The Pink Panther (2006)

This 2006 movie remake is a comedy film with plenty of slapstick, sex jokes, fart jokes, and physicaltype humor. It offers Kevin Kline and Steve Martin in the main roles and having watched the original Pink Panther and one of the Pink Panther follow ups (Return of the Pink Panther), I can say with confidence that this version isn't very good. With the original Pink Panther, you had David Niven and Peter Sellers in the starring roles in a comedy movie that was fun, original, and entertaining all the way through thanks to the performances and the script. With this version, you have a movie that relies on fart jokes, vases stuck to Steve Martin's hands, bullets falling out of a revolver, and other assorted silliness for its entertainment value.

In some ways, one can't help but laugh during certain moments of this filmeven when the comedy isn't very mature or very original. Take for instance a scene near the beginning where Steve Martin's Inspector Clouseau character is trying to parallel park his small car between two other cars. There is plenty of room, but the idiotic Clouseau keeps backing the car and moving it forward, hitting the car in front and the car behind and causing the bumpers to fall off of each of the two vehicles. It isn't original and it isn't intelligent but you find yourself laughing anyway. Much of the comedy in the rest of the movie is of the same variety. It does make you laugh a little, but the humor is more the result of the comedy's goofiness than genuine funniness.

Among the performers in this movie, the only one worth mentioning is Steve Martin and his portrayal of the Frenchaccented character, the bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau. Martin's Clouseau character is confidently incompetentthe type of person who thinks they are right about everything when they are actually right about nothing. Many critics have already attacked Martin because he isn't very much like Peter Sellersthe original Jacques Clouseau. It is inevitable that critics and viewers try to compare this movie and its performers to the original (I'm guilty of this, too), but I don't think it's fair to criticize Steve Martin for not being more like Peter Sellers. First, it would be very tough to match Sellers in playing the role of Jacques Clouseau. Second, Martin's character, aside from the accent, is really a character all his owna new version, if you will, of Inspector Jacques Clouseau. If anything, Martin's character reminds me of the Clouseau from the Pink Panther cartoons. In fact, much of the comedy in this movie is like that of a cartoon. With the bumping, the banging, and the general physical nature of the humor, it reminds me of old Pink Panther cartoons with a touch of Bugs Bunny.

Other than Steve Martin, I didn't find anyone else in this movie particularly memorable. Kevin Kline was ok, and so was Beyonce Knowles. But no one stands out in this movie as someone who has contributed a great performance. Martin is the only one who gets your attention. The goofy French accent and his wild and crazy persona are the only parts of this movie that make it worthwhile, in spite of the sub par script and the slower than average pacing.

Overall, The Pink Panther is a comedy with few laughs, weak writing, and even less originality. It scores a few points for Steve Martin's zany portrayal of Inspector Jacques Clouseau, but other than that, the film is a wipe out. It's like a glass of American brewed light beer: Weakbodied and wimpy but with just enough taste and ease of consumption to keep you from dumping it down the drain.

Ah yes, the Pink Panther films of the 1960's and 1970's. Peter Sellers, hilarious French accents, pain and destruction gags, the Pink Panther diamond that kept getting stolen, the animated character who appeared in the titles sequence, and that famous theme song by Henry Mancini. Well, in this latest version of the film, clearly the latter five are present, given that Sellers passed away in 1980. Despite being identically titled to the original 1964 movie, this is clearly a Pink Panther movie for the current generation and technology, given the use of cellphones and references to the Internet and email.

The story? A French football coach, Yves Gluant, the owner of the Pink Panther diamond, is murdered after the French score the winning goal, the giant diamond which was shown on his fist on the stadium's giant screen TV, missing. Chief Inspector Dreyfus sees this as the chance to become a winner and not merely a nominee for the French medal of honour. He plans to have a total nincompoop in charge of a bogus investigation, while Dreyfus himself conducts the real one with smarter people. Guess who's in charge of the bogus one?

The suspects range from Bizu, a football player whose girlfriend, pop singer Xania, was stolen by Gluant. Then there's Raymond Leroq, the casino owner whom Gluant went into a partnership with, but whose gambling habit irritated Leroq. Xania, played with bootyliciousness by Beyonce Knowles, is well aware that Clouseau (Steve Martin) is gaga at the sight of her and uses her feminine wiles to... well, maybe divert suspicion?

Clouseau is given help in the form of Gilbert Ponton (Jean Reno), someone who is used to following orders. However, during the investigation, it's apparent that he is more competent than his superior. And Nicole the secretary gives him encouragement. Oh, and there's some unexpected help from a British agent who's one digit away from being on top.

The slapstick gags that garnered many a giggle or howl are present. As a nod to Sellers' Clouseau getting his hand stuck in a globe in the first PP movie, Martin's Clouseau sends the globe rolling down the stairs and into the street until it causes some cyclists to crash. And the pain gags, often at Dreyfus's expense are just as painful, such as a scene where Clouseau flips open his ID badge, only to have the badge fly out and pierce Dreyfus's chest. Hoewver, Kato, the Chinese manservant who attacked Clouseau randomly to keep the detective on his toes, is conspicuous by his absence. Here, it's Clouseau who randomly attacks Ponton, only to realize his subordinate is really on his toes.

Martin, who also has co-screenplay writing credit, manages the bogus French accent well, and he doesn't fare too badly as Clouseau, but his mannerisms can be overdone, and gags that are meant to be funny misfire. His failure to pronounce the word "hamburger" leads to an airport security sequence mirroring that of the Bean movie-what's the point?

One notable difference is the Dreyfus-Clouseau relationship. Whereas from A Shot In The Dark, Herbert Lom's Dreyfus was driven to insanity and hated Clouseau, Kevin Kline's Dreyfus is a more rational schemer and gloryseeker trying to get the glory he deserves. Those wild eyes and that smile are there, but he's not the over-the-top psychopath he was in A Fish Called Wanda.

While A Shot In The Dark and The Pink Panther Strikes Again stand as classics in the series, this one is at least better than Revenge of the Pink Panther and the lamentable Sellers-less Curse of the Pink Panther with Ted Wasson.

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Stilted, vapid and utterly predictable. And that was just Beyonce. The rest of the movie was even worse. There was exactly one laugh in the whole thing -the end credits list a dialect coach for Kevin Kline! In one scene he's English, the next he's kinda-sorta French, and in the next he just gives up altogether.

You know how in Jerry Lewis movies you can always tell what the gag is going to be about 10 seconds before it happens? Every time? This movie bests that by about 15 seconds.

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I can't understand why Hollywood should try to make remakes of the unremakeable. Peter Sellers can not be beaten and Steve Martin doesn't rate at all. Martin is decidely un-funny and should be ashamed of this abomination. The original is witty, classy, has an unbeatable cast of international skilled actors and actresses. This attempt to modernise it is truly awful. Save your money and buy the 1964 original with the great soundtrack of Henry Mancini.

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This version of "The Pink Panther" has had a rough journey to the theaters as the powers-that-be at MGM/Sony felt that the original version of it was too racy and that Clouseau (a hilarious Steve Martin) was too much of a letch.

After re-shoots, 5 million dollars and delays in the release date from last summer, "The Pink Panther" has finally opened and, though the story is a little creaky it is very, very funny, sometimes even hilarious and Martin's Clouseau is perfect: more homey, less weird than Peter Sellers...but definitely a successful interpretation.

The story involves the Pink Panther diamond, a pop singer (bombshell Beyonce' Knowles), a soccer manager's murder (Jason Stratham) and around once again to use and abuse Clouseau, Chief Inspector Dreyfus (a muted Kevin Kline).

Some of the racy double entendres were thankfully left intact and Clouseau's relationship with his assistant Nicole (a funny, sexy Emily Mortimer) is warm and witty....something that Sellers's Clouseau could never quite attain.

"The Pink Panther" 2006 is a barrel of laughs and yet its comedy is thankfully rooted in the things that make us human: it's a major change from the previous incarnation but a welcome one and an artistic success nonetheless.

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Mr. Woodcock (2008)

I still remember the meanest teacher I've ever had back in High School. That short guy always punished the students for little or no reason at all and unfortunately we just had to deal with it (doing pushups with your knuckles is not fun at all). I'm sure that most of us can relate to these unpleasant--and sometimes even painful--memories from childhood. Mr. Woodcock is a movie about that teacher that you loved to hate. Not only made poor John miserable as a boy, but he is coming back to date his mom. This is without a doubt, one of the funniest films of the year (unfortunately not many critics believe this statement). It follows the Meet the Parents formula with situational jokes and great performances by Billy Bob Thornton and Seann William Scott who together are dynamite and perfectly suitable for their roles.

Brief Intro Story:

John Farley (Seann William Scott) is a junior high kid who is constantly suffering humiliation by his gym teacher Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton). Little John is not the only victim here, but all of the kids from his class suffer by the same demeaning punishment.

Thirteen years has passed and now Farley is a successful writer who has a best selling book called "Letting Go, How to get past your past"--inspired by his childhood memories. As he is traveling around the country promoting his book with his agent Maggie Hoffman (Amy Poehler), he finds out that he just got an award from his hometown. It will be a great opportunity to say hello to his dear mother Beverly (Susan Sarandon) who lives alone--unfortunately John lost his father years ago.

As he gets home to say hello to his mom, he finds found that she is dating no other than his number one nemesis Mr. Woodcock. There is bad blood almost instantly between them and John will do anything to separate them.

Review:

Mr. Woodcock entertains mostly because of the hostility and obsession--and many assumptions--that John has towards his old gym teacher. He remembers him with anger and in a way--even though he is a young adult now--he still sees him through the eyes of a bitter child. He cannot stand the fact that he is dating his mom and he is willing to give up his career as a writer in order to stop this relationship. John also notices that his adversary is a great figure in his community. Why is that so? But he makes a mistake by not understanding Woodcock's persona with more depth. Why is he like that with the students? Is he doing it to discipline his students so they can become better people? He is surprised that no one can see his dark side but him--his mom is totally in love with the guy. Mr. Woodcock is full of surprises and John is going to find out the hard way.

Besides the situational jokes (the Tyra Banks Show and the last reunion scene are my favorites), animosity between teacher and student and great chemistry between both foes, the film works because director Craig Gillespie injects a bit of drama and mutual understanding, especially towards the end of the film. I guarantee the ending will please the audience.

The Verdict:

despised by many critics but praised but few (I'm one of those few). Mr. Woodcock is an entertaining film that deals with those evil teachers we remember from our childhood days, but we never get to know them that well. In a way Mr. Woodcock "helped" John to become a successful writer. Of course it is debatable, but what's not debatable is the interesting story, great amount of jokes, and chemistry between Seann William Scott and Billy Bob Thornton who are perfect doing these kinds of comedies.

After surviving the wrath of his take-no-prisoners gym teacher Jasper Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton), John Farley (Seann William Scott) has grown from a fat nerd to a successful self-help book author. On his way home to accept a citizenship award at this year's Cornival, he finds out his mother Beverly (Susan Sarandon) is dating Woodcock for quite a while. With his forgotten past now back, he make whatever attempts he can to prove to his mother that Woodcock is no good for him.

You know, some less-than-successful comedies have at least some charm to make them at least get some worthy laughs. "Hot Rod", as silly as it was, benefited from Andy Samberg's determined performance that gave him a movie career once he breaks free from "Saturday Night Live"'s grasp. But when it comes to a film like "Mr. Woodcock", sometimes there isn't much hope. Adding insult to injury was the fact that it spent quite a while in hiding before being unleashed to unsuspecting moviegoers.

First off, there is a solid cast backed here: Billy Bob Thornton, Seann William Scott, Ethan Suplee, Amy Poehler, and Susan Sarandon. Honestly, a cast like this can bring any material to life. However, a cast like this needs a stable filmmaker to help guide them, and Craig Gillespie ("Lars and the Real Girl") is not the filmmaker for the job.

I must disgress that leads Thornton and Scott are very funny men, but unless the film is rated R or even funny, they can bomb right at the start. That's probably why Thornton's biting one-liners and drill sergeant delivery, which worked so well in "Bad Santa" and "Bad News Bears", feel like leftovers. Scott's an even bigger curiosity; is he trying to mimic his "Dude, Where's My Car" co-star Ashton Kutcher's move from a comic powerhouse to a nice guy in movies? Only co-stars Suplee and Poehler come off unscathed and deliver the film's source of laughs that the film so desperately desires.

The rest of the film is flat and been-there-done-that: crotch whallops, pratfalls involving senior citizens (not even Adam Sandler would dare use this as comedy), sexual innuendo (the banging-your-mom line is used ad nauseum), a love interest (Melissa Sagemiller) that doesn't fit in with the film, and even sentimentality. The latter one is a crushing blow. It's not as mind-numbingly grim as Adam Sandler's "Click", but once Farley tries to unmask Woodcock's supposed evildoings, Gillespie tries to paint sympathy that is hardly warranted in the first place.

It's a shame that Mr. Woodcock is such a lame film, because whenever Gillespie films scenes with Suplee or Poehler, it's where he's in a comfort zone, allowing these two fine comic actors ease pain that would've came had they not been in the film. Regardless, it's still not a funny film, and disappointing work from Scott, Thornton, and Sarandon. And to think David Dobkin ("Wedding Crashers") was involved; maybe his collaborations with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn were flukes?

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I am so disappointed in this film. Thornton and Scott are in my opinion two of the most hilarious actors in the business today. I thought the movie had plenty potential but I can't remember laughing one time throughout. School of Scoundrels wasn't great but at least I remember a few funny scenes. I hope Billy Bob and Scott will team up again but hopefully in a better movie!

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A few laughs are sprinkled in here and there, but at best this is a 2.5 star effort, if that.

Billy Bob Thornton seems to be continuing the role that he played in School for Scoundrels. Seann William Scott plays the picked on school kid (John Farley) that suffered at the hands of the sadistic gym teacher played by Billy Bob Thornton. Susan Sarandon is the mother of Seann William Scott who just happens to be dating Thornton's Mr. Woodcock, which leaves Farley wondering just why his mother can't see how horrible Woodcock really is. (My wife noted that the Seann William Scott role here is similar to that played by Richard Dreyfus in What About Bob?)

At 87 minutes running time, at least the movie ends fairly quickly. If you like Billy Bob Thornton, you may enjoy this movie more than others. Same for the Seann William Scott fans out there (I assume there are a few). Outside of that, consider finding your entertainment value elsewhere.

I'm glad my PS3 didn't spit out the disc, but then again it would be nice if Blu-ray was used for something better.

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This movie was a total waste a time. Talk about a Billy Bob playing the same character over and over again, but less funny. Actually not even funny at all. Save yourself 88 minutes of your life.

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Ocean's 11 (50th Anniversary) (2010)

Simply put, this film has not looked better since it played in a theater.

Warner Brothers did a fantastic job with the transfer and it looks even better than the version that's played HBO and Cinemax off and on over the past few years.

If you're a fan of this film, you OWE IT TO YOURSELF to purchase this disc, even if it means you need to purchase a Blu-ray player as well!

Note the commentary is the same one from the DVD editions, but is still entertaining, and there are a few new extras on this disc.

I'll be forever grateful that WB decided to issue this catalog title on BD.

Sinatra and his best friends at their best. A good plot and the transfer to Blu ray is terrific. Nevertheless the sound is 1.0 and not AC3 or DTS in my copy. I think that today technology makes miracles with the sound. Anyway Sinatra is good in any format

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The original Ocean's Eleven has been sneered at in recent years, mainly by people who like the remake. In fact the original is an interesting and entertaining movie that is still well worth watching, particulaly by fans of the main stars.

The central story is about a group of ex 82nd Airborne servicemen attempting to rob five big Las Vegas casinos and how their ingenious plan goes astray. The narrative is augmented by historically fascinating shots of Las Vegas as it was circa 1960. Especially interesting for fans of a bygone era in show business are the bill boards announcing which stars are appearing at which casino. That delightful and mostly forgotten Canadian singer Gisele Mackenzie is prominently proclaimed.

The Blu-ray presentation of the movie is superb and cannot be praised too highly. Watching this BRD via a projector on a ten foot wide screen was as good as seeing the movie in a cinema. I recommend this Blu-ray disc to anyone who enjoys the movie, particularly if they have a projector.

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Love this movie and had it on DVD but when it came out on BD I had to get it.

Video is 100x better than DVD audio is better also.

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Frank Sinatra's involvement with OCEAN'S ELEVEN began when a Las Vegas gas station attendant handed Sinatra his screenplay. Frank's enthusiasm for the story carried over to his buddies and "Ocean's 11" became the first of several Rat Pack movies. A solid cast, several cameos, a tight script and breezy ad-lib performances by its principals make this crime heist tale great fun. Seeing Frank, Dean and Sammy in their prime and hearing Davis's vocal on the movie's theme adds to the enjoyment.

SYNOPSIS--

Eleven buddies (led by Danny Ocean, aka Sinatra) plan and pull off a theft at five Las Vegas casinos simultaneously. They get away with their haul, but are later confronted by an ex-gangster who's figured out what occurred and is demanding half the take.

Shirley MacLaine's impromptu appearance as a tipsy gal is a highlight; George Raft (who was a personal friend of Vegas pioneer Bugsy Siegel) portrays a casino owner and Red Skelton appears as himself. Richard Boone is the voice of an unseen minister; TV quiz show announcer George Fenneman can be heard in a phone conversation with an interrogating sheriff. Watch for one-time cowboy star Hoot Gibson in his last screen appearance, as a roadblock deputy.

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The Rat Pack's next adventure was SERGEANTS 3, a 1962 remake of "Gunga Din." Frank and Dean also show up at the end of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby's last road picture, THE ROAD TO HONG KONG (1961).

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Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 IMDb viewer poll rating.

(6.4) Ocean's Eleven (1960) Frank Sinatra/Dean Martin/Sammy Davis Jr./Peter Lawford/Angie Dickinson/Richard Conte/Cesar Romero/Joey Bishop/Akim Tamiroff/Henry Silva/Buddy Lester/Norman Fell/Red Skelton/George Raft (uncredited: Shirley MacLaine/Pinky Lee/George Fenneman/Richard Boone/Hoot Gibson/Don 'Red' Barry/Richard Sinatra)

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Varsity Blues (Deluxe Edition) (1999)

The movie is based on a "piece" of everyone's life, in some small way, who have ever played football. Does it matter that HS kids get in a strip club and drink till 6:00am ? "NO" Does it matter that Hoss is sitting on a tailgate, drinking Jack like its water ... and shooting a shotgun, with the HS Football Field lights on ? "NOOOOO" !!!!

It is "Rocky" + "Friday Night Lights" + "Rudy" + "Stand By Me" = Varisty Blues.

If you played football, or ever hung out with the guys after a game, or ever LAUGHED at the guys who couldn't leave HS even after they graduated 9 years ago ... Then buy the movie, its worth it, and the soundtrack ROCKS !!!!

Ok, so James Van Der Beek's Texas accent isn't all that great. So what if no football coach in their right mind would run a hook-and-ladder play to a 350 pound lineman. What does it matter that very few of us ever have a teacher as hot as Miss Davis...much less one that works in a strip club? It's still a great movie.

Look people, this isn't supposed to be a drama. This is a comedy-drama. Some dramatic parts, but it's supposed to be funny overall. That's why the movie has Tweeder! There are a few dramatic parts to the film, but it's mostly comedy. The intended audience is obviously the high school and college age, but can be enjoyed by nearly everyone...especially football fans.

Who knew that MTV Films was capable of making a movie like this? It did very well at the box office, and the DVD has sold well too...for good reason. Come on....everyone has to laugh when Tweeder steals the police car.

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When I first saw this film, I hated it. I could not find a single likeable character in the movie: the backup quarterback who couldn't seem to make up his mind whether to be ambivalent or committed to football; an obsessed, fanatical head coach; shallow, self-absorbed, hedonistic jocks; a whipped cream cheerleader; a little brother with an identity crisis; and moronic football dads wanting to do nothing more than live vicariously through their sons. Outside of a headbanging soundtrack and sensational football action, I was anything but impressed with VARSITY BLUES.

Then I caught the film on cable recently, and watched it. Then I rented it, and watched it again. Perhaps I had been too judgmental my first viewing: VARSITY BLUES was slowly but surely revealing itself to me as a very entertaining movie. I came to appreciate Jonathan "Mox" Moxon (James Van Der Beek), a second string quarterback with aspirations to go to an Ivy League college suddenly thrust into the spotlight of his west Texas town as the new starting signal caller. I came to loathe Bud Kilmer (Jon Voight), the epitome of the abusive, cruel, vindictive, win-at-all-costs head football coach. I came to enjoy the small town "feel" of this film, where high school football players are placed on a pedestal and allowed to run wild. And what can you say about Billy Bob (Ron Lester) and Tweeder (Scott Caan), other than these two raunchy characters flavor this movie whenever they appear like onions in Texas chili?

Setting aside a hopelessly unrealistic player revolt (Where were the other coaches to take over when Kilmer left?), director Brian Robbins furnishes fast-moving, high-octane football scenes guaranteed to make those of us who have played the game (and still love it) want to strap on the pads again. VARSITY BLUES is less than perfect, like a six-pack of warm beer, but still satisfying to the last drop.

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This movie is not only a great achievement, but touches the heart of teenagers everywhere. Being a teenager in a high-school where football is a way of life, I can relate to this movie on several levels. I have recently graduated myself, and during my senior year, our football team went to state for the first time in 20 years. Just as we were getting ready for the state game, Varsity Blues was released. This is an amazing "roller coaster" ride through the life of a group of American high-school students who only want to do what is right. Varisty Blues is, and probably always will be, my favorite movie of all-time.

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There are two fundamental reasons why the Paramount Pictures film directed by Brian Robbins, Varsity Blues is one of the greatest movies made in this time. First of all it is the best depiction of high school life in a small town I have ever seen in a movie. Secondly, not only is the film frank and outspoken when dealing with the truths of growing up in a small town, but Varsity Blues is 105 minutes of film packed with diligently planned dramatic photography. The fact that each scene is pumped so full of emotion only amplifies the possible reality of the script. The story told by the movie Varsity Blues appeals to me for more reasons than one. First of all, the film is humorous, thrilling and full of emotion. Secondly, I grew up in a small town like West Canaan, Texas, where the story takes place, so much of the story is very real to me. For example, in my town, football games on Friday nights were more like religious ceremonials or rituals than simply high school athletics. This excerpt from the movie portrays this image perfectly: "In America we have laws; laws against killing, laws against stealing and it is just accepted that as a member of American society you will live by those laws. In West Canaan, Texas there is another society, which has its own laws. Football is a way of life. As a boy growing up in West Canaan, Texas, you never questioned the sanctity of football; you just listened to what the coaches said and tried as best as you could to win; win at all costs." After each game, the football team would have a party to celebrate whether the final score represented victory or defeat. These parties included alcohol, drugs, sex and probably much more that I was unaware of at the time. Nearly the entire school would attend these parties. It would have been unusual for the cops to not show up a couple of times a night to order everyone to keep it down even if the closest neighbors were miles away. Even if the cops had caught someone underage who had been drinking they couldn't really arrest them because then they wouldn't be welcome at Saturday's barbeque. Another similarity between West Canaan and my hometown was that the football coach had the most power in the town with players as close seconds. This meant that if a player was falling behind in class, the coach would have a talk with the teacher and soon the player would have one of the highest grades in the class. As in Varsity Blues, there was an abundance of racism in my town. Confederate flags were a common sight and racial slurs could be heard frequently. The truth is that although many people think that Varsity Blues is far fetched and unrealistic it is just the opposite. People do not want to admit that this type of community, with these problems still exists, but it does and Varsity Blues does an excellent job of illustrating what it is like to grow up in this sort of environment. Lastly, Varsity Blues is exponentially enhanced by the incredible photography portrayed throughout. This film includes scenes that I would go as far as to deem them the best I've seen. The extraordinary photography takes the film to a whole new level, where it becomes not only a movie, but art captured on film. Each scene was thoughtfully constructed and designed ahead of time so that it could display as much energy as possible making each picture worth much more than merely a thousand words. One of my favorite parts of the movie is during the game against Elway, after the team had spent the night at the strip club. This is because each fleeting incident, each motion, each flicker of film is bursting with power and vigor that it feels more real than if you had been a part of it. All of these aspects are what make Varsity Blues such an outstanding film. I am glad that someone was brave enough to confront facts that exist that most people do not want to believe are true, such as racism, premarital sex, underage drinking, cheating, etcetera. Varsity Blues does all this and more by presenting it in a way that appeals to people and causes them to feel as if they are in West Canaan, Texas as all of this is taking place.

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The House Bunny (+ BD Live) (2008)

When I first heard about this film, I was less than impressed and had no intentions of seeing it. Once, however, I saw the preview at another film, I decided to give it a try and I'm glad I did.

"The House Bunny" is a charming and funny little film starring Anna Faris as Shelly, a playboy bunny who lives a carefree life in Hugh Hefner's mansion. After her 27th birthday, she finds herself suddenly evicted from her perfect life, unaware of how she can make a living. When she stumbles onto a college campus and discovers that sororities slightly resemble her former playful lifestyle, she becomes determined to be the house mother of a failing sorority full of misfits and unpopular girls. Through her determined spirit, willingness to encourage others and using her sexuality in a positive way, Shelley works her magic and helps her girls to become of the belles of sorority row. And in the process, the young women teach Shelly some valuable lessons as well.

Faris gives a good comedic performance, giving the character a sweet, likeable naivety. I liked that the character wasn't bitchy or a diva, simply a kind girl who lived an exotic life but must now adjust to her new situation and envirnoment. The supporting cast is funny but the brunt of the film falls on Faris, who delivers and proves she can carry a film. Notable supporting characters include Rumor Willis (the daugther of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore)former American Idol alum, Kathernine McPhee and Colin Hanks, son of Tom Hanks.

This is a fun date movie and I recommend it as a perfect summer comedy movie. Worth a trip to the theater!

Anna Faris is one of the popular comedic actresses with her roles in "Scary Movie" films but also showed us how versatile of an actress that she is through roles in films such as "Lost in Translation" and "Brokeback Mountain".

But this time, Faris has dual roles as executive producer and actress for "THE HOUSE BUNNY", a comedy film written by the creators of "Legally Blonde" and produced by Happy Madison Productions. And with that being said, if you are a fan of Happy Madison style of films such as "50 First Dates", "Deuce Bigalow" or more recently with films such as "Bedtime Stories", you know that you're getting a fun film that will generate a lot of laughs. But also films that are not meant to be taken seriously. Just sit back and enjoy.

"THE HOUSE BUNNY" features Shelley (Anna Faris), a young orphan who becomes a beautiful model for Playboy and lives in the Playboy mansion. Her dream is to become a Playmate and Miss November. But after celebrating an extravagant 27th birthday at the Playboy mansion highlighted by cameos by professional athletes such as Shaquille O'Neal and Matt Leinart, Shelley receives a letter that she must vacate the Playboy mansion.

Shelley becomes homeless and has some rough luck until she overhears a sorority talking about fashion and she follows them to their home. Not knowing what a sorority house is, she meets the house mothers who pretty much tells her to get lost while one feels sorry for her and tells her to visit another sorority, Zeta Alpha Zeta.

The Zeta Alpha Zeta sorority are a few women who are somewhat nerds, outcasts and are in danger of losing their house because they don't have 30 members. Fortunately for them, Shelley takes up a job to become their house mother and using her sexy body brings the attention to the sorority and hopefully help them get the 30 members that they need but also helping the women discover their inner beauty and to hopefully give them the courage to get a makeover and also meet guys.

Anna Faris really makes this film work. Faris really worked out for the role to make Shelley's part work. Having to wear short shorts and showing off her toned abs and body, it's definitely not a part that I would have imagined her playing but she executes her role convincingly.

Shelley is much more ditsier than Witherspoone's "Legally Blonde" character and because she is quite naive and only exposed to what goes on at the Playboy Mansion, she has an interesting way of viewing life and again, Faris does a great bringing life into her character.

Joining Farris are the Zeta Alpha Zeta sorority girls:

Natalie (played by "Superbad" actress Emma Stone), the leader of Zeta Alpha Zeta who is pretty much the brainiac.

Mona (played by the "40-Year Old Virgin" and "Nick and Norah's Infinity Playlist" Kat Denning), the punk girl who is anti-popular and has piercings all over her face.

Harmony (played by "American Idol" finalist Katharine McPhee), the pregnant sorority member.

Joanne (played by "From Within" actress Rumer Willis), the sorority member who wears a body brace.

Lilly (played by Cheetah Girls member Kiely Williams), the sorority member who is afraid to talk to people.

Carrie Mae (played by Deuce Bigalow: The European Gigalow" actress Dana Goodman), as a scary sorority member who walks with a hunchback.

Tanya (played by Kimberly Makkouk), as the very small member of the group.

And also starring Colin Hanks as Oliver, a normal guy who works at a convalescent home. Shelley happens to be attracted to him but her Playboy way of attracting men by flaunting her body, doesn't seem to work on him, thus with the help of the Zeta Alpha Zeta girls, they teach her how to be smart.

The film also features a pretty strong soundtrack as a lot of the songs are well-known such as "When I Grow Up" by the Pussycat Dolls and "Shut Up and Let Me Go" by the Ting Tings.

VIDEO:

The video is featured in 1080p high definition and aspect ratio is 2:40:1. Picture quality was quite vibrant during the outdoor scenes and during dark scenes, I really don't recall seeing much noise during the blacks.

AUDIO:

The film is featured in TrueHD 5.1. Although the film is primarily a dialogue film, where the film really gets pumped up audio-wise is during the moments that feature a lot of music.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The Blu-ray edition of "The House Bunny" definitely has a good number of featurettes included.

* House Bunny Style: Make-up/hair/wardrobe documentary on making over the Zeta girls into "Bunnies"

* The Girls of Zeta: A look into the actresses who make up the sorority girls of Zeta and how they bonded on-set

* Calendar Girls: A fun look into the photo shoot for the calendar

* Anna Faris: House Mom: A look at Anna Faris and her character of "Shelley", her infectious smile, fun personality and interactions with others

* Colin Hanks: Mr. Nice Guy

* From Song to Set: Katherine McPhee: A look at the on-set experiences of first-time actress Katharine McPhee

* From Tour Bus to Trailer: Tyson Ritter: A look at the on-set experiences of first-time actor Tyson Ritter

* Look Who Dropped By: Checkout the stars who showed up on-set!

* The Girls Upstairs: Behind the scenes with the real "Girls Next Door"

* Zetas Transformed

* Getting Ready for a Party

* House Bunny Memories

* I Know What Boys Like Music Video by Katharine McPhee

* INTRODUCTION TO "I KNOW WHAT BOYS LIKE"

* Deleted Scenes

For me, the featurette with Anna Faris was interesting to watch. Especially to get her take on having to do the dual roles as an executive producer and being the lead actress. Also, learning how she had to really workout for the role and her thoughts of wearing the skimpy outfits. Really good insight into the actual film.

Also, it was great to see the camaraderie of the ladies in the film and how much fun they had shooting the film. There literally are a good number of featurettes that last around five minutes or more on this Blu-ray.

In "Looked Who Dropped By", you get to see the number of talent who had cameos in the film from Shaq, Matt Leinart, former ESPN analyst Sean Sallisbury, sportscaster Dan Patrick and many more. "The Girls Upstairs" features Hugh Heffner and the three Playmates from "Girls Next Door" on set.

As for the deleted scenes, no commentary but there were quite a number of deleted scenes which I agree with the director for cutting out those scenes.

I wish there was a commentary segment featuring Faris but unfortunately there wasn't one. But overall, you do get a good number of special features on the Blu-ray disc and it is BD-Live enabled.

Typically, when I watch a "Happy Madison" produced film, I expect to watch a comedy and just sit back and see how crazy and at times, how moronic some films can be. But with "THE HOUSE BUNNY", I have to admit that I was amazed to see Anna Faris in this role and how she brought this character to life.

Personally, I don't think I can picture any actress making this role happen and so I was very pleased with her performance. As for the overall film, I would call it "Legally Blonde" meets "The Revenge of the Nerds" and to see how the women literally transform themselves to the women no one wants to be around, to the women than the frat boys want to party with.

But with that being said, that scenario can be seen quite negatively to people who do not believe a woman should have to go through a makeover, wear slinky outfits to make things happen for them in college.

For me, many Happy Gilmore produced films are never meant to be taken seriously and for those who approach these comedy films with a lot of seriousness, are probably going to get disappointed. You need to really sit back and just enjoy how far the characters can make you laugh or make you feel embarrassed. It's all fun!

Again, Anna Faris does a great job on this film and really demonstrating her versatility as an actress. Without her, I really don't think this film could have worked. She brought life into the character of Shelley and watching the featurette, she definitely made it fun for the other actresses and they fed off that enthusiasm, The chemistry with Faris and the other actresses worked quite well.

Overall, "THE HOUSE BUNNY" is a fun and enjoyable comedy that is sure to make you laugh and also looks great on Blu-ray.

Buy The House Bunny (+ BD Live) (2008) Now

Well, I'm embarrassed to admit that I really enjoyed this silly movie. I hadn't intended to see it, but got pushed into watching it with my family. And I liked it better than they did! It was actually very sweet.

The plot, of course, is a cliche. Nerdy sorority is made cool by an ex-bunny. Not original. But it isn't meant to be. This whole thing is just a wonderful frame for the comedic talents of the people involved. We particularly enjoyed the scene where Shelley tries to act like Marilyn Monroe over the steam vent, and gets her knees badly steamed. That is just so silly that you have to laugh.

Also, at my house, we just find it so strange that the series "the girls next door," whose performers are in this film (the Faris role, Shelley, is supposed to be living at the Playboy Mansion as the movie opens), is one of the sweetest shows on TV. We expected trash, and were confounded by pleasant people that we genuinely like. So that predisposed us to like this film, too. There is a certain innocence to the whole thing.

So, I find myself in the position of recommending this film to anyone who enjoys silly comedy.

Read Best Reviews of The House Bunny (+ BD Live) (2008) Here

Anna Faris discovers a facet of method acting? Yes. Not since Christian Bale muscled up in order to one up Leo DiCaprio for the title role in American Psycho has someone altered their body so very dramatically for a role. The previous soft Anna has been replaced by the T-1000 Anna, hotter than ever, and funnier to boot.

As far as goofy comedies go, the writing was good. The plot was cute. The situations were were well-thought out and hilarious.

Shelley (Faris) I plays a wanna-be Playboy bunny who is cast from the Playboy Mansion after her 28th birthday. To put a roof over her head she takes a group of social outcast sorority sisters in need of a house mother under her wing and shows them the ropes of presenting themselves and talking to men. In turn the sisters teach her to an intellectual man (played by Colin Hanks).

The social blunders are numerous and the movie borrows heavily from Sorority Boys, in a good way.

Anna Faris was goofy in the Scary Movie series, good in Waiting, but has truly come into her own here. This is a must see.

Want The House Bunny (+ BD Live) (2008) Discount?

Sure this flick is formulaic and derivative but I loved it. It's consistently funny and engaging and it'll make you grin from ear to ear. This film should have been the one to break Anna Faris big. Her Shelley may be a little vapid but she's no dumb bunny. Anybody who would typecast her as a dumb blonde should check her out in the underrated "My Super Ex-Girlfriend". Like Reese Witherspoon's Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde" this is the kind of role that should catapult her to better things. Not to be overlooked is Emma Stone as the wallflower president of the sorority that Shelley becomes housemother to. I was expecting a cliched girl nerd turn but Stone imbues Natalie with warmth and complexity. It was also pretty cool that Hugh Hefner is on hand to take a self-deprecating portrayal of his image. The only debit here is stiff as wood Colin Hanks as Shelley's perfunctory love interest. Hanks may have inherited his dad's vocal ticks but has nil of his acting chops. I saw this on a sick day and it was just what the doctor ordered.

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