Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

20th Century Fox etc.

November 1, 1996

Historical Drama

DVD
C-

I've seen at least some of this once before, close to its release, and it remains weird, that is creative but not necessarily enjoyable.  This time I tuned out before Juliet actually showed up, and I didn't even see that much of Romeo in the first quarter hour.  Director Baz Luhrmann helped adapt Shakespeare.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Summit Entertainment

October 12, 2012

Dramedy?
DVD
C-

So I tried to watch this once before, and I read some but not all of the book.  I still didn't like it this time, but it's not terrible.  (Still don't know what Emma Watson's accent was though.)  Stephen Chbosky adapted his novel and directed.

Monsters vs. Aliens

Monsters vs. Aliens

DreamWorks

March 27, 2009

Animation, Sci-Fi, Children's?

DVD
D+

This is shelved as a children's movie, but, although there was no "questionable content" in the first quarter hour, starting this off with a mismatched couple's wedding is odd.  And I wasn't crazy about the character design.  Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon co-directed, as well as co-writing with a bunch of people.

I Could Never Be Your Woman

I Could Never Be Your Woman

Weinstein Company

February 26, 2008

Romcom, Fantasy

DVD
B-

This is one of those movies I like so much I want to love it, but it is definitely flawed, with the usually wonderful Ullman here playing the downer Mother Nature character, and the backstabbing All-About-Eve-light receptionist being too cartoony a villainess.  Still, I like Pfeiffer's romantic chemistry with Rudd, and her mother-daughter relationship with Ronan, and there are some other nifty things about it, including of course the Heckerling-designed color scheme and Fred Willard willarding away.  Note that this was made in '05, when Rudd was about 36 but of course was ageless enough to pass for 29, while Pfeiffer was about 47 and of course still gorgeous and believable as 40.*  I tagged as many people as I recognized and could fit.

*Also, the cut to Stacey Dash (at 39ish believably playing an actress who pioneered portraying teens) laughing at an insult to President George W. Bush has of course only gotten more ironic with time.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Universal

April 18, 2008

Romcom

DVD
C+

I saw and liked this at the time, but I do have to say that rewatching it a dozen years later, no one is living up to their potential here (except maybe Russell Brand), star/writer Segel in particular.  Still, it was fun spotting everyone, the Hawaiian scenery is of course lovely, and there are some scattered good lines.  Nicholas Stoller 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.

The Catcher Was a Spy

The Catcher Was a Spy
IFC Films
June 22, 2018
War Drama, Sports Drama
DVD
C-

Rudd plays the title character, a Jewish baseball player who is sent to kill a Nazi, but first there are flashbacks, including to sex on a piano.  This is based on the Nicholas Dawidoff book and directed by Ben Lewin.