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xiayun
Extraordinary
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:41 pm Posts: 25109 Location: San Mateo, CA
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Semi-Pro
Semi-ProQuote: Semi-Pro is a 2008 American sports screwball comedy film from New Line Cinema. The film was directed by Kent Alterman and stars Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, André Benjamin and Maura Tierney. The film was shot in Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium (in the gym of the Los Angeles City Fire Department Training Center), in Detroit and in Flint, Michigan. It was released in theaters on February 29, 2008 and was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 3, 2008. This was the last film from New Line Cinema before its sister company Warner Bros. took over.
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Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:58 am |
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The Mr Pink
What would Jesus *not* do?
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:55 am Posts: 829 Location: Going Up the Down Escalator
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Re: Semi-Pro
Me thinks Will Ferrel went to the well one to many times with this one. Semi-Pro had some funny moments but overall was disappointing. It could've done without most of the Woody Harrelson characters backstory which really stopped the movie dead in its tracks. And instead focus more on the team, or Jackies dealings with the league officials, or the ball girls, anything but the Monnix character. Semi-Pro wasn't awful but it was lacking in something none-the-less, maybe Ferrel should stop with the sports spoofs and start to focus his energy towards projects like Stranger than Fiction in which he has the ability to shine and grow as a comedic performer, instead of stagnating in extended SNL type skit movies. The supporting cast with the exception of Harrelson helped this film rise above mediocrity though so for that I give the film.
Grade B/B+
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Fri Feb 29, 2008 6:06 pm |
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zingy
College Boy Z
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:40 pm Posts: 36662
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Re: Semi-Pro
Pretty funny, though not up to Talladega Nights levels. It's about on-par with like Blades of Glory, which is disappointing considering this had an R-rating. Still, it has it moments and Will Ferrell is a riot as usual, even though it's just his usual character.
B
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Sat Mar 01, 2008 1:15 am |
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El Maskado
Arrrrrrrrrrgggghhhhhhhhhh!
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 8:17 pm Posts: 21572
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Re: Semi-Pro
Boy did I feel disappointed in the film. It wasnt really funny at all. I think the best comparison would be The Cable Guy where alot of the scenes felt very uncomfortable especially with the gun pointing scene and pulling the trigger. I think a few people would that that whole scene maybe in bad taste and pushing the line. Another problem with the film is that it really doesnt take advantage of its R rating where all they really did is mention BJs, the f bomb, cocks etc. Compare that to Theres Something about Mary and Bad Santa where they took full advantage of the R rating and made alot of funny gross scenes out of it. Semi-pro doesnt really push the line enough and that Will Ferrell seems more like a supporting character whereas Woody Harreson seems to be the full star of the film. I do like the inclusion of Harrison and some of the homages to his Kingpin character but not enough to really recommend the film especially when the ending felt abrupt without anything satisfying
C
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Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:26 pm |
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Korrgan
problem?
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 6:52 am Posts: 15515 Location: Bait Shop
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Re: Semi-Pro
I have never before, in my life, been so bored during a comedy. Only one good joke in the entire film that made any of the people in my group laugh. I never, EVER mess with my phone during a film, I hate people that do, the light's annoying, but I broke out my cellphone and played Brick Attack for a good 20 minutes. Awful, awful film. out of
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Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:52 pm |
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Libs
Sbil
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:38 pm Posts: 48626 Location: Arlington, VA
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Re: Semi-Pro
Yeah, this was pretty bad. I usually enjoy Will Ferrell's comedies (Anchorman is one of my favorite comedies ever, actually), but this had very few redeeming qualities. Despite an R rating, it somehow feels more muted than his PG-13 comedies. Ferrell's character is tired and not particularly funny, and the rest of the supporting cast fail to register. There are a few throwaway laughs, but I don't recommend this picture. D+
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Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:06 am |
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Bradley Witherberry
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm Posts: 15197 Location: Planet Xatar
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Re: Semi-Pro
Well that was the worst movie I've seen in quite a while... stinkingly bad. I'm not easily offended, and yet I found Semi Pro irredeemably rude.
And unforgivably - - it was not funny.
1 out of 5.
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Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:18 pm |
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Libs
Sbil
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:38 pm Posts: 48626 Location: Arlington, VA
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Re: Semi-Pro
Bradley Witherberry wrote: Well that was the worst movie I've seen in quite a while... stinkingly bad. I'm not easily offended, and yet I found Semi Pro irredeemably rude.
And unforgivably - - it was not funny.
1 out of 5. Oh my god, Bradley and I hate the same movie. A comedy, no less. Shocking.
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Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:27 pm |
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Jim Halpert
Stanley Cup
Joined: Sat Aug 26, 2006 1:52 pm Posts: 6981 Location: Hockey Town
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Re: Semi-Pro
the last 20 minutes were very good. Problem was the first 100 minutes were brutally awful. Easily the worst of Will's movies.
D.
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Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:29 pm |
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Bradley Witherberry
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm Posts: 15197 Location: Planet Xatar
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Re: Semi-Pro
Libs wrote: Oh my god, Bradley and I hate the same movie. A comedy, no less. Shocking. I must say I was a little disturbed by that fact too, after reading your review after posting mine. What's really shocking to me though, is the high grades given by others towards the beginning of the thread... (Actually, we're not that far apart on comedies of the romantic variety - - but yes, with this type of low comedy of which I'm a huge fan, we're usually continents apart. )
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Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:15 pm |
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Jmart
Superman: The Movie
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 8:47 am Posts: 21141 Location: Massachusetts
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Re: Semi-Pro
Jayhawk wrote: the last 20 minutes were very good. Problem was the first 100 minutes were brutally awful. Easily the worst of Will's movies.
D. The film was nowhere near close to being two hours long, although it might have felt like it. I wish the film was longer because it seemed to be heavily edited and it could've used more character setup (where was the interview on the court between Jackie and the announcer that we've seen over and over again in the TV spots?) and well, comedy, but I think it barely reached 90 minutes. My grade: **1/2 My review is up on the main page.
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Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:58 pm |
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MGKC
---------
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 10:42 pm Posts: 11808 Location: Kansas City, Kansas
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Re: Semi-Pro
It's not too bad. The opening song is pretty hilarious. I loved a lot of the jokes, but a lot did fall flat. Woody Harrelson's character and storyline was completely pointless. It tried to be a little too dramatic; Talladega Nights pulled it off much better. Will Ferrell needed to be the main character. (also he needed to be mad more often!! Will Ferrell is at his best when he plays mad) My favorite parts were the $10,000 check guy and the invention of the alley oop.
Grade: B-
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Mon Mar 03, 2008 5:12 pm |
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Terminator1997
George A. Romero
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 10:30 pm Posts: 9763 Location: Enjoying a cold pint
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Re: Semi-Pro
not too bad. i liked it better than talladega nights, but it did have some boring spots.
C+/B-
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Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:33 pm |
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The Mr Pink
What would Jesus *not* do?
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:55 am Posts: 829 Location: Going Up the Down Escalator
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Re: Semi-Pro
Jmart007 wrote: Jayhawk wrote: the last 20 minutes were very good. Problem was the first 100 minutes were brutally awful. Easily the worst of Will's movies.
D. The film was nowhere near close to being two hours long, although it might have felt like it. I wish the film was longer because it seemed to be heavily edited and it could've used more character setup (where was the interview on the court between Jackie and the announcer that we've seen over and over again in the TV spots?) and well, comedy, but I think it barely reached 90 minutes. My grade: **1/2 My review is up on the main page. It was trimmed down from an NC-17. So look for the DVD to contain 'scenes to risque for theatres'
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Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:59 am |
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Gulli
Jordan Mugen-Honda
Joined: Mon May 01, 2006 9:53 am Posts: 13400
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Re: Semi-Pro
Ack this was terrible. I never knew it was possible for Ferrell to phone in one of this personal comedies but he does it here. A painful experience.
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Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:21 am |
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Jim Halpert
Stanley Cup
Joined: Sat Aug 26, 2006 1:52 pm Posts: 6981 Location: Hockey Town
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Re: Semi-Pro
Jmart007 wrote: Jayhawk wrote: the last 20 minutes were very good. Problem was the first 100 minutes were brutally awful. Easily the worst of Will's movies.
D. The film was nowhere near close to being two hours long, although it might have felt like it. I wish the film was longer because it seemed to be heavily edited and it could've used more character setup (where was the interview on the court between Jackie and the announcer that we've seen over and over again in the TV spots?) and well, comedy, but I think it barely reached 90 minutes. My grade: **1/2 My review is up on the main page. my bad the first 70 minutes were awful.
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Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:41 pm |
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Jmart
Superman: The Movie
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 8:47 am Posts: 21141 Location: Massachusetts
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Re: Semi-Pro
The Mr Pink wrote: Jmart007 wrote: Jayhawk wrote: the last 20 minutes were very good. Problem was the first 100 minutes were brutally awful. Easily the worst of Will's movies.
D. The film was nowhere near close to being two hours long, although it might have felt like it. I wish the film was longer because it seemed to be heavily edited and it could've used more character setup (where was the interview on the court between Jackie and the announcer that we've seen over and over again in the TV spots?) and well, comedy, but I think it barely reached 90 minutes. My grade: **1/2 My review is up on the main page. It was trimmed down from an NC-17. So look for the DVD to contain 'scenes to risque for theatres' Where did you hear that?
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Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:59 pm |
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MovieGeek
Grill
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 6:38 pm Posts: 3682 Location: Here
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Re: Semi-Pro
Funny in places.I liked the plot. Ferrell was hilarious as was Arnett. Not as good has past movies but still funny.
B-
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Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:13 am |
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Mr. Inc
Veteran
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:50 am Posts: 3350
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Re: Semi-Pro
I honestly thought this was going to be worse. Just got back from it and was kinda pleasently surprised. It was alright but , it wasn't horrible C+. Ferrel just seems so tired though, he isnt even trying. Some funny spots, passable but not horrendous.
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Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:03 am |
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The Scottie
King Albert!
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 1:04 pm Posts: 11838 Location: The Happiest City on Earth
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Re: Semi-Pro
B-
Funny in places, but nothing special.
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Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:29 pm |
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insomniacdude
I just lost the game
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 7:00 pm Posts: 5868
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Re: Semi-Pro
Wow. Very disappointing. This is the first Ferrell movie that I've gotten behind before release/before I saw it....and it's the first one to really disappoint me. Blades f Glory was better then this D+
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Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:10 am |
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MGKC
---------
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 10:42 pm Posts: 11808 Location: Kansas City, Kansas
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Re: Semi-Pro
Anybody else hear that the bear (Rocky) from this movie just killed its trainer? I bet Will Ferrell feels pretty lucky lol.
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Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:08 pm |
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Jmart
Superman: The Movie
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 8:47 am Posts: 21141 Location: Massachusetts
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Re: Semi-Pro
The Unrated cut of the film works much better than the theatrical cut, although it isn't that much longer. Anyone expecting anything drastically different in terms and is expecting a tremendous amount of nudity is going to be slightly disappointed. I honestly can't see why they just didn't go with this cut to begin with, because there is nothing here that comes close to being NC-17. Anyways, I think the reason why I enjoyed it more this time around is that the film just flows better in the Unrated cut. I'm not sure if I just wasn't paying close enough attention to the Theatrical cut, but things that once felt disjointed don't quite feel that way here. I also found the film to be a little bit funnier the second time around. I wouldn't quite say it's as good as Ferrell's other leading comedic roles, but its still quite funny. And not to take anything away from Ferrell who is good here, but the biggest laughs come from Will Arnett and Andrew Daly as color commentator and announcer respectively. I wouldn't quite say they save the film, but they're the funniest part to the film.
So it's better on DVD. I think if they had released this cut into theaters they would've been doing themselves a favor and had just stopped worrying about the rating (I can now tell they were pretty much trying their hardest to cut it to PG-13), they would've been doing themselves a favor since this is the best cut of the film.
***
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Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:32 am |
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zingy
College Boy Z
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:40 pm Posts: 36662
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Re: Semi-Pro
I did enjoy it more on DVD as well. It's still kinda mediocre in comparison to his other films, but it's not bad.
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Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:20 pm |
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BJ
Killing With Kindness
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:57 pm Posts: 25020 Location: Anchorage,Alaska
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Re: Semi-Pro
BJs Grade: C+
got better as it went on but much of the beginning was total crap.
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Fri Jun 06, 2008 1:52 pm |
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