90s Movie Review - 8 MM

Director: Joel Schumacher
Genre: Thriller/ Crime
Runtime: 123 minutes
Year: 1999
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Catherine Keener, Joaquin Phoenix, James Gandolfini, Peter Stormare, Anthony Heald, Norman Reedus

Description: A private investigator (Nicolas Cage) is hired to discover if a “snuff film” is authentic or not.

Review: A snuff film is a real-murder film within the porn industry. It’s a persistent myth. This thriller by director Joel Schumacher cleverly plays on the hint of mystery surrounding the phenomenon.

Nicholas Cage plays private detective Tom Welles who gets his hands on a sniff film via the widow of a recently deceased prominent business. She want Tom wo find out the source of this misery. While investigating, Tom sinks deeper and deeper into the dark world of the porn industry, searching for the maker of the film and if it’s real.

I always believed “8 MM” was an underrated thriller, I think I like it more then most people. It’s a pretty disturbing topic, a gritty film. Maybe not the best acting, but the mystery is really interesting and compelling.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

Movie Review - The Adam Project

Director: Shawn Levy
Genre: Science Fiction/ Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, Zoe Saldana, Catherine Keener, Walter Scobell

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE

WEEK 12: A NETFLIX-ORIGINAL MOVIE

Description: After accidentally crash-landing in 2022, time-traveling fighter pilot Adam Reed (Ryan Reynolds) teams up with his 12-year-old self (Walter Scobell) for a mission to save the future.

Review: Anyone who goes to see a movie starring Ryan Reynolds knows what to expect: sarcasm, self-conscious commentary, and many jokes. Whether you like Reynolds or not, you have to admit: his talent for verbally annoying others is undeniable. In the infectious Netflix time-travel film “The Adam Project”, he finally gets a big mouth back. From his 12-year-old self.
The films opens in 2050. Fighter pilot Adam Reed has just stolen a jet and is skimming through space, with an angry pursuer in his wake. Reed is injured, but manages to narrowly escape by flying into a wormhole, which lands him in the year 2022. There he sees how his life as an adolescent once was: playing video games, taking beatings in the schoolyard and making irritating jokes to annoy his grieving mother. 
The conversations he has with himself are deliciously caustic. “How did you get so smart?” asks Adam at one point to his younger self, wo which the latter responds with: How did you get so stupid?” It’s not often we see an exasperated Ryan Reynolds twist himself into so many turns to win an argument with another on the basis of wit. It lends the film a surprising amount of sass.
The dialogue-rich “The Adam Project” is also self-aware enough to poke fun at its own internal logic; time travel causes plot holes one way or another. The longer you dwell on it, the more inconsistencies you will find. The open naming of such pitfalls is a smart move, because it takes the wind out of the sails of even the most skeptical viewers.
Sometimes it gets a bit much, all that bickering. The holy adage ‘show don’t tell’ would have deserved more compliance in that sense. On the other hand, the dynamic between Ryan Reynolds and the talented young Walter Scobell is actually much too funny not to maximize. Besides, you get your share of action in the end, albeit in modest doses.
Fortunately, those action scenes are very smoothly, skillfully and flashily portrayed by Shawn Levy, the director with whom Reynolds previously made the entertaining “Free Guy”. Adam and Adam are on the run from a bunch of futuristic soldiers, let by a villain with rather predictable motives: power and money. And the way the created a younger version of Catherine Keener’s characters is really bad.
The latter is a major weakness in a film that really isn’t so much about action or messing with timeless as it is about dealing with personal trauma. In the final phase, Ryan Reynolds is allowed to squeeze out a few tears and the scope of his performance turns out to be broader than expected. Behind that big mouth, there is of course a lot more hidden. No matter, sometimes it pays to be a nerd.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Enough Said

Director: Nicole Holofcener
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Runtime: 94 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener, Toni Collette, Ben Falcone, Tracey Fairaway, Michaela Watkins, Tavi Gevinson

Description: A divorced woman (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) who decides to pursue the man (James Galdofini) she’s in interested in learns he’s her new friend’s (Catherine Keener) ex-husband.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE.

WEEK 20: A MOVIE DIRECTED BY A WOMAN
 
Review: James Gandolfini was never a big movie star. Nor did he ever wanted to be. He initially even refused the role of Tony Sopranos in “The Sopranos”. However, the role was right up his alley, of which he became convinced himself. After he accepted, he became famous, but still turned down leading roles in large projects and played mostly supporting roles or bigger roles in smaller films. When he died in 2012, he left behind only a small body of work. Not because he wasn’t a good actor. His portrayal of Tony Soprano alone proved that. And the small comedy drama “Enough Said” also does.
We meet divorced mother Eva. Eva meets Albert at a party, and from that tentatively emerges a relationship of sorts, blossoming through recognition, vulnerability and light disarming humor. It is that vulnerability and previous hurts and failed relationships that make both Eva and Albert insecure in this new relationship, which is therefore immediately compromised.
At that same party, Eva also meet Marianne, at that point not knowing it’s Albert’s ex-wife. They become friends. When Marianne constantly complains about her ex-husband, Eva finds out about the connection. She keeps it quiet to find out more about Albert, which starts to get in the way of her own perspective about her new relationship.
Thanks to the two lead actors, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini, their chemistry and the humor of writer-director Nicole Holofcener it’s a fine, intelligent film. The insecurities that get in the way of the characters retain their dramatic power and you are watching two real people, instead of characters written for film.

Rating: 4/ 5

10s Movie Review - Trust

Director: David Schwimmer
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 2010
Starring: Clive Owen, Catherine Keener, Liana Liberator, Jason Clarke, Viola Davis, Chris Henry Coffey, Noah Emmerich, Brandon Molale, Nicole Forester, Noah Crawford, Jordan Trovillion, Chameria Law, Gordon Michaels, Sarah Kamoo, Garrett Ryan, Zanny Laird

Description: A teenage girl is targeted by an online sexual predator.

Review: The internet and social media have changed the way people communicate with each other. It offers us numerous new opportunities. Unfortunately, the same is true for sexual predators. They use chat sites to contact minors under a false name. Director David Schwimmer’s “Trust” shows how an internet pedophile uses the internet to gain the trust of fourteen-year-old Annie and turn her into a victim. And how her trust and that of her parents subsequently appear to be irreparably damaged.
The Cameron family is an example of a happy American family. Until Annie falls in love with Charlie whom she met through teenchat.com. After several months of innocent communication through chat sites and text messages, Annie decides to answer Charlie’s request to meet up on a weekend her parents are not home. Annie is initially shocked when Charlie turns out to have lied about his age and who he is, but unfortunately she I no match for his dirty games. Annie allows herself to get carried away much further than she really wants to. Everyone then deals with the tragic incident in their own way. Mother Lynn does not know what to do while Annie continues to believe in Charlie’s comments and promises and her father Will resolutely begins a search of his own.
The cast is really strong, especially Clive Owen. The film overall, looks a bit flat. But David Schwimmer as a director really did a good job with “Trust”.

Rating: 3/ 5

00s Movie Review - Friends with Money

Director: Nicole Holofcener
Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 84 minutes
Year: 2006
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand, Joan Cusack, Simon McBurney, Jason Isaacs, Timm Sharp, Greg Germann, Scott Caan, Bob Stephenson, Marin Hinkle, Romy Rosemont, Ty Burell

Description: After she quits her lucrative job, Olivia (Jennifer Aniston) finds herself unsure about her future and het relationship with her successful and wealthy friends.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 8: A MOVIE SHORTER THEN 90 MINUTES

Review: The four friends Olivia, Jane, Christine and Franny live on the west coast of America. As they approach a certain age, things begin to happen that upset the balance of their lives. Unlike single Olive, married Jane, Christine and Franny lead affluent lives in expensive homes. Olivia has quit her job as a teacher and now works as a housekeeper. She seeks help, both financial and emotional, from her friends and meanwhile always remains in search of a purpose in her life.
Christine and her husband a both screenwriters and in the middle of a major renovation of their house. They are building a storey on top of their house, so that they can better enjoy their view. This to the dismay of their neighbors. Jane is a successful fashion designer, but nowadays not her fashionable herself. Not washing her hair, being grumpy and mad at everyone and everything. And Franny doesn’t have to work a day in her life because she has so much money, and feels like motherhood is all she needs. Meanwhile, the girls all think that Jane’s husband is gay and Franny sets Olivia up with her personal trainer, who turns out to be a dick.
I always enjoy a film like this, with multiple storylines. And although it has a cast full of A-listers, the story itself is a bit dull. Yes, it’s everyday problems in everyday lives, but I’m missing the conflict. You know already where everything is leading, so the element of surprise is completely gone.
I do like all the actors in this film, and that alone is still reason enough to watch “Friends with Money”.

Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Reviews - Sicario: Day of the Soldado

Director: Stefano Sollima
Genre: Action/ Crime
Runtime: 122 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Catherine Keener, Jeffrey Donovan

Description: The drug war on the U.S.-Mexico border has escalated as the cartels have begun trafficking terrorists across the US border. To fight the war, federal agent Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) re-teams with the mercurial Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro).

Review: “Sicario” was a great success, but it’s not the type of movie you expect a sequel for. The story didn’t leave a lot left to even suggest a sequel.
But like most sequels, “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” can’t live up to the first film. The sequel has to work without genius directo Denis Villeneuve, cinematographer Roger Deakins and leading lady Emily Blunt. Those were three elements that made the first film so strong. That Blunt wasn’t asked back is actually logical, due to the storyline. Hers was done at the end of “Sicario”. But she is missed as the moral compass of the film and the person you can identity with.
Main character in “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” are Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro, this time in a leading role). Both characters are antiheroes and do things you would probably not agree with. In a moral sense that is. There is no nuance and they don’t blink while abducting a young girl.
The screenplay is really good and the dialogues too. It is never repetitive and different from the first film. It’s a really pleasant film and a solid sequel. But I think they needed Villeneuve to get it to the same level as his film.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Reviews - Incredibles 2

Director: Brad Bird
Genre: Animation/ Action
Runtime: 125 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Catherine Keener, Bob Odenkirk, Sophia Bush, Brad Bird, Isabella Rossellini, Samuel L. Jackson, John Ratzenberg, Barry Bostwick

Description: Bob Parr aka Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) is left to care for the kids while Helen aka Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) is out saving the world.

Review: “Incredibles 2” takes off where the first film ended in 2004. The ‘Underminer’ attacks the city with a giant machine. Frozone manages to make sure it doesn’t crash a monorail and the Incredibles protect a safe in a bank, rescue a helpless granny and try to catch the Underminer. But they also have to look after Jack-Jack. “Incredibles 2” is a great joy to watch and very entertaining, but it’s never as good as the first.
Even before the golden age of superhero films, director Brad Bird showed us that the ‘Fantastic Four’ kind of film works. “The Incredibles” embraced strange super powers and payed an ode to the spy film. With bombastic music, retro futuristic cities, transforming vehicles, heroes running over water and super robots.
“Incredibles 2” brings us the same kind of spectacle. This time, Elastigirl gets all the big action scenes. Highlights are the vehicle Elasticycle, a chace with a flating train and a fight with Screenlaver. Pixar did it again with amazing animation techniques.
While Elastigirl is being a hero and hunting the mysterious Screenslaver, Mr. Incredible stays at home to take care of the kids. It’s cliché, the way Bob underestimates being a stay-at-home dad, while Helen is enjoying her new freedom. Both storylines are saved by the many action sequences. And the confrontation between Jack-Jack and a stubborn raccoon is something to mention. No word is said, but the creativity put into to this sequence is fantastic.
The villain Screenslaver isn’t as interesting as Syndrome from the original. Screenslaver is a bit more predictable and the motivation is a bit superficial.
The focus is mostly on Elastigirl and Jack-Jack, the rest is overshadowed a bit.
When it comes to action, great music and excellent animation, this film is perfect. The entertainment level is very high. But the story doesn’t add much more.

Rating: 4 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 74: An American Crime

Director: Tommy O’Haver
Genre: Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 98 minutes
Year: 2007
Starring: Catherine Keener, Ellen Page, Ari Graynor, James Franco, Evan Peters, Bradley Whitford

Description: The true story of suburban housewife Gertrude Baniszewski (Catherine Keener), who kept a teenage girl (Ellen Page) locked in the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s.

Review: The call it the most horrible crime ever committed in Indiana. In 1965, Sylvia Likens’ dead body was found in the house of Getrude Baniszewski. Baniszewski was suffering from a depression and she molested and starved Sylvia. And with that, she also convinced her own kids and other neighborhood kids, to hurt Sylvia as well. During the trial, Baniszewski claimed that she wasn’t responsible for anything that happened to Sylvia. Luckily the jury didn’t buy that and she was sentenced for life.
Director Tommy O’Haver took the transcripts from the court case and used it as an inspiration for this film. Sylvia and her sister Jenny are the daughters of carnival travelers. When they have to take another trip, they decide to leave their kids with Getrude Baniszewski. She is a mother of seven and she could use the money. The oldest daughter, Paula, tells Sylvia a secret. Because Paula is afraid that her mother will find out, she tells a lie. Sylvia has to pay for this and she is beaten and starved and put in the basement.
The movie switches between the court room and the flashbacks of the happenings. Towards the end, we get a ‘surprise twist’, which wasn’t necessary. Because we all know the ending already.
The film is strong because of the performances by Catherine Keener and Ellen Page, but also Ari Graynor and Bradley Whitford. We don’t find out about the why and how of the terrible act. Especially why so many good children decide to also hurt Sylvia. As a viewer we don’t get an answer to that question.
Tommy O’Haver managed to tell Sylvia Likens story pretty well, although the film supports on the performances by two great actresses. The film is not explicit and horrific enough to be a horror film and it misses depth to be an intelligent thriller. But the fact that this is a true story, will give the viewer a slap in the face.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 49: Get Out

Director: Jordan Peele
Genre: Horror/ Mystery
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford

Description: A young African-American (Daniel Kaluuya) man visits his Caucasian girlfriend's mysterious family estate.

Review: I think not a lot of people will see “Get Out”. But when they do, they will be talking about this for a long time. “Get Out” is about Chris, a young African American man who is visiting his girlfriend’s family. The family estate is a bit mysterious and he can’t really get a grip on the eccentric family.
“Get Out” is an extremely powerful horror movie, with bits of humor in it. It’s amazing that funny man Jordan Peele created this, because I really didn’t expect it to be this good. It’s actually masterful.
Catherine Keener and Bradley Whitford play the parents of Chris’ new girlfriend. They are very creepy and their performances are really good. But leading man Daniel Kaluua is the star. He delivers a great range of emotions in his performance.
Director Peele builds atmosphere and tension. In the end, you have no idea what you just saw. Because it’s really hard to define or put into a box. It’s psychological and mysterious. “Get Out” is original, fresh, not mainstream and it really leaves you in awe.

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 56: The Soloist

Director: Joe Wright
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2009
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx, Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, Stephen Root, Rachael Harris

Description: A Los Angeles journalist befriends a homeless Juilliard-trained musician, while looking for a new article for the paper.

Review: L.A. Times columnist Steve Lopez finds a story, when he most needs one. The amount of people that read papers is decreasing and some journalist get fired because of this. After a crash with his bike and a short stay at the hospital, Steve meets a homeless man during his lunch break. This man, Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, appeared to have attended Julliard School of Music and is a very gifted musician. A friendship develops between te two men.
The power of friendship and the responsibility that comes wit hit is very clear in this film. The British director Joe Wright (“Pride & Prejudice” and “Atonement”) is shooting in Los Angeles and cinematographic this film is really beautiful. The film is based on a real story and Wright shot many scenes that were actually a part of Nathaniel’s real life.
The acting between Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx is great, but also separately they perform strong. Intense.
“The Soloist” is an overlooked film, it’s much better then I expected it to be and I think more people should see it. I love “The Soloist”.

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 12: The Croods

Director: Kirk de Micco, Chris Sanders

Genre: Animation/ Family/ Comedy/ Adventure

Runtime: 99 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Emma Stone, Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Cloris Leachmann, Catherine Keener, Chris Sanders, Randy Thom

Description: After their cave is destroyed, a caveman family must trek through an unfamiliar fantastical world with the help of an inventive boy.

Review: The world of computer animation has been ruled by Pixar for years. But Dreamworks shows us with “The Croods” that they are also doing well. This is probably one of their best animations in years.

Since “Shrek” Dreamworks has shown they are very creative with humor. Movies like “Madagascar” and “Bee Movie” show that too. “How to Train Your Dragon” had more emotion and combined it with amazing visuals. “The Croods” has found a perfect mix of it all.

The prehistorical Croods family spends their days in a dark cave. They only leave it to find food. Father Grug wants to protect his family no matter what. His daughter Eep is a little bit more adventurous for his liking. When an earthquake demolishes their cave, the family has to find a new place to live. The intelligent Guy helps them, but Grug isn’t happy with him at all.

It’s a very simple setup, but the creators were very creative with the execution. They put in a lot of work to bring this era to life. And the further into the film we learn it’s not just a fun comedy, but it also touches you.

“The Croods” is a surprisingly good and fun animation.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 139: Begin Again

Director: John Carney

Genre: Comedy/ Drama/ Romance

Runtime: 104 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley, Hailee Steinfeld, Catherine Keener, Adam Levine, James Corden, Ceelo Green, Mos Def

Description: A chance encounter between disgraced music-business executive Dan (Mark Ruffalo) and the young singer-songwriter Greta (Keira Knightley) new to Manhattan turns into a promising collaboration between the two talents.

Review: In “Begin Again” we follow two music lovers who happen two run into each other. Greta followed her boyfriend Dave to New York. He is starting to break through as a pop star, but the fame gets to him and he dumps Greta. Record producer Dan’s life is a complete mess. He lives separate from his wife and hardly connects with his teenage daughter Violet. With that Dan also loses his job. One night Greta and Dan meet during open mic night and they decided to make an album together. Recorded in the most beautiful places in New York.

“Begin Again” brings together a famous actress who never sang, with a famous singer who hardly ever acts. Keira Knightley has a surprisingly good singing voice, fit perfectly for a modest singer-songwriter. Adam Levine, frontman of Maroon 5, has a very good voice and isn’t a bad actor either. It’s a bit of a risk for Levine to play a role that actually mocks singers who sell their soul for hits. And for Knightley it’s also a very huge step to start signing in a movie. The best role however is for Mark Ruffalo. His role might not be the most original, but Ruffalo is experienced enough to make it a memorable role. Dan is funny, pathetic and enthusiastic and you just hope the best for him.

Clearly present is the critique on the current music business. Stay authenic and let the music speak for itself. The result is in Dan and Greta’s album. With minimal resources they record an album on the streets of New York. It gives us some beautiful scenes and it shows us the power that music can have.

The film is filled with beautiful songs and it shows New York at its best. “Begin Again” is a delightful movie that puts a smile on your face. I loved it!

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 123: A Late Quartet

Director: Yaron Zilberman
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Christopher Walken, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Mark Ivanir, Imogen Poots, Wallace Shawn

Description: Members of a world-renowned string quartet struggle to stay together in the face of death, competing egos and insuppressible lust.

Review: “A Late Quartet” centers around the Fugue string quartet, that travels the world successfully for already 25 years. Daniel Lerner plays the first violin, Robert Gelbart plays the second violin, Roberts wife Juliette plays the viola and Peter Mitchell the cello. Peter took a step back after his wife passing. At the start of their rehearsal Peter feels how much effort he has to put in. After visiting the doctor, its determined that he is in the early stage of Parkinson decease. Peter’s illness changes a lot in the group.
A special dynamic is unleashed. Hidden emotions, suppressed ambitions and secrets. Robert has always adapted to the quartet, but wants to play the first violin now. Juliette doesn’t back him up and a break between her and Robert is in sight. Peter is already looking for a replacement and Daniel also shows some weaknesses. Egos collide.
“A Late Quartet” has been shot in New York and the camera has made some magical and atmospheric shots that show New York at its best.
The cast is fantastic. Philip Seymour and Catherine Keener show us amazing skills and convince as the struggling couple. Mark Ivanir is solid, but it’s Christopher Walken that is brilliant. He really touched me, just with a single look. And that last scene with him and the rest of the quartet really gave me the chills.
It takes you some time to get into “A Late Quartet”, but the dialogues are strong and the characters are deep and interesting. Sober, introvert and convincing. A movie that probably will be overlooked, which is a shame. It’s a great movie.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 46: Captain Phillips

Director: Paul Greengrass
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Catherine Keener

Description: The true story of Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks) and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years.

Review: In this anguished thriller by Paul Greengrass we see how a cargo ship gets hijacked by Somali pirates. It’s based on true events.
Captain Richard Phillips watches over a calm ocean when he suddenly sees two little dots on the radar coming closer at warp speed. Phillips doesn’t trust it and takes action. This doesn’t help, because Somali pirates board the ship. From that moment on you’re on the edge of your seat.
Director Paul Greengrass uses a ‘shaky cam’, which is very popular at the moment. It works, because it feels like you’re really there and it sucks you in.
They choose the right actor for the role. Tom Hanks, whom I absolutely love, creates a complete new character and doesn’t remind you of any of his previous roles. Especially in the climax of the film his performance is phenomenal. I simply can’t fault Hanks. Barkhad Abdi, who plays Somali leader Muse, is also impressive. He really put a lot of energy in the character and portrays the villain role very convincingly.
“Captain Phillips” is a fantastic film, it met my expectations. Every minute is worth watching and Tom Hanks can put another great film on his résumé.

Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Moments: "The 40 Year-Old Virgin

This movie is so funny and we can thank Steve Carell for that. I don’t think anyone else could have done a better job. Here are my favorite moments from “The 40 Year-Old Virgin”.

Moment # 1: Meet Andy
We meet Andy, who wakes up with a huge boner. He starts working out, making breakfast, talking to his elderly neighbors. Andy is a nice guy with absolutely no social life.

Moment # 2: The guys find out
Andy is invited to a pokergame with his co-worker from Smart Tech. They start talking about sex and when they ask Andy about his sex adventures, they find out he’s still a virgin.

Moment # 3: Andy’s fulfilling life
Andy tries to explain to Dave why he doesn’t need to get laid. He has a very fulfilling life. We see him playing the tuba, painting miniatures, playing videogams, singing karaoke and reading comic books.

Moment # 4: Andy and the drunk lady
Andy picked up a woman in a bar. She had a little to much to drink, but she drives Andy anyway. Seems that she is a very reckless driver and a bit crazy too.

Moment # 5: Waxing
Jay advices Andy to get his chest waxed, so Jay, Dave and Cal join him when Andy goes to a waxing salon. And it hurts like hell.

Moment # 6: Condoms
Andy went on a date with Trish and they end up in her bed. When Trish is going to the bathroom Andy has to put on a condom, but he has no idea how to use them. He uses a lot of them, but it doesn’t work out. And then Trish’ daughter walks in.

Moment # 7: Health clinic
Andy takes Trish’ daughter Marla to a health clinic, to learn about birth control. He sees a model of a vagina and when he picks it up it falls apart and he can’t put it together anymore.

Moment # 8: Heat of the moment
Andy and Trish had a fight and she gets in her car and drives off. Andy follows her on his bike, but Trish is to fast. He takes a shortcut, but when a huge billboard pops out of nowhere he flies trough it.

Moment # 9: Hair medley
After Andy’s big moment, all the characters start singing a medley from the musical Hair.



Favorite Moment: : Moment# 5: Waxing

In the Picture: The Characters from "The 40 Year Old Virgin"

I recently rewatched "The 40 Year Old Virgin" and I decided to give all the characters some individual attention.

Andy Stitzer
Played by: Steve Carell
Andy is 40 years old and still a virgin. He is involuntarily celibate. Andy lives alone and is somewhat childlike. He collects action figures and plays videogames. But Andy is a very kind, shy and loveable man.

David
Played by: Paul Rudd
David is Andy’s co-worker. He really wants a serious relationship, but he is still hung up on his ex-girlfriend. It’s almost disturbing.

Cal
Played by: Seth Rogen
Cal also works at SmartTech and has a perverted sense of humor. He talks about sex a lot, many forms of it.

Jay
Played by: Romany Malco
Another co-worker of Andy. He’s the only one in a serious relationship of the SmartTech group. But he’s whipped. Jay is not aloud to do anything, he’s kinda her bitch.

Trish
Played by: Catherine Keener
Trish is a storeowner across the street of Andy’s work. They hit it of immediately and Andy goes on a date with her. She is really nice and is seriously interested in Andy.

Paula
Played by: Jane Lynch
Paula is the storemanager of SmartTech. She should actually be sued for sexual harassment, because she makes sexual remarks to her colleagues all the time. She even wants to be Andy’s sexbuddy. Strange woman.

Beth
Played by: Elizabeth Banks
Beth is a woman Andy meets at a bookstore, where she works. She seems interested in Andy and she would be perfect for Andy to finally lose his virginity. But Beth’s a bit crazy.

Favorite Character: Andy Stitzer

Me & 3 Catherine Keener Movies

I announced it earlier this week, a new movie item. The first one is with three movies starring Catherine Keener, a fantastic actress that I think deserves more credit.

The 40 Year-Old Virgin
Genre: Comedy
Year: 2005
Director: Judd Apatow
Cast: Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Leslie Mann, Jane Lynch
Description: Goaded by his buddies, the nerdy Andy (Steve Carell) who's never "done the deed" only finds the pressure mounting when he meets a single mother.
Opinion: A great comedy with a very likeable leading man. Judd Apatow brought it with a lot of integrity though with a lot of humour. You just sympathize with Andy and we have Steve Carell to thank for that.
Favorite character: Andy Stitzer (Steve Carell)
Most memorable quote: “I’m a virgin. I always have been” –Andy-
Best scene: The scene where Andy gets his chest hair waxed.

Where the Wild Things Are
Genre: Adventure/ Drama/ Fantasy
Year: 2009
Director: Spike Jonze
Cast: Max Records, Catherine Keener, Mark Ruffalo, James Gandolfini, Chris Cooper, Catherine O’Hara, Paul Dano, Forest Whitaker Description: Max (Max Records) is a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world--a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler.
Opinion: I read it as a kid and now, as a teacher I love reading it to my children. It’s so fantastic to see it come to life, just how it was intended. Heart warming and a little tear in the end.
Favorite character: Alexander (Paul Dano)
Most memorable quote: “I have a sadness shield that keeps out all the sadness, and it’s big enough for all of us.” –Max-
Best scene: Max and the wild things are running through the woods and stop on the edge of a cliff ans start howling like wolves. I just wish I was there with them.

Into the Wild
Genre: Drama
Year: 2007
Ditector: Sean Penn
Cast: Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, Catherine Keener, William Hurt, Vince Vaughn, Jena Malone, Kristen Stewart, Hal Holbrook, Zach Galifianakis
Description: After graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life.
Opinion: It’s a wonderful movie, an amazing true story and a great journey. Emile Hirsch hives away a great performance, but I should also credit Hal Holbrook and Catherine Keener for their solid supporting roles. Beautifully filmed and a brilliant soundtrack.
Favorite character: Ron Franz (Hal Holbrook)
Most memorable quote: “The freedom and simple beauty is too good to pass up’ –Christopher McCandles-
Best scene: Chris tells Ron he’s a stubborn old man who just sits on his ass. Ron gets up and climbs the hill with Chris.

Favorite of the 3: “Into the Wild”

Movie Tip #7 - The 40 Year Old Virgin

Director: Judd Apatow

Starring: Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul rudd, Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Leslie Mann, Jane Lynch

Description: Andy (Steve Carell) at the age of 40 still hasn't had sex. He lets his secret slip at a poker game with his buds from work. After the revealing all his friends are on a mission to help get him laid. Along the way Andy meets a nice mom: Trish (Catherine Keener) who fall head over heels for each other.

Review: Judd Apatow made a fantastic comedy with a very likeable leading man. I just love the way Apatow told the story about a 40- year old man who's still a virgin. He brought it with a lot of integrity though with a lot of humour. You just sympathize Andy and we have to thank Steve Carell for that. Some scenes are memorable, like the wax- scene (auch!!!). It's not hilarious, but the humour is very constant. And the Hair songs in the end are worth waiting for... Go see!

Into the Wild

I recently saw the movie "Into the Wild". It's about Christopher McCandless, a top student who abandoned his possessions, donated his entire savings account to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way Chris encounters a series of characters who shape his life.
The movie is based on a true story and the book by Jon Krakauer. Sean Penn is the director of this film and wanted to make this movie for a long time. Emile Hirsch has the honor to play the leading role and he does a great job. Until this movie Hirsch was just a vague name, but now I think we will hear from him more often. At least that's what I hope, 'cause he's a fantastic actor. It's a wonderfull movie, great characters, touching story and beautiful quotes by Chris. Hirsch practically gives away a perfect one man show, but I should credit Catherine Keener and Hal Holbrook as well, who have very strong supporting roles. I could recommened this movie to all of you.