Kudos to: 7 Eleven for the Slurpee's
The Dilemma staring Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Winona Ryder, Jennifer Connelly and Channing Tatum.
Have you ever been in a real fix and didn’t how to deal with it? Ronny (Vaughn) has. He’s just seen is best friend’s wife (Ryder) cheating on him. Determined to do the right thing, Ronny finds himself in the midst of lies, hurdles and a business deal. With his own commitment problems with his girlfriend (Connelly), Ronny’s finding it hard to keep his head on his shoulders and his mind out of the clouds.
The question is: What would YOU do?
Jason Says: It appears that Ron Howard (director) has his own dilemma on how to direct this [film]. Whilst the cast is likable, he doesn’t know what kind of film he wants to make. It turns into a mess of a dramatic romance with a heavy dose of slapstick and dark comedy. Star rating: 1.5 Stars
Joey Says: It's good that the actors Vaughn and James (Comedy Legends) and Tatum (Rising Action and Romance Star) did a genre outside their comfort zones – and they did it quite well. But the story felt a little too cliché. Star rating: 3.5 Stars
Thanks boys…
In terms of casting, the film was brilliantly held by the counter balance of comedic actors Vaughn and James. The addition of the He’s Just Not That Into You star, Jennifer Connelly added that down to earth touch, while J.I. Joe’s Channing Tatum played a very lovable villain. I have to say that the outstanding performance came from Queen Latifah. Who plays this over-the-top entrepreneur who helps Ronny and Nick get the biggest deals of their life.
In terms of cinematography, the camera angels were perfect in every shot, but I think the music could've have been a little more helpful in telling the story. The mise en scene in this film was particularly brilliant when Ronny was praying to God for help. I thought the location and the synchronisation of the traffic lights with the camera shots depicted his dilemma perfectly.
As for the storyline, I thought it was a little too funny at times, but was well controlled in the scenes that needed that element of seriousness. I particularly like how it comes together in the end. It wasn’t cliché, but it was an ending that was both believable and satisfying. I also liked that they stuck to The Dilemma rather than going into different tangents. What I mean is there were several angles that this movie could have stressed the reason behind or a diversion from the initial problem, but the truth is: here’s a guys who’s just seen his best friend cheat on her husband, who also so happens to be his other best friend. That’s his dilemma, not that he has a major business deal to seal or that his girlfriend wants to be his wife – it’s he knows the truth and it needs to come out.
sL star rating: 3 Stars
Token Line: “You killed my fish.”
You guys have to see the sandwich they made me for lunch:
Kudos to: Parramatta's Local Polish Butchery and Bakery
Not to mention what I made them do for me before we went into Burlesque:
Kudos to: Event Cinemas and there lovely employees.
Burlesques starring: Cher, Christina Aguilera, Stanley Tucci and Cam Gigandet
Ali was just your typical small town girl who had a big dream. Getting a one-way ticket to Los Angeles, Ali tries to live her dreams by going from one audition to another, finding herself with yet another tray in her hands. In the Burlesque Lounge, you have to start at the bar to get to the stage. When there’s an opening on the stage, Ali steals the spotlight with her amazing dancing, but when they’re in further crisis, she steals the entire show with her voice.
But problems seem to follow her both at work and at home – especially when the two worlds collide. Can Alice ever get out of Wonderland?
Jason says: The film [was] style over substance. Sure, it looks good and its musical acts are well produced (though the music [was a] hit and miss), but it’s expected from these Hollywood movies. It’s also overshadowed by its horrible moral, unlikeable characters and strangely, every conversational scene features shaky camera work. Star rating: 1.5 Stars
Joey says: Just by story [was an average] 2.5 [star rating], but it had an alright cast, a quick but easy-to-follow pace and the soundtrack was brilliant. Star rating: 4 Stars (Storyline alone: 2.5 Stars)
I must say for this film, I agree mostly with Jase, though I’m not as quick to hate. I agree that the morale of ‘you won’t be accepted until you’re somebody’, along with, ‘you’re absolutely attractive and I’m looking for a rebound – “I love you”’ ethics made me shift in my seat. But I must say, the story was not that terrible. Though the story was a little cliché in some areas I loved the incorporation of legal formalities and seeing familiar faces like, The O.C.’s, Peter Gallagher and Grey’s Anatomy’s, Eric Dane.
The cast was absolutely fabulous, and it was refreshing to see Veronica Mars’, Kristen Bell, play the naughty, annoying tart rather than her goody-goody Sherlock Holmes attitude that she’s famous for. I was absolutely blown away by the balance between legendary Cher and pop princess Christina. Cher’s been doing great films for the past years and it’s great to see her back on the big screens. Plus, for her film debut, Miss Aguilera was absolutely gorgeous and nothing but talented – I felt like I had just paid $8 for a front seat ticket to her concert. Stanley Tucci is always fabulous in all his roles, and Sean is no different. He never overplays the humour, nor does he underplay the seriousness of a scene.
Unlike Jason, I appreciated the shaky camera work, as an English student, I noticed that it was only during conflict, not necessarily in every dialogue scene. The shaky camera work just enhanced the tension in the room, not to mention that Tess’ (Cher) world is crumbling beneath her six-inched heels. Overall, take Coyote Ugly’s storyline along with Chicago’s costumes and tunes and you get: Burlesque.
sL Star rating: 3 Stars
Token Line: “Want a cookie?”
Special thanks to:
Jason Tam and Joseph Rana.
Thanks for sitting through both movies and showing me the wonderful combination of Rye, salami, beef, bacon and cheese.
Let's do this again, hey? - YOUR choice next time. ;)
Next on sL: The Least of These - The Powerful Power of the Truth and saying your Prayers.
PS. I know I said I’d write, the “Best Call[s] in Cinema”, but do you seriously think there would be? There was one in Burlesque, but I honestly forgot. :(
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