January 9, 2010

I just watched the worst movie of 2009. And I liked it!


The plan for the night was simple -- date night! --- finish up at work, head home to feed and walk the dogs, change into casual clothes, and head out to an early movie. We are way behind on the big Oscar bait movies and have some serious catching up to do (and yes that is important to me, I am gay).

Our choice was Up In the Air, and by the time we got there the hugely overcrowded parking lot, with mountains of snow, herds of extended pick-up trucks, and little cars squeezed in at weird angles, should have been the giveaway. After circling, we finally found parking at the far end of the world, and hiked in the freezing cold to the theatre to find crowds spilling out the front door.

We stood in line very briefly, then K asked if I wanted to leave, and we took off like Glenn Beck running from a sane thought.

The back-up plan? Stop at blockbuster to rent a video, make vast amounts of popcorn at home, have a fireplace date night.

We rented The Ugly Truth, a romantic comedy starring Katherine Heigl, the whiny yet talented blond from Knocked Up and Grey's Anatomy, and Gerard Butler, the abs dude from 300.

As is often the case with rentals, where your instinct is to contrast a flick's entertainment value with Wheel of Fortune and eHarmony commercials, we were entertained. Not changed forever, but entertained. The set-up: she is uptight brainy television producer in ratings trouble, he is rough chauvinist relationship guru brought in to jack up ratings. They initially hate each other, yet there is chemistry, and as they spar they come to appreciate.... yawn, okay as I write this the plot is 100% predictable, you know where it is going, and it goes there.

I think the producers are trying for a raunchier spin on Doris Day Rock Hudson type comedies about office rivals who hate each other and then realize the attraction beneath their dislike. And it is hit and miss here. Okay so the downside is lack of originality. The upside? The leads are both charming, the flick zips along, and there are lines like his insight to his fellow men: "Men are incapable of change, growth and progress. For men self improvement ends at toilet training."

So the day after The Ugly Truth I am reading Entertainment Weekly, and in their year end review section the list the best and worst of 2009. Best movies of the year? Up in the Air and The Hurt Locker. Worst movie of the year? The Ugly Truth, which they describe as an awful chick flick that shows contempt for its audience. Really? Contempt? It's a fluff movie, turn off the brain and enjoy. I'm not saying it's a classic by any means, but worst movie? What about caveman comedy Year One? Jennifer's Body? Old Dogs? The latest Halloween remake? Anything with Nicholas Cage or Jennifer Aniston?

Entertainment Weekly lists the five worst movies of the year, and I have seen another two of them -- All About Steve and Away We Go -- both of which I enjoyed. Hmmmm... I like what they don't... guess I gotta rent the other two 'worst' movies. Oh, and still gotta see Up In The Air.

13 comments:

TICKLEBEAR said...

i personally declare "paranormal activity" the very worst movie of 2009. the hype around it is a lie. it's beyond boring, and ever so predictable... i hate it as much as my all-time worst movie, "the reign of fire"...
:D~
HUGZ

Kevin said...

I think you should cancel your subscription to Entertainment Weekly. I liked The Ugly Truth. I enjoyed All About Steve. So, Up In The Air tonight? You buying the popcorn and drinks?

Clare and Gary said...

I liked Up in the Air, great acting and all that, but I probably enjoyed the Ugly Truth more.. yes it was formalised, yes it was predicatable, yes I love fluff...what can I say!.. I wont comment o Up in the Air until you've seen it...

Vodka Logic said...

Sometimes mindless is just what the brain needs.. there is a place for the good, bad, and yep..ugly.

injaynesworld said...

"Like Glenn Beck running from a sane thought..." BEST LINE EVER!

And I liked "Away We Go," too.

Love your blog. Love the Cher quote. Love your writing.

Elizabeth McKenzie said...

Hey, Go with your heart, but be careful where your heart leads you.

Anyway, you left a comment on my blog about my background and I thank you. I went back and lightened it up and it is much easier to read. Check it out. Cute dog up top.

Good luck and keep an open mind, it may save your life some day.

Stan in NH said...

Hey thanks for following my blog. I came to visit after Bob's welcome. We haven't seen this movie, but are avid movie fans. I am sure it is in the queue at NetFlix somewhere! I look forward to your posts and getting to know you.

Kyle said...

Brahm, I came to visit after seeing Bob's feature on you at, "I Should Be Laughing. As my husband(Stan in NH),in the above comment said,we haven't seen this movie, but it is on our Netflix list. I would expect it to be fluff, so I'm not sure what EW was thinking. I'm sure it couldn't be the worst movie of the year. I've seen tiles that went straight to video this year, that wee truly awful. I just added you to the blogroll and look forward to keeping up with your posts.

SteveA said...

I actually liked this movie - it was predictable - but hey - it hit the spot at the time!

Erin said...

I need mindless stuff/fluffy sometimes. I saw Up In The Air last weekend---it was alright. I don't think it was one of the best movies of the year, though...but not bad for a grown-up night out!

Sarah said...

I actually fell asleep during "Up In The Air". It was ok (the parts I saw) but I don't know. I wouldn't say it was the best. The Husband liked it, though.
"The Ugly Truth," on the other hand, looks like something I would LOVE. Maybe I'll have to leave the baby with The Husband and have a solo movie night.
Thanks for coming by my blog and following!!

Crystal said...

hey there! came to visit your blog after you left a comment on mine. Love your straightforward opinions and dry wit! Plus I have a personal bias for dog people :) Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog...I'll definitely go back through your archives!

Michael Rivers said...

I just don't think I can watch this one. LOL. Maybe one day.

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