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Saw Trainwreck today.
Judd Apatow definitely has returned to form. I think having Schumer write the screenplay helped cut out Apatow's problems with the 3rd act where he draws out the plot and the movie falls flat. It still retains his basic voice, despite someone else writing the screenplay, you definitely feel his touches all over the film.
It's certainly a romantic comedy that happened to be directed by Apatow, rather than a "Judd Apatow comedy". So while it doesn't reach the level of "Knocked Up" which is just line for line, one of the funniest movies I've seen I think... it's still a very funny Apatow movie. Credit to Schumer's screenwriting and acting as well. She manages to make her character supremely unlikable at first. Even as her actions and beliefs are clearly explained and also formulaic, she still did great considering it's her first major leading role. The romantic comedy is formulaic, it just how it is. They don't aim to reinvent the genre... it's still "Protagonist is set in their ways, meets someone that makes them change, they fight and fall back to their old ways, they reunite" It's the same basic premise, but it doesn't suffer for it.
So while it's still the same basic formula, it never reaches the cringe worthy moments of your standard romantic comedy. It's self-aware and satirical enough of those moments, without it being a super complex, meta film on romantic comedies. It hits a lull here and there, which is really just the standard problems most comedies have with their 3rd acts.
Structurally, Schumer can write a good screenplay. The characters are fleshed out, given clear motivations, traits, etc. I wish some of the supporting characters had more time to shine, much like other Apatow films, the supporting players can steal the most scenes... but with their time they did well. I saw it pointed out on another review, I think on The Concourse, but you don't get the extra 30 seconds per scene of random improve and extra punchline like you would with your standard Apatow comedy. So that helps keep the scenes leaner and the movie shorter.
Believe it or not, Lebron was pretty damn funny in it. He plays a very serious best friend for Hader, and had more than his fair share of hilarious moments and lines. I could have done with a little less of "Ok I get it, Lebron is in the movie" but it wasn't a complaint.
Well worth the watch and a really impressive first leading role for Schumer. She held her own as an actress but her writing in particular was the star. A much improved effort by Apatow as well. He seemed to have more refinement and stayed closer to his strengths than his previous movies.
Me too.Just watched Ex Machina........ Lmao
Very intelligent film though
I actually enjoy his input even on non-film/tv topics. Son should just be giving general adviceHave you ever thought about reviewing films for a blog or for some sort of side project Big J? I always enjoy your input, and your reviews always seem full of substance.
We riot if they reboot Goonies.Per ImDB, Chris Columbus pushing hard to get Goonies and Gremlins remakes green lighted. Gremlins I think I could live with. Goonies should NOT be touched.
Ex Machina - how soon a lonely person develops the capability to turn on the human species, to defend whatever pillow-talk injustices the non-living A.I. brings up
**** is getting VERY old.
I don't think Spike lee has ever made a movie where he didn't use the same recycled cast.
Oh look another movie with Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley cooper .how exciting .
I think we all know this. We're just highlighting it's not working with Russell as seamlessly and appreciated it is with other directors using the same actors.**** is getting VERY old.
It's not a new concept for directors to work with the same actors repeatedly, even within the same genre. In fact, it's quite common among the best in the business. To name a few:
Martin Scorsese
Woody Allen
Edgar Wright
Alfred Hitchcock
Christopher Nolan
Akira Kurosawa
Tim Burton
Quentin Tarantino
The Coen Brothers
Wes Anderson
There would be even more examples of this if you went back further into the Hollywood Studio System. The point being, it's not unique to Russell, it just might not be your cup of tea.
Plenty more movies if you look at his filmography.I don't think Spike lee has ever made a movie where he didn't use the same recycled cast.
25th Hour?
It's not a new concept for directors to work with the same actors repeatedly, even within the same genre. In fact, it's quite common among the best in the business. To name a few:
Martin Scorsese
Woody Allen
Edgar Wright
Alfred Hitchcock
Christopher Nolan
Akira Kurosawa
Tim Burton
Quentin Tarantino
The Coen Brothers
Wes Anderson
There would be even more examples of this if you went back further into the Hollywood Studio System. The point being, it's not unique to Russell, it just might not be your cup of tea.
I already knew all of that my guy, some of my favorite directors work with the same core group of actors but I just don't think its working here.
I think we all know this. We're just highlighting it's not working with Russell as seamlessly and appreciated it is with other directors using the same actors.
Like I look forward to Wes Anderson using the same cast over and over. It sort of becomes more about the story most times. I eagerly await another film with Scorsese and Leo or DeNiro. Don't mean it works for every director.
Plenty more movies if you look at his filmography.