You may remember, back when I had Less than 24hrs in San Francisco, that everywhere I looked I kept being reminded of The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
Not that I kept seeing Sarah Connor-themed posters... Oh no.
(could've made an interesting new angle for the next Terminator mind)
The ones that haunted my vision were for someone called 'Sarah Marshall'. This, out of context, made no sense to me...
However - all was to be revealed when I returned to the UK when a reasonably new (and good) friend of mine, Mike Sizemore, (blogger, vlogger and all round jammy film reviewer), invited me along to a top secret blogger screening of Judd Apatow's latest film, 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'.
Having never seen or heard of the film before, aside from the aforementioned US poster campaign, I was quite pleased that Mike had thought of me and the invite was even more attractive as a) I managed to swing a 'plus one' and b) it was as the Soho Screening Rooms (which sounded suspiciously seedy if you ask me).
To whet my appetite even further, Mike even included a link to the latest Forgetting Sarah Marshall trailer...
Ok. Judd Apatow is someone I've only just got to know. Having steered clear of Knocked Up (it didn't look like my kind of film) I recently rented out - (check me, old school) - Superbad.
Which is easily one of the best films I've seen this year.
I watched the trailer, laughed a little... wasn't sure... saw a couple of guys from Superbad... saw Russell Brand... realised it was a free screening.. and made my mind up.
One quick call to the girlfriend later and I had an evening of free entertainment in Soho, with blogger buddies AND I get to impress the Girl.
Who cares what the film is like right? Wrong.
Hand on heart I went into the cinema descended into the depths of said screening rooms not really expecting much. 'Expecting much' is not something I do often. Not expected anything is the best way to a) avoid disappointment and b) be pleasantly surprised. Fortunately, this time round, the evening fell firmly into category 'b'.
Y'see I had this horrid COCK SHOT feeling that the trailer had given away all the funny bits and, for a little while, I thought COCK SHOT I was right. But, I am happy to report that COCK SHOT there's still quite a lot of amusement to be had throughout the rest of the film.
That aside, COCK SHOT, for maximum enjoyment, I would recommend avoiding the trailer for this film as much as possible because as much as it does entice you into watching the film itself; it also gives away its fair share of funnies... I found myself knowing which joke was next as I'd watched the trailer several times and kinda knew which bit came when y'know? Please - don't let this put you off - this film IS very, very funny.
Something that took me that took me completely by
surprise was that beardy man over there on the right ------------------------------------------------>
He was actually very good in this film.
Although I can't say I'm surprised.
Russell Brand is one of those comedians who I tell everyone I can't stand and yet find myself often watching him on the tellybox and chuckling away at his dickensian wiles as he meanders his way around our fair language like a blind man on a bicycle...
I want to hate him, but I can't.
Git.
And as I said, in this he is cast perfectly.
Git.
I don't do film reviews often - although coincidentally enough, the last one I reviewed was a comedy also (albeit an unintentional one) - so for me actually sit down and bother to write this up means it's actually worth seeing.
I laughed that hard I nearly wet myself.
No really. Forgetting Sarah Marshall has the some what strange honour of being the first EVER film that I was able to leave the room for. EVERY film I see I always make sure I go before I sit down.
I hate those people that pay £8-£10 to go and see the latest blockbuster and end up missing a massive chunk of plot because they forgot to have a number one before they went in.
I mean REALLY. It's like 2 hours people!
You've just paid to watch the damn film - so sit down and watch it!
*sigh*
Anywhoo - I won't be doing that again in a hurry, on the way back I was blinded by the light from the projector and ended up tripping on the step, stumbling up the stairs and then hitting a fellow blogger in the chops (sorry Annie!).
I digress.
This film is funny. See it.
Finally - Props to my mate Scott who saw this outside Hammersmith Tube Station last week...
It seems the hate campaign is spreading...