Universal Pictures Robert DeNiro and
Ben Stiller star in the new comedy "Meet the
Parents."
“Meet the Parents” Starring Robert DeNiro
and Ben Stiller Directed by Jay Roach
Every super-villain needs a trusty critter to help him carry out
his evil deeds and to comfort him when his plans don’t work
out perfectly.
Just as Austin Powers’ archenemy Dr. Evil had a hairless
kitty named Mr. Bigglesworth, Jack Byrnes (Robert DeNiro) of
“Meet the Parents” has a longhaired Himalayan named
Jinx. Together (though Jinx does so unknowingly during a supposedly
routine visit) the two work to destroy Greg Focker (Ben Stiller)
and Pam Byrnes’ (Teri Polo) perfect relationship.
Unsuspectingly, Greg agrees to go on the trip with the hopes of
asking good ol’ dad if he’ll approve of Greg’s
desire to marry Pam. Unfortunately for Greg, Jack is not just a
run-of-the-mill father. In actuality, he is a retired CIA agent
whose former job involved performing psychoanalysis on suspicious
individuals within the agency.
Little does Greg know, he is about to be put to the test of his
life and completely fail. From practically burning the
Byrneses’ house down to flooding the septic tank, Greg
completely embarrasses himself in front of the parents and friends
of the woman he wants to marry.
Jack’s protective, fatherly attitude is utterly unnerving
as he proceeds to watch every move Greg makes, from his trips to
the bathroom to his score on the MCAT. Who would’ve guessed
that meeting the parents could be such a trial? From the start,
Greg makes a horrible impression when he admits to liking dogs
better than cats, and his relationship with Jack goes downhill from
there.
The plot of the almost urban-legend-like story gets somewhat out
of hand as Greg continually flops with Pam’s family, but the
mistakes he makes and the damage he causes are a riot. Bringing the
audience to an especially harmonious laugh was a scene in which
Greg accidentally gives Pam’s sister a black eye during a
“friendly” game of water volleyball.
The entire movie is full of such comedic moments and it’s
no wonder, considering the movie comes from the director of
“Austin Powers,” Jay Roach. From the amazing cat Jinx
who knows how to pee in a toilet, to Greg’s name (whose
pronunciation strongly resembles a well-known epithet), “Meet
the Parents” makes for a successful spoof on a familiar
dreaded event, as well as satirizing a few other facets of society,
such as the airport.
Greg is unbelievably accident-prone throughout the film, which
has viewers questioning why Pam even likes him, but makes
“Meet the Parents” a great movie to see for those
looking for a laugh.
Barbara McGuire Rating: 8
“Two Family House”
Starring Michael Rispoli and Kelly Macdonald
Directed by Raymond Felitta
Dreaming the impossible dream has never been so laughable and
inspiring at the same time.
Buddy Visalo (Michael Rispoli) is a ’50s visionary who
lives in Staten Island with his disgruntled wife, Estelle
(Katherine Narducci).
You’d be disgruntled, too, if your husband endlessly
plunged your life savings into failed money-making schemes. After
less-than-successful stints running a painting company, a pizza
business and then a limo service, Buddy decides to buy a two family
house, where he and Estelle will live upstairs while they convert
the downstairs to a neighborhood bar.
A talented singer, Buddy’s gift goes unappreciated. After
passing up his one chance at the big time, he decides that the
perfect place to relive his days as an entertainer would be at his
very own bar.
Buddy dreams of sweet success after years of failing, but once
again, his plans are foiled. He is taken by surprise when he finds
unwanted tenants in the upstairs apartment. Pregnant Mary
O’Neary (Kelly Macdonald) and her alcoholic husband Jim (Matt
Servitto) prove that they aren’t going to leave the premises
without a fight.
Just as his dreams are beginning to fall farther out of reach,
Buddy finds the missing link to his vision. A stark contrast to his
pessimistic wife, Mary offers Buddy something that he has never had
before ““ someone who believes in him.
After Jim abandons Mary and her newborn baby, Buddy helps Mary
find a little apartment. A very unlikely love story ensues, and an
already convoluted tale takes even more twists and turns.
Buddy’s determination and ambition, despite all the bumps
in the road to realizing his vision, easily endear him to Mary, as
well as to the audience. Seeing him rehearsing his stage act in
front of a mirror or performing “Papa Loves Mambo” in
the bar are definite highlights of the film.
Capturing Buddy’s vibrancy as well as the rich sounds of
the period, the movie’s soundtrack provides a wonderful
complement to many of the most evocative scenes in the movie. The
John Pizzarelli Trio provides moving renditions of classics like
“I’m Confessing” and “Wouldn’t Trade
You.”
With an emphasis on simple story-telling, the narrative is
sometimes less than engaging. Serious matters of miscegenation and
adultery are treated with so much ease that they are often reduced
to mere plot vehicles.
Nevertheless, the love story rings true as an old-fashioned
“Romeo and Juliet,” with the Irish and Italian
communities colliding in the late ’50s.
All the chaos that takes place under one roof provides a good
laugh, but any dreamer will revel in the film’s poetic ending
““ an impossible dream is only a mattear of finding the love
and perseverance to make it possible.
Emilia Hwang Rating: 7
“The Broken Hearts Club ““ a romantic
comedy”
Starring Dean Cain and Timothy Olyphant
Directed by Greg Berlanti
“The Broken Hearts Club ““ a romantic comedy”
delivers exactly what its title implies. There are numerous
dramatic finales, plenty of passionate inceptions and an abundance
of laughs.
Not to mention, the film is led by an ensemble of Hollywood
heartbreakers. Leading the cast is Dean Cain as Cole, the gorgeous
actor who habitually breaks up using audition monologues.
The movie, however, is not your typical romantic comedy. The
story focuses on the the personal struggles of a group of gay men
living in Los Angeles.
Dennis (Timothy Olyphant), a West Hollywood photographer, is
about to transition into his 30s. His life takes a heavily
introspective turn as he examines the dynamics of his
relationships.
After celebrating his 28th birthday, Dennis realizes that his
casual relationships aren’t satisfying him anymore. He
decides he needs to look for the right person ““ someone to
share his mornings and Karen Carpenter with.
Told from a gay perspective, the movie celebrates the highs and
lows of friendship, exploring the challenges of relationships
through universal themes of jealousy and guilt.
You don’t have to know that an OGT is short for
“obviously gay trait” to enjoy this thoughtful and
light-hearted romance.
Though much of the humor is related to gay culture, the film has
a wide appeal, offering a comedy that deals with serious issues
relating to family and friends.
Sharp characters caught in their everyday interactions are
easily captivating. Cain plays Cole with graceful ease, making it
look easy to be beautiful. His charm is evident in a priceless
smile that allows him to get away with being a villainous
heartbreaker.
Andrew Keegan is convincing as the especially sweet and
inexperienced “Newbie.” A recently out gay man,
Keegan’s character is destined for heartbreak and must rely
on his friends to help him through.
John Mahoney gives another memorable performance as Jack, the
paternal figure of the group, whose acquired wisdom through the
years is evident even when he’s in drag.
Directed by Greg Berlanti, co-executive producer of
Dawson’s Creek, the film has just as much self-analysis and
self-conscious banter as the teen drama.
For all of us destined for heartbreak, join the club.
Emilia Hwang Rating: 9