Saw Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best on Friday at TIFF. Got to see THE Andrew McCarthy.
(you’re welcome for the photo), THE Michael Weston (love him), shooter mcgavin (who cares what his real name is), and writer, director ryan o’nan…. Who was good. and cute. And… charming? Since I’m the TIFF goer who barely knows the name of a movie before she shows up, I was pretty pleased with the outcome. A few jokes that made me laugh out loud (though, as my friend said, seemed as though some of the humour went WAY over the heads of the audience – too bad… nothing like comedic timing from no namers).
the movie follows alex, who by the beginning of the movie, we learn has just been dumped (by a girlfriend, and a band mate), and has quit his job (slash... is fired? after throwing a water jug at fez - wilmer valderrama - and storming out of his realty job office). we do learn that he's actually pretty good at writing, singing, etc (all those things required of a good indie pop flick), but can't seem to catch a break. after an amazingly hilarious scene, in which we see him in a blood stained moose costume (or something else with antlers), engaging in a fantastic conversation with a 4 year old, he's accosted by perhaps the one person who has ever watched him play, jim (weston), and after a brief kidnapping (don't worry - he's taken to his own home), he's propositioned by Jim to join a (two person) band and engage in a cross country road trip to a battle of the bands (corny, right?). he learns that jim is a (in my opinion) musical 'genious' who lives with his grandfather, and plays children's instruments... or atari's connected to spell and speak's (in some cases). then some broad enters the picture - after an amazing exchange between jim and alex in their first attempt at getting into their first show - and follows them on their trip... sexual tension, blah blah blah... fall in love/like/lust, blah blah blah... whatever. once the love thing enters the scene, things get rough. insert andrew mccarthy's kid (o'nan's nephew), some awkward conversations about being a 'man', and i just wish that they had kept the humour up the whole way through.
michael weston seems to play generally the same character in most things he does… but it’s a character I love. So what do I care? Love him in last kiss – really…. Who am I kidding? I love everyone in last kiss.
Eric Christian Olsen? Yes please.
I digress. Michael Weston was good – he’s that awkward, socially inept sidekick type, who is hilariously funny. Ryan O’Nan was funny… I was worried by his brooding at the beginning of the movie, but then again, I love laughing at other people’s misery. He did, however, pull off some kick ass comedy, and has amazing comedic timing… he also wrote most of the movie’s songs, and it's good. surprisingly good. good enough that there's going to be a soundtrack, AND they just got an extension record deal. badumching.
really made me want to travel the country… and maybe I should stop seeing movies like that, as it’s going to kick me into high gear to get into a car, busk for money (without any talent whatsoever), and enjoy the scenery.
The beginning had some amazing humour – jokes about stabbing kids who were ‘mentally incapacitated’ (don’t hate me because I appreciate black humour); a far-too-long to-not-be-awkward scene where Michael Weston plays the Atari (ish?); the comedic timing that Ryan and Michael had as band mates; hilarious vampire song writing; the list goes on. Unfortunately, as everyone knows, love stories turn me off. It got lovey dovey pretty quick at the end, and I was not impressed. A little sappy, and a little blasé.
michael weston seems to play generally the same character in most things he does… but it’s a character I love. So what do I care? Love him in last kiss – really…. Who am I kidding? I love everyone in last kiss.
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| zach braff, eric christian olsen, michael weston and casey affleck in last kiss |
I digress. Michael Weston was good – he’s that awkward, socially inept sidekick type, who is hilariously funny. Ryan O’Nan was funny… I was worried by his brooding at the beginning of the movie, but then again, I love laughing at other people’s misery. He did, however, pull off some kick ass comedy, and has amazing comedic timing… he also wrote most of the movie’s songs, and it's good. surprisingly good. good enough that there's going to be a soundtrack, AND they just got an extension record deal. badumching.
really made me want to travel the country… and maybe I should stop seeing movies like that, as it’s going to kick me into high gear to get into a car, busk for money (without any talent whatsoever), and enjoy the scenery.
The beginning had some amazing humour – jokes about stabbing kids who were ‘mentally incapacitated’ (don’t hate me because I appreciate black humour); a far-too-long to-not-be-awkward scene where Michael Weston plays the Atari (ish?); the comedic timing that Ryan and Michael had as band mates; hilarious vampire song writing; the list goes on. Unfortunately, as everyone knows, love stories turn me off. It got lovey dovey pretty quick at the end, and I was not impressed. A little sappy, and a little blasé.
Nevertheless I was pleasantly surprised (and not JUST because I didn’t even know the title going in). if you like love stories (or at least, don’t mind them), and like a bit of sick twisted humour with your musical instruments (and if you don’t, stop reading my blog)… then see it. It’s worth it.
and the relationship moral of the story/movie: *spoiler* don't forgive someone who goes on a road trip with you and your new band member, then steals all your money, and leaves after your first night of loving since the love of your life crushed your heart through a meat grinder. and does irresponsible things like climbing on your lap while you're driving, in an attempt to 'pay you back' (note: this is prostitution).