59. She's Out of My League (2010)

Code-name: "A Hard 10"

Director: Jim Field Smith
Type: R-rated comedy

Cast:
Kirk Kettner- Jay Baruchel
Molly McCleash- Alice Eve
Stainer- T.J. Miller
Jack- Mike Vogel
Devon- Nate Torrence
Patty- Krysten Ritter
Cam- Geoff Stults
Marnie- Lindsey Sloane
Ron- Hayes McArthur
Dylan Kettner- Kyle Bornheimer
Debbie- Jessica St. Clair
Mr. Kettner- Adam LeFevre
Mrs. Kettner- Debra Jo Rupp


Write-up:

Call me naïve, prudish or whatever... this was the first R-rated movie I saw in theaters, one of two I saw that year (The other was "Due Date"... not the greatest, but I still found plenty of laughs along the way).
2010 was a great year for movies, went to see so many good ones, and this was one I couldn't wait to see again.

Jay Baruchel, who I'd been hoping to see in a break-out lead role since I first saw him in "Tropic Thunder," got me into the theater.
It was the writing and the characters that had me wanting to come back for more. Sean Anders & John Morris don't have many credits under their belts, but I want to give them a shout-out here for making this effort memorable and irresistibly quotable.

In a nutshell, this is the type of screenplay I would have loved to have written because the character interaction is written the way I talk with my closest friends. :-P
It's hilarious. At times, it's thought-provoking, and it carries just enough raunchiness to give it edge, but never overpowers.

Going into the movie, Kirk (Jay Baruchel) is still getting over his ex-girlfriend, Marnie (Lindsay Sloane).He gives her his speech about why they should get back together, but of course, she isn't buying into it.

Be cautious, there be spoilers afoot...

The only place I feel the writers failed was writing her character arc. Not just the fact she's a total bitch that makes me want to claw her eyes out whenever she's on screen, but pieces of it make no sense.
Supposedly, she doesn't get along with her parents and the Kettners "adopted" her... meaning she lives with him at his parents' house even though she's dating some other dude named Ron.
They never did explain why he kept calling Kirk "pirate" either. :/

After we're more or less introduced to her and Kirk's circle of friends, he meets Molly (Alice Eve) in the most random place: at work.

The guys work at the airport. Kirk and Stainer ("It's a nickname. Doesn't mean anything."... we do eventually find out what it means and that his real name is Wendell) work at TSA. Molly goes through security, but accidentally leaves behind her cell phone.

Her friend, Patty (Krysten Ritter) calls her phone to track it down. Kirk answers and they agree on a rendezvous point where he can return it... but not before a man across the aisle from them complains about her being on the phone. What followed was a bit of dialogue that came to mind during a situation we ran into at an airport.

Our situation: our plane back from our Australia trip was delayed. my aunt was calling my cousin to bring him up to speed. someone in the lounge told her to take it somewhere else because there was a sign on the wall that said "quiet area"
My thoughts: Where's Patty when you need her? :-P

Man: Excuse me. You're not supposed to be on your phone. It's bad for the plane.
Patty: Oh, excuse me? Are you a plane doctor? No? So shut the f--- up!

After that outburst, the man pressed the call button to ask for an attendant and the phone call had to end.

Overall, Patty is the type of person who doesn't hold anything back. I'd go as far to say she's the kind of girl friend I'd love to have. #girlcrush



Molly and Patty are event planners and Kirk, along with his friend Devon, meets them at the Warhol museum (where they're hosting an event) to return the cell phone. She invites them to stay around, but Patty's sister, Katie, gets them thrown out.

To make up for it, she invites Kirk to a hockey game. Stainer is his co-pilot for this double-date and he's under the impression Molly is setting him up with Patty (aka "the bitchy friend" because, seeing as he was with Marnie previously, "you like bitches").
To everyone's disbelief (except for the audience), Molly is into Kirk and wanted to set Patty up with Stainer (neither was interested in that).

The majority of this movie, as Molly and Kirk are going out, is spent discussing the "Tao of Love." How guys like Kirk (who Stainer believes is a "5") never end up with girls like Molly (who is a "hard 10").
According to Stainer, Kirk is a "5" because he looks like a geek. Jack does the math, adding 1/2 a point cuz he's a nice guy, and another 1/2 cuz he's funny, but the point is taken away because he drives a Dodge Neon ("the people that make that car don't even like it").
Per his made-up system, Stainer proclaims himself a 6, possibly a 7 because he's in a band.

Kirk: You play in a Hall & Oates cover band. I'm pretty sure that's a deduction
Stainer: (stands firm) Adult Education is a tribute band.

At one point, we do get to see Stainer do his best Daryl Hall impression. Which actually isn't too bad, if you can forgive him for being slightly off-key.
I'm not entirely sure if it was because of this movie or it was pure coincidence that I was hearing a lot of Hall & Oates on the radio after seeing this movie... either way, I picked up a copy of their greatest hits a few months afterwards. "Kiss on my list" also happens to be the first of their songs I fell in love with.

Everything is going well with him and Molly, remarkably. She spends an afternoon with his family (this includes Marnie and Ron) and it does nothing to deter her.
There are so many quotes in those scenes that it's impossible to go through them all. But just to share a few:

Dylan: (in the pool) Just wear underwear. It covers all the good s---
Molly: Underwear would be fine... if I were wearing any (smiles)

Dylan: I can make any car into a convertible in 15 minutes. Wanna know why? Global warming
Ron: ...according to the movie "the day after tomorrow," Earth's temperature is actually getting colder

Dylan: (after Molly gives them a rough guesstimation of the price one of their events fetches) You got your head on right. And you don't do underwear.

Most of their characters have their "running jokes" and personality quirks that feed their dialogue.
Stainer is the keeper of the "Tao of Love."
Jack is the sex expert.
Devon alludes to a lot of Disney movies :-P including "Aladdin" and "Beauty & the Beast" and keeps asking Kirk if he came up in conversation since her friend Wendy (who was at the Warhol event) said to Kirk "I think your friend is hot"
And clearly Dylan becomes obsessed with whether or not Molly is wearing underwear.

So after this eventful afternoon, he and Molly get a little hot and heavy at her apartment. Kirk has a "premature denotation" just as Molly's parents unexpectedly stop by.
Fun fact: they're played by Alice Eve's actual parents

Not knowing what to do, Kirk rushes off with little to no explanation.
But at her next event, an air show featuring her ex-boyfriend Cam, Kirk gets up the courage (with help from Jack) to give it to her straight. Straighter than any guy, possibly, in the history of movies.
As Patty put it: "no guy in their right mind would make that up."

Cam met Kirk on his second date with Molly and, for whatever reason, he was under the impression he was her new gay friend that she was hanging out with.
Sooner or later, she does straighten him out.
Unfortunately, he plants another seed of doubt in his head (in addition to all the doubts from his friends and family).... not only that she doesn't like being called perfect, but she has a "defect."

The defect turns out to be webbed feet... and it isn't the only truth that comes out when Kirk and Molly are on the verge of having sex for the first time.
You'd think the most awkward part of it would be Molly finding out his balls were shaved (that was likely the most "graphic" scene in the movie, but we only saw the body double from behind). But all of the bits of insecurity Kirk has come out in this venting session where he more or less walks out of the apartment and they break up.

So of course the next logical step for Kirk to stay is getting back with Marnie and going with his family on their yearly Branson trip... yeah, I don't know why Ron is there either. The dude must be really deluded :-P

Lucky for him, Stainer comes to his senses about his own relationship with a "hard 10."
He tries to get Kirk off the plane, but fails miserably (did the flight attendants just overlook the fact he was TSA? ...yes, I'm aware he's an idiot).
Enlisting the help of Patty (their conversation is perfectly written for those two characters, just saying), they get Molly to the airport to get back with Kirk.

This is also the part where Stainer reveals the truth about his name, but I'll leave you to see the movie to find that out ;)

Kirk then goes on to defy another cliché in movies... he gives an epic "f--- off" speech to Marnie and his family, but he's unable to disembark cuz the doors are already closed... go figure.
He's just lucky his friends can pull strings in the airport to do him a solid... by the way, I'm not sure if any of their shenanigans are legal, but thanks to movie magic, they get away with it... and Kirk and Molly beat the odds.

Final Remarks:

Gotta give a final shout-out to Michael Andrews, the guy behind the music in this movie.
In the earlier parts of the movie, I thought for sure it was Christophe Beck behind the score because there are some similarities.
Mainly, though, I gotta commend him for including "Over my head (Cable Car)" and "She's so High" in the soundtrack. Being familiar with songs used in movie is a big thing for me, something I revel in and enjoy laying back to.

Michael Andrews also scored "Bridesmaids" and a few episodes of "Undeclared," a show that put actors like Jay Baruchel and Seth Rogen on the map. (I offer that up as trivia, not because I saw the show personally... although I probably should).

69. Bridesmaids (2011)

Code-name: SNL BFF's

Director: Paul Feig
Type: R-rated Comedy (with some gross-out)

Cast:
Annie Walker- Kristen Wiig
Lillian- Maya Rudolph
Megan- Melissa McCarthy
Helen- Rose Byrne
Nathan Rhodes- Chris O'Dowd
Becca- Ellie Kemper
Rita- Wendi McLendon-Covey
Gill- Matt Lucas
Brynn- Rebel Wilson
Annie's mom- Jill Clayburgh (RIP- died a year b4 theatrical release)
Air Marshall John- Ben Falcone

WIN- AFI- Movie of the Year

Notable Nominations:
OSCAR- Best Supporting Actress- Melissa McCarthy
OSCAR- Best Original Screenplay- Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo
Golden Globe- Best Supporting Actress- Melissa McCarthy
Golden Globe- Best Picture (Comedy/Musical)

Write-up:

[ok... I'm a believer]

Promoted as the "female Hangover" movie, "Bridesmaids" was tauted as one of the biggest surprises in the box office in 2011. And while she wasn't lobbying for "Finding Nemo" to get a sequel, Ellen kept saying how much she loved this movie... and she didn't even need a cast member as a guest to bring it up.

I just scoffed at the idea. Firstly because I loved "The Hangover" and didn't like that people were already trying to top it. But mainly, I didn't feel women should do gross-out comedies. I see that as more of a guy thing.
But as often is the case, I was proved wrong. I still don't think it's funnier than "The Hangover," but it got more laughs out of me than I ever expected.
(Rest assured, a handful of my favorite movies yet to be discussed were ones I had zero interest in seeing or just was skeptical... I'm not afraid to admit I'm wrong when it comes to these sorts of things).

Part of the reason I wasn't up for it was also because of its leads. More so Maya Rudolf because I didn't recall seeing Kristen Wiig-- but after seeing the movie, I stood corrected. I HAD seen Kristen Wiig and enjoyed her work on SNL. I'm likely one of the few people who loves Gilly :-P her designated Christmas special is a guilty pleasure, about which I have ZERO guilt.
Although I give her some slack because she's a Prince fan (and with a friend of hers, has performed his songs live as "Princess"), I just haven't found her funny. That remains true, but for the majority, I liked her in this movie... either because she played straight or the annoying department was taken up by someone else.

[The Basics]

We're introduced to Annie (Kristen Wiig) and Lillian (Maya Rudolf) as the tightest of besties. Lillian recently got engaged and made Annie her maid-of-honor. As the title suggests, the bridesmaids give additional dimension to the story.
You have:

• Rita, the cynical, overworked housewife with young kids in DIRE need of a get-away
• naive (their thoughts, not mine) Becca who recently got married to the only boyfriend she ever had
• (borrowing from "The Hangover" again), the future sib-in-law, Megan (also the scene stealer of the movie, much like Zach Galifianakis)

...btw, is it also coincidence that the groom's name is a derivative of Doug?

Last (and most certainly least) is Helen, Lillian's newest friend. Both beautiful and generous, she's a "little Mrs. Perfect" who may have a hidden passive-aggressive streak. Watch the interaction between her and Annie and tell me I'm wrong. There just seems to be this hidden desire for her to one-up Annie in everything she does, just to thank Lillian for being the best friend she ever had... and they'd only known each six months.

WTF!
(and there are several moments that prompt that reaction... almost like it's a reoccurring theme... also known as outer conflict generated by the plot)

The way it's written (not to mention who wrote it), the audience is lead to sympathize with Annie because she's the protagonist. She represents the average everyday woman in all of us. Starting out, we see the multiple ways why her life sucks.

Lillian insists that Annie and Helen spent time together, get to know each other. Annie (me as well) is skeptical and remains so for the majority of the movie.
Ala the "reoccurring theme"-- if Helen isn't shooting down Annie's ideas, she either makes sure she's the first time to tell everyone her own ideas... or she downright steals the ideas she hated and passes them off as their own.

But amidst the drama, hilarity is never too far behind and that balance is what makes good films. Especially in a comedy like this.

[Scene Stealing and Memorable Moments]

Another running "joke" in the plot is the fact Annie's car (ancient, btw, from the 80's or 90's) has a tail-light out and keeps forgetting to get it fixed.
On the plus side, it's how she meets her new flame, Nathan- a policeman who happens to have an Irish accent. She believes he pulled her over because she was driving erratically, as if drunken. This was after the engagement party so she was complaining to herself about Helen, whom she'd just met for the first time.
She doesn't just walk the straight line and do the alphabet backwards, but she even does a little jig for more laughs (big laughs too).

The shenanigans they get into together are simply brilliant, but they're also things that probably wouldn't be legal in reality. Like when he shows her how to use a radar gun and they let people get away with driving 10-15 miles above the speed limit.
At least when someone was doing 90, they got their act together.
That relationship does a lot of good for Annie, especially with the lack of confidence she's been battling throughout the beginning of the film, but she finds it difficult to commit after they sleep together for the first time. 

As for the "gross-out" factor, it only comes through in one particular scene (to my knowledge... I haven't seen the unrated version). Annie picks out a Brazillian restaurant that, subsequently, makes everyone ill... except for Helen who had the "foresight" to have a salad.
Immediately afterwards, they go to pick out dresses and unfortunately, that's where the food gets to them, and all kinds of bodily functions overreact. Not even the wedding dress goes unscathed.

Other than that, most of the R-rating comes from a couple brief sex scenes and vulgar language. At times, it's a tad overkill, but most of it is merited. R-movies aren't always my thing, but when the content is handed tastfully, they do really well. 

My absolute favorite scene is the plane ride to Vegas. 
Apparently, Annie is afraid of flying or doesn't travel well, so she's not feeling well. Being stuck in coach while everyone else is in first class doesn't help either. Helen offers her some pills to calm down, one of the few instances where I believe she's genuinely nice, and it has some adverse results. 
She's practically intoxicated, stumbles into first class, talking all kinds of crazy. My sides literally split at the scenes when she's arguing with the flight attendant Steve because he is so montone, but freaking hilarious. The best line comes when she reads his name tag: "what kind of name is Stove?" and she's acting like he can't see her, but he does his job to keep her in coach.
And anyone who saw the trailers knows this is where Megan banters with the guy she suspects to be an Air Marshall, flirting with him. Even more hilarious because they're married in real life.
Unfortunately, Annie's sheningians gets the whole bridal party thrown off the plan so the bachelorette party doesn't happen and Helen is dubbed the new maid-of-honor. Aside from Megan's new love interest, the only success was that Rita and Becca were able to bond over drinks. 

As if things weren't bad enough, Annie has to move in with her mom because her roommate and his sister (who doesn't even pay rent!!) kick her out of the apartment.

Then all hell breaks loose at the bridal shower after Helen steals another of Annie's ideas... hence another tirade laced with F-bombs. Plus she destroys the chocolate fountain and a giant cookie shaped like a heart. 
Lillian flips out and ultimately kicks her out of the wedding. But before all comedy is lost, she screams to the staff as she's making her exit "No! She does not get a party-favor!"
...did I mention she was giving away puppies? Golden Retreiver puppies?
LOL... and Megan steals like 7 of them (and gives Annie a helluva good pep talk a couple scenes later). 

Luckily, they found a clever way to sew the plot back together before it falls apart.
Lillian gets cold feet and Helen is freaking cuz she can't find her.
(Yeah, karma's a bitch, lady).
Annie goes with her to find Nathan and does all kinds of sheningians in her car to get his attention... freaking awesome!

And all's well that ends well.
The two of them finally look like they could be friends.

...although Helen gets Wilson Phillips (Lillian's favorite group) to sing at the wedding reception, one final one-up.