The Way, Way Back

The Way, Way Back

Sycamore Pictures etc.

July 26, 2013

Dramedy
DVD
C-

Bumped up a notch or two for the always marvelous Allison Janney.  Nat Faxon and Jim Rash co-wrote and co-directed.

Syriana

Syriana

Participant Productions etc.

December 9, 2005

Action?
DVD
D

Of course boring.  This is loosely based on Robert Baer's See No Evil and directed by Stephen Gaghan, fifteen years before Dolittle.

Saving Silverman

Saving Silverman

Sony Pictures Rising etc.

February 9, 2001

Comedy
DVD
C-

I saw this in the theater and found it funny, although I remember the critics bashing it.  Even now, there are more painful comedies I've tried for this project, and the cast helps.  But I didn't feel like watching it all the way through again.  Dennis Dugan directed, one of five of his comedies I've rejected so far on this project.

Martian Child

Martian Child

New Line

November 2, 2007

Dramedy
DVD
D+

I found this cliched and heavy-handed, although I bumped it up a D+ because of Joan Cusack, who as usual acts well against her brother John, although she deserves better material.  This is based on the David Gerrold short story and novella (neither of which I've read, but it appears that the protagonist was gay in one version).  Menno Meyjes directed.

A Lot Like Love

A Lot Like Love

Touchstone

April 22, 2005

Romcom

DVD
C

While I like things about this, especially the '90s soundtrack, I can't past the unlikability of Peet as the female protagonist, a big hurdle for a romcom.  (And I have liked her in other movies.)  Nigel Cole directed.

The Ex

The Ex 
MGM
May 11, 2007
Comedy
DVD
D+

This unfunny comedy is bumped up from a D or D- because I was somewhat entertained seeing who else's talents would be wasted, although I didn't even make it up to Jason Bateman.  (I tagged the ones I saw.)  Jesse Peretz directed.