Hazzah

Thanks to the fine people at Klout.com, I was able to get to see a rough cut of the movie "The Change-Up" starring Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds, and Leslie Mann (she of Apatow fame.) Hilarious. Much MUCH better than I expected. Of course, this is the type of film better seen with a filled theater.

Of course it's a hard 'R' for vulgarity, nudity, and everything you expect in a sex-themed comedy. The trailers don't shy away from that.

One always expects great comedic timing from the likes of Reynolds and Bateman. However, in these roles they truly do something different. Bateman gets to be the raunchy one. He finally gets to let loose. Reynolds holds back as the straight-laced guy who's more of a thinker.

Leslie Mann was the true surprise in the film. I hope Judd Apatow watches this "The Change-Up" and realizes one thing; THIS is how you write for/use your wife in your films. Leslie can act! She takes the otherwise tiresome 'wife' role and turns it into something a little deeper.

Olivia Wilde plays the unfortunate part of 'that girl.' She's not there to serve much purpose throughout the flick, but her story is summed up nicely. But sweet merciful GOD does she look fantastic with very dark hair! Anyway, it's a great flick. I suggest you go see it, you'll enjoy it. It's not your typical "body swap" movie (ala "Freaky Friday," "Vice Versa," "Like Father, Like Son.") plus I believe it has more heart than any of those three.

I've seen this movie three times now, and it keeps getting better.

The plot: Pfeiffer is a former cello player that got into a horrible car accident a year before. Her husband (Harrison Ford)is a very busy doctor working on a experiemental new anestisia. (spelling?) Suddenly, with her daughter grown and off to college, Michelle starts to feel a presence in the house. This, mixed with paranoia from her new neighbors, begins to freak her out. Along the way, we learn there are sinister and legitimate reasons why Michelle is seeing all these things.

I'm not going to give away all the good stuff.

The acting: Pitch perfect. These two actors are way too underrated. I mean, c'mon! All the years these two have made movies and only 4 Oscar nominations?? Again, they were passed over for this one. Ford surely deserved at least a GOLDEN GLOBE! The script: One reason this movie gets better is because of the awesome script. Just about every action is explained. If the villian does something, and you're wondering why, just be patient. The whole plot about the neighbors at first seems pointless. However, when you pay closer attention the the goings-on surrounding that small plot, you understand what's happening. The SFX: Usually a movie in the "thriller" category doesn't have a whole lot of visual effects. However, every so often one movie comes along that is enhanced by SFX. What Lies Beneath is such a movie. There are certain shots that are only available to story tellers now with the invention of CGI, therefore helping a great storyteller/director like Robert Zemeckis to make a Hitchcock style movie on behalf of Hitchcock. The movie overall: The music was used exceptionally well. When you needed to be scared, the thunderous boom of the orchestra comes in. However, when you need to be tense, there's not a note of music to be heard. This technique makes it all the scarier. The cinematography is beautiful, Michelle Pfeiffer has never looked so utterly gorgeous in a movie without a catsuit.

Overall I give this movie a 8/10...and if I watch it a couple more times it'll probably move up to a 9/10.