Nov 18: It's Complicated

"When attending their son's college graduation, a couple reignite the spark in their relationship...but the complicated fact is they're divorced and he's remarried."

Directed by: Nancy Meyers, Rated: R, 120 minutes

It's Complicated is a fine example of a film about beautiful rich people with "normal" problems. Literally everyone on screen, from Meryl Streep to Alec Baldwin, and even their children, have anything they could ask for and enough money to buy anything else. They are all successful, good looking, and drink champagne with breakfast and wine with dinner. It's a cookie cutter ensemble of "upper" middle-class and as the audience, we watch everything get taken apart and put back together again in just 90 minutes. It's that easy. Aren't you jealous?

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. We're so rich!"

Successful and beautiful, Jane Adler (Streep) has it all. She has a booming bakery business that has the most gorgeous storefront and a house that's way too big for her to live in. Her ex-husband, Jake (Baldwin) is just as successful and happily remarried to Agness (Lake Bell). After the two meet up again for their son's college graduation, her loneliness and his desires cross paths and they end up in bed. With a little pep in her step and her ex's physical attraction rising, Jane is conflicted. To make matters worse, Adam Schaffer (Steve Martin), an architect working on her house, proves to be the exact thing she's been looking for. Thus, the title. It all gets complicated. 

As I mentioned, the over-the-top perfection of everyone's lives in the film is very frustrating. While one can argue that while you have everything, material-wise, it's the emotional core that makes you "rich", but it never really focuses on that. It's more of a heart-warming little romantic comedy that exists in this world and everything else is just the glossy finish. It's a movie that had to have been incredibly fun to make, as the three leads are legends in their own right. It's Complicated also glosses over the idea of divorce and leads you to believe rich people broken up get along swimmingly after going their separate ways. From what I know, when a wealthy couple breaks up, shit's divided like a storm and someone's out to get the other one. That aside, the film is still a bit entertaining. Streep, Baldwin, and Martin are all perfect in their roles and the collaboration is fun to watch. They certainly carry the weight of the film and the rich-problems complaints I have are easier to digest with the three of them, as opposed to lesser caliber and known actors.

 Nothing hides a wiener like a knock-off Apple product. 

It's Complicated is a safe little movie that's easy to swallow. The R-rating is pretty much for just one scene featuring the "devil's lettuce". It reminds me of something you'd watch on the holidays with your mom, aunts, and grandmothers as they all get drunk on boxed wine. It's a girly movie that's not just for the romantic comedy fans and has enough charm to make it worth your time. While I don't recommend running out to see it, it's something you can watch on a weekend evening when you've got nothing else to do. If anything, watch it for Alec Baldwin who's having a blast in the role and whose energy is contagious. But, I guess if I was this rich, I'd live a similar life as well. It'd be nice knowing rich problems are dismissed with a laugh and a glass of Merlot.

The Good:

three terrific central performances that elevate the film above decency

The Bad:

rich people with rich problems, all very hard to relate to

The Ugly:

wondering how many rich people actually have problems this... PG and the outcome of most of them

Overall: 6.4/10

Discussion Question:

Are films like this, The Father of the Bride, The Holiday, You've Got Mail, Something's Gotta Give, relatable?

Trailer:

Oct 30: A Perfect Getaway

"Two pairs of lovers on a Hawaiian vacation discover that psychopaths are stalking and murdering tourists on the islands."

Directed by: David Twohy, Rated: R, 98 minutes

A Perfect Getaway is a severely underrated thriller. It's a perfect example of how far a great cast and great directing can take a decent script and that the most throw-away ideas can still be suspenseful and entertaining. It's also worth mentioning that even when a movie is sub-par, setting it in a tropical location at least makes the film look nice, and A Perfect Getaway really focuses on the natural elements and actually makes the scenery a part of the story, as opposed to just its backdrop. However, the movie still does suffer at the hands of predictability and the few twists can be seen coming from miles away.

And for the ladies, there's plenty of pre-Thor-but-still-muscular-Thor... if that's what you're into

Newlyweds Cliff (Steve Zahn) and Cydney (Mila Jovovich) are madly in love. For their honeymoon, they head to Hawaii, hoping to take in the romantic sceneary and get away from their rather boring lives. Far from adventurous, Cliff proves to be the "nerd in the wild" and tries his hardest to keep up with his wife. Then the two run into Nick (Timothy Olyphant) and Gina (Kiele Sanchez), two outdoor daredevils that would put Bear Grylls to shame. Also, enter Kale (Chris Hemsworth) and Cleo (Marley Shelton), two free-loving hippies that meet up with the group in the middle of the jungle. It's a rather unusual happenstance that these three different groups run into each other out in the middle of nowhere and it only makes matters worse that a duo of psychopaths are said to be island hopping themselves, murdering people left and right. The main conflict of the story is each couple questioning the other, wondering who is good and who is bad and if any or all of them are in danger.

As they all stare in the right corner, we're left wondering who/what/where is the killer!

A Perfect Getaway is a little tricky to explain without giving much away or at least hinting at the end result. I can't say that the plot is much more involved than the above paragraph but that matters little when you have such a great cast having fun with it all. Each couple feels like a genuinely reel couple you may know in real life or would run into on a vacation and the chemistry between the cast is just as real. It's surprising that such a scrawny, nerdy looking guy like Zahn could be believable as the counterpart to the gorgeous Jovovich, but it really works. Of course, Timothy Olyphant steals every single scene he is in commands the screen with his ridiculously charismatic presence. He has several scenes where it's just him telling a story (that may or may not be the truth) and these monologues prove to be one of the more memorable parts of the film. A Perfect Getaway is a another perfect example of that man's talent and is proof that he deserves to be one of the top leading men in Hollywood. 

Put The Phant in everything!

Along with the acting, director Twohy manages to capture the beauty and the danger of the tropic and the color he pulls out of the locations give A Perfect Getaway a heightened sense of energy. Even if you can predict the twist early on, the entire product is beautiful to look at and really lets you focus on the scenery. As most movies of this kind are more of a reason to get beautiful people to beautiful places to have fun on "vacation" and just filming the flick to make some money, A Perfect Getaway at least tries to be something more, and for that I highly recommend it. It's worth watching for the acting alone and it's great to see so many underrated and underused actors come together for a good looking flick.

The Good:

a great cast that saves the film from decency 

The Bad:

a very, very predictable story that you see coming well beforehand

The Ugly:

realizing that Olyphant and Zahn may never be the household names they deserve to be

7.1/10

Discussion Question:

What actor do you feel deserves more attention than he/she is receiving?

Trailer:

Sept 29: The Princess and the Frog

"A fairy tale set in Jazz Age-era New Orleans and centered on a young woman named Tiana and her fateful kiss with a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again."

Directed by: Ron Clements & John Musker, Rated: G, 97 minutes

Disney has had a lousy streak in the past five or so years. With countless direct-to-DVD quasi sequels, lackluster stories, and an almost complete absence of fairy tales, the House of Mouse didn't seem like it could turn itself around. Luckily for all of us (and our kids), Disney struck gold again in 2009 with The Princess and the Frog, a throw back to the older style of animation with hand drawn marvels and even catchier songs. Sure, it has it's flaws (what kid's movie doesn't?), but The Princess and the Frog gives us a reason to believe again and gives us an almost instant classic that can sit right beside The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and the rest of Mickey's favorites. 

The Lion King: still turning grown men into little crying girls

We all know the story of the Frog Prince, a man trapped inside the body of an amphibian who can only get out with a kiss from a beautiful young woman. Well The Princess and the Frog changes things up a bit. Instead of the prince being "saved" and turned back into a man, the woman, Tiana (Anika Noni Rose), that kisses him becomes a frog herself. Cursed by The Shadow Man (Keith David), a greedy voodoo witch-doctor, the prince, Naveen (Bruno Campos) and Tiana must figure out a way to turn back into human before it's too late, making their way through the Louisiana bayou with a trumpet-playing alligator and a firefly in love with a star. Of course, the two at first hate each other, Naveen looking down on Tiana for not fixing him and Tiana blaming the prince for the situation they have found themselves in. But as you can imagine with every Disney movie, they find their way to a fairy tale ending where everything works out beautifully. 

Nothing screams Disney like a rather large animal playing a particularly tiny instrument. F**k yes. 

The best part of The Princess and the Frog is most definitely the visuals. With the nostalgic feel of hand drawn animation and a glossy modern finish, the movie looks incredible. You can see the effort Disney put into the film and it completely delivers. Of course, something can only look so good. The movie also has a very delightful story, with plenty of laughs and captures the atmosphere of New Orleans and the southern swamps. The score is also terrific, with the legendary Randy Newman creating the music as well as the original songs, which are just as catchy as ones you remember growing up with. 

Even though he's a little on the odd looking side, I'll always "got" a friend in him. 

I would highly recommend The Princess and the Frog. It's beautiful, it's fun, and it's a great reminder of how good Disney really can be. This and Tangled are the perfect additions to the Disney Vault and leave you genuinely excited for another golden age from Walt's imagination. While bits of the movie can seem problematic and the ending is obviously predictable, it's still a marvel to watch and warrants a viewing. Hell, I even downloaded the soundtrack it's that good. 

The Good:

amazing visuals that look blend both the new and old styles of animation

The Better:

a terrific soundtrack that'll stick itself inside your head for days on end

The Best:

knowing Disney is back and making up for all of its failures, reminding us it's a worthwhile studio again

Overall: 8.3/10

Trailer:

Aug 4: Triangle

"The story revolves around the passengers of a yachting trip in the Atlantic Ocean who, when struck by mysterious weather conditions, jump to another ship only to experience greater havoc on the open seas."

Directed by: Christopher Smith, Rated: R, 99 minutes

The other day, in my 30 Days of Night review, I mentioned a little movie called Triangle. Well, after realizing I had not reviewed the movie yet, and just mentioning it reminded me of how good it is, I decided to revisit the film for today. It's a little gem of a film that I feel has been seen by absolutely no one and I feel it deserves much more recognition than it has had. Triangle is a tricky film, as it may be a little too ambitious for the average movie-goer. It's full of twists and turns and a puzzle that's hard to solve into the movie's crazy conclusion. It's a very unsettling movie that makes you think. After you're able to solve the film's "riddle", you're left kind of nervous, quite frankly, and lost with the characters on screen. 

Jess (Melissa George) is a single mother struggling to get by. Her son, Tommy, has a lot of problems and can't function as well as the next kid. She's loaded with stress and just wants a break. Her friend (and somewhat flirt), Greg, convinces Jess to take a ride on his yacht for the day, hoping it'll be a way for her to relax. Jess feels very uneasy about the idea, but reluctantly goes along for the trip. After awhile at sea, a storm sweeps in, destroying the yacht. The remaining survivors hold onto the wreckage until a large cruise vessel comes within view. The gang board the ship, seemingly abandoned, and attempt to find rescue and a way home. However, it's not as easy as it seems and a psychological terror comes in faster than the storm, and Jess and her group struggle to solve the ships mysteries. 

The film only strengthens my fears of the oh-chin. 

Triangle is a genuinely smart flick. The script never lets on its secrets and you feel just as lost as Jess does aboard the ship. There are dozens of hints throughout the first half of the film, but nothing that gives it away too early. The film is eerily suspenseful, messing with your mind as much as your intelligence, leaving you wondering what will happen next. Writer and director, Christopher Smith, does a terrific job at capturing the fear of isolation on the open sea and teases, just the slightest, bits of hope in a horrific situation. He crafts a film that shows the light at the end of the tunnel, only to turn the tunnel around completely and have you searching for its exit again. 

He really likes f**king with you. 

As you can tell, I highly recommend Triangle. It's a tight thriller with a solid cast that settles with you long after the end credits. While I know not everyone will share in the love for this little film like I have, I still recommend giving it a chance. Yes, it has it's flaws and if you nitpick the story, you're sure to find plot holes, but it's still worth your time and energy. It's also very violent, with moments that may seem a little over the top but still nothing too dark to ruin the film. Do yourself a favor and go find and watch Triangle and pray to God you never find yourself lost at sea, with only a strange ship to explore, with secrets you could never imagine. 

The Good:

a clever script that never stops turning climaxing into one hell of a finish

The Bad:

parts of the film are just a tad repetitive, but when you look at the movie as a whole, it makes sense to the story

The Ugly:

the unsettling feeling the film leaves you lingering with, making you think back on the events that transpired

Overall: 8.2/10

Trailer:

Aug 3: Away We Go

"A couple who is expecting their first child travel around the U.S. in order to find a perfect place to start their family. Along the way, they have misadventures and find fresh connections with an assortment of relatives and old friends who just might help them discover "home" on their own terms for the first time."

Directed: Sam Mendes, Rated: R, 98 minutes 

Away We Go is a movie that grows on you. At first, the film settles in your heart as you can clearly tell the film's an endearing little road trip flick. After time, and multiple viewings, you begin to appreciate the film's subtleness and humor much more and really start loving it. It's a flawed film, yes, as it can jump from incredibly funny to not-at-all-funny depressing in a heartbeat, leaving you more dazed than entertained, but it's too charming to not forgive. It's also easy to ignore when the film features two of the most likable people in the world, John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph. The two have perfect chemistry and their relationship makes Away We Go much more memorable than your average romantic romp. 

Away We Go follows Burt (Krasinski) and Verona, two people madly in love and expecting a child. Verona never wants to get married, but the two are clearly committed to one another and want to find the perfect place to start a family. As they have their own relatives and friends scattered across the country, the couple make their way through Arizona, Wisconsin, Miami and make their way to Canada. On their journey, the two begin to realize what kind of parents they want to be, taking the best and the worst of the other couples they're visiting and knowing who to stay away from when they finally decide to settle down. The film has a great premise and the execution is near pitch-perfect. Away We Go hides the fact that the film is indeed a road-trip movie gracefully, never focusing on the borrow intricies of traveling and instead puts the spotlight on each episode that plays out in each destination. It's a series of events strung together very well, in a peaceful, yet playful way. 

His songs are perfect road trip music... but also fit for a funeral or a divorce party (those exist, right?). 

Sam Mendes directed Away We Go and it's a huge change of pace and style from his earlier work (Jardhead, American Beauty, Road to Perdition). The movie is slow and steady, but still is able to delve into some of the similar themes his movies have explored, such as the power of family and the "existential" search for meaning in life. All of the emotional impact is heightened by a magnificent soundtrack by Alexi Murdoch, whose songs add so much to the film. Away We Go is very reminiscent of Garden State in this fact, as it would not be the same without the songs being included. 

No perfect Portman, however. 

I would highly recommend Away We Go. While it's not perfect, it's close. It's easy to understand how some people may not like the film, as the two main characters are a little arrogant at times, but Krasinski and Rudolph are too damn likable to hate. The two leads show great range in their ability (as they are mostly known for comedy, their dramatic turns are a pleasant surprise). It's also hard to deny the fact that the two work so well together and you can't help but wonder if they're really in love. Away We Go will leave you smiling and wondering about those close to you and realizing how powerful a simple thing like love can be. 

The Good:

John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph making the movie their own little adventure, with a great soundtrack and a smart script

The Bad:

while the script is solid, it has a few pacing problems that leave you emotionally confused, laughing and then almost crying the next moment

The Ugly:

the film leaves you thinking about your own life and the place you're in right now, which to some may be a good thing but to others a more complex moment of reflection

Overall: 7.9/10

Trailer:

July 24: Up

"By tying thousands of balloons to his home, 78-year-old Carl sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years younger, inadvertently becomes a stowaway."

Directed by: Pete Docter & Bob Peterson, Rated: PG, 96 minutes

Up is one of Pixar's finest moments in film-making. It's also one of their most mature, dealing with themes of death, loss, and the inability to move on. It features a scene, that lasts just over a couple of minutes, that tells a better love story than most films tell in an entire 90 minutes. And yes, it will make you cry. When I first saw the film in theaters, I wasn't quite sure about how to feel, as it really goes from very dramatic to very funny in a matter of moments. I couldn't tell if Up wanted to be taken seriously or not. But, after multiple viewings, including today's, Up has carved out a little place in my heart. And it also really makes me want to get a dog.

Aw, look at them.

Up tells the story of Carl, an elderly man who doesn't know what to do after his wife, Ellie, passes away. The couple had always planned on visiting Paradise Falls, a tropical location somewhere in South America. But, as they grew older, bills crept up and unexpected accidents occurred, and the savings never got large enough to make the trip. After Ellie dies and Carl faces eviction, and possibly living out the rest of his life in a retirement home, he decides to attach thousands of balloons to his house and fly south, hoping to reach the Falls. And, of course, because of the magic of movies and the freedom of animation, it works. However, not everything goes as planned and little Russell, a Wilderness Explorer seeking every merit badge in the world, finds himself stuck on Carl's porch which is thousands of feet above the ground. Carl reluctantly takes Russell along for the trip and once they arrive, they encounter much more than expected, including a giant bird named Kevin and a talking dog named Dug (this is where wanting a canine friends comes into play). 

Aw, look at him. 

The best part of Up is the fact that it is more than just a kid's movie. It has themes you'd never expect in something so colorful and family-friendly and it really hits close to home. Up is all about the desire for adventure we all have, and doing whatever it takes to explore. It's also about love in its purest form, where your spouse/significant other is not only your best friend, but your travel companion. It would be a nice world if every man and woman had their own Carl or Ellie. Up also shows that the kid in all of us never dies, he/she just hides behind being a "grown-up" and can reemerge at any time in our lives. Up also features the voice talents of Ed Asner and Christopher Plummer, two legends in their own right that play the old curmudgeon-y type very well. 

Aw, look at... ah, nevermind. 

I would highly recommend Up. Chances are you've already seen it, as it is a Pixar flick. Up also has one of the greatest scores in movie history, composed by the masterful Michael Giacchino, who won an Oscar for his work. Unfortunately, Up can also be looked back upon (along with Toy Story 3), as one of the last great Pixar productions, as the studio is slowly, but surely, losing it's charm. If you ever have an ache for adventure that you can't quite find the solution for, tie a bunch of balloons to your house, car, or furniture and fly wherever the wind takes you.* Who knows where you'll end up and who knows what you'll find. 

*Cinematic Katzenjammer does recommend you actually try this

The Good:

a terrific blend of humor and drama that makes the film an unexpected treat

The Better:

a beautiful score by Giacchino that is its own character in the film

The Best:

the love story between Carl and Ellie, and seeing the lengths he'll go to achieve their dream, even though she's no longer with him

Overall: 9.3/10

Trailer:

June 14: District 9

"An extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth suddenly finds a kindred spirit in a government agent who is exposed to their biotechnology."

District 9 is going to be one of the films we look back on in ten years and see it as not only a sci-fi classic but as a game changer in the genre itself. It is a perfect example of how far a small budget can go when it's in the right hands and that a great story does a lot more than fancy special effects. Luckily, however, District 9 has both as the effects in this film are some of the best I have ever seen. No exaggeration, it's shocking how good this film looks. The special effects are mind-blowing for being in a fairly cheap film and certainly heighten the movie to a level never seen before. District 9 is certainly a masterful achievement and deserves all the praise it has been given, including a Best Picture Oscar nomination in 2010. 

You know, the category that was expanded because a certain little movie WASN'T nominated the year before.

District 9 is one of the most original films to come around in a long time. It follows Wikus Van De Merwe (first time actor Sharlto Copley), an officer of a weapons and arms company, who is sent into a slum called District 9, whose inhabitants are aliens that came to earth 20 years ago. The extra terrestrials, or "prawns" as they're called, made the slums their home after their arrival and have become bottom feeding scavengers who have become a "nuisance" to the local South African people and the government. Wikus' job is to have the prawns sign eviction notices, as they are planning on displacing the alien species into a smaller internment camp where they will most likely be exterminated as the pests they appear to be. After unfortunate events befall Wikus, he goes on the run, avoiding government agents while trying to clear his name for things he did not do. The ideal hiding place is District 9, and the creatures he was sent to evict turn out to be his only hope of freedom. 

District 9 is a very human film. Wikus reacts as anyone would in his situation and you can't quite root for him or even hate him. He's conflicted with his decisions and does some things he would probably hate in retrospect, but only did in the desperation of trying to clear his name. The main prawn, seen above, is a father and scientist, and his desperation to get home parallels Wilkus' own and creates an extremely dramatic part of the film that is very unexpected. It's heart wrenching seeing the same struggles happening between two entirely different species and the conflict that it presents. This drama would not be able to be as captured as well as it is without the incredible performance of Sharlto Copley (who never even wanted to act), the motion capture acting of Jason Cope, and the amazing special effects that give so much life to the alien visitors. 

Epic on a budget. 

I can't recommend District 9 enough. I saw it in theaters upon its release and immediately knew I was witnessing something special and its only having seeing it again I know how special it is. It is an absolute masterpiece by director Neil Blomkamp and I eagerly anticipate whatever he makes next. It's much more than a sci-fi film and crosses into all different genres. It is incredibly emotional and even political and raises a lot of questions about how we not only interact with the unfamiliar, but how we operate as a society and the lengths we will go to not only survive, but keep to our darkest secrets. 

The Good:

an incredible story that doesn't drown in the special effects and makes for one  hell of a movie

The Better:

the performance of first time actor Sharlto Copley

The Best:

captivating special effects that perfectly blend real environments and people with gorgeously rendered, well designed alien creatures

Overall: 9.6/10

Trailer:

June 12: Star Trek

"The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful, time-traveling Romulan creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time."

Star Trek is one of those rare kinds of films that you crave more of the second it's finished. You simply want more.From the beginning, Star Trek was ambitious, as it took a beloved franchise and decided to pretty much remake it. So, a lot was riding on J.J Abrams' new envisioning of the adventures of the USS Enterprise. Luckily, Star Trek is terrific in nearly every aspect, from the perfect casting, intriguing story, and amazing special effects (minus the over-use of lens flares). It energizes a franchise that hasn't seen much action in over a decade and recreates a vibrant, futuristic, fully-fleshed out world that is not only welcoming to newcomers of the Star Trek universe, but also a great return for lifelong fans of the TV shows and movies. 

Don't be hatin'. 

The story of Star Trek is incredibly unique. As opposed to completely remaking and retelling the stories of Captain Kirk and Spock, Star Trek creates an alternate timeline/reality to the original series. Using a black hole as a means of time travel, the histories kind of mix together. Future Spock (played by the real Leonard Nimoy) comes through the time vortex and discovers Kirk (Chris Pine) and present Spock (Zachary Quinto) are not the friends Future Spock thought they were. Future Spock puts events into motion to help Kirk realize Spock's importance as a friend and adviser, and together they must stop the evil Romulan warrior, Nero (Eric Bana) from destroying Earth. It's not as confusing as that may sound and the story is actually one of the film's biggest strengths, which is usually missing in big-budget summer blockbusters. Along with a strong plot, the acting is spot-on and a bunch of little known actors (at the time) fill the Starfleet uniforms with perfection. Chris Pine is excellent as Kirk, making the character his own while still having slight "homages" to the great William Shatner. Quinto is just as good as the seemingly emotionless Spock and the two have a chemistry together that keeps you excited about what adventures they will share in the future. Even the supporting cast is as strong, with Zoe Saldana (Uhura), Karl Urban (Bones), Simon Pegg (Scotty), John Cho (Sulu), and Anton Yelchin (Chekov) fitting their respective roles with the gravitas as though they were born for them. Everything simply works. Wonderfully.

Perfect. 

As you can probably already guess, I strongly recommend Star Trek. I remember seeing it theaters and just being blown away by the film. I was never a huge fan of the original TV series, but this film made me want to be a fan in the deepest way possible. I don't know if that was just a high from seeing a great movie in the best venue possible (a theater, not a computer screen) or if it was me being "converted" into a Trekkie. Either way, I am a fan, and I desperately want to see another Star Trek film sooner than later. The worst part of the movie is knowing that I will only get movies, and not a long running TV show with these characters (and actors) again. Just watch it, and enjoy. 

The Good:

on its own, Star Trek is a fast-paced, interesting, hilarious, and beautiful film

The Better:

the fact the film is not only good on its own, but is also a respectful, worthy entry to the franchise

The Best:

pitch-perfect casting in not only each iconic role, but even the secondary background characters

Overall: 9.4/10

Trailer:

May 31: Paper Man

"A washed-up writer forms an unlikely friendship with a teenager from Long Island."

Paper Man is a fine display of how off-the-rocker a man can become when a bad case of writer's block completely overwhelms his life. The man is certainly not the most likable, by all means, and even comes across as rather creepy, but with the film's heart and imagination, a lot can be forgiven. Paper Man is a fine example how a little indie film can be saved by a star-studded cast and makes you wonder how bad it would have turned out if a bunch of no name actors experience self-loathing, middle age frustrations, and an odd fascination with a rare game hen. Starring Jeff Daniels, Emma Stone, Lisa Kudrow, Kieran Culkin, and Ryan Reynolds, the film certainly surprises. First time directors Michele and Kieran Mulroney are incredibly lucky to have such talent in their directing debut and I strongly believe without the cast, Paper Man would be a very, very, sub-par film. 

I mean, who else but Ryan Reynolds could play Captain Excellent?

Yes, Reynolds is in a cheap superhero suit every time he appears in the film. He actually plays Richard's (Jeff Daniels) imaginary friend that he has had for his entire life. Richard is struggling with so many aspects of his life (career, marriage, etc.) and his only friend, Captain Excellent, seems to be the only constant throughout his mid-life super crisis. When he moves into a new house in a little town, he meets Abby (Emma Stone), a teenage girl he hires to babysit, even though there is actually no child around. You'd think this would be a red flag of creepy, but Abby goes along with it, even gets paid, and the two begin a rather awkward, but cute?, friendship. As Richard continues to struggle writing a new book about the last bird of a species, he learns to grow up (again), find courage in himself and his work, and even let go of a friend who's stuck around for way too long. 

Even if we all know he'll never truly grow up

Paper Man is good, but it is nowhere near incredible. It never escapes the fact that it is, indeed, a low budget indie film and while it has a hard time avoiding certain cliches, it still is very entertaining. It is as heart-warming as it is quirky and odd. Jeff Daniels is terrific as Richard and makes me wonder why the man has not been in a lot more. Emma Stone shows she can definitely act and is much more than a raunchy comedy queen. Ryan Reynolds, as always, is hilarious, and the few moments he graces the screen are not only memorable, but very absurd. He now has, I believe, three superheroes under his belt and I can only assume he's begun a fine little collection. I would definitely recommend Paper Man, especially if you're a writer or just someone struggling to find some creative inspiration. 

The Good:

The entire cast that saves a plot that could have turned ugly had it starred other people

The Bad:

the film's plot is a little hairy, as are the characters, especially Richard, who comes off as a little too creepy

The Ugly:

wondering how many first time filmmakers never get the opportunity to have such great actors starring in their directing debuts

Overall: 6.8/10

Trailer: