PlatinumRead
Just so...so bad
Hadrina
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
Billie Morin
This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows
Edwin
The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.
mayabbott
How many formulaic, boring, insipid, little worthless movies can Ed Burns churn out? Is it an infinite number? I wish there were permits issued for movie directors, so we could deny one to Ed Burns. Again! Some dreary little story, that he wants us to believe is profound, because he thinks it's realistic. He thinks if he presents anything that most people in his target audience, (wealthy, educated 20-40 somethings who hang out in Manhattan and the Hamptons)can relate to, no matter how boring, then he's made art. Hey Ed, it's not art. It's not even crafts. It's like opening a can of Campbells soup. Yes, Ed Burns might just as well go open a can of soup, than make these pathetic movies. And he's not a great actor either. The characters he plays aren't interesting to begin with, and he does nothing to elevated them. Do not waste your time, even if you're 25 and hang out, or wish you hung out, in the Hamptons. I once saw some old movie, set in East Hampton, with Rob Lowe and Doug Savant called MASQUERADE. Now, THAT was pretty good, for a crappy potboiler, like a guilty pleasure. Whatever it is, it's not boring and pointless.Ed Burns should watch it 12 times, and see what entertainment is. Even bad entertainment is better than no entertainment at all. BTW, just so any readers know; should poor Johnny follow his dream or sacrifice it?.....i get it...I get it....I get it...it's a case of who the heck cares because the entire presentation of the dilemma is no boring, in every way.
dansview
This picture had some sweet moments. I'm actually o.k. with the lead looking so young and sounding even younger, because in real life he is the age that he was playing. That made things more interesting.Even short, skinny, passive guys can find girlfriends. Especially if the guy is a gentleman. If the actor had been more "normal," this movie would have been more common.The fiancée was also well cast. Not a beauty. Just a generic spoiled East Coast girl. Of course a controlling girl is going to choose a puppy dog guy.While I am totally turned off by "free spirited" girls, I think the gal who played this did it quite efficiently. When she confessed that she had never been in love, I believed her. That was one of the poignant moments.The reason this blonde went for this guy is because she had already been burned by the "player" type too many times. Even though he is a wimp, he's a good listener and trustworthy and that appealed to her. Plus, opposites attract. She could change him.Having said all that, there wasn't sufficient character development. There had to be more background on how this guy became the way he is, what his parents are like, why he's wearing a cross, and why he likes sports.Was he a frustrated athlete? We saw that he couldn't play tennis. Did he always wish he could be an alpha-dog like athletes? What did the blonde tennis girl mean about her dad wanting certain things for her? What happened with her ex in Los Angeles? Ed Burns turned in his usual almost-amoral player persona. That guy he always plays does however have a heart for those who are truly close to him. It would be easy to say that his character just wanted to have a partner in crime so he wouldn't feel guilty, but in truth, he saw that his nephew needed help.There's also a terrific scene with an older actor who plays the lead's future father-in-law. The guy could not have made much money for this, but he gave it his all.The photography is good, the plot predictable, and the length a bit too long, but the sweet moments redeemed this one and saved it from oblivion. T
meeza
I am a member of the "Team Edward" team (not the one you are thinking). I am referring to those that have always thought that Writer-Director Edward Burns is one of the most talented independent movie filmmakers of our generation. I know that "Team Edward" lacks membership; due to the fact that many critics and filmgoers have not been nice guys and girls to Burns by ridiculing his movies of the last decade. However, I still think Burns is tops when it comes to creating relatable characters going through emotional and romantic turmoil, and using the city of New York as an effective backdrop. Burns' screenplays speak the words of what real people say when they go through trials & tribulations with lovers, family, and friends. In his latest flick "Nice Guy Johnny", Burns still contributes the equivalent witty dialogue of his past independent movies, but the film's premise falls a little short on sheer entertainment value. Matt Bush stars as Johnny, an amateurish sports talk radio host in Oakland who is pressured by his nagging fiancé to go to New York to interview for a cardboard company administrative position against his wishes. Johnny's dream is to excel in the sports radio arts even though his fiancée Claire is not too clairvoyant by not supporting him on his career goals. Johnny does not make the cash flow that Claire is insisting on so therefore she literally ships Johnny to New York to interview for the cardboard position that was hooked up by Claire's domineering father. Johnny, who is originally from New York, gets to visit his parents in the Hamptons in his New York visit; and also meets up with his chauvinistic easy-going Uncle Terry. Terry, played by Burns, is the antithesis of Johnny. He is a womanizing, selfish, and manipulative lothario who has plenty of married female sexual partners who he uses to not only fulfill his sexual craving, but to also borrow their cars & homes at his "free-will". Johnny is initially reluctant to hang with Uncle Terry during his New York stay, but eventually decides to join Terry in a drive to the Hamptons. During their Hamptons stop, Terry introduces Johnny to Brooke; the tennis instructor of one of Terry's married female conquests. Brooke's beauty and bohemian ways attracts Johnny to her, even though he is set on his ways on being faithful to Claire. Will Johnny cheat on Claire? Will Brooke break the faithful tide? Is the cardboard job in the cards for Johnny? Well, you got to spend some time with "Nice Guy Johnny" to find that out. The premise of the movie is not too uncommon in film narratives of the romantic-comedy genre: a controlled dude in a relationship pressured by a self-centered female to bring home the bacon or else she will bail. But the premise is not the nice part of "Nice Guy Johnny"; it is Burns' genuine screenplay that plays a nice part to the story. Even though Burns has played the same scheming character in a few of his past flicks, I still think he was very good in his performance as Uncle Terry. Matt Bush overacted at times with his mediocre starring performance as Johnny, and Kerry Bishe was not OK with her monotone mode in her portrayal of Brooke. It is not one of Burns' best, but "Nice Guy Johnny" is nice enough to check out. **** Good
lauramaclennan
Predictable and slow. I actually looked at my phone to see what time it was. A couple of funny lines. Johnny's fiancée was to quick to jump to the wrong conclusions especially since Johnny was a good guy. It's like she didn't even know who he was. Also, the future father-n-law's reaction to being called "Mr." instead of "Dr." was to much. It could have been done less in your face. That would have been a good opportunity for some funny lines. It was too in your face about "I've got to follow my dreams" kinda thing. Should have been more subtle. And then the romance was almost too subtle. It was a little to fast for the young lady to fall in love with Johnny. The music was good.