Laura Sees Movies: Crazy Stupid Love

Take it easy Ryan Gosling fans. I know you're excited.

Well, well, well, another romantic comedy. Actually I'm going to be bold and say that this movie, although quite funny, and definitely marketed as a traditional comedy, deals with some heavy stuff and feels more like a drama that makes you laugh then a standard comedy.

The preview sort of compounds all the laughing parts and makes it seem more fast paced and less intense then it actually is. Each of our characters is in love with someone. We don't always know who and we don't always know how it's going to work out but it's all about what love does to each individual.

I liked it. Steve Carell is wonderful and Julianne Moore is amazing too (duh). Their love story is the one I became the most attached too, and although many might complain about the inconclusive way it ends, I was quite touched and enjoyed their portrayal of a couple going through hard times. Authentic and sweet.

Ok, ok, ladies calm down. Of course I'm going to talk about the eye candy. I like that Ryan Gosling too. He's a good actor, albeit not exactly my type (although he could be depending on how tall he is. anyone know? I'm very shallow) I do easily see why he makes all the girls scream. His character falls for the beautiful Emma Stone. Those who know me know I am a big fan of this young lady. I think she is smart, interesting, and talented. I hope her career is blessed with long legs. Their romance might not be as juicy or as fleshed out as I had hoped, and part of me even thinks they could have had a movie of their own, but everything you do see is great.

Marisa Tomei is funny. The story line with the babysitter is funny. And a full fledged metrosexual Ryan Gosling giving Steve Carell fashion advice is very funny. There is also a wildly unexpected climactic scene which brings big laughs and simultaneously raises all of the emotional stakes.

Definitely worth watching. A moving, realistic portrayal of love, with some silliness thrown in for good measure. It sort of has too much going on and sort of doesn't flesh out the side love stories as much as I'd like, but the laughs are enough to make up for it.

Laura Sees Movies: Unknown: Movies on a Plane Edition

All righty. I recently flew home to visit my mom for her birthday and I watched a crapload of movies. I always fly Alaska Airlines because my dad is like the George Clooney from Up in the Air of Alaska Airlines and he gives me his miles PLUS they have a vegan box available for purchase on every flight. It's also gluten free, just fyi. Yeah Alaska Airlines!

Alaska, on long flights, has this awesome thing where you can rent a digiplayer which is essentially a little personal movie player and it usually has about 15-20 different movie options as well as tv shows and some games. My flight home is 2 movies long, so I watch 2 on the way there and 2 on the way back. Also, my mom is just like me and wants to watch a movie like every night so we watched a bunch of movies while I was there too.

The first one I want to talk about is Unknown.

A few things off the bat. I like Liam Neeson, I really like Diane Kruger, and the preview was intriguing. That's enough to get my viewership on a plane. Sold! BAM.

It was, well, um, ok I think. I'm weirdly mixed about this flick. My instinct is to say that it wasn't good but the other night I was describing things about it to my friend and she basically said I was making it sound really good and interesting. I mean, that made me think.

The pros: action packed, attention holding, awesome twist, great reveal of information, and the story is told in such a way that your journey as a viewer parallels with Liam Neeson's character as he unravels the meaning behind everything that's happening. It's all about what you see verses what you know. The unknown can make all the difference. (see? that sounds great, right?)

The cons: the second it was over I didn't give it a second thought (until I had a convo about it), I spent the entire time thinking that January Jones was that girl from Mad Men, and although it takes place in Germany, Diane Kruger doesn't play a German woman (um, what?), and most importantly, I didn't feel a thing. I mean, I was consistently interested, and again, impressed with the twist and how well it explained the entire thing but who cares? I liked Liam Neeson's character (but look! I can't even remember the character's name right now! Dr. something?) I liked Diane Kruger's character a lot, but they just don't get into anything interesting or personally emotional.

I never felt swept away, I never got worked up or excited about anything, nothing upset me much and I didn't care very much. That's a fail for me. Honestly, I'm pretty easy to get worked up in a movie. I'm a sucker. If I'm not crying, if I'm not clutching my chest and gasping, not many other people will be either. And although I was thinking and engaged the entire time, there weren't many moments that made the movie unique or gave me anything to walk away with. Nothing stayed with me. Except that the twist was flawless. It was far and away not what I predicted and there were no logistical holes. I love it when there are no holes in a good twist.

So it wasn't great. But it wasn't bad either. I guess I would say it's worth watching on a plane. Ha!

Laura Watches TV: Wilfred

I know I watch a lot of crap, and I talk about it a lot, but I wanted to take a moment to write about my new favorite show, and possibly one of the smartest shows on television right now, Wilfred. Airing Thursday nights on FX. Or Friday afternoons on Hulu if you're cable-less.

The basic premise seems almost based on mere convention. The dog, Wilfred, is seen by Elijah Wood's character, Ryan, as an adult Australian human in a dog suit. However, the rest of the universe just sees a dog, and Ryan seems fully aware that he is dealing with a real dog and never doubts that it is not a real dog, only immediately accepts that this is how he sees his new friend, Wilfred.

The most exciting aspect of this show is how the writers have managed to work this into reality, creating a place where I completely understand Ryan's hallucination, and my understanding of this creation actually adds to my enjoyment of the overall story.

The pilot opens with Ryan drafting the 3rd copy of his suicide note as he prepares to end his own life. (no spoilers here, this literally happens in the first ten seconds) This all night long failed attempt ends with Wilfred on his doorstep, led by the pretty girl next door. Their friendship begins.

This set up is essential to the true fabric of this show which is laid deeply under the hilarity that is the simple convention of a man who everyone treats like a dog. Not to mention a rude Aussie man in a ridiculous costume. However, as all of this obviously can not be literal, you realize that Wilfred is merely an extension of Ryan, a manifestation of choices he is too afraid to make himself.

Our suicidal Ryan has projected all of his life choices onto this dog, allowing him to remove the blame for his failures and also any glory for his successes. He has externalized his instincts and put them on the most adorable and innocent of creatures, removing any guilt or conflict as he works through his self-loathing and tries to build a new life. Ideally, one worth living.


You could also argue that Wilfred is a mostly bad influence on Ryan. Wilfred convinces Ryan to quit his job, blow off his family, and to rob a neighbors house. These all have extenuating circumstantial explanations but it doesn't even matter. We're tuned in to see what Wilfred will do next and ultimately, the most thrilling parts are whenever it comes together that Ryan is sick and doing this all to himself as he battles his depression and suicidal tendencies. What you're really watching is an intensely realistic portrayal of someone struggling through the basics of life and looking for a reason to live. He's created his reason in Wilfred.

I could go on, but we're only a few episodes into this new series and in my opinion it's an original exciting show that combines humor and psychology in a an awesome and refreshing way. It is a little hard to get over the whole, Elijah Wood was a hobbit thing but you should try. It's worth it.


(side note, how much does FX rock now? It's Always Sunny and now this? You go FX!)

Laura Sees Movies: Horrible Bosses

Horrible Bosses is great.

I was stoked for this movie mostly because I am a big fan of most of the cast. I think Charlie Day is unbelievably funny, I'm a huge It's Always Sunny fan, I adore Jason Bateman, and I am also Team Jennifer. Although this does conflict with my love of Angelina Jolie's humanitarian work and tattoos, but I digress.

Horrible Bosses is a riot and the plot is perfect for these rough economic times. Literally, given the market, it does actually seem plausible that plotting to kill your horrible boss would be easier than looking for a new job.

It also seems that the boys, Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudekis all went to improv town and basically filled the script with terrific one-liners. Not to take anything away from the writing but their fingerprints seem to be all over most of the take away laugh lines.

Go see it. It's delightful and hilarious. Is it the funniest movie I've ever seen? Nope. But I loved it and I would see it again in a heartbeat. Thoroughly enjoyable, silly, a fun romp. Jamie Foxx makes a radically funny appearance as well.

Seriously, get a big bag of popcorn and go as soon as you can. A full theater full of loud laughs will make it more fun. Twizzlers too.

Laura Sees Movies: Thor

This guy is hot. I know women throw that word around a lot, but I am serious. This dude is the real kind of hot. He looks like a man and he's huge.

Take note. This movie is directed by Kenneth Branagh. DOESN'T THAT CHANGE EVERYTHING??!!! So fun.



Naturally, now that you know this, the movie has a super dramatic, almost Shakespearean quality, and it's awesome. It's all camp, but I think it's perfect. I've heard some people say this movie sucked, but I'm just imagining they have a bad personal relationship with Kenneth Branagh or they didn't know he directed it. Or they hate fun.

In contrast to the terrible exposition in The Green Lantern this flick weaves the  exposition into the fabric of the overall story. Basically the back story that explains Thor, who he is, and what world he comes from, runs parallel to the planet earth story line so you don't feel spoon fed or confused, it's all just part of the movie.

I need to mention that the main reason I enjoyed this so much is largely in part to Natalie Portman's performance. (and Chris Hemsworth's sexiness). In this, much like Liv Tyler's performance in the Marvel Hulk, you are 100% sold that this young lady exists, and that she would fall in love with this guy. For some reason, lame ass chicks in movies can really bring it down. Natalie Portman's a badass. I hope she goes back to being vegan now that her cookie demanding baby is born. It raises her badassness level.

Anyways I say go see it! That's right, I liked it that much. I thought it was fun, silly, and has some great laugh lines, and awesome action scenes. There's also another Avengers teaser after the credits so don't leave the theater.

Laura Eats Food: Red Bamboo is Delicious!

My second guest post for Vegansaurus is up. Read it!

Guest post: Vegansaurus NYC: Red Bamboo is Delicious!
Just for the record, I think that Vegansaurus is a hilarious and awesome website and you should be reading it already. If you don't want to, just read my posts! I'm so flattered that they like me! 

Love, Laura

Laura Sees Movies: Bad Teacher

I've already had like two people say to me, "why would you see that?" And all I can say is, well, I like crap.

Bad Teacher is medium entertaining crap.

It's not terrible. It's not great either which is slightly a bummer because I feel the premise and the Cameron Diaz character had the potential to be a really great comedy. But whatever I guess.

All of the best jokes were shown in the preview. The only thing that's even almost as funny as the stuff in the preview is this dry humping Justin Timberlake scene which I'm sure you've already heard about. and I don't even know if it was actually funny or if I was just remembering how funny the dry humping stuff in Going the Distance was. Plus it's fun to watch JT act like a dork.

Jason Segal is the best, I hope he wants me to be his girlfriend because I would be totally into that. He is hilarious and heartfelt. Such a winning combination for these types of movies. However, the laughs aren't enough to make it great, and like I said, the big hits are all his lines that you've already seen in the preview. If you haven't seen the preview I'm wondering how you decide which movies to go see, where you live, and what you do on a daily basis. In fact I'd like to study you so contact me.

Basically I say rent it or wait til it's on demand and watch it. It's not a total waste of time but I won't be buying the DVD or anything.