this comes across as a nice quaint comedy. That reminds one of the old classics where Two comedy stars as a couple must face a madcap humorous adventure together. With each other as the only people they can trust.

It’s also nice to see an interracial romance where race isn’t brought up and still having two minorities in a starring role. Which gives the film certain freedom but also hinders it by not allowing race to come. Into the picture kind of turns a blind eye and makes the characters bland and doesn’t seem to acknowledge them fully.

Though you never take anything in the film seriously. Their chemistry is strong and you believe them as a couple.

The film never gets too complicated.  it just stays simple throughout. 

Grade: C+

PITCH PERFECT 2 (2015)

pitch

 

Directed By: Elizabeth Banks
Written By: Kay Cannon
Based On Characters Created By: Mickey Rapkin
Cinematography By: Jim Denault
Editor: Craig Alpert 


Cast: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Hailee Steinfeld, Anna Camp, John Michael Higgins, Elizabeth Banks, Skylar Astin, Flula Borg, Birgitte Hjort Sorensen, David Cross, Ben Platt, Adam DeVine, Alexis Knapp, Katey Segal, Keegan-Michael Key, Ester Dean, Hana Mae Lee, Jason Jones, John Hodgman, Joe Lo Truglio, Snoop Dogg, Reggie Watts, Brea Grant

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CAFE SOCIETY (2016)

CAFE

Written & Directed By: Woody Allen
Cinematography By: Vittorio Storaro
Editor: Alisa Lepselter 


Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Steve Carrell, Blake Lively, Corey Stoll, Parker Posey, Anna Camp, Richard Portnow, Paul Schneider, Jeannie Berlin, Sheryl Lee, Saul Stein, Tony Sirico, Don Stark, Elissa Piszel 


In 1930’s Hollywood, the powerful agent, Phil Stern, is attending a party and receives a phone call from his sister living in New York. She asks for a job to her son and Phil’s nephew, Bobby, who decided to move to Hollywood. Three weeks later Phil schedules a meeting with Bobby and decides to help him. He asks his secretary Veronica “Vonnie” to hang around with Bobby, showing him the touristic places. Bobby immediately falls in love with Vonnie, but she tells that she has a boyfriend, a journalist that travels most of the time. However, Vonnie’s boyfriend is indeed a married man that is also in love with her and soon she has to make a choice between her two loves.

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