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Reviews
The Producers (2005)
You don't have to love musicals to find this on hysterical.
"The Producers" is quite possibly the best modern musical to date, one reason being the principle actors all do their own singing and they do it well. Also, it pays close homage to its Broadway counterpart, as it was created soon after the show opened and was brought to the screen with many of the original cast members and creative team. I love this film, and I hope it plays a part in helping the musical genre make a comeback.
The cast of this movie are superb and talented. Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick lead, Lane as incorrigible and hilarious as ever, and Broderick finally able to reveal his gorgeous voice (I was always upset that he didn't do his own singeing in 'The Lion King'.) Uma Thurman make a great Ulla, and I am so glad she put in the effort to sing on her own. My favorite character however, is definitely Franz Leibkind, brought to life by none other than Will Ferrell. He's the last person I ever expected to see in a musical, but one only has to look back at his SNL days to see he's more than qualified.
I laugh the whole way through this film. With song titles like 'Springtime For Hitler', 'Keep it Gay', and 'When You've Got it, Flaunt it', you don't have to be a fan of musicals to find this one nothing less than hysterical. "The Producers" may have some off color humor, but it's witty and done, for the most part, in good taste. After all, it is Mel Brooks. I recommend this movie to anyone. You're sure to find something that will make you giggle.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Depends on what you find funny.
"Talladega Nights" is not unbearable to sit through, in fact it has multiple moments that are quite entertaining. Essentially, comedy is in the eye of the beholder, and I found this film's comedic potential often overshadowed by VERY PG-13 subject matter. However, one can expect no less from those who also brought us "Anchorman."
I'm quite a fan of Will Ferrell, he being the only reason I saw this film. I know nothing whatsoever about NASCAR. I enjoy his trademark comedic styling to an extent, but I prefer to see him in roles that truly challenge him, such as his minor role in Woody Allen's "Melinda and Melinda" and more recently "Stranger Than Fiction." The role of Ricky Bobby is nothing we haven't seen him do before, but he does do it well. Ferrell is a talented comedian, and all his trademarks are in Talladega,including near nudity, as seen on the trailer.
Whether or not you like this film depends on what you personally find funny. I don't enjoy 10 year old boys with 4 letter vocabularies and I don't enjoy constant references to manhood, if you get my drift. However, I enjoy silliness when it is done in good taste, and "Talladega" has some of those moments too. As stated before, this film is most comparable to "Anchorman." If you saw the Legend of Ron Burgundy, the Ballad of Ricky Bobby is essentially the same in terms of humor.
I enjoyed this film because it's Ferrell, and he can always deliver. It's good for a laugh and most viewers probably wont be sorely disappointed.
Mary Poppins (1964)
A classic, Walt at his finest
'Mary Poppins' is a movie I loved as a little kid as did my mother before me. It's a film that is so captivating for children, and one of the few movies out there that can keep a child intrigued for over 2 hours.One can always expect great things from Mr. Disney, especially from the films Walt was alive to oversee.
The special effects in this film were absolutely ground breaking in 1964, and even in this day and age I don't find them outdated, I find them charming. None of the effects seem cheesy, even now; they're just fun. Equally charming is the music. I love "Spoonful of Sugar" which summarizes Mary Poppins' view on life and, of course, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" could almost be added to Webster's dictionary. However, the song "Feed the Birds" is the most moving moment in the entire movie, proving that just a small act of kindness is the greatest gift that can be given.
'Mary Poppins' is a film that has survived the test of time. I expect this film to long outlive the first generation it touched and beyond. It's the films that send you away with more than you came in with that really survive. A tune to hum, a spring in your step, or maybe just the urge to do something kind to someone who would never think to ask you for help, feed the birds so to speak. In the end, 'Mary Poppins' is a movie no child (or adult) should miss I'll never feel too old to enjoy it. Perfect 10.
Hello, Dolly! (1969)
A Classic not be missed!
This generation (I'm ashamed to say MY generation) just doesn't seem to appreciate a good musical, much less one that came out when our parents were young-ens, heaven forbid! It will be a sad day when these classic films are forgotten, but fortunately, they are all being remastered and re-released on DVD for this generation to enjoy if only they would give them a chance.
I bought the special edition of 'Hello, Dolly' because I adore musicals, especially those from the 50s and 60s when Hollywood really knew how to do it right! The top 3 billings were all people I had heard off... Streisand may not be the easiest person to love, but her voice is astounding... Who could forget Walter Matthau in 'Dennis the Menace', a film slightly more known to my age group... and last but certainly not least, Michael Crawford, a voice I had been listening to since age 3. I grew up listening to his solo albums as well as the original cast recording of 'Phantom.' I will say, he was my main incentive for seeing this film.
'Dolly' is musically and visually stunning. All the principle cast members sing on their own, always a bonus, and the songs are accompanied by some of the most entertaining and memorable dance numbers next to 'A Chorus Line.' One could expect no less since this film is directed by the infamous Gene Kelly. Need I say more? 'Hello Dolly' is by far my favorite of the classics, and believe me, I've seen them all. Sure, you can complain that Barbra was too young to play Miss Dolly Levi, but the woman has talent, you can't deny it no-matter how you feel towards her as a human being. She can sing and she can act, why settle for for someone who fails to meet the former and resort to dubbing? That's the one flaw in 'My Fair Lady.' Matthau is astounding as always, and I have already stated how much I love Crawford. He is just so positively adorable in the role of Cornelius Hackl! Understanably, his gorgeous tenor isn't nearly as developed at age 27 as it was at age 44 when 'Phantom' opened in London, but it's pleasant none-the-less, and his acting is superb as always, flawlessly hiding his lovely accent behind the mousy but sweet demeanor of a Yonkers store clerk.
I love 'Hello, Dolly!' and I would recommend it to anyone who loves the classics. It's funny, uplifting, and heartwarming... what more could a person want in a movie? Don't miss this movie, you're never too young to enjoy the classics.
Elf (2003)
You just can't help getting into the Chrismas Spirit after watching 'Elf'
Elf is one of those Christmas movies that you can't help but love. You don't have to be a fan of Will Ferrell to find this movie irresistible, mainly because it's so innocent. It's refreshing that Ferrell's first major studio film (next to Old School)after leaving the comforts of Saturday Night Live can be so appealing to all ages. 'Elf' never fails to make me laugh. To this day I get hysterical at the sight of a cotton ball. It's a film that's not intended to be Oscar worthy or thought provoking. 'Elf,' in all its hilarity helps us to see that life isn't as serious as we make it out to be and that the meaning of Christmas is completely forgotten when we allow the holidays to stress us out. It mayseem a deep meaning for such a farcical film, but the bottom line is,this movie just makes me feel good. It gives me an hour and half of good natured humor that never has to be censored and never fails to bring a smile to my face. So for those of you who dwell on this movie's "flawed ending," I say look and see if instead of pointing out the bad, you can see the good in 'Elf.' Enjoy the keen sense of Christmas Spirit. After all, that's what Buddy would do.
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
Ferrell's best performance by far.
Nothing annoys me more than an average and unoriginal film that I forget before I've left the theatre. I prefer movies that are either extremely poignant and thought provoking, or silly comedies that don't require much brain-work. As a dedicated fan of Will Ferrell, naturally I was expecting 'Stranger Than Fiction' to be another of those silly comedies, which I was fine with, however this movie turned out be so completely removed from my pre-conceived notion of the typical Ferrell-style comedy and instead has become the first (in which I hope there will be many more) Ferrell-style drama.
While I love Will because he can alway give me a good laugh, I had to wonder whether or not he would ever branch out into the world of dramatic acting, or if next summer he and Adam McKay would spring another version of the Ron Burgendy/ Ricky Bobby story on us. However, in 'Fiction,' he gives the most stunning performance of his career. While Ferrell delivers plenty of laughs, it's his dramatic side that is a real treat. Finally, he's proved he is capable of delivering an emotional performance. He brings a sweetness to Harold Crick instead of silliness, so despite the fact that he's an IRS auditor, you'll find yourself rooting for him throughout the film. At first, I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to take Ferrell seriously as a dramatic performer, but his performance is so smooth and effortless that was sucked in right away, almost to a point where 'Elf' is no longer satisfying seeing as he's more than capable of performing at such a higher level.
In addition to a wonderfully satisfying performance from Will Ferrell, 'Stranger Than Fiction' was an extremely satisfying film as a whole. It's just different, in a good way. Kudos to Zack Helm for such a wonderfully unique screenplay. This isn't your average, predictable romantic comedy, it's not a tragic love story, it's not 'Anchorman' revisited, it's not a remake of something that came out in the 70s. I found it a truly enjoyable film simply because it's something I hadn't seen before. Just for originality it deserves a prefect 10, and for treating us to a side of Will Ferrell that was long overdue!