EXCLUSIVE: The Return of the Independent Movie

It's been a long time since a British independent film has really made it big - and I'm not talking independent films 'financed' by Film4 or supported by the UK Film Council, I'm talking micro-budget films. Films where some poor bastards have worked their socks off to save their own hard-earned cash; begged and borrowed (hopefully not stolen) to scrape together enough money to bring a story to life. Without further ado, I draw back the curtain and reveal One By One, a film that is desperate to bring back the success of independent films. 

In a Nutshell

A bold and divisive look into society as it exists today.

Taglines

‘When the men behind the curtain run out of enemies, you’re next...’
‘Question everything’

Quotes

“Jesus Christ, have we just all turned into the f*cking Waltons?? Man up.”

“The answers are out there. We can show you the door. It’s up to you to open it.”

Plot

It’s not very often that an independent, low-budget film manages to make it past being just that. However, Boiling Frog Films hopes to join the realm of indie films that have made it big, trundling along the narrow (and cheap!) path of self promotion and eager to attract the right interest in its socially contentious drama, One By One.

Director and Writer, Diane Jessie Miller, has used the film to convey a vision that is inspired by the ideology of the Zeitgeist Movement and the concept of a society that isn’t solely driven by money and material goods. With influences from the likes of The Matrix, Fight Club, as well as a flurry of dystopian vigilante movies, One By One is a controversial drama that sets out to challenge the socially accepted way of living.

The couple are stuck in the tiresome routine of day-to-day life and desperate for something more. The plot centres on the couple and how a few chance encounters can send their model life flying off the tracks, forcing them to ‘question everything’.

With a stellar and committed cast, including the likes of comedy legend Rik Mayall and a myriad of fresh faces such as Heather Wilson, Sean Meyer, Duncan Wigman and Katrina Nare, the film seems firmly set on making its mark. One By One promises to follow its independent film predecessors with confidence, gumption and a sheer determination to sky rocket and shock the industry. In a country that’s film council has failed it, One By One strives against the odds to not only make it onto the movie radar, but also to simultaneously challenge society.  Watch this space.

You can see the trailer, get more info and support the film here: http://www.onebyonethemovie.co.uk

Dusting off the DVD shelf = Finding Nemo

I haven't been bumming around watching DVDs all day I swear! And, if I have, it's all for the importance of hardcore journalism. As promised, here is my synopsis of another one of my all-time favourites; Finding Nemo.

* * * *

In a Nutshell  

An overbearing clown fish goes on a quest through the ‘big blue’ to find his missing son.

Tagline
Fish are just like people, only flakier.

Quotes

“Gimme some fin!”

“I am a nice shark, not a mindless eating machine. If I am to change this image, I must first change myself. Fish are friends, not food.”

“...and the sea cucumber turns to the mollusk and says, ‘With fronds like these, who needs anemones?’”

Plot

After being left with one solitary egg to nurture, it’s no wonder that fish daddy Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) is protective over his son, Nemo (Alexander Gould). On Nemo’s first day of 'school', and on his first chance to explore the ocean, Marlin is the embodiment of a typical panicky parent. His distress is multiplied many-fold when Nemo defiantly swims into open water and is unexpectedly picked up by some divers off the coast of Australia. Whilst the young Nemo wakes to find himself confined inside a dentist’s fish tank with some rather unusual companions, Marlin begins a tireless journey to rescue his son from whatever perils he may face.

Marlin’s search for his son soon becomes a voyage of discovery and not only does he set about locating Nemo but he also finds out a lot about himself, and what lengths he will go to as a parent, along the way. Travelling from The Great Barrier Reef right across to Sydney Harbour, Marlin encounters many terrifying and exciting wonders from hordes of jelly fish to several rather hungry seagulls. Not only that, but he makes interesting acquaintances too, including the absent-minded regal blue-tang Dory, a very Australian and very vegetarian shark going by the name of Bruce, and a gang of super laidback turtles.

Finding Nemo provides a warm, fun and thoughtful tale for all the family, even the grownups - not that you’d expect anything less from animation giants Pixar. I’m not usually one to shout about the wonders of blu-ray or HD, but this film looks spectacular in high definition also.

Dusting off the DVD shelf = Role Models

As I am having a brief yet much-needed break from the perils of work before I start hitting the journalism training HARD, I've decided to catch up with some of my favourite movies. With that in mind, I've also decided to burden anyone who might be reading with some info about said movies - just in case you've been under a rock and haven't seen them.

Without further ado, herewith my Role Models synopsis - and with quotes to boot!

* * * *

In a Nutshell

Two thirty-something minor cons offer sturdy advice to dysfunctional kids.

Tagline  

Bad behaviour. Bad attitude. Bad example.

Quotes

“Naysayers tell me: ‘You should be embarrassed’, ‘You shouldn’t be fighting’, ‘You look like a young Marvin Hamlisch’.
Well I say: ‘Nay, I am not embarrassed, I will fight, and who the f*ck is Marvin Hamlisch?’”

“You can’t BS a Bs-er.”

“Augie: Tell her you miss her whispering eye
Danny: ...and I miss your whispering eye
Augie: It means vagina. It means vagina!!”

Plot

For past it energy drink rep Danny (Paul Rudd), life couldn’t get much worse. After being dumped by his girlfriend and still stuck in an unfulfilling job in his mid-thirties, it seems like he’s hit rock bottom – until he gets himself into a rather sticky situation with best buddy and colleague Wheeler (Seann William Scott) that is. Following an incident that ultimately involved driving a bull-shaped promo car into a school statue, the pair lose their jobs and barely escape a prison sentence for defiling public property.

In order to avoid a stint in the big house, Danny and Wheeler must perform community service at ‘Sturdy Wings’, a district centre for dysfunctional kids. The pair must harness their nurturing powers and become ‘Bigs’ to a couple of ‘Littles’, whilst fixing their own lives in the process. Cue teenage role-play fanatic Augie and foul-mouthed youngster Ronnie.

With no jobs, no girlfriends and the possibility of being thrown in jail - not to mention having to babysit two kids that have some serious issues of their own - this situation could be make or break for the desperate pair.

If you love several doses of vulgarity, immaturity and some damn good medieval role playing in your films, then Role Models is definitely the one for you. And, as if that isn’t enough, Jane Lynch is in it too, playing the ex-druggie head honcho at Sturdy Wings who says ‘BS’ a lot and eats cocaine for breakfast. How do you like them eggs?!

Cinema Etiquette for Dummies

As a regular cinema goer, there are a lot of things that I see all the time that drive me round the twist and, like most, I’ve got my own certain way of liking things when it comes to movies. Unfortunately everyone enjoys their cinema experience in a different way (how very dare they!!) so I’ve compiled a quick guide on what I think should be a staple set of guidelines for going to the cinema, regardless of which roundabout way you like to go about things. These ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ are applicable to all. Take heed.

DO get snacks. Sure they’re pricey these days (what’s that you say!?? £8.50 for a small popcorn?? Why you little...!) but let’s face it: they taste good AND they’re helping keep cinema afloat. It’s a little-known fact that cinemas rarely make any sort of profit on ticket costs anymore and so they rely on us to hit the concession stands. Go on, you know what to do! Get snacking!

DON’T rustle and munch. Ok. So I’ve highlighted that we need to be getting some chow before sitting down to watch our movie, but c’mon – is there really a need to make a racket throughout the film?! Firstly: come up with a system. By that I mean find a way that suits you (whether it be by tearing a packet a certain way or chomping uber fast through the trailers BEFORE the film starts) to cause minimal ‘paper bag disruption’ to those around you. Secondly: chew SLOWLY. No-one wants to hear the mastication of stale popcorn. Ew.

DO get all the chatting out of your system. Do this either a) before you enter the screen or b) if and ONLY if the boring adverts are on – this doesn’t include movie trailers. I’m sure no-one will mind if you talk over that dreadful Jack Black/Gullivers Travels/Orange ad. Bleurgh.

DON’T interrupt the trailers. As above. I pay to see the trailers, they gooood shit. It’s part of the cinema experience! In the same vein, don’t pay attention to people that shush you during the bog-standard TV adverts, they’re the moody gits who don’t get out much or don’t own a TV. Don’t mind them, they live a sheltered life.

DO prep your bladder. It’s sod's law that nature will strike at the most crucial part of the movie. As such, be sure to pop to the loo BEFORE the film and only buy a drink that’s relative to how much your wee tank can hold before needing a wee. It’s sometimes hard to judge I know, but imperative if you want to sit through the whole shebang – especially if it’s a long-un. Sadly, you can’t pause the big screen!

DON’T mention the ‘no recording’ bit. You all know the bit I’m talking about. That ominous black screen appears and it tells you something along the lines of ‘don’t film this’ and if you do you’ll be ‘imprisoned’ and your camera equipment ‘confiscated’. When this first came out it was sorta funny to shout “Oi John, put your camera away!” – Several years down the line, it’s not.

DO see as many films as you can because although it’s EXTORTIONATE nowadays (do you hear that Odeon!??!) There’s also nothing quite like seeing a film on the big screen. Unless you’re rich and can afford your own big screen...in which case, jog on. Anywho, when you go and see a movie at the cinema you can sleep sound in the knowledge that you've supported the film industry and all that gubbins. Win win.

DON’T go to the cinema when jetlagged. Pretty obvious really. Even the strongest of wills can’t always fight jetlag and any efforts to stay awake are often futile. Going to the cinema to keep yourself awake DOESN’T work –believe me, I’ve tried. Besides, no one wants to see you drooling in a public place.

DO be considerate. This applies in two instances:

1. To your buddies who are cinema-ing with you. Chances are they haven’t seen the film either, so asking them perpetual questions throughout is both pointless and REALLY annoying. I have a couple of friends who do this and it drives me barmy. You know who you are.
2.  If you have a large head, try and avoid sitting in front of little people (like me). Contrary to popular belief, we would also like to see the screen.

DON’T sit in the back row for a make-out sesh. This is OLD. It’s too expensive now to be wasting £8 just so that you can snog and miss the film. Foo’! Save the lip-locking for the after party.

And most importantly DO enjoy it! Remember, you’re paying to see this film and helping to support the industry at the same time, so sit back and relax! And, if you’re anything like me, why not write about how good/bad the film was afterwards? It’s a great way to waste time.

So that’s it. Respect and abide, I’ll be haunting local cinemas to see if you’ve been swotting up on your cinema etiquette or not :P Also, I’d love to hear if anything else bugs anyone at the cinema. What have I missed?! Comment away and in the meantime...

...HAPPY WATCHING! :)

I Love You Ewan McGregor, I mean, er, Phillip Morris...COUGH...

Following on from the success of indie feel-good movie ‘Yes Man’, Jim Carrey returns to our screens again, bringing with him another larger than life true tale.

Carrey’s latest crusade, I Love You Phillip Morris, details the life of a closet homosexual-cum-conman who, after going through the motions as a straight cop for his entire life, has a sudden moment of clarity and announces a sudden change in his sexual orientation. For his entire life, abandoned middle child Steven Russell has followed the straight (literally!) and narrow; sampling milk and cookies, raising a nice wholesome family and mercilessly playing the role of perfect husband and father. It soon becomes apparent however that Steven might not be so perfect after all. Russell’s wife Debbie (Leslie Mann) quickly discovers that her lovely and dependable partner is actually - yup you guessed it - gay.


After an epiphany-inducing car crash, Steven realises life is too short and exposes the double life he’s been living, thus embracing his gay lifestyle completely. Steven becomes so entangled in his new and expensive existence that he has to start embezzling money and running insurance scams to maintain the standard of living he’s become accustomed to. Suffice to say his antics don’t go unnoticed.

Not before long, Steven finds himself serving a stint in jail for insurance fraud. Cue love interest. Whilst serving his time in lock up, Steven meets the gorgeously blonde and soft-spoken Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). A complete juxtaposition to the flamboyant and happy-go-lucky Steven, Phillip is shy and timid, only being locked up for a minor misunderstanding with an overdue car rental. In this instance, opposites really do attract and a budding romance filled with amorous and secretive love letters unfolds. Eventually, when the pair are released, they vow to continue a peaceful life together.

Sadly for devoted and gentle lover Phillip, again it’s not long before Steven gets restless and takes up a whole host of different jobs in order to make some fast cash for him and his beau, posing as a lawyer one day and a chief financier the next. Winging it completely and blagging his way to the top, Steven soon becomes wrapped up in all sorts of criminal activities again and eventually winds up back where he started – alone and in jail.

After several escape attempts (even one where Steven fakes his own death) Steven and Phillip are briefly reunited and all sins and faux pas’ forgotten. Unfortunately like all true stories, the ending is predetermined, and as usual it’s not necessarily the happy one.

Helloooo receding hairline...

As far as Jim Carrey movies go there are only really a few laughs to be had. Instead, I Love You Phillip Morris frequently highlights the stark and harsh nature of reality and how love can be difficult, especially when you’re battling against the stigma of being gay AND a convict. It definitely gives more of a ‘Man on the Moon’ feel as opposed to laugh-out-loud ‘Ace Ventura’ vibes and although brief, it certainly conveys the serious threat of AIDS/HIV that is still omnipresent in today’s society.

Within the realm of ‘true stories adapted for film’, I Love You Phillip Morris is no Erin Brockovich, but it’s certainly not bad. I’ve also been reserved here and not deducted a mark for Carrey’s receding hairline, which is starting to give Nic Cage’s do a run for its money: 5/10

I can do science, me!

So my lovely readers, it is safe to say, after catching up on episode 2 of Brian Cox's incredible 'Wonders of the Universe' yesterday evening and pondering the shortness of our existence, that I am pretty rubbish when it comes to blogging. Four whole months it's been, without so much as a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year or most importantly some sort of celebratory Pancake Day post. That being said, not that I wish to play the blame game, things have become increasingly difficult work-wise since November and unforeseen circumstances have forced me to be more partial to simply watching films/tv, as opposed to writing enthralling (ha!) copy about them.

Anyway, getting back to the point; I have neglected whatever minute readership I have, and for that I am truly sorry! Old Coxy with his 'I'm clever yet cool' demeanour kept me awake last night, thinking about how I can get the little carbon atoms inside me moving again. After all, who wants to waste a life that was given to them by a dying star - I sure as hell don't! Noone wants that kind of guilt ;) So thanks Bri, I will getting back on the horse and bullying myself into blogging again, all thanks to you (well actually I’ve been thinking about it for a few weeks now but shhhh!)
 
By the by, if you haven't yet partaken in the delights of the show, do it - do it NOW. Look, I'll even make it easy for you: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zdhtg You know you want to. Mmm, physics. It all really does make a fascinating watch. Ah looksee, my post wasn't completely off-topic after all!!
 
Prepare yourselves you crazy kids, I will be reviewing and pondering the delights of the screen again soon. But - just in case I don't get another waffley post in before then - good afternoon, good evening and good night.

 
P.s. Amidst my future blogs, I will hopefully be doing some guest posts for Vulture Hound...if I can write proper that is. Yes guv! Watch this space...
http://vulturehound.com/

Superhoodie: un-hooded!

Rocketing onwards and upwards, Season 2 of ASBO superhero drama Misfits has gone from strength to strength, and Episode 3 has not only continued this but has solidified the show’s place amongst a myriad of top British dramas.

Thus far in the season we’ve seen beloved rogue Nathan dragged from the grave, finally announcing his power of ‘immortality’, Simon exposed as having murdered the group’s SECOND social worker and most importantly, the introduction of ‘Superhoodie’ – a masked crusader who keeps getting the gang out of sticky situations.

Episode 3 sees the unmasking (or unhooding) of Superhoodie.

Nathan, Curtis, Simon and Kelly are forced to take on a vindictive tattoo artist in the episode, with both Nathan and Kelly falling victim to his apparent super powers. After being his usual gobby self, Nathan gets imprinted by ink-man Vince and, coincidently, falls madly in love with Simon. As Nathan is so overtly sexual anyway, it’s hilarious to see his attempts to woo Simon, especially when he writes him a heartfelt love poem. The group soon sniff out the culprit and confront Vince.

In the meantime, Alisha takes it upon herself to discover the identity of Superhoodie. She purposely provokes attack from a stranger, prompting our trusty hero to swoop in and save the day. After a nasty head-knock, Alisha wakes up in Superhoodie’s lair, which can really only be described as a British (and much cooler) Bat-Cave! Wandering around the room, filled with timers and photos of our five delinquents, she sees Superhoodie and he turns, only to reveal….. Simon. But not the usual Simon: ‘Future Simon’.

Future Simon soon reveals that he has come back to watch over them and to ensure certain events play out how they need to. He is cool, calm and confident, and miles away from the shy and odd Simon we see now. Alisha is instantly attracted to the fact that he can touch her without going into a sexual frenzy and remarks on how different he is. After swearing Alisha to secrecy, the pair have a tender yet lust-filled sexual encounter, filled with an unexpected passion and love that is surprisingly mature and powerful for a programme surrounding five angry youths.

Again, Superhoodie (aka. Future Simon) saves the day by giving the gang a pack of dry-roasted peanuts to defeat Vince – who is allergic. This brings a rather dark comedic light to such an intense episode, something that the writers consistently succeed in doing.

Future Simon doesn’t reveal anything about what has forced him to return, although it is hinted that perhaps he is back to save the woman he loves; Alisha. We can only hope that more will be revealed in Episode 4. I’m not gonna lie, the sultry and mysterious Future Simon has already prompted me to pre-order season 2. Rock on. Episode 3 has been my favourite episode of Misfits so far – a solid 9/10.

The game goes full circle…well, we hope.

Hurtling into to cinemas for Halloween, Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures have released what we can only imagine is the last instalment in the Saw franchise. Saw 3D, the seventh film surrounding the infamous Jigsaw killer, slathers audiences with a load of gratuitous gore, twisting storylines and of course, plenty of inventive death traps.

With Jigsaw dead and gone and Saw 6 leaving his successor, Detective Hoffman, with only half a jaw and a painful vendetta, the brutal ‘games’ go silent for a while; but not for long…

The film is a little different to the previous chapters, centring on a group of Jigsaw survivors who have all been brought together by Bobby, an award-winning writer who has made money out of his supposed fray with the clever killer. It quickly becomes apparent that Bobby has been anything but truthful about being a Jigsaw victim. Unfortunately for Bobby he’d managed to make it onto Jigsaw’s radar before his death, forcing Hoffman to teach him a deadly lesson.

Hastily abducted by our friends in pig masks, Bobby, his wife and his closest confidants all become part of the latest Jigsaw game. The five victims awake in horrific circumstances, chained, blindfolded and in one case, with a key down their throat. Bobby is given the opportunity to save all of them, but time and fear is against him and his rescue attempt is unsuccessful. Suffice to say, Bobby gets his comeuppance, losing everyone he cares about and being left to bleed out.



Who's that boy? Yes, it is indeed Chester of Linkin Park...set for certain death. Even making great music can't save you from Jigsaw's wrath Chester - you should know better.



Detective Hoffman, after fixing his jaw and seeing Bobby’s game through, sets out to take revenge on Jill Tuck for locking him into a Jigsaw trap. It soon becomes clear to the police and Jill that he’s not going to stop until he kills her. However, it seems that Jigsaw has left Jill with an all-too familiar face to act as her body guard…

Saw 3D stays true to it’s usual grizzly MO and 6 years on, still succeeds in coming up with new ways to bring characters to a deadly demise. Sadly the 3D aspects did the film little favour and the franchise as a whole did seem to have run out of steam a little. Parts of the film, especially at the very beginning, did seem a bit cheesy and offering more comedic value than terror! That being said, I was still cringing and squirming in my seat – using my coat as a barrier between myself and the gore in front of me. As such, when asked "do I want to play this final game?" my answer is: "Hell yes!" (as long as I’m NOT actually playing a real jigsaw game. Bleurgh). If you’ve been a fan of the films throughout, I would suggest seeing this final chapter, if simply for closure more than anything.

I’ve always been a fan of blood and guts, so what can I say; 7/10 from me.

The complete Back to the Future experience...

Apologies for the quietness on my front! Sadly it's been a mixture of studying for an oh-so-important test *pause for Ooo's* ...and also slight writers block. Lucky for you my fine friends, I had no trouble writing about this gem, as it sits quite comfortably in my Top 10.

On a chilly Thursday evening, with little to do but wait for Friday to come, I headed down to my local Odeon to catch the last night of the Back to the Future 25th Anniversary re-release. Considering it served a long stint in the ‘theatres’ back in 1985, there was a pretty decent turnout. I saw Gremlins a few years back and that didn’t get anywhere near as much of a reception! It was me, my boyfriend and, well, lots of empty seats. It just proves what a massive fan-base BTTF has, even a quarter of a century down the line.

After a multitude of trailers, the film finally begun its iconic story. Although you know what's coming around every corner, I still found myself grinning constantly throughout; all I can think is that the film was somehow further intensified by the cinematic experience as a whole. To be clichéd, everything was bigger, better and a million times more fantasmical.

For those of you who HAVEN'T yet seen the BTTF franchise, I will firstly say: “seriously, where the hell have you been for the last 25 years?! Do you live under a rock? Are you deaf and dumb??” - followed swiftly by this brief synopsis...

Unlikely duo, nutty professor Doc Brown and slacker student Marty McFly, team up in this seemingly typical 80s film to attack the audience with what can only be described as sheer time travel immensity. When Marty accidentally propels himself back to 1985 in a time-travelling DeLoreon, he finds himself dazed, confused and colliding with young versions of his teacher, his parents and lifelong bully Biff. Marty enlists the help of a youthful-looking Doc, but makes a ripple in the process, jeopardising the future of his family, and himself. The race is on for Marty to return everything back to normality in time to catch a bolt of lightning 'back to the future'. That's all you’re getting summary-wise because a) I don't want to ruin it and b) I feel slightly ashamed of you if you haven't seen it already. Tut tut. I may have to honestly reconsider our friendship.

The re-release achieves a great sense of familiarity and fun, coming together in the cinema to create a masterpiece that has proven that it can outlive the 80s and will be relevant for many years to come.

I would 100% recommend reliving this incredible experience on the big screen, it really puts watching it on any old bog standard TV to shame...even if you do have an overhyped Blu-ray system with glorified surround sound. It just isn’t the same, friend. So, get your glad rags on (by that I mean your 'life preserver'), crack out those Huey Lewis cassette tapes and brush the dust off your flux capacitor; because this rollercoaster definitely deserves a second ride. Gazillion/10.

P.S. On the back of the re-release, the legendary Michael J. Fox rebooted the original Back to the Future teaser trailer. I was so excited, I had to include it in this blog. So here you go:

A dinner party that will put ‘Come Dine With Me’ to shame

Adding to an extensive library of buddy comedies, primarily involving the awesome Paul Rudd, Dinner for Schmucks provides a cringeworthy and tickling bromance that offers a bizarre take on how to get a promotion.

Job-hungry Financial Analyst, Tim (Rudd), is fighting for a long-awaited promotion when his boss reveals that the only thing standing between him and a new office is a carefully-selected ignoramus. Every month, Tim’s boss hosts a ‘Dinner for Winners’ wherein the higher-level businessmen within the company bring along their very own simpleton to the meal, the best winning a prize for being the most ‘extraordinary’ guest. Enter idiotic buffoon and mouse taxidermist, Barry (Carell). Desperate to secure his promotion, Tim immediately goes on the hunt for the perfect guest, accidently crashing into Barry on the way – literally. Upon realising that Barry is a little bit right of crazy, Tim immediately befriends him and extends an invite to his special dinner party. Starved of affection and friends, Barry is quick to accept. Unfortunately for Tim, Barry is hoping for a lot more than dinner.

With the help of IRS mastermind Therman (Galifianakis) and obscure animal artist Kieran (Jemaine Clement), Barry unintentionally does his utmost to ruin the life that Tim has worked so hard to maintain. Not only does Barry mess up important client meetings, wreck Tim’s apartment and accidently flag him for a tax inspection, but he also becomes responsible for the swift departure of Tim’s beautiful girlfriend, Julie.

As Tim fights to put his world to rights, he soon realises that Barry was just naively trying to be helpful. Even after having a lovers tiff, the pair still decides to go to the dinner, even if it will humiliate Barry. The dinner itself doesn’t actually happen until the very end of the film.  Each abnormal guest puts on a show, varying from a nutty ventriloquist to a blind swordsman and an animal psychic. Barry showcases his talents by using his mice to demonstrate how mankind has evolved throughout the centuries. As Tim sees the heartfelt display that Barry has put on with his mice, he suddenly develops a conscience and tells the truth to all the ‘special’ guests that are being poked fun of. Although he wrecks the party in doing this, Tim is clearly happy with the prospect of having a clear conscience and also gaining a new friend – which is what a true bromance is about. Unfortunately the dinner offered a rather underwhelming climax, with the jokes sparsely distributed and the cringeworthy nature of the film so overdone by this point, that it is almost frustrating.

Sadly, what looked like a winning combination on paper fell to pieces on screen. I don’t think this was at all down to the acting however; I stand firm on my love for Galifianakis, Carell and of course Rudd. In this case the script failed the actors, providing jokes that were tired and repetitive and at some points, completely unfunny. Having said that, Paul Rudd plays his usual role of cringey wet-wipe well and Zach Galifianakis provides the most laughs with his mind-control antics. Dinner for Schmucks is not even close to being on the same scale as Role Models, I Love You Man and Anchorman, but the spirit is still there; 6/10.