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Review: Blades of Glory and The Lookout

Blades of Glory, B-

It's definitely not Will Ferrell's best movie, and how could it with a costar as boring and annoying as Jon Heder? Really, Jon. Cut your hair. And try breathing through your nose. Ferrell does the same schtick as he did in Anchorman and (I'm assuming, as I didn't see it) Talladega Nights. But it's something that works for him. (Unlike a certain actor from college who only had one character but couldn't even master that. Debate amongst yourselves as to who I mean.) The narcissistic and (usually) drunk characters that he plays make you laugh, mainly because you're happy that you're not him. You're happy that you're not wearing a costume of some evil wizard at a kid's ice show! And you're especially happy that you didn't just vomit all over yourself...unless you are one of the undoubted frat boys who saw the movie and then proceeded to go to a bar where they did, in fact, vomit all over themselves.

But that's neither here nor there. Here, we're talking about Blades of Glory. As a former figure skater, I enjoyed seeing my former ice-idols bantering with Will Ferrell--especially Scott Hamilton (way to represent BGHS!!) and Nancy Kerrigan (way to revitalize that pained look that you had when you were in the Disney Parade after you lost the gold to Oksana Baiul!) The skating was goofy and stylized as I wish the Olympics were sometimes...everyone is always so serious. I remember that I liked skating because it was fun! I mean, I guess that it's their job and everything, but I have fun at my current job...Another tangent...

The actors. Yes. Let us speak of the actors. Will Ferrell, funny. Jon Heder, not funny. Craig T. Nelson, funny as Coach turned coach to Will and Jon. They have ample screen time and (except for Heder) they fill it quite well. But let us now discuss the real stars of the film: Amy Poehler and Wil Arnett. The husband and wife comedy masters play brother and sister skating monsters. Please, will someone just give them their own movie? And not Let's Go to Jailor prison or whatever that film was that Arnett did a few months ago. Please Hollywood Gods? Please?? So often I read that "comedy isn't what is used to be" and it's "going downhill," well here are the two people who can save it for you! Amy Poehler and Wil Arnett!! And throw in a little more Jenna Fischer while you're at it. And maybe some more John Krasinski and Seth Rogen! Comedy Gold!

Back to the review: Basically, there are worse things you could do with your time (which I know I said about Borat, but I really mean it on this one!!) So I give it a "B" for Ferrell, a "D" for Heder, and a big-'ol Gold Star for Arnett, Poehler and Fischer! Oh, and an "A+" to the effects wizards who made it almost look like the actors were landing their own triple Lutzes!




The Lookout, C

Nearly every review I've read about this film is a rave or very close. I agree that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a phenomenal actor! Jeff Daniels is underrated! Isla Fisher is hot! But my fundamental problem with this film is this: if he can't remember what a can-opener looks like, how can he drive a car?!

The script is disjointed, the characters are underdeveloped, and the climax is less than climactic. If you listen to Richard Roeper, you've probably already seen this film. Do you agree with me or him? Please feel free to add your comments.