JAM Reviews Cyrus from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Cyrus: Blu-Ray: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

A man truly down on his luck, upset by the fact that his ex-wife is remarrying has found the woman of his dreams that accepts him for all his quirks, faults, and strengths. But she has a secret, her son Cyrus.

John (John C. Reilly) and Molly (Marisa Tomei) really seem to hit it off in a way that neither of them expected but Molly keeps a side of herself hidden from John. A single mother to an adult son that is a bit different, Molly worries that it might scare John away. Cyrus (Jonah Hill) adds to the messed up mix-ups himself by playing the two lovebirds against themselves in order to get his mom back to himself. The manipulations grow larger by the minute as John and Cyrus play a game around Molly where the winner may never be the same and Molly may end up even worse.

Cyrus from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment also stars Catherine Keener as Jamie, John’s ex-wife who plays a part in his life still whether she always wants to or not.

JAMS Ink on Cyrus

I am not usually a “relationship” movie guy, and that is truly what the heart of this movie is. John (John C. Reilly) is a down on his luck guy that needs a break, something many of us need these days. And he finds a woman that is willing to give him that chance in Marisa Tomei’s Molly. She catches him urinating in the bushes during a party, listens to his depressive rant about how down he is, and then still dances and parties with him in his drunken stupor. They make an odd couple who strangely relate well to each other when paired together, but as any third wheel relationship movie (i.e. You, Me, and Depree) when the extra man is added everything goes to heck. The interplay between the three is actually interesting enough to keep watching the movie, but to be honest the best portions are in the interplay between Molly and John throughout the movie. Marisa and John prove their mettle in making the relationship truly realistic to the viewer.

Cyrus (Jonah Hill) is a momma’s boy to the utmost with interesting quirks and qualities that would definitely be overwhelming for anyone getting to know, let alone get to know his mom. His music making was an enjoyable part of the movie as well as an interesting look at a man-boy whose life was about to change and the lengths he would go to stop it. You almost feel sorry for his character except that you can see the actions coming from miles away and have no real desire to give him any sympathy.

The film overall was an interesting look at the realities of relationships, especially in the day and age of single parenting due to desire or circumstances. It also showed the speedbumps that we can face in any relationship and an introspective look at whether things are worth the hassle or not. I give it a recommendation if you are a fan of the major actors or the relationship issues within a trio of people.

EXTRAS

Deleted Scenes – These can either be played with or without the director introductions as to why the pieces were left out. One is a puppet show montage showing the John/Molly/Cyrus relationship through interpretive theater by John and finger puppets, while the other is a look at the destructive nature of the Cyrus move out as he travels a path of self-loathing and panic.

Q&A with the directors Jay and Mark Duplass – Just as it says, a chance to see the directors discuss anything that comes up.

Music Mash Up – This is a chance to see Jonah Hill and John C. Reilly goof aroundon a synthesizer as they talk about the movie.

Behind the Scenes at SXSW – The directors and stars of the film attend the Austin Texas film festival where the movie premiered.

Fox Movie Channel Presents In Character – John C Reilly and Jonah Hill discussing their characters and the movie.

Cyrus from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment meanders onto shelves on December 14, 2010. Grab a copy if you like John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, or Marisa Tomei, or if you just want to feel so much better about your own relationship or life.

CYRUS Blu-Ray:
Street Date: December 14, 2010
Screen Format: Widescreen
Audio: English 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio
French 5.1 Dolby Digital
Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English and Spanish
U.S. Rating: R
Total Run Time: 157 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

How To Train Your Dragon - Dreamworks Animation - In theaters now

How To Train Your Dragon:
Review by JAM

Spoilers below!!!

Sometimes it takes someone a little different to make a change in people’s lives, and Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) is definitely someone different. Growing up in a Viking society in which daily attacks by dragons is the norm, Hiccup finds himself trying his best to fit in. It seems though that he is the square peg that can’t fit into the round hole, no matter how much his father, King Stoick (Gerard Butler) tries to force him. Hiccup’s life changes in one nightly raid when one of his inventions truly works (though no one believes him) and he takes down a dragon unseen by mortal eyes, and finds out things aren’t really what they seem.

Toothless, as he calls the Night Terror that he knocked from the sky, and Hiccup start learning how to coexist and protect each other as time goes on and they learn that they share a common enemy. Through what Hiccup learns from toothless, he becomes the new hero in training for the Vikings, overcoming every dragon type and obstacle thrown in his path until his final test. Unable to kill a dragon as his rite of passage, events occur that affect the dragons and the Viking society as they face an enemy almost too big to handle. Hiccup and a small group of open minded friends, led by Astrid (America Ferrera), rescue an unbelieving society, changing hearts and minds as the movie comes to its climax. How To Train Your Dragon also stars the vocal talents of Craig Ferguson, Kristin Wiig, Jonah Hill, and more and is still in theaters now.

JAMS Ink on How To Train Your Dragon

Talk about a movie with a ton of important messages and it is well done as well. How To Train Your Dragon teaches us that being different is not necessarily bad, sometimes adults really need to listen to their kids, and that disabilities may cause challenges but do not define or limit us if we do not allow them to.

Different – Hiccup never fit in, whether as the son of the Viking king, the blacksmith apprentice, or the warrior in training, something always seemed to go wrong. Sometimes it can happen with us too, where everything we seem to do is different from other people or may not succeed when we try. Too often we worry about not fitting in, even though our differences are what make a group of friends stronger. My father is the ultimate home improvement master, but I have to work really hard to keep up. On the same token, I can help my parents out with computer or other electronic issues. Even though we have different strengths, working together makes us stronger.

Listening – Hiccup learned that the dragons were just as scared of the Vikings as the Vikings were of the dragons. And there was something even bigger awaiting both of them. Yet, King Stoick never listened to his son, believing that his way was the only way, the Viking way. Stoick comes to realize his issues before it is too late, but almost loses his son due to his hard headedness. So parents, listen to your kids, you might be surprised to hear their insight.

Challenges – Hiccup’s invention strips Toothless of the ability to fly at first, but a second invention allows them to work together to overcome the challenge. Though the disability seemed to be too much, working together made them stronger and helped them learn more about each other. Hiccup also faces a disabling blow at the end of the movie, but it seems that he with time will also be alright with the help of his friends and family. Though they face challenges in this movie, working together helps strengthen bonds and abilities and allows them to overcome the challenges they face.

See this movie in the theaters if you get the chance, you will not regret the thrill ride of adventure that comes through the screen.

Jam Movie Reviews
http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com
www.hollywoodteenzine.com