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leana555
Reviews
Goon (2011)
The trailer doesn't do this justice.
I hadn't read or heard much about Goon before I went to see it; all I'd seen was the trailer. I didn't even realise that it was based on a true story. I wasn't expecting it to be that good, but was pleasantly surprised.
I was expecting that the funny bits in the trailer were all that would be on offer but the whole film was seeped in that simple (albeit sometimes unnerving) comedy that had the audience laughing out loud often.
Furthermore, beneath the usual humour we've come to expect from Goldberg, there is a much deeper underlying story to it. It was even endearing in parts. OK so 'endearing' isn't the best word to describe a comedy sports film that has as much gore as it has humour, but the way that Seann William Scott portrays Doug really did something of touching my heart, and it was refreshing to see Scott play the role.
Granted it may not clean up at the Oscars, but the story of a guy who really has no idea where he belongs is both hilariously and sweetly told in Goon, with a great relationship conveyed between Doug and his friend - excellently played by Baruchel - who seems to be the only one who believes in him.
Teamed (no pun intended) with the banter generated with the game of hockey and Doug's fellow players, this really makes for a must-see for any sports film fan, or comedy film fan, or indie film fan. There's a love story in there too for the romance fans. Which could potentially give Goon a pretty huge audience. If people ignore the trailer, that is.
Yes the whole story is slightly clichéd, but this film does so much more than the trailer gives it credit for, and deserves the word to be spread that this really is worth a watch.
Friends with Benefits (2011)
One of the better romantic-comedies
As a romantic-comedy, this will automatically have a female demographic, but I reckon many men dragged along to see it with their girlfriends may actually enjoy it, and not just for the sex scenes.
Yes, it doesn't stray far from predictability and soft comedy, but there are glimmers of hilarity in it. Timberlake's character, Dylan, is interesting and his underlying, endearing mathematics issue provides scenes of laugh-out-loud comedy.
Mila Kunis was very well cast. She brings a casual, natural and genuine cool-factor to the film, and one which Dylan is constantly striving to beat. Their chemistry is great, and support from Richard Jenkins and Woody Harrelson gives the film a strong cast.
I haven't yet seen 'No Strings Attached' but I am more interested in seeing it now having seen this as I find it hard to imagine how different it will be.
All-in-all, this is one of the better romantic-comedies out there, and well worth a watch for rom-com fans, but I'd urge non-fans to give it a try.