Friends with Benefits

Friends with Benefits is one of an increasing number of movies that insists on putting the best bits in the trailer. I get why they do that, but some of the best moments in the film, the ones that should really make you laugh, you have already seen.

 That being said, Justin Timberlake was almost good enough in this to make me forget he was once in a boy band and Mila Kunis certainly gives guys a good reason not to feel too bad when their girlfriend drags them out to see this.

The stand out performance comes from Woody Harrelson, who plays a gay sports editor. Dylan (Timberlake) strikes up a friendship with Tommy (Harrelson) who provides some advice and great comedy moments.

 Friends with Benefits is a fun, throwaway movie. It's not going to make you think, the storyline is somewhat inevitable and the cast do an okay job. Chances are you're still going to go and see it anyway, and with the above in mind, you probably won't even be that disappointed.

Friends with Benefits: 5.5/10

Horrible Bosses

The Story: Horrible Bosses is about three men (Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis) who are all employed by bosses they hate. They decide that rather than quitting their jobs in uncertain economic times and giving out handjobs for $40 at the back of a bar like an unfortunate friend of theirs that they'll kill their bosses instead.

The plot itself isn't particularly believable (as in, I'd rather commit cold blooded murder than have sex with Jennifer Aniston) and the resolution of the movie makes almost no sense. However, the plot does do a good job of driving the humour which, after all, is the point of a comedy (Story: 1/3)

The Cast: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis all do a great job in the leading roles and the interaction and comedic situation is managed well. You definably feel like their relationships are genuine. The stars of the show however come in the form of their more experienced co-stars: Aniston, Farrell and Spacey all shine in their roles, although Spacey is the only one you really want to die. Jamie Foxx makes an appearance as a 'murder consultant' for the three would be killers in convincing fashion. (Cast: 2/3)


The Comedy: Horrible bosses is outrageously funny. You sometimes feel like the situations are a little too set up but overall there is comedy gold almost all the way through. The range of characters leads to a wide variety of funny situations and the cast certainly take full advantage. (Comedy: 3/3)

Everything else: Horrible bosses doesn't really offer anything beyond what you would expect, despite being a genuinely funny movie. The comedy is regular and original, but it's not executed in a particularly smart way. If you want to watch a fun film with a great cast then get yourself down to the cinema to see Horrible Bosses. However, no bonus points here. (Everything else: 0/1)

Horrible Bosses: 6/10

Bridesmaids

Important Note: I am male. While that normally isn't a problem where watching movies is concerned, when I went to see Bridesmaids there was roughly a 10:1 ratio of women to men, maybe more. Some of the jokes and situations in the film simply do not apply, and that does in some way change the overall feel and experience.

It's been a while since I saw people dress up for a movie, it might have even been as far back as the last Star Wars film. A number of women at the viewing I went to, one of the first in our area, were dressed up in bridesmaids outfits and wedding dresses (check out the Facebook page for examples). It's also been a long time since I left a cinema screen and walked out into the car park where people are still full blown laughing - such was the level of overall comedy and sheer number of jokes.

Let me start my saying that Bridesmaids is, in parts, an exceptionally funny movie. Before I saw it someone explained it to me as 'Better than The Hangover 2' which I think it definitely lives up to. It's a female slant on a male movie, much like Bad Teacher it applies some tried-and-tested male scenarios with a female dynamic.

Lillian (Maya Rudolph) picks Annie (Kristen Wiig) to be her maid of honor who has the task of organising the rituals of pre wedding organisation. Annie is a broke, disorganised and inexperienced, not the best qualities in this type of role. Unfortunately for Annie, Lillian has a new friend, Helen (Rose Byrne) who is beautiful, successful, popular and is married to a wealthy businessman.

Annie and Lillian battle it out in the movie and the contrast in values, standards and lifestyles in addition to the constant upstaging leads to some hilarious and at time cringe worthy scenes. Bridesmaids isn’t a move that is afraid to test the boundaries of this type of comedy, it really goes for it in a fully blown, taking a shit in the middle of a busy street kind of way.

Matt Lucas makes a few appearances as Annie’s housemate, but unfortunately his potential isn’t exercised and he adds little to the comedy, which is more a mark of how good it is elsewhere in the film than of Lucas' skill as a comedian.

While Bridesmaids is mostly genuinely funny and original comedy, there is a love interest that makes it tick the inevitable ‘chick-flick’ box involving a local cop played by Chris O'Dowd, who brings a charming and loveable spark to the story and provides some fantastic comedic situations of his own.

My first rating out of 10 puts this at quite a lofty 7/10 mostly for it’s originality based on a modern theme but it goes and extra point for the audience reaction and participation.

Bridesmaids: 7/10

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Bad Teacher

Bad Teacher is a comedy about Elizabeth Halsey, a school teacher who gets dumped by her wealthy partner after he realises she's only after his money.

This film is not one that takes itself too seriously. Elizabeth's character (Cameron Diaz) is a female version of many a leading man we have seen in comedies lately. The self obsessed, weed smoking, could care less attitude is one we have seen frequently - although the school setting does give some mileage for new jokes and a different, if somewhat predictable, story of redemption.

Elizabeth's style attracts the attention of Russell Gettis (Jason Segel) who brings some genuine comedy to the movie - much of it centered around her attempts to woo a wealthy supply teacher Scott Delacorte (Justing Timberlake) who has family money, far too much sensitivity and a passion for dry humping. Atlthough Timberlake's character is clearly supposed to be over the top, he doesn't quite take to the role as well as he did as Napster founder Sean Parker in The Social Network.


Some of the smaller roles in this movie make for the best scenes. Lynn Davies makes an appearance as fellow teacher Phyllis Smith, and adds some nice balance to Elizabeth's wild ways with a genuine sense of nervousness and caution in her approach to life. It's supposed to provide a contrast, but there is some comedy, both intentional and unintentional, in their relationship.

Dolphin loving Principal Wally Snur (John Michael Higgins) plays his part well and interacts nicely with the other characters. The end of year speeches are a perfect reflection of the awkward work team address and his excitable, animated discussion with various members of the faculty are hilarious in parts.

Bad Teacher was never going to be a great comedy, but it's not particularly bad either. If you have a cinema pass like me an a couple of hours spare one evening you could certainly do worse.

Bad Teacher: 2.5/5

(I think I'm going to have to start rating out of 10...)

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The Hangover Part II

Two years after the Las Vegas stag party the cast return to take another crack at what was an original and exceptionally funny first movie.

Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis pick up where they left off in Vegas, this time in Thailand for Stu's wedding to his fiance, Lauren. Stu has good intentions, but what starts as a quiet drink around a campfire picks up in a dirty hotel room in Bangkok.

While Ken Jeong makes a hilarious return as Mr. Chow and Galifianakis applies his comedic genius to the film I can't help but feel they could have done more. If you have seen The Hangover and loved it you'll undoubtedly love this, but the novelty of some of the gags has worn off. The plot is very similar and they go over a lot of ground previously covered.

I can't help but feel for Justin Bartha who once again sits this one out as the point of contact back at the hotel while the rest of the gang tear around Bangkok trying to piece together their night out and find Teddy, Lauren's younger brother.

Despite the lack of originality, it's still a funny film and some of the scenes are hilarious. It's a shame they couldn't do more, but unfortunately this just feels like one of those movies they make to cash in on the success of the original, and judging by the $80m budget and $86m opening weekend, it looks like they did just that.

I think The Hangover Part II warrants some praise, and that three stars is more than fair.

The Hangover Part II: ***

Check out the trailer below:



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