What Makes Me Cry- Superbad

In Mindy Kaling's completely awesome book, she wrote this sweet little chapter about "non-traumatic" things that make her cry. Because I'm one of those annoying people who interrupts your story to tell you how it relates to me, I immediately started making my own crying list before I finished the first paragraph. I also started making a "things that make me happy" list because I think that's what Oprah would do.

Now obviously I cry at the ending of most romantic comedies, any holiday Hallmark commercials, and when I mess up the wing of my eyeliner when I'm already 10 minutes late. But there's a few completely random pop culture moments that just make me lose it.

Like this scene from Superbad. First of all I LOVE Superbad in all its raunchy, dorky glory. It's without a doubt one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. But I also love this scene between Jonah Hill as Seth and Emma Stone as Jules. Seth is crying because the night hasn't gone as planned and that's just so high school. Every night and every moment seems like your last chance to really make something happen. When you're a senior in high school you have so much freedom but you're not at all independent. You feel kind of helpless and a lot of times hopeless -which is how Seth feels here. And that's why a drunken rant in a gross-out movie (starring two 2012 Oscar nominees!) makes me tear up.

21 Jump Street Review

Ever since Vince Vaughn launched into his "Janice, I apologize to you if I don't seem real eager to jump into a forced awkward intimate situation that people like to call dating" monologue in Wedding Crashers, I've started to expect R rated comedies to be rambling, outrageous, and partly improvised. Especially once Judd Apatow threw his hat into the ring.

So imagine my surprise when Jonah Hill, a Judd Apatow darling, cowrites and stars in 21 Jump Street- a tightly written, fast moving, but still very funny comedy. Beyond the name, I'm unfamiliar with the 1980's tv show, but I think there were a few nods to the original, including a great surprise cameo!

More than anything, I enjoyed the chemistry between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. Channing has some real talent as a comedic actor! He's perhaps better suited for this than the tough guy in love parts I'm used to watching. And I've thought Jonah was ridiculously talented since Superbad- more on that in another post. The movie has some great observations about what this generation of high school kids are like. Considering I work with students every day- I was highly amused.

21 Jump Street received mostly rave reviews from famous critics which surprised me a bit. Yes, I laughed out loud many times, but high school comedies, like chick flicks, are often unappreciated. The movie veers of course a bit with a sudden influx of violence as the movie comes to end. Fortunately, it also sets us up for a sequel. And more Channing. So I'll be there.

21 Jump Street, rated "R," comedy, starring Jonah Hill, and Channing Tatum, "B"

Moneyball Review

On Sunday night we had grand plans to go see I Don't Know How She Does It. I was so excited! Nothing cures the Sunday weirds like a great chick flick. We got to the theater and my handsome boyfriend had gotten the times wrong "on accident." There was only one movie at 8pm and we were going to see Moneyball.

I knew the movie was gathering some great reviews. I knew it was getting some Oscar buzz. I knew I would probably enjoy it. What I didn't know was how she does it! And I wanted to! Desperately!

I pouted through all of the previews, including this mess, which literally looks like the worst movie of all time.

The last time I'm predicted a movie would be the "worst of all time" was after seeing the Avatar trailer while waiting for the first Twilight movie to begin. You know what movie won the Best Picture Oscar that year? Not the one that contained the line "hold on tight sweater monkey!" ::cringe:: So who knows.

Anyways, I finally sucked it up and really enjoyed Moneyball. I know nothing about professional baseball but I think anyone who sees this movie can connect with the storyline. It has a great script and wonderful acting. It is really Brad Pitt's movie and he carries the film with a combination of frustration, desperation, and the general ability to be a badass.

You know how a lot of sports movies aren't really about sports? Like how Remember the Titans is really about race relations and singing "Aint No Mountain." And The Blind Side is really about the Tuhoy family and Sandra Bullock looking good in expensive clothes. Well Moneyball is really about sports. And sports statisics. And sports management. Those might be my 3 least favorite topics in the world- but I still liked this movie. And you'll like it too. Especially if you actually show up expecting to see it!

Moneyball, rated "PG-13," drama, starring Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, B+