- Jul 18, 2012
- 8,837
- 4,739
argo was good not great tho.
Oh I'm sorry, Did I Break Your Conversation........Well Allow Me A Movie Thread by S&T
- Sep 27, 2007
- 20,619
- 1,615
Review - 21 and Over
Maybe Hollywood will continue to try and make another Hangover film every single year until they succeed. That’s what seems like is becoming the trend.
Last year Project X took the house party to new heights and I really enjoyed it. As the third and final Hangover will ensue this summer, maybe we should tell directors to stop trying to make a similar product and let it be.
The Hangover was the adult version; Project X was high school and now 21 and Over is the next step in college. It’s as cliché as the happy ending, you turn 21 – go get hammered till you wind up naked on the front lawn. So what happens with straight-laced Jeff Chang turns 21 and his two buddies surprise him at college for his big coming of age party? They sit around and play checkers of course!
No, no; they get absolutely blitzed out their minds; raiding a Latino sorority, going through the tower of power and shooting guns; and that’s not even the half of it.
Everyone from the age of about 13 can’t wait until they turn 21. It’s that ticking clock till you can legally drink, tell every bouncer off and go to the corner store and purchase a six-pack without sweating that the clerk won’t chop up your fake I.D. As Jeff Chang (Justin Chon) is turning 21 his friends Miller (Miles Teller) and Casey (Skylar Astin) are hell bent of having him get his nose out of the books and out to celebrate. Unfortunately his hard-nosed father has other plans. Chang’s strict father has set up a big interview for his future doctor at 8am the next morning and if he embarrasses his father there will be hell to pay.
We’ve heard this before.
Miller and Casey won’t take no for an answer and when Jeff agrees to “one beer” they hit the town. The rest plays out like you think it would; bull rides, beer pong, jealous boyfriends and being thrown out of multiple windows. We’re not breaking any new ground here.
21 and Over has a decent amount of laugh-out-loud moments but perhaps I expected more. Maybe it’s not their fault but when you’re trying to drive in the same lane as The Hangover series and more recently the riot known as Project X you can’t half-*** it. You have to bring something new to the table, wow me!
The Hangover writers John Lucas and Sam Moore are behind this project, directing as well, so we can’t be too surprised but I’m starting to get the feeling like they refuse to leave their comfort zone.
Astin and Teller are two of the most promising up and coming actors today and they actually show off some genuine skill in the latter parts of the film. Yes, it’s 90% about debauchery and wild antics but when two friends lock horns and emotions get involved you have to sell it. Normally in a film like this if you’re searching for great acting you’ll be left out in the cold, so you appreciate the little chemistry between the lead actors when it’s out on display.
Teller dazzled audiences at Sundance this year in The Spectacular Now, which will hit theaters later this year and Astin is still riding high from his fun performance in last year’s Pitch Perfect.
21 and Over unfortunately is a disappointment despite being funny here and there, the lack of consistency and fresh material kills it. Teller plays the role of confident 100-words-per-second alpha male really well and Astin is great in the “more buttoned up but ready to party” friend. All in all the film tries to ride coat tails of it’s predecessors and just doesn’t have enough fuel in the gas tank to keep up.
Rating: C-
Maybe Hollywood will continue to try and make another Hangover film every single year until they succeed. That’s what seems like is becoming the trend.
Last year Project X took the house party to new heights and I really enjoyed it. As the third and final Hangover will ensue this summer, maybe we should tell directors to stop trying to make a similar product and let it be.
The Hangover was the adult version; Project X was high school and now 21 and Over is the next step in college. It’s as cliché as the happy ending, you turn 21 – go get hammered till you wind up naked on the front lawn. So what happens with straight-laced Jeff Chang turns 21 and his two buddies surprise him at college for his big coming of age party? They sit around and play checkers of course!
No, no; they get absolutely blitzed out their minds; raiding a Latino sorority, going through the tower of power and shooting guns; and that’s not even the half of it.
Everyone from the age of about 13 can’t wait until they turn 21. It’s that ticking clock till you can legally drink, tell every bouncer off and go to the corner store and purchase a six-pack without sweating that the clerk won’t chop up your fake I.D. As Jeff Chang (Justin Chon) is turning 21 his friends Miller (Miles Teller) and Casey (Skylar Astin) are hell bent of having him get his nose out of the books and out to celebrate. Unfortunately his hard-nosed father has other plans. Chang’s strict father has set up a big interview for his future doctor at 8am the next morning and if he embarrasses his father there will be hell to pay.
We’ve heard this before.
Miller and Casey won’t take no for an answer and when Jeff agrees to “one beer” they hit the town. The rest plays out like you think it would; bull rides, beer pong, jealous boyfriends and being thrown out of multiple windows. We’re not breaking any new ground here.
21 and Over has a decent amount of laugh-out-loud moments but perhaps I expected more. Maybe it’s not their fault but when you’re trying to drive in the same lane as The Hangover series and more recently the riot known as Project X you can’t half-*** it. You have to bring something new to the table, wow me!
The Hangover writers John Lucas and Sam Moore are behind this project, directing as well, so we can’t be too surprised but I’m starting to get the feeling like they refuse to leave their comfort zone.
Astin and Teller are two of the most promising up and coming actors today and they actually show off some genuine skill in the latter parts of the film. Yes, it’s 90% about debauchery and wild antics but when two friends lock horns and emotions get involved you have to sell it. Normally in a film like this if you’re searching for great acting you’ll be left out in the cold, so you appreciate the little chemistry between the lead actors when it’s out on display.
Teller dazzled audiences at Sundance this year in The Spectacular Now, which will hit theaters later this year and Astin is still riding high from his fun performance in last year’s Pitch Perfect.
21 and Over unfortunately is a disappointment despite being funny here and there, the lack of consistency and fresh material kills it. Teller plays the role of confident 100-words-per-second alpha male really well and Astin is great in the “more buttoned up but ready to party” friend. All in all the film tries to ride coat tails of it’s predecessors and just doesn’t have enough fuel in the gas tank to keep up.
Rating: C-
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- Jul 18, 2012
- 36,507
- 38,492
Right it was just ok. Skyfall for example was way better then Argo.
big j 33
Supporter
- May 31, 2006
- 36,097
- 16,888
We should be very fortunate if Argo is an average movie. People are going to expect a lot more now that it's won Best Picture... But it's a very good movie.
Tense, well written, solid acting, well paced, and all in all entertaining.
It didn't reinvent the wheel but it didn't have to.. It's what good dramas should be.
Tense, well written, solid acting, well paced, and all in all entertaining.
It didn't reinvent the wheel but it didn't have to.. It's what good dramas should be.
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- Oct 28, 2007
- 13,387
- 6,666
He was pretty good in "the words"When did Bradley Cooper become an excellent actor? Was it Silver Linings? Was he that good in Limitless? I havent seen anything of his other than the Hangover movies and Midnight Meat TrainDont tell me what I need to see, I already know.
Bend_The_Knee
formerly gotholesinmysocks
- Apr 11, 2008
- 61,859
- 23,633
Saw Silver Linings Playbook last night, loved it.
Cooper & DeNiro did their thing, but Jennifer Lawrence was
She's ******* gorgeous!!!
Cooper & DeNiro did their thing, but Jennifer Lawrence was
She's ******* gorgeous!!!
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- Mar 2, 2013
- 2,303
- 2,538
Just saw Burt Wonderstone. Don't waste your money at the theater when it's out.
- Jul 18, 2012
- 36,507
- 38,492
I didnt find it tense because I knew what was going to happen that took away from my exp.
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big j 33
Supporter
- May 31, 2006
- 36,097
- 16,888
I know in 99/100 action movies the hero will survive, but that doesn't make the action any less entertaining. Same goes for this story based on real events.
The end escape was cheesy, but the scene at the bazaar was suspenseful. So was their arguments and deliberation about whether they should trust the plan and go. And the overall mood of the movie did well to elevate the tension despite the audience knowing the outcome.
The end escape was cheesy, but the scene at the bazaar was suspenseful. So was their arguments and deliberation about whether they should trust the plan and go. And the overall mood of the movie did well to elevate the tension despite the audience knowing the outcome.
- Nov 26, 2012
- 7,165
- 1,812
cooper peaked with silver linings playbook , not to say he cant deliver more good performances but
he's just not as polarizing as leo,denzel,pitt,gosling ...i think all those guys can carry a movie on their
back better than cooper
he's just not as polarizing as leo,denzel,pitt,gosling ...i think all those guys can carry a movie on their
back better than cooper
- Sep 7, 2012
- 1,341
- 271
perfect is a strong word
- May 10, 2009
- 31,836
- 18,386
Starting up Flight right now...
- Sep 27, 2012
- 374
- 118
Just finished watching this, I recommend it.
- May 10, 2009
- 31,836
- 18,386
You can add Flight to my list of Denzel roles that he absolutely kills! Well done Mr. Washington 
MetalMario
formerly m4riol
- Sep 24, 2008
- 15,758
- 15,034
last thing I read in this thread was this and luckily enough I found some. Top 10 shocking documentaries and happy to say Vice has 2 of them
off track but #1 and 2 have to do with mental illnesses despite the severity of how they got them
http://listverse.com/2013/03/03/top-10-shocking-documentaries/
- Oct 20, 2012
- 5,520
- 1,849
thankslast thing I read in this thread was this and luckily enough I found some. Top 10 shocking documentaries and happy to say Vice has 2 of themtheir doing work right now in N. Korea
off track but #1 and 2 have to do with mental illnesses despite the severity of how they got them
http://listverse.com/2013/03/03/top-10-shocking-documentaries/
- Sep 27, 2007
- 20,619
- 1,615
You can't say this. Leo and Denzel, Pitt have all done dozens more films then Cooper. Bradley is just now getting to the top billed actor status. Wait to see what he does over the next 5-8 years then we can talk.
- Apr 4, 2008
- 75,038
- 24,439
Cooper will never reach their level.
- Sep 27, 2007
- 20,619
- 1,615
If he does a few more performances on the level of SLP how can you deny that?
We need to stop putting up this imaginary wall that guys like Leo, Pitt, Denzel, De Niro, Pacino are the be all end all. They are amazing, but don't deny younger up and coming, and established actors from reaching that level.
Cooper displayed potential in SLP that not many of us thought he had based on his comedy roles.
Between SLP and Limitless he's on his way to straddle the line of comedy and drama not many can do.
Lets see how he does in Serena with Jennifer Lawrence again...just keep an open mind.
We need to stop putting up this imaginary wall that guys like Leo, Pitt, Denzel, De Niro, Pacino are the be all end all. They are amazing, but don't deny younger up and coming, and established actors from reaching that level.
Cooper displayed potential in SLP that not many of us thought he had based on his comedy roles.
Between SLP and Limitless he's on his way to straddle the line of comedy and drama not many can do.
Lets see how he does in Serena with Jennifer Lawrence again...just keep an open mind.
- Mar 8, 2010
- 21,800
- 3,553
Yea...he's like Joe Johnson. As long as you don't expect too much from him, he'll be good, but I don't think he has range like that.
He more or less played himself with issues in SLP.
Look at The Hurricane and A Soldier's Story. Or Gilbert Grape and Basketball Diaries.
I think if you pushed Cooper that far out of his comfort zone, you're not gonna get a De Niro think happening.
He more or less played himself with issues in SLP.
Look at The Hurricane and A Soldier's Story. Or Gilbert Grape and Basketball Diaries.
I think if you pushed Cooper that far out of his comfort zone, you're not gonna get a De Niro think happening.
- Sep 27, 2007
- 20,619
- 1,615
I disagree. He almost didn't take the role because he said he didn't think he could will himself to play such a mentally unstable person
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- Nov 20, 2007
- 87,893
- 50,405
That's why I didn't bring up better longer tenured actors. not a fair comparison. I will say Cooper will not be better than Gosling and that's more fairer of a comparison. I can straight up say I highly doubt he'll be consistent in pulling off SLP like performances in main or supporting roles here on out.
That would actually surprise me.
That would actually surprise me.
- Mar 8, 2010
- 21,800
- 3,553
"mentally unstable"
He just had moments when he was compulsively a jerk.
That's his thing. The likeable ******* bro.
He played a Philly bro with some social tics.
I mean, I'll chalk it up to David O's direction, that he hit his moments.
But like Cash said, I think that'll be about the best he's capable of.
- Mar 8, 2010
- 21,800
- 3,553
I agree. Gosling's shown a lot of versatility. Half Nelson, Drive, Lars and the Real Girl, Blue Valentine.
There isn't one type of guy who could fit into all of those roles.
And I don't mean just taking the job.
I mean elevating the whole movie around him, and making it more than just another flick. He's for real.
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