The Women Who Almost Ruined the Wedding

Movie Review: Bachelorette

Booze. Becky. Bitter frenemies. 
    That’s what comes to mind when I think about Bachelorette, a twisted dark "comedy" about the reuniting of four friends when they're asked to be a part of Becky's (played by the unforgettable Rebel Wilson) wedding. Though it’s a story we’ve all heard before, this film makes an (albeit failed) attempt to call out women for shaming other women- a very hot topic at the moment.
     Lizzy Caplan is captivatingly beautiful and badass; Isla Fisher is heartbreaking, and Kirsten Dunst is the woman you’ll love to hate- but if they could have a do-over, I’d recommend more Rebel.

Rating: 6.5/10
"Bachelorette"
Written and Directed by: Leslye Headland
2012

Michelle Williams: To dance or not to dance? That is the question.

Movie: Take This Waltz

Imagine that your future soul mate is your current neighbor. It's fate, right? That is, unless you're already married to someone whom -up until now- has already filled said position. 

     In Polley’s sunny East coast drama, the beachy atmosphere plays opposite Michelle William’s devastatingly and beautifully tragic Margo. She’s living the nightmare that runs through the mind of anyone who’s ever considered their alternatives, and confronts herself by asking the life-altering question “Could I be happier?”. 
     Kudos must be given to Seth Rogen, who tiptoes between crushing and stealing your heart with every line, and Sarah Silverman as the flawed sister-in-law.

Rating: 9/10

"Take This Waltz"

Directed and written by: Sarah Polley
2011

Channing Tatum is the Hottest Fake Cop Ever

Movie Review: 21 Jump Street

There's nothing I love more than buddy comedies- except maybe Channing Tatum in uniform…oh wait- this film has both?!
    This film will not challenge your views on gun control (other than noticing that Jonah Hill’s character is too afraid to actually use his gun), but it will make you laugh out loud-literally. Dave Franco proves that good looks and talent swim freely in the Franco gene pool, and Tatum shows off his comedic side (it’s just as attractive as the other sides-trust me). The number of stars in this film is astounding, and the surprise twist will leave you smiling.

Rating: 8/10

"21 Jump Street"
Directed by: Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Screenplay by Michael Bacall
Story by Michael Bacall and Jonah Hill
Based on the TV Series by Patrick Hasburgh and Stephen J. Cannell

Rebel Wilson is Taking Over America

Movie Review: "Pitch Perfect"

A love story being played by two Broadway stars that encompasses what it's like to be a lonely freshmen who just loves to sing a Capella versions of top 40 songs? COUNT ME IN.
         Aside from Anna Kendrick finally getting the recognition she deserves, it's obvious who audiences love most in this slew of awkward misfit singers- Fat Amy. With her brilliant one-liners made almost endearingly offbeat by her Australian accent, Rebel Wilson gives us what we've been wanting since we saw her in  Bridesmaids. The musical mash-ups are deliciously addictive, made all the more drug-like every time Skylar Astin fills the shot. Though the writers sometimes reach too earnestly for the laughs, we eventually give in and giggle. But don't worry Anna Kendrick- we won't be forgetting about you anytime soon.

Rating: 7.5/10

"Pitch Perfect"
Directed by Jason Moore
Written by Kay Cannon and Mickey Rapkin
2012

Cooper and Lawrence Branch Out, Leaving Their Porfolios in the Dust

I'm back! To say the holidays were lovely is an understatement. I stuffed my face with food, family, and friends, but now it's time to get back to writing. With the recent announcement of the Oscar nods, I've got a lot to watch! Starting with....

Movie Review "Silver Linings Playbook"

Russell’s film has very little to do with sports. Though De Niro plays a superstitious father/Philadelphia Eagles fan, the focus of this movie surrounds his desperately (not to mention unrealistically) optimistic son, Pat, played by the equally talented and handsome Bradley Cooper. Every interaction that ensues between Pat and Tiffany, portrayed by the adorably spunky Jennifer Lawrence, is honest and heartfelt, with the perfect does of comic relief. What’s most impressive is Russell’s ability to show authentic family violence in such a way that doesn't make the entire film wholly violent or scarring. In short, its “real talk”.

Rating: 9/10

Silver Lining Playbook
Written by: David O. Russell, based on the novel by Matthew Quick
2012

"Wait...is it Josh Radnor or Ted Mosby?"

Movie Review: "Liberal Arts"

A movie starring one of my favorite sitcom actors and Zac Efron as a beanie-wearing stoner sidekick?! Count me in. This film is Radnor’s baby- and while I wasn’t bothered by his performance, during the whole movie I kept wondering when he was going to stop acting like Ted and start acting like the lead role “Jessie”. Sadly, it never happened. It wasn’t atrocious-by any means- it just wasn’t anything radically new for Radnor. Luckily, I think we might have finally found the most talented member of the Olsen family, and I can’t wait to see Elizabeth does next.

Rating: 7/10
"Liberal Arts"
Directed and written by Josh Radnor
2012

“Funny funny, raunchy raunchy, Marky-mark and Mila…

Movie Review: "Ted"

…Them other teddy bears can’t talk so I don’t even botha” (It helps if you sing that as Kreayshawn’s “Gucci Gucci”). Don’t let my sub-par parody of a rap song deter you- the humor is this film is much more conducive to actually making people laugh. It might seem too soon to say this, but I can‘t hold it in any longer: I love Ted. I love him so much, I want my own Ted. Other than that, Mark Wahlberg is hilarious, lovable, and hot, and Mila Kunis gets more attractive by the minute-someone make her stop.

Rating: 9.5/10

"Ted"
Directed by Seth MacFarlane
Written by Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin, and Wellesley Wild
2012

Ryan Gosling is Suffocating Underneath a Pile of Women?!

Movie Review: Crazy, Stupid Love

I originally wrote off this film before seeing it as a romantic comedy with a few take-away one liners. As it turns out, the joke was on me. Punctuated by a shocking yet hilarious plot-twist from left field, this film is pure entertainment. Steve Carell warms your heart with his good-intentioned (though usually flawed) plans to reunite with Julianne Moore, his gracefully-aging better half. Kudos to Mindy Marin for casting Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone as love interests- there’s nothing I to see more than sexiest man alive in love the most adorable woman to ever exist.   

Rating: 9/10"Crazy, Stupid Love"
Directed by Glen Ficarra and John Requa
Written by Dan Fogelman
2011

Bond...James Bond.

Movie Review: "Skyfall"

Though I come from a rather Bond-less background, this film is spectacular. Daniel Craig swiftly progresses through each action sequence with the help of his chiseled physique and slew of hugely talented supporting actors, including Ralph Fiennes and Naomie Harris. Judi Dench is as saucy as ever, and Javier Bardem transforms into a villain we love to hate. Always quickly moving from one scene to the next, the film has 2 parts that will resonate with you long after it’s finished: the exquisite graphics that accompany Adele’s “Skyfall” near the beginning, and the ending that questions the future of all of London’s spies.

Rating: 9/10

"James Bond: Skyfall"
Written by: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, John Logan, and Ian Fleming
Directed by: Sam Mendes
2012

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus...

   Stand-up Review: Whitney Cummings: "Money Shot" 

   She spends a most of her time talking about the differences between men and women, calling the latter “emotional ninjas”. She prowls on unsuspecting men in the audience, gaining laughs from their nervous attempts to answer her frank questions. Think if Sex and the City was terrible and centered around a brunette Samantha: vulgar, neurotic, and she talks to herself. It’s not that it’s bad; it’s that Whitney makes a point & then beats it over the head while sprinkling morsels of good material throughout the performance. When you find one, it’s like a chocolate chip in a sea of raisins.

Rating: 4/10

Whitney Cummings: "Money Shot"
Directed by John Fortenberry
2010

Where Do Babies Come From?

Movie Review: "Conception"

Conception is a 90-minute people-pleaser with a long list of  B-list celebrities, including Julie Bowen, Sarah Hyland, and Gregory Smith. Centered around the moment where 9 different couples conceive, this film is funny, relatable  and earnest. We get to see these 9 couples- lesbians, married but stuck in a rut-ers, first-daters, - talk about sex and their impending pregnancy (some more planned than others). Unlike other vignette-style films, Conception enables you to connect with these characters through a great script and impeccable comedic timing. Save this for the next time you and your girlfriends are chatting about men and motherhood.

Rating: 8/10

Conception
Directed and Written by Josh Stolberg
2011

If You Think This Is Justin & Mila, You're Wrong

Movie Review: Friends (With Benefits)

Here we see a “Friends“-esque group of friends consisting of 6 equal-gendered archetypal characters. Insert a shrink who, when you don’t realize the absurd hilarity of the stories that these friends are reiterating to him, is quick to point it out. This movie is unexpectedly stirring; these young people have their fun, but they also trudge through the mud just like every other 20-something in hopes of finding not only themselves, but a significant other as well. This film drags us through some unforeseen twists and turns, but ultimately gives us the happy ending everyone is rooting for.

Rating: 7.5/10

Friends (With Benefits)
Written by Gorman Bechard and Ashley McGarry
Directed by Gorman Bechard
2009

Grab Your Kleenex When Damon Delivers

Movie Review: Good Will Hunting

Director Gus Van Sant beautifully fuses formalistic slow-motion fight sequences with emotionally crippling character revelations that show us slivers of who these rough and tough Bostonites are underneath. And if you don’t fall in love with Minnie Driver in this movie, you are lacking a soul- she is disgustingly endearing, right down to her quaint British accent. Knowing that Affleck and Damon coined this script while in college together only adds to it’s humble but impressive depth of a story. Undoubtedly the most enjoyable relationship to watch is the complexity between the wise shrink (Williams) and troubled protagonist (Damon).


Rating: 9.5/10

Good Will Hunting
Written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck
Directed by Gus Van Sant
1997

75% Yay, 25% Nay

The New Girl: Season 2, Halloween Episode


*As a Deschanel-hater, I have begrudgingly decided to give “New Girl” a chance.*
    The band of three boys surrounding the main character Jess (Deschanel) are the stuff dreams are made of: good-looking, hilariously delusional, and effortlessly entertaining. Max Greenfield's Schmidt is hard not to fall in love with- both for the viewers and Jess. Jess’s character continuously works off the same tired joke- "I‘m awkward, but adorable too, right???" In the end, the writing is a touch too predictable, but I would continue to tune in if there's less Jess and more ridiculous antics from her platonic boy-toys.


Rating: 7/10

The New Girl
Created by Elizabeth Meriwether
Fox Thursdays at 8pm

Ryan Gosling- A Man of Few Words and Several Fists

Movie Review: "Drive"

Director Nicola Winding Refn has made some questionable choices with 2011’s Drive. What isn't up for question is his choice of actors; Carey Mulligan effortlessly slides into the role of the young, abused mother, Ryan Gosling emulates a main character who speaks bountifully to the audience with few words (though he is given no formal name- just “Driver”), and Albert Brooks portrays a slimy middle man (who would be easier to hate if his voice wasn't so recognizable from Finding Nemo). Though beautifully shot, the violence is often alarming, and the 80’s themed music will stick with you for days.

Rating: 7/10

Drive

Based on the book by James Sallis
Directed by Nicola Winding Refn
2011

One Kill, One Big Web

Dexter Season 7 Premiere: "Are You...?"

With nine months given to us to ruminate over the season 6 finale where Deborah witnessed Dexter murder Travis, the season 7 premiere proved itself to be a satisfying reward. Jennifer Carpenter played the foul-mouthed Deb’s reactions to par, while Michael C. Hall’s main character scavenged for mediocre answers to her prodding questions. The death count was up to two by the end of the episode, which isn't anything for Dexter fans to squeal over. The final minute of the episode is the real kick-starter for the rest of the season, with Dexter giving Deborah the answer she’s been dreading.

Rating: 8.5/10

Dexter

Showtime
Sundays at 8pm central

Guns, Swearing, and.....Story?

Theatre Review: "Black Watch"

The critically acclaimed Black Watch by the National Theatre of Scotland made a brief pit-stop at the Broadway Armory in Chicago during October and was welcomed with open arms by....everyone (but me). Flashing strobe lights, explosions, constant movement, and an overwhelming number of occurrences involving the C-word were used to berate and blind the audience of the fact that behind all of the smoke and mirrors, there was little to chew on after the actors took their final bows. NTOS scores high for choreography and beautiful visual storytelling, but unfortunately leaves me wanting more meat and less potatoes.

Rating: 5/10

Black Watch

by Gregory Burke
Directed by John Tiffany
National Theatre of Scotland

Theatre Review: Wasteland

If you like plays about the human psyche and people being pushed to their absolute physical and emotional limits, you should spend an evening with Wasteland. A 20-something POW, Joe (Nate Burger), clings to shreds of sanity after being underground for 6 months when Riley (Steve Haggard) is dumped into the hole next door. These two men squabble, bicker, joke, and bond over the shared experience of captivity and their differing views of the current Vietnam war. Two people who would repulse each other in any other circumstance find themselves holding on to each other for dear life.

Rating: 8/10

Wasteland

by Susan Felder
Directed by William Brown
Timeline Theatre through December 30
TimeLineTheatre.com

Welcome to 100 Words or Less!

Each week, I will be using this blog to post short reviews of movies, television shows, productions and books. In these reviews I will strive to cram in as much information, opinions, and sass in 100 words or less. Stay tuned for upcoming posts and if you have a recommendation for something I should review, let me know!