Reviews of Stuff (Mostly Justin Long Movies)

Feb 16, 2012 21:41

So, for Christmas we got the new Legend of Zelda game, Skyward Sword. I haven’t gotten far enough into it to give much of a review, but I can tell you so far Ocarina of Time is still my favourite Zelda. I’m finding the puzzles to be easier than Twilight Princess, or any of the others for that matter, and thanks to walkthroughs you can get by visiting the sheika stone, maybe a little too easy. So far the item storage is more complicated and I can’t decide whether the new guide (who will always be “Navi” to me, no matter how many iterations of her I go through) is an improvement. I like that she records your play time if you feel like knowing how many hours of your life you’ve been wasting, but she does talk a whole whole lot, and still pops up univited from time to time.

I’ve played it enough though, that the other day when Mr Snick heard me turn the Wii on, he informed me that he could hear what I was up to, and that Link is not my boyfriend, and Justin will be furiously jealous.

Whether or not I can believe that, I can believe I have been somewhat of a lousy fan girlfriend for much of my time with Justin. It took me a year or something to be bothered to check his IMDb profile and find out his middle name and birthday (and I only did that ‘cuz I wanted his middle name for a Die Hard fic) and I only discovered last month that he went to a Jesuit Catholic all-boys highschool (which explains quite a lot actually). So I get a D in Advanced Justin-Stalking 101, but I probably deserve an F in Basic Modes of Justin Support, considering I own very few of his movies. To remedy this, I have resolved to view his entire filmography and make purchases accordingly.

And because I think everyone should love and support Justin as much as I do - or maybe just because I like shooting my mouth off about him - I’m going to subject all of you to share all of my thoughts on the process with all of you lucky, lucky people!

Of course I have to give this caveat: these aren’t recs per se.
This is comprehensive, not selective, I’m trying to see everything Justin does and describe it all. And some of it will likely be better than other stuff. I can’t pretend to be a film critic but I’m really really hard on movies - as I am on my own fic and pretty much everything else - and would probably end up making everything sound abysmal, and that’s not my intent. My reason for sharing these with you is
1. the hope that some of you might consider watching a film starring Justin you wouldn’t have before and then actually enjoy yourself (and him) and
2. if you know where I can get a hold of one I haven’t found yet you’ll clue me in.
So, I’m sticking to listing the status of my movie hunt, and trying to give my opinion on what kind of movie fan might enjoy this movie, and not whether I personally liked it, and you can decide whether the description sounds like you or not.

That said, if you watch one of these and hate it - while I’m not opposed to hearing all about it, actually - I absolve myself of all blame and hereby call no fairsies on any and all egg-chucking, tomoato-tossing, popcorn flicking, and grenade lobbing. Thank you for your cooperation.

I’ll try to avoid uber-spoilage but can’t promise anything with the little details.
…I also may not review them in any particular order. Ye be warned.

Today’s reviews are:
*insert drumroll here*

Movies in which Justin is the villain, or that involve a Sasquatch! Yes really.

The Sasquatch (Dumpling) Gang (2006)
Zerk
Who should watch: I saw a tag for this movie once that said “a nice watch if you’re a fan of Napoleon Dynamite or Justin Long” and that’s probably relatively accurate. I didn’t love ND the first time I watched it, and I’m still not sure how I feel about this movie. It has more of a story and linear plot arc than ND does, which is huge for me, I can’t stand it when ‘nothing happens’ and it was *interesting* (at least for me) seeing Justin do his thing here. There is considerably more production value - which to me was actually a drawback in this case, strangely - and the entire film’s treatment was a little less…indy and ironic. Or something. So it may not have the same hipster appeal as ND. John Heder however, does make a cameo.
The main thing I really want to say about this movie is if you’re looking for it, note the confusion about the title. The movie rolls credits under The Sasquatch Dumpling Gang, but the cover displays it with the word ‘Dumpling’ missing from the title, and I have found it labled both ways. Fun fact: produced by Kevin Spacey!
Justin’s Role: Justin plays down-and-out rocker Zerk Wilder, complete with armpit-bearing wife beater and uber-mullet. It’s his scheme to find a way to pay off an overdue credit card bill before his only possession - a 1980s Pontiac Firebird - is claimed by the bank, that sets the whole story in motion. So it’s a fairly major role, and yes, it involves Sasquatch Dumplings. The real stars are a teenaged group of LARPers though, and I must admit I found myself giggling in spite of myself both at them, and Zerk’s passionate distaste for ‘nerds’. Zerk has a funny weird cotton-mouthed speech pattern or accent I can only describe as ‘duh’ and is very…let’s say ‘intense’.

Bonus! Justin’s Snick-Squick Moment of the film: He drools at one point, he’s so into yelling and giving the nerds a hard time. Why they didn’t edit that one out is beyond me. The fact that Justin rolled with it and didn’t break character, however? Thoroughly unsurprising.

Bonus bonus! Justin’s Best Line of the film: Flexing a scrawny bicep at the LARPers and their homemade swords and spears with the taunt “You can’t make *that* out of foam and duct tape!” (yeah sorry it doesn’t get much better than that)

Just Add Water (2008)
Spoonie
Who should watch: People who enjoy Danny DeVito’s semi-dark style of pseudo-comedy. DeVito does appear, although his role is much smaller than something like Throw Mama from the Train. The story is about a sweet, naive guy struggling with the fallout of his spectacularly failed marriage, finding himself the renewed interest of his highschool sweetheart and trying to save his small desert town which has been taken over by a gang of young punk Meth dealers. Jonah Hill and Melissa McCarthy also star.
Justin’s Role: Spoonie is one of the dealers. He’s more of a ‘thug’ than a villain, really - what Kearney and Jimbo are to Nelson Muntz, if I can use a Simpson’s simile - and the role is relatively small. He’s stupid and mean, but too stupid to get that he’s mean. The main thing that stuck with me about the role was how much a set of blackened teeth can change Justin’s face. I hope he never loses that wide, white shit-eating grin. Justin, baby, the time to consider quitting smoking might be now (just between us, you’re already getting crows feet too, babe - not that I don’t enjoy them).

Bonus! Justin’s Snick-Squick of the film: Spoonie chews tobacco. Which gave Justin the opportunity to simultaneously spit, grab his crotch, AND pick his nose. And then get busted for it and have a whole conversation about his nose-picking habit.

Strange Wilderness (2008)
Junior
Who should watch: Um. People who like campy comedy, and want to see Justin in a wedding dress, an idiot attacked by a shark, and Steve Zahn with a live turkey latched onto to his Johnson. Not kidding. A doctor has to remove it. Earnest Borgnine is in this, and Jonah Hill! It's actually a Happy Madison production, and you'll recognize a few of the old gang from Sandler movies like 50 First Dates.
Justin’s Role: Junior is the long-haired bong-toting nephew of Borgnine’s character, and takes over for him as camera operator when this group of misfits tromps off to the jungle to try and catch some footage of Big Foot in order to save their struggling wilderness TV program. The role isn’t very big, but this is a group movie so he’s in it throughout. He generally walks around being the stereotypical token pothead, but a couple of his stoner-giggle moments got a giggle out of me too, I’ll admit. And I’ll also admit that I’m biased and they probably wouldn’t have, had they been delivered by anyone who wasn’t Justin.

Serious Moonlight (2009)
Todd
Who should watch: I. Just don’t know. Maybe people who want to see Justin play a villain? I spent most of this movie feeling sad for Meg Ryan, and I think that kind of blinded me. I LOVE Meg. Her early stuff is adorable and smart and she’s spunky and squeaky and magnetically charming and all that shit. But…she just doesn’t seem to be aging well. And by that I mean she doesn’t seem to be dealing with it well. She seems desperate and clingy all of a sudden. There’s a lot of obvious plastic surgery and dating aging rock stars then there’s…stuff like this. This doesn’t say it went straight to DVD but it feels like it. I didn’t know Timothy Hutton (who plays the husband) was an academy award winner but it was my first time seeing him work and I…wasn’t impressed. The story here is equally as depressing and desperate as I’ve been finding Meg in recent years. Upon finding out he’s been cheating, Ryan’s character’s response is to duct tape her husband to a chair and ‘force him to love her again’. It’s dubbed a dark comedy, and if you like Twilight, or find melodramatic, desperate gestures to be demonstrative and romantic and enjoy the thought of being do-anything literally ‘crazy’ about someone, maybe this will do it for you. I’m not going to say it doesn’t have its sweet or its funny moments. Kristen Bell was also in it. :)
Justin’s Role: IMDb says his name is Todd, although I don’t remember him ever having a name, but inasmuch as this story has a villain, this guy is surely it. The cover calls him ‘opportunistic’ and I’d have to say that’s probably accurate for describing this on the evil-o-meter. He’s not a mustache-twirling take-over-the-world mastermind guy, but he’s definitely a bit violent, a lot bit crude, and probably slightly not-right in the head - although that could just be recreational drugs or something. He has a neck tattoo. Most people will probably not be as disturbed by seeing Justin threaten, slap around, bind, kick, and (yep) sexually assault (I guess it’s mild, never any blood) the other characters, but I found it a little cheek-biting to watch. Fair warning. That said, this is really a departure for him and Justin did a really good, convincing job, and was one of the best (possibly THE best) performances in the movie.

Ok that’s all for now. Phew!! Justin's Full Filmography below.
Another note: I’ve broken Justin’s TV and short film work out of the list, and won’t be reviewing them because it’s much less likely you would be able to find these than the full length films, but I’m still posting them in case you can help me out for the ones I missed. The Filmography section is all full length features, but I will note Justin’s voicework and when he only has a cameo.

Justin’s Filmography

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011)
Alvin (voice)
Status: apparently still in theatres, go see for yourself!
Ten Year (2011)
Marty
Status: viewed, review pending

Alpha and Omega (2010)
Humphrey (voice)
Status: viewed, review pending

The Conspirator (2010)
Nicholas Baker
Status: in viewing queue

Going the Distance (2010)
Garrett
Status: I own this, review pending

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009)
Alvin (voice)
Status: viewed, review pending

Taking Chances (2009)
Chase Revere
Status: viewed, review pending

Old Dogs (2009)
Troop Leader Adam (uncredited)
Status: viewed, review pending

Planet 51 (2009)
Lem (voice)
Status: viewed, review pending

After.Life (2009)
Paul Coleman
Status: I own this, review pending

Youth in Revolt (2009)
Paul Saunders
Status: viewed, review pending

Funny People (2009)
Re-Do Guy
Status: viewed, review pending

Serious Moonlight (2009)
Todd
Status: Reviewed

Drag Me to Hell (2009)
Clay Dalton
Status: viewed, review pending

Still Waiting... (2009)
Dean (uncredited)
Status: Not sure about this one, the description says ‘video’ but I was sure it was a full length sequel. Maybe direct to DVD? All I know is Justin regrets doing it because he feels it was ‘offensive’, and the role can’t be that big because he’s uncredited. Still, in the name of complete fangirlfrienddom I’ll watch if I can find it…so holla if you can hook me up

He's Just Not That Into You (2009)
Alex
Status: viewed, review pending

Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)
Brandon
Status: viewed, review pending

Just Add Water (2008)
Spoonie
Status: Reviewed

Strange Wilderness (2008)
Junior
Status: Reviewed

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)
George Harrison (uncredited)
Status: viewed, review pending

Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)
Alvin (voice)
Status: viewed, review pending

Battle for Terra (2007)
Senn (voice)
Status: no luck finding this one, holla if you can hook me up

Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
Matthew 'Matt' Farrell
Status: seriously? I own this, review pending if you really want to hear it

Idiocracy (2006)
Doctor Lexus
Status: viewed, review pending

Accepted (2006)
Bartleby Gaines
Status: plan to purchase, review pending

The Break-Up (2006)
Christopher
Status: viewed, review pending

Dreamland (2006)
Mookie
Status: viewed, review pending

The Sasquatch (Dumpling) Gang (2006)
Zerk
Status: Reviewed

Herbie Fully Loaded (2005)
Kevin
Status: viewed, review pending

Waiting... (2005)
Dean
Status: viewed, review pending

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
Justin
Status: plan to purchase, review pending

Hair High (2004)
Dwayne (voice)
Status: no luck finding this one, holla if you can hook me up

Raising Genius (2004)
Hal Nestor
Status: no luck finding this one (but I really really want to), holla if you can hook me up

Jeepers Creepers II (2003)
Darry Jenner
Status: viewed, review pending

Crossroads (2002)
Henry
Status: I’ve seen Justin’s clip (funny! half nekkid!), and so I haven’t been concerned with tracking this one down, but I’m not opposed to it. Wouldn’t mind seeing if Britney can hold her own. Same goes for Spice World actually, holla if you can hook me up

Jeepers Creepers (2001)
Darry Jenner
Status: viewed, review pending

Happy Campers (2001)
Donald
Status: no luck finding this one, holla if you can hook me up

Galaxy Quest (1999)
Brandon
Status: considering purchasing, review pending

TV

New Girl (2011)
Paul GunslingerStatus: I watched all three of Justin’s eps, and thought he did well on the show, but I won’t be watching or reccing it. I like geeks but the over-the-top style of comedy on the show isn’t really my thing. Give me Emma Pillsbury over Jess any day. Sorry Zooey.

Martha Stewart's
Haunted House
(2011)
Teenage Werewolf
Status: Not sure about this one. The description is ‘TV movie’, but from the article I found it looked like just a Halloween ep of Martha’s show. Still, holla if you can hook me up

Saturday Night Live (2009)
Status: no luck finding this one, holla if you can hook me up

King of the Hill (2006-2007)
Adam / Cashier / Kid #1 / …
- Grand Theft Arlen (2007) … Student teacher (voice)
- The Texas Panhandler (2006) … Adam/Kid #1 (voice)
- 24 Hour Propane People (2006) … Cashier (voice) / Troy (voice)
Status: no luck finding these, although they sound very minor. Still, holla if you can hook me up

That '70s Show (2006)
Andrew Davis
- Love of My Life (2006) … Andrew Davis
Status: no luck finding this one, holla if you can hook me up

Campus Ladies (2006)
Connor
- Fraternity Row (2006) … Connor
Status: no luck finding this one (or ever hearing of it before), holla if you can hook me up

Ed (2000-2004)
Status: in the viewing queue

Shorts/Videos

Free Hugs (short) (2011)
Status: this may not be released yet, but holla if you can hook me up

That Is All (2011) (short with John Hodgman)
Himself
See for yourself!

Beyond All Boundaries (short) (2009)
Corp. James R. Garrett (voice) / Sgt. John H. Morris (voice)
Status: no luck finding this one, holla if you can hook me up

Fraternity School Shopping (video short) (2008)
Herbert
Status: no luck finding this one, holla if you can hook me up

Robin's Big Date (short) (2005)
Robin
See for yourself!

Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie (video) (2004)
Chris Harken
Status: no luck finding this one, holla if you can hook me up

justin long, review, tv, movies, legend of zelda, justin's filmography

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