Failure To Launch – Movie Review

My mum wanted to watch this movie, I’m not sure why. Perhaps it’s because up until this year she had both her adult sons living at home despite them being in their mid to late 20’s. It was easy for her to relate to the parental characters played by Kathy Bates and Terry Bradshaw, as easy as it was for me to relate to the three male characters still living at home with their parents.

Matthew McConaughey plays the ‘child’, Tripp, a successful boat broker who at 35 breaks the mould of what you would expect from someone that age still living at home. On the contrary he is quite adept socially, being able to form new relationships with the opposite sex.

Dig a little deeper and you find insecurities in everyone. Tripp is no different as we discover his break up routine of bringing girls home to meet the parents when they are getting too close. The parents want to stop his turnstile relationship history and hire Paula, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, who has made it an occupation to launch unsettled bachelors out of the nest. Paula appears perfect and knows all about relationships yet has insecurities of her own, as she discovers a life that is empty and lacking substance.

As far as RomComs (Romantic Comedy) go, I quite enjoyed this as it has enough Com and genuine blokey banter to keep the fellas interested and laughing right to the inevitable end where guy gets girl.

300 – Movie Review

I originally turned down an invitation to go see this movie as the inviters had a record of wanting to see bad movies (eg Snakes on a Plane). I earned a reprise and was invited again. I decided to go this time as I had heard interesting reviews from various people since the initial knock back

I’m unsure as to whether this is a piece of history or Greek mythology. Some of the characters make me think mythology.

It is the story of how 300 Spartans battled against King Xerxes army. The Spartans were hugely outnumbered but as the introduction shows, Spartans are trained for battle. Xerxes had no idea how resilient the Spartans were, but I’m not about to spoil the ending.

It’s really gory in some parts, but what do you expect from a battle flick. Decapitations and severed limbs are common place.

I was warned that there were a lot of nipples. Interesting comment but relevant once you see the Spartan war attire. You would think they should wear a bit more than that.

The cinematography was fantastic. It’s hard to describe but it’s clear that they put a lot of work into the post production to make the scenery look spectacular. As weird as it sounds, I like how they made the blood look. It’s different than other movies like Gladiator, it’s almost cartoonish.

Look out for Aussie actor David Wenham who is more famous to a lot of people as Diver Dan in ‘Seachange’. I know him mainly from the Aussie low budget flick called Cosi. To see him in this vastly different role was strange to begin with. It just goes to show how versatile our good actors are.

A movie not for the faint hearted. If you can put up with the gore then I recommend it. Could even initiate discussion about what is masculinity. Southern cross media touched on it in their latest publication.

The Break Up – Movie

Some people will find it very ironic that I even watched this movie recently. It stars Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston as the couple going through the break up. Although it is pretty much another clichéd RomCom (romantic comedy), I still think it was able to point out some truths about relationship do’s and don’ts.

Generally

• Must be willing to give if you are wanting to receive – rarely is this referring to gifts
• Don’t play games in an effort to show the other what they are missing out on.
• Don’t force friends into choosing sides
• Some time apart may be necessary – to get over the shock and other things
• Don’t pick on little things and make them into big things

For The Boys

• Don’t inflame situation by arguing. Just apologise and sort it out later
• Sometimes the best mate can give dodgy advice so proceed with caution

For The Girls

• Say what you mean – anything implied is not going to be received

Of course the whole situation of this break could have been averted if the couple didn’t buy an apartment in joint names without the slightest regard for getting married first. But then, if they did get married we wouldn't have a movie.

Sports Movies

I have a fascination with sports movies. Especially the movies that are based on real life events. What I find more amazing is that usually these movies aren’t really about the sport at all. There is an underlying storyline that just uses the sport to convey its message. More often than not there is something good to learn from them. Here are a few of my favourites and what they are really about:

American Football
Remember the Titans – Racial tension between black and white Americans
The Replacements – The more money we have the more it corrupts our minds
Radio – How giving someone a chance can make such a difference to one’s life

Basketball
Coach Carter – When you dream about wanting something more you can achieve it

Baseball
The Rookie – Anyone can realise their dream, no matter what your age
For Love of the Game – One may be perfect on the field but not necessarily off it
Hardball – No matter how bad the situation there is always someone worse off

So many good stories are shown on our big screens through sport. I even like the romantic comedy, The Perfect Catch. I think it may be because I relate to the male character who is an absolute Baseball nutter.

Next time you are in the video store looking for an appropriate video I can highly recommend all of those mentioned above. There are so many more that I couldn’t refer to them all here.

But remember, if the vision hits slow motion, then you know something important is about to happen.

Star Wars Rookie

It’s true.

I have never seen a Star Wars movie. I don’t get why I get so many weird looks at this revelation. Science fiction just never appealed to me. True stories and comedies are more my go.

However, I am willing to rectify this situation. I need the assistance of the various and many Star Wars veterans that I know. I have the rare opportunity to watch them in order (i.e. 1 – 6). Some think this is worth a go while others recommend watching them in the order they were made (i.e. 4 – 6, 1 – 3) citing that it’s best to watch the old tech before the new tech.

I see advantages in both ways of viewing. I’m on the fence, part of me wants to do something different and watch them 1 – 6 but then if the differences in technology are that great the whole adventure may end on a downer.

I guess for me the big point is will I get what is happening with one or the other.