Well, hello there, kind folks. If you’re visiting this blog of mine, I presume that you have a certain interest in the cinema. As for me, even since my early childhood, I have had a deep love of everything related to movies and television. As far as I can remember, I have been more at ease in front of a screen than in the yard, outside, playing. It is a great way to travel, though other people’s stories, without having to foot any kind of steep bill. Over the years, I feel that movie-watching has even fuelled my own creativity.

All that being said, I welcome you in my Cinephile’s Nest. I hope you enjoy it here, feel free to come back at any time. Here you will find reviews of current movies and older ones. TV shows also. Some classics that have remained some of my favourites, some that have disappointed me. I will use a very basic star (*) system to grade them from 1 to 5 (5 being sliced bread level). Remember, these are just my tastes. I will try to explain in each review what I liked about these particular movies, without giving spoilers.

Il y aura aussi des critiques en français pour les films francophones, car j'aime également le cinéma dans ma langue maternelle. Avant d'apprendre l'anglais, plus jeune, je louais des tonnes de films traduits en français, surtout ceux de Bud Spencer et Terrence Hill. Ma mère a eu le choc de sa vie lorsqu'un jour, dans la boîte d'un de ces films, Deep Throat avait malencontreusement inséré. Une expérience formatrice pour le jeune cinéphile que je suis.

Bienvenue à tous, amusez-vous bien.

I welcome you all here, enjoy yourself.

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Dinner for Schmucks (2010)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Jay Roach
Cast: Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Jermaine Clement, Zack Galifianakis
Running time: 114 minutes



Tim Conrad works as a mid-level executive in a financial firm and he is hoping to get a big promotion. On the verge of getting there, he is invited to take part in what is being called a Dinner for Winners. The point of the evening is for each person to bring a guest with a special talent to poke fun at them while pretending to find them interesting. Even if his girlfriend finds the whole idea mean and disgusting, Tim still wants to do it, considering the promotion he so desires hangs in the balance. When he accidently hits Barry Speck with his car, Tim finds the perfect loser for his dinner. Speck, an IRS employee, builds various dioramas while using stuffed dead mice as characters as a hobby. Unfortunately for Tim, as soon as Barry comes into his life, he brings chaos along with him.

Dinner for Schmucks is the American adaptation of the French film Le Dîner de Cons, directed by Francis Veber. Honestly, if you haven’t done so already, I would recommend you folks check the original instead of bothering with this version, which manages to suck most of the charm out of Le Dîner de Cons.

It is unfortunate, considering Paul Rudd, Zack Galifianakis and Steve Carell are talented actors. There were a few moments that made me smile or laugh, but, sadly, the magic simply did not operate over the whole thing, especially when you compare to the brilliant original film that inspired this adaptation. And, the Americanized ending felt fake and forced.

Rating: ««

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