Spy (2015)

Written and Directed by Paul Feig
Starring Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Miranda Hart and Jason Stathom

A desk-bound CIA analyst volunteers to go undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent diabolical global disaster.

A brilliantly funny action comedy with the unlikeliest of heroes, "Spy" is Melissa McCarthy at her prime. With an honest performance as a CIA Agent that no one is rooting for, she brings a humor that is equal parts self-deprecating and ass-kicking.

It is rare in today's world that there is a comedy in which the scenes in the trailer are the least funny gags or lines in the movie. The trailer, for once, is just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath there surface are so many laughs that I still cannot pinpoint what my favorite line or scene from the movie it. It is just a hilarious and fun ride.

I knew this film would be somewhat enjoyable. But I did not expect it to be so wildly entertaining and to keep me laughing the whole time. From director Paul Feig, who I admittedly rarely enjoy his work, has created quite possibly his best film yet. This is not a summer comedy you'll want to miss.

My Rating: 8/10

Adult Beginners (2014)

Directed by Ross Katz
Written by Jeff Cox and Liz Flahive, based on the story by Nick Kroll
Starring Nick Kroll, Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale and Joel McHale

A young, narcissistic entrepreneur crashes and burns on the eve of his company's big launch. With his entire life in total disarray, he leaves Manhattan to move in with his estranged pregnant sister, brother-in-law and 3-year-old nephew in the suburbs - only to become their nanny.

The ambition of Nick Kroll in his first starring roll is well placed with this film. In a performance with more layers than I thought he was capable of displaying, this is a refreshing change of pace from his hilarious but over the top skit show. His dry line delivery worked for his character and made for some big laughs on my part, but it is definitely a humor that not everyone will enjoy.

Tragedy is the foundation for the laughter in this film. But it is also the base of the heart as well. There are so many elements of this story that are easy to connect with and throughout the movie I saw myself and my sister in Nick Kroll and Rose Byrne.

I can totally get behind the lesson of the importance of family in this movie. It is something that I learned very early on and see so many people struggle with every day. While it might not be a perfect movie, it certainly has it's charm. It's definitely worth checking out.

My Rating: 7/10

Danny Collins (2015)

Written and Directed by Dan Fogelman
Starring Al Pacino, Bobby Cannavale, Annette Bening and Jennifer Garner

An aging rock star decides to change his life when he discovers a 40-year-old letter written to him by John Lennon.

A film very loosely inspired by an actual event, it is a heart warming story of a man trying to right the wrongs he has committed to those he should have looked out for. With surprisingly funny performances from everyone involved, it proved all of my skepticism wrong very quickly.

Along with the humor, another thing I did not expect to come from this movie was the human aspect. In most movies involving rich celebrities trying to redeem themselves, the characters in question seem disillusioned and rude before they seek to better themselves. In "Danny Collins", the titular character is kind to strangers, friendly and never acts like a prima donna.

This is another one of those "filler" movies. It's not a film for the history books. But it's not one to simply look over. It's a nice, entertaining movie to watch in between the movies you are excited for. It's a refreshing, satisfying movie that is definitely worth a watch.

My Rating 6.8/10

The Station Agent (2003)

Written and Directed by Tom McCarthy
Starring Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Bobby Cannavale and Michelle Williams

When his only friend dies, a man born with dwarfism moves to rural New Jersey to live a life of solitude, only to meet a chatty hot dog vendor and a woman dealing with her own personal loss.

This quirky, independent comedy gives itself a unique voice straight from the get-go. The world of train hobbyists as well as the mockery and ridicule endured from the perspective of the main character for being different makes for an infuriating yet awkwardly comedic picture.

In my life, I don't think I have ever seen a movie filled with this many characters who were terrible at picking up on social cues. There were also an obscene amount of people who had no idea how rude and intrusive they were being to Dinklage's character. It's sad to think there are people in this world like that, who have no idea how to behave around people with dwarfism.

I can't be sure if it was a directing choice or Dinklage's personal choice, but I found his character to be very flat and uninteresting in the beginning. He grew into a more three-dimensional character as the film went on, however, I found the enthusiasm to which Bobby Cannavale's character had wanted to get to know him was forced. Perhaps with him being a New Yorker stuck in a small, lowly populated town was enough to make him want to speak with anyone, regardless of mutual interest.

Strangeness and eccentricities aside, this was a great movie about two lonely people who wanted friends and one lonely person who didn't know he needed friends. It is as heartwarming as it is quirky, making for an entertaining film.

My Rating: 7.5/10