tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post2559546499123405198..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: FRIENDS WITH KIDSBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75056804502503473592012-04-05T05:16:47.699-07:002012-04-05T05:16:47.699-07:00At a high school graduation party, overweight Chri...At a high school graduation party, overweight Chris Brander (Ryan Reynolds) attempts to reveal his true feelings for his best friend Jamie Palomino (Amy Smart), but ends up making an utter fool of himself. What's worse, his humiliation takes place in front of his jeering teenage peers.She's no ordinary girlPortugalhttp://marraige2last.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-40759754000101328632012-04-04T11:16:40.784-07:002012-04-04T11:16:40.784-07:00dannydell: can you imagine *that* being the big ro...dannydell: can you imagine *that* being the big romantic moment of your life?<br /><br />Ick.<br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1930841812993782852012-04-04T08:17:14.078-07:002012-04-04T08:17:14.078-07:00I liked it, but the dialog at the end of the movie...I liked it, but the dialog at the end of the movie, and some during the main part, seemed lazy. "I want to f--- the s--- out of you"? I'm no prude, but that seemed just slap-dash, "Hey let's finish the movie with a flourish" sloppy.danrydellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27687491625227260342012-04-04T08:07:54.189-07:002012-04-04T08:07:54.189-07:00cadavra: Yeah, I figured it was something like tha...cadavra: Yeah, I figured it was something like that, but I just couldn't resist that set-up. The exec tells you "Your script is well-written, charming, and has wonderful characters...we don't do that here."Redheadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19411850787926856402012-04-04T06:54:54.048-07:002012-04-04T06:54:54.048-07:00I've just realized what's missing from the...I've just realized what's missing from the ending. As he climbs aboard with that deathlessly romantic line, the baby should start crying.<br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66425126857389242402012-04-04T06:32:13.599-07:002012-04-04T06:32:13.599-07:00The first thing I thought of when I saw this film ...The first thing I thought of when I saw this film was that the premise had been similarly explored with Rebecca and Sam on Cheers at the beginning of season 10.Rob in Torontonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43923978701435436462012-04-04T05:38:13.793-07:002012-04-04T05:38:13.793-07:00The premise sounds stupid.
http://spectator.org/a...The premise sounds stupid.<br /><br />http://spectator.org/archives/2012/03/30/friends-with-kids<br /><br />They're going to have kids and then romance someone else later?Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19449813669319138282012-04-04T05:35:22.184-07:002012-04-04T05:35:22.184-07:00One of the sad things for me in recent years has b...One of the sad things for me in recent years has been the godawful things that have been released under the name of romantic comedies. <br /><br />I agree in liking the dialogue in this one and definitely scenes like the one in the lodge are written for and about adults.<br /><br />But the premise! It reminds me of - of all things - Something About Mary, when the crass best friend tells Ben Stiller's character to "clean out the tubes" before going on a date so he'll be relaxed instead of nervous. Have the baby first, then you won't worry so much about the ticking biological clock? And these two friends are going to figure out how to have a baby and not destroy the relationship? They're in their *30s*. These are the only people they know with kids? Their only role models? As George Costanza said to Seinfeld when he proposed to have relationship-free sex with Elaine, based on a set of rules, "Where do you get the ego?" (Them, not you.)<br /><br />I have had many close male friends in my life starting in high school. Friends who really *are* just friends. Based on my experience, I'd say that if you don't fall in love the first year, you aren't *going* to fall in love.<br /><br />And what a horrible, horrible last line(s).<br /><br />Not sorry I saw it, but still.<br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27405360930935723582012-04-04T04:29:31.671-07:002012-04-04T04:29:31.671-07:00That's why it is sometimes better to live in E...That's why it is sometimes better to live in Europe. True, the movie starts some months later, but you can see it anywhere.Borisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67371217735533254972012-04-03T22:43:40.025-07:002012-04-03T22:43:40.025-07:00I usually stab myself in the earballs before check...I usually stab myself in the earballs before checking out a romantic comedy. It's a pet peeve of mine how EVERY Hollywood flick has to have a love story in it. I mean, Christ, they gave Pirates of the Caribbean a love story for fucksake. Pirates don't love. They rape. Granted, they *love* rape, but heartwarming romantic comedies don't usually center around a boy and his rape.<br /><br />That said, this looks pretty damn good. It reminds me of Away we Go, a 2009 flick also with Rudolph that was funny as hell. Also it has Kristen Wiig, the funniest earth female alive, and Roy from IT Crowd, who I'm sure has another name. Thanks for turning me onto it.<br /><br />P.S. Rape.Dan Tedsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16452847576600692673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-91329864332204515412012-04-03T21:55:49.974-07:002012-04-03T21:55:49.974-07:00I found the movie "Friends with Kids" wa...I found the movie "Friends with Kids" way too hoighty toighty. I prefer this new Movie I have heard that's coming out called, "Kids with Friends". It has defecation, vomit, and the loss of virginity . . . I think all in one scene too!Caronishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17674116765992566261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-56008572463478133382012-04-03T21:39:52.424-07:002012-04-03T21:39:52.424-07:00Redhead: Actually, the problem is that it's th...Redhead: Actually, the problem is that it's the wrong target audience. They make movies for children and stupid teens. An occasional adult picture does get greenlit, but by big-name talent that the studio wants to work with.<br /><br />WV: "simise"--The star of CSI: BRONX ZOO.cadavranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-15114812040723530892012-04-03T21:00:36.686-07:002012-04-03T21:00:36.686-07:00Ken, I gave it a good review. I loved the script....Ken, I gave it a good review. I loved the script. Westfeldt did a great job and I agree that Adam Scott was the find of the movie. With all the crap comedies that we critics have to see (any Adam Sandler film in the past 5 years as an example), you would think more of us would praise a film like this.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06307386816008359198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-6571287728958772682012-04-03T20:39:01.212-07:002012-04-03T20:39:01.212-07:00Ken:
Mark Evanier has great video clip of John Cle...Ken:<br />Mark Evanier has great video clip of John Cleese discussing creativity on his newsfromme.com blog. (Only fair to plug him, since I found you from a plug on his website.) I would love to know what you think of it.Paul Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77007808591179495662012-04-03T14:00:47.278-07:002012-04-03T14:00:47.278-07:00Thanks for the tip, Ken. New reader here, turned ...Thanks for the tip, Ken. New reader here, turned onto you by Mark Evanier's blog. I'm already enjoying the heck out of "Justified", so thanks for that tip, too!Joe Mentahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07082831708335979746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13002840322275626762012-04-03T10:13:03.155-07:002012-04-03T10:13:03.155-07:00cadavra: So by its own admission, that studio does...cadavra: So by its own admission, that studio does NOT do work that's well-written and charming, with great characters and dialogue? <br /><br />o_ORedheadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-4793231286011357132012-04-03T10:11:47.408-07:002012-04-03T10:11:47.408-07:00This should be a Friday question, but since I'...This should be a Friday question, but since I'm watching Frasier (on the WE Tv channel) I'm asking now. Did you (and David) write the character of the over-the-top Bebe Glazer (and how was she found - she was brilliant)?Jake Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-12216117639385086882012-04-03T10:05:17.890-07:002012-04-03T10:05:17.890-07:00In a related story, my latest script--a comedy for...In a related story, my latest script--a comedy for grown-ups--was just passed on by a studio despite their acknowledgment that it was "well-written, very funny and charming and had great characters and dialogue." Their explanation was--wait for it--"it's not what we do."cadavranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63869395146893448592012-04-03T09:48:52.614-07:002012-04-03T09:48:52.614-07:00I agree with you that for many years now the writi...I agree with you that for many years now the writing on top-flight sitcoms is far superior to that in film comedies - where it seems like only about one or two (if that many) really good rom-coms come out per year.<br /><br />Not that the good sitcoms out there are necessarily appreciated, latest example: Cougartown.<br /><br />Maybe I misread your comment about "21 Jump Street" but if memory serves, the ORIGINAL show had no comedic elements (at least not intentionally) but was a straight 'drama' that took itself very seriously.-beenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70057716792899965422012-04-03T08:48:56.800-07:002012-04-03T08:48:56.800-07:00Oh, and why did they make Chris O'Dowd (Roy on...Oh, and why did they make Chris O'Dowd (Roy on The IT Crowd) speak with an American accent? His natural Irish lilt is part of his charm, and I think would've worked to give his character (who's a bit of a lout) more dimensions.Redheadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73037268843619667852012-04-03T08:44:10.512-07:002012-04-03T08:44:10.512-07:00I saw this at the Landmark (thank God for Landmark...I saw this at the Landmark (thank God for Landmark...The Artist, Friends with Kids, midnight showings of The Room...all this great stuff, AND a lounge that sells inexpensive booze you can take into the theatre with you! But I digress) and wanted to like it more than I did. <br /><br />You're spot-on that the movie is about actual, recognizable adults (and how sad is it that such things are a rarity in films), but I guess I just wanted the dialogue to be a bit wittier or the characters slightly more engaging. The storyline also meandered a bit too much for my liking, though I'm profoundly grateful that it didn't follow the typical Hollywood Hit template.<br /><br />I would recommend it as a DVD rental with no reservations. For $10, it felt a bit flat. However, I'd love to see Westenfeldt write and direct something else. This one felt like a near-miss to me, but an honorable one. I truly don't understand how anybody could call it "crass"...it just isn't.Redheadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80904152204379051302012-04-03T08:17:01.766-07:002012-04-03T08:17:01.766-07:00The movie was both sharp, funny, and touching (Rud...The movie was both sharp, funny, and touching (Rudolph, Hamm, Scott, Wiig,O'Dowd) AND cutesy, crass, and overfamiliar (Westfeldt).<br />The argument between Scott and Hamm was well written and honest.<br />The ending, as well as many other sprinkled moments, were far too When Harry Met Sally. "I didn't come here because I'm lonely..." "You can't do that, you can't come here and say something great and expect me to.."<br />It's basically WHMS for the 21st Century. If you're not saying it's a revamp, you're wrong.Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27239688979945192182012-04-03T08:00:46.387-07:002012-04-03T08:00:46.387-07:00I saw this a couple weeks ago and was enjoying the...I saw this a couple weeks ago and was enjoying the film (the performances, characters, etc...) UNTIL- the end. I felt it was much too pat, too simple considering how smart the rest of the film had been.Richard J. Marcejhttp://www.theblabbingbaboon.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-60872440031028728782012-04-03T07:31:15.162-07:002012-04-03T07:31:15.162-07:00No defecating? No pratfalls? No Adam Sandler? W...No defecating? No pratfalls? No Adam Sandler? Well, this being the New Age of Comedy, there must be non-stop dick jokes? <br /><br />(Don't toy with me, please. It's been so long since I've seen a comedy that appealed to anyone over the age of eight.)Blazenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17807297413289937002012-04-03T06:57:28.685-07:002012-04-03T06:57:28.685-07:00I saw it opening weekend and really enjoyed it.
...I saw it opening weekend and really enjoyed it. <br /><br />Plus, Meghan Fox didn't make me want to leave the theater so that's quite an accomplishment.princessaprhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17661275728902254769noreply@blogger.com