Couple's Retreat 2009 9 out of 10

 

Couple's  Retreat 2009    9  out 10

 

This is an example of one of those comedies that the first time you see it is pretty good and then you catch it again and like it more each time.  The movie focuses on four couples that all go on vacation together on a tropical island of Eden.  The one couple that convinced them to go is on the verge of breaking up (played excellently by Kristen Bell and Jason Bateman).  They couldn't afford to go on their own, but got a great group rate,  which they convince the other couples to go for the snorkeling and jet skiing.   Of course once they all get there they find out that the couples therapy is a requirement of their stay.  Vince Vaughn is at his best in this film with the great throw away lines and comments and the story about each of the couples is fun to watch.   I've found myself drawn into watching this again when it airs on TV to see certain scenes and dialogue and it has grown to be one of the few comedies in recent years that I have liked enough to watch multiple times.

  The cast is perfect and the story is entertaining which is something I think is rare in most modern comedies.  Check out the trailer and rent this one.

Swingers 1996 8 out of 10

Swingers  1996   8 out of 10

I revisited Swingers for the first time in many years since Kim had never seen it and it was playing in this little retro wine bar in Solvang a few months back.   Swingers is all about hopeless single Mike (played by on Favreau) --who is tying to deal with a breakup of a six year relationship and get back out there again.   He dives into the retro cool LA nightlife with the help of his buddies that include a younger skinnier  Vince Vaughn and Ron Livingston that keep trying to tell him how Money he is.  Mike struggles in  the singles world of Swing music and hip LA parties and retro hangouts....that are perfectly set to a great soundtrack.   Mike's desperate search to get over his ex is filled with great witty dialogue.   The movie is worth watching just for the scene where Mike ends up calling a girl he just meet at a bar  an hour later after being told to wait at least 3 days before calling.  He leaves a series or desperate messages that scares the girl off before they could even have a date.