Rated R for strong crude and sexual content, nudity, pervasive language, drug and alcohol use, 86 minutes
Don't bother with lame, excessively stupid "Virginity Hit"
Seeing "The Virginity Hit" is like having your first time with a hooker and then getting an STD afterward, which is absolutely no fun at all. Excessively annoying, stupid and pointless, "The Virginity Hit" is the worst combination of some coming-of-age-teenage films that you don't want to see again. Who's responsible for this low-budget mess? Give thanks to comedian Will Ferrell and his creative partner Adam McKay, who are quickly growing into the most overrated comic pairing since Dane Cook and just about anyone.
Matt Bennett and Zack Pearlman star as a couple of teens who take a video camera and chronicle their exploits of getting laid for the first time. Matt is the last one amongst their high school crew to lose his virginity, and the plan is to lose it with his girlfriend of two years, Nicole (Nicole Weaver), but things go quickly awry when they discover that Nicole may not be a virgin.
There's hardly anything funny or original about the low-budget "The Virginity Hit," except it's shot (mostly by the actors themselves) with a handheld camera and cell phones. There are a handful of mildly enjoyable moments (due to the parents, who are funnier than the kids), but not really funny and most of it isn't even watchable. It's like watching a super, super bad version of "Superbad," with Pearlman as an excessively over-the-top annoying Jonah Hill and Matt Bennett an even nerdier Michael Cera.
Kids have sex. They videotape it. That's about. Stay away from this lame, unfunny dreck.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps - B
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and thematic elements, 133 minutes
Stone's flawed, hypnotic revisionist tale "Money Never Sleeps"
Gordon Gekko and Oliver Stone's Oscar-winning 1987 film "Wall Street" helped define an '80s generation with his iconic line "Greed is good." Gekko (again played by Michael Douglas, pre-cancer), along with greed in contemporary form, is back in Stone's sequel "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." Gekko isn't the main character but he's the best one in the overlong, preachy but hypnotic tale that takes place around the time of the latest Wall Street collapse.
It's 2008 and the global economy is on the brink of disaster. A brash but sharp young Wall Street trader named Jake (Shia LaBeouf) partners with disgraced corporate tycoon and now ex-con Gordon Gekko (Douglas) in a mission with two equally important parts. One is financial, to help shed light on illegal activity by a ruthless financier (Josh Brolin) who was partly to blame for the death of Jake's mentor (Frank Langella). The other is personal, to help bring Gordon and his daughter Winnie (Carey Mulligan), who is also engaged to Jake, back together again.
Stone's "Wall Street" sequel is a mesmerizing, well-acted but flawed tale, made better only by Douglas, who's again terrific as a much older and wiser Gekko. Douglas/Gekko isn't in every scene, and his role is a notch above a supporting part, but his presence is felt in every scene. Just as good is recent Oscar-nominee Mulligan in a low-key but affecting performance as the daughter who he clearly wounded with his absence. LaBeouf gives his usual, engaging movie-star performance that shows qualities of a younger Douglas.
Stone lets the proceedings go on far too long and some will get lost in all the heavy financial talk. The dialogue as a whole suffers and Stone tends to paint in broad strokes taking it far too earnestly. He gathers an eclectic cast whose performances are a mixed bag. Brolin is a decent slimeball but Langella overacts in a small role, Susan Sarandon doesn't belong at all, and Eli Wallach shamelessly mugs for the camera. Watch for a cameo from Charlie Sheen as his character from the first film.
If the cast in "Money Never Sleeps" is interesting, the music that Stone chose for the film is just an intriguing: an alt-folksy-rock blend from Brian Eno and Talking Heads' David Byrne. It's an unusual choice that doesn't always work and sometimes intrudes into scenes that has you wishing for the music to go away all together. The script is uneven and often unrealistic, with portrayals that make it too easy to pinpoint the bad guys and their misdeeds, which isn't always the case in similar real-life situations.
Still, even flawed imperfect Oliver Stone (who also cameos) is better than most, and his mesmerizing revisionist tale bounces with energy, quick editing and bright colors. Entertaining, overlong and too earnest, Douglas' Gekko will still make it a good investment of your time.
Stone's flawed, hypnotic revisionist tale "Money Never Sleeps"
Gordon Gekko and Oliver Stone's Oscar-winning 1987 film "Wall Street" helped define an '80s generation with his iconic line "Greed is good." Gekko (again played by Michael Douglas, pre-cancer), along with greed in contemporary form, is back in Stone's sequel "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." Gekko isn't the main character but he's the best one in the overlong, preachy but hypnotic tale that takes place around the time of the latest Wall Street collapse.
It's 2008 and the global economy is on the brink of disaster. A brash but sharp young Wall Street trader named Jake (Shia LaBeouf) partners with disgraced corporate tycoon and now ex-con Gordon Gekko (Douglas) in a mission with two equally important parts. One is financial, to help shed light on illegal activity by a ruthless financier (Josh Brolin) who was partly to blame for the death of Jake's mentor (Frank Langella). The other is personal, to help bring Gordon and his daughter Winnie (Carey Mulligan), who is also engaged to Jake, back together again.
Stone's "Wall Street" sequel is a mesmerizing, well-acted but flawed tale, made better only by Douglas, who's again terrific as a much older and wiser Gekko. Douglas/Gekko isn't in every scene, and his role is a notch above a supporting part, but his presence is felt in every scene. Just as good is recent Oscar-nominee Mulligan in a low-key but affecting performance as the daughter who he clearly wounded with his absence. LaBeouf gives his usual, engaging movie-star performance that shows qualities of a younger Douglas.
Stone lets the proceedings go on far too long and some will get lost in all the heavy financial talk. The dialogue as a whole suffers and Stone tends to paint in broad strokes taking it far too earnestly. He gathers an eclectic cast whose performances are a mixed bag. Brolin is a decent slimeball but Langella overacts in a small role, Susan Sarandon doesn't belong at all, and Eli Wallach shamelessly mugs for the camera. Watch for a cameo from Charlie Sheen as his character from the first film.
If the cast in "Money Never Sleeps" is interesting, the music that Stone chose for the film is just an intriguing: an alt-folksy-rock blend from Brian Eno and Talking Heads' David Byrne. It's an unusual choice that doesn't always work and sometimes intrudes into scenes that has you wishing for the music to go away all together. The script is uneven and often unrealistic, with portrayals that make it too easy to pinpoint the bad guys and their misdeeds, which isn't always the case in similar real-life situations.
Still, even flawed imperfect Oliver Stone (who also cameos) is better than most, and his mesmerizing revisionist tale bounces with energy, quick editing and bright colors. Entertaining, overlong and too earnest, Douglas' Gekko will still make it a good investment of your time.
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole - B
Rated PG for some sequences of scary action, 90 minutes
Lush, breathtaking and entertaining "Owls of Ga'Hoole"
I was pleasantly surprised by what I've termed "that Owl movie." That movie, called "Legend of the Guardians" The Owls of Ga'Hoole" has some strikingly beautiful, breathtaking animation, some of the best seen this side of the latest Pixar flick. It helps that it has good source material, stellar production values and a talented voice cast; these "Owls" are suitable for the whole family, though keep in mind the plot is dense and there are some dark, intense scenes that may frighten very young children.
"Ga'Hoole" follows the story of Goren (Jim Sturgess), a young adventurous owl who enjoys hearing stories from his father Noctus (Hugo Weaving). Goren hears stories of the legend of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, a legendary alliance of owls that are sworn to protect the Kingdom of Ga'Hoole. When Goren and his brother Kludd (Ryan Kwanten) are captured an evil group of owls called The Pure Ones led by Metalbeak (Joel Edgerton) and Nyra (Helen Mirren), they realize the Guardians are more than a legend when they discover that The Pure Ones are planning a battle to defeat the Guardians, a battle that will pit brother against brother when Kludd decides to stay and fight with The Pure Ones.
"Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" is an entertaining action-adventure animated yarn set against the backdrop of an intense battle between the owls. Based on the best-selling children's action fantasy book series "Guardians of Ga'Hoole" by Kathryn Lasky, the movie is specifically based on the first three books in the Lasky's 15-book series. Thus, if this film is a hit,
certainly expect more installments to come.
The film, budgeted at $100 million, produced from the makers of "Happy Feet" and directed by Zack Snyder, the guy who directed "300" and last year's "Watchmen," has some genuinely breathtaking, awe-inspiring moments that you don't much in animation. The CG is lush, detailed and comes together quite well, especially in the aerial scenes. Some young ones may be frightened by some rather dark, intense moments that are peppered throughout the film, though the energetic climax is handled well by Snyder.
Outside of some instense scenes, the biggest distraction with "Owls" is the dense plot that's hard to keep track of and may lose some children along the way. It is voiced very believable by Sturgess, Weaving, Mirren and as the comic relief, Geoffrey Rush as a strange owl and Anthony LaPaglia (yes, of "Without a Trace") as an old codger.
"Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" may be most appreciated in 3-D but it's really just fine in 2-D too and is one of the most entertaining, original animated films seen outside of Pixar or "Shrek" sequels.
Lush, breathtaking and entertaining "Owls of Ga'Hoole"
I was pleasantly surprised by what I've termed "that Owl movie." That movie, called "Legend of the Guardians" The Owls of Ga'Hoole" has some strikingly beautiful, breathtaking animation, some of the best seen this side of the latest Pixar flick. It helps that it has good source material, stellar production values and a talented voice cast; these "Owls" are suitable for the whole family, though keep in mind the plot is dense and there are some dark, intense scenes that may frighten very young children.
"Ga'Hoole" follows the story of Goren (Jim Sturgess), a young adventurous owl who enjoys hearing stories from his father Noctus (Hugo Weaving). Goren hears stories of the legend of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, a legendary alliance of owls that are sworn to protect the Kingdom of Ga'Hoole. When Goren and his brother Kludd (Ryan Kwanten) are captured an evil group of owls called The Pure Ones led by Metalbeak (Joel Edgerton) and Nyra (Helen Mirren), they realize the Guardians are more than a legend when they discover that The Pure Ones are planning a battle to defeat the Guardians, a battle that will pit brother against brother when Kludd decides to stay and fight with The Pure Ones.
"Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" is an entertaining action-adventure animated yarn set against the backdrop of an intense battle between the owls. Based on the best-selling children's action fantasy book series "Guardians of Ga'Hoole" by Kathryn Lasky, the movie is specifically based on the first three books in the Lasky's 15-book series. Thus, if this film is a hit,
certainly expect more installments to come.
The film, budgeted at $100 million, produced from the makers of "Happy Feet" and directed by Zack Snyder, the guy who directed "300" and last year's "Watchmen," has some genuinely breathtaking, awe-inspiring moments that you don't much in animation. The CG is lush, detailed and comes together quite well, especially in the aerial scenes. Some young ones may be frightened by some rather dark, intense moments that are peppered throughout the film, though the energetic climax is handled well by Snyder.
Outside of some instense scenes, the biggest distraction with "Owls" is the dense plot that's hard to keep track of and may lose some children along the way. It is voiced very believable by Sturgess, Weaving, Mirren and as the comic relief, Geoffrey Rush as a strange owl and Anthony LaPaglia (yes, of "Without a Trace") as an old codger.
"Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" may be most appreciated in 3-D but it's really just fine in 2-D too and is one of the most entertaining, original animated films seen outside of Pixar or "Shrek" sequels.
You Again - C-
PG for brief mild language and rude behavior, 105 minutes
Blandly enjoyable, predictable "You Again"“You Again” could might as well as have been called “This Again?” The rom com/coming-of-age-story about a girl forced to come to terms with her high school rival has been done so many times before, it isn’t funny anymore, which is where “You Again” lands. It’s not terrible, just terribly cute, predictable and woefully thin. The lovely and very game cast including Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, Odette Yustman and of course the always venerable Betty White do their best to turn the stale script into something fresh, but it grows old quickly.
Bell is Marni Young, a successful PR executive in L.A. who was tormented by the popular girl, Joanna (Yustman) in high school. Now Joanna will marry her older brother Will (Jimmy Wolk) and while Marni has been away focusing on her career, Joanna has become the family’s new best pal, of Marni mom Gail (Curtis), her dad (Victor Garber) and even her Grandma Bunny (White). The only family Joanna has is her Aunt Ramona (Weaver), who as it turns out is Gail best friend-turned-rival in high school and now a successful jet-setting hotel magnate. Marni hopes to expose Joanna for her true colors as the rivalry between Gail and Ramona heats up.
The blandly enjoyable but forced “You Again” from director Andy Fickman (“Race to Witch Mountain”) lacks a sharp comic wit and relies too heavily on stale, predictable episodes strung together in sitcom-like format where everyone hugs it out. The far-fetched script that expects all you to believe this would happen in the first place is the biggest problem. Reality check would have you believe that Marni’s older brother wouldn’t have any knowledge of who Joanna was and then invite one of Marni’s other classmates to his wedding.
But movies don’t usually possess this sense of reality, especially when character actress Kristin Chenowith (Emmy winner for “Pushing Daisies” last year) comes barging in mid-way through to steal the movie as a flamboyant wedding planner, along with comedian Kyle Bornheimer (“Worst Week”) as a funny/creepy ex-boyfriend of Joanna’s (his creepily humorous speech at the wedding all but steals that whole episode).
The rest of the cast isn’t nearly as fun but serviceable as they go some standard comic paces. Bell is fun especially in her geeky teenage years, Yustman pretty but empty, Weaver luminous and Curtis her usual perky, slightly annoying self. The only mild surprise is that it doesn’t use comic veteran White more as she gets lost in the fray. She does have a nice scene at the end with fellow comic legend Cloris Leachman, too bad there couldn’t have been more of those type scenes in the film.There’s not much to “You Again,” it could’ve been resolved easily in the first few minutes. It’s pleasant, cute comic puffery that will easily be forgotten after leaving the theater. At you’ll be humming when you leave: ‘80s band Hall & Oates plays over the credits, which is by far the best part of the movie.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Catfish - B
Rated PG-13 for some sexual references, 94 minutes
"Catfish:" a sad but intriguing documentary
"Catfish" is one of the most provocative but somber documentaries seen in recent memory. It's about a real-life relationship that starts on Facebook, slowly develops into a deeper relationship, then the painful realization that people aren't who they say they are. "Catfish" is an entertaining, thought-provoking film with the somber reminder of how relationships develop in the internet age.
Young New York photographer Nev Schulman lives with brother Ariel and friend Henry Joost in New York. Abby Pierce, an eight-year-old child prodigy artist in rural Michigan, sends him a painting of one of his photographs. They become Facebook friends in a network that broadens to Abby's family, including her mother, Angela; Angela's husband; and Abby's attractive older half-sister Megan, a songwriter.
"Catfish:" a sad but intriguing documentary
"Catfish" is one of the most provocative but somber documentaries seen in recent memory. It's about a real-life relationship that starts on Facebook, slowly develops into a deeper relationship, then the painful realization that people aren't who they say they are. "Catfish" is an entertaining, thought-provoking film with the somber reminder of how relationships develop in the internet age.
Young New York photographer Nev Schulman lives with brother Ariel and friend Henry Joost in New York. Abby Pierce, an eight-year-old child prodigy artist in rural Michigan, sends him a painting of one of his photographs. They become Facebook friends in a network that broadens to Abby's family, including her mother, Angela; Angela's husband; and Abby's attractive older half-sister Megan, a songwriter.
Ariel and Henry documents Nev's long-distance relationship with Megan, conducted over the Internet and phone calls, and they discuss meeting in person. They realize the music that Megan has been sending them has been downloaded from You Tube along with some other troubling, false claims. The filmmakers travel to Michigan to confront Megan and discover she is Angela, a housewife and artist who has created an elaborate hoax.
"Catish" is an engrossing but painfully sad documentary that comes as a reminder of how careful we should be in the internet age. It turns out better than some relationships of this type do, and could've been far more dangerous. The documentary tracks some of the creepy elements that don't add up, and you may think initially that it's a horror film, but what is terrifying is how pitiful Angela, a real-life housewife and artist, really is; she doesn't have much of a life and cares for her children, including two disabled stepsons.
The title comes from a quote from Angela's husband who is speaking about fish and how things are added to our lives to make them more interesting. It's remarkable that he is supportive of Angela in her hoax, because she wants to be happy. Even more intriguing is the fact that Angela herself is the artist, and a gifted one at that. The filmmakers approach Angela with one of heartbreak rather than humiliation, and it seems that all of it is turning out very well for her even after she's exposed as a fraud.
"Catfish" isn't for everyone. This is a documentary that takes time to develop and you must give it time to let it sink in and realize what's happened. It also doesn't fully realize it's own messages: the dangers of internet relationships aren't nearly explored enough, and I would hope that people realize that relationships don't always turn out as well as it does here. Still, even with it's flaws, the themes are timely, thought-provoking and provocative.
Devil - D
Rated PG-13 for violence and disturbing images, thematic material and some language including sexual references, 80 minutes
Despite good premise, this "Devil" is still bad
Satan always stirs things up and makes for decent entertainment, after all it’s worked well over the years in such films as “Rosemary’s Baby and “The Exorcist.” The main difference between those films and the new M. Night Shyamalan-produced film is that those films were actually scary good. In spite of a creepy premise and a handful of decent jumps, the new supernatural thriller “Devil” is silly, cheap and contrived and is nothing more than a conventional mystery film wrapped about the Devil and human sins.
The set up is actually quite simple. Five people – a mechanic (Logan Marshall-Green), an Old Woman (Jenny O’Hara), a Young Woman (Bojana Novakovic), a security guard (Bokeem Woodbine) and a salesman (Geoffrey Arend) are trapped in a high-rise elevator. Weird things start to happen. A detective (Chris Messina) comes to check things out. One of them isn’t who they say are and is the human form of the devil to torment those with sins. The five people are brought together for a reason, one that will be revealed at the climax.
“Devil” has a chilling premise: the devil taking human form and tormenting someone until they own up to their sins. One of the 5 trapped in the elevator is Satan, and it’s up to the audience to sit through a contrived, laughable horror film to try to figure out who it is. The clues are spread throughout and won’t come as a big surprise even if you seen the trailers for the film several times, just know the filmmakers do so much to wrap the unexpected around the expected that it becomes rather silly and predictable.
Directors and co-writers John Erick Dowdle and Drew Dowdle, the filmmaking brothers behind such horror films as “Quarantine” and “The Poughkeepsie Tapes,” infuse the film with a few well-placed jumpy thrills here and there, but they don’t do much in developing Shyamalan’s story or creating any interesting characters or even empathy for the characters. The uneven story also falters when it attempts to add some cheesy humor in the mix, particularly with two guards (Jacob Vargas and Matt Craven) who watch everything on camera and make ridiculous comments about the situation.
It would also help that the production quality on the film looks cheap (the photography and lighting are especially bad) and the largely unknown actors (O’Hara is a familiar character actress who’s been around for years, while some may remember Messina from “Julie & Julia”) don’t do much with the underwritten characters their given.
Many people I know don’t like to watch movies about Satan, it scares them too much. I would stay away from the forgettable horror film “Devil” not necessarily because it’s too scary, but not scary enough.
Despite good premise, this "Devil" is still bad
Satan always stirs things up and makes for decent entertainment, after all it’s worked well over the years in such films as “Rosemary’s Baby and “The Exorcist.” The main difference between those films and the new M. Night Shyamalan-produced film is that those films were actually scary good. In spite of a creepy premise and a handful of decent jumps, the new supernatural thriller “Devil” is silly, cheap and contrived and is nothing more than a conventional mystery film wrapped about the Devil and human sins.
The set up is actually quite simple. Five people – a mechanic (Logan Marshall-Green), an Old Woman (Jenny O’Hara), a Young Woman (Bojana Novakovic), a security guard (Bokeem Woodbine) and a salesman (Geoffrey Arend) are trapped in a high-rise elevator. Weird things start to happen. A detective (Chris Messina) comes to check things out. One of them isn’t who they say are and is the human form of the devil to torment those with sins. The five people are brought together for a reason, one that will be revealed at the climax.
“Devil” has a chilling premise: the devil taking human form and tormenting someone until they own up to their sins. One of the 5 trapped in the elevator is Satan, and it’s up to the audience to sit through a contrived, laughable horror film to try to figure out who it is. The clues are spread throughout and won’t come as a big surprise even if you seen the trailers for the film several times, just know the filmmakers do so much to wrap the unexpected around the expected that it becomes rather silly and predictable.
Directors and co-writers John Erick Dowdle and Drew Dowdle, the filmmaking brothers behind such horror films as “Quarantine” and “The Poughkeepsie Tapes,” infuse the film with a few well-placed jumpy thrills here and there, but they don’t do much in developing Shyamalan’s story or creating any interesting characters or even empathy for the characters. The uneven story also falters when it attempts to add some cheesy humor in the mix, particularly with two guards (Jacob Vargas and Matt Craven) who watch everything on camera and make ridiculous comments about the situation.
It would also help that the production quality on the film looks cheap (the photography and lighting are especially bad) and the largely unknown actors (O’Hara is a familiar character actress who’s been around for years, while some may remember Messina from “Julie & Julia”) don’t do much with the underwritten characters their given.
Many people I know don’t like to watch movies about Satan, it scares them too much. I would stay away from the forgettable horror film “Devil” not necessarily because it’s too scary, but not scary enough.
Easy A - B
Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements involving teen sexuality, language and some drug material, 90 minutes
Lovely, sardonic Stone the best thing about the pleasant but uneven "Easy A"
It's hard to believe that actress Emma Stone made her feature film debut just three years ago in the comedy "Superbad" and now she's headlining her own teen rom-com. Her first-rate sardonic wit and comic timing are rare for an actress her age, but this all on full display in the witty "Easy A," an energetic, playful contemporary teen take on "The Scarlett Letter." A talented cast and some engaging moments lift it past its predictable, uneven storytelling and an affinity to overwhelm with unnecessary characters.
Clean-cut high-schooler Olive Penderghast (Emma Stone) is overheard insinuating that she lost her virginity over the weekend. A very strict Christian classmate, Marianne (Amanda Bynes) overhears and spreads the rumor. Olive later agrees to pretend that she lost her virginity to her gay friend, Brandon (Dan Byrd). Several boys learn what she has done and beg her to perform the same service for them, hoping to gain some of her newfound fame and popularity. Olive's life begins to resemble that of Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter." Olive then decides to use the rumor mill to her own advantage, affixing a red A to her clothing to make some new friends and become the school's new heroine.
Part-teen comedy, part-social message and good tongue-in-cheek fun, the pleasant "Easy A" does plenty of extra credit to ensure you like it, and most of it you will. It starts out well with an engaging premise, sags a little in the later-going, to recover with a semi-cool ending that references some '80s teen comedies, namely John Hughes.
'Easy A" has way, way too many characters to keep track of, and some fall by the wayside or totally disappear all together by the end of the film. And the film's semi-annoying way of telling the story (really, are cue cards that necessary to the story?) might be a little off-putting. But the film is all but held together by the caustic but lovely Stone, who isn't afraid to slap on that red "A" and prance around showing her goods and demanding gift cards for her services.
"Easy A" also has a few good decent actors thrown in the mix, especially Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson, who make for the perfect set of offbeat parents for their offbeat daughter. Others are a mixed bag. You'd think that Thomas Haden Church and Lisa Kudrow would make for a good pairing as a couple with marital problems, but they don't fit into the story well, and Malcolm McDowell is wasted in a brief, one-note role as the school principal.
Amanda Bynes hams it up believably as a hellish, snotty Christian that may remind you of some people you know. "Gossip Girl's" Penn Badgely is suitably and blandly handsome as Stone's love interest, though this is clearly Stone's film, while Dan Byrd, as the resident gay student, starts out the movie front and center and literally disappears midway through the film. Ditto for the lovely Alyson Michalka as Stone's best friend in the film, who is hardly seen later in the film.
Even with it's flaws, there's more to like about the pleasantly, offbeat "Easy A" than not, and you'll clearly remember Stone, if nothing else. And it does have a nicely updated albeit grungier version of the '80s "Breakfast Club" theme from Simple Minds, "Don't You (Forget About Me)," which may certainly bring back memories for some the parents. "Easy A" will be most enjoyed by the young audience it's targeting and give them something worthwhile to do this weekend.
Lovely, sardonic Stone the best thing about the pleasant but uneven "Easy A"
It's hard to believe that actress Emma Stone made her feature film debut just three years ago in the comedy "Superbad" and now she's headlining her own teen rom-com. Her first-rate sardonic wit and comic timing are rare for an actress her age, but this all on full display in the witty "Easy A," an energetic, playful contemporary teen take on "The Scarlett Letter." A talented cast and some engaging moments lift it past its predictable, uneven storytelling and an affinity to overwhelm with unnecessary characters.
Clean-cut high-schooler Olive Penderghast (Emma Stone) is overheard insinuating that she lost her virginity over the weekend. A very strict Christian classmate, Marianne (Amanda Bynes) overhears and spreads the rumor. Olive later agrees to pretend that she lost her virginity to her gay friend, Brandon (Dan Byrd). Several boys learn what she has done and beg her to perform the same service for them, hoping to gain some of her newfound fame and popularity. Olive's life begins to resemble that of Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter." Olive then decides to use the rumor mill to her own advantage, affixing a red A to her clothing to make some new friends and become the school's new heroine.
Part-teen comedy, part-social message and good tongue-in-cheek fun, the pleasant "Easy A" does plenty of extra credit to ensure you like it, and most of it you will. It starts out well with an engaging premise, sags a little in the later-going, to recover with a semi-cool ending that references some '80s teen comedies, namely John Hughes.
'Easy A" has way, way too many characters to keep track of, and some fall by the wayside or totally disappear all together by the end of the film. And the film's semi-annoying way of telling the story (really, are cue cards that necessary to the story?) might be a little off-putting. But the film is all but held together by the caustic but lovely Stone, who isn't afraid to slap on that red "A" and prance around showing her goods and demanding gift cards for her services.
"Easy A" also has a few good decent actors thrown in the mix, especially Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson, who make for the perfect set of offbeat parents for their offbeat daughter. Others are a mixed bag. You'd think that Thomas Haden Church and Lisa Kudrow would make for a good pairing as a couple with marital problems, but they don't fit into the story well, and Malcolm McDowell is wasted in a brief, one-note role as the school principal.
Amanda Bynes hams it up believably as a hellish, snotty Christian that may remind you of some people you know. "Gossip Girl's" Penn Badgely is suitably and blandly handsome as Stone's love interest, though this is clearly Stone's film, while Dan Byrd, as the resident gay student, starts out the movie front and center and literally disappears midway through the film. Ditto for the lovely Alyson Michalka as Stone's best friend in the film, who is hardly seen later in the film.
Even with it's flaws, there's more to like about the pleasantly, offbeat "Easy A" than not, and you'll clearly remember Stone, if nothing else. And it does have a nicely updated albeit grungier version of the '80s "Breakfast Club" theme from Simple Minds, "Don't You (Forget About Me)," which may certainly bring back memories for some the parents. "Easy A" will be most enjoyed by the young audience it's targeting and give them something worthwhile to do this weekend.
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