Tag: Eugene Levy

Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd

MPAA Rated – PG-13
It’s 1:25 Long
A Review by:
– The Dude on the Right

Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd
Movie Stats & Links
Starring: Eric Christian Olsen, Derek Richardson, Eugene Levy, Cheri Oteri, Rachel Nichols
MPAA Rated: PG-13
Released By: New Line Cinema
Release Date: 2003
Kiddie Movie: Nope.
Date Movie: Nope.
Gratuitous Sex: Two dudettes kissing and it appeared a little cold on the set sometimes.
Gratuitous Violence: Slapstick.
Action: Nah.
Laughs: Not really.
Memorable Scene: I don’t remember it.
Memorable Quote: None.
Directed By: Troy Miller

Okay, other than the movie being pretty much, well, for no better way to put it, dumb, there’s another significant problem with “Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd,” at least for me – the jokes seem to be aimed at 10 year old boys, but the story is something better comprehended by 16 year olds. I know that may not make sense, but pretty much it’s more of a high school comedy with jokes 10 year olds aren’t really old enough to experience yet.

“D & Derer” has Erick Christian Olsen as Lloyd, the character Jim Carrey made famous. It’s also got Derek Richardson as Harry, the loveable character originally portrayed by Jeff Daniels. In the film we are exposed to how the two characters we fell in love with in “Dumb & Dumber” first met, their high school year, and a bizarre sub-plot of the principal (the usually better Eugene Levy) and the lunchlady (Cheri Oteri) trying to embezzle money for a condo in Hawaii. Sort of like the first movie, our boys innocently get wrapped up in the lives of the bad people and there’s a high school hottie, Jessica (Rachel Nichols), who both boys fall in love with, trying to expose the principal, but unlike the first movie, it just isn’t funny.

There are the obligatory fart jokes, you get a creepy Lloyd thinking Harry’s mom is in love with him, even fantasizing her (Mimi Rogers) and Jessica having a make-out session in a pool, and what are supposedly super-funny things like drinking a slushy to fast and getting brain freeze, as well as making fun of an Asian student. Well, alright, the Asian student thing was kinda funny, especially when, all of the sudden, she starts speaking perfect English, but one Asian joke doesn’t fill an hour and a half.

I think one of the main problems “D & Derer” has is the fact the boys are in high school. It’s easier to laugh at grown men acting like innocent teenagers than to find seniors in high school with the wits of, well, most ten year olds have more wit than these guys. There is that, and there’s also the fact there is no way this movie could have come close to living up to the standard set by the original.

Even for those easily amused, of which I am proud to one of them, I wasn’t. Not that there wasn’t a funny line or two, or a scene where I did bust out laughing, but I can’t remember what that scene was nor what that lines were because, for the most part, you get lines like: Harry – “Who’s Principal Collins?” Lloyd – “He’s the Principal.”; and Lloyd – “Chicks are for fags.”; and scenes where the boys are drooling or have food all over their faces. Even the smeared melted chocolate bar in the bathroom wasn’t that funny. However, if you think those lines and those scenes might be hilarious, you might really like “Dumb & Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd.” Me, I didn’t, and it’s ½ star out of 5 for this movie. Wait for it on local TV and then watch something else.

That’s it for this review! I’m The Dude on the Right!! L8R!!!

Best in Show

MPAA Rated – PG-13
It’s 1:30 Long
A Review by:
– The Dude on the Right

Best in Show
Movie Stats & Links
Starring: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Michael McKean, Parker Posey, Catherine O’Hara, Fred Willard
MPAA Rated: PG-13
Released By: Warner Bros.
Kiddie Movie: Not too young.
Date Movie: If she’s a dog person.
Gratuitous Sex: Just talk.
Gratuitous Violence: Nah.
Action: Nah.
Laughs: I almost laughed my butt off!
Memorable Scene: The entire dog show competition.
Memorable Quote: Too Many to quote.
Directed By: Christopher Guest

If you are a dog owner, a dog lover, or just really like dogs, I implore you to see “Best in Show.” You will probably find it one of the funniest movies of all time. If you are a cat lover, got bit by a dog as a small child, are deathly afraid of them, or don’t really like dogs, I can still recommend “Best in Show” as a funny movie, but you just might not get it.

“Best in Show” is kinda a mockumentary about, well, a dog show, and some of the contestants vying for the prize. We get introduced to a Florida couple bringing their terrier. She used to sleep with everyone and he has two left feet, literally, but they love each other and their dog. We also meet a fishing shop owner who really wants to be a ventriloquist and owns a cool bloodhound. There’s also the neurotic weimaraner owners whose dog is traumatized by seeing his owners do it, well, doggy style, and gay couple with their Shih Tzu, and the Nicole Smith-like with the standard poodle. We get their initial stories, their trips to the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia (where our Florida folks are looking forward to see where they make cream cheese), and of course, the dog show.

And it is at the dog show where I nearly bust a gut as sports-style commentator Buck (Fred Willard) trades every sexual innuendo and lewd comment he can with Trevor (Jim Piddock), the dog expert who can’t be shaken, no matter what Buck says.

“Best in Show” mixes subtle humor (four clocks on the hotel wall showing what time it is in various cities, except all of those cities are on the east coast so they all read the same time) with all-out bust-a-gut humor (Eugene Levy as Gerry Fleck, with two left feet, and nearly every comment by Buck). But a lot of the jokes are about dogs, so unless you are fond of dogs, you may chuckle but you won’t laugh. I laughed my ass off.

I’ll give you two ratings for “Best in Show.” For dog lovers it’s 5 stars out of 5. Just outright hilarious. For cat lovers it’s 3 stars out of 5. You’ll just think we’re nuts.

That’s it for this one! I’m The Dude on the Right!! L8R!!!

American Pie 2

MPAA Rated – R
It’s 1:50 Long
A Review by:
– The Dude on the Right

American Pie 2 – DVD Review
Movie Stats & Links
Starring: Jason Biggs, Shannon Elizabeth, Alyson Haningan, Chris Klein, Natasha Lyonne, Eugene Levy, Seann William Scott, Tara Reid, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Eddie Kaye Thomas
MPAA Rated: R
Released By: Universal Home Video
Kiddie Movie: Only if you want to explain why super glue can be funny.
Date Movie: Sure.
Gratuitous Sex: Lots of talk, a nipple or two, unfortunately none of them were Michelle’s nor Vicky’s.
Gratuitous Violence: Maybe shoving a trumpet up someone’s ass, but that’s about it.
Action: Only boys hoping they don’t get caught by potential lesbians.
Laughs: Just like the first movie.
Memorable Scene: Stiffler’s unrequested golden shower as well as Jim playing the trombone.
Memorable Quote: Jim at band camp: “My name is Petey and I have gigantic balls!” and Jim’s Dad: “Don’t forget your penis cream.”
Directed By: J.B Rogers

I’ve got a couple of questions for you. Did you like “American Pie?” You did. You’ll probably like “American Pie 2.” You didn’t like “American Pie?” Don’t rent or buy “American Pie 2.” It’s as simple as that.

So our favorite characters are fresh out of their first year of college and they’re all looking to party for the next three months, as well as get laid, but when the cops bust Stifler’s summer, kick-off party it’s looking like a boring summer. Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas), though, is extra bummed because he ran into Vicky (Tara Reid) and again turns to his older brother for advice. The brother’s suggestion – rent a beach house for the summer, work during the day and party every night, and by the end of the summer you’ll have a life revelation. So our boys rent a house and work as painters.

Well, kinda like the first movie all of our characters have their problems. Jim (Jason Biggs) is worried because Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth) is coming to visit and she’s hoping Jim has learned a little control. Jim, though, knows he still doesn’t have what it takes. Then you’ve got Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), still in love with Stifler’s mom, learning tantric sex to improve his lovemaking. Oz (Chris Klein) is in general okay but a little worried because Heather (Mena Suvari) is over in Europe. And you know what, screw it, I’m not going to explain to you their problems, I’m sure you’ve got your own, but do you get the jokes like you did in the original? Yes, you get the jokes you expect, you even get some that are a little more gross, and you also get the predictable story you probably want, too.

I won’t ruin any of the jokes, although if you did see the trailer for “American Pie 2” you know what Jim’s masturbation problem is this time. And true to form you get Jim’s Dad (Eugene Levy), perfect as the goofy dad who is a great dad and, well, now seems to just want Jim to sleep with Nadia.

Did our boys grow up any? Yes, but not nearly as much as the girls. Tara looks even better, and Alyson Haningan as Michelle is even more adorable in her slightly annoying way. There are some hilarious scenes, some gross scenes, and some boring scenes, but as sequels go “American Pie 2” does its best to keep you interested in the characters (although some you wonder why some are listed so high on the credits, like Mena who is barely on screen) while still has you looking forward to seeing two women get it on.

The DVD version is full of extras that are actually worth having a DVD player (see “Cool Things About the DVD” below), and it still holds up as a comedy about growing up.

I got what I expected and the DVD stuff was worthwhile, so I’m giving “American Pie 2” 4 stars out of 5. Shannon didn’t get naked this time, although, honestly, she’s lost a couple of notches in my book while Tara moved up a few (she didn’t get naked either), but that doesn’t compare to the extended scene of the two dudettes our heroes think are lesbians.

That’s it for this one! I’m The Dude on the Right!! L8R!!!