Comparedto the Andy Serkis trilogy, this new installment is somewhat of a letdown. The main character, a young chimp named Noa (played by Owen Teague), lacks any real personality and is as generic as can be. A human ally, initially called Nova (a reference to the 1968 film), is equally as dull.
There are a few intriguing supporting roles though, including a religious/virtuous orangutan named Rocca (played by Peter Macon), and the big-bad, Proximus Caesar, an ambitious bonobo monarch (played by Kevin Durand). The movie actually got better as the story progressed and these side characters are introduced.
The action is serviceable and I enjoyed the MANY, MANY references to the 1968 film, including notes of the original Jerry Goldsmith soundtrack, shots that look like they were taken directly from the 1968 film, and lines that are a clear callback. It often feels like a prequel to that movie.
OK\u2026 corny reference from \u201CThe Simpsons\u201D aside, I do love me some \u201CPlanet of the Apes\u201D movies. My love started as a middle schooler who would rewatch the 1968 Charlton Heston classic on VHS over and over again. I loved the famous twist at the end, courtesy of Rod Serling from \u201CThe Twilight Zone\u201D penning the script. I explored the 1970s sequels, although most are lousy (with the exception of the violent Black power masterpiece \u201CConquest of the Planet of the Apes\u201D in 1972). And while I rolled my eyes at Tim Burton\u2019s reboot with its nonsensical twist ending, I adore the modern reboots that started with \u201CRise of the Planet of the Apes\u201D in 2011. I sincerely believe Andy Serkis should have been nominated for an Oscar at some point during the trilogy for his performance as Caesar, which kept getting better and better. Deeper and more artistic.
In this post-apocalyptic world \u2014 with buildings covered in vines and trees like \u201CThe Last of Us\u201D \u2014 apes are now the dominant species and humans are on a lower level (first ravaged by a mysterious virus and then losing a war with apes). Unlike the previous films, apes are not just subject to sign language and can speak in full English sentences (although their choppiness drove me nuts). Humans live in the shadows and are believed to be unintelligent. Apes cannot remember the a when humans and apes lived side-by-side, but a few retell faded stories of the past.
I think part of the reason I always love the Planet of the Apes films is their \u201CTwilight Zone\u201D DNA. They're not escapism, but reflection. Similar to Jordan Peele\u2019s horror films, they analyzed something about the human condition and society rather than just bombard us with nonstop action. There\u2019s commentary on science vs. religion, class structure, animal rights, racism, corrupt politicians, etc. In \u201CDawn of the Planet of the Apes,\u201D it was almost Shakespearean showing the contrasting leadership styles of the two ape leaders (or you could compare it to MLK vs. Malcolm X).
I Love You, Beth Cooper is a 2009 American teen romantic comedy film directed by Chris Columbus and starring Hayden Panettiere and Paul Rust. It is based on the novel of the same name by Larry Doyle, with Doyle also writing the film's screenplay.
On graduation day at Buffalo Glenn High School, valedictorian Denis Cooverman confesses his love for head cheerleader and long time crush, beautiful Beth Cooper, in his speech while also taunting vain rich girl Valli, ignorant bully Greg, and Beth's Army soldier boyfriend Kevin; and urging his best friend Rich to finally admit he is gay. Afterwards, Denis invites Beth and her friends, Cammy and Treece, to a party he has planned at his house.
At Denis's house, his parents leave but not before his father revealing that he has condoms upstairs if he needs them. The girls (Beth and her two best friends) arrive at Denis's house for the party. Kevin and his Hummer soon come barging in, with his Army buddies Dustin and Sean, vowing revenge on Denis. They wreck the kitchen attempting to beat Denis up, but the five teenagers escape in Beth's Echo.
They drive to a gas station hoping to get beer, but the clerk will not accept Beth's driver's license, which states that she is 37. Beth successfully bribes the clerk with a kiss, which makes Denis realize that she is not who he thinks she is.
The group starts a bonfire in an isolated section of town where Rich, Cammy, and Treece are chased by a stampede of cows after trying to tip one over. When Denis puts on the KISS song "Beth", Beth tells him that she was named after the song. Denis thinks it is cool that Beth has two "headbangers" for parents. Beth slowly warms to Denis, becoming aware that he genuinely loves her, much to her amazement.
They all jump in the Echo and Beth, a reckless driver, drives without lights. They stumble upon Denis' parents, having sex in their car, by almost crashing into them. Rather than facing Denis' father with his pants down, Beth drives them away unseen, going to a private party at Valli's house. Kevin and his friends track them there, and Kevin challenges Denis to a fight. Greg briefly overpowers the three, in defence of Denis, then Beth crashes Kevin's Hummer through the front of Valli's house and rescues her four friends.
Beth takes them to their vacant school, entering with her head cheerleader key. After showcasing their cheerleading routine, Beth decides that they should all shower in the girls' locker room. Just as Denis is undressing to join the others, Kevin and his buddies arrive in the Echo and jump Denis again. Rich attacks the thugs in a towel whipping 'duel', as he has been training for years after being towel whipped as a young kid. Rich towel-whips them unconscious down a flight of stairs, then the kids flee in the Echo, going to Treece's family cabin. Rich, Treece, and Cammy have a threesome, while Beth and Denis enjoy the sun rise and finally share their first kiss.
They return to Denis' house, where his father is delighted to see he has 'hooked up', but makes him aware he still needs to be punished for leaving the house a wreck. Beth says goodbye, gives Denis a kiss, and touchingly thanks him for loving her. Denis tells her "what's not to love" and that she mustn't forget that. They promise to reunite at their high school reunion and agree to marry if they are both still single.
After the girls leave, Rich proclaims to Denis that he might be gay after all, or perhaps bisexual, but jokes that after the threesome, he's still more heterosexual than Denis. Denis informs Rich that he will not wait until the reunion to talk to Beth again, and that he is going to ask her out on Facebook. Richard tells Denis that he should make a grand gesture by going to her house with a boom box (a reference to Say Anything...) and wait for her. They continue debating how Denis should go about asking Beth on a date.
In early 2008, producers announced the novel I Love You, Beth Cooper would be made into a film, with actress Hayden Panettiere in the title role.[2] Filming began in 2008, with a release slated for July 10, 2009. The film was directed by Chris Columbus, with the screenplay written by Doyle.
Filming took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, with scenes shot at Centennial Secondary School, Magee Secondary School and St. Patrick's Regional Secondary. Due to being filmed in a Canadian location during the winter despite its story set during the summertime, there were several difficulties when it came to the weather and the actors having to be in summer attire outside in cold temperatures; hoses occasionally had to be used to rid settings of snow.[3]
The film's official website was launched on February 14, 2009, with a Valentine's Day themed "personalize your own trailer and e-card" widget that allowed for customization of the trailer and that could be sent to loved ones, friends and family.[4]
When it came to characters, the stereotypical lead male (in Aftab's view)[11] of Denis Cooverman was the most criticized. According to Foster, he's "game but drawn so broadly he never amounts to more than a comic foil, well below the romantic lead the film asks him to become."[12] Time Out London called him "a truly ungainly specimen with little to offer [...] other than novelty value and infatuation."[19] The character of Rich Munsch was criticized by Empire writer William Thomas, who wrote that his arc "is treated so simplistically that it might offend even Bruno" and has "a character tic (he constantly quotes movie dialogue, complete with the film name, director and year of release) thats so annoying you want to say, 'This has all been just a big mistake.'"[20]
The film's humor was panned. Brought-up examples in reviews included the tampon nosebleed scene,[20][17][23] Rich's referencing of movie quotes,[20][24] an off-screen threesome,[20] a Star Wars lightsaber fight,[23][25] a moment where a character steps in cow poop,[20][23] and "all comedy pratfalls followed by some excruciating silences where you're meant to be laughing."[23] While Columbus' dip into edgier material was applauded by The Independent's Anthony Quinn,[22] it wasn't by Thomas, who unfavorably labeled it a "curiously chaste affair [...] that feels curiously unsure of itself, as if Columbus wants to take that extra step into slightly raunchier, Risky Business-style material, but just can't bring himself to."[20] Rainer and Can Mag writer Fred Topel were turned off by the film's comic portrayal of life-endangering situations,[24] such as sequences depicting Beth's poor driving skills.[21]
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