"Run Fatboy, Run" limps to the finish line

professor.knowsitall@evpl — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:31:00 GMT

I've always been a fan of Simon Pegg's work. In his previous efforts (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, & Spaced), Pegg & co-star Nick Frost teamed up with absolutely hilarious results!

Run Fatboy, Run is Pegg's latest film...and unfortunately it doesn't live up to its predecessors.

Pegg portrays Dennis, who gets cold feet on his wedding day and leaves his pregnant fiancée, Libby, at the altar.

Five years later... Of course, Dennis has become an out-of-shape loser with a crummy job. Dennis & Libby share custody of their child, and he now realizes the mistake in not going through with the wedding. However, Libby is now dating Whit, who is everything Dennis is not: successful, wealthy, dedicated, etc. After discovering Whit is an athlete and will be running in an upcoming marathon, Dennis decides to run in it as well, proving to Libby that he he has changed and can actually finish something he starts.

Cue the cheesy training montages. Dennis' friend Gordon and his landlord Mr. Goshdashtidar (a stereotypical foreigner) whip him into shape, transforming him from a fat boy into...well...less of a fat boy.

Does Dennis finish the marathon? Is it enough to win back Libby? How ridiculous is this plot?

I understand that most movies require suspension of disbelief (an out-of-shape guy can train for a marathon in less than a month?), but that's not the problem I have with this film. In an attempt to be a family-friendly romantic comedy, the humor has been degraded to the level of a bad Adam Sandler flick; nothing but predictable, juvenile humor. Gone is the gut-busting humor, witty dialog, and endearing characters the viewer actually cares about, all of which were present in Pegg's previous efforts.

If you've never seen Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, or Spaced, you'll probably enjoy Run Fatboy, Run more than I did. Otherwise, you'll be extremely disappointed.

More Information

EVPL Catalog: Check availability of Run Fatboy, Run at EVPL libraries.
Amazon.com: Buy the movie using this link, and the Public Library Friends will receive a portion of your purchase!
RottenTomatoes.com: View other opinions and read why it's at 48% on the Tomatometer.
Internet Movie Database: Discover info about the movie at IMDB.

"The Love Guru": 86 Minutes I'll Never Get Back

HoodooVoodoo@evpl — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:57:00 GMT

Oh Mike Myers, what were you thinking? The Love Guru (2008), Myers first live-action film since Austin Powers: Goldmember (2002), is 86 minutes of Austin Powers type jokes in Hindu garb. Of course the jokes on me, I actually sat through the whole film. One would think that after six years of crafting ideas for a feature film Myers could come up with something better than this. I enjoyed Mike Myers during his Saturday Night Live days, with skits like Wayne's World and Sprokets, but it's time to grow up do something different, or at least, entertaining. Mike Myers is quickly becoming the new Eddie Murphy, expect that Eddie used to be really funny and play characters in movies that didn't involve over-the-top outfits, storylines, and makeup.

Okay, now to the movie. Myers stars as Guru Pitka, an american born guru, who specializes relationship management. When the Toronto Maple Leaf's star player seperates from his wife, thus hampering their chances of a Stanley Cup, Guru Pitka is called in to save the day. There are a few highlights in the movie, the hockey announcers played by Stephen Colbert and Jim Gaffigan are pretty funny and Justin Timberlake (who's acting is far superior to his musical talent in my opinion) is steller. That's about it though.

The Love Guru, is 86 minutes of nonsense and the reverberations of it's viewing have stuck with me all week because I can't get the songs from the movie out of head. Oh, I forgot the musical numbers, which are popular songs, like Dolly Parton's Nine to Five and Steve Miller's The Joker sung Guru Pitka style. If you love mindless humor and bodily functions jokes, The Love Guru is for you. However, I strongly recommend not watching this movie.

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"Run Fatboy, Run" limps to the finish line

"The Love Guru": 86 Minutes I'll Never Get Back