DVD Voice

Vince Vaughn did a great job in this one, Couples Retreat. This comedy about a couple who feel their marriage is on the rocks wants 3 other couples to go with them on a retreat. Peter Billingsley, of A Christmas Story fame, directs this ensemble movie with Jon Favreau, Kristin Davis, Jason Bateman, and Malin Akerman.

This is a movie that I would have loved to have been a cast or crew member on (heck, I’d like to be that on any movie), but this one, filmed in all sorts of exotic locales – French Polynesia, Bora Bora, Tahiti, etc imagine having to go to “work” there? But beyond the beautiful scenery, if you’ll listen to this movie and follow along with what is going on in these people’s lives, you’ll see people who truly want (or don’t) want to stay together and discover things about themselves. There are timeless truths here as people show how we never really communicate well that people who love each other overlook each other and forget to make sure to tell those around them that they love them and express those feelings. They overlook, they say hurtful things, etc. So listen to what is said, especially some of the things Vince Vaughn’s character says — it does good to hear them. Yes, that’s right, Vince Vaughn, typical funny  man has lots of wise things to say. He just got married recently too.

Also always good to see Jean Reno – except he didn’t hit anyone or blow anything up.

But the movie isn’t without humor. It is good for laughs as well with Vince’s usual witty remarks. Jon Favreau’s back. An epic Guitar Hero battle (or hustle). A therapist telling his patient that “you shouldn’t pull a theoretical gun on your therapist”. Vince Vaughn getting attacked by sharks and living to tell. You can enjoy the evening with humor and have a gently reinforced message that you should be more attuned to the people you love in life – treat them better, be open and responsive to them because they are the best thing in your life.

I didn’t do anything for Valentine’s really, so this is pretty much the closest thing. And it was nice. Now, just get someone to stay along for the ride!

Rated PG-13. 107 minutes (1 hour 47 minutes). Some language. Bunches of swim swear on very shapely females and one big guy’s butt.

What to say about Pretty Ugly People? Well… I didn’t like it! How’s that?

When I put this in my NetFlix queue it had a higher rating and now it has a rating of 2.6 by 1,332 people. And I agree with them. Wholeheartedly!

First I didn’t know any of the cast. Second the story is kind of a “who cares” sort of deal. The fattest girl in high school calls up a few of her old buddies years later and wants them to meet her at a lodge in Montana for a long weekend and says that “time is running out”. Thinking she’s dying they all come.

She’s not fat anymore and wants them all to go hiking. The hike proceeds to self-destruct. On it truths are revealed about most of the group, including that she’s a virgin and just wants to get laid. Isn’t that the subject of many better done teenage sex comedies like American Pie and Fast Times at Ridgemont High? This one is rated R, but it is solely because of the profanity.

The opening credits was a cartoon, and did a neat transition from cartoon to real life character. That was honestly the most fascinating part of the film.

It isn’t without some redeeming qualities. The scenery is great. It underscores that people should find happiness within themselves instead of seeking a spouse or a career or a lifestyle to make them happy — that is, if you aren’t happy with who you are and with yourself, then you cannot be happy based on external factors. That change must truly come from within, your decision, not changing to be someone else based on societal pressures. And if who you are is who you are then be yourself, and enjoy life. And don’t judge others on stereotypes and first impressions, evaluate them on their merits. But these points may sound like a lot of redeeming points, but trust me, the sum of the parts doesn’t make an even better movie. You have to really pay attention and read between the lines to pick these things up.

Anyway… if you never ever see this, your life won’t have a big sucking void in it.

Also – this is supposedly a comedy. It gives comedy a bad name. Also supposedly an indie movie – also giving indies a bad name! I like indy films, this tempts me to swear off them!

Rated R. 109 minutes (1 hour 39 minutes). Profanity. Nudity – well, male figures are seen, but no body parts visible, thank god!

A sudden change from the violence of martial arts and murderers in the antartic, as tonight Netflix sends along Holes. This is a Walt Disney movie with Sigourney Weaver, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Henry Winkler, and Tim Blake Nelson. It’s about a camp for juvenile offenders, Camp Greenlake, in Texas on the site of a ghost town and large dried up lake. To teach the boys character they are required to dig a hole, 5 feet deep and 5 feet wide, everyday.

It becomes obvious that they are looking for something and while the movie unfolds it begins telling the back story of Stanley Yelnats’, Shia LaBeouf’s character, family and that of the townspeople of the lake. Not to try to give much away, but Stanley is from a family that has been cursed and is unlucky – part of why he’s in the camp to begin with, even if he is out of place.

The movie is just fun. It’s not an edge of your seat type of event, but a fun enjoyable way to spend the evening. Jon Voight is actually really entertaining as this wild-eyed guard at the camp munching on his sunflower seeds and always looking for the Yellow Spotted Lizards to shoot.

The movie is also full of great little lines, which the little kids will no doubt be repeating for you for days afterwards! It’s a great little feel good story. So stop thinking that you only should watch films for grown-ups, just enjoy it.

Rated PG. 117 minutes (1 hour 57 minutes).