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Review: Movie 43

By Christine Petralia

Image courtesy of Relativity Films

January 27, 2013



Movie 43 is not for everyone. I’ll start off with that. However, if you can set aside your preconceived notions of what films should be, or if you still think poop jokes and randomness are funny, then this might be the film for you.



The movie was filmed over three years, with 12 different short films all wrapped into one. It also has 12 different directors, a slew of writers and an all-star cast, everyone from Kate Winslet and Hugh Jackman to Richard Gere and Uma Thurman.



Each storyline is woven together by one main one, which is the one the film opens with. Charlie Wessler (Dennis Quaid) is a crazy screenwriter who is pitching the ultimate script to film executive Griffin Schraeder (Greg Kinnear). Each of the stories he pitches is basically all of the comedy shorts. After Schraeder realizes that Wessler is nuts and his writing is horrible, he tries to make him leave, but Wessler pulls a gun on him and forces him to bring the script to his boss Bob Mone (Common). And of course, more craziness ensues.



The ideas that Wessler pitches are below:



“The Catch” – Beth (Kate Winslet) is on a blind date with the city’s most eligible bachelor Davis (Hugh Jackman). The date seems to going well until Davis takes off his scarf and reveals a pair of balls hanging from his neck. Beth is horrified and doesn’t understand why no one is acknowledging the hairy testicles on his neck.



“Homeschooled” – Robert (Liev Schreiber) and Samantha (Naomi Watts) have just moved into the neighborhood and are hosting their new neighbors. They are explaining the benefits of homeschooling their teenage son, Kevin, which include everything from homework, detention, hazing and even his first kiss.



“The Proposition” – Vanessa (Anna Faris) and Jason (Chris Pratt) have been dating for a year. They are on a picnic one day when Jason gets ready to propose. However, before he does Vanessa asks him to poop on her during sex. At first he is clearly disgusted, he finally agrees, even seeking the advice of his friends, because he loves her.



“Veronica” – Neil (Kieran Culkin) works the night shift at a local grocery story when his ex-girlfriend Veronica (Emma Stone) walks in. The two start to argue, which turns into a heated sexual discussion, all while the intercom is left on for all in the store to hear.



“iBabe” – The iBabe is a music player in the shape of a naked woman. The company that created it is at a meeting to discuss the new product and a slight defect, as there is a fan built into the genital region of the design, and young males are getting their penises mangled when they try to have sex with it. This one stars Richard Gere as the boss, Jack McBrayer as the product designer and Kate Bosworth as the only level-headed employee on the staff.



“Superhero Speed-Dating” – Robin (Justin Long) and Batman (Jason Sudeikis) are in Gotham City at a speed-dating event trying to stop the Penguin from detonating a bomb. While they try to find him, Robin goes on some dates, including Lois Lane (Uma Thurman) and Supergirl (Kristen Bell). Batman also encounters his ex Wonder Woman (Leslie Bibb) while all three try to prevent the Penguin from blowing up Supergirl.



“Middle-School Date” – Nathan (Jimmy Bennett) and Amanda (Chloe Grace Moretz) are at Nathan’s house watching TV when they start to make out. Nathan’s older brother (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) walks in and starts making fun of them. Amanda excuses herself to go to the bathroom where she realizes she’s just gotten her first period. She leaves a trail of blood around the house, Nathan freaks out and thinks she’s dying, causing a weird chain of events.



“Happy Birthday” – Pete (Johnny Knoxville) captures a leprechaun (Gerald Butler) for his soon-to-be-ex-roommate Brian (Seann William Scott) for his birthday. They tie the leprechaun up and demand he tell them where the pot of gold is. Somehow, the leprechaun’s brother arrives at the house, hidden in a pot of gold to rescue him.



“Truth or Dare” – Donald (Stephan Merchant) and Emily (Halle Berry) are on a first date at a Mexican restaurant. Bored with typical first dates, Emily suggests they play a game of Truth or Dare. The first few questions and dares escalate into the two getting plastic surgery and tattoos.

“Victory’s Glory” – It’s 1959 and Coach Jackson (Terrence Howard) is giving his all black basketball team a ‘pep talk’ as it prepares to take on their first all white team.



“Beezel” – Amy (Elizabeth Banks) worries that her boyfriend Anson (Josh Duhamel) loves his cat Beezel (animated) a little too much. She fears Beezel hates her and is trying to get in the way of her relationship with Anson. She even fines Beezel pleasuring himself to pictures of Anson. Anson finally agrees to give Beezel to his mother to appease Amy, but Beezel isn’t having it.

If any of the above seems strange to you, then please don’t see this film. But, again, if you can keep an open mind and don’t mind laughing out loud and often muttering ‘What the F?’ under your breath, then please see this. You will not be disappointed. Afterall, who doesn’t want to see Hugh Jackman with a huge pair of hairy balls on his chin? Or maybe Josh Duhamel making out with an animated cat does it for you. Either way, I suggest giving it a shot. It’s definitely an original concept to film-making.

Marlon Wayans takes a stab at writing and acting by himself in this Paranormal Activity spoof.  Kisha moves into Malcolm’s house and strange things start happening. All is documented with cameras placed around the house, including a handheld.

Based on the novel by the same name, Pat (Bradley Cooper) is just released from a mental institution and is trying to get his life in order and his wife back. With the help of Tiffany (Jennifer Lawerence) Pat learns to control his anger and his feelings.

In this sort of sequel to ‘Knocked Up,’ Pete and Debbie find themselves turning 40. With Pete facing money problems at his job and Debbie, essentially, facing a mid-life crisis, we see how they both deal with issues differently in this Judd Apatow film.

Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, the story is about Django, a slave bought by a bounty hunter to help him catch his mark. In exchange for his help, the bounty hunter gives Django his freedom and the pair set off to find Django’s wife.

Based on the 2001 novel by Yann Martel, Life of Pi is the story of a teen stuck on a small boat with a tiger for 227 days. It’s a beautiful film that delves into religion and survival.

All works created by Christine McGrath; Centereach, New York  All Rights Reserved 2024

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