BE KIND REWIND
Director: Michelle Gondry
Staring: Jack Black, Mos Def.
When video shop owner (Danny Glover) goes away, shop assistant Mike (Mos Def) and his best friend, Jerry (Jack Black) accidentally wipe all the videos available for hire. They set out to re-record the movies by acting them out themselves.
The first thing fans of Gondry are going to do with this film is compare it to his other work, and the truth is, it’s quite removed from the likes of Eternal Sunshine, or Science of Sleep. For sure it has that Gondry style (it’s supposedly the characters doing the hands-on camera work and being eccentrically creative, but nothing can hide that Gondry vibe), but Be Kind Rewind has more comical tilt.
Fans of the director will probably find it more humorous than they expect, but then again, fans of Jack Black will possibly find it lacking. On a balance though, the film hits a good equilibrium and one can’t help but feel that Gondry and Black decided to make this movie together simply because it seemed like a lot of fun.
The people who are going to get the most out of this picture though is us film nerds. If you’ve ever compiled your own top 100 films of all time, imagined you were your own character participating inside the events of your favourite flick, or you’ve ever been told to shut up by bored family or friends as you’ve tried to excitedly tell them why an original is better than a remake… then this is the film for you. But, while you may enjoy comparing the life and work of Gondy to those of Mike and Jerry, as I did, it might be socially polite to think first before espousing your thoughts on all your film-indifferent friends – that is, if you want them to remain friends.
1/2
RUN FAT BOY RUN
Director: David Schwimmer
Staring: Simon Peg, Dylan Moran, Hank Azaria…
When Dennis Doyle (Simon Peg) discovers that his ex-partner, Lizzy (Thandie Newton) has started seeing new partner, Whit (Hank Azaria) he makes the rash decision to run against Whit in an upcoming marathon. Three weeks before the race Whit is fit, experienced, and well trained for the race. Dennis is lazy, fat, and has no idea what he is in for. But with training from his mate, Gordon (Dylan Moran) and his landlord, anything is possible.
This is a great film. It has a heart-warming story line, a relatable underdog, a love interest, a slimy antagonist, and a brilliant comic side-kick. It makes for a really enjoyable movie.
However. If you take Simon Peg (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead), mix with sidekick Dylan Moran (Black Books), and add in Hank Azaria (The Simpsons), then this film shouldn’t be great… it should be awesome.
Sadly, it isn’t. Standing alone, it is worthy of a great review, but burdened with the great work that had gone before, it struggled under high-expectations.
And yet, what makes this film so good is not the overall film, but some great character driven moments throughout. The Peg and Moran fight scene is an instant classic. Young Jake’s antics with the bed remote is wonderful. And when a special romantic moment is interrupted by Moran in a bath robe, well, it is a must see.
1/2