Zombieland (2009)

What I expected:

I hate zombie movies. Even the “good’ ones. The whole genre is lost on me, but when I saw the previews for Zombieland I was hooked. It promised to be something altogether different, and it looked like a lot of fun. I dared to hope that this time, a zombie movie could actually be worth watching.

What I got:

Zombieland is without a doubt the funniest zombie movie ever made! No question about it. Shaun of the Dead is a tragedy compared to this one. The gross-out will delight you, the absurdity will astound you and in the end it all makes perfect sense. Meanwhile you are laughing non-stop.

Jesse Eisenberg (Adventureland) is the narrator and his dry, slightly neurotic delivery is the perfect companion to the completely over-the-top gore you are watching on the screen. He plays Columbus (No names. They lead to intimacy) who against all odds has survived while the whole World has been infected with the zombie virus around him. He has done so because he is sompletely neurotic and has lots of rules for how to survive – rules you really come to appreciate as the movie progresses. He is on the move, trying to get back to Columbus, Ohio (big applause here from those of us who live there) where he hopes his family may still be alive.

He quickly hooks up with Tallahassee, played by Woody Harrelson, who is his polar opposite. Tallahassee is brash, loud and loves a good ass-kickin’. Together they make a very unlikely pair. Along the way they get conned by a couple of other survivors, Wichita (Emma Stone from Superbad) and her 12-year old sister Little Rock (Abigail Breslin of Little Miss Sunshine fame). The four form an uneasy alliance and together they kick so much zombie ass, you almost can’t believe a body count could get this high.

It is also hard to believe that so much blood, mucus and all other manner of bodily fluids could be splattered so far and wide – and in such quantity. Oh you have seen gross-outs before but this movie takes the squish to whole new heights and depths.. Similarly, if something can be broken and scattered in a million pieces it definitely will be. Untold legion of possessions are destroyed by this quartet – mostly for no reason other than that they can. And you cheer them on every step of the way.

This is clearly Woody Harrelson’s movie, and he is truly superb. His brand of humor is on full display and it really works here. Eisenberg is similarly funny and strong as the “Straight” man to his antics. Abigail Breslin gets a chance to play a “bad girl”, in what is her breakout role and Emma Stone is the perfect, smoky voiced love interest. Personally, I would have chosen a different outfit for driving across country while fighting zombies, but it does make her easy on the eyes. Bill Murray makes a wonderful appearance as well, once again showcasing his comedic genius.

I’m not suggesting this movie is for everyone, but it sure won this zombie-movie-hater over. Zombieland is not just the funniest zombie movie ever, it is also the funniest movie I have seen all year – and we’ve had some funny ones already.

Niels Hansen is the co-owner of Hansen Creative Services, a graphic design firm near Columbus, Ohio which specializes in employee communications and small business marketing.

Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008)

What I expected:

The world of rude and crude teen-comedies was changed forever with the release of SuperBad. It took the genre to a whole new level of crudeness, yet had a sweetness to it, that was surprising and welcome. Michael Cera was responsible for much of that. Since Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist was his first real vehicle with top billing where he had a chance to deliver his gentler take on teen romance, I hoped it would play well to his strengths. As a result I was pretty excited to see this one.

What I got:

Just like Superbad opened with a long diatribe from Jonah Hill on his porn preferences, this movie starts with a long monologue – this time by Nick (Michael Cera.) He is leaving a long, rambling voice-mail for his ex Tris (Alexis Dziena), who dumped him on his birthday. Despite her obvious cruelty and desperation for attention he keeps pining for her, and making mixes for her, that he lovingly decorates. She of course dismisses them off hand, but not before letting her girlfriends know her distain for them and him. Norah (Kat Dennings – the daughter from 40 year old virgin) rescues the mixes before they get thrown out. Even though she has never met Nick, she loves his taste in music. Later that night their two worlds collide as she and Nick end up pretending to be a couple so Norah won’t look pathetic to Tris. This is before she realizes Nick is Tris’ ex and before he realizes she is Tris’ friend.

Much of the rest of the story revolves around the complications that arise, especially once Norah’s best friend Caroline (Ari Graynor) gets drunk, passes out, gets lost from the group and ends up staring up Jesus’ robes. Along the way Nick and Norah both re-unite and break up with their respective exes. You have seen much of this material before, but not handled this well.

One complaint I do have  is that I’m getting a little tired of the gay Asian cliché. Not that gay or Asian can’t be funny, but it isn’t a punch line on its own anymore. A few years ago you could get laughs just by saying “you know how I know you’re gay” (see 40-year old Virgin), but by now the comedy has to come from something more than that. Aaron Yoo does a nice job not over-doing it, but I do question, why Asian friends always have to be gay in comedies.

Maybe because the story is based on the book by the same name, written by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan, it has a depth and warmth that is often lacking from teen comedies. Both Michael Cera and Kat Dennings are excellent as they slowly build the attraction between the two main characters.

Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist delivers a perfect blend of sweetness and gross-out, and it is my favorite romantic comedy of the year. I can highly recommend it.

Niels Hansen is the co-owner of Hansen Creative Services, a graphic design firm near Columbus, Ohio which specializes in employee communications and small business marketing.