"Everything Must Go" stars Will Ferrell as an alcoholic who loses everything to booze. He loses his job, wife leaves him and takes his money.
She also locks him out of the house.
All of his possessions are left on the lawn of his home. He can't get into the house, so he decides to live outside, in the front yard.
Will Ferrell is terrific as a dramatic actor. He could easily over play the drunk but he underplays it beautifully. This is no "Old School" craziness. This is a likable man with a problem.
The predictable cliche in this film is Ferrell's character mentoring a young child. It all seemed so improbable but I suppose the script needed a way to give a broken man some redemption.
The film also has a few things I'm glad they left out. Without spoiling anything for you, let's just say Ferrell's love interests are played out in a believable manner.
There are some funny scenes in the film and moments of darkness. If you liked the film "Stranger Than Fiction" (a terrific flick) you'll enjoy "Everything Must Go"
Please Check Out This Other Review by TurtleDog
Isolated in The Arctic - Foreign Survivor Film
I was in the mood to watch a foreign film and found a real gem. A Polish film called "Strike" struck me as interesting film so I watched it on DVD. The film is based on the Polish Solidarity union movement.
If you like gritty films. This film is really gritty. Not especially violent, profane or disturbing but completely gritty. The film takes place largely within and around a Polish shipbuilding yard. It is a dirty, rugged, harsh place. The setting feels absolutely real.
The lead character, Katherina Thalbach, is amazing. Her despiration, drive, strength and vulnerability come through effortlessly.. She does a terrific acting job among a really good cast.
If you like foreign film you'll love it. If you've ever worked the long, dirty days in a factory, you'll love it too. The film gives insight into Solidarity, Polish Communist party politics, factory culture and has some interesting family stories as well.
Check it out.
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Pineapple Express - Is It as Funny as it Claims to Be? Learn Here
Pineapple Express is a slightly more polished, and I use the the term "polished" very liberally, version of Cheech and Chong.
There is non stop illegal substance abuse through out the film as a heavy smoking process server (Rogan) and his drug dealer (Franco) become witnesses to a murder and, of course, the murders want to kill them.
The film is really funny if you like Seth Rogan-style films. Rogan is the master when playing bumbling, in-over-his-head, unambitious man roles and carries the film.
What makes Pineapple Express differ from other Rogan films is how violent it can be at times. There is a good deal of shooting and blood that is all handled in a matter of fact, comic manner (think Matt Damon in Dogma, only not nearly that dark.)
If you like 1) Rogan's style 2) buddy films like Dumb and Dumber 3) plus a touch of Dogma, you'll like Pineapple Express.
2008
111 Minutes
Rated R
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Michael Cera Film is Hilarious - Reviewed Here
I Never Thought NASCAR Could Be So Funny
Bridesmaids Film Review
When I finally got around to watching Superbad I was thrilled with this comedy. I had just recently watched Talladega Nights . Talladega was funny enough to get a positive review. Superbad gets a rave review.
The plot is simple enough and you've heard it a million times. Unpopular high school nerds approaching graduation want to get to the big party they don't belong in and meet the girls they yearn for. To get to the party, they must supply the booze and endure the hardships of doing just that.
Sounds cliche but it really isn't. The comedy and all its raunchiness doesn't feel particularly contrived and the scenes are really funny. Sure, there are predictable moments in the film but they are so well played out I was only minimally annoyed... and found a great laugh or two in the meantime.
Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are a great comedy team. They pretty much do the old fashioned straight guy , funny guy bit, but it really works.
The real star of the film is Christopher Mintz-Plasse. He plays the ultra-nerd. Hapless, dopey, socially awkward, yet he is the only one that is able to obtain the fake ID needed for alcohol. You can image the hilarious possibilities.
Check this film out. You'll like it.
2007
113 minutes
Rated R
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Pretty Funny Will Ferrell Film Reviewed Here
Super Funny Film - Terrific Female Lead
Talladega Nights is a comedy about highly successful NASCAR race car driver Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) whose success on racing scene is threatened when French driver Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen .... aka Borat ) crosses over from Formula One to NASCAR.
Every Southern-NASCAR and French stereotype is depicted in this film. Cohen and Ferrell are terrific. While this is not the best comedy I have seen in a while (Bridesmaids was very, very good by the way), Talladega Nights does get a couple good laugh out loud moments in.
This is the kind of no-brainer comedy that Will Ferrell fans come to expect and that I enjoy very much.
The film felt neither too short nor too long. The supporting cast was hilarious (John C. Reilly is superb). The film does manage I'm sure to ruffle a few feathers too. I'm sure some NASCAR fans aren't thrilled with the "southern lifestyle" depicted in this film but it sure is fun.
Check it out.
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Real Funny and Not a Chick Flick Either Its....
Like Armwrestling? Whether You Do Or Not, You'll Like This Documentary
John Brzenk is the best arm wrestler in the world. Two arm wrestlers, Alexy Voevoda and Travis Bagent, are hungry to defeat Brzenk.
I know little of professional arm wrestling except watching it occasionally as a teenager on Jim McKay's "Wide World of Sports." Arm wrestling was always presented as a sport where any guy with big biceps could excel . All brawn, no brains and not much to talk about. The documentary "Pulling John" really made me take a new interest in the sport. This film demonstrates that arm wresting is not a world of back-wood dummies. The competitors are dedicated to training and are will to travel great distances to compete. They also understand the strategies to the sport. Strategies that could give small arm wrestler the edge over a much larger competitor.
The film's choice of arm wrestlers to focus on could not have been better. The personalities of Brezenk, Voevoda and Bagent could not be more different yet complimentary. Each has kind of attitude you could write into a move script.
Bagent is the young, brash and cocky competition. He has the personality of a pro (think Hulk Hogan) wrestler. He works constantly on his image and his swagger. He is good. He lets the world know it.
Voevoda is a gentle giant and a powerful one at that. He is also very quiet and introspective. The zen athlete of arm wrestling. Likable with a calm intensity.
Brzenk. If you like classy champions, you could not ask for one. He is friendly, low key and lets actions speak for words. He is completely genuine.
The film never lost my attention.
Very interesting film. Check it out.
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Angriest Man in The World - Or is He? Check Out This Film
Do You Like Amy Adams? You'll Love This Film
