Tag Archives: Jim Rash
Rob’s Quick Review: The Way, Way Back
|
Letter Grade:
A |
The Good: Wonderfully introverted performance from Liam James The Bad: It has Maya Rudolph, though this is the closest I've come to liking her |
|
Cast & Crew: Directed and Written by Jim Rash and Nat Faxon Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language, some sexual content and brief drug material |
|
The Way, Way Back is a wonderful film about a teen’s self-discovery. It’s a lot likeAdventureland, but much better, with 100% less Kristen Stewart. Liam James gives a wonderful, introverted performance that feels so real that if you didn’t know he was a professional actor you’d start to question whether it’s really acting. Allison Janney is hilarious as the overly-talkative next-door neighbor. The screenplay by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash is excellent. It would have been real easy to make the adult characters one-dimensional stereotypes, but they’re actually really well developed here. Steve Carell’s character is a jackass, but you can at least see his motivations. The Way, Way Back has a ton of heart, it’s definitely worth seeking this gem out.
*Photo courtesy Fox Searchlight
Jennie’s Review: The Way, Way Back
|
Letter Grade:
A |
The Good: The Screenplay is great The Bad: Honestly, nothing comes to mind |
|
Cast & Crew: Directed and Written by Jim Rash and Nat Faxon Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language, some sexual content and brief drug material |
|
The Way, Way Back opens with our main character Duncan (Liam James) riding in the back (the way, way back) of one of those station wagons with the seat facing the back window. The driver, Duncan’s mom’s (Toni Collette) boyfriend Trent (Steve Carrell) is talking to Duncan in an extremely condescending way, telling him he hopes he can become a “better” guy (read cooler, more popular, more superficial sort of traits) while they are at his summer home for the next few months. They show up at the house and get settled in for adult spring break (only their kids are there so…awkward). Duncan finds a bike in the shed and rides off every day to escape. Duncan is in need of a father figure and is actively resisting the most obvious answer, Trent, who is (to put it politely) a jerk. Luckily, he meets Owen (Sam Rockwell) who manages the water park in the area and (at least temporarily) is available to fill the role. Owen ends up offering Duncan a job at the park and he of course begins to come out of his shell.
First things first, how dangerous and awesome were those seats facing the back?
Ok, now to the movie. (more…)
Summer Movie Preview: July
July is officially here and there are a ton of movies coming out over the next few weeks. There seems to be a movie for everyone this month – Action, Horror, Sequel, Quirky Independent, Family, Comic Book, Violent Thriller, Science Fiction, and Comedy. Happy July movie going Cinedrafters!!
The Lone Ranger
Release Date: July 5
Synopsis: The masked ex-Ranger and his Native American companion Tonto fight injustice in the Old West. From the people who brought you the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, including Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp, plus Armie Hammer, Helena Bonham Carter, Barry Pepper, and Tom Wilkinson.
Our Thoughts:
Rob: I know this is from the people who brought us Pirates of the Caribbean, but this just stinks of “bomb”…
Jennie: Not saying this is going to be revolutionary or not completely predictable BUT, I’m looking forward to it. It’s got that Disney money and eccentric Johnny Depp, count me in. PLUS, I’m really hoping for a Depp, Hammer, Pepper fight in a wheel scene.
Dave: This will be a good, fun movie. Bruckheimer and Verbinski know how to make a big action summer movie just fine. I don’t expect anything ground breaking but it will be ok. I think my biggest fault with the movie is expecting anyone to care about the Lone Ranger…No one has cared about the Lone Ranger since the 1950’s.
Jennie: But people do care about Johnny Depp and apparently Armie Hammer is pretty popular right now. For sure people will care about this more than they did John Carter
Dave: Sure. This could be literally any generic Western action movie with Johnny Depp and it would make money. I just don’t think people are going to be lining up at the Box Office because the Lone Ranger movie is FINALLY out.
Felix: And Terry Rossio can write a good script when being reigned in (which he wasn’t for At World’s End)
