Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

If it was done in a town you passed through, it was hard to miss the quasi-guerilla marketing campaign of Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Billboards, taxi-tops, bus sides and bus stops had signs meant to look hand-written with phrases like "I'm so over you, Sarah Marshall." and "You do look fat in those jeans, Sarah Marshall." It was different enough to pique my curiosity. When I found out it was written by Jason Segel my curiosity only grew.

Segel also plays the main character of Peter Bretter in this story based on some of his own relationship experiences. Peter is the composer for a tv show called Crime Scene: Scene of the Crime - a show on which his girlfriend Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell) just happens to be the star. Peter's considering proposing to Sarah when she suddenly dumps him.

He takes off for Hawaii to cope but it turns out Sarah is staying at the same hotel with her new boyfriend, rock star Aldous Snow (hilariously played by British comedian Russell Brand). Luckily Peter finds a sympathetic ally in front desk worker Rachel Jansen (Mila Kunis).

Antics ensue and it's hard to say much more without giving too many surprises away. Peter's a bit goofy but he's easy to root for because he obviously has a big heart. And the smattering of well-known faces (Paul Rudd, Jack McBrayer, Bill Hader, Jason Bateman, William Baldwin, Kristen Wiig...) in small roles sliding in and out of the picture definitely help keep things lively. There are plenty of silly and/or adult humor moments, but the film doesn't totally rely on them to be entertaining.

Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: Adults who need a good laugh and a cheap trip to Hawaii.

Fanboys (2009)

First let me say that I enjoy Star Wars a lot. Then I must say that Fanboys is ridiculous - and not in a good way.

The movie centers around 4 friends from high school who, now in their early twenties, are eagerly awaiting the next installment of the Star Wars franchise, Episode 1: The Phantom Menance... or at least 3 of them are and they have to remind the other one that he's a Star Wars fan too (because apparently you can only have a career or be a Star Wars fan).

They develop a plan to drive across the US, break into Skywalker Ranch, and see the movie before it's released because one of them has cancer (although you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at him) and they're afraid he won't live long enough to see it in theaters. The movie then devolves into a low-brow road trip movie. How else would we have opportunity to run into Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, and Kevin Smith? It also allows for a random, totally unnecessary fight with Trekkies.

When the quartet lands in jail, their friend Zoe (Kristen Bell) comes to bail them out. She manages to bail the movie part way out as well by presenting a likeable, non-comedy-stereotype character. With her kicking their butts into gear, they finally make it to Skywalker Ranch where they see a lot of cool things (for Star Wars fans) before the contrived, outrageous, slap-you-in-the-face reference situations ensue.

In the end this film was a interesting idea that ultimately failed in execution. Unfortunately I'm unsure how much of this had to do with it coming out 2 years after it was supposed to and the fights that ensued over different cuts of the film. There are several funny moments and several that are just supposed to be. There's enough references to fill a Star Wars fan's half month quota, but probably not enough entertainment for a non fan to even consider watching. And to top it all off, the audience has the misfortune of knowing what these kids are after didn't live up to expectations either.

Rating: 2/5
Recommended for: People looking to fill their Star Wars reference quota

Extended Review: Apparently there are not enough actors in the world or even actors who also like Star Wars. This must be why Seth Rogen played three parts in the movie.