Bedtime Stories(2008)

I think this was one of the best films of 2008. If you have kept up with my blog you know that I have seen a lot of movies this year, and to be completely honest I haven't written about most of the movies I have seen.

I know there has been a lot of talk about Bedtimes Stories not being so good. I respectfully disagree. I loved it.

I think it is harder to do clean comedy. In the heady times of the Apatow era that we are living in, the audience might be looking for 'adult' comedy of sex jokes, bad words, and gross-out humor. Bedtime Stories stars Adam Sandler who appeals highly to the 10 to 13 old boy crowd, and now the age range just got lower. This movie seems to be made to try to recreate the magic of Night at the Museum of a couple years ago, which was a wonderful movie that put adult comedy stars to make a clean kids movie, and somehow came out with really good family.

The story is quite simple. Adam Sandler finds himself working as a handyman in a Los Angeles hotel. His estranged sister asked him to babysit her two children while she goes to a job interview in Arizona, because the school, which she is the principle, is being torn down. She raises her kids without such good things as T.V. and sugar.

In Sandler fashion, he plays a blue-collar hero that doesn't get along with the snobby people he encounters. He takes on his new job as baby-sitter without qualms. He likes the kids and the kids feelings are mutual. The conflict comes in two folds. The owner of hotel sets up a competition with the snobby villain to see who will run the next big hotel in his company. The next conflict is that he doesn't get a along with his sister's pretty friend who is also looking after the kids, who is a bit of perpetually exasperated eco-enthusiastic, Felicity. I mean Kari Russell.

Sandler starts telling bedtime stories to get the kids to go to bed, and he finds out that stories come true the next day. Of course, his stories are narcissistic self involved hero stories about himself.

Sandler is helped by his friend Micky who is played by Russel Brand; who you might remember from Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Bedtime stories is a charming comedy. Totally clean,and totally funny.

Fanboys(2009)

Well worth the wait! Fanboys was suppose to be released in September then later in the fall. I am really not sure how long this movie has been pushed back. It's out now!

This is one of the greatest nerd movies of all-time. This is movie made for Star Wars fans by Star Wars fans. All general sci-fi fans can appreciate it this. I haven't laughed so much at the movies since Zach and Miri make a porno.

Fan Boys is a period piece; set circa 1999. The first new Star Wars movie has yet to be released. For four Star Wars geeks who have spent more time of their lives arguing Star Wars than Shakespeare there is no greater event in their mid-twenties of life. Except one of them is terminal Ill and will not live to see the new movie.

Our young rogues set out on a across country pilgrimage to nic a copy of the new Star Wars movie. Along the way, they battle Star Trek fans at the birthplace of Kirk, a pimp played by Seth Rogan. They run into Billy Dee Williams, Carrie Fisher, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith,and many of the Judd Apatow crew. The movie stars Jay Baruchel ( Tropic Thunder, Nick and Norah's Infinite playlist, Undeclared, Knocked up) and Kirsten Bell (Forgetting Sarah Marshal). Let's not forget William Shatner, who can score anything.

When they do break into the Skywalker Ranch in Modesto California, they want into a Lucas Film fantasy film props from Star Wars and Indiana Jones. The best part is when they enter a room with Darth Vader, R2D2 and C3PO, Indi's hat, and other treasures. Well, before they the get caught. However, the guards who include the actor who played Darth Maul eventually let them go after administering a nerd test to see if they know more about Star Wars than they do about sex. They all pass.

The ends with the start of the Phantom Menace, when one remarks "What if it sucks?"

I can't imagine that all people will get this film. It would not surprise if many critics have trashed this film. Maybe because they are not nerds or maybe because they are Star Trek fans; who knows! Not everyone will get this joke when a doctor played by Carrie Fisher is kissed by one of our hero's who tells her that he loves her, and she responses with "I know." Not everyone will remember that Han Solo and Princess Leah interaction, but those people shouldn't be watching this film. For the rest of us,we'll laugh our off through out the film.

Bryan Sarkinen at the Westminster Dog Show

A Note from Bryan:

"Wanted to let you know that a show that I shot for CNBC is airing at 9PM tonight. It's called "American Originals" and is about the Westminster Dog Show."