Catch Up: What I've been seeing lately!

Wow! With this new job I haven't been updating my blog. Not to mention I haven't had internet at home for a few months, but that's another story.

Not to worry tho, I haven't stopped watching movies.

Like Forgetting Sarah Marshall! I know, it's old news, but it's a MUST SEE!

Written by and starring Jason Segel -a Judd Apatow regular- along with Kristen Bell (Gossip Girl, Heroes), and the surprisingly charming and funny Mila Kunis (That 70's Show). I have to mention Kunis almost steals this show from first-time headliner Segel. If he weren't so strong he could've been lost to Kunis' very mature and funny performance. Likewise the part of rocker Aldous Snow as played by the very funny british stand-up Russell Brand. He seems to breeze through some hilarious scenes with a completely disarming nonchalance. His confidence and cockiness suit the character perfectly and he manages to remain likeable throughout. A tough feat to pull off for a dick like Snow! Now as for Segel, he is fearless as the gormless goof Peter Bretter, dating the television star Sarah Marshall (Bell). He's sweet, funny, playful, and about to get the dumping of a lifetime. This particular sequence is one of the funniest dumpings I've ever seen in a movie! If you haven't seen it you'll understand why. Segel is instantly likeable and his devestation is heartbreaking, but don't worry, he still makes you laugh.

When he's finally convinced to change out of his sweatpants and leave the house Bretter plans a trip to Hawaii in the hopes of, as the title says, Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Unfortunately he finds himself staying at the same resort as guess who and her new boyfriend.

Hilarity and highjinx ensues.

Look for hilarious cameos by Kristen Wiig (Knocked Up's tv exec), and Jonah Hill (Superbad).

Great fun with a heart!

Check it out.

Another recent fave was Slumdog Millionaire. Holy shit is this a good movie! It's original, smart, and tragically sad. Being familiar with the director's previous work I was totally unprepared for this one. Danny Boyle is responsible for some of my favourite dark films; Trainspotting, Shallow Grave, and 28 Days Later to name a few. With Slumdog he seems to be growing as a storyteller, using a lighter touch and a less frenetic pace. The actors are all unknown to North American audiences but they became instant stars when this movie hit.

Eight Academy Awards and a fistfull of other accolades have made it feel overrated to some who therefore avoid popular films as though they're above such mainstream pap. Meanwhile these pretentious douchebags have already pre-ordered their tickets for the next Twilight installment. Trust me, this is a thousand times better than anything with a 'Part II' after it.

The story is very involved but unfolds naturally as it observess the interrogation of a young Indian man standing accused of cheating on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. In flashbacks we come to understand how he managed to get to the last question in the game without ever getting one wrong, a feat never before accomplished.

I'll leave it at that, as discovering this film is part of the fun.

I've always loved Danny Boyles films, but now I'm adding him to my short list of fave directors.

See ya soon!