The Hollars (2016), Sharlto Copley, John Krasinski
Directed by John Krasinski, The Hollars is a comedy/drama about a son returning to his small town after his mother falls ill. This may not be the most obvious premise for comedy but there are laughs to be had with Krasinki’s latest directorial effort.
Besides the good humour, especially courtesy of Sharlto Copley’s character, I enjoyed the film’s portrait of family, sibling dynamics and all the good performances from the cast.
Written by Jim Strouse who also wrote one of my favourites, People, Places, Things (2015), Anna Kendrick, Charlie Day, Richard Jenkins, Margot Martindale and Randall Park also star.
The Hollars is fitting for when you’re in the mood for a relaxing drama/comedy with a little splash of romance and nothing too taxing, emotionally.
Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016), Zac Efron, Adam DeVine
During Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates, it didn’t take long before I found myself thinking ‘Oh great, this is one of those types of comedies.’
This above unfortunate thought entered my mind within the first ten minutes during the intervention scene. A scene where the immature, co-dependent brothers played by Zac Efron and Adam DeVine respond to their family’s accusation that they ‘rile each other up’. The joke here contained gratuitous use of expletives and was unfortunately over-stretched to the point where I wanted to shout ‘CUT!
I promise that I generally do enjoy the effective and creative use of colourful language – just not when it’s over-used to the point where it removes rather than adds to the desired effect, comic or otherwise. There were additional disappointing moments where I thought, ‘Really? That’s how that would happen?’ But I persevered nonetheless.
In terms of the good things about director Jake Szymanski’s movie, one of the funniest and most refreshing moments is the dialogue between DeVine and Aubrey Plaza in the scene where they whisper to each other outside their Hawaii hotel rooms. There’s also the rather well-executed massage sequence, thanks to an impressive performance by Sugar Lyn Beard and Kumail Nanjiani.
Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016), Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza
Overall, instead of Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates being the ‘comedy of the summer’ it could have been, what we seem to have is a series of comedy sketches in what ought to have been an improvisation class setting because a lot the jokes/story needed sharpening and editing down.
Last words from me: Seek out the great scenes highlighted above. Otherwise just do whatever makes you happy. For me, Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates is one more reminder that a truly good comedy is so very hard to make. Why not try Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) instead or again. It’s very special indeed.
Starring and directed by John Krasinski, The Hollars is a family drama/comedy about what happens when a son returns to his home town after learning of his mother’s illness.
I’m tuning in for the comedy, intriguing family dynamics and a cast that in addition to krasinski, includes Charlie Day, Anna Kendrick, Richard Jenkins, Josh Groban, Margo Martindale and Sharlto Copley.
Jeffrey Blitz is the director behind the new Anna Kendrick, Stephen Merchant, Craig Robinson and Lisa Kudrow comedy/drama, Table 19.
Table 19 represents that table at a wedding for the random people that the bride and groom aren’t particularly close to anymore, but feel obligated to invite.
I already like the vibe of this trailer, thanks to the edit and music. Also, brothers Jay and Mark Duplass are the writers which means at the very least, it should be watchable.
Thomas Cocquerel, Tony Revolori, June Squib, Amanda Crew and Wyatt Russell also make an appearance.
The Accountant is Ben Affleck’s new movie, and good is how the trailer looks.
I’ve seen, loved and re-watched Good Will Hunting (1997) quite a few times, so, as I watched this trailer, I couldn’t help but think, ‘and now… Affleck’s turn to play the ‘mathematical genius‘. Well, sort of.
Anna Kendrick, John Lithgow, Jon Bernthal and J.K. Simmons also star.
The Movie My Life 