Here's a pair of movies I caught recently through Netflix that not only feature main characters making questionable decisions in their lives, but also represent two cases where I incorrectly predicted the quality of the films.
Extract: This movie just kind of sits there and doesn't offer much of anything. There are a few laughs, but when you boast a cast with the likes of Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, JK Simmons, Ben Affleck, and Kristin Wiig, you expect it to be a whole lot more funny. Director Mike Judge (King of the Hill, Office Space) has always been good on depicting varying levels of stupidity in his characters. While most of the characters exhibit stupidity here, I didn't find myself amused by their cluelessness like I have with some of his other stuff. A major disappointment here and not worth a rental unless you work in a factory and can perhaps appreciate better that environment being represented here. Rating: **
Sunshine Cleaning: Here, the opposite effect occured, as I was initially skeptical of how good this movie would be. It seemed to have all the makings for an annoying indie film. Quirky town, down-on-their-luck characters, dyfunctional families, etc. However, this one managed to avoid the cliches and deliver a strong, albeit small film. Amy Adams and Emily Blunt star as a pair of sisters, who decide to go into business for themselves as crime scene cleaners. This new employment opportunity provides them with a new outlook on life and allows their family to grow stronger as a result. Along for the ride is Alan Arkin, terrific as always, as the girls' father. Despite Arkin's presence and the word 'sunshine' in the title this nothing like Little Miss Sunshine, which was so nauseating in its attempt to be edgy and cool. This is a simple, yet engaging story that makes you want to see more of these characters even after the film ends. Don't dismiss it like I did and give this one a watch. Rating: *****
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