Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Step Brothers Or Role Models?

Well it's a toss-up for me as to which was the best comedy of '08. Both films have a lot of replay value. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly playing forty-year-olds who are somewhat mentally challenged and emotionally handicapped? Or, Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott playing big brother mentors to one rambunctious kid and McLovin if he were from Middle Earth?

For me, Step Brothers was a very welcome change of pace for Ferrell. His most recent movies, aside from a great turn in Stranger Than Fiction, rather lazily employed the same premise: put Will in a somewhat odd profession and roll camera--Anchorman, Talladega Nights, Blades of Glory, Semi Pro, etc.

On the other hand, Rudd and Scott have never been better than in Role Models.

You can't go wrong with either. And if you're going to ask me to pick one over the other, I won't. They're both great comedies.

What say you?

***

Another great review for The Unearthed just came out!

Trevas of eBookGuru (www.ebookguru.org) had this to say: "This was one of those books that I couldn’t put down (I stayed up till 3am to finish it), and I am highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys a good thriller."

8 comments:

seana graham said...

The Unearthed moved right on up the list, didn't it Brian? I know, I know, it's 'only' the mainstream list. But that's still great.

I'm a little gun shy on Ferrell, due to all those big, over-hyped movies, even though I still think he's a great comic actor. John C. Reilly is always pretty wonderful though, and if you say this one is worth it, I'll put it on the Netflix list. Paul Rudd is the only thing at all I know about Role Models. But I do have a weakness for comedy, so I will check this one out at some point too.

Seriously, though, what's with all the brothers themes? The Unearthed as well...

Brian O'Rourke said...

Seana,

I'll admit, I was pretty excited yesterday afternoon when I saw TU move up the list. But I was also a little sad, because it overtook Ancient Inheritance, which is a great book written by my good friend, Rita Vetere.

I'm not sure if you like raunchy comedy, but both Step Brothers and Role Models would qualify as such. And you're right, Reilly is great in everything he does and really shines as a comedic actor in Step Brothers.

Good question about the recurring theme of brotherhood. Perhaps it's my subconscious trying to tell me that I always wanted a brother or a sibling--I'm an only child. Coincidentally, so is my wife. So if and when we have kids, they'll have no aunts, uncles, or cousins.

Rita Vetere said...

Aw, Brian,
You know I was very pleased to pass my crown on to you :-) I'm so happy The Unearthed is getting the recognition it deserves. It's a great read, and I highly recommend it to one and all! Congrats on another great review as well!

-Rita

adrian mckinty said...

Brian

The opposition must be crushed. Crushed I tells ya!!

Long may you reign!

Brian O'Rourke said...

Adrian -

It's only the number one mainstream bestseller, bud. It hasn't cracked the overall bestseller list, which is totally dominated by erotica.

Dude, you have no idea how happy I am that Dead I Well May Be will be appearing everywhere in Europe. That's awesome!

Now it's time S&S brought it back to the States! If not, they should give you back the rights. I'm sure somebody else would be interested in it.

seana graham said...

I don't really think that the magnanimous Rita should be crushed, though. Share the crown, I say.

Very interesting about the only child thing. I don't worry for your offspring, though. Doubtless you and your wife will have a large circle of friends who can fill in as aunts and uncles and provide lots of psuedo-cousins. It's nice to have cousins, but it's more immediate to have friends.

Yeah, I doubt that you--or anyone--can compete against erotica. I'd just be pleased with the crown you have.

Brian O'Rourke said...

"It's nice to have cousins, but it's more immediate to have friends"

I've always felt this way myself, but wrote it off to my being an only child.

And I realize now I may have sounded like a whiner. I'm tickled pink about how well TU is doing.

By the way, everyone should check out Seana's blog.

seana graham said...

You didn't sound whining, you sounded self-deprecating. I'm glad you're getting some joy of it.

Thanks for the plug, by the way.