Movie Review - The Roses

Director: Jay Roach

Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, Ncuti Gatwa, Sunita Mani, Allison Janney
 
Description: A tinderbox of competition and resentments underneath the façade of a picture-perfect couple is ignited when the husband’s professional dreams come crashing down.
 
Review: It is not uncommon for a remake of a film to be given a slightly different title. However, int the case of “The Roses”, the difference says it all. Danny DeVito’s 1989 original was called “The War of the Roses”, and that war, the (literal) divorce battle that took up most of the film, is merely the dessert in this new version.

Back then the stars were Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, now they are Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman. Two actors who know how to handle both the verbal and physical dimension of comedy and who thoroughly enjoy their roles.

Some of the dialogue hits home. At one point, Andy Samberg’s character Barry says “When we were younger, I knew what she was going to say before she said it. Now I don’t know what she’s said after she’s said it.” This feels like something many couples might go though after being together for a long time.

Sometimes you really want a film to live up to your expectations. But a quarter of the way through “The Roses”, you know that’s not happening. It’s understandable that the film needs an introduction. But for at least half of the film, we watch a happy marriage. It’s just like any other romcom. Their marriage is then slowly falling apart, before it finally comes to an outrages divorce battle.  

No complaints about Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, both great, together and apart. Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon, who play friends Barry and Amy, are give little funny material. A waste of comedic talent I would say.

It was still and entertaining film. This is mainly because of the two leads. I expected a more raw, tragicomic film about a broken marriage. But we got a pretty standard romcom with some dark humor at the end.

Rating: 3/ 5

00s Movie Review - The Hours

Director: Stephen Daldry
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2002
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Ed Harris, Stephen Dillane, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, Miranda Richardson, Claire Danes, Margot Martindale, Jeff Daniels

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 3: AN ANTHOLOGY MOVIE
 
Description: The story of how the novel “Mrs. Dalloway” affects three generations of women, all of whom, in one way or another, have to deal with suicide in their lives.

Review: Three women. One writes, the other reads and the last lives. The words of Virginai Woolf’s famous book “Mrs. Dalloway” give shape and dimension to their tragic lives. Based on the Pullitzer Prize-winning nover “The Hours” by Michael Cunningham, the story was a valid attempt to illustrate how literature and true life can be connected. And how immortal stories are even when their writers and protagonists die.

The three women who sometimes effortlessly blur into one character in the book are pulled apart for the film in three powerful roles played by Nicole Kidman (as Virginia Woolf), Meryl Streep (as the contemporary New York Carissa Vaughan) and Julianne Moore (as a 1950s housewife. Their fates are shown as they wear the same kind of earrings, and, thanks to ingenious editing, relive or read the same scenes from “Mrs. Dalloway” at the same time.

It is a wondrous conclusion to have to see, almost a century after Mrs. Dalloway lived, that, in Daldry's view, personal freedom is more than ever bound by sexual and familial ties.

Rating: 4/ 5

90s Movie Review - 10 Things I Hate About You

Director: Gil Junger
Genre: Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 97 minutes
Year: 1999
Starring: Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, David Krumholtz, Andrew Keegan, Larry Miller, Allison Janney, Susan May Pratt, Gabrielle Union

Description: Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) is a pretty and popular teenager who can’t go out on a date until her ill tempered older sister Kat (Julia Stiles) does.

Review: Walter Stratford is afraid that his youngest daughter Bianca ends up with babies, if she ever goes on a date. That’s why she is not allowed to date. Of course, Bianca doesn’t accept that, so dad adjusts the rule. She can date, if her older sister Kat does too. Sounds reasonable, but it actually isn’t. Kat is a feisty, sometimes bitchy teen. Newcomer Cameron, who falls for Bianca immediately, finds a way to take Bianca out. He has to find a guy to date Kat. Joey, a very popular boy, helps him by paying Patrick Verona to take out Kat. But then it turns out that Patrick starts liking Kat.
“10 Things I Hate About You” is one of the few romantic teen comedies that I absolutely love. The acting is pretty good, the script is original (at that time at least). There are many characters that I really like and can relate too. And the music is perfect for the atmosphere of the film.
I’ve seen this comedy many times and it’s the perfect date movie.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Reviews - Bad Education

Director: Cory Finley
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Comedy
Runtime: 108 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Allison Janney, Ray Romano, Geraldine Viswanathan, Alex Wolff

Description: The beloved superintendent (Hugh Jackman) of New York’s Roslyn school district and his staff, friends and relatives become the prime suspects in the unfolding of the single largest public school embezzlement scandal in American history.

Review: Charisma is a sly fox. A quality that we praise but also underestimate. Some people are champions in keeping up appearances. And that’s what we see in “Bad Education”, which is based on true events.
Dr. Frank Tassone is the superintendent of a New York high school. He oversees this school district of Roslyn, New York together with his colleague Pam Gluckin. And everything is going perfect. A large group of their students will go to Ivy League universities, which makes Rosylin the fourth most successful school district in the US. And with that Frank is a very well-loved man among his colleagues, students and parents.
But that bubble bursts, when it is revealed that Pam has used the school budget for personal purchases, like her house. The community is broken about it and so is Frank, who was close friends with Pam as well. He confronts her, she gets fired and even loses her license. But something is not right. One of Roslyn’s own students goes on an investigation of her own, while writing an article for the school paper. Here she finds out the dark truth about both Pam and Frank.
This is of course not all, but I’m not going to spoil the fun. This event became one of the biggest school scandals in American history. And the deceit went much further than just school budget fraude. There was a lot more going on.
“Bad Education” has hints of comedy, personal drama, crime and journalistic drama. Because it’s Roslyn students Rachel that eventually blows the whistle and uncovers the truth.
The film has enough pace and never bores. And their biggest trump is the cast. Allison Janney and Ray Romano are very strong in their supporting roles, with enough irony and never going over the top. I was impressed by Geraldine Viswanathan, who played Rachel. She is really good in this film. But Hugh Jackman is the scene stealer and plays one of his most versatile characters ever. He shows he is more than just Wolverine. Frank sees himself as the personification of the ‘American Dream’, but also hides parts of himself to keep up the appearances. He looks for scapegoats to cover up his own misdeeds.
“Bad Education” is a really good movie, with a strong cast and a interesting true story.

Rating: 4 / 5

Movie Review - Bombshell

Director: Jay Roach
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 108 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, John Lithgow, Allison Janney, Malcolm McDowell, Kate McKinnon, Connie Britton, Mark Duplass, Stephen Root, Mark Moses, Brooke Smith, Richard Kind

Description: A group of women take on Fox New head Roger Ailes (John Lithgow) and the toxic atmosphere he presides over the network.

Review: Based on a true story. “Bombshell” tells the explosive story of the women that broke the silence and accused Fox News boss Roger Ailes of sexual harassment.
“Bombshell” takes on the scandal that many people, mostly Americans, already know about. And this film shines a light on the events that took place during the process. And it’s a typical way of telling a true story the Hollywood-way: lots of sensation but lacking depth.
If this film didn’t have such a strong cast, it would be disposable and forgettable. The film should be more uncomfortable, giving the theme it deals with. There are only a few moments where you feel this discomfort. For instance when the three main women of the story are standing in an elevator. Not saying a word you can see them questioning themselves: did you also…? Or the scene where Kayla (Margot Robbie) meets with Roger Ailes and he asks her to stand and turn around, because it’s a visual medium. But he also asks to see her legs, eventually ending in Kayla pulling up her skirt up until her underwear. This scene shows that most women at Fox News owe their careers by doing something like this or even more. Sadly these kind of scenes are a minority.
The film also, for the most part, focuses on Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron), when it was Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) who blew the whistle. I found this an odd choice.
All performances in this film are great. And also a shoutout to the makeup department.
It’s an easy watch and has its moments, but overall “Bombshell” could have been a lot better.

Rating: 3 / 5

Movie Review - Ma

Director: Tate Taylor
Genre: Thriller/ Horror
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Octavia Spencer, Juliette Lewis, McKaley Miller, Diana Silver, Luke Evans, Allison Janney

Description: A lonely woman (Octavia Spencer) befriends a group of teenagers and decides to let them party at her house. Just when the kids think their luck couldn’t get any better, things start happening that make them question the intention of their host.

Review: Octavia Spencer is one of the best actresses of our time. As an incredibly reliable character actress, she has stolen the show many times in recent years, resulting in several Academy Award nominations and one win for her supporting role. It was only a matter of time until studios dared to give her a leading role.
“Ma” is about a group of teenagers in a little town. Maggie just moved there with her mother, who grew up there. Maggie makes new friends very quick. On the weekend, these teens have one goal: to get drunk. But as under-aged high-schoolers it’s not that east to get alcohol. When Maggie asks Sue-Ann to get them some alcohol at the local store, it appears she is the answer. She doesn’t mind getting them alcohol, but she also invites them into her basement, where the kids can have parties. It becomes their new hangout spot. But quickly they realize that Sue-Ann, who they call Ma, isn’t who she says she is and she has a lot of dark secrets.
Let’s start with the positive note: Octavia Spencer is phenomenal! It’s obvious she had a lot of fun playing this role and her performance is super strong.
The biggest problem this film has is the choices director Tate Taylor made story-wise. The timing and structure are all over the place. Some rather useless storylines last forever, while essential things are often thrown into the story suddenly. The film takes more than an hour to create an uncomfortable atmosphere, but when Sue-Ann finally gets on with it, things suddenly go into sixth gear. You almost get a whiplash from the changes in tempo.
The final scenes are really goo and I wished the film dared to be a bit more f***ed up overall.
Allison Janney is also in the movie. She plays a veterinarian and literally all she does is pop into a scene and tell Sue-Ann to get back to work. Such a great actor, but that’s all she has do to. Such a waste of talent.
The film could have been so much better and it’s thanks to Octavia Spencer’s great performance that the film is still interesting enough. But overall, due to the writing, it’s not as good as it could have been.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

Movie Reviews - I, Tonya

Director: Craig Gillespie
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Margot Robbie, Allison Janney, Sebastian Stan, Bobby Cannavale, Mckenna Grace

Description: Competitive ice skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) rises amongst the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the activity is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband (Sebastian Stan) intervenes.

Review: Driven by her rivalry with Nancy Kerrigan, Tonya Harding stepped onto the ice in Lillehammer in 1994. Her second time at the Olympics, but also her last. Her performance was dominated by a broken lace. She didn’t win a prize, while Kerrigan got a silver medal.
“I, Tonya” is not your everyday biopic. It’s a light satire, filled with irony and based on contradicting interviews. The real truth will probably never be revealed.
Leading lady Margot Robbie, who is fantastic by the way, even breaks the fourth wall a couple of times. Telling us how it really happened.
Nancy Kerrigan was Harding’s biggest rival and the all American girl. The complete opposite. When both girls were amazing figure skaters, Tonya was maybe better. She took more risks. But Harding’s image and background didn’t fit in that world. When Kerrigan was attacked after a training and someone shattered her knee, rumor had it that Harding had something to do with it. It was all over the news and at the time, she and Bill Clinton were the most famous people.
What is true and what isn’t, will always be the question. What we do know, is that Harding had a rough life. Her father left her when she was young and she stayed with her demanding and cold mother. LaVona was the one dragging her on the ice when she was four, constantly pushing her. She was loveless, tough and convinced that Tonya only did well when pushed.
And then there is Tonya’s stormy and violent relationship with Jeff Gillooly. He beat her and treated her bad.
Tonya didn’t blend in with the rest of the girls. She didn’t dance to classical music, but choose ZZ Top and she made her own outfits. But she was also the first American woman to perform a triple Axel, with success. She was good at what she did, but somehow always ruined it for herself. But Tonya kept fighting. When she fell, she got up, no matter how hard it was. And she deserves a certain respect for that.
Like I stated before, Margot Robbie is fantastic in her role. But it’s Allison Janney that steals the show as Tonya’s mother LaVona. Her character is comical and almost cartoonish, but she is also a terrible woman and treats her daughter like trash.
“I, Tonya” manages to combine extreme characters and the real humans they are deep inside. This movie really surprised me with its tone, not at all what I expected. Such a great film!

Rating: 4,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 140: The Girl on the Train

Director: Tate Taylor
Genre: Thriller/ Drama
Runtime: 112 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Emily Blunt, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux, Rebecca Ferguson, Luke Evans, Laura Prepon, Allison Janney, Edgar Ramirez, Lisa Kudrow

Description: A divorcee (Emily Blunt) becomes entangled in a missing persons investigation that promises to send shockwaves throughout her life.

Review: “The Girl on the Train” has been compared to David Fincher’s “Gone Girl”. Both movie are adapted from books and are psychological thrillers, where the disappearance of a young woman is the focus. A comparison like this is dangerous, because you go in with very high expectations. For this reason alone, the movie will disappoint.
Rachel Watson is a divorcee that drinks away her tears. A happy couple that she passes every day on the train, is the only comfort in Rachel’s life. She fantasizes about their life. One day, Rachel wakes up coverend in scratches, bruises and blood. She has no idea what happened. And then the police show up, telling Rachel that Megan Hipweel went missing. The woman she has been watching on the train.
“The Girl on the Train” is a thriller that works best when you have no clue what’s it about. I read the book, so I knew what was going to happen. And director Tate Taylor stayed very close to the novel. The only difference is the location, he changed out London for New York. The movie is told from different perspectives, chapters and jumps in time. Thre is really no other way to tell this story, without giving away the twists the story has. So for the people who read the book, there are no surprises.
“The Girl on the Train” is more a plot drive film than a character drive film. The characters sometimes feel like pieces in a chess game, that are moving from one place to another until we get to the climax. The credibility of those characters is a bit lost sometimes.
Luke Evans, Edgar Ramirez and Rebecca Ferguson have strong supporting roles, but it’s without a doubt Emily Blunt that steals the show.
I read and saw so many bad reviews of “The Girl on the Train”. I liked the movie a lot, I just didn’t love it. Like I said before, it’s always dangerous to have such high expectations of a film.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 35: Minions

Director: Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin

Genre: Animation/ Comedy/ Family

Runtime: 91 minutes

Year: 2015

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney, Steve Coogan, Jennifer Saunders, Geoffrey Rush, Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin

Description: Minions Stuart, Kevin and Bob are recruited by Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock), a super-villain who, alongside her inventor husband Herb (Jon Hamm), hatches a plot to take over the world.

Review: After the successful animation “Despicable Me” it was expected that there was going to be a spin-off/ origin story about the cute little yellow helpers: the minions. And they are capable of carrying their own movie.

In ”Minions” we see that the yellow men have been around for millions of years and they don’t grow older or reproduce. The minions always want to serve the biggest and most evil villain. After a war, they decide to build their own life in a cave. But after many years, they think it’s time to find a new master.

Three of the minions are send out for this mission. The relatively serious Kevin, the stubborn Stuart and the childish Bob. To focus on only three of them it’s easier to follow for kids and because of the three different characters there is a certain group dynamic. The fact that the minions speak an unknown language could be the films handicap, but interesting enough it isn’t. Their tone and body language often say enough for us to understand them. The comedy of the film is of the slapstick kind, for young viewers it’s a hilarious film.

I read several bad reviews for “Minions”, but I think it’s a perfect film for the targeted audience and I enjoyed the animation.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 81: Spy

Director: Paul Feig

Genre: Action/Comedy

Runtime: 120 minutes

Year: 2015

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Jason Statham, Jude Law, Miranda Hart, Allison Janney, Peter Serafinowicz, Bobby Cannavale

Description: Desk-bound CIA analyst Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) volunteers to go undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent diabolical global disaster.

Review: Susan Cooper works as an analyst for the CIA. Behind her desk she helps out CIA agent Bradley Fine during dangerous missions. When something happens to Bradley and the identity of all the other agents is revealed, Susan is the only one that has never worked undercover.

An action comedy with a female lead, that’s very rare in Hollywood. The talented Melissa McCarthy and director Paul Feig, who worked together before for “Bridesmaids” and “The Heat”, make it happen. McCarthy’s character changes from an insecure woman to a bad ass agent. The perfect woman for this role. The movie has great humor, it’s never cheesy or lame.

Jason Statham probably has the most fun role, as over the top spy, who can’t handle the fact that a woman like Susan is send into the field. Statham’s character Ford appears in the strangest places, to screw up the mission and brag about his heroic actions. Statham is seriously hilarious and clearly has a talent for comedy. Also Rose Byrne, Allison Janney and Miranda Hart get enough room to exploit. Funny and strong supporting roles.

In an action comedy you don’t only expect catchy jokes, but also entertaining action. Director Feig manages to gives us that too. It’s fast paced and well filmed.

“Spy” is a hilarious comedy that gives Melissa McCarthy plenty of room to shine. And I think if “Spy” is a success, we don’t have to wait long for “Spy 2”.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Moments : "Juno"

Juno is a quirky and whip-sharp teenager who gets pregnant after having sex with Bleeker once. This story is so fun, I love this movie. One of those films that puts a smile on my face! Here are my favorite moments from “Juno”.

Moment # 1: Opening credits

One of the best opening credits of a movie ever. We see Juno walk on the street with a big can of orange juice.

Moment # 2: Pregnant

At the drug store Juno is taking a pregnancy test. And yes, she is knocked up!

Moment # 3: Telling Bleeker

The guy who she had sex with, only once, is Bleeker. He’s is also the one getting her pregnant. Juno decides to tell him in a very unconventional yet Juno way.

Moment # 4: Telling her parents

Juno has to tell her father and stepmom. She also is stating that she will give up the baby for adoption. Her dad is really surprised that she slept with Bleeker and her stepmom is right on hands on with the arrangements.

Moment # 5: Meeting Vanessa and Mark

In the Pennysaver Juno found the perfect adoption parents for her baby. Together with her dad she is about to meet Vanessa and Mark Loring. Soon Juno realizes that it’s Vanessa one wish to become a mother.

Moment # 6: Snap

Together with her best friend Leah and her stepmother, Juno is going for an ultra sound. The doctor helping her seems very prejudice and judges Juno. Juno’s stepmom doesn’t accept that and shuts her up. Snap!

Moment # 7: Vanessa talks to the baby

Juno and Leah are at the mall when the bump into Vanessa. She asks Juno if she can touch the belly after Juno feels the baby kick. When Vanessa feels, she doesn’t feel the baby and decides to talk to it.

Moment # 8: Mark leaves Vanessa

Juno visits Mark and he tells her some bad news. He wants to leave Vanessa, because her dream isn’t his. Juno is mad, because her plan goes to shit now.

Moment # 9: Orange Tic Tacs

After realizing Bleeker is the guy for her, Juno decides to make a giant romantic gesture. She fills Bleeker’s mailbox with orange Tic Tacs, his favorite.

Moment # 10: Juno and Bleeker kiss

After the Tic Tac gesture, Juno tells Bleeker she is in love with him and they kiss.

Moment # 11: The delivery

The time has come, Juno is about to deliver the baby. Stepmom Bren and best friend Leah support her and Juno delivers a boy. She doesn’t want to hold him.

Moment # 12: Vanessa is a mom

Finally Vanessa is a mom and she can’t wait to hold her son. Bren sees her and sees the baby is in good hands.

Moment # 13: The note

What we didn’t see was the note Juno wrote for Vanessa. She wrote: Vanessa, if you’re still in, I’m still on. Vanessa framed it for the baby’s room.

Moment # 14: Juno and Bleeker sing

Juno is back in shape an races of to Bleeker. Together they play guitar and sing a lovely song.

Favorite Moment: Moment # 12: Vanessa is a mom

Movie Battle: Adventureland Vs. The Way Way Back

Both movies I really loved the first time I watched them. They are both coming of age movies, centering around a guy who just tries to feel normal and start a job at a park. “Adventureland” Vs. “The Way Way Back”

 

 

CAST

Adventureland: The leading part is for the easy likeable Jesse Eisenberg. His love interest is played by Kristen Stewart and the really funny roles are for Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader. Ryan Reynolds also has a role.

The Way Way Back: Relatively unknown Liam Jones plays the leading role. His mother is portrayed by Toni Collette and his douche of a stepdad is played by Steve Carell. A great role by the way. Sam Rockwell plays my favourite character in the movie, it’s impossible to not like this guy. Also a fun roles for Allison Janney and Maya Rudolph, and AnnaSophie Robb plays the love interest.

STORY

Adventureland: It’s set in 1987. Eisenberg plays college graduate James Brennan who takes a ‘nowhere’ job at his local amusement park. He thinks it’s the perfect course to get him prepared for the real world.

The Way Way Back: Duncan is a shy guy, who goes on vacation with his mom, mom’s new boyfriend and the boyfriend’s daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds just the place. He starts working at the local Water Park, where he finds an unexpected friend in manager Owen.

EFFECTS

Adventureland: The movie has a cool 80’s vibe, due to the clothes, music and surroundings.

The Way Way Back: It’s mostly about the characters and the story here. You do get a summer feeling while watching the movie.

WINNER

“The Way Way Back”. It’s such a good film, I can’t fault it. It’s a guarantee to make you feel better and gives you an instant smile.

Quotables: "The Way Way Back"

I fell in love with this movie when I first saw it. I just love coming of age stories. Especially when it has great, memorable characters (Sam Rockwell!!!) and some cool quotes. I really love this movie and here I am sharing the best quotes from “The Way Way Back”.

Owen: You disappoint me, kid. You're late. You planning on making a habit of this?

Duncan: What?

Owen: You're fired!

Duncan: But I just...

Owen: [sticks out his hand] You make a valid point. Welcome back. With benefits.

 

Duncan: How long have you been working there?

Owen: Oh, the park? Um, I've always been there. Ever since I was a small Cambodian child. Of course, that was after 'Nam. I was in the shit. Then I joined the circus to become a clown fighter. I know about 46 ways to kill a clown. I hate clowns. I'm kidding except for the part where I really do hate them.

Owen: Seriously, when's the last time you bought jeans?

Duncan: My mom buys my jeans.

Owen: Good. Always take things literally. How's that working out for you? Does that get you laid?

Susanna: So. You're a big fan of REO Speedwagon?

Duncan: What?

Susanna: Can't Fight This Feeling?

Duncan: Oh, no. My mom must have put that on there.

Susanna: Oh. And you just got to it and thought "what the hell?" I'm going to sing the shit out of it anyway.

 

Betty: So how was your winter? Because our year was a challenge. My niece was raped in October.

Pam: Oh, my God!

Betty: I know. Not even food courts are safe.

In the Picture: The Characters from "Th Way Way Back"

“The Way Way Back” is a movie I only saw recently, but fell in love with immediately. And it has some great characters, interesting ones with actual depth and emotions. One of them actually made it to my list of favourite movie characters.

Duncan

Played by: Liam James

Duncan is a very quiet 14-year old, who goes on a vacation with his mom and her new boyfriend. He doesn’t really want to go, but has no other options. To try to make the best of it, Duncan decides to check out the town and he discovers a water park. This changes his vacation.

Owen

Played by: Sam Rockwell

Owen is the manager of ‘Water Wiz’, a local water park. He takes Duncan under his wing. Although Owen might look like a tough guy, he has a heart of gold and he is the only one that sees the true Duncan.

Pam

Played by: Toni Collette

Pam is Duncan’s mother. Duncan feels abandoned by her, and Pam doesn’t get him. She is constantly trying to reach out to him, but then falls back in the arms of boyfriend Trent. Drinking, late night partying and smoking marijuana.

Trent

Played by: Steve Carell

Trent is Pam’s new boyfriend. To her, he is a perfect guy. Trent is constantly verbally and emotionally abusing Duncan, often making comments and gestures that are belittling and rude at him. And he’s also not very faithful to Pam. Trent is simply a big ass douche.

Betty Thompson

Played by: Allison Janney

Betty is the cocktail loving vacationing neighbor of Trent and Pam. She likes her parties, drinks and guys and lives her life like she is catching up on her own teen years. Betty isn’t always very subtle and she seems nosy, but she only means well.

Susanna Thompson

Played by: AnnaSophia Robb

Susanna belongs to a popular groups of girls, but she actually doesn’t want to. She is intrigued by Duncan, because he’s an outcast, much to the liking of her friends. Susanna also takes part in Duncan’s growing happiness.

Caitlyn

Played by: Maya Rudolph

Caitlyn works at ‘Water Wiz’. She is a kind woman, loved by Owen, although she doesn’t want to give in to those feelings herself. She also appreciates Duncan’s help and presence at the water park.

 

 

Favorite Character: Owen

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 78: The Way Way Back

Director: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash

Genre: Drama/ Comedy

Runtime: 103 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Liam James, Steve Carell, Toni Colette, AnnaSophia Robb, Alisson Janney, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Amanda Peet, Rob Corddry

Description: Shy 14-year-old Duncan (Liam James) goes on summer vacation with his mother (Toni Colette), her overbearing boyfriend (Steve Carell), and her boyfriend's daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park.

Review: Duncan is a 14 year old boy, who is on his way to a beach house for the summer, with his mom, her new boyfriend Trent and the boyfriend’s daughter. Duncan and Trent don’t get along, he’s not happy with his mother’s choice. It’s going to be a long summer. But when Duncan meets Owen, who works at the local waterpark, there is a silver lining.

There are many characters in “The Way Way Back” that give the film a lot of color. Liam James, as Duncan, does a great job and so does AnnaSophie Robb. But it’s the adults that steal the show. It’s fun to see Steve Carell as the douchebag Trent. This ws the first time I wanted to slap him in the face, well performed by Carell. Allison Janney and Toni Colette are solid but my favorite character is portrayed by Sam Rockwell. He is the silly Owen, but he has a heart of gold. And he’s actually Duncan’s savior, the one who appreciates him for who he is. Rockwell really stole my heart in this movie.

“The Way Way Back” is a special film, an honest film, like “Juno and “Little Miss Sunshine”, that leave a smile on your face afterwards.

Rating: 5/ 5

In the Picture: The Characters from "10 Things I Hate About You"

I'm not a fan of teen comedies, but "10 Things I Hate About You" is one of the few in that genre that is actually good and fun to watch. And I can watch it over and over again. Here are the most important characters of the film.

Kat Stratford
Played by: Julia Stiles
She is a kick ass girl with her own ambitions and will. Kat doesn't like boys in general because she was hurt by one very badly. She's very strong and she doesn't give a damn about what other people think of her. Kat likes rock music, is a feminist, and is very smart.

Patrick Verona
Played by: Heath Ledger
Most people are affraid of Patrick, but there's really no reason to. He has a bad boy look and image, but he's not bad at all. He's actually very kindhearted, but wants people to think he's a badass so he doesn't have to interact with them. Patrick has to take Kat out, but eventually falls in love with her.

Bianca Stratford
Played by: Larisa Oleynik
She's Kat's younger sister and the complete opposite of her. Bianca is interested in fashion, make-up and boys and that makes her a bit shallow. After meeting Cameron we find out she's a bit more then just another pretty face. Bianca is a very social and sweet girl, with more potential.

Cameron James
Played by: Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Cameron falls for Bianca on the first day at his new school. He knows what he wants, Bianca, and he does everything in his power to get her. Although Cameron is a very shy guy by nature, he's not affraid to be honest to the people around him. Cameron is probably the best guy any high-school girl could end up with.

Joey Donner
Played by: Andrew Keegan
The pretty boy. Every girl wants to date Joey Donner, but with him the looks is pretty much all you get. He's a major jerk and not the sharpest tool in the shed either. All the girls love him, all the guys don't.

Michael Eckman
Played by: David Krumholtz
Michael tries to make Cameron feel at home at the school. He does everything with the best intentions, but not a lot of people appreciate it. Michael is considered a loser and other students pick on him all the time. He just lets it happen and knows he will never be the most popular kid in the school.

Mandella
Played by: Susan May Pratt
She's Kat's best friend. Mandella loves Shakespeare and she pictures herself in a romantic world as William S. describes it in his poems. She's very spiritual and is a little more open then her friend Kat.

Chastity
Played by: Gabrielle Union
Chastity is Bianca's best friend and even more superficial then B. She's one of those girls that wants Joey Donner and she doesn't care about anything but his looks. Chastity isn't actually a very true friend to Bianca and therefore perfect for an ass such as Joey.

Mrs. Perky
Played by: Allison Janney'
Mrs. Perky is a pretty strange teacher. She swears in front of her students and she's busy writing a novel with some pretty obscene wordchoices.

Walter Stratford
Played by: Larry Miller
He's Bianca and Kat's dad and trying to deal with his teenage daughters who are so different from each other. He is very traditional and doesn't like the fact that Bianca is so interested in boys. He only wants her to date when Kat does, but he knows she probably wouldn't. When Kat also goes on a date, he has to let Bianca go and he has to face the fact: his daughters are growing up.

Favorite Character: Kat Stratford