bill bodkin and logan j. fowler give vastly different opinions on the new rom-com with JT and Meg Griffin …
Theater, Rent, No Thanks, Undecided: No Thanks.
So while watching the trailer for No Strings Atta … wait a second, this isn’t that movie? Yes, it’s true, Friends With Benefits and No Strings Attached share similar qualities: Friends make a plan, get it on, but eventually fall in love even though that wasn’t the goal. However, to the credit of FWB, I actually did chuckle at the trailer (mostly due to Justin Timberlake’s rendition of “Closing Time” by Semisonic), but I can’t see myself actually giving this movie the time of day based on the otherwise lackluster trailer. Also, kind of a bummer to see Kunis and Timberlake, hot off their great performances in Black Swan and The Social Network, respectively, in this rather blah looking film. We know they are capable of more. In any case, skipping this one.
— LJF
Theater, Rent, No Thanks, Undecided: Rent [but possibly Theater].
While there are similarities between Friends With Benefits and No Strings Attached, I think we’re seeing the stronger of the two films. First, the trailer for Friends is punctuated with a lot of really strong comedy, from the aforementioned rendition of “Closing Time” to a lot of quick one-liners, Friends has already blown away Strings. That and I can’t stand Ashton Kutcher. This trailer also shows us that there’s a lot of comedic heavyweights in this film rounding out the cast — Woody Harrelson, Patricia Clarkson, Andy Samberg, Emma Stone. I think Harrelson is actually going to steal the entire film as JT’s gay friend. What also is reassuring about this film is that Will Gluck, the creative mind behind the fantastic Easy A, is directing and producing the project. He hit a home run with Easy A and if he brings his A-Game (no pun intended) Friends with Benefits will be extremely enjoyable. Of course, with any comedy there’s a fear that we’ve seen the best parts in the trailer, but that’s a chance I’m willing to take.
— BB
