What's Your Number

http://www.whatsyournumbermovie.com/main.php

Last month seemed to be the month of average comedies. Loads were released, Friends With Benefits, The Change-Up, 30 Minutes Or Less, I Don't Know How She Does It and Crazy, Stupid, Love, to name but a few. And while I saw What's Your Number this month, it's release date was last month. Not a good sign.

Along I went anyway with my cinema buddy to see the story of Ally (Anna Faris), a woman who reads an article in Marie Claire that states that any woman who has slept with 20 or more men will struggle to find a husband. As Ally's just dumped her number 19 she's reluctant to date anyone new until she's sure he's the one. After a chance encounter with one of her ex's who definitely got better with age, Ally ropes her ridiculously hot neighbour from across the hall, Colin (Chris Evans), into tracking down her ex's in the vain hope that one of them will be the one she should've stuck with. 

One very unbelievable cheesy line at the end aside, I actually really enjoyed What's Your Number. It was a lot funnier than The Change-Up, I Don't Know How She Does It and Crazy, Stupid, Love put together, thanks largely to an animated penis. I will say no more but look out for it if you see the film. It still has me laughing now when I think about it. It's also a very sweet natured film and quite a true reflection of how young women pin a lot of faith on magazine articles.

Anna Faris and Chris Evans not only had good chemistry but their friendship was well played and believable. I just wish they'd left out the cheesy line at the end which had me rolling my eyes. The ex's were also a delight to behold with particularly funny turns from Chris Pratt, the always watchable Zachary Quinto, Martin Freeman and Andy Samberg.

This was above-average of the average comedies from last month and is well worth a watch. 8 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 5th October 2011

UK Release Date - 30th September 2011

Cast Overview:

Anna Faris ~ Ally Darling

Chris Evans ~ Colin Shea

Ari Graynor ~ Daisy Darling

Blythe Danner ~ Ava Darling

Ed Begley Jnr ~ Mr Darling

Chris Pratt ~ Disgusting Donald

Zachary Quinto ~ Rick

Martin Freeman ~ Simon

Andy Samberg ~ Gerry Perry

Dave Annable ~ Jake Adams

Director ~ Mark Mylod

Writer(s) ~ Gabrielle Allan (Screenplay), Jennifer Crittenden (Screenplay) and Karyn Bosnak (Novel "20 Times A Lady")

Captain America: The First Avenger

http://captainamerica.marvel.com/

I was lucky enough to go and see Thor earlier this year with my brother and his family. It seemed only fair then, that I should also see Captain America with my brother when he came down to visit me this weekend.

My brother has been a comic book fan for as long as I can remember and is also a very talented cartoonist in his own right. Thus making comic book adaptations a joy to watch with him as he undoubtedly knows all about the genre, the artists and writers behind each comic, the characters motivations etc etc. Fun facts galore. 

Lets see what I managed to pick up about this one. Captain America was not always the typical US marine. He was once Steve Rogers, dweeb. A young, under-developed, man who was desperate to join the army and fight for his country in 1940's war torn America. He has guts, just not the physique to match, something which catches the eye of Dr Erskine, the head of a secret project which will transform Steve's life. It will make him taller, stronger, bigger, faster. The perfect soldier. When the project is complete, and a success, it is decided that Steve will become a mascot for good v's evil, rather than being sent to the front line to fight. So Steve becomes Captain America, the star spangled man,  with his tights and shield. But soon he finds himself fighting the good fight for real when his best friend is captured by the evil Red Skull, who's goal is one of ultimate power.

I will begin by saying that if you are a fan of the comic book, or are someone who is looking forward to seeing The Avengers next year, you should definitely go and see Captain America. For two reasons:

1) This is the last 'setting up' story before The Avengers. We've had everyone else's story, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, but this is the first time we've met Captain America and therefore he deserves his chance to tell his story. 

2) There is a mini trailer for The Avengers which is attached to the scene after the credits. And boy is does The Avengers look gooood! 

Unfortunately, the downside of how good the trailer for The Avengers looks, is that it somewhat makes Captain America less good. If that makes sense? The lasting impression you have is for The Avengers and how much you are now looking forward to it. And it kinda makes Captain America a little bit forgettable. 

Which is a shame as Captain America is a good stand alone movie. Not great. It's not as good as Thor. But it is enjoyable, it has it's heart in the right place and the effects for the first half of the movie are incredible, making the rather buff Chris Evans into a short, skinny guy must have had it's difficulties but the effects to make him so are flawless. And the hero of the hour, Steve Rogers is a genuinely good guy, which just makes what happens to him truly, for want of a better word, shit.

So if you like your comic book movies, are looking forward to The Avengers or even if you're just an action fan, I would recommend Captain America. 7 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 30th July 2011

UK Release Date - 29th July 2011

Cast Overview:

Chris Evans ~ Steve Rogers / Captain America

Hayley Atwell ~ Peggy Carter

Sebastian Stan ~ James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes

Tommy Lee Jones ~ Colonel Chester Phillips

Hugo Weaving ~ Johann Schmidt / Red Skull

Dominic Cooper ~ Howard Stark

Richard Armitage ~ Heinz Kruger

Stanley Tucci ~ Dr Abraham Erskine

Toby Jones ~ Dr Arnim Zola

Director ~ Joe Johnstone

Writer(s) ~ Christopher Markus (Screenplay), Stephen McFeely (Screenplay), Joe Simon (Comic Book) and Jack Kirby (Comic Book)