COUPLES RETREAT (Blu-ray; Universal/Relativity Media)

Mike LoManaco
Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
edited February 2010 in Music & Movies
couples_retreat_blu_ray.jpg

Studio Name: Universal (Relativity Media)
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Disc/Transfer Information: 1080p High-Definition; Widescreen 1.85:1
Tested Audio Track: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Director: Peter Billingsley
Starring Cast: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau


SYNOPSIS:

Comedies are like sports coupes in the automotive realm; that is to say, they have a very short shelf life. Compared to dramas, which can remain relevant to changing times or afford repeat viewings from a media collection, comedies simply lose their luster after awhile and the punch lines simply don’t work like they initially did.

Case in point: Remember when you first watched 40-Year-Old Virgin or Knocked Up? I’ll go back even further with you – how many can recall staying up late to watch Porky’s or Bachelor Party? Sure, some of these hold nostalgic value and a few reminiscent chuckles can be had from watching them now when you’re a bit older, but they don’t crack you up like they first did, do they? Let’s hope comedies from the iPod generation – encompassing 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Forgetting Sara Marshall, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry and now Universal’s laughster Couples Retreat -- stand the test of time. Couples Retreat isn’t on the level of these other aforementioned comedies in terms of raw laugh power but it was entertaining. The most effective move by director Peter Billingsley was to assemble a host of mostly talented people that work well off each other in comedic situations; this isn’t always the case. Here, we have Jason Bateman and his wife Kristen Bell who are having marital problems and they convince their other friends – Jon Favreau, Faizon Love and Vince Vaughn and their wives (in the case of Faizon, it’s a 20-year-old **** ghetto girlfriend) – that a trip to the “Eden” resort will help them while assisting to solve their own issues. The friends are kind of conned into going to this place, but after they arrive on this Bora Bora island and Favreau gets a peek at some smokin’ hot pieces of **** from San Diego’s dance team which arrive to hit the island’s single section, they’re willing to stay.

From there, all kinds of hijinks conspire, with Bateman’s antics and demands to indulge in the island’s couple therapy sessions leading to the group of friends discovering issues and problems they never knew they had. The guys – notably Favreau – are longing to get over to “Eden East” which is the young, hip singles resort where they can look at the pieces of **** all night instead of dealing with their wives. The ladies, meantime, goggle over Euro-trash six-pack-stomached massage therapists that woo them with hard bodies and nauseating accents. I suppose there’s a lesson here…something about having wandering eyes and then realizing the person you really love is standing in front of you…but it’s clich
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Comments

  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited February 2010
    ...comedies simply lose their luster after awhile and the punch lines simply don’t work like they initially did.

    Wrong.
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited February 2010
    Perfect example... Spinal Tap.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2010
    Seen it on blu Ray a couple days ago and didn't like it.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2010
    Terrible movie w/ no redeeming qualities to keep it in a library.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited February 2010
    I thought it was weak.
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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited February 2010
    Mike LoManaco wrote: »
    I’ll be watching and working on Law Abiding Citizen next.[/FONT]

    If im not mistaken, there is already a thread on this movie.
    Polk Audio Surround Bar 360
    Mirage PS-12
    LG BDP-550
    Motorola HD FIOS DVR
    Panasonic 42" Plasma
    XBOX 360[/SIZE]

    Office stuff

    Allied 395 receiver
    Pioneer CDP PD-M430
    RT8t's & Wharfedale Diamond II's[/SIZE]

    Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited February 2010
    Knucklehead wrote: »
    If im not mistaken, there is already a thread on this movie.
    It doesn't matter, because it's not a 10,000 word essay on the movie :D
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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited February 2010
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    It doesn't matter, because it's not a 10,000 word essay on the movie :D

    he he:D:p
    Polk Audio Surround Bar 360
    Mirage PS-12
    LG BDP-550
    Motorola HD FIOS DVR
    Panasonic 42" Plasma
    XBOX 360[/SIZE]

    Office stuff

    Allied 395 receiver
    Pioneer CDP PD-M430
    RT8t's & Wharfedale Diamond II's[/SIZE]

    Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2010
    Is that a Michael Jackson hehe?
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited February 2010
    LMAO! Im not sure my voice will go that high....Although I havent tried. :)
    Polk Audio Surround Bar 360
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    XBOX 360[/SIZE]

    Office stuff

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    RT8t's & Wharfedale Diamond II's[/SIZE]

    Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan
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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited February 2010
    That Peter Billingsley??
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited February 2010
    So, the net net is? worthy for rental?

    any worthy nudity, scene, exchanges, funny lines?
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,842
    edited February 2010
    zombie boy 2000 wrote: »
    Perfect example... Spinal Tap.

    Oh my God! That's what I was thinking!

    A few others:

    Anything from Monty Python
    The David Spade/Chris Farley Movies (Row ads)
    The Princess Bride
    One Crazy Summer
    It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World
    The Gods Must Be Crazy
    Major League
    The Naked Gun
    Airplane
    Police Academy
    and one of my guilty pleasures, Dumb and Dumber.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,842
    edited February 2010
    Mike LoManaco wrote: »
    I love myself...[/FONT]

    Why do you only review crap movies?
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited February 2010
    It's the sacrifice one makes as a Movie Messiah.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kuntasensei
    kuntasensei Posts: 3,263
    edited February 2010
    Knucklehead wrote: »
    If im not mistaken, there is already a thread on this movie.

    I'm glad you said it, man... but you know that now that the Mike LoManaco show is back from hiatus, you might as well prepare for reruns. I anxiously await posting the link to the existing Law Abiding Citizen thread in Mike's inevitable thread.

    Welcome back, Mike! Feel free to join in the existing discussions about movies!
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    Demiurge wrote: »
    Wrong.

    Absolutely so, for the majority of them.
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    It doesn't matter, because it's not a 10,000 word essay on the movie :D

    Here we go again.

    I didn't write the review because there already was a thread started and I wanted to provide a "wordy alternative."
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited February 2010
    Wait, wasn't Peter Billingsley the name of the kid who played Ralphie in a Christmas Story?

    *googles*

    Yup. Wow, who knew he was a director now?

    Also, this movie looked terrible, and comedies are probably the movies I re-watch most, so I gotta disagree with THAT sentiment.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • shepx2
    shepx2 Posts: 646
    edited February 2010
    Mike LoManaco wrote: »
    Here we go again.

    You couldn't have said it better!!!

    Do us all a favor. If you are going to force your ridiculously long reviews on this forum, then accept people's opinions when they differ from yours instead of always arguing with them. It's pathetic. And old.
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited February 2010
    Mike LoManaco wrote: »
    Absolutely so, for the majority of them.

    Wrong.
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited February 2010
    Keiko wrote: »
    It's an OK movie for a rental IMO, bro. What can I say? I like MILF. :p

    ok, thanks. MILF? hmmm.....yum yum :p
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • kuntasensei
    kuntasensei Posts: 3,263
    edited February 2010
    shepx2 wrote: »
    You couldn't have said it better!!!

    Do us all a favor. If you are going to force your ridiculously long reviews on this forum, then accept people's opinions when they differ from yours instead of always arguing with them. It's pathetic. And old.

    Well said, Shep.
    Equipment list:
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2010
    Probably one of the most boring "comedy" movies I've seen.
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2010
    Lomananoco should report all of you bastages. Fosber can build an especially nice box.

    I did not like this movie.

    just realized GroundHog Day as a comedy remains quite relevent at CP, in fact there is a large sign with an arrow pointing this way it says Village Idiots this way, prepare to repeat.

    RT1
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited February 2010
    reeltrouble1 wrote: »
    just realized GroundHog Day as a comedy remains quite relevent at CP, in fact there is a large sign with an arrow pointing this way it says Village Idiots this way, prepare to repeat.

    RT1

    Head out to Power Cable threads (yes, many of those) to witness this RT1.
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • fatchowmein
    fatchowmein Posts: 2,637
    edited February 2010
    Jstas wrote: »
    Oh my God! That's what I was thinking!

    A few others:

    Anything from Monty Python
    The David Spade/Chris Farley Movies (Row ads)
    The Princess Bride
    One Crazy Summer
    It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World
    The Gods Must Be Crazy
    Major League
    The Naked Gun
    Airplane
    Police Academy
    and one of my guilty pleasures, Dumb and Dumber.

    Spies Like Us
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2010
    There was nothing in the previews I saw to intice me to spend (correction: waste) any time viewing this stupid movie.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2010
    polkatese wrote: »
    Head out to Power Cable threads (yes, many of those) to witness this RT1.

    yea I saw that one, I left a bit of something I did not need and it was not a bit of honey....

    Shack should be banned so negative always picking on folks......

    Low Men....King, pretty good stuff in this story
    Lo Mein......hey noodles have a place in a pallette
    Lo Man.......ugh, the dribble of used toilet tissue on stained porcelin

    RT1
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2010
    reeltrouble1 wrote:
    Shack should be banned so negative always picking on folks......

    You should be banned for saying I should be banned. That really hurt my feelings...and you know what a sensitive guy I am. :(
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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