Despicable Me

“Once there was a unicorn. This unicorn was very unhappy, until three little kittens came along. They played with the unicorn and made him laugh and cry. And this unicorn was very sorry he said good-bye”-

Gru, the most evil diabolical villain (Voice by: Steve Carell) is planning big revenge after his arch nemesis, Victor AKA: Vector (Voice by: Jason Segal), takes a pyramid from Egypt. His plan for revenge is to take the moon. Gru however; is not able to get a loan from the Bank of Evil and must first acquire a shrink ray that only his arch nemesis possesses. In order to get this weapon he must adopt three adorable children because they sell cookies to Vector. Part one of his tasks becomes complete but soon complicates his work life by giving him for the first time a personal life. In the end Gru will have to make a choice of what is better for his life and others, being a villain or caring for three adorable girls.

As the movie progresses the film reveals more about Gru, as to why he is a villain. With his dream of wanting to go to the moon getting consistently ignored by his neglectful mother. Soon Gru finds out being a parent is not so easy, especially with three kids and only minions who look similar to Twinkies. As he finally learn to live with the kids, laugh, and tell bed time stories to them. His assistant, Dr. Nefario (Voice by: Russell Brand) suggests his home life is conflicting with his work life when he suppose to attend a ballet recital on the day of stealing the moon. This film is ever so touching and with many take offs from such films as Star Wars, Toy Story, Apollo 13, and The Godfather is an excellent enjoyable movie for both kids and adults. B+

Cyrus

John (John C. Reilly) is simply a loser. He has been divorced for seven years, problems talking to women or even making friends, and his best friend is his ex-wife, Jamie (Katherine Keener), who is getting remarried. While at a party though he meets a woman, Molly (Marisa Tomei), more quirky than him. Life finally seems on the uphill for him however; for every luxury there is a catch and to this catch her manipulative, twenty-two year-old, lonely son Cyrus (Jonah Hill). With Molly and John’s relationship going swimmingly, Cyrus is concerned his relationship with his mother is in jeopardy. Not having a father, Cyrus is close with his mother. John moving in with Molly only increases tensions between him and Cyrus, after Cyrus has stolen his shoes, interrupted a romantic moment, as well as threatens to ruin his life at the Jamie’s wedding. John asks himself then who will Molly choose me or Cyrus? Will Molly open her eyes to what Cyrus is? In this touching comedy, Cyrus soon realizes more about his destructive personality.

Cyrus is both a light comedy and obvious independent film by the poor camera shots similar to the shots seen in The Wrestler. What makes Cyrus even funnier is all the characters have odd characteristics. The performances of John C. Reilly and Marisa Tomei were out of their norm. However the best performance in this film is Jonah Hill. The lonely, child-like, manipulative, innocent seeming deceiving character is unlike anything Jonah Hill has done before. Typically doing and being known for his outrageous comedies Jonah Hill has taken a step in the right direction by doing a serious role in an independent comedy. Cyrus is a hilarious film, with good performances, touching messages, and obvious independent film. B