Mila Kunis and Jason Segel in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"
courtesy of Universal Home Entertainment
“Sarah Marshall. Who?”

Some movies are meant to be remembered and others are meant to be forgotten. “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” is the type of light-hearted fluff comedy that is totally forgotten two minutes after you watch it. It has neither the star power nor the brilliant writing necessary to make it linger in your mind. This is another less than blockbuster production from Judd “40 Year Old Virgin” Apatow. 

Jason Segel wrote and stars in this film, now on DVD. He plays Peter Bretter, a musical composer for a crime investigation TV series that stars his girlfriend Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). Peter and Sarah have been together for several years but one day she announces it is over. Peter does not handle the breakup well and goes into a downward spiral of hurt and humiliation.

His stepbrother Brian (Bill Hader) advises him to take a vacation and get away from it all. Peter reluctantly agrees and heads out to Hawaii where he ends up at the same hotel where Sarah and her new boyfriend Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) are staying. It is an awkward situation but Peter decides to tough it out.

Eventually he finds a romantic interest in Rachel Jansen (Mila Kunis), a young woman who works for the hotel. She provides him with a shoulder to cry on and soon their friendship turns to a romantic attraction. Strangely her attention to Peter makes Sarah jealous.

There are a variety of minor characters who play a part in this comedy of errors. Jonah Hill is an employee at the hotel who has a slavish devotion to Aldous. This should have been a hilarious situation but rather it comes off awkward and embarrassing. The same is true of Jack McBrayer’s cameo as a newlywed on his honeymoon and staying at the hotel. He is having trouble with his sex life and Aldous offers him counsel. Again not funny, just embarrassing.

Of the main characters it is Kunis who comes off best. She actually has some life in her performance. When she is on screen the movie sparks. Segel and Bell are bland to the extreme while Brand is good as the trashy British rock musician. Still; his role is a one joke character and eventually even it wears thin..

Nothing in this film is as funny as it should be. The crude humor could have been laughable in spite of its explicitness, but Segel and company just didn’t know how to pull it off. They make the viewers uncomfortable instead of bringing them in on the joke.

In the end “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” is truth in advertising as the movie is totally forgettable. Luckily on the DVD you get some “extras” that do liven up things a little bit. The gag reel and the deleted scenes are funny.

Much funnier to watch though is the DVD of “The Three Stooges Collection Volume Four: 143 – 1945.” There are twenty-one short films in this set and they highlight all the goofiness, slapstick, and physical humor at which the Three Stooges were masters.

Kids of all ages will find delight in these comedic stories. Larry, Moe and Curly are all on view in a wonderful display of funny situations and funny actions. These are classic bits and should be viewed by members of all generations. So get “The Three Stooges Collection Volume Four: 1943 – 1945” and have a laugh out loud evening.

On a more serious note is the DVD “Buried Alive.” This creepy film about premature burial and a rescue to save those under the ground is the stuff of nightmares. It is the perfect DVD to watch on Halloween as it will scare you silly.

The actors are Britt Morgan, Bram Hoover, Nikki McKenzie and others – so this isn’t a star driven film. The selling point is the suspense and there is suspense galore here. So find someone you trust and watch this chilling DVD.

If you want you kids to know more about the election process then get them the DVD “Schoolhouse Rock! The Election Collection.” This DVD has a series of cartoons from the old “Schoolhouse Rock” series that will educate your kids about the importance of voting, the Electoral College and many other political matters that might be interesting to them.

The information is presented in animation and song so kids will pay more attention. Plus this isn’t partisan so you don’t have to worry about that aspect. It is information given in an easy absorbing way. So in this election season get “Schoolhouse Rock! The Election Collection” and watch your kids enjoy learning.

One of the most delightful programs on TV last season was “Samantha Who?” Now the entire first season is on DVD. “Samantha Who?: The Complete First Season” has all the episodes that introduced the delightful character played by Christina Applegate. 

Jean Smart, Kevin Dunn, Jennifer Esposito and others provide support for her character and make the show one of the funniest on the air. There are also extras such as a gag reel and bloopers. So you get even more for your money. So pick up “Samantha Who?: The Complete First Season” and see why the show is such a hit.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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