Just saw an advanced screening of 'Dan in Real Life' by derangedmilk

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Just saw an advanced screening of 'Dan in Real Life'

POSTED BY: DERANGEDMILK
UPDATED: Sunday, October 28, 2007 07:29
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VIEWED: 2268
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Wednesday, October 24, 2007 12:38 PM

Wow people, wow. It was really a top-notch film. I don't know if Steve Carrell gave an "oscar worthy performance" like some of the previews suggested but he was definitely at the top of his game. I was a little worried that it would be one of those films where all the really funny parts were shown in the trailer because the preview was so good but that was far from the case. In fact, when some of those parts showed up they didn't even seem funny compared to the other antics in the film.

While parts of it were comparable to Little Miss Sunshine, Carrell's character could not be more different and the humor is slightly less hyperbolic. Because it is centered around a large family gathering and events seem to pile on top of each other getting more and more hilarious as the film progresses it also reminded me a lot of Death at Funeral, except that there were no drugs, midgets, or death.

I didn't know going in, but Dane Cook is in the movie as well. I like his standup but I haven't been a huge fan of his acting so far. Well don't worry folks, he did a good job IMO.

If you're looking for a movie to see this weekend, I'd definitely suggest this one. Very, very funny with some touching moments, but nothing so touching that it might make you want to roll your eyes and mockingly go, "awwww." It found a happy medium.
-e

"Storms getting worse."
"We'll pass through it soon enough."

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007 12:58 PM

FIREFLYPASSENGER

Thanks I was looking forward to seeing it. I love Dane Cook as well but have not been impressed with the movies he's been in. Glad to hear he is better in this one. I adore Steve Carrell.

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007 1:09 PM

CHINDI

Thanks for the thumbs up. It caught my attention in the trailers but your review will definitely get me to pop over to see it... thanks!

Chindi

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007 1:57 PM

REGINAROADIE

Yeah, I really want to see DAN IN REAL LIFE as well. I mean, who doesn't like Steve Carrell. Not only is he funny, but he can actually pull off dramatic parts, unlike so many other comic actors.

Also coming out this weekend that I'm excited for is THE DARJEELING LIMITED, the latest from Wes Anderson. Even though I though THE LIFE AQUATIC was a big let-down, and I could care less about both BOTTLE ROCKET and RUSHMORE, I loved THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS. I'm a sucker for family dramas, and that flick was one of the best ones.

"What's going on?"

"He says the train is lost."

"How can a train be lost? It's on a track."
**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007 2:43 PM

DERANGEDMILK

Yea, Steve Carrell is awesome. The Office is one of my favorite shows on TV right now (come to think of it, since BSG isn't technically on right now I guess it is my favorite show).

I didn't like The Life Aquatic either so I was gonna skip The Darjeeling Limited because they looked very similiar to me. You'll have to post how it turns out though. I'm probably gonna check out Into the Wild because they keep playing an awesome song Eddie Vedder wrote for the movie on the radio.
-e

"Storms getting worse."
"We'll pass through it soon enough."

Vote for Firefly at http://richlabonte.net/tvvote/index.html

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007 2:49 PM

REGINAROADIE

I am a huge OFFICE fanatic.

I love "Hard Sun" as well. The movie itself I'm not too excited for. I'll see it, just maybe on DVD. And for Vince Vaughn, as the much needed comic relief.

But THE DARJEELING LTD. I'm more into. Also, a friend of mine is in India right now, so seeing the movie will be like being with her halfway around the world.

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

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Thursday, October 25, 2007 5:02 PM

DIRTWEED

Quote:
Originally posted by reginaroadie:
I mean, who doesn't like Steve Carrell.

Me..., but I'm sure he doesn't like me either.

D

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Sunday, October 28, 2007 6:44 AM

REGINAROADIE

Well, saw both THE DARJEELING LIMITED and DAN IN REAL LIFE yesterday afternoon. With DAN, I liked it, but not as much as I wanted to. Steve was obviously great in it, and for once I didn't want to throttle the douchebag known as Dane Cook. But it got a bit cliched at times, plus I'm not a fan of "New England porn". That is, movies that show off New England as this bourgeoisie paradise with crossword races, touch football on the lawns and talent shows in the living room, all alongside idyllic fishing coasts. Maybe it's because I grew up in rural Saskatchewan, where none of this happens that turned me off, but there it is. I liked it, but not by much.

But THE DARJEELING LIMITED on the other hand, was totally perfect. Wes managed to pull his head out of the production designed ass that was THE LIFE AQUATIC and returned to form with this movie. Imagine THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS on a train ride across India. It was funny and heartfelt with great characters and realistically dreamy visuals. And I'm thinking of buying the full soundtrack just to listen to that bouncy French song that played at the end credits. Plus, with iTunes Canada not selling movies and shorts, the HOTEL CHEVALIER short was actually attached to the movie the way it was supposed to. And it really does heighten the actual movie.

Mind you, of all the movies I saw yesterday, the one that really hit home with me and rocked my world was GONE BABY GONE. Not only is it the best crime thriller since L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, but it's also a startling morality tale that really challenges your notions of right and wrong. Plus, it's a breath of fresh air in terms of seeing a realistically depicted lower Boston in all it's degenerate glory. It's refreshing to see real, unpolished butt ugly people overpowering the good looking Hollywood implants in terms of screen time.

After seeing this movie, I think Ben Affleck has the opportunity to be the next Clint Eastwood.

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

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Sunday, October 28, 2007 7:29 AM

DERANGEDMILK

Quote:
Originally posted by reginaroadie:
Mind you, of all the movies I saw yesterday, the one that really hit home with me and rocked my world was GONE BABY GONE. Not only is it the best crime thriller since L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, but it's also a startling morality tale that really challenges your notions of right and wrong. Plus, it's a breath of fresh air in terms of seeing a realistically depicted lower Boston in all it's ugly glory. It's refreshing to see real, unpolished butt ugly people overpowering the good looking Hollywood implants in terms of screen time.

After seeing this movie, I think Ben Affleck has the opportunity to be the next Clint Eastwood.

Yea, Affleck did a good job directing it and I found the moral delimma of the film very interesting but I made the mistake of figuring out the surprise ending about 45 minutes in so besides the satisfaction of getting to say, "called it!" to myself I wasn't nearly as impressed as the rest of the gasping audience. So, even though I'll definitely be heading out to see whatever Affleck works on next, I'm still gonna say that Dan in Real Life was more enjoyable. I get what you're saying about the campyness of some of the family scenes, but the only one that I thought was over the top was the talent show in the living room. I play football in the backyard with my family when we all get together, and there's usually some kind of board game involved at one point or another so the other parts didn't seem that far-fetched.
-e

"Storms getting worse."
"We'll pass through it soon enough."

Vote for Firefly at http://richlabonte.net/tvvote/index.html

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