Justin Long

Going the Distance

  • Title: Going the Distance
  • IMDB: link

Romantic comedies are far from my favorite genre. The cream of the crop are passable at best, and for the rest, well, just take a look at Kate Hudson’s filmography sometime. Perhaps it’s because the bar is set so low that Going the Distance finds a way to be a halfway decent, and at times even funny, entry into the genre.

The story focuses on the burgeoning relationship between low-level record company exec Garret (Justin Long) and waitress Erin (Drew Barrymore) which is put on indefinite hold when Erin’s internship working for a major metropolitan newspaper ends and she leaves New York for San Fransisco.

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Planet 51

  • Title: Planet 51
  • IMDB: link

Planet 51 isn’t going to wow you, but as a first animated feature from Ilion Animated Studios it’s better than I expected.

The story is pretty simple: a peaceful world is invaded by an alien explorer, and with the help of a goodhearted youngster and his friends he eludes the government and attempts to get back home.

Okay, not that original I grant you. Even though the story does a nice job of tilting the perspective by having a Earthman be the invader on an alien world, the weakest piece of Planet 51 is its plot.

By allowing the film to take place on an alien world, however, the film also is finds its strength in designing a world, though goofy, is certainly interesting to explore. This world seems to be centered around a circular design you see in everything from windows to the design of automobiles. Merged with this aesthetic is a 1950’s Americana style in terms of look, film, and sound.

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Sorry, I’m just not that into you

  • Title: He’s Just Not That Into You
  • IMDB: link

hes-just-not-that-into-you-posterHe’s Just Not That Into You starts out with some promise, but, as romcoms are prone to do, falls prey to contrivance and the inevitable happy ending which is cuter than a basket of newborn kittens. Adapted from a self-help book the film does take a (at least occasionally) funny look at how women regard relationships in a mostly twisted and illogical way.

The plot centers around a group of romantically challenged individuals including a loving longtime couple (Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston) dealing with the question of marriage, a quirky young woman (Ginnifer Goodwin) who can’t seem to find a guy, Justin Long as the nice-jerk you find in films like this with an encyclopedic knowledge of women’s bad relationship habits, a real estate agent (Kevin Connolly) in love with a Yoga instructor (Scarlett Johansson) who is more infatuated with a guy she met in a grocery store whose wife (Jennifer Connelly) keeps his balls in her purse. Oh, and I forgot Drew Barrymore (and so does the film for large stretches) as woman trying to find romance online surrounded by the trademark swishy gay friends who have nothing better to do than help their hetero pals find love.

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Kevin Smith Makes a Porno

  • Title: Zack and Miri Make a Porno
  • IMDB: link

“Sometimes you need someone else to show you the things you can’t see.”

The latest from writer/director Kevin Smith focuses on two lifelong friends and roommates who find themselves under a mountain of debt with no money to pay off rising expenses.

Out of other, more conventional, options Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) decide to make a porno together in hopes of raising enough money to get their water and heat turned back on.

Those familiar with Smith’s films will feel right at home here with the vulgar humor tinged with some sweetness.  There’s also some Star Wars references thrown in, and I would like to know what George Lucas thought of Zack and Miri’s first porno idea.

You’ll also notice some staples of the View Askew universe in small roles including Jason Mewes, Jennifer Schwalbach, and Jeff Anderson as those who chip in to help on the film.

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30 Shows in 30 Days

Vince Vaughn takes off on a tour of 30 cities and 6,000 miles in 30 days with a foursome of comedians from the Comedy Store and a few guest spots from some old friends.  This film documents their journey, performances, and behind the scenes moments on the road.  Is it worth you time?  Read the full review inside the Full Diagnosis to find out!

Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show
3 Stars

Vince Vaughn piles four comedians (Ahmed Ahmed, John Caparulo, Bret Ernst, and Sebastian Maniscalco) into a bus and travels across the country for thirty days for a comedy tour.

Starting out in California the troupe hits thirty cities in thirty days and this new film gives us a glimpse of their journey and performances.  Like all live comedy there are good moments, and well, you know.  It takes a while for the film to really get going (and to get out of California), but once the tour starts to make their way east things begin to pick up.

Along the way friends of Vaughn’s show up for specific performances including Justin Long, Keir O’Donnell, and Jon Favreau.  These scattered moments help to add a little more spice to the film, but the comedians themselves provide most of the tour’s memorable moments.

An odd note – although the tour hits many towns it purposely stays out of the Midwest, preferring to travel south through Texas and Oklahoma and only coming northward to make stops in St. Louis and Chicago to end the tour.

So, is it worth your time?  Well, maybe.  With this much time and material, and variety of comedy, you certainly get quantity, even if not all of it is of a high quality.  For me some of the best parts of the film were the behind the scenes moments of the comedians discussing their performances and the audiences at various venues.  There are also some touching moments as the tour is forced to make changes do to Hurricane Katrina, and even give a free matinee for many refugees of the storm.

There are some laughs and some groans, and many moments in between.  The best moments for me were John Caparulo’s reaction to being informed about the “clean” show, and the personal moments both before and after performances between the comedians.  It’s not a must-see and will no doubt find a larger audience on DVD than its initial theatrical run, but there is enough here to make the experience worthwhile and enjoyable.

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