Movies That Deserved Better: 'Not Suitable for Children'

         On July 12, 2012, 'Not Suitable for Children' was released by Icon Film Distribution to predominantly positive reviews from critics, currently holding 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. Unfortunately, the film never quite received the audience that it deserved. It's time to change that. In the film, "A womanizer (Ryan Kwanten) learns he has one month before he becomes sterile, so he tries to impregnate a woman before it's too late." But what did the critics say?

       Amber Wilkinson of Eye for Film says, "The words cancer and comedy used to hang out in very different movie circles. If cancer was present, comedy rarely put a foot over the threshold, let alone made a joke at its expense. Recently there has been something of a sea change, with 50/50 bringing the two together in a buddy film format and now, this Aussie flick insists that just because you have cancer it doesn't mean you're a responsible adult. Ryan Kwanten stars as Jonah, a 30something scraggy bearded hipster with a no-ties approach to relationships, with the exception of his housemates and best pals Gus (Ryan Corr) and Stevie (Sarah Snook). His mindset is about to change, though, not as a result of careful consideration of the holding pattern of parties and playgirls that his life has become but because a one-night stand has just noticed a lump on one of his testicles. A trip to the doc's later and Jonah discovers his life is about to change tack. The lump is cancerous and it's time to go under the knife - the only hitch being that when he has finished his treatment he'll be infertile. With the clock ticking faster than he ever thought possible, Jonah decides to take the plunge - with anyone, possibly everyone - in order to have a child." Adding, "The premise sounds like a playpen for vulgarity but Michael Lucas's script is smarter than that. While there is an obvious smut level involved in the loss of a testicle, the joke choices are much less crass than you might imagine. And the subject matter is as much concerned - rightly or wrongly - with modern day fears of commitment and insecurity as with illness. Lucas also ensures his characters are grounded in a believable reality and, winningly for audience members sick of second fiddle females in Judd Apatow cast offs, gives Sarah Snook's character a story trajectory that is as substantial as that of Kwanten's. Snook grasps the opportunity with both hands to the extent of almost stealing the film out from under Kwanten, amiable though he is."

Photo Courtesy of Jerod Harris via Getty Images on Wireimage.com 

        Tim Martain of The Mercury notes, "Breaking down some stereotypes and making you think about a common issue in an uncommon way, this is a smart little flick, with some top acting and fine humour to boot."

       Matthew Pejkovic of Matt's Movie Reviews was less impressed, stating, "With its unlikeable characters and comedy that is awkward at best, Not Suitable for Children does little for the modern secular family cause. This is a film that wears its modern-world-values-big-boy-pants proudly. With its young filmmakers and hip cast, Not Suitable for Children refuses to have its characters play slave to the traditional rules of boy meets girl, boy marries girl, boy and girl have a baby. This is 2012 and such thinking is no longer a part of the 20 something crowd. Well, at least according to this move it isn’t." Continuing, "It’s when Not Suitable… focuses on the central relationship between Jonah and Stevie that it finds its heart. Kwanten and Snook’s different energies work well together, and Snook is an especially warm presence amongst the darkly photographed inner west Sydney backdrop and perfectly counters the mugging theatrics of Ryan Corr who takes on the role of clown best friend, yet annoys instead of bringing the laughs. Snook can only bring so much to the table. This is a Ryan Kwanten vehicle and his Jonah is, simply put, an unlikeable prat: irresponsible, lazy, a symbol of the 20 something slacker at its most obnoxious. Not suitable for children? At the least."

    Personally, I found the film to be a unique gem that might not be for everyone. Honestly, if your movie taste is more traditional, it might not be for you.

Movies that Deserved Better: 'Dead Silence'

         On March 16, 2007, with a streaming release on November 19, 2013, Universal Pictures released 'Dead Silence', which received a mixed reception from critics, currently holding at 21% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the film, "After his wife meets a grisly end, Jamie Ashen (Ryan Kwanten) returns to their creepy hometown of Ravens Fair to unravel the mystery of her murder. Once there, he discovers the legend of Mary Shaw (Joan Heney), a murdered ventriloquist whose eerie presence still looms over the town. As he desperately digs for answers, Jamie encounters the curse that took his wife's life and threatens his own." The ensemble cast includes Donnie Wahlberg, Amber Valletta, Bob Gunton, and Judith Roberts. But what did the critics say?

       Felix Vasquez Jr. of Cinema Crazed notes, "Dead Silence” is less a film about a killer puppet, and more a film about the madness behind the puppet. Was Mary Shaw really undead, or were her puppets keeping her alive? Whanell and crew never really make it clear to us, but they do create a truly creepy horror character that works mainly because she’s so utterly horrifying to look at. “Dead Silence” has a genuine novelty to it, and one that works to compliment the puppets that play as constant plot devices. Wan’s direction is just great as he has a blast using darkness as a truly interesting characteristic for the film, all the while using swooping camera angles and good old fashioned creepy settings to build the suspense all the while attempting to build a story." Adding, "Aside from having a bland leading character, and an obnoxious antagonist (really, what was Donnie Wahlberg’s purpose in this affair?), the film never truly has a clear narrative in mind until the second half where it all comes crashing down. I won’t say this was a complete win for the boys from “Saw.” The film most definitely has plenty of inherent flaws, but in spite of it all, it’s also a very creepy little ditty that works once it rears up to the second half."

        Frank Scheck of Hollywood Reporter praises the film, stating, "Director Wan demonstrates that he's equally effective working in a more classical vein, especially with his skillful use of chilling low-key sound effects and silence in several scary sequences."

Photo by Robert Zunikoff on Unsplash

        Scott Collura of IGN Movies says, "It's great seeing Wahlberg getting the chance to have fun with the character, who proves to be a highlight of the film, and one almost wishes he might get his own spin-off film or series at some point"

       Scott Tobias of AV Club was less impressed, stating, "Even without the mechanized death that made the Saw movies such a sensation, it doesn't take long to realize that director James Wan and writer Leigh Whannell are merely trying to replace one twisty, gimmicky franchise with another."

        Personally, I really enjoyed this movie. Ryan Kwanten was the standout in terms of acting, giving his best performance outside of 'True Blood'. Donnie Wahlberg was solid as well and his performance during the big reveal scene was equal parts great and hammy all at once. The script could have progressed less rapidly and quite honestly, this movie would have been better as a television limited series. Given the year, 'AHS' could have had some competition.