Dinner for Shmucks

Messy but fun

Lover: Taken from IMDB
“I haven't laughed this much since The Hangover. This movie was absolutely hilarious and exactly what was expected from Steve Carell. His character was just brilliant. Paul Rudd was excellent and offcourse the man who needs no introduction: Zach Galifianakis was at his best. I can see why some people wouldn't like this movie if their sense of humor did not like the Hangover then they will no like this movie. It had many clever moments, excellent comic timings, and very wicked storyline. Also if ur an office space fan then your in for a treat because Ron Livingston is in this movie and this movie had a lot of environment like office space and Ron Livingston had a new role which u fans will love. Overall I loved every aspect of this movie and wish there would be another movie with the same Steve Carell's role. “

I thought it was funny but definitely not that funny and the comparisons to The Hangover are unfounded.

Hater: Taken from IMDB
“The French original was a scream, which is why they bought the rights. Instead of subtitling the original, they went for a remake à la sauce américaine. Just as in the case of The Vanishing, La Femme Nikita, Un Indien Dans la Ville, Le Grand Chemin and a dozen other films (at least), the remake is just plain awful. Steve Carell is reprising the late and much-regretted role played by Jacques Villeret. While the latter was believable as tax inspector with an interest in building structures out of toothpicks, Carell as a half-looney artistic taxidermist is way over the top. Bollywood made a version which was watchable, but the Hollywood version is a mess. “

I haven’t seen the French original so thought I should put this one in, I do think it was a bit of a mess of a movie but sometimes being messy is fun.

What I thought:
It seems as Paul Rudd and his wise cracking everyman role take the limelight, he’s retaining all the likeable traits and none of the big laughs. His disenfranchised father in Knocked Up was one of the highlights of that movie and is just one of those roles that have made Rudd a fan favourite. Taking centre stage however, he seems to be losing some of the funny, he shard that stage with other actors in Role models and though he was great in I Love You Man most of the laughs are taken by Jason Segal.

Dinner for Schmucks for Paul Rudd is yet another step down into likeable but not funny leading man, leaving Steve Carrells zany approach room to breath. In this case that’s not so bad, in a film that’s subject matter relies heavily on the straight laced characters reactions to the oddballs it’s perfect. Based on a French original the premise is fairly simple, A dinner party where the guests have to bring the most idiotic people they know in an effort to have the most moronic. To the winner go the spoils and in our heroes case a better job and a bigger office on that elusive “floor”.

The success of this film falls on the shoulders of those playing the aforementioned shmucks, the dinner party in question is the zenith. It doesn’t disappoint for those with the right sense if humour. From Zack Galifianakis and his deluded psychic to Chris O’Dowd’s blind swordsman, all have their own laugh out loud moments. Credit should also go to Brit favourite David Walliams whose big time businessman is as ludicrous as the rest and Jemaine Clement in scene stealing from as an “out there” artist.

Of course the shmuck you’re supposed to care about is Carrells, I’ve spoken about Rudd now what about his screen partner? Well there’s no doubt you’ve seen him do this before (Brick in Anchorman) but if you like him doing that then there’s no reason why shmucks shouldn’t be one of the funniest films you’ve seen. From making dioramas out of roadkill mice to playing dead to avoid attack all are played with brilliant straight faced conviction.

Yes Dinner for Shmucks is just another in a long line of predictable buddy comedies and yes it’s another remake. However if you like silly humour and you like it done with a straight face, this is for you.

Available on DVD and Blu Ray (US import)
Running Time: 114 mins
Cert: 12

Due Date

Not as funny as it should be

Lover: Taken from IMDB
“There had been in my humble opinion a major lack of entertaining and good comedies in the film market, but then out of the blue I stumbled upon The Hangover. A film I didn't know anything about before I went to see it in the cinema. Just a few seconds into the film I started smiling and laughing, and they kept on pushing it, and I think there wasn't one single dull nor boring sequence throughout the whole movie. The reason why I'm telling you this is because watching Due Date gave me the exact same amazing comedy experience as The Hangover, and that speaks for it self! Another thing, the acting by especially Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifanakis were both top notch, and I thoroughly swallowed every word they said. If you're in for a treat and hunger for laughs go watch Due Date as soon as you can! I honestly feel like I don't have words to describe it as well as it deserves, but I gave it my best shot and I hope you've got the message!”

The acting is good and it is a funny film, however it is not as good as The Hangover.

Hater: Taken from IMDB
“After R.D.J.'s excellent performance in Sherlock Holmes, I thought it would be a pretty safe bet that he wouldn't be into making turkeys.Unfortunately ,I was wrong. This film is everything a movie shouldn't be.It is gross, offensive and totally without merit.One can only ask Why????? Robert Downey Jr chose this dross to perform.The comparison to Planes,Trains and Automobiles is all too clear- but that was an excellent piece of film making and Due Date just isn't.The 2 characters don't mesh, there is no growing bond which you see in Planes etc it's too unbelievable that R.D.J's character who has some intelligence would ever stoop to find worth in anything his overbearing unstable road partner would do.Suddenly in one leap- he confesses he "loves" the guy.And wants to stay in touch. The charm and poignant detail of Planes is sadly lacking.There is no character development,we don't have emapathy for the nerd character,and by the end of it,I had none for R.D.J's character either.An embarrassment to R.D.J's great track record, a bitter blow to your pocket and expectations of an entertaining night out.This film sucks.”

Some good points but a little over the top I personally feel, the chemistry is questionable and as far as gross and offensive goes; there are some far grosser and offensive movies out there.

What I thought:
Due date is a big example of too much hype for not enough quality. Before it came out we were told things like “from the director of The Hangover” to “It’s like Planes, Trains and Automobiles” , both of which whilst being true were abused when marketing this movie. You hear it’s done by the guy who directed and has a star from the highest grossing R rated comedy, you naturally think; this has got to be a hit surely? You hear that it’s a bit like that 80’s comedy that had John Candy and Steve Martin trading blows in a touching and hilarious film.

The film itself does not live up to these claims, its funny sure and even funnier if wanking dogs and highly unlikely escapes from Mexican border police are your thing. So there is definitely a need to suspend your disbelief and accept some characters and moments that don’t seem at all real. There’s no problem with doing that if the film is side splitting or if the characters are hugely likeable.

Even Robert Downey Jnr who hardly ever misses the mark comes across as a completely unlikeable douchebag, who despite being a straight talking smart man doesn’t see fault with any of things that happen to him with the weirdo he’s tagging along with. Zach Galifianakis turns up his usual weird guy role complete with camp walk to make it funny but not appealing. In a film that asks that you watch two guys on a road trip it’s important that you like those guys, I’m afraid Due Date misses the mark on that one.

So as disappointing it is because of the hype it does have some funny moments my favourite of which involves someone’s ashes beings used and abused. So it’s not as good as The Hangover but is a decent enough stop gap before The Hangover 2.

Out this week: Cinema

Jackass 3D
So the fun continues in what really 3D has been waiting for, or you could argue what Jackass was waiting for. I'd expect more of the same gross out and extreme stunts that bring more vomit than they do laughs and a multitude of bodily fluids sprayed at you every which way! Worth a look if you have the right sense of humour if your not sure, avoid like the plague.

Let Me in
I'm not one to judge as i haven't even seen the original of this interesting Vampire flick. It wouldn't have been easy to follow such a well loved horror movie especially seem as it only came out last year! Seems a bit excessive but this version has been received quite well so far. The Children playing the leads are some of the best working in the business, Chloe Mortez was fantastic as Hit Girl with or without the c word! Kodi Smit-McPhee was outstanding with an incredibly moving performance in The Road, i say give it a go but see the first one, well first.

Due Date
The man who brought you The Hangover, has now brought you what is basically an updated version of planes trains and automobiles. With Zach Galifianakis in the John Candy role which should work well with his zany approach and Robert Downey Jnr playing the slightly unhinged everyman, which is pretty much what he is in everything!No complaints from me though as the Hangover was brilliant and the trailer looks great, I say catch this one while you can.