Movie reviews: 'Juno' and 'Semi-Pro'

[MaineDolFan]

Over the course of the last week I watched both movies.  My takes:

'Semi-Pro'

The thing about most Will Ferrell movies is that there aren't laugh out loud funny.  Most have "snicker" factors through out the movie, that semi smile through the whole thing.  There are parts of this movie that are funny, of course, but overall it's another lame-o Will Ferrell movie.  It's 'The Ballad of Ricky Bobby' or 'Blades of Glory' on the basketball court.

Will Ferrell, for the most part, is like an AC/DC album.  Every song sounds the same.  It's fun to rock out to while buzzed but at the end you never remember any of the words.

Maine rates it a D

Juno

Parts of this movie tried way too hard.  Parts of this movie are entirely way too unrealistic which is a bad thing for a movie that is trying to be realistic.  The movie tries so hard to be "hip" that it puts more on the would-be 16 year old Juno than any real 16 year olds do.  That said, it's well acted.  The script is decent.  The story line flows pretty well.  The end is touching.  You spend the movie thinking one thing will happen and the other comes through.  Not a bad flick, just not a great one.

Maine rates it a B-

[cyan]

I haven't seen Semi-Pro, since I haven't ever laughed at anything Will Ferrell said that wasn't on a live television show, but I'd assume I'd agree with a D.

Juno, on the other hand I did see, and concur...one of the best of 2007. I'd give it an A-

Two others I saw recently that I highly recommend are Son of Rambow (B+) and Persepolis (B+)
Still gotta get out and see The Hulk.

[Phishfan]

I highly recommend checking out two other projects that Ellen Page has done, Season 1 of The Trailer Park Boys and Hard Candy.

[Guru-In-Vegas]

Yeah, I agree with Semi-Pro.  They could have done so much more with that concept but settled for cheesy jokes and an AWFUL plot.

[Frimp]

I can't remember laughing at any of the Will Ferrell movies. They all are basically have the same plot. Semi Pro was slightly different because he didn't return with trumpets blazing to glory. I like the AC/DC analogy alot. That's a great way to put it.

I don't see Will Ferell ever doing any other type of movies either. I used to refer to Bob Saget as 'The Anti-Funny.' I'm starting to think of Ferell as the new Anti-Funny.

[Guru-In-Vegas]

I liked Talladega Nights. 

[Dave Gray]

I don't care for Will Ferrel's brand of comedy.  I did really, really, really like Stranger Than Fiction, but that was a big departure from his Talladega Nights type stuff.

[Buddhagirl]

I thought Juno was a cute movie.

[Thundergod]

I like Ferrell   

[bsmooth]

I think he has been his funniest when he hasn't had to carry the movie as the lead such as in Old School.

[BoSoxGrl]

I think Juno is one of the better movies made in recent history.