Friends with kids is a 2012 film written and directed by Jennifer Westfeldt, who just happens to be Jon Ham's better half, as well. It's about two best friends, a guy and a girl, who decide to have a child together when time runs out, their friends start having kids and they can't seem to find the right person to start a family with.
I am afraid this review might turn out to be very short because frankly, there is nothing outstanding about this film, although it is entertaining and mostly delivers in every aspect. The script is one of the strongest points, yet I must admit the end is too good to be true, but hey, it's fiction, it's a movie, so I'll just take it as it is and enjoy it.The dialogue is witty and occasionally funny, and the actors make it work very well- it does have a realistic feel to it. Considering it is set in the present day of New York, I can't really say anything about the sets, the costumes or the direction- everything felt....OK. Really, nothing bad or good stood out!
One thing I particularly liked was the casting. Yes, Kristen Wiig and Jon Hamm are one of the couples and they are surprisingly good in a non-comedic role, especially Wiig, who I was impressed by, but my favorites have to be Maya Rudolph and Chris O'Dowd. They are dynamite together and form a weird, but adorable and funny pair that light up the screen- O'Dowd, in particular, is on his way to stardom, just because of his charisma, English charm and talent, and I've loved Rudolph ever since the SNL day and I still think she is one hell of a woman. Adam Scott did a pretty good job portraying the sarcastic, often blind-to-the-obvious type of man who always goes for the easy route, whilst Jennifer Westfeldt offers a nice surprise, adding compassion, love and a touch of sweetness to the cast and the story. They form an odd couple, but I could see it happen in real life.
Overall, like I said, there was nothing very bad or very good to say about it. `Friends with kids` is a nice, normal, romantic comedy that you could probably watch anytime- put the DVD in, enjoy it for the almost 2 hours it runs, and then forget about it. I would recommend it just because it is a light movie that can be seen whenever you need something to cheer you up or take your mind off things.
Saturday Night Live(SNL) is an American late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels (courtesy of Wikipedia). Running as a TV show, with about 25 episodes per year, it is one of the oldest in American television, with over 37 seasons. It has featured the best actors and musicians from the last three decades and it is considered to be one of the best and sought-after TV gig by the entertainment industry.
SNL has its own type of humour and if you have to like it and get it or else you will find it stupid. If you liked Bridesmaids, you might like SNL, as the style is similar in some points.
Some interesting facts about SNL:
-It has helped launch careers for Dan Aykroyd, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Chevy Chase, Mike Myers, Will Ferrel, Tina Fey and now, Kristen Wiig.
-Some of their most popular sketches were developed into movies, two clear examples being The Blues Brothers (1980) with Aykroyd and Belushi, and Wayne's World(1992) with Mike Myers and Dana Carvey.
-Andy Samberg launched his "musical" career by forming a group with best friends and SNL writers, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, called The Lonely Island; their skits/musical numbers are used at least 3 or 4 times during the season. Examples: Dick in a Box,
The structure
Every show starts with what is called a COLD OPENING, a segment with no introductions, just a 5 minute sketch to get loose; it's usually a monologue and most of the times political, and very rarely the best part of the night.
After the main character finishes by saying: "...and live, from New York, it's SATURDAY NIGHT!", it's time for the host monologue, which almost always involves a song in one form or another. There are few funny, memorable ones that I remember, but at least it's a way of getting to know the person better, as most of the time they mock themselves or a recent situation they have been through.
Then you watch 3 or 4 sketches, with some short fake commercials inbetween, and after the first performance of the musical guest, we get to the Weekend Update, a regular part of the show where Seth Meyers (the head writer and once regular player/actor of SNL) talks about the week's main stories (mocking them, of course). Now, I love this part of the show not only for mister Meyeres, who I think is great, but also for some great guests that appear from time to time, like the fantastic Stefon (Bil Hader).
2 or 3 more sketches, the second musical guest performance and we finish with 1(sometimes 2) final ones, the last shot having the host thanking the musical guests, special pop-ups throughout the show and the cast&crew.
The players
My favorites: Jason Sudeikis, Nasim Pedrad, Taran Killam, Kristen Wiig (most of the time), Seth Meyers
Now: Fred Armisen, Abby Elliot, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, Bobby Moynihan, Nasim Pedrad, Andy Samberg, Jason Sudeikis, Kenan Thompson, Kristen Wiig, Vanessa Bayer, Taran Killam, Jay Pharoah
In the past: Billy Crystal, Joan Cusack, Robert Downey Jr(85-86), Rachel Dratch, Will Ferrel, Will Forte, Janeane Garofalo, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tracy Morgan, Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Randy Quaid (85-86), Chris Rock, Molly Shannon, David Spade.
Hosts
As I said, there have been at least 37 seasons of SNL, so obviously I haven't seen all of the shows, but from the last 3-4 years, amongst the best (in my opinion) were: Emma Stone, Justin Timberlake, Jon Hamm, Alec Baldwin, Melissa McCarthy, Jimmy Fallon, Jason Seigel, Jesse Eisenberg, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph (previous players of SNL always make great shows when they are invited as hosts).
Favorite recurring sketches
-What up with that?- Kenen Thompson plays a soulfull presenter of a TV show with a catchy tune (I always sing it with him), great dancers (Jason Sudeikis kills it everytime), 3 guests- Lindsay included (the man who always shows up, but never gets to talk) and impromtu, weird appereance by characters that shouldn't be there. Some don't like it, I think it's funny
-Stefon talks about the coolest place in New York! Just watch it- it's hilarious!
-Bronx Beat- a daytime talk show with Beety (Amy Poehler) and Judi (Maya Rudolph) just bitchin' about life- the latest one got me laughing many times!
-J-Pop America Fun Time Now- this is a rather new one, just started this year, but I love both Taran Killam and Vanessa Byer, and I think it's funny, most of the times!
-Jeunes in Paris- the first one had Emma Stone and Taran Killam (last season) dancing and fighting on a cool, catchy tune in a French bar, and it was the best out of the 4 shown so far, although the 4th one, with Jean Dujardin, is very close to overcoming it!
Memorable (and some of my favorite) sketches
-Justin Timberlake, Kristen Wiig and Lady Gaga- Liqourville
-Being quirky with Zooey Deschanel- The Michael Cera and Mary-Kate Olsen impressions are funny!
-Eminem and Lil Wayne- Valentine's Day on Weekend Update
-Nicolas Cage x 2 on Weekend Update (this is a recurring part/guest of W.U, but this time it has the actual Nicolas Cage)-- Couldn't find a video, sorry
- The Charlie Sheen show- with special guests John Galiano, Moammar Gadhafi, Lindsay Lohan - if interested, here's a link- not the best, but the guests are interesting http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/81358349/
- Tina Fey as Sarah Palin
Again, the fake interview between her and Katie Couric (Amy Poehler) was better, but no video!
-Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg- Dick in a box
- Jeunes in Paris- I personally love the first with Emma Stone, but I couldn't find a full-length one, so here is just a 30 seconds preview.
BONUS- Taran Killam got bored one night and decided to do this
There are a lot more, but these came up in my mind when I wrote this, plus I couldn't videos for some! Sorry for the bad quality, Youtube is the only source!
It's not always good, and some jokes are horrible, but for me, it's pure entertainment; when I need something simple, normal, relaxing to watch, just to unwind from university and problems, I watch this or 30 rock or How I met your mother.
Do you watch SNL? what are your favorite sketches? Let me know!
Christmas is not a good time to watch a war movie, or horror or anything too dramatic. You should see something light, funny, interesting. My choice for the 26th of December? Bridesmaids! How was it? I loved it!
The movie, a comedy, had all the right elements: funky, a little bit excentric protagonist, a best friend, weird roommates and, of course, a funny situation that moves along the plot. But still, it exceled in many ways.
First of all, say what you want, Kristen Wiig is funny. Kristen is funny in her own special way, in the SNL way that made her famous and the jokes and style of the famous tv show transcend to the big screen, as well (obvious example, Annie vs Helen speech at the engagement party). The script, co-written by her, has some very funny lines and scenes and doesn't go over the top very often (exception being the very end, with the Megan & Air Marshall video).
3 key moments that had laughing out loud: (1)the last part of the airplane scene ("there's a woman on a wing..."), (2)Annie, in the car with Helen, trying to get Rhodes attention and (3)Lillian, showing up in her designer dress in her apartment, to show Annie. Funny for me, at least.(p.s. I love SNL, as well, some sketches are hilarious, and they have so many talented people in the cast: Kristen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, Taran Killam and so on).
Second of all, the story was simple, endearing, and of course, had the classic outline of a comedy (perfect friends, big situation, friends break up, they hit bottom, they reunite, they are both happy bla bla). You know the drill- but Bridesmaids had a little bit more. I don't know what- maybe it was Kristen Wiig, maybe it was Mellissa McCarthy or Rose Byrne (both fantastic from my point of view), maybe it was the chemistry between the women, or the lovely surprise provided by Chris O'Dowd (cool Brit, did you see him present the BIFAs? hilarious), or the funny script- I can't really say exactly, but it worked for me.
Other mentionable elements that I observed during the viewing: ..and the winners for the weirdest roommates in history are Gil and Brynn; did I ever tell you how much I love cupcakes?; Jon Hamm can play a very convincing jackass- maybe he is one in real life?; Megan is right by saying "you're your problem Annie, and you're also your solution!"- we should all learn from that one and stop complaining.
In the end, it was a great, smart comedy! I liked it! You should see it when you have the chance!
