Tag: Kristen Schaal

MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY (2024)

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Directed By: Peter Segal

Written By: Pete Segal, Erich Hoeber & Jon Hoeber 

Based on Characters Created By: Erich Hoeber & Jon Hoeber 

Cinematography: Larry Blanford

Editor: Jason Gourson 

Cast: Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman, Ken Jeong, Kristen Schaal, Anna Faris, Craig Robinson, Foula Borg, Taeho K., Billy Barratt, Tanner Burjaq 

JJ, a veteran CIA agent, reunites with his protégé Sophie, in order to prevent a catastrophic nuclear scheme threatening Vatican City, which disrupts a high school choir trip to Italy.

While the first film was surprisingly endearing and entertaining, this sequel isn’t horrible, but while it hits half of the same spots as the first film, this time, it feels a little more forced and unfocused as the first film felt specific this film felt general 

Now anyone who was looking forward to this sequel I’m sure won’t be greatly disappointed, though the problem here is that as with all sequels, it must be bigger while the first film was singular. This one is more international and foreign locals. It has its moments but seems to be missing that, and the sweetness that made the first film work

It also doesn’t help that this film has a much bigger cast a lot of bigger more recognizable names and small roles that you would expect more 

The film is predictable and it tries and all the characters do have their chemistry, but for some reason, it just isn’t as charming as the first though it is entertain 

The film feels like a successor of the Frankie Muniz starring film AGENT CODY BANKS this is a continuation and the kid’s spy genre, not the SPY KIDS franchise.  only here more of a buddy comedy like AGENT CODY BANKS, less a James Bond-type story, and adventure as this one is more all about teamwork.

Dave Bautista actually looks a little smaller this time around, but he is still an imposing force who gets stuck in more comedic situations, but he used well in the action sequences. 

Chloe Coleman is hilarious a girl with a crush, but who still also has her eyes on the prize as far as missions go and hold her own and all of her scenes of action and comedy and even a little romance. 

There is plenty of action in comedy and some jokes and languages that I am a little surprised they got away with a PG-13 movie but then again it’s all done and innocence and fun and not trying to be dirty or nasty. Even if it feels a little more risqué, the previous film was more of a children’s film. This is a little bit more of a preteen movie, but it’s still at heart a family film that you can watch together.

Grade: C

THE BOSS (2016)

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Directed By: Ben Falcone
Written By: Steve Mallory, Melissa McCarthy & Ben Falcone
Cinematography: Julio Macat 
Editor: Craig Alpert

Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Bell, Ella Anderson, Tyler Labine, Peter Dinklage, Kathy Bates, Cecily Strong, Kristen Schaal, Annie Mumolo, Dax Shepard, Ben Falcone, Margo Martindale, Michael McDonald, Cedric Yarbrough 

A titan of industry is sent to prison after she’s caught insider trading. When she emerges ready to rebrand herself as America’s latest sweetheart, not everyone she screwed over is so quick to forgive and forget.

A kind of comedic take on money managers and lifestyle icons. That is a pure comedy even if at times it might come off as a spoof that thinks It’s a satire. 

This is one of those films that checks your brain at the door. As it is silly and never truly takes itself seriously and that is what is enjoyable about the film. You know what you are going to get. while you enjoy how you get there. 

Another fact of the fun is that it’s another role for Melissa McCarthy where her character is silly but not stupid. So that there is a brain in her character and can be witty while doing over-the-top physical comedy. Surprisingly one of her better films where she isn’t annoying or gets tired of her character swiftly. 

Though not one of her most memorable comedies. I think this is truly an unsung movie and performance and put it up as a favorite and one of her better ones.

She is the center of attention but Kristen Bell is the one who has more of the story and who you root for. Whereas McCarthy is the one who breaks it all up with her behavior and bad decisions. As she lets loose and lets everything fly. Mrs. Bell is more the straight woman with the responsibilities and gets more of a romantic storyline to boot 

As the comedy is sedate yet can be raunchy as it is another film where half the fun is watching at times the child characters act more responsibly than the adults but also watching kids behaving badly and with the foul language they shouldn’t even know. 

Having Peter Dinklage here as the villain is a stroke of genius as he truly gets to cut up and be just as silly. 

The film has a sweetness that Even when the film passes over into rated R, territory.  It feels a little shocking but tries to stay in line with a more general audience feeling.

GRADE: C+

GET HIM TO THE GREEK (2010)

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Written & Directed By: Nicholas Stoller 
Based on Characters Created by: Jason Segel
Cinematography: Robert D. Yeoman 
Editor: William Kerr & Michael L. Sale

Cast: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Sean Combs, Rose Byrne, Elisabeth Moss, Colm Meaney, Aziz Ansari, Kali Hawk, Nick Kroll, Carla Gallo, Ellie Kemper, Jake Johnson, Davone McDonald, T.J. Miller, Neal Brennan, Kristen Schaal, Lindsey Broad, Carlos Jacott, Pharrell Williams, P!NK

A record company intern is hired to accompany out-of-control British rock star Aldous Snow to a concert at L.A.’s Greek Theater.

I remember loving this movie when it came out in theaters and being surprised at Its risqué drug humor at the time. That now seems to come along once in a while when a movie wants to be more lowbrow and challenging.

Recently rewatching this film. It still doubles down on Its shocking humor, but even as hard as it tries to be provocative. Now it seems more than ever to be reaching it. if letting it happen naturally. Which kind of weakens it.

It does stand up as a perfect time capsule of the trends of the time especially when it comes to the music industry. The film tries to make Russell Brand’s character more of a classic rock star but he still comes across as more of a forgettable star of the time period. Which only makes the film feel like a more artificial lake

This is one of the two Russel Brand performances that really took hold at the time. FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL is the other. Where his character Aldous Snow from this film was only a supporting character. Whose outrageous character stole the show. So this is his spin-off and the movie was supposed to make Brand a big comedic star In America. 

This film more shows his character’s downfall though ultimately was Brand’s one big hurrah at the box office. As he did a remake of the film ARTHUR and some smaller film roles and seems to have retired from comedy and acting.

Here his character seems inspired by brand’s public persona at the time and previously. Living a kind of debaucherous hedonistic extravagant exhibitionistic lifestyle. Which he has changed, now to a cleaner and focused one. So once again a time capsule to a precious time. 

Sean Combs does a serviceable job in his role as the record company owner. It’s nice to see him having fun with his public image and showing a sense of humor. Making the film even more meta. Though he still comes off stiff. It feels that if a more experienced actor had played the role. It feels as if the character would have more opportunities to be outrageous and unhinged, no holding back.  

Even as you would expect combs to be more natural. As he is playing a version of himself under a different name. Though he does bring more of an audience to the film. Who has come to see him be comedic.

The film leaves Jonah Hill with little to do to make an Impression other than playing the nebbish straight man and worrywart. Who ends up being punished for most of the film for the shenanigans of others. This comes off more like an acting performance than a comedic one or even having a comedic persona. 

This is definitely a hard R Rated film that shockingly holds back in showing anything that would feel exploitive but still a little shocked of the material used in such a mainstream aimed film. Mostly drug-related and sex Jokes but barely any real sex scenes and when there is they are obscured and no nudity.

There is plenty of inspired humor and shocks but somehow anytime it seems to aim for audacious. It ends up mediocre. It comes off that way. So that it feels watered down or at least played by numbers at times. It also comes off as a film where you want to live out the film rather than watch it. As it seems to offer wishes it just can’t grant.

This is a film that is probably better and funnier under the influence. 

GRADE: B-