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Mar 18, 2011

Crappy TGITDNMAR (3/18/11)

Consider this a symptom of the expected lull in blogging/movie-watching that comes with having an infant in the house. Our dear little miss has pneumonia right now - blah. As such, I've been running around like a headless chicken to the doctor's office and pharmacy and back to the doctor's and so on and so forth all day...and I had the day "off" today. So much for that.

Anyway, I will undoubtedly not be seeing any movies in theaters this weekend, but here's the rundown on them anyway...

Limitless - Looks intriguing, largely due to the casting choices. I'm not positive, but I believe this is Bradley Cooper's first real leading role (star vehicle), and I tend to think he'll make a good one. Additionally, DeNiro may be a coin flip as a potential antagonist, but if the coin lands on the right side, he could be great. Bonus - the early reviews are pretty decent. Under Normal Circumstances Chance of Seeing in the Theater: 78%

Paul - It seems as though, after some early anticipation, interest in Paul has waned for many in the blogosphere. I know he's been there all along, but I can't help but wonder if this is largely due to Seth Rogen's participation. Let's face it - like the guy or not, Rogen is highly capable of getting on people's nerves and could use a break from the spotlight for at least nine months or so. You'd think that doing voice work would help in this regard, but a) this is still less than three months since his last starring role and b) he has a pretty distinctive voice. Still, with Frost, Pegg, and Mottola involved (and next week's LAMBcast about the film), I'm in, sooner rather than later. Under Normal Circumstances Chance of Seeing in the Theater: 65%

The Lincoln Lawyer - Alright, alright, alright. Everyone's favorite (or not) stoner dude is back, with a serious role. Will it bring him back to relevance? I can't say that I really care anymore. Once upon a time, I thought Matthew McConaughey has what it took to be a megastar (yes, I bought into the Time to Kill hype). But it's been nearly 15 years, and he's proven to be a frustrating star, content to do mostly the same thing time and again, in less-than-average (if that) films. Sadly for the film, this has probably been the highlight of its existence in my world to date. Too bad - I was kind of looking forward to seeing Ryan Phillippe in a villainous role. Kind of interesting, come to think of it - I couldn't stand him a dozen years ago and thought him a lesser Keanu, but he's slowly won me over and has made (mostly) great choices. A turning point for the two, perhaps? Under Normal Circumstances Chance of Seeing in the Theater: 41%


9 people have chosen wisely: on "Crappy TGITDNMAR (3/18/11)"

blake said...

I'm glad I'm not the only annoyed with Seth Rogan and his voice. Were it not for that, I probably would have gone to see it this morning.

Of the three, I was leaning towards Lincoln Lawyer since it's killing in the reviews. But right before I left the theatre, Peter Travers tweeted that Limitless was like a wet dream.

I'll just say I was happy with my decision.

Anonymous said...

Move along, nothing to see here. Stay at home and watch silent films from the '20s!


I'm sure some will disagree, at least with an interest in the Pegg/Frost combo of Paul, but honestly, everything about it screams dud.

ratatouille's archives said...

Hi! Fletch...
Hmmm...Pneumonia?!?
I'am so very sorry, to read about the happening(s) with the baby (or as you affectionately, named the baby..."little Miss")...I hope that all is well, in "The Fletch" household soon!
Thanks, for sharing!
DeeDee :-(

Alex said...

Aww I hope your wee one feels better soon and you and Mrs Fletch get a break! You need time to watch movies so you can educate her from an early age!

I see this as a fairly lackluster new release weekend! I will end up seeing PAUL eventually but I'm in no rush. The other two look really stupid and star dudes I hate. I'll be catching I SAW THE DEVIL during its one-week run here and hopefully a TERMINATOR/ROBOCOP double feature, so I guess I'm set.

Jack L said...

Paul was not bad, nothing amazing but entertaining enough...

The other two don't interest me at all, although there is a chance I might see Limitless, mainly because of De Niro. He's the best.

Anonymous said...

Paul has a shaky first half, just because of the alien. Although it does pick up.

And I kind of want to others to see Limitless only to know what others think of it. Is that a good thing?

Fletch said...

Blake - Hmmm...I look forward to reading a review of Limitless from you, them. I saw it as well am still not entirely sure where I come down on it, but it surely isn't with Travers.

James - Nope - saw Limitless. Wanted to see Paul a bit more - mostly because it's the subject of next week's show, but getting out at all was the highlight there.

DeeDee - thanks for the well wishes. She is doing much better now! :)

Alex - thanks as well...perhaps our break will come next weekend.

A Terminator/Robocop double feature sounds friggin' awesome. Did you go?

Jack - I'd say if you're curious at all, see Limitless. It's much less shallow than we might have suspected, though it does have quite a few cliche characters. Still, there's something about it I dug quite a bit. DeNiro really doesn't do enough and/or isn't featured enough to warrant mentioning, though. He's a good foil, but there's no depth to his role at all.

okinawa - Sounds like Paul and Limitless are getting just about the same level of reviews. Ok, pretty good, nothing special. Feels like spring movies to me - which isn't all bad. Maybe one of them will click for our collective conscience in a few years...it happens.

And well, you kind of got to hear what I think of Limitless. If I have time, I'll put up a review...

Film Conqueror said...

I personally did not like Limitless. I couldn't stand the constant voiceover narrating...I felt like this held the story back.
I don't even know why I bother going to the movies in the springtime...

Fletch said...

@ Film Conqueror - Well, that's too bad. I've never too bothered by voiceover - does it bug you normally in movies, or was this one just egregiously bad?