The Video Station: (303) 440-4448 » Judd Apatow http://thevideostation.com/blog 1661 28th St Boulder, CO (303) 440-4448 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:01:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 GOING THE DISTANCE – Reviewed by Joyce http://thevideostation.com/blog/2010/12/03/going-the-distance-reviewed-by-joyce/ http://thevideostation.com/blog/2010/12/03/going-the-distance-reviewed-by-joyce/#comments Fri, 03 Dec 2010 03:11:32 +0000 blogadmin http://thevideostation.com/blog/?p=3937 Going the Distance was just an okay romantic comedy. I didn’t love it by any means. I didn’t feel any great chemistry between the stars, Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, even though they have been an on-again, off-again couple for a while. I really liked Drew in He’s Just Not That Into You (a much better rom-com to my mind), and she was spectacular in Grey Gardens. I must admit that, in looking over Justin Long’s filmography, I realized that I have barely seen any of his movies, but I was predisposed to liking him because of his Mac guy TV commercials. However, I’m not a big fan of raunchy humor, of which there was a hearty dose in this film, and the humor didn’t seem really funny. There was nothing unique about the plot—boy meets girl, romance ensues, separation occurs, the two try to have a long-distance relationship (hence Going the Distance) and, well, you can guess that it’s not going to have a tragic ending. I liked Forgetting Sarah Marshall much better. Or Keeping the Faith. Or My Best Friend’s Wedding, even.

So what’s not to like in Going the Distance? Well, first, too much stupid vulgarity. The movie I think is trying to be a Judd Apatow wannabe, but it just doesn’t cut it. Also, the characters are not too interesting. Drew’s character is presumably exciting because she’s really good at a particular video game. I tried to care, honestly I did.

The director, Nanette Burstein, also directed the fantastic The Kid Stays in the Picture, a documentary about Robert Evans. You should really see that film. Her talents did not translate into elevating this particular romantic comedy above mediocre. Lots of viewers will like it, though, and it is definitely a passable date movie, although I sincerely hope you’re not dating anyone who would enjoy it. - [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

Comedy/Romance

Rated R

DVD Release Date: 11/30/10

]]> http://thevideostation.com/blog/2010/12/03/going-the-distance-reviewed-by-joyce/feed/ 0 FUNNY PEOPLE – Reviewed by Tovah http://thevideostation.com/blog/2009/11/26/funny-people-reviewed-by-tovah/ http://thevideostation.com/blog/2009/11/26/funny-people-reviewed-by-tovah/#comments Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:17:00 +0000 blogadmin http://thevideostation.com/blog/?p=2089 The latest from Judd Apatow is quite a letdown. There was little laughter as I watched this black comedy. The synopsis goes like this: an aging comedian learns that he has a disease and has almost no chance of living. Adam Sandler basically plays himself, although I am unaware if he has any diseases in real life.

George aka Adam Sandler realizes that his life is rich materialistically, but devoid of any real connections. So to make up for his pathetic lifestyle, George goes to ground zero: the “any room” where he first started his career. Here George finds a mediocre comedian that he can tolerate, and whom he hires to write jokes for him, in an attempt to find friendship. Our mediocre comedian is played by Seth Rogen. Of course, Ira (Rogen) is taken in by George; as a failing comedian, Ira can’t believe his luck to be working for the infamous funny man. Very quickly it is learned that working for George is not fun. The money and the perks are good, but George is a complete schmuck, making Ira’s life miserable. Ira is the good guy, so even though his own life now revolves around George, he still tries to make George happy.

There are a few cameos by some notable famous people, such as Andy Dick, Eric Bana, James Taylor, Sarah Silverman, Judd Apatow’s children, Dave Attel, Paul Reiser, etc. – [DVD]

Comedy/Drama

Rated R

DVD Release Date: 11/24/09

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