You know what, you know what? Wow. Our Idiot Brother is a special movie. From the very beginning, Paul Rudd just makes you want to smile 
. He plays that lovable sweet hippie that’s always in a good mood and has an endless supply of unconditional love to give to the world. This movie is as magical as that character and it’ll win you over even if you don’t understand why. Starring a ridiculously extensive cast, Our Idiot Brother is being released this weekend after premiering at Sundance (as My Idiot Brother) earlier in the year. It’s a part of that weird breed of mainstream indie films that have been growing recently.
The first thing to note are the people in the movie. I’m surprised they’re pushing Rudd as a single headliner when there are so many great names attached. Rudd does do an amazing job and the plot does surround him, but the acting from all of the supporting characters is what puts this movie over the top. You have Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer, Rashida Jones, Adam Scott, Steve Coogan, Shirley Knight and then T.J. Miller and Kathryn Hahn! The movie begins with quick cuts to introduce all the characters and through the movie, you become intertwined in all of their relationships and problems. Paul Rudd is Ned, the idiot brother to three gorgeous sisters: Miranda (Elizabeth Banks), Natalie (Zooey Deschanel) and Liz (Emily Mortimer).
Ned (Paul Rudd) and his sisters Miranda (Elizabeth Banks), Natalie (Zooey Deschanel) and Liz (Emily Mortimer)
Ned just wants the simple life. He doesn’t know if he’s coming or going, he just knows that he’s there. He’s a happy-go-lucky, dog-loving, environmental dude who doesn’t have much going on upstairs. “I feel like such an idiot.” He also doesn’t have a filter and makes quite a few mishaps. In his misfortune, he’s juggled around by his family – first living with his mom (Shirley Knight) and then his various sisters. From housewife/mother Liz to Vanity Fair-writer Miranda to bi-sexual lesbian Natalie, each have their distinct personalities and deal with Ned in their own ways…just like a real family.
if you look like this, you'll love this movie, man
However, this family is everything but ordinary. All of the laughs come from the quirkiness of all the characters and the scenarios they put each other through. There’s nothing unbelievable or overextended, just each character is a hyperbole of their varied traits. The story is pretty straightforward as they all get their lives turned upside down as Ned passes through. There’s nothing astounding going on, it’s just a cute story about an idiot sibling who unknowingly messes everything up. It’s charming, simple and feel-good fun. It’s a great movie just to watch for the enjoyment of watching a movie and not as a spectacle.
Paul Rudd will just make you want to smile
While the film had a lot of great things going on, it felt like something was missing to connect a few of the scenes. I really wanted to fall in love with the film but I ended up just liking it. If the script had one more draft or the directing was just a bit tighter, the movie could of been more cohesive but in the end, it was a great concept executed just well enough to make it on screens. I was surprised my audience laughed as much as it did because I felt like the movie spoke to me individually but chalk that up to a great story that has tidbits of obscurity masked in mass appeal. I guess that’s the definition of these “mainstream indies.” But really, Our Idiot Brother will just make you smile, man. Guaranteed. “…loved Major Lazer!”
Hey Boo Boo! If you remember that line, believe it or not, you’re going to enjoy Yogi Bear. Yes, it’s your typical movie formula of a 90 minute cheesy family friendly comedy, but for some reason I was smiling from ear to ear while watching it. It has a little bit of action, a little bit of drama, and a whole lot of pic-a-nic basket stealing antics. It’s not a four star restaurant picnic by any means but more like a wholesome lunch packed by your mom. Kids are going to love it and parents are going to be glad they took their kids to it.
Loosely inspired by true events, this is the runaway train story from Ohio in 2001. It seems like this should be a made for TV movie on Lifetime but with the star power and amazing director behind it, I was kind of confused. To my surprise, this was a really entertaining movie that I think everyone can enjoy. The acting is great, script is well written, the production is top notch, the story is actually gripping, and there are really big trains that won’t stop! Let’s see how corny I can make this review: It’s a nonstop action packed train ride of excitement!
Let me start by saying: Wow. Every aspect of this movie was great – the story, the visuals, the music, the characters, the whole package. This is DreamWorks Animation’s best work yet. The title of this movie, How To Train Your Dragon, does not do it justice as there is so much more to the movie. You go in to the movie not knowing what to expect, which may be a good thing, because by the end, you’re blown away. It’s a story about a young Viking unlike all the rest of the Viking town since he’s not blood hungry for dragon slaying. Where he’s from, hunting and killing dragons is the way of life and everybody expects each other to do the same. To make things worse, his dad is the head honcho in town who is a bit embarrassed that his son hasn’t turned out like himself: all muscles with guts and glory on the side. Instead, Hiccup (yes, his name is Hiccup) is a small toothpick with a brain on his shoulders. He likes to tinker and make things; he’s an engineer at heart. He doesn’t fit in with everybody else but that’s all he wants – to be like everybody else, or at least that’s what he thinks.
