Movie Mania: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, THE INVENTION OF LYING, and more
This week’s Movie Mania is again on the short side, mostly because the WonderCon 2010 weekend cut into my movie watching, but I might have to just admit to myself that there is just not enough time in the day for me to watch as many movies as I wish I could. That said, I was able to watch a couple of great ones this week, so let’s talk about them.
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008) – Gurinder Chadha directed this highly enjoyable movie about what it feels like to get your first boyfriend when you’re a 15 year old girl. I really, really liked this movie. It’s sweet and entertaining and fun fact, it stars a young Aaron Johnson, whom you might know from Kick-Ass, The Greatest, and Nowhere Boy. If sweet, feel-good comedies are you thing, then I highly recommend you check it out.
Synopsis: Georgia Nicolson (Georgia Groome) has two goals in life: Get a gorgeous boyfriend, and throw the best 15th birthday party … ever. No. 1 looks within reach when hottie Robbie (Aaron Johnson) arrives in school. That is, until Georgia’s archnemesis is spotted with him. Adding to Georgia’s troubles are some serious family problems back home. Luckily, she’s got her cat Angus and her best mates in the Ace Gang in this winning British teen comedy.
How To Train Your Dragon (2010) – How To Train Your Dragon is still in theaters and having heard so many good things about, I decided it was time for me to check it out. Well, it did not disappoint, quite the contrary, it was wonderful. This is by far one of the best animation films that I have seen. The story is original, I especially loved the ending, Jay Baruchel has the perfect voice for Hiccup, the main character, and the dragon is just too adorable. It’s an absolute must-see.
Synopsis: As the son of a Viking leader on the cusp of manhood, shy Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third faces a rite of passage: He must capture and train a dragon to prove his warrior mettle. But when the only dragon he can snare is a paltry, toothless beast, his trial doesn’t go as planned. Dean Deblois and Chris Sanders direct this animated adaptation of the book by Cressida Cowell that features the voices of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler and America Ferrera.
The Invention of Lying (2009) – I thought it was ok, nothing to jump up and down about but enjoyable. It’s not as funny as I expected it to be, but it has a good message, and to be honest, I didn’t expect it to end the way it did.
Synopsis: In a world where no one fibs, fiction doesn’t exist and people take each other at their literal word, unsuccessful screenwriter Mark (Ricky Gervais) gains fame and fortune — and maybe the girl of his dreams (Jennifer Garner) — by saying things that aren’t true. Gervais co-writes and co-directs this original comedy that co-stars Rob Lowe. Look for cameos by Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Louis C.K. and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Year One (2009) – There is nothing really exciting about Year One, but if it happens to be on TV you could take a look. It’s not a movie that you should take too seriously, and it could make a good background movie to have one while you’re doing things around the house.
Synopsis: Banished from their primitive village after the tribe elders deem them too lazy, Zed (Jack Black) and Oh (Michael Cera) leave everything they’ve ever known behind and embark upon an adventure-filled journey through the ancient world. Co-starring Hank Azaria, Oliver Platt, Olivia Wilde and David Cross, this epic-sized laffer is a collaborative effort from comedy giants Harold Ramis (Groundhog Day) and Judd Apatow (Knocked Up).
