We went to see "Cowboys and Aliens" tonight. The experience of this led me to write this blog entry. You see, we don't go out to movies very often unless it's something we really want to see for one reason or another. Sometimes we see things because we are interested in the genre, like Insidious or Paranormal Activity. We love horror films and so we'll pay the $9 to see them...sometimes. Other times we see things because we hear the film is a stinker but it's fun to watch simply because it's such a stinker. For example, The Devil...now that was a stinker but so over the top predictable and goofily stereotypical it became campy and it was funny, though unintentionally funny at that.
So, Cowboys and Aliens. I have to say I had high hopes for this movie. Starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford, it already had promise. I saw the trailer in the theater and thought, "This has potential!" I was hoping for camp, some humor - I mean, c'mon, there are cowboys and there are aliens and that could be a wonderfully humorous mix. What I got was a cowboy movie with ALL of the stereotypes in it that takes itself WAY too seriously. No campy jokes, no humorous takes, no innuendo. Just straight up die hard cowboys, each with their own BORING story, trying to fight aliens. I kept waiting for more alien action because, frankly, when the aliens were attacking that was the only time anything interesting ever really happened in this film. However, when you actually get to see the aliens running around - they are the most non-scary aliens ever. They are the visual equivalent of giant toads with tiny baby heads and little, itty bitty hands with three toes on them. The actors in this film do a good job with what they got. Daniel Craig is suitably broody with his steely blue eyes. Harrison Ford is adequately gruff as the weather worn war hero turned cattle man with an attitude. Everyone else, the spectacle wearing saloon owner, the wimpy cattle man's son, the adopted Indian who adores the cattle man, the tired out Sheriff - they all do their part and do it well but it never really gives them teeth or anything to work toward. This film, directed by Jon Favreau, is a stinker! I should have waited for it to come out on Netflix and saved the $9.
So that was the Bad and the $9 is the Ugly. For two of us, $18 to get in the theater. Two small popcorns and two medium Cokes later was another $18. $36 just like that. OUCH!!! That is ugly!!
So the Good...well, the good happened last week. We went to see Horrible Bosses starring Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day. It also stars Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey and Colin Farrell (in a role I did not even recognize him in!). I have to tell you that I rarely go see comedy movies in the theatre. One, they usually aren't funny and, two, the crowd is usually full of people who think they are in their own living room and talk to the screen. This film was hilarious! I can't remember the last time I actually laughed out loud at a movie. This one had me rolling. The premise is three guys who hate their bosses and decide to kill them off but they will kill each others bosses, not their own. These three could not kill a fly with a hand gun so they "hire" a pro who takes their money only to give them tips rather than do it himself. (Jamey Fox in a hysterical role!) Just let me say the next series of circumstance, one after another, each one funnier than the last, makes this movie worth paying to see. Jason Bateman is great as the deadpanned mastermind. Jason Sudeikis is funny as the horny sidekick who keeps letting himself stray off the path. But the one that really made me laugh was Charlie Day. I've never seen this guy in anything else and he was so damn funny. There's a scene involving cocaine which he accidentally spills and then start cleaning it up that just cracks me up even thinking about it! Anyway, this was a good one. Well worth the cash and definitely a hit with me!
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