Movie Review: Failure to Launch

This was the movie I selected to watch on the plane home from Sydney. I have to say I’m glad I didn’t pay good money to see it elsewhere. Romantic comedies these days just seem to lack the originality and spark of those classics from the ‘90s.

The premise is that Tripp (Matthew McConaughey) is a 35 year old man still living at home. He gets rid of girlfriends who want to get too serious by taking them home to meet the parents – and of course they all promptly break up with him. Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker) has made a profession out of seducing guys out of their parent’s homes. From here it just goes downhill. The dates between the two go well of course, until the truth is revealed, at which point there’s a lot of hurt and anger until their well-meaning friends get them to face up to their true feelings of love.

Is it just me, or does Matthew McConaughey play exactly the same role in every movie he does? Does the man not get tired of reiterating the same character? Sarah Jessica Parker did well with what she was given. I was disappointed to see a paint-ball scene during the falling-in-love part of the movie – this was used to great effect in “10 Things I Hate About You” and its use anywhere is a blatant copy. The sub-plot involving the flatmate and chirping mockingbird was slightly endearing. I felt the climax at the end wasn’t that satisfying – there wasn’t a real reason why these two should be together, apart from that fact that they’d otherwise be alone.

Overall, a mildly pleasant way to pass 2 hours. If you love either of the stars, you’ll probably ignore the flaws.

Official site

777 is the way to go

I got back from Sydney yesterday. My flight over on an A320 was late, crowded and long (the only saving point being my nice view of the city and harbour on the way in - I can now say I've seen the bridge and opera house).

Yesterday's experience was a complete joy in comparison - the flight wasn't full; I had the window seat with no-one next to me; the on-demand entertainment system at my finger-tips; and the plane was twice as wide and very spacious feeling. I can highly recommend these new planes.

One comment I have to make though: Air NZ, your food sucks. The servings we got just included a small meat, a bit of coleslaw, and a tiny tub of icecream. Where's the carbs? I was starving by the time that flight took off! In contrast when I did the same flight on Qantas (also in Economy), we got a decent meat portion, potato, roll with butter, cooked vegetables, fruit and desert. There's really no comparison and it does put me off flying with our national carrier for overseas personal travel in the future.

The hardest thing I have ever had to do...

... I did yesterday. I wept as I held and stroked my cat, my dear sweet companion of nearly 15 years. I saw her struggle to breathe; she did not want to eat; and fluid leaked from her eyes. Then I acted on the advice of the vets and walked away to allow them to put her to sleep. I could not believe that I would be responsible for destroying this precious life, but it made logical sense to not have her endure any more suffering. I feel as if nothing will ever be the same.

Advice from a New York literati

All manner of tidbits for aspiring writers are liberally shared by an incognito New York Agent, Miss Snark, here. As you might expect from the name, each dose is injected with an amusing combination of satire, impatience and an unhealthy obsession with George Clooney. Quite addictive.