Artie Lange – Cut To The Chase

Directed By: Mort Nathan

Written by: Mort Nathan and William Bigelow

Cinematography: Shawn Maurer

Editor: John Axness

Cast: Cuba Gooding Jr, Horatio Sanz, Roselyn Sanchez, Roger Moore, Vivica A. Fox, Lin Shaye, Maurice Godin, Bob Gunton, Artie Lange, Richard Roundtree

Two straight men mistakenly end up on a “gays only” cruise.

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One can’t imagine what the thought process was behind this film. As it’s suppsed to be a sexual comedy for straight people by seemingly stereotyping and making it seem like a journey into homosexual lifestyles, focusing more on the hedonistic aspects. While also easily being seen as homophonic Maybe inviting the controversy and commentary and hoping that it would sell tickets.

That seems to seek out the message Hey Homosexual’s they are just like us. while throwing in a sitcom were the curve plot about to Street man who gets sent on a singles cruise after one has just had some heartbreak and being sent as revenge on and gay singles cruise That they can’t escape from, and when one falls in love with the few single available woman on the boat, but must play long as she thinks he’s gay and wants to get closer to one another.

This film is purely tasteless but strangely has a talented cast or lease big Name cast, and it seems to want to level the playing field envy open, but with most of its stereotypes, it still feels a bit mean-spirited.

The Movie was filmed in 2001 but wasn’t released till 2003 which kind of tells you the studio releasing a new they had some thing controversial on their hands

Despite all involved, the only reason to truly watch this film is Roselyn Sanchez, who is sexy as hell in this film they should have made her a big screen bombshell As it is one of her all-time sexiest appearances, though she is obviously Icandy, for the mostly straight audience that actually probably watch this film, but people avoided this film, like the plague due to his flight and it’s just such bad taste. I will also and it’s kind of insulting, Crude and stupid.

In its own weird way tries to show that hey gay humor and gays can be just as juvenile, a straight sex, comedies and humor even though the film like most sex comedies deals more and stereotypes, I found this also feels oddly misogynistic for a film that seems to be trying to bring all men together.

You already know somethings up with Cuba Gooding Junior is the star of the film. It all really depends at which part of his career. That you are witnessing his acting during as pretty much after he won the Oscar, other than MEN OF HONOR. it all seems to go downhill from there, except for maybe a handful of rolls here and there.

Grade: F

Directed By: Todd Phillips
Written By: Todd Phillips & Scot Armstrong
Story by: Court Crandall, Todd Phillips & Scot Armstrong
Cinematography: Mark Irwin
Editor: Michael Jablow

Cast: Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell, Jeremy Piven, Juliette Lewis, Ellen Pompeo, Elisha Cuthbert, Craig Kilborn, Leah Remini, Perrey Reeves, Seann William Scott, Rick Gonzalez, Simon Helberg, Matt Walsh, Artie Lange, Sara Tanaka, Patrick Fischler, Harve Presnell, Sarah Shahi, Bryan Callen, Eddie Peppitone, Jerod Mixon, Gregory Alan Williams, Rob Corddry, James Carville, Snoop Dogg, Warren G,

Mitch, Frank and Beanie are disillusioned with their personal lives beginning when Mitch’s nymphomanic girlfriend, Heidi, cheats on him, then former party animal Frank gets married, but unwilling to let go of his wild life, and Beanie is a family man seeking to reclaim his wild and crazy youth. Beanie suggests that they form their own fraternity in Mitch’s new house on a college campus to re-live their glory days by bringing together a variety of misfit college students, losers, middle-aged and elderly retirees as their new friends and later try to avoid being evicted by the new Dean of Students, Pritchard, whom still holds a personal grudge against all three of them.

The film is funny and goes hard to a point, but when close to the edge it turns back at times and doesn’t go onto how funny as it seems or could have been but it ends up still funny enough.

As It seems to cheer bigger and better snd trying to make that promise but then delivers only halfway of what seemed guaranteed.

Though it was early before more comedic films in the same vein did indeed go further and bigger. This might have been their inspiration.

The film feels more made for teens who were too young to actually get their own ticket for it and people in their early to mid twenties. Though the older one gets the more they might be able to identify with it or it’s characters a bit more.

Luke Wilson’s character is more of a reluctant lead throughout the film. He is traumatized at first but seems to embrace the party lifestyle. Then go against it. In the end he only seems to accept to help to actually help the pledges out. Now hai reluctance can be seen as him rebounding and emotionally trying to find himself through distractions that he knows are distractions but keeps getting lured back. As it is easier on him psychologically.

Which might have worked out more if he accepted it initially full sail. See how far it went while going all in then helping the pledges at the end but also seeing his way out of the chaos his life has become.

For all the classic comedic moments and bits the movie belongs to Will Ferrell who steals all of his scenes.

This was one of the first movies where even though a supporting performance he truly lets loose comedically and not by a comedy or character of his own creations. Or concept. Showing all he needs is direction and a little freedom to let him loose.

Also it’s more his film as the film has Luke Wilson’s character trying to recover from a bad relationship but the film shows ferrell’s character trying to find himself after trying to be normal and caged in marriages which is obviously not him. his character has the biggest transformation throughout

At first it seems like he is filling out a kind of Tom green comedian of the moment role. The same green had in ROAD TRIP as the crazy friend. But Ferrell’s character is strongly indebted to the story and with the other character. Whereas Green in the previous film seems there to do bits and appear either on his own or in a scene or two with other characters, but wasn’t really integral to the film or group of friends.

Jeremy Piven’s character seems to let his look do more of the work as a villain. He never truly makes his presence or threats felt dangerous or truly threatening. He is also the main piece of the film that feels formulaic left over from an ANIMAL HOUSE type film. Though his character is what helps keep the film afloat as far as plot and conflict.

Vince Vaughn here is really starting to get the hang of his more comedic on screen persona that seems to have started in the film MADE. Though the film gives him a nice character defining moment. When with a pretty young coed talking alone and about to get with her after a minor seduction. He gets cold feet and is nervous and blows it. Showing to a degree not only is he all talk, but actually loves and cares about his wife and family more than he lets on. He gets the reality of his fantasy and might just realize how good he has it.

The film doesn’t offer much for the female cast to do. Especially Leah Remini as it seems she is perfectly cast as Vince Vaughn’s wife. It seems like she will be sarcastic, no nonsense and wisecracking but to no avail as instead she is a presence and seems to be a best friend of Will Ferrell’s newlywed wife helping her get adjusted to marriage. So for her here it seems like most of the films’ female casting is pretty but full of wasted opportunities.

This film is definitely a step up from ROAD TRIP for director Todd Phillips. As this feels better and more strongly structured. It also has a stronger story where it doesn’t feel as episodic.

GRADE: B-

Tag: Artie Lange

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