MOVIES IN REVIEW
Recently I was introduced to Gofobo which their online site states "is a new and exciting online experience designed to help you see movies first and win prizes fast" (About Gofobo). What I like about this site so far is that it is interactive, you can connect with other movie enthusiasts and score screening passes - like I did for Blended! This was my first experience using Gofobo and I hope to get the chance to utilize their tools more in the future. So, go and check it out. If you sign-up let me know and we can figure out how to connect!
 |
| Jim & Lauren's First Blind Date |
 |
| Lauren and her two sons |
You can see from the trailer that Jim (Adam Sandler) and Lauren (Drew Barrymore) experience an awkward and uncomfortable first date. They obviously do not think they are a good match and both decide to end the date in the socially conventional ways; having someone call you and excuse yourself as gracefully as you can. Then, through fates twisted magical wand, they find themselves together at an exotic African resort for families. Laruen and Jim's attraction grows as they spend more time together and develop relationships with each other's children (IMDb.com).
 |
| Jim and his daughters |
If you have seen their previous two movies The Wedding Singer (1998) and 50 First Dates (2004), Blended is reminiscent of those movies. The chemistry between Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore is unique and dare I say magical in the Rom/Com way. Meaning, both actors make the roles and the connections believable and endearing. The dialogue was witty and funny. Hopefully, you can overlook certain details, like **minor spoiler alert** how did everyone get passports so quickly and how were they able to leave the country using other people's names? Of course, in the traditional Adam Sandler genre there are the immature and inappropriate sexual jokes. The vacation was originally intended as a family vacation with a focus on romance for the "parents". Think Vegas honeymoon suite with all the bells, whistles, whips, and handcuffs too!
 |
| Mix together for a BLENDED family good-time! |
 |
| Veronica Nowinsky |
One of my main concerns going into the movie was how they were going to portray Africa, if it was going to be one big stereotype. But, I think they did a good job of keeping the focus on the story line while showcasing the beauty of the countryside. There was of course the caricature "African" played by Terry Crews and the choir that would pop up out of the blue. But, all-in-all it was a very entertaining take on blended families. It also demonstrated how love isn't always like it is portrayed in fairy tales, but is a cute take on how everyone has a story.
Reviewed by Veronica Nowinsky
**UPDATE**
**SPOILERS**
This weekend my boyfriend and I went to see Blended. We love the other two movies mentioned previously, as well as other Adam Sandler great movies. Anyway, I thought the beginning was a little slow. It was definitely an awkward first date, what guy in his right mind would take a blind date to Hooters on their first meet & greet? Toward the end of the movie you find out why and if you're human it'll pull at your heart strings. Actually, a majority of the movie pulled at my heart dreams. Especially as a person that recently lost someone. Jim (Sandler) in the movie lost his wife to cancer. So there are really emotional scenes between him and his daughters. Lauren (Barrymore) has two crazy boys who need a positive male role model in their lives; enter Jim who's just the right fit. However, before they even give each other a chance they write one another off after the disastrous date.
Lauren and Jim run into each other again while they are both out late at night being the good parent's that they are (running errands for their kids). They reconnect, however circuits cross again and they leave each other irritated after their quick wits clash. However, the universe keeps telling them differently. After the late night shopping, their cards were switched and Jim arrives at Lauren's house to switch back cards. Lauren's friend and co-worker comes in and announces that her trip to Africa is off. It's spring break and both Lauren and Jim want to take their kids on a fabulous trip. To both of their astonishment, both families arrive at an African resort for blended families. It's a resort that is entertaining for the children so the parent's can focus on themselves too. They called it a Family'moon (like honeymoon). What was really precious to watch was the interactions with Jim (Sandler) and Lauren's boys and Lauren (Barrymore) with Jim's daughters.
By the end of the trip Jim puts together an awesome dinner for both him and Lauren to make up for the failed first date from before. However, Jim chokes when it comes time to kiss. Both families return home from the trip and they realize how much they need each other. My boyfriend's comment after the movie was how much more sentimental the Happy Madison produced picture was compared to the other Sandler driven movies. I told him it's inevitable; with age and Sandler having two daughters of his own.
The movie was also full of laugh out loud moments too. I loved how they had cameo's from past Sandler movies; 10 Second Tom (50 First Dates) and George (Wedding Singer). We're still talking about the movie. We were just in the store today and after walking by the gel shoe insert isle we started laughing thinking about one particular scene with Jim and his eldest daughter. We loved this movie and will definitely be adding it to our collection once its released to own!
Update by K.E.Nowinsky
No comments:
Post a Comment
Post your comment here. We look forward to hearing from you!