Category Archives: Independent Comedy

2013 Films, Comedy, Independent, Independent Comedy

Enough Said-2013

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Enough Said-2013

Director Nicole Holofcener

Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini

Scott’s Review #71

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Reviewed June 25, 2014

Grade: B+

Enough Said (2013) is a surprisingly well-written, small indie romantic comedy and, sadly, James Gandolfini’s (TV’s The Sopranos) final film performance.

The film stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who portrays a down-to-earth massage therapist who meets her odd match (Gandolfini) at a party.

They slowly begin dating and some interesting misunderstandings ensue.

The seemingly odd couple fall in love and form a special bond over time. They are both struggling to overcome past relationships and trust someone again so are vulnerable and interesting characters.

They strive to be happy but are not quite there yet.

I found the dialogue very sharp and witty and Dreyfus is perfectly cast in this film. She and Gandolfini have enormous chemistry and the film is not contrived in the least as many romantic comedies are.

The film feels like a West Coast Woody Allen film from a female perspective with many neurotic, flawed characters.

I enjoyed it immensely.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Supporting Male-James Gandolfini, Best Screenplay

2012 Films, Comedy, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama

Frances Ha-2012

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Frances Ha-2012

Director Noah Baumbach

Starring Greta Gerwig, Adam Driver

Scott’s Review #44

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Reviewed June 18, 2014

Grade: B+

Frances Ha (2012) is an intelligent, quirky comedy-drama made ever so appealing by its star, Greta Gerwig, an up-and-coming indie star (Greenberg-2010, The House of the Devil-2009).

She is the heart of this film and has an intense rooting value to her. You want to be her friend.

Made in black and white, which is unique and highly effective in an indie way, it tells the tale of a moderately talented dancer struggling to make it in New York City.

“Frances”, along with her best friend, hops from situation to situation in an attempt to establish normalcy. Gerwig shines with the perfect blend of awkwardness, sarcasm, and wit that she gives to the character and the viewer falls in love with her as she travels through many trials and tribulations.

It’s a year-in-the-life type of film.

Frances Ha is reminiscent of a Woody Allen film as it contains many neurotic yet lovable characters.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Feature, Best Editing

2013 Films, Comedy, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama

The Way, Way Back-2013

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The Way, Way Back-2013

Director Nat Faxon, Jim Rash

Starring Steve Carrell, Toni Collette

Scott’s Review #40

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Reviewed June 18, 2014

Grade: B-

The Way, Way Back (2013) is a cute, summery, “coming of age” story about a teen misfit struggling to fit in.

It contains the basic stereotypical characters (boozy neighbor, overbearing step-father type), but kudos to great performances by Allison Janney and Steve Carell who make the film much more than it would have been otherwise.

The film feels like something that has been done many times before but contains a charming, feel-good quality.

Still, I would have enjoyed it more if some risks had been taken and the characters delved into more.

It is a one-dimensional film that ultimately disappoints.

2013 Films, Comedy, Dark Comedy, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama

Inside Llewyn Davis-2013

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Inside Llewyn Davis-2013

Director Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Starring Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan

Scott’s Review #35

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B+

Being a tremendous fan of the Coen brothers (Fargo-1996, No Country for Old Men-2007) I was eager to see their latest offering, Inside Llewyn Davis (2013).

The Coen’s have such a sense of quirkiness in their characters and while this film is not on the level of their other gems, it is a good piece.

I love the cold, winter, Greenwich Village setting as struggling folk singer, Llewyn Davis (expertly played by Oscar Isaac) struggles over two weeks to land gigs or breaks while encountering many people who either thwart or help his chances of success.

Sadly, the film was ignored by the Oscar brethren, but alas it tells of a slice-of-life experience of a 1960s artist.

As with most Coen brother films, it is cast with unique, interesting character actors in a bit but nuanced parts.

Oscar Nominations: Best Sound Mixing, Best Cinematography

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Feature, Best Male Lead-Oscar Isaac, Best Cinematography

2013 Films, Comedy, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama

Nebraska-2013

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Nebraska-2013

Director Alexander Payne

Starring Bruce Dern, Will Forte

Scott’s Review #31

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B+

Deservedly receiving a handful of Oscar nominations, Nebraska (2013) tells the story of a senior citizen, incorrectly convinced he has won a million dollars.

He is determined to travel from Montana to Nebraska to collect the coveted prize.

On the surface, this film sounds like a downer and the use of black and white does wonders to set the atmosphere of coldness and bleakness in the wintry mid-west.

There are moments of humor and little-known June Squibb is a delight as the saucy wife of lead actor Bruce Dern, also wonderful as boozy, curmudgeonly Woody Grant.

There are a few unnecessary mid-western stereotypes, commonplace in director Alexander Payne’s films, but a heartbreaking, comical experience, makes this film worth watching.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director-Alexander Payne, Best Actor-Bruce Dern, Best Supporting Actress-June Squibb, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best Feature, Best Director-Alexander Payne, Best Male Lead-Bruce Dern, Best Supporting Male-Will Forte, Best Supporting Female-June Squibb, Best First Screenplay (won)

2013 Films, Comedy, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama, Independent Romantic Comedy, Romantic Comedy

Don Jon-2013

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Don Jon-2013

Director Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Julianne Moore

Scott’s Review #27

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B+

 I did not expect Don Jon (2013) to be as good as it is.

Frankly, I was expecting a by-the-numbers romantic comedy.

Written, directed by, and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, it tells the story of a twenty-something New Jersey bartender who is addicted to porn despite receiving all the female attention he can imagine.

Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore play two completely different women in his life.

The film contains stereotypical, though hilarious and spot-on, New Jersey trademarks. Tony Danza is effective as the brash father.

In the last thirty minutes, the film turns into a wonderful, yet hardly sappy or traditional, love story that makes Don Jon (2013) a positive experience.

Gordon-Levitt is a breath of fresh air and a young Hollywood talent getting his due.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best First Screenplay

2013 Films, Comedy, Independent, Independent Comedy, International, International Comedy, Spanish

I’m So Excited-2013

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I’m So Excited-2013

Director Pedro Almodovar

Starring Antonio de la Torre, Hugo Silva

Scott’s Review #25

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B-

The latest offering by superb Spanish director, Pedro Almodovar, who directed the brilliantly disturbing The Skin I Live In (2011) a few years ago, returns with a vast departure.

He delves into a campy, lighthearted, yarn about a group of passengers and crew aboard a troubled flight in I’m So Excited (2013).

The group turns to booze and drugs to console themselves and a circus ensues.

Someone had described this as the gay Airplane! (1980) and that is fitting. Everyone on board is gay, bi-curious, or otherwise sexually confused and the one-liners keep coming.

The premise sounds hysterical, but sadly, the film does not measure up to expectations.

FYI: I felt Airplane! was overrated.

Funny moments, but the “over-the-topness” was too much to take remotely seriously and somehow did not hold my attention throughout.

Not Almodovar’s best work by a longshot.

2012 Films, Comedy, Independent, Independent Comedy

Bachelorette-2012

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Bachelorette-2012

Director Leslye Headland

Starring Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher

Scott’s Review #22

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: D

I’m not sure how to pinpoint exactly what is wrong with Bachelorette (2012) except for just about everything.

It tries to be a Bridesmaids (2011) meets Hangover (2009) copycat but fails miserably. What made those films entertaining was that they were funny.

This film attempts many jokes and falls flat almost every time. The set-ups are there, but there is no follow-through.

Almost every character is unlikable and hateful to everyone else and there is nobody to root for.

Worse yet, the film is bland. Dumb comedies are not my favorite genre, but this was lackluster.

I adore Kirsten Dunst, but sadly she picked a dud she’s likely soon to forget. Isla Fisher seems to always be in films like this and the male actors (James Marsden, Adam Scott) have little to do.

The talented cast is wasted and Bachelorette (2012) is not worth seeing.