1. "Yeah, the book was funny" In response to Reply # 0
I've never seen any of Levy's films, but I'll probably check this out.
>Trailer >http://youtu.be/fH0cEP0mvlU > >We have Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Hanoi Jane and a whole lot >more white people > >I liked the book upon which this is based > >Looks like Tina's getting most of the punchlines > >And how do we feel about Shawn Levy as a filmmaker? > >___________________________________________________________________________________________ >Marriage is a racket!
3. ""Hack" seems too harsh" In response to Reply # 2
I'm not sure what to call him. Maybe a "system director"; he seems like a guy who works with actors and producers well and puts his all into the movies they want to make.
As for the movie, seems pretty formulaic. The picture of the cast in EW did more to sell me on the film than the trailer did. Probably a rental slash film that stays on my Neflix queue for years that I never watch but also never delete.
Frank Longo Member since Nov 18th 2003 86670 posts
Wed May-28-14 12:54 PM
4. "I meant it in the sense that he's a studio man for hire." In response to Reply # 3
He doesn't really have a style of his own, and combined with his movies all being studio concoctions aimed at a large audience, it feels like the term "hack" fits in nearly every regard... except that his movies are good (his last few, anyhow). Can "good hack" be a term?
I think his movies aren't especially imaginative either, which also seems to be part of the hack definition... but he's really figured out how to put heart into them, which most hacks don't even bother with. There's nothing terribly original about Real Steel or Date Night, they're just well-executed.
5. "I think most people would agree with "hack"" In response to Reply # 4
I just feel like it's a little negative since Levy doesn't strike me as a guy who just shits out these movies for a paycheck. I think he does invest in them, which, to me, is what separates him from hacks who are just doing it for a paycheck.
Also, I think working within the studio system is a skill unto itself. Being able to deal with the notes from differing people and keep your sanity while still getting a little bit of your ideas or heart into the film is wildly underrated.
Frank Longo Member since Nov 18th 2003 86670 posts
Wed May-28-14 02:09 PM
6. "No question this is true." In response to Reply # 5
>Also, I think working within the studio system is a skill unto >itself. Being able to deal with the notes from differing >people and keep your sanity while still getting a little bit >of your ideas or heart into the film is wildly underrated.
My limited experience with notes outside of the studio system occasionally pushes me to the brink.
To say this has more manipulative emotional moments and cheesy plot points than a Lifetime TV movie is putting it lightly. The cast deserves better. They know it and you know it. This is a white people problems movie that we’ve all seen before that you can call about ten minutes in.
The bright spot is the cast especially my nigga Adam Driver, who is killing it this year playing manchilds of varying degrees who get their shit together. I can’t wait to see him in the new Star Wars movie next year. And he gets points cause his character is introduced to this song blaring at ignorant levels while driving reckless: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThlhSnRk21E.
The other good thing here is at least the comedy is funny at times. When it hits, it hits. Even though the joke got old real fast, the baby and the toilet had me dying every time he came on screen. In fact some of these jokes were so funny that I missed lines of dialogue throughout the movie due to audience laughter.
There’s nothing else really to say about this shit. This is a safe studio dramedy that’s easy to get made. As far as why this talented cast signed on is beyond me. But you can wait for HBO for this shit.
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