kevin bacon – NZ Film Freak

Directors: Glenn Ficarraa, John Requa
Writer: Dan Fogelman
Released: July 2011
Starring: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon
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Initially reminding me of other star-studded, multi-storyline films like Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Day and Love Actually, I didn’t have high-hopes for this ‘dramedy’. However, I was pleasantly surprised – it’s very funny indeed.

It follows several storylines that all end up being intertwined. But it begins with Emily (Julianne Moore) who cheats on her husband Cal (Steve Carrel). Jacob (Ryan Gosling) takes pity on a moping Cal and gives him a fashion and ego make-over.

Steve Carrel – who is also a producer of this movie – wanted the film to be called ‘The Wingman’ as it accurately described the main storyline. But it was eventually decided that it was a boring title and Crazy, Stupid, Love was chosen instead. (Even though it’s a girlie title, and inaccurate as there’s not a lot of ‘crazy’ in the film.)

Jacob: Are you the billionaire owner of Apple Computers?
Cal: No.
Jacob: Oh, ok. In that case, you’ve got no right to wear New Balance sneakers, ever.

Meanwhile, Jacob starts dating Hannah (Emma Stone), who I find to be very relatable and down-to-earth. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone have brilliant chemistry and have been a couple in two more films since Crazy, Stupid, Love – Gangster Squad and La La Land.

I feel like they should be together in real life too.

Hannah: Will you take off your shirt… Seriously? It’s like you’re Photoshopped!

Crazy, Stupid, Love delves into the unabashed journey of falling in love, including all the embarrassments and relatable moments. All the while, the jokes come thick and fast to keep the drama light.

It is a fun, quirky and hilarious film – it’s certainly an easy watch. This film is not as shallow as the promotions make it appear either, and the talented cast keep you laughing all the way through.

Jodie’s rating: 7/10

A Few Good Men film poster Director: Rob Reiner (Misery)
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
Released: December 1992
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, Kevin Pollak, Wolfgang Bodison, James Marshall, J. T. Walsh and Kiefer Sutherland
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“You can’t handle the truth!”

Well. Now I know where this famous quote actually comes from. I’ve heard it being referenced in Seinfeld (and probably countless other shows), and hadn’t the slightest clue it was from a good movie – not some Terminator, mindless action film that for some reason I always assumed it would be from.

A Few Good Men, a courtroom drama from 1992. I know, I know, I’m only 23 years behind.

Man, this movie is my favourite at the moment. I’m assuming I was the only person on the planet who hadn’t seen this film, but if you need a refresher of the plot without any of the court or Marine jargon…

Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men film Kaffee, (Tom Cruise), Galloway (Demi Moore) and Weinberg (Kevin Pollak) are defending two Marines – Dawson and Downey – who are accused of killing another Marine named Santiago, via a “Code Red”. Which is a “violent extrajudicial punishment”, according to Wikipedia. But it’s fundamentally where people of higher ranks turn their heads while Marines beat the crap out of each other for being late, or running slowly, or just being a dick in general.

Jack Nicholson in the final court scene of A Few Good Men Cruise’s character is over-confident, and he asks super awesome questions to people ranked way above him. But he has to be careful when he begins questioning Jack Nicholson’s character, because if he can’t get him to admit that he knew about the Code Red, then Tom Cruise’s character will be down the pan for accusing a Colonel… Basically.

Kevin Bacon in A Few Good Men film close-up Oh! And, Captain Jack Ross (Kevin Bacon) – not to be confused with popular Disney pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow – is the lawyer person on the other side, trying to get Dawson and Downey out of the Marines for supposedly murdering Santiago.

Anyway! Explaining any court-based story sounds boring on paper, but super cool in the movies.

I love how Demi Moore’s character isn’t a typical downtrodden, infatuated female. She’s as strong, competent and as funny as the men, and does well in her job without being the damsel in distress, or totally boring.

Oh! And how she asks Tom Cruise’s character on a date, because she’s a strong, independent woman who don’t need no man to ask her! *Snaps fingers in a sassy fashion*. But it doesn’t get lovey-dovey at all – such a breath of fresh air.

Galloway: But my feeling is that if this case is handled in the same fast-food, slick-ass ‘ Persian Bazaar manner with which you seem to handle everything else, something’s gonna get missed. And I wouldn’t be doing my job if I allowed Dawson and Downey to spend any more time in prison than absolutely necessary, because their attorney had pre-determined the path of least resistance.

Kaffee: Wow… I’m sexually aroused, Commander.

Demi Moore in A Few Good Men film Although, through all three viewings of this film within a week, I could not figure out Demi Moore’s hair… Is it short? Is it long and tied back? Is it actually Travolta’s hair from Grease..? It broke my brain a little bit. Looks pretty cool, nevertheless.

I’m typically not a fan of Tom Cruise, but he is comical, intense, and plays the part of the spoiled, cocky, lawyer remarkably well. He’s so sassy, with smart-mouthed come-backs.

Kaffee: Oh, hah, I’m sorry, I keep forgetting. You were sick the day they taught law at law school.

The only thing that dates this film is the repeated music that is quite obviously from the late 80s/early 90s. Apart from that, I think it’s held its own very well indeed. It’s just as entertaining now, as I’m sure it was back in ’92.

Keifer Sutherland in A Few Good Men film I almost forgot – Kiefer Sutherland is in it! He’s so intense. Everyone is! I definitely could not survive in the Marines… But, doesn’t Sutherland just look SWELL. *Swoon* I still prefer him in The Lost Boys though…

I love courtroom dramas. Just when you think Cruise’s character is out, he finds a loophole. It’s like Sherlock Holmes meets Judge Judy!

“It doesn’t matter what I believe. It only matters what I can prove!”

So much sass, so much awesomeness. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Scary, nail-biting, funny, inspiring. So amazing.

Kaffee: I know what you’re going to say – You don’t have to. We’ve had our differences. I said some things I didn’t mean; you said some things you didn’t mean, but you’re happy I stuck with the case. And if you’ve gained a certain respect for me over the last three weeks… well, of course, I’m happy about that. But we don’t have to make a whole big deal outta that – you like me? I won’t make you say it.

Galloway: I was just going to tell you to wear matching socks tomorrow.

Jodie’s rating: 8.5/10