Category Archives: Vulgar

2002, Crime, Frenetic, Mediocre, Plot Twist, Satirical ultra-violence, Vulgar

The Hard Word (2002)

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From NetFlix:

Guy Pearce, Joel Edgerton and Damien Richardson play three brothers — Dale, Shane and Mal — who are out on bail and awaiting trial for armed robbery when they decide to attempt one more massive heist before they’re hauled off to jail. To top it off, their criminal lawyer (Robert Taylor) is sleeping with Dale’s wife (Rachel Griffiths). Oh, what a tangled web they weave — but will everything unravel?

By “satiric violence” I refer to films like Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels (1998). This current film is nowhere near as violent (but people do get shot). As just another “major heist goes wrong” film, there is nothing special here. However, there are funny unexpected little bits here and there. Think of the film as part of a Guy Pearce festival.

Just OK, but fun enough.

2011, Drama, Drugs, Grim, Not Recommended, Nudity, Psychological Drama, Suspense, Violent, Vulgar

I Melt With You (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Old college buddies Richard (Thomas Jane), Ron (Jeremy Piven), Tim (Christian McKay) and Jonathan (Rob Lowe) get together one weekend to reminisce about their glory days. As they leave their adult responsibilities behind, they lose control, lured into a getaway of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. Picking up the pieces, the men begin to question the wisdom of the choices they’ve made. Carla Gugino co-stars.

What follows is a list of the reasons why you should NOT see this really depressing film:

  • Watching 4 adult men act like drug-crazed teenagers is not a positive experience.
  • Listening to their sometimes crude talk is similarly unattractive.
  • Self-destruction is never fun to watch.
  • Finally, the secret premise underlying the story is too unrealistic to believe.

So why watch the film at all ?

  • All 4 actors do a good job. Each portrays his own personal failures quite well (and what a desperate scene it is).
  • Once the first character reaches his sad end you begin to suspect a pattern and can easily become hooked on seeing each story play out.

Do you really want to watch a depressing film ?

1987, Cynical, Grim, Military, Violent, Vulgar, War

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

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From NetFlix:

Marine recruits (including Matthew Modine and Vincent D’Onofrio) endure the grueling ordeal of basic training and later face the unrelenting Viet Cong during the 1968 Tet Offensive in this grim Stanley Kubrick drama, based on a novel by Gustav Hasford. One of the most authentic depictions of warfare ever put on the big screen, the film teems with howling madness, stark images and troubling questions about duty, honor and sacrifice.

Vincent D’Onofrio is one of my favorite actors, possibly because he is so quirky. Looking at his IMDB resumé I discovered one of his earliest films “Full Metal Jacket” made in 1987 when he was only 28 years old. Probably he has always taken unusual roles and this film is no exception.

D’Onofrio’s part of the film is the first part involving Marine training in which he plays ‘Gomer Pyle’. His supporting buddy during training was ‘Joker’ played by Matthew Modine. After watching the entire film, I decided that I could have stopped watching after that first part. For the rest of the film we see a succession of war episodes most of which involve Matthew Modine. If you read the well-written and interesting Wikipedia article about the film, you will find that some critics found the second half somewhat formless and disappointing.

Obviously this is an anti-war film, or at least an anti-Vietnam-war film. In fact, it is a little too obvious which is to say almost preachy in its choice of episodes. Nonetheless, all the episodes are gripping in one way or another.

For the sake of film history I am glad I watched the entire story.

2011, Acceptable Trash, Bullying, Comedy, Explicit sexual discussion, Mediocre, Nudity, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Vulgar

Horrible Bosses (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Disgruntled buddies Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day) can’t leave their miserable jobs, so they cook up a creative strategy for eliminating each other’s micromanaging and maniacal employers (Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Kevin Spacey) instead in this crackpot comedy. Peculiar advice from con artist Motherf**ker Jones (Jamie Foxx) gets the scheme in motion, but the pals can’t keep the wheels from flying off.

While I was busy shredding various pieces of paper it was appropriate to also watch this barely acceptable C-film. Every now and then mixed in with all the crude language were some really good laughs. Revenge films always get to me because I want to see the villains get what is coming to them.

Kevin Spacey reminds me of Anthony Hopkins in one respect: both men have done some fine acting, but some reason (money ?) they have also appeared in some really stupid films that would seem beneath their level of ability. Best to watch Kevin Spacey in Margin Call (2011). Best to watch Anthony Hopkins in “Remains of the Day” instead of, groan, “Zorro”. Probably I should say the same for Colin Farrell, whom I did not even recognize as the coke-head. Best to watch him in In Bruges (2008).

On the other hand Jason Bateman (“Arrested Development”), Jason Sudeikis (“The Bounty Hunter”), Charlie Day (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”), and Jennifer Aniston (“The Bounty Hunter”) are just where they belong.

Need to zone out and avoid any thought whatsoever ? Try this funny-in-parts film.

2011, Cancer theme, Drugs, Love Story, Mediocre, Sex Scenes, Vulgar

50/50 (2011)

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From NetFlix:

An otherwise healthy twentysomething has a comically early midlife crisis when he gets slapped with a cancer diagnosis — and a 50-50 chance of survival. But what’s the meaning of life when you’re not sure how long yours will last?

B grade is all I can give this sometimes entertaining “comedy”. Whereas the cancer patient Adam is a quiet, repressed, almost fearful young man, his faithful but self-serving friend Kyle is coarse and sometimes overly bold (especially with women). Did Kyle’s language need to be so gross (when was the last time you heard the word “fellate” spoken in a film )?

One facet of the film rings true for me: it can be disconcerting to be treated by a health professional who is not even old enough to be my child. And would the hospital really assign to Adam a therapist for whom Adam was only her third patient ?

Adam is played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt who played Arthur in Inception (2010).

Kyle is played by Seth Rogen who played the male lead in “Knocked Up”.

You may recognize Adam’s difficult mom as Angelica Huston whom you may remember from “The Adams Family”.

In its favor, the film probably captures faithfully the experiences of many cancer patients.

2000, Boxing, British, Complicated, Crime, Dog Story, Frenetic, Gangs, Mayhem, Satirical ultra-violence, Violent, Vulgar

Snatch (2000)

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From NetFlix:

An Irish gypsy gets involved in a match-fixing boxing racket, a vast diamond heist is about to go down and London’s gangster underworld is blown open in this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it, twisty crime caper featuring a motley cluster of characters. Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) writes and directs; Stephen Graham, Dennis Farina, Rade Serbedzija, Jason Statham, Benicio Del Toro and Brad Pitt star.

“Snatch” is yet another example of what I call “satirical ultra-violence”. Think “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”. Or just think “Jason Statham”. Probably an early example of this type of film was “Pulp Fiction”.

However, in this case Jason Statham is not an action doll. Instead he is the sarcastic well-spoken narrator with a really stupid sidekick Tommy. In fact, despite the many sometimes difficult-to-understand British dialects, the dialog is often very polite understated English spoken in moments of complete destruction or mayhem. There are many wonderful sight gags that made me laugh out loud. And of course there is a lot of VIOLENCE, although I have trouble remembering any visible gore. The idea is to laugh at violence that seems too improbable to be possible. What have we come to ?

As usual there are many characters and many subgroups all interacting. If you don’t mind the violence, than just enjoy the nonsense and mayhem. You will love the dog!

2010, Bullying, Comedy, Coming-of-age, Explicit sexual discussion, Vulgar

Submarine (2010)

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From NetFlix:

When he learns that his mother is on the verge of deserting his father for a dance instructor, young Welsh teen Oliver (Craig Roberts) resolves to do whatever it takes to save his parents’ marriage before the end of summer. Meanwhile, the offbeat lad also schemes to seduce pushy pyromaniac Jordana (Yasmin Paige) with nothing but the power of his mind. Richard Ayoade directs this quirky coming-of-age comedy based on a novel by Joe Dunthorne.

Each of us has undoubtedly experienced at least some of the problems facing Oliver in this Welsh coming-of-age comedy. But a lot seems piled on poor Oliver: his parents’ troubled marriage, bullying at school, first love (sound familiar ?). What separates this film from all those many similar coming-of-age plots is Oliver’s unique take on things. There is a kind of crass daring in his methods: how he spies on his parents, his house break-ins to save his parent’s marriage, his fastidious planning of his loss of virginity. And his girl friend Jordana is a real match for him (a pun, since they both enjoy setting fires).

Expect some good sight gags (especially one freeze frame near the beginning). Expect some outrageously frank if not downright crass talk, even from the grownups.

Hope this is your cup of tea!

2011, Acceptable Trash, Comedy, Corny, Nudity, Sex Scenes, Slapstick, Vulgar

Cedar Rapids (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Terrified of leaving his tiny town for the first time, sheltered insurance salesman Tim (Ed Helms) nervously sets out for the bright lights of bustling Cedar Rapids, where he attends a chaotic insurance convention and learns how to survive in the real world. Miguel Arteta directs this delightful fish-out-of-water comedy that also features Sigourney Weaver, Rob Corddry, John C. Reilly and Anne Heche.

Lebanon, PA (2010) and “Cedar Rapids” are two films about small-town USA that could not be more different. Whereas the former touches sensitively on contemporary problems, the latter is a vulgar romp at an insurance convention.

Which is not to say this B-movie doesn’t offer at least something worth saying. As luck would have it I convinced my wife Kathy that we could watch this film together. As far as I know, Kathy has forgiven me. In fact we both learned some really crass and original sexual remarks that were a revelation. John C. Reilly expertly paints himself as a gross, aging, alcoholic adolescent who eventually grew on me (is that a good sign ?).

Underneath this layer of prurience there is a story. Ed Helms (Stu in the “Hangover” films , is there a pattern here ?) plays in somewhat an exaggerated and at time embarrassing manner the role of a timid, naive, and very honest insurance salesman Tim whose experiences at this convention sadly teach him the not-so-honest ways of this world. You just have to accept that such a person could possibly exist and would triumph unbelievably in the end.

Meanwhile just sit back, learn some really colorful language, and watch (or cringe at) the fun.

2010, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Drugs, Explicit sexual discussion, Love Story, Nudity, Sex Scenes, Vulgar, Wonderful acting

Barney’s Version (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti stars as Barney Panofsky, a Jewish Canadian television producer who reflects in flashbacks on three strange decades — and three wives — in this adaptation of Mordecai Richler’s acclaimed novel. There’s Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), a free-spirited proponent of free love; “Mrs. P” (Minnie Driver), a self-centered princess; and Miriam (Rosamund Pike), the right woman who comes along at the wrong time.

Paul Giamatti has made many wonderful films but I suspect he will be remembered best for this masterful portrayal of a contemporary scum-bag. Even while he is betraying wives or murdering his best friend, he does it with such panache that it is just plain fun to watch.

And what is it about this physically unattractive rogue that captivates three such women ? Rachelle Lefevre (Dr. Ryan Clark in the TV series “Off the Map”) is gorgeous. Minnie Driver is a perfect Jewish American Princess. Finally Rosamund Pike (one of the Bennet sisters, Jane, in the 2005 “Pride and Prejudice”) is amazing as a beautiful, warm, mature woman.

Giamatti’s facial expressions are fascinating. Do not miss his wicked smile at the precise moment in which he realizes that his best friend (Scott Speedman, Spencer in “Good Neighbors”) has just had sex with wife number two, thereby giving him ammunition to divorce said wife.

In 2010 Dustin Hoffman was 73 years old while Giamatti was 43. Dustin Hoffman doesn’t look that old to me. In any case the father-son relation was touching. Giamatti laughs when he father dies for a reason that escaped me. Under what circumstances did the father die ?

My no-spoiler policy precludes me from discussing the end of the story. But be prepared for a surprising denouement.

DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!

2010, Acceptable Trash, Comedy, Gangs, Gay theme, Mayhem, Occasional gore, Super Hero, Suspense, Unusual, Violent, Vulgar

Kick-Ass (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Inspired by his love of comic books, high school student Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) decides to transform himself into a masked crime fighter — a decision that eventually thrusts the teenager into Internet stardom. Soon, Dave’s antics inspire a wave of would-be heroes to don costumes and live out their superhero fantasies. Nicolas Cage, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Chloe Moretz also star in this comic book adaptation from director Matthew Vaughn.

Thanks to my deep-tissue neurological torture-massage specialist Chris Smith (a movie fan) for recommending this outrageous sample of mayhem.

Except for Nicolas Cage, I recognized no other actor. Of course, many of the actors are teenagers. At first my reaction was, “Oh no, not a teenage film !” But stick with the film for awhile and you might enjoy the very, very violent fun in this satire on super heroes. In fact the violence is two things: extreme, and extremely unlikely. Scene after scene the daring duo (Nicolas Cage and the character playing his daughter) perform outrageously impossible feats of marital art, shooting, gun reloading, etc. Without digital techniques this film could not begin to exist.

I am reminded of the 2007 Clive Owen film “Shoot ‘Em Up” in which time after time he performs remarkably impossible shooting sequences. If you enjoyed one of these films, you will probably enjoy the other.

From time to time I really had to laugh at jokes and some slapstick. Warning: this film is not for everyone, and is certainly not for mature audiences, and in fact could easily become another outlandish cult film. Another warning: out of the mouth of the child super hero comes some very vulgar purple prose. Shocking!

Sadly, I enjoyed the spectacle. Shame on me!