Humpday

This movie, improvisational and rambling, wasn't all that funny. But when i described it to Will, I couldn't stop laughing. The set-up was so improbable and ridiculous, I had to laugh. Will denied that the conceit of the film was even possible, claiming, "It's not because it's me--no guys would ever do that--or talk about that."

I was mostly happy because I didn't know that the film was set in Seattle but I figured it out before any of the characters mentioned it.


SPOILER ALERT



What was Will so sure two straight guys would never do? Even jokingly decide that making a porn of the two of them screwing was a good idea. In the context of an artsy party held at a house called "Dionysus" these two estranged college buddies decide that the most boundary-pushing possibly entry for the local free paper (The Stranger) sponsored amateur porn film fest called "Hump!" would be a film of two straight guys getting it on.

Thus, the rest of the film revolves around an elaborate game of chicken--each fellow trying to get the other one to back down first, but both wanting to see how far they can push themselves.

While some of their conversations went too far, I enjoyed every scene in which the married guy's wife appeared. Her expressions of understanding, horror and perplexity were priceless and spot on. I was a bit worried that she wouldn't have a role other than "wife" but it was gratifying to see her emerge as a valued and full-fledged human being by the end of the picture.

La nonna Sabella (Oh! Sabella)

Saw this at the AFI Silver (in Silver Spring, MD) as part of a series of Italian films. It was pretty silly but also fun to watch.

Sabella is an imperious grandmother who dominates everyone she comes into contact with, particularly her younger sister who has been engaged to their next-door-neighbor for twenty years. Sabella doesn't approve of the groom and keeps her easily intimidated sister as her caretaker. When Sabella's grandson arrives, because she pretends to be on her deathbed, the order Sabella has created is overturned. The grandson refuses the wealthy match Sabella has arranged and conspires with his great-aunt's fiance to get them together. It's all done (or over done) with a lot of humor and "typical Italian" emotive-ness.

Not deep, but entertaining.

Drag me to Hell

Thoroughly enjoyable, scary, ridiculous, well-played horror flick. The lead actress is tough and sympathetic and you can definitely empathize with her. Sure, the set-up is ridiculous but it allows you suspend disbelief enough to get scared enough to enjoy the film. Good for a date, that's for sure.