Jennifer greets Marley and John after returning home with their first baby (Courtesy Photo)The good thing about football season being over until August is you get to catch up on things. I like to catch up on movies I missed that were in theaters but I never quite got out to see them.
Last Friday I decided to rent two movies from RedBox, the greatest idea ever put in a grocery store. If you don't know what RedBox is, it's Blockbusters "kryptonite." For $1 + tax per night ($1.05 in Virginia), you can rent a movie and return it whenever you want, wherever you want. At Blockbuster, you pay $5 or more and have to return it by a certain day at the exact store you rented at or risk getting fined.
I decided upon the movies "Marley and Me" starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston and "Yes, Man" starring Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel. A dramedy and a comedy that balance each other out.
"Marley and Me" is a tale of a couple embarking on the adventure of marriage, career, family, and the world's worst dog. At least that's how writer and newlywed John Grogan (Wilson) comes to describe his blonde lab, Marley, when he takes the puppy home and finds that the fluff-ball has an uncanny ability to eat and/or destroy just about anything. As years go by, John and his wife, Jennifer (Aniston), contemplate having babies and moving across the country, while Marley grows into 100 lbs. of funny, wild, completely untrainable canine companionship -- as well as one of the most important people in the family. Marley & Me is based on the best-selling autobiographical book by columnist John Grogan.
Wilson makes this one of his best roles to date. The energy and fine-tuned acting really evoke the real John Grogan who wanted so badly to be a reporter in the trenches, winning pulitzers when in fact he was a born columnist. Aniston played her role really well and has had some good roles that fit her as of late. But be forewarned: you will cry watching this movie. If you've ever had a pet die, you will. At the end of this movie, all the memories of my Alaskan Malamute Alex came to fruition. The day he died was a very sad one for me. This movie shows how even when people are frustrated with a dog, their hearts go to them and they become as much a part of the family as anyone.
3 stars - Very sad ending but an enjoyable performance from Wilson. Rated PG.
"Yes Man," starring Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel was a movie disguised as another "Liar, Liar." We all loved Carrey in his funniest role to date. This one was way different.
Carl Allen (Carrey) is at a standstill. Divorced three years ago and no future... until the day he enrolls into a personal development program based on a very simple idea: say yes to everything! Carl discovers with amazement the magical power of "Yes", and sees his professional and romantic life turned upside down overnight: an unexpected promotion and a new girlfriend Allison (Deschanel). But he'll soon discover that better can be good's enemy, and that all opportunities shouldn't be taken.
Not a terrible movie but Carrey wasn't on his A-game in this. There were funny parts but nothing to write home about. Deschanel was gorgeous as always but the role seemed slightly off. It was way better than her performance in "The Happening," the worst film of 2008. Here's hoping Carrey can balance the zainy comedian and dramatic actor in the years to come.
Rating: 2 stars - Carrey is not enough to save this sagging story. His next movie "I Love You Phillip Morris" should be interesting before we see him as Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol: The IMAX 3-D Experience."
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