DVD Review: Extract

Rated R for language, some sexuality, adult humor

Starring Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, Ben Affleck, Kristin Wiig, JK Simmons, Clifton Collins Jr.

Joel Reynolds is the owner and founder of Reynolds Extract, which is a flavor-extract company. He spends days at his factory, overseeing the incompetence of his employees and his main desire is to get home before his wife slips into her dreaded sweatpants, which is a signal for "no sex tonight."

At the beginning of the film, we are introduced to attractive con-artist Cindy, who drifts from town to town. While passing through, she reads about an incident at Reynolds Extract where a male employee was involved in an accident and could win a lot of money if he sues. Trying to gain more information about said employee, Cindy takes a job at the factory to seduce the employee, talking him into suing and getting a cut of the money.

She also catches the interest of Joel, who fantasizes about having an affair with her since he's getting no "loving" at home. He pushes the idea away however, not wanting to cheat on his wife, until his bartender friend suggests hiring a male gigolo to seduce her first, citing that if she cheats on him first, he can cheat on her, guilt-free. He agrees to it, under the influence of Special K, however quickly decides against it the next morning. But is he too late? And will Cindy get caught before the company goes under?

From director Mike Judge, who gave us the cult hit Office Space where he humorously showed us life inside a cubicle, in this one he gives us a glimpse into the life of a factory. While it is no Office Space, Extract definitely had its funny moments (I'm sure everyone can relate to the annoying next door neighbor who doesn't know how to take a clue or shut up) and the cast is likable. I'd say it's worth checking out if you like funny comedies.

DVD Review: Funny People

Rated R for strong language, adult humor, some sexuality

Starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill

George Simmons is a very successful comedian who also has had a very successful film career. However he is extremely full of himself and has lived a very materialistic life. When he is diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and begins taking an experimental drug that may or may not cure him and George begins to rethink his life and get back to his roots in stand-up. It is here that meets aspiring comedic Ira, whom George decides to take under his wing by hiring Ira as his assistant, having him write his jokes and keep him company as George refuses to tell anyone else about his condition. Eventually, George takes Ira's advice and opens up with his family and former close friends about the fact that he's dying, reconnecting with them; one such person he tells is his former girlfriend Laura, whom he truly loved. Believing that George will be dead soon, she admits that her husband cheats on her and that she regrets leaving George for having done the same.

However, the experimental drug George has been taking does work. Given a second chance to live, will George revert to his own materialistic, self-absorbed ways or will he turn over a new leaf this time around? And now that he's not dying, does he actually have a chance to win Laura back, despite her already having two young daughters with her husband?

Funny People is an enjoyable film for about the first 2/3rds of it. The first part of the film, it's inspiring to see George realize the error of his ways and make things right. The cameos are hilarious and even the stand-up by up and comers as well as the very well known comics are pretty good (if you enjoy Comedy Central type stand-up routines that is). After George gets cured and begins trying to win back Laura is where things really take a turn for the 'non-funny.'

As much as I enjoy Judd Apatow's work (I thought Freaks and Geeks was brilliant and is still one of the best TV shows to ever air), it really is getting tiring seeing him plop his wife (Leslie Mann) and daughters into his films now - in this case, they're the focus of the entire last part of the film. While I understand where he was trying to go with the last part of the film, it just wasn't funny - it was actually painful to watch and we could all see where it was going from the beginning of the plot arc.

Save yourself the time it takes to watch this one and flip on Comedy Central or watch some stand-up DVDs instead, as that's really the highlight of the film that makes it funny.

DVD Review: (500) Days of Summer

Rated PG13 for mild language, brief sexuality, brief nudity

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel

Day 1, boy meets girl.

Day 20-something, boy finally asks girl out.

Day 200-something, boy and girl get in a fight that begins their downfall.

Okay, so I don't remember what happened on what day number exactly, but you get the idea.

(500) Days of Summer tells the story of Tom and Summer - he's an aspiring architect who works at a firm writing greeting cards, Summer is latest assistant to Tom's boss. Tom immediately falls for Summer at first sight but is a bit hesitant to ask her out right away. Eventually, at an after work function, one of Tom's close friends and colleagues drunkenly spills the beans that Tom has a crush on Summer. The 2 begin seeing each other, however Summer straight out tells Tom she's not looking for anything serious - she doesn't believe in true love and doesn't want an actual boyfriend; Tom accepts this yet continues to see Summer romantically and sexually, albeit confused as to how to title their relationship.

Now our story jumps around a bit, as it is told in non-linear form. We are shown part of day 488 at the beginning of the film, followed by days 1-10 with a few of the others interjected. We see happy numbered days paralleled with some unhappy numbered days. While it seems like a strange way to do a movie, it actually works pretty well for this one.

Despite in every interview they did, Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel stated that this film was not a romantic comedy, it get advertised as one. What it really is, is a reality check. Things don't always end up the way you planned. Yes, it has a bit of romance to it and the chemistry between the 2 leads is fantastic (apparently they had been good friends for years and I personally find myself enjoying anything Deschanel is in, not to mention, ever since her role in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, my husband has deemed her as "that cute sci-fi chick" and will watch anything she's in as well), and yes, there are some comic elements to it and some humor thrown in to lighten the mood of the film, in actuality, it is more of a drama.

For me, indie films tend to be hit or miss - either I love em or I find myself bored. In this case, I loved this film and highly recommend it to anyone who has been in a relationship! Don't miss this one!

DVD Review: The Strangers

Rated R for graphic violence, scary tense scenes, a scene of torture

Starring Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman

Young couple Kristin and James return to James' parents vacation home in a secluded area (while there are houses nearby, it's clear they're out near the country or woods) after what appears to have been a wedding. Candles are lit, flower petals have been laid out. But something is wrong. Kristin is acting distant and confused, James seems upset. We learn in flashbacks that he had proposed to her earlier in the evening, but she said no. James leaves a message for his brother to come pick him up first thing in the morning, telling Kristin she can stay for as long as she needs. When he leaves to go pick up some cigarettes, strange things begin happening. First, someone keeps pounding at the front door, someone is messing with their phones, James' car gets vandalized, etc. Pretty soon we learn that they are being terrorized by a trio of masked crazies wielding big knives.

Will they make it til morning?

The Strangers is a film with very tense moments, a lot of build up, and very little action or violence until the end. While watching it first, it wasn't as scary as all the hype made it out to be, however the aftermath will make you paranoid, causing you to over analyze noises when you're home alone or trying to sleep late at night.

Unless you really like tense horror thrillers and movies that make you paranoid, skip this one.

DVD Review: Four Christmases

Rated PG13 for brief language, some sexual humor, slapstick violence

Starring Reese Witherspoon, Vince Vaughn, Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Mary Steenburgen, Jon Voight, Jon Favreau, Dwight Yoakam, Tim McGraw, Kristin Chenoweth

Happily unmarried Brad and Kate spend their Christmas vacations traveling to warm, exotic locations all while telling their dysfunctional families (both have divorced parents, hence part of their excuse for not tying the knot themselves) that they are elsewhere around the world doing charity work just to avoid spending Christmas with them. All goes to plan until a heavy fog covers the entire city, canceling all flights and Brad and Kate get stuck being interviewed by local news crews. Next thing you know, their phones are ringing with family members saying they saw them on TV and would love to have them stop by for Christmas, since their plans are now canceled.

And so is our film, as we watch Brad and Kate visit each dysfunctional part of their family.

For a Christmas movie, while not as funny as classics such as A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation, this one ended up being a lot funnier than was expected with a pretty good cast too! While Brad and Kate loathe their families at the beginning of the film, like most Christmas films, they eventually come around and embrace the idea of family and realize what's important in life.

If you're like for a funny Christmas film you may not have seen before, be sure to check out Four Christmases.