board77

Got a double dose of hotties tonight, with Cillian Murphy in RED EYE and Steve Carell in 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN. I'm glad I planned it out so that the comedy went last, and I was sent home from the theatre with a sore stomach from laughing so hard.

Very possibly one of the funniest movies ever.

Of course, they had me from the first time I heard the title. Didn't hurt who the star was: I so rarely get to see my favorite personalities become big names, and rarer still for the right reasons. Nick Stahl? Glad he got the big bucks for something like TERMINATOR 3, but could have done without the huge amounts of crap that film was. Johnny Depp? Have loved ya for years, baby, but now you're suddenly a hot commodity? Idiots.

I've been a fan of Carell's since I got into The Daily Show w/ John Stewart years ago, and it's been delicious seeing him rise to fame in brilliant comedic roles such as with ANCHORMAN and BRUCE ALMIGHTY. Yay Steve! Upon hearing that his first star vehicle was titled THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN, I had the hugest grin on my face and knew everything was going to be okay. It's just a nice little bonus that the reviews have been positive, and it opened at number one at the box office. The only affect that has on me is a more secure guarantee that Carell can keep working in this town, which is just super duper.




So, what did I think about the movie? Bring along all your friends, sneak in a drink or two, and laugh until your knees hurt from slapping them. My local theatre played it on one of the smallest screens for some reason (they couldn't smell a hit if the mafia left their calling card on it), and it was right friggin' packed. I had no elbow room whatsoever, but it was okay because I quickly lost any interest in my popcorn. There were so many gags, and so many of them drawn out just long enough. My neighbors and I were all squealing during the wax scene, crying during the almost-got-there flashbacks (I don't have a penis, but I can still appreciate the scare factor braces have), and by the "Aquarius" themed finale, I think most of us wanted to storm the projection boothe and take a copy of the movie home with us. I have to see this one again. Never thought I could top the laugh factor of TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE (I'm not one for laughing out loud in a theatre... even if others are disturbing the peace), but I was screaming at the top of my lungs during this movie and no one else could have noticed over their own hysterics. I still stand by my opinion that comedies should be 1h 45min tops (this one is almost 120 minutes), but I was grooving to this story and wanted to stick around for all of it.

Wish I could have seen it with some of you!

Speaking of which, I appreciated the Angbasdil reference:

Quote:

Andy Stitzer: Is this shirt too yellow?
Cal: No.
[pause]
Cal: Tell me, what's Curious George like in real life?

Holla!

Also, concerning the infamous waxing scene (I didn't realize Carell actually got his real body hair waxed for it... what a trooper), I was reminded of another one-take scene, this one from PORKY'S, which Lidless played for us at the moot. If you watch the asian girl's reaction, as well as Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen's, you get a good indication that they were just doing their thing right there in front of the cameras, not being directed in any way. It's very much a "oh shit, I can't believe what my buddy's doing" kinda look, not "okay, so my character is watching his buddy do this..." If that makes sense. Anyway, that one scene is worth the price of admission. Lucky for us, the rest is fun as hell, too.

The best quotes aren't even listed on the IMDB, but from memory, I was particularly fond of this exchange - Andy (about telling Trish the truth): "But what if she laughs at me?" Cal: "Just punch her right in the fuckin' head." Caught me off guard, that one. :D

Yeah, it's racist, sexist, masochistic, and immature (at times... mostly evident with the overuse of F bombs), but oh my fuck, was it a good time. The best raunchy comedy I've ever seen, and it seems to have it's heart genuinely in the right place, which makes a big difference. Steve Carell is a god.

And yes, I geeked out at some of the similarities between the title character and myself. I'm not nearly that uptight, though, and I would never let anyone pressure me into the things this guy's friends do.

Last thing I can think to mention is that at first I was really worried Catherine Keener (a pretty kewl actress) was going to be the first "love interest" character I really couldn't stand. She was nice and everything, but seemed like she was trying too hard to be cheerful and glowing. That laugh felt more forced than natural, and kind of made me cringe. She gets better later on, though I'm still not 100% sold on her.

Anyhoo, I heart this movie. Go see it with a big group of pals and tell me you weren't sucked in!

Frollocks off singing under her breath: "When the moooooon is in the seventh house..."

EDIT: oh yes, and just minutes after I walked in the door, the Carell himself appeared as a guest on The Daily Show. Most brilliant fucking interview ever!!! I'm so happy tonight.




*E*

Haven't seen it yet but I thought he did as well as anyone possibly could in taking Ricky Gervais character in the US version of The Office.

Asfor Cillian Murphy, have you seen the awesomely under-rated 28 Days Later yet?

Are you kidding?

The love had to start somewhere! Actually, he didn't do that much for me (looks wise) in 28DL, but man did my eyes open after BATMAN BEGINS.

Can't wait to see him in other films.




*E*

Quote:

Asfor Cillian Murphy, have you seen the awesomely under-rated 28 Days Later yet?

THAT'S where I'd seen that face before!

Speaking of 28 Days Later, has anyone ever seen the movie from a couple of decades ago with a strikingly similar plot premise that I suspected '28 Days' might have been inspired by? (I don't wish to name the movie because I had nightmares for two years afterwards and never trusted my father afterwards for picking movies to show me, so I wouldn't want to be the cause of anyone seeing it.) I'm just wondering if that movie was acknowledged as the source for '28 Days' or if the same idea coincidentally occurred to two writers?

You're not giving a lot to go on, Cer, but IMDB lists these as references:

• The Day of the Triffids (1962)
  The Last Man on Earth (1964)
  The Earth Dies Screaming (1965)
  The War Game (1965)
  Night of the Living Dead (1968)
  Frosty the Snowman (1969) (TV)
  Auch Zwerge haben klein angefangen (1970)
  No Blade of Grass (1970)
  The Omega Man (1971)
  A Clockwork Orange (1971)
  The Crazies (1973)
  Non si deve profanare il sonno dei morti (1974)
  Shivers (1975)
  Rabid (1977)
  A Bridge Too Far (1977)
  Dawn of the Dead (1978)
  Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
  The Warriors (1979)
  Apocalypse Now (1979)
  Virus (1980)
  Incubo sulla città contaminata (1980)
  Blade Runner (1982)
  First Blood (1982)
  The Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie: Strange Brew (1983)
  Threads (1984) (TV)
  Night of the Comet (1984)
  The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
  Day of the Dead (1985)
  Warning Sign (1985)
  The Quiet Earth (1985)
  Dèmoni (1985)
  Aliens (1986)
  Demoni 2 (1986)
  Return of the Living Dead Part II (1988)
  "The Simpsons" (1989)
  Miller's Crossing (1990)
  Braindead (1992)
  Outbreak (1995)
  Twelve Monkeys (1995)
  Resident Evil (2002)

My guess is you meant Day of the Triffids, because now that I see that title, I am reminded of having read a lot of references to it in 28DL reviews. Are any of those what you were thinking of?




*E*

Thanks, *E*V*E*N*S*T*A*R*!

Yes, the movie is on the list.

What does 'references' mean in this case? Just similar kinds of movies?

I never saw 'Triffids' but man, what a fabulous book/story, as well as the other stories that were in the John Wyndham omnibus we had (which I leant against my father's wishes and never got back).

So do you know if '28 Days' credits another source, is listed as a remake, or does it go as an original screenplay?

Cerin wrote:

Yes, the movie is on the list.

Mind sharin'? I love these types of movies and would like to check it out.

Quote:

What does 'references' mean in this case? Just similar kinds of movies?

I think IMDB uses the term extremely loosely. Or at least misleadingly. I wish they would just list (or make a seperate category for) films that are actually mentioned in the film in question, or if it's concerning plot points, they could get confirmation from someone involved with the production that that's what their intention was. As such, they just throw in a lot of movies that may or may not have much to do with whatever film they're talking about. Sometimes the only similarity is with a certain shot composition, and since they give no further explanation for listing the reference, I think it's kind of bullshit.

Quote:

So do you know if '28 Days' credits another source, is listed as a remake, or does it go as an original screenplay?

I'm sure they consider it an original screenplay. Just like all the hackneyed romanic comedies with clone plots and dialogue, it may ring a bell to some viewers, but it's not necessarily meant to rip off any other films. It's just that kind of genre. Not all zombie movies are inspired by every other that came before it. Besides, I'd like to give 28DL more credit than that, even though the military parts I found quite similar to DAY OF THE DEAD. But that's my issue, perhaps not theirs.




*E*

Do you mind signing a waiver absolving me of responsibility for viewing-induced trauma?

Just kidding.

The movie is 'Warning Sign'.

I found it unendurably harrowing, but perhaps it was just my mood or state of mind at the time (I don't want to build it up too much, or you'll end up being disappointed).



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They also have a rage germ that gets loose, turning people into barely recognizable as human bestial homicide machines. The thing is, the portrayal is not as over the top, as I recall, and I think it was that lingering vestige of humanity in the infected that haunted me so much.

I'd never blame someone for my reaction to a film. I tend to be okay in that regard. The only movie I was really affected by for a long time was THE RING, and I've mostly gotten over that. DAWN OF THE DEAD still haunts me, so I do experience zombie movie-induced nightmares, but the vast majority of thriller/horror/slasher type movies go in and out of my head in as long as it takes to watch them.

I don't believe I've even heard of WARNING SIGN, but if Zip.ca has it, I will add it to my list.




*E*

You think Steve Carell is a hottie?

Interesting.

That's not a word I'd use to describe him.

I definately want to see this movie after your review.

Erunáme wrote:

That's not a word I'd use to describe him.

Me neither, it's just that I find myself attracted to him (he's not bad-looking, and then there is the comedic brilliance... so yes, he works for me), and couldn't think of a better way to describe the attraction (not just physical) to both him and Cillian Murphy, who is very, very pretty.

The word "hottie" just cuts to the chase, I guess. lol

Cerin, Zip does not have that title, but I will keep it in mind.




*E*

Check out Cillian Murphy in Intermission, a cynical little film, but he's quite adorable in it.

A few years ago I discovered, much to my dismay, that I no longer found comedies funny. Then Shrek 2, Team America, and 40-Year-Old Virgin came out. Thank goodness!

Know how I know you guys are gay? You're holding each other ever so gently.

If that's not sophisticated humor, I don't know what is.

Pearl Harbor Sucked, and I Love You
from Team America World Police

I missed you more than Michael Bay missed the mark
When he made Pearl Harbor
I missed you more than that movie missed the point,
And that's an awful lot, girl, and
Now, now you've gone away... and all I'm trying to say, is
Pearl Harbor sucked, and I miss you
I need you like Ben Affleck needs acting school (school school).
He was terrible in that film.
I need you like Cuba Gooding needed a bigger part (part part).
He's way better than Ben Affleck.
And now, all I can think about is your smile, and that shitty movie, too.
Pearl Harbor sucked, and I miss you
Pearl Harbor sucked...
Just a little bit more than I miss you...