Two for One

This Is 40 (2012)

Judd Apatow is in serious need of either an editor or an editor than put his or her foot down to tighten up his movies.  I didn't hate this as much as other people seemed to, although it was meandering, funny in places, and ultimately wore out it's welcome with an ending that is way too abrupt. What's funny, not haha funny, is Judd Apatow's sensibility is definitely entrenched with what the problems the upper crust in Los Angeles are up to. These people are struggling with money, but the question isn't whether or not they are going to be able to make it to their next meal, but whether their boutique or independent record label is going to go under. But a little bit of Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Albert Brooks, Melissa McCArthy, Jason Segel, Chris O'Dowd, and Lena Dunham helps make things go a bit further here than they might have with a different cast. At first, and perhaps in the beginning, I thought this was a somewhat interesting look at relationships as people get older, but this premise gets pulled to it's breaking point by never really having a point. I mean, people in relationships can see bits and pieces of their relationship here in the central relationship, but ultimately it's all pretty flimsy.

The Ref (1994)

Tina was surprised to hear that I had never seen this as it's something she had fond memories of. So after we got home yesterday we decided to watch it. I was formulating an entry the other day that never came to fruition in real life about the best non-Christmas Christmas movies (like Die Hard and Gremlins). I think The Ref probably wouldn't make the top 5 of these but it was definitely amusing, coming out at a time when Denis Leary was right on top of things. It's never quite surprising, but it definitely had it's moments, and was a nice holiday trifle all the same.

-Kevin