Average Blu, somewhat funny overall
Added 11/20/2009
Did not have my sights set super high on this so my lower film rating has nothing to do with outright disappointment, just had hoped for a longer run on the laughs.
The story of a happily unmarried couple having to deal with the four Christmas/divorce visits during the holiday is timely, as even in my little store I have plenty of customers that have to do that very thing. As we follow them on their unplanned journey the laughs start right out but it tempers off into a spattering of schmaltz, sap and an overwhelming need to make it a baby story (although the alternate ending was better in staying away from this).
The Blu clarity shows some beautiful Bay Area skylines, but the CGI falters with all of the car driving interiors and fake fog at SFO. The sound was uneventful, but was clear enough to hear the edits and bad voice-overs in certain scenes. The supplements are what gives this 3.5-star film a little bump.
* 10:30 minute making of. Clip heavy and reliant on some fluffy interviews from most of the cast. The prevalent theme is everyone had "fun" making this.
* 13:00 minute HBO First Look. Very clip heavy and the few remaining bits are average.
* 9:00 minutes of deleted scenes. Forgettable except for the alternate ending where they focus on the adults (in the future) instead of being about having a kid.
* 10:00 minute 7 Layers of Holiday Meals. A cooking channelish clip with Katy Mixon (much funnier in Eastbound & Down: The Complete First Season) and a host making their dip - tried to enjoy it but was just painfully awkward.
* 2:30 minute gag reel. Now this was how the film should have been - this relaxed and genuinely funny. Reese Witherspoon has a beautiful smile and we never see it once in this film, but she lit up the gag reel here. It was nice to see Favreau and Vaughn have those funny moments on screen together even though it was not in the film. Skip all of the other supplements and just watch this one.
The second disc is the Digital Copy and the code gets you another hit at their site towards getting that free BD from Warner. Should have been 100x funnier, but I understand the need to make it holiday-friendly and sappy. Enjoy.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Only the Gringe could like this pityful movie
Added 11/18/2009
I have nothing to say concerning this movie's plot, there wasn't one. I will say that it's not a movie intended for children. In fact, it's not a movie intended for anyone that appreciates good humor, warmth, drama, or the Christmas spirit. The film takes talented actors and provides them a vehicle that must leave them shamefaced and embarrassed. My wife and I saw this in the theater, walked out after the "third" Christmas. If this movie does anything for your holiday spirit, it will destroy it. It's sad to see what some actors will do to make a buck. If you receive this as a Christmas gift, please don't watch it. Instead, include it with the wrapping and boxes intended for the fireplace.
0 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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Sure, Caleb and I wrote it originally - and it's awesome!
Added 11/3/2009
Maybe we like our original opening to the movie more, but this is funny. FYI, Dallas and Denver are based on real people. True that.
2 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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A Holiday Turkey
Added 11/3/2009
This film was a bitter disappointment. I would give it zero stars if that was an option. Not even the usually wonderful Reese Witherspoon could save this holiday turkey. Vince Vaughn is his usual self: nauseating and ham-fisted, and had zero chemistry with his co-star. To be fair, neither Vaughn nor Witherspoon had a lot to work with, script-wise. The opening scene is crude and strange, and seems very out of place in what is being marketed as a "holiday movie". The closing scene just rehashes one of the main opening "jokes". The remaining middle of the film is a mess of crude, Farrelly Brothers type "humor" mixed with hokey sentiment. I found the church scene particularly offensive and I'm not especially religious. I'd hate to think how offensive other viewers may have found it. Not even cameos by Jon Voight and Sissy Spacek could save this film. There are a wealth of really wonderful holiday movies - this isn't one of them. Please save your $$ and purchase a tried and true holiday classic and stay away from this utter turkey.
4 out of 8 people found this helpful.
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It's Funny but Definately not a must see!
Added 10/29/2009
I would not call this a Christmas movie. You could take away the holiday aspect and the movie would still be funny. Both Vince and Reese are true veterans. They no how to take an ok script and turn it into a decent movie. The biggest problem with the film is that it really holds back. These are the same people that created the movie Stepbrothers which was hilarious because it was so over the top. This movie seems afraid to just let everything hang out. I would definately not buy this one. Just download it off the net. It's funny but definately nothing to run over anyone to see.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Average Blu, somewhat funny overall
Added 11/20/2009
Did not have my sights set super high on this so my lower film rating has nothing to do with outright disappointment, just had hoped for a longer run on the laughs.
The story of a happily unmarried couple having to deal with the four Christmas/divorce visits during the holiday is timely, as even in my little store I have plenty of customers that have to do that very thing. As we follow them on their unplanned journey the laughs start right out but it tempers off into a spattering of schmaltz, sap and an overwhelming need to make it a baby story (although the alternate ending was better in staying away from this).
The Blu clarity shows some beautiful Bay Area skylines, but the CGI falters with all of the car driving interiors and fake fog at SFO. The sound was uneventful, but was clear enough to hear the edits and bad voice-overs in certain scenes. The supplements are what gives this 3.5-star film a little bump.
* 10:30 minute making of. Clip heavy and reliant on some fluffy interviews from most of the cast. The prevalent theme is everyone had "fun" making this.
* 13:00 minute HBO First Look. Very clip heavy and the few remaining bits are average.
* 9:00 minutes of deleted scenes. Forgettable except for the alternate ending where they focus on the adults (in the future) instead of being about having a kid.
* 10:00 minute 7 Layers of Holiday Meals. A cooking channelish clip with Katy Mixon (much funnier in Eastbound & Down: The Complete First Season) and a host making their dip - tried to enjoy it but was just painfully awkward.
* 2:30 minute gag reel. Now this was how the film should have been - this relaxed and genuinely funny. Reese Witherspoon has a beautiful smile and we never see it once in this film, but she lit up the gag reel here. It was nice to see Favreau and Vaughn have those funny moments on screen together even though it was not in the film. Skip all of the other supplements and just watch this one.
The second disc is the Digital Copy and the code gets you another hit at their site towards getting that free BD from Warner. Should have been 100x funnier, but I understand the need to make it holiday-friendly and sappy. Enjoy.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Only the Gringe could like this pityful movie
Added 11/18/2009
I have nothing to say concerning this movie's plot, there wasn't one. I will say that it's not a movie intended for children. In fact, it's not a movie intended for anyone that appreciates good humor, warmth, drama, or the Christmas spirit. The film takes talented actors and provides them a vehicle that must leave them shamefaced and embarrassed. My wife and I saw this in the theater, walked out after the "third" Christmas. If this movie does anything for your holiday spirit, it will destroy it. It's sad to see what some actors will do to make a buck. If you receive this as a Christmas gift, please don't watch it. Instead, include it with the wrapping and boxes intended for the fireplace.
0 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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Sure, Caleb and I wrote it originally - and it's awesome!
Added 11/3/2009
Maybe we like our original opening to the movie more, but this is funny. FYI, Dallas and Denver are based on real people. True that.
2 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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