Walk Hard: the movie that wasn't nearly as funny as it was hyped-up to be

*****

So it's been a while, I know, but it's New Year's Eve and I just finally got the chance to sit down for a movie. There are a few interesting titles out right now - I Am Legend, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, and Juno, all of which I am excited to see - but my boyfriend and I decided that we needed to watch a great new comedy.

We did not watch a great new comedy.

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story stars an amazing lineup with John C. Reilly; Jenna Fischer; Kristin Wiig; Tim Meadows; Chris Parnell; David Krumholtz; Harold Ramis; Frankie Muniz (as Buddy Holly); Jack White (from The White Stripes, as Elvis); The Temptations; Jewel Kilcher; Ghostface Killah; Lyle Lovett; Jackson Browne; Justin Long; Paul Rudd; Jason Shwartzman; Jack Black; and a special appearance by Jonah Hill.

You would think that with such an incredible cast, the plot would present something entertaining. While it was unique in story, it was not unique in its overall quality, which was poor (much like many other movies that have recently been released).

WARNING! This review contains PLOT SPOILERS! Do NOT read on if you get upset when parts of movies are given away before you see them.

Dewey Cox is not unlike many other children in most ways: he dreams, laughs, and plays with his musical prodigy-brother, Nate, - that is, until he cuts Nate in half with a machete. But it is this strange and unfortunate mishap that helps Dewey discover the Blues. His father disowns him, forcing Dewey out of the house at age 14 when his music gets the town in uproar at a talent show. Dewey vowed he wouldn't need anyone or anything but his music, but it isn't until his early seventies that he learns that family is the one thing he truly needs.

Cute story - check.
Sexual innuendos - check.
Great laughs and non-stop chuckles - unfortunately not. Although it included many of the same actors, Walk Hard didn't bring the entertainment that movies like Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, or Superbad did. I was expecting much more from such a highly-reviewed film.

Wait until this one comes out and rent it for $4. Or you can just check sites like http://www.movieforumz.com/ and watch it for free - but you didn't hear it from me.

Despite my lack of faith in the movie industry these days, there are some other movies I am excited to see soon: The Eye looks interesting, as do One Missed Call and Cloverfield, and of course, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Oh, Johnny Depp.

Cloverfield contest

This is a contest to win a special screening of the movie Cloverfield in my hometown! I need to get as many people as I can to "Grab" this widget so I can get my name on the leaderboard. Second place wins a digital camcorder, and third place wins a digital camera, so it would be great even to win second place! Anyone who helps can shoot me a message and if I win, I'll invite you to the screening! Thanks for your help!

Audiences feel a "Rush" of emotion

*****

Let me start off by saying that I cry easily, so it’s possible that everything that follows this disclaimer is merely the opinion of an overly-emotional, dramatic, teary-eyed 20-year-old girl. Having said that, August Rush made me cry – at least four times.

The movie follows a young orphan boy named Evan Taylor, played by Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), who believes so strongly that music will reunite him with his biological parents that he leaves the orphanage where he grew up in order to pursue his dream: to have a family. He is met with many emotional obstacles along the way, but his willingness to learn and his talent for music brings him the courage and success he’ll need to survive in a cold New York City – it may even bring him one step closer to his parents.

Highmore is an amazing little boy, and although his teeth are hugely disproportionate to his face, he is overall quite adorable. He is successful in hiding his natural British accent for the film, which is a skill some seasoned actors cannot say they have yet mastered; and although the film is extremely touching and sensitive, Highmore only shows his vulnerability at exactly the right moments. We can look forward to seeing this kid in The Spiderwick Chronicles - although I can’t actually say I’m looking forward to seeing that movie – as well as hearing him as the voice of Pantalaimon in the newly-released film The Golden Compass.

Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers play his biological mother and father, a concert cellist and Irish rocker, respectively, whose deep commitment to music connect them to each other and to Evan in ways they could not have foreseen. Russell and Meyers depict two young musicians who struggle to maintain social lives and retain a sense of sanity in a world where they do not really know their true selves until they find each other. Each plays the part wonderfully, but what else would you expect from the loveable Felicity and the guy who played Elvis and King Henry VIII?

From one sap to another, I recommend you see this film at least once. If it helps, my manly boyfriend loved it, too. And so did his mom, and his sister, and every other man and woman in the theater with us. I promise, I wasn’t the only one crying. Check it out.