Tag Archives: Andy Samberg

2009 Films, Bromance, Comedy, Guy Films, Screwball Comedy

I Love You, Man-2009

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I Love You, Man-2009

Director John Hamburg

Starring Paul Rudd, Jason Segal

Scott’s Review #1,311

Reviewed October 24, 2022

Grade: B

I Love You, Man (2009) is another one of these ‘feel-good’ types of ‘bromance’ comedies to grace the silver screen in the 2000s.

It takes a familiar storyline of two male friends bonding, usually involving a female in the mix to complicate matters, with hilariously awkward moments thrown in.

It’s nothing groundbreaking or overly severe, but rather a mildly satisfying ‘guy film’ that a female audience can also enjoy because there exists a romance and a happily ever after.

I’m simplifying the specific gender tastes quite a bit, but what I mean is the film is light, and there can be something for everyone to enjoy.

While there are some innocent homoerotic playful moments between the men, for laughs, of course, the genre avoids anything LGBTQ+ related other than a gay supporting character who cleverly teaches the straight male how to ‘meet’ men.

Director John Hamburg is involved in similarly themed projects like Meet the Parents (2000) and Along Came Polly (2004), so he knows the common premise required for a film like I Love You, Man, as well as what the audience wants.

As his wedding day approaches, nerdy Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) realizes he has no one to serve as his best man.

Through a series of “man-dates,” he finds abrasive Sydney Fife (Jason Segel), and the pair become instant friends.

But as Peter’s “bromance” with Sydney grows stronger, it threatens his relationship with his intended, Zooey (Rashida Jones), forcing Peter to make a choice.

It’s not a bad effort and Rudd and Segal have good chemistry as polar opposite characters. The differences are a big part of the laughs, but Jones is somewhat unnecessary to the plot other than the required female component to satisfy the formula.

She dutifully plays her role as the straight woman immersed between two goofballs but has very little to do other than get in the way and be a roadblock to the guys’ fun.

It’s not a great role for her and the chemistry is lacking between her and Rudd, but maybe that’s just the point. I’m not too sure, but I found the humorous moments entirely left to the boys to provide.

My favorite section of the film is one that many may dismiss or deem secondary. The legendary progressive rock band Rush makes an appearance as a way that Peter and Sydney ultimately bond.

Any fan of music, especially a thinking man’s band like Rush, can attest to the genuine bond that can be created between followers of a specific group.

Rush is legendary for just that, and it makes I Love You, Man feel fresher than it otherwise would have. Besides, other than Led Zeppelin, is there a better example of a ‘guy’s band’?

Otherwise, the film is particularly run-of-the-mill. There are familiar arguments, misunderstandings, breakups, and makeups to be endured.

Events start with a marriage proposal and unsurprisingly end with a wedding ceremony, so anything in between is rather superfluous since we can see the outcome a mile away.

Naturally, as much as Zooey wants Peter to have more male friends, she becomes suspicious and otherwise threatened by the new blood, feeling left out.

There is a hint that Sydney may be trying to manipulate and pull the wool over Peter’s eyes over a financial loan, but things work themselves out just fine.

As predictable as I Love You, Man (2009) is, there is a sentimental, even heartwarming sensation to be left with, and a few good chuckles along the way.

2012 Films, Comedy, Dark Comedy, Screwball Comedy

That’s My Boy-2012

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That’s My Boy-2012

Director Sean Anders

Starring Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg

Scott’s Review #423

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Reviewed June 19, 2016

Grade: D

That’s My Boy (2012) is an incredibly bad film, yet something strangely kept my attention.

With oodles of stereotypes and either sexist, homophobic, or racist jokes throughout the film, it should have made me angry, but somehow it did not.

This movie was so completely over the top that it couldn’t possibly be taken seriously.

One laughable aspect that I did enjoy was the, albeit odd, cameos by Vanilla Ice and Todd Bridges who seem to have no problem degrading themselves, and the references to the 1980s.

Otherwise, That’s My Boy is pretty rock bottom for filmmaking.

This isn’t a knock on the dumb comedy genre, as other recent similar films are well written (like This is 40-2011).

But alas, That’s My Boy (2012) isn’t one of those films and will not go down in history as such.

True to form, the ending is predictable and uninteresting.

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

Celeste and Jesse Forever-2012

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Celeste and Jesse Forever-2012

Director Lee Toland Krieger

Starring Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg

Scott’s Review #421

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Reviewed June 19, 2016

Grade: D

Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012) was a major dud for me.

I am not a fan of romantic comedies, but since the film received a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay, I decided to watch it.

I can’t understand why this film was nominated for that award. Perhaps someone knows someone who knows someone?

There is nothing impressive about the writing whatsoever.

It’s a tried-and-true romantic comedy formula: a couple comes together, the couple splits, the couple reunites, throw in some misunderstandings for good measure, and that is pretty much the film.

The central characters and supporting characters are either dull, annoying, or both.

There is nothing loathsome about the movie, but rather, it’s your standard-by-the-numbers romantic comedy that warrants no award nominations.

Bland.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best First Screenplay

2012 Films, Animated, Comedy, Gothic, Horror-Comedy, Kids

Hotel Transylvania-2012

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Hotel Transylvania-2012

Director Genndy Tartakovsky

Starring Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg

Scott’s Review #418

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Reviewed June 18, 2016

Grade: C-

Hotel Transylvania is a 2012 animated comedy film about an overprotective Dracula with a teenage daughter fascinated with the human world.

The premise sounded interesting to me- a gothic, spooky feature, and the animations are very well done- bright, colorful, and unique- but the plot is way too predictable, and the story is as safe as they come.

Despite the dark mood of the film, there is nothing remotely scary about Dracula or any of the other characters. Rather, they are completely cliched and quite amateurish.

The target audience is ages 10 and under, and parents might find themselves bored. I am not a parent, and I was bored to tears at one point.

It is too cutesy for my tastes.

Save for the impressive animations, Hotel Transylvania (2012) is completely mainstream fare and forgettable filmmaking.

A great story achieves mountains, and this one lacks.

2014 Films, Comedy, Screwball Comedy

Neighbors-2014

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Neighbors-2014

Director Nicholas Stoller

Starring Zac Efron, Seth Rogen

Scott’s Review #229

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Reviewed March 15, 2015

Grade: F

By far one of the worst movies I have seen, Neighbors (2014) is a silly, redundant, nonsensical, plain-old bad film. Whoever thought this film was a good idea and green-lit it should be examined.

Successful comedies, even raunchy, slapstick comedy, have perfect comic timing, likable characters the audience roots for, and at least a shred of creativity and originality.

Neighbors has none of these qualities.

Bridesmaids (2011) is a modern raunchy comedy that works and is hysterical; sadly, Neighbors is a far cry from Bridesmaids.

Neighbors stars Seth Rogen, a familiar face in the slapstick comedy genre, and Rose Byrne as Mac and Kelly Radner, a married couple in their thirties with a newborn baby named Stella.

Former college party animals, the two live in a college town and try to raise their daughter.

One day, Delta Psi Beta, a fraternity known as one of the rowdiest frats, moves into the house next door to the Radners and begins causing chaos with their never-ending parties.

Teddy (Zac Efron) leads the frat.

Initially, the Radners and Teddy strike up mutual respect, but a misunderstanding involving the police being called one night ruins their relationship.

The rest of the film focuses on Mac and Kelly’s attempts to get the fraternity out of their house by sabotaging parties and pitting frat brothers against each other, causing hijinks and war between parents and college kids.

If Neighbors is an attempt to harken back to the days of delicious college comedies such as Animal House (1978) or American Pie (1999), the film fails on every level.

It is simply not funny.

By this point, the plot is so unoriginal, and the jokes are so worn out in similar films (bathroom humor, frat jokes, drug jokes, male and female anatomy jokes) that if you have seen one Seth Rogen film, you have seen them all.

He is a one-trick pony and has become what Adam Sandler became- tired and dull.

Rose Byrne’s annoying character made me think she was using a poor Australian accent, only to realize she’s Australian. This is not a testament to Ms. Byrne’s acting ability.

The protagonists are quite irritating and not likable. What is the rooting value? Mac and Kelly are irresponsible parents.

They presumably leave Stella at home to visit the frat house and wind up getting drunk and high, staying out late, and waking up early the next day.

Kelly attempts to feed Stella using tainted breast milk, which leads us to an unfunny scene between Mac and Kelly focusing on Kelly’s vein-popping breasts, which makes no sense anyway.

Other suspensions of disbelief and logic pop up left and right.

Why would the police reveal to the fraternity the names of those who had called to complain about them and, after catching the Radners in a lie, tell them never to call the police again?

How unrealistic.

Mac and Kelly live in a college town, and the risk of a fraternity or sorority being close never occurred to them. They acted surprised that college students existed.

The wonderful Lisa Kudrow is cast in a ridiculous role as the college Dean, but it’s completely wasted on a hysterical, bubble-headed, dumb character.

If I had to give Neighbors (2014) a positive, it would be that Zac Efron does a halfway decent job portraying his character, Teddy, and he does have a good deal of acting talent (think The Paperboy from 2012).

I am being quite generous and looking for a bright side to a train wreck.

The film is poor.