00s Movie Review: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Director: Adam McKay
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 108 minutes
Year: 2006
Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Leslie Bibb, Gary Cole, Jane Lynch, Michael Clarke Duncan, Amy Adams, David Koechner, Rob Riggle, Molly Shannon, Greg Germann

Description: Number one NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) stays atop the heap thanks to a pact with his best friend and teammate, Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly) But when a French Formula One driver (Sacha Baron Cohen), makes his way up the ladder, Ricky Bobby's talent and devotion are put to the test.

Review: NASCAR: fast cars driving hundreds of laps on a simple oval track. In America it’s one of the most viewed sports. The NASCAR world was already put in the spotlight with the Tom Cruise film “Days of Thunder” and in the animated Disney film “Cars”. In “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Rocky Bobby” it takes on the comedy genre and the world is brought to us with a big fat wink.
We follow Ricky Bobby, a successful NASCAR driver. At first, everything goes uphill for him. Rocky becomes an egocentric superstar, but eventually ends up in the gutter. And everything that he once had and loved, slips through his fingers. And although this all sounds super cliché, which it is, the film is so entertaining and funny.
Will Ferrell is one of those actors that makes me laugh, no matter what. I just have to look at him and he cracks me up. And surely not everyone likes his humor. If you don’t like Will Ferrell’s films or roles, you don’t like this one either. Because it’s Will Ferrell, being Will Ferrell. The humor is never subtle, yet very hilarious.
Sacha Baron Cohen is really funny as Ricky Bobby’s big rival, Jean Girard. The way he pronounces Rocky Bobby is something that cracks me up constantly, even now, while writing this review and saying it in my head. My dad can do a killer impression of him by the way!
“Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” is definitely not a masterpiece or one of America’s best comedies. But somehow, this movie always makes me laugh out loud and that’s what a fun comedy should do.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

Movie Reviews - 12 Strong

Director: Nicolai Fuglsig
Genre: Drama/ Action
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Peña, Rob Riggle, William Fichtner, Elsa Pataky

Description: We follow the first Special Forces team deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11; under the leadership of a new captain (Chris Hemsworth), the team must work with an Afghan warlord to take down the Taliban.

Review: Twelve soldiers, riding horses and carrying machine guns. They take on tanks and rocket launchers. It looks like fiction, but it’s based on a true story. Based on the book “Horse Soldiers”, it tells the story of a special mission: a small American team of soldiers infiltrates Afghanistan to start an attack on the Taliban, right after 9/11.
Chris Hemsworth convinces as the ambitious and optimistic soldier Mitch Nelson. While America is mourning the tragic attack on the WTC, Nelson is stuck behind a desk and feels he needs to do something. What follows is an unbelievable story of a team of twelve soldiers fighting against the Taliban. Nelson has to work with general Dostum in Afghanistan. He is realistic, cynical and a completely different soldier. The bond between Nelson and Dostum is very interesting to watch. But the focus is on the spectacle. Which is a bit of a shame.
Most of the film is action. Good looking action and sometimes very spectacular. But nothing looks very artistic and it all looks like a compilations of dusty sand clouds and explosions.
Besides Hemsworth, there is the always strong and solid Michael Shannon. Who wasn’t given a lot to do, but he stands his ground. It’s an amazing true story, but director Nicolai Fuglsig played it safe and sometimes it feels predictable.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 16: Dumb and Dumber To

Director: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: 105 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Rob Riggle, Laurie Holden, Kathleen Turner, Bill Murray, Rachel Melvin

Description: Twenty years since their first adventure, Lloyd (Jim Carrey) and Harry (Jeff Daniels) go on a road trip to find Harry's newly discovered daughter, who was given up for adoption.

Review: Comedy sequels happen seldom and there is a reason for that. They hardly ever work and are rarely funnier or as funny as the first film. The same goes for “Dumb and Dumber To”. It’s fun to see Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels team up again as the stupid Lloyd and Harry, but it’s much of the same and not as funny as “Dumb and Dumber” was.

“Dumb and Dumber” came out in 1994, which was a very good year for Jim Carrey. He also gave us “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “The Mask” that year. It was also the movie that put directing brothers Bobby and Peter Farrelly on the map. Both the Farrelly brothers and Jim Carrey haven’t made any successful movies recently, so it’s not that odd that they join forces again. Luckily for them Jeff Daniels wanted to join in too.

In “Dumb and Dumber To”, Lloyd and Harry go on another trip, this time to find Harry’s daughter. He just found out about her and she was given up for adoption. They also have to deliver an important package. Sound familiar? Well, in “Dumb and Dumber” they traveled miles for a woman Lloyd was in love with and they were carrying an important briefcase.

And that’s not the only repetition we get. Off course they did this to make it fun for the fans of “Dumb and Dumber”, but this way it’s not as interesting or surprising. Or as funny, because a lot of the jokes aren’t as funny.

This all doesn’t mean this is a total failure. There are many jokes that are enjoyable, although they are very juvenile, but come on, it’s Jim Carrey.

Overall “Dumb and Dumber To” didn’t break the curse, it’s not a very good comedy sequel. Fun for one time, when you’re in a silly mood.

Rating: 2/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 158: Absolutely Anything

Director: Terry Jones

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: 85 minutes

Year: 2015

Starring: Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, Rob Riggle, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, Robin Williams, Eddie Izzard

Description: A group of eccentric aliens confer a human being with the power to do absolutely anything, as an experiment.

Review: Simon Pegg is one of the funniest actors of the moment and him being linked to the Monty Python group just sounds amazing. That’s what happens in “Absolutely Anything”. Pegg plays Neill, an everyday teacher who has a crush on the pretty lady downstairs and doesn’t really do anything noteworthy. One day he is gifted with the powers of doing absolutely anything, as a test by some eccentric aliens. Is Neil going to use these powers for good or bad?

It’s directory by Monty Python’s Terry Jones, his first directed film since 1996. And his Python friends John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam and Eric Idle join him as voices of the aliens. Robin Williams provided a voice too, for dog Dennis. This was his last film.

Simon Pegg stands strong, he is funny and does a good job as aspiring writer Neil. The film is funny, has some great jokes. But the animations and special effects are pretty bad. Pegg is actually the one saving this film, because he is such a talented comedian. I expected more from the Monty Python crew.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 126: Hotel Transylvania

Director: Genndy Tartakovsky

Genre: Animation/ Comedy/ Family

Runtime: 91 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Steve Buscemi, Kevin James, Andy Samberg, David Spade, Fran Drescher, Jon Lovitz, Molly Shannon, Cee-Lo Green, Rob Riggle, Chris Parnell

Description: Dracula (Adan Sandler), who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy (Andy Samberg) discovers the resort and falls for the count's teen-aged daughter (Selena Gomez).

Review: Prejudices are everywhere: in our society kids are afraid of monster, but in the monster society kids are thought the be afraid of people. And not without reason, because the men armed with pitchforks and fire are a true threat to vampires, werewolves and zombies. But times change. Dracula, who is a lot nicer than you might think, build a giant castle behind a haunted forest and a creepy cemetery and turned it into Hotel Transylvania. Monsters can come over but it’s human-free.

Besides the owner of a hotel, Dracula is a single dad of Mavis, who just turned 118. This means not only a big party, but Mavis is a grown up now. And she is allowed to go outside and discover the world. Dracula pulled off some tricks so that Mavis will never go outside again. When this works, Dracula is glad that he succeeded in protecting Mavis. That is until they are visited by Jonathan, a human backpacker.

The animation by Sony doesn’t only look good, the humor is outstanding and well dosed and it’s enjoyable for the entire family. Some jokes are a bit easy, but the overall humor is great. The story might be predictable, but who cares. “Hotel Transylvania” is a very entertaining amination, perfect for some quality time with the family. Or just for fun off course.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 54: 22 Jump Street

Director: Phil Lord, Chris Miller

Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Crime

Runtime: 111 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube, Dave Franco, Nick Offerman, Peter Stormare, Rob Riggle, Wyatt Russell, Jillian Bell, Amber Stevens, Dax Flame, Ashlyn McEvers, Jimmy Tatro, David Stephen Mitchell, Johnny Pemberton, Joe Chrest, Kate Adair, Libby Blanton, Amber Carollo

Description: After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) when they go deep undercover at a local college.

Review: In 2012 we got the movie version “21 Jump Street”, a TV show which starred Johnny Depp. The movie, starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum and a huge amount of jokes, was a success. So when a movie is successful, there will off course be a sequel.

This time Schmidt and Jenko have to go undercover again. Not at a high school, but college. They have to infiltrate the dealers and find the supplier. Technically the same story, but then set at college. But the makers know that and mock it. That’s why “22 Jump Street” is better than I initially thought, because of the self-mockery.

Schmidt and Jenko are two completely different guys. Schmidt is smart and thinks things through, Jenko has a physical strength and is more impulsive. Those differences are also a central theme in the movie. This often gives us some clichés and stereotypes.

What is left is a movie that has much of the same, but still was surprisingly funny. Especially the way the movie mocks itself (stay for the end credits) and the great chemistry between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, make this a fun night at the movies.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 145: Big Miracle

Director: Ken Kwapis

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 107 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, Dermot Mulroney, Tim Blake Nelson, Stephen Root, Rob Riggle

Description: In small town Alaska, news reporter Adam (John Krasinski) recruits his ex-girlfriend Rachel (Drew Barrymore)- a Greenpeace volunteer - on a campaign to save a family of gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle.

Review: ‘Everybody loves whales’. This is a message given a lot in “Big Miracle”. And people have been fascinated by these giant mammals for centuries. The movie is based on a true story, about three whales who trapped in the ice in Alaska in 1988.

Lead role is for John Krasinski, who plays reporter Adam Carlson, who happens to find the whales who are trapped. Soon the whales are worldwide news. To save the whales, a path has to be created to set them free in the ocean. Adam and his ex-girlfriend Rachel, who is a Greenpeace activist, try everything to save them. But it costs money and who is willing to help out?

The story is touching, but the scenario doesn’t really succeed in that area. The base of the film is historically correct but it’s still a movie. Maybe the movie would have been a bit better if it weren’t a film. Some storyline take your attention away from the actual happenings and you really don’t care about all that.

“Big Miracle” does have enough to offer in the end. It will keep the attention of young and old and it was an enjoyable film. It would have been better to keep the focus on the whales, because everybody loves whales.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 99: Let's Be Cops

Director: Luke Greenfield

Genre: Comedy/ Action

Runtime: 104 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Damon Wayans Jr., Jake Johnson, Rob Riggle, Nina Dobrev, James D’Arcy, Andy Garcia

Description: Two struggling pals, Justin (Damon Wayans Jr.) and Ryan (Jake Johnson) dress as police officers for a costume party and become neighborhood sensations. But when these newly-minted "heroes" get tangled in a real life web of mobsters and dirty detectives, they must put their fake badges on the line.

Review: This time, not two cops undercover as citizens, but two friends going undercover and pretending to be cops. Cop movies have this timeless formula that can be mixed and matched with countless of genres. Most of the time it’s two totally different characters that have to team up. That’s not any different here, but this time it’s two buddies impersonating cops and they choose to work together.

First we have Ryan, who doesn’t have a job. He could have been a professional football player, but after an injury he never picked up the ball again. His best friend Justin works for a gaming company, where he is trying to sell his game, without any luck. When they are going to a school reunion, where they have to go in costume, the decide to dress up as cops. Soon they realize that those uniforms have big advantages and gives them a big confidence boost.

The strongest point of the movie is the chemistry between the two leading men. Both actors are masters at portraying the clumsy, frustrated losers. Although the buddy cop movie is sometime getting old, it never bothers you here. The comedy finds a balance between funny and obscene. Sometimes the jokes are a bit predictable and obvious, but the easy likeable characters played by Johnson and Wayans Jr. make up for it.

The concept of “Let’s Be Cops” is very pleasant. It’s not a very intelligent comedy, but that’s not something you should expect. For a movie I didn’t have high expectations of in the first place, it was very enjoyable and funny. It had a strong opening and a strong ending. Some minor flaws, but you can forgive those.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 5: The Lorax

Director: Chris Renaud, Kyle Balda
Genre: Animation/ Family/ Fantasy
Runtime: 86 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Ed Helms, Taylor Swift, Rob Riggle, Betty White

Description: In the walled city of Thneed-Ville, where everything is artificial and even the air is a commodity, a boy named Ted (Zac Efron) hopes to win the heart of his dream girl, Audrey. When he learns of her wish to see a real tree, Ted seeks out the Once-ler (Ed Helms), a ruined old businessman outside of town in a stark wasteland. Upon hearing of how the hermit gave into his greed for profits and devastated the land over the protests of the Lorax (Danny DeVito), Ted is inspired to undo the disaster. However, the greedy Mayor of Thneed-Ville, Aloysius O'Hare (Rob Riggle), has made his fortune exploiting the environmental collapse and is determined to stop the boy from undermining his business.

Review: The movie is based on a story by the popular children’s book author Dr. Seuss, so a lot was expected. And one of the directors, Chris Renaud, also made “Despicable Me”.
In the futuristic town Thneed-ville all the green has disappeared, there is not a three left. The richest man in town earns his money to sell fresh air to the people. Young Ted wants to find out why and he goes outside the city walls. He meets the Once-ler and he can tell him everything about it, for instance who the Lorax is.
The original story leads to an unoriginal film. A lot of the material has been seen before. An animated hero with a light form of ADD, singing fishes, slapstick humor and clumbsy and cute animals. Although this isn’t all very original, the makers deliver an inspiring movie though. There are some great jokes, fantastic sing-a-long songs and it all looks very colorful and fanciful. With that “The Lorax” has a good message as well, which is the true essence.
“The Lorax” is easy to watch, but also just as forgettable. It doesn’t live up to the standards of “Despicable Me” and “Horton Hears a Who”.

Rating: 3/ 5