I have to play catch up because of the movies I watched over the holidays, so today you get a double dose of MOVIE WEEKEND.
First, I present for your consideration The Guilt Trip (2012, PG-13, Available On DVD and Netflix Screaming).
Andy (Seth Rogen) has invested all his money in his own invention. Now he has to travel around the country to various companies to try to sell his product. He stops to see his mother, Joyce (Barbra Streisand), and ends up taking her along for the ride. Of course, she has to give him non-stop instructions about what to do and how to behave. Maybe this movie should be called The Nag Trip.
The Guilt Trip wasn't nearly as irritating as I thought it would be. Although it's totally predictable, that's not always a horrible thing. Sometimes I like watching a movie and knowing where it's going. I like Seth Rogen. I like Barbra Streisand. I don't know if I like them together and in these parts.
You can probably watch this with kids about 10 and older, but I have my doubts about it holding their interest – or yours.
The Guilt Trip earns The Janie Junebug Kinda Sorta Seal of Approval because I don't hate it and I don't love it. If you enjoy it, I promise I won't think you're stupid.
Next up is Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012, Rated R, Available On DVD).
Celeste (Rashida Jones) is married to her longtime best friend, Jesse (Andy Samberg), but they're separated, but Jesse lives in his artist's studio behind Celeste's house, but they spend almost all their free time together, but they don't really seem to be moving toward a divorce, but Celeste doesn't want to stay married to Jesse because when she has children she wants to be married to a man who has a job and is more stable and stuff like that. Of course, life has a way of surprising us. Jesse starts to move on. Celeste needs to accept it. Can they remain friends?
I started watching Celeste and Jesse Forever one evening and decided to go to bed after 20 minutes or so. Bored. I'm glad I didn't mail the movie right back to Netflix because I tried it again two evenings later and was surprised to discover I like this movie, I really like it. When I wasn't tired and distracted, I found the repartee between Celeste and Jesse very witty. It's not laugh out loud funny, but it's cool. The whole movie is a little bit sarcastic. I like sarcasm. I am the Mistress of Sarcasm, but I don't get into it as much as I used to because I've discovered most people can't handle it. Is that kind of like admitting I'm into S&M, but I've put away my whip because Willy Dunne Wooters doesn't care for it?
If you expect this movie to be a romantic comedy, as the title suggests, then you'll be disappointed. Yes, it's amusing, but it's also tender, poignant, and bittersweet. It's not a milk chocolate movie. It's dark chocolate. It's almost the bitter dark chocolate that you can get in Europe and I wish I had some whenever I want.
Celeste and Jesse Forever is an indie film. I tend to like indie films. Celeste and Jesse Forever earns The Janie Junebug Seal of Approval.
Kids? Oh, yeah. Kids. Maybe you can let teens 15 and older watch with you, but check it out first, dudes. It has sexual situations and some drug use and a good bit of alcohol. Maybe you don't want your kids to watch it. You need to decide on an individual basis.
Happy Viewing!
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
Did you see 50/50 with Seth? Didn't Andy Sandberg just win a Golden Globe? He seems hilarious.
ReplyDeleteMy reply to your comment is below my reply to Beth's comment because Blogger HATES me. It will not put my replies where they belong. I HATE YOU BACK, BLOGGER! I love you, Susie.
DeleteGreat movie reviews Janie!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beth.
DeleteI must have seen 50/50, but I have no memory of it. I have to IMDB it to see what it's about. I know nothing about the Golden Globes. I DVRed them but haven't had time to watch. I haven't even watched this week's Downton Abbey.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to here your review of Philomena.
ReplyDeleteIt's in my queue. I've heard good things about it.
DeleteHi, Janie Junebug! You and I had an exchange about Seth Rogen a few weeks ago. When I used to watch him on Freaks and Geeks I never expected him to become such a big box office draw. Don't get me wrong. He's a fine actor and I enjoy his movies, but his enormous success came as a bit of a surprise.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen either of these movies but I'd be willing to give them a try. Don't be a spoiler, but can you tell me if Seth and Barbra meet the Fockers at any point during The Guilt Trip? :)
Based on your reviews, it seems The Guilt Trip gets two-and-a-half Janies while the second feature, C & J Forever, was awarded four Janies. As I told you before, I tend to like small independent films, too, and predict that I'd also favor the second one (and give it four Shadys). Maybe it's my imagination, but it seems like there are more movies being made in recent years that cast popular actors from TV series in the lead roles, in this case fugitives from The Office, P & R and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Thanks for the scoop on these movies, dear Janie!
No Fockers or little Fockers. I agree with you that a lot of TV stars are getting into movies. In Rashida Jones' case, I believe she's a producer and a co-writer of Celeste and Jesse.
DeleteBitter sweet chocolate movie... Reminds me of British humor... bitter, but yet sweet! I don't know if you remember my blog but I recently started blogging again!
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember you. It's nice to have you back.
DeleteI want to watch this movie! We have it on our list, glad you liked it :)
ReplyDeleteI'll assume you mean Celeste and Jesse. I think you'll like it. Give it a chance. It will grow on you, like mold or a fungus.
Delete"Kinda sorta"? That is about what I expected from that flick, and I'm out. But this is the first I've heard of Celeste and Jesse Forever. If it's on Netflix streaming, I'm in, if not, I wait patiently. If it's not a new release, it's hard for me to purchase a movie on demand or at a Redbox. But I love these posts because you give me a good idea of what to expect.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Celeste and Jesse is on screaming. If it were, I would have watched it there, and I definitely watched it on DVD. Remember that I predicted Leonardo DiCaprio would be nominated and win the Best Actor Academy Award for The Great Gatsby? Oops! But he's nominated for The Wolf of Wall Street, which Favorite Young Man says is very good.
DeleteOoo I will have to watch this now! Yesterday I saw a movie called Johnny English featuring the comedian Mr.Bean, it's kindof a James Bond spoof :) I don't know if you remember me but I just re created my tech blog!
ReplyDeleteCalm down. I'm following you. I can't stand Mr. Bean. My ex-husband's boss looks exactly like him.
DeleteMy comment won't go in the right place. You have to watch the GGs. Amy Poehler is simply hilarious especially in one particular skit. I want to know if we agree on this.
ReplyDeleteThen I will find the time to watch the globes.
DeleteThese both sound like good wintertime viewing. I had wondered about Celeste and Jesse, so I'm glad to read what you wrote about giving it a second try.
ReplyDeleteI think it's kind of sweet. I like Rashida Jones. Her parents are Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton. Remember Peggy Lipton on the The Mod Squad?
DeleteI didn't realize Barbara Streisand was still doing movies.
ReplyDeleteOh, dahling, it's Barbra. She took out the second "A". She still does some movies, but they aren't necessarily good movies. I read somewhere that the musical Gypsy is going to be re-made with Barbra playing Rose. Now that could be good, if handled and cast properly.
DeleteI saw THE GUILT TRIP & thought it was cute!! I'll check out Celeste and Jesse.
ReplyDelete"Cute" is a good word for Guilt Trip.
DeleteThis is also available on Screaming. I have it loaded in my quay-way but haven't watched it yet. I find most comedies disappointing because most of them aren't that funny. As for the other, I like sarcasm too. For some reason I can't find anything really good and sarcastic to say. Must be having an off day.
ReplyDelete-andi
I'd forgotten that I watched the guilt trip on screaming. I need to add it to the post. It's unusual when a movie actually makes me laugh.
DeleteThe previews that I've seen for the first movie have been underwhelming, and with your tepid review, it is now officially on the list of movies I won't be seeing. I really liked Streisand's older movies, though. This one doesn't sound like it does her justice.
ReplyDeleteThe second one, though. Dark chocolate. Sounds good to me!
Happy weekend!
I adore dark chocolate.
Delete