Sept 25: Sleepwalk With Me

"A burgeoning stand-up comedian struggles with the stress of a stalled career, a stale relationship, and the wild spurts of severe sleepwalking he is desperate to ignore."

Directed by: Mike Bribiglia, Rated: NR, 90 minutes

I have always been a fan of comedian Mike Birbiglia. In fact, when I really started getting into watching (and enjoying) stand up, he was the first guy I really connected with in that awkward, "I know I have problems but I get by with humor" kind of way. He's a genuine comedian who's not afraid to poke fun at himself and is incredibly admirable in his honesty. Now, the guy's been doing comedy for years and I have continually anticipated his jump to the big screen, thinking that's the next logical step for someone in his profession. With Sleepwalk With Me, we not only see him on screen for the first time (in a substantial role), but we see a film he not only wrote, but directed as well. With the help of Ira Glass from This American Life, Birbiglia is able to create a film packed to the brim with pathos and humor, and gives us something to laugh at, even if it's at the expense of his semi-autobiographical self. 

Ripped from the pages of his Secret Public Journal

Matt Pandamiglio (Birbiglia) is a struggling stand up comedian, working as a bartender and getting in five minute bits whenever he can. His girlfriend, Abby (Lauren Ambrose), has been with him for over eight years. Both are seemingly happy and in love, but the longer marriage is delayed (and questioned), the futher the two begin to slowly drift apart. After Matt manages to make a contact with an agent, he hits the road for several weeks doing gigs thousands of miles apart, over several states, for pocket change. All of it's for the sake of his dreams of being a comedian as well as distancing himself from a future he's not sure he wants. The title comes into play when Matt finds himself continually sleepwalking. As his stress level rises, so does the obscurity of the dreams, which include fights with jackals and the Dustbuster Olympics. Matt continues to wonder if Abby is for him and if marriage is the next step in his life. His career slowly gets going, at the expense of using jokes that poke fun at their private moments and future. The film is told as Matt heads to another gig, with a Woody Allen-esque retrospective that gives the movie it's funniest moments. 

Young Woody Allen... 

Mike Birbiglia shows that he's a comedic talent worth watching. The bits of familiar stand-up he throws into the film gives you the  Birbiglia you came to see, but the story at the heart of the film shows that he's much more talented than just standing in front of a microphone telling jokes. Lauren Ambrose is phenomenal as the beautiful Abby and, while you're not supposed to root for her (as Matt states "you're on my side"), you can't help but understand her frustrations and relate to what she's going through. Carol Kane and James Rebhorn also give great supporting performances, even when Rebhorn, who plays Matt's dad, seems a little too overbearing at times. The film also features small roles (almost cameos) by plenty of comedians you'll recognize. 

As much as I love the guy, all I ever think of is Blank Check. 

While the film has a couple of flaws, as a first film for Birbiglia, it leaves you wanting more. The man has a natural talent of feeling so real and seeing him struggle is like watching a best friend have the worst day of his or her life. He's relatable on a scale not many comedians (actors even) find themselves on and it's in this honesty that Sleepwalk With Me really shines. My concern is that because the film is strongly auto-biographical, if Birbiglia has more in his cannon for new movies and what path his career will take after this breakout hit. Either way, I eagerly anticipate what he'll do next and, in the mean time, I'll have Sleepwalk With Me to keep me company. God knows I've never laughed out loud as much as I have with this movie. Sleepwalk With Me is easily one of the best films of the year. 

The Good:
so much humor thrown into a 90 minute film
The Better:
that same humor never feeling forced, but really genuine 
The Best:
seeing that someone I've liked for so long finally getting what he deserves, and doing a damn good job with it

Overall: 9.2/10

Trailer:

The Trailer Park

What do you know, another new feature here at Cinematic Katzenjammer. Now, what's the first thing you usually see when it comes to a movie? The trailer of course. Sure, a lot of times those little two or three minute previews can give away far too much of the film's plot, sometimes even the ending, but trailers also build excitement, give you chills, and certainly tease the hell out of you. Here are some of my favorite ones of the past week. 

Sleepwalk With Me

Mike Birbiglia is a comedian more people need to know about. The guy is genuinely funny and his look on life is awkward, yet optimistic. His humor is real, his jokes are real, and everything about Bribiglia is relatable. Sleepwalk With Me is not only Bribiglia's film debut, but also his first time directing and writing. The film is actually based loosely on his own life and his struggles of becoming a comic, falling in love, and running into plenty of walls as a chronic sleepwalker. Personally, I cannot wait for this film as I have followed Bribiglia for years, waiting for the day he'd break out into film. While most stand-up comedians find themselves being cast in supporting roles or even forgettable cameos, Bribiglia's made his own movie and I can't be more excited or more happy for him. 

Oz: The Great and the Powerful

Call me pessimistic, but Oz: The Great and the Powerful really doesn't look that great. Sure, the visuals seem nice, but I can't help but wonder how tailor-made the movie is going to be for the 3D audience. And, have we not learned that terrific directors teaming up with Disney does not have the greatest track record lately? (Alice in Wonderland, Prince of Persia, Pirates of the Caribbean). Also, there are a lot of characters and names that come to mind when I think of James Franco, and powerful wizard is certainly not one I think of. It's even more disappointing knowing that the role was originally given to Robert Downey Jr., but he had to drop out due to scheduling issues. Even then, I do not think that Oz will be as great as this debut trailer makes it out to be, but don't think I'm going to be getting all excited about seeing it. Hell, I can only imagine I would look like a fool in a pair of ruby red slippers, and if that's the only way for me to get home after this adventure, I'll cancel my vacation in Kansas. 

Gangster Squad

Yes, this trailer premiered over a month ago, but it's deserving of every bit of attention. Once in a while, a film comes along that just reeks of cool and Gangster Squad is one of them. I think the trailer alone speaks for how damn good this movie's going to be, and when it throws in that stellar cast and the director of Zombieland, I can't help but get a little giddy. Not to mention, I'll watch any damn thing in the world featuring Emma Stone. And, because I am not afraid to admit it (we all know it's a stone cold truth), Ryan Gosling is one hell of a stud. After Drive, I can't wait to see him take names and kick a whole lot of ass in 1940s Los Angeles. 

Dirty Laundry

Dirty Laundry isn't a trailer as much as it is a short film. It premiered last week at Comic-Con as a fan made film for a character that hasn't quite found his niche in movies, even though his history and background provide incredible source material. I don't want to say too much without giving the clip away, but keep in mind it is rather violent. Be patient with it, as the ending is the best part.