Bob M-3

I heard about this film and knew it wasn't real good. But I started watching the film (on my film-channel)and was interested. This could be a really great, darkly black satire on todays morals in media. The small featurettes on every contestent were good. It build up to something I wouldn't wanna miss. But when the so called show starts everything becomes implausible, cheap and rather silly. Here's where the writer should have added something that would make people think. But instead it's wrapped up and assuming people are this dumb.

The ending is so bad I give it a 1. Even if the film starts of promising.

The studio system is a corrupt business. To cash as much money as possible, films are advertised as something they're not. It's getting worse and worse.

I remember seeing "The Groomsmen", a film with and by Edward Burns. A fine drama about 5 friends struggling with life and lost youth. This was advertised as a hilarious comedy in the style of American Pie. I can understand that some films are hard to market and at least must earn there cost. break even so to speak. But that was so missing the mark. It did not only upset people that were expecting a gross comedy but ultimately the film could not find an audience.

Now this. I stumbled upon this little gem of a film on my film channel today. i had heard about it and seen the trailer months ago. I personally hate fantasy; films like LOTR, Narnia etc. It's uninspired stuff. Magic without any imagination. So i was ready to zap it away, but it started off promising so I stuck around. It turned out to be one of the best (youth)dramas i have ever seen. It's a simple story of growing up, fighting to stay on your feet and dealing with reality. Not your average Harry potter or Narnia theme, I would say. More important: the fantasy is used here as it should. As an tool to deal with life's hardships. To not feel the pain of life getting closer as you grow up. Being a child. The two leads are great. Although the girl was a bit too cute and sparkly to convince as a "loner". The story clearly was trimmed to fit the size of a movie script, but it all fits quite perfectly. The pace is good, the CGI very well done and used to great effect. The emotional twist did bring tears to my eyes. And I rarely cry at movies. Great film for the young and the old.

This is a fine little film. It deals with 5 friends who come together to see Paulie (Burns) get married. Each of them have their problems and try to deal with it. It's all rather simple, straightforward and maybe even a bit sentimental. But it moved me. The guys are normal, everyday people who talk and act like normal people. That's a rarity these days in (American) films. what made this film special for me is that it hit home on many levels which I can relate to. I am 37, have kids, did play in a band etc. Burns wrote a very moving story that - while being cliché and obvious at times - really is worth seeing. The acting is good, with Leguizamo and Logue the stand outs. Burns should stop acting, he is bland an uncharismatic, as ever. In stead he should completely focus on writing and directing. He is really good at that.

8,5 out of 10