Seth Gordon directed this comedy/romance featuring: Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Mary Steenburgen, Jon Voight, Sissy Spacek. Rated PG-13 for some sexual humor and language. The running time is one hour and twenty-two minutes.
When an upscale, happily unmarried San Francisco couple (Vaughn and Witherspoon) must cancel their exotic holiday vacation plans, they trudge to not one, not two, but four relative-choked festivities, increasingly mortified to find childhood fears raised, adolescent wounds reopened... and their very future together uncertain. Along the way we meet all four divorced parents (his: Duvall and Spacek, hers: Voight and Steenburgen).
This has been sold as a holiday comedy. They lied, it isn't funny! It's basically four short vignettes that make you wonder how the couple has avoided major psychiatric problems, although you do understand why they've avoided going home for the holidays during their relationship. The one storyline that is mildly amusing will probably offend a portion of the audience during this season (the nativity story at a new age church). There's nothing in this film that won't be just as unimpressive on your TV as it is in a theatre—so, I'd wait for the DVD.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
AUSTRALIA *½
Baz Luhrmann directed this action/romance starring: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Brandon Walters, David Wenham, and Bryan Brown. The film is rated PG-13 and is two hours and forty-five minutes long.
An English aristocrat (Kidman) travels to the faraway continent, where she meets a rough-hewn local (Jackman) and reluctantly agrees to join forces with him to save her inheritance from greedy landowners (Brown and Wenham) who lust for her ranch. She also becomes a surrogate mother to a boy (Walters) who lives on her land.
As I sat through this interminably long film I kept thinking: "You've got to be kidding me." Really, it's that bad. This has got to be the most expensive looking, lushly filmed failure I've ever had the misfortune of enduring. Nothing about it rings true. Most of the main characters, and especially Kidman, seem to be caricatures. It's impossible to get involved in the story because everyone and everything is so completely unbelievable. And, it's way too long. It's really two and a half movies awkwardly edited together so it's both tiring and confusing and with an ending so sappy you can't believe anyone would actually think it could work. If you insist on watching this, however, make sure you do so in a big screened theatre. At least you'll be able to enjoy the scenery.
An English aristocrat (Kidman) travels to the faraway continent, where she meets a rough-hewn local (Jackman) and reluctantly agrees to join forces with him to save her inheritance from greedy landowners (Brown and Wenham) who lust for her ranch. She also becomes a surrogate mother to a boy (Walters) who lives on her land.
As I sat through this interminably long film I kept thinking: "You've got to be kidding me." Really, it's that bad. This has got to be the most expensive looking, lushly filmed failure I've ever had the misfortune of enduring. Nothing about it rings true. Most of the main characters, and especially Kidman, seem to be caricatures. It's impossible to get involved in the story because everyone and everything is so completely unbelievable. And, it's way too long. It's really two and a half movies awkwardly edited together so it's both tiring and confusing and with an ending so sappy you can't believe anyone would actually think it could work. If you insist on watching this, however, make sure you do so in a big screened theatre. At least you'll be able to enjoy the scenery.
TRANSPORTER 3 **½
Directed by Olivier Megaton this action film stars: Jason Statham, Francois Berleand, Natalya Rudakova, and Robert Knepper. Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence, some sexual content and drug material. Running time is one hour and 40 minutes.
Frank Martin (Statham) is pressured into transporting the kidnapped daughter (Rudakova) of the head of the Environmental Protection Agency for the Ukraine, from Marseilles through Stuttgart and Budapest until he ends up in Odessa on the Black Sea. Despite her cynical disposition and his resistance to get involved, they fall for each other, while escaping from one life-threatening situation after another. During his drive he is aided by French policeman Tarconi (Berleand) and repeatedly attacked by a corporate hit man (Knepper) and his thugs.
High octane action and a reasonable running time combined with an attractive cast made this an enjoyable film for me. Oh, the plot's silly but in the Transporter series it's always been the action that's the star. Rudakova is an interesting actress to look at, attractive but with the most freckles I've ever seen on a theatre screen. Most of the car scenes were probably CGI effects as I cannot imagine how you could really accomplish them. But that didn't subtract from their enjoyability. Again, the fast cuts and close-up camera style is used but not as much as in Quantum Of Solace, so it wasn't as disconcerting. This will be best viewed on a large screen and with very good sound.
Frank Martin (Statham) is pressured into transporting the kidnapped daughter (Rudakova) of the head of the Environmental Protection Agency for the Ukraine, from Marseilles through Stuttgart and Budapest until he ends up in Odessa on the Black Sea. Despite her cynical disposition and his resistance to get involved, they fall for each other, while escaping from one life-threatening situation after another. During his drive he is aided by French policeman Tarconi (Berleand) and repeatedly attacked by a corporate hit man (Knepper) and his thugs.
High octane action and a reasonable running time combined with an attractive cast made this an enjoyable film for me. Oh, the plot's silly but in the Transporter series it's always been the action that's the star. Rudakova is an interesting actress to look at, attractive but with the most freckles I've ever seen on a theatre screen. Most of the car scenes were probably CGI effects as I cannot imagine how you could really accomplish them. But that didn't subtract from their enjoyability. Again, the fast cuts and close-up camera style is used but not as much as in Quantum Of Solace, so it wasn't as disconcerting. This will be best viewed on a large screen and with very good sound.
Worthwhile (or not) 11/28/08
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). Again, three different types of film this week but only one of them is worth watching in my opinion. For whatever reason the national critics are being far too kind to AUSTRALIA, which I think most patrons will find boring.
53 Australia,
38 Four Christmases,
51 Transporter 3
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.
My reviews of TRANSPORTER 3, FOUR CHRISTMASES and AUSTRALIA will be on this site after 4:30 pm.
Here are previews of films opening on Friday, 12/5: CADILLAC RECORDS, NOBEL SON, and PUNISHER: WAR ZONE.
53 Australia,
38 Four Christmases,
51 Transporter 3
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.
My reviews of TRANSPORTER 3, FOUR CHRISTMASES and AUSTRALIA will be on this site after 4:30 pm.
Here are previews of films opening on Friday, 12/5: CADILLAC RECORDS, NOBEL SON, and PUNISHER: WAR ZONE.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Opening 11/26/08
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
AUSTRALIA [PG-13] 2hr. 45 min. Action/Romance Trailer Cast: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Brandon Walters, David Wenham, Jack Thompson, Bryan Brown. Plot: an English aristocrat travels to the faraway continent, where she meets a rough-hewn local and reluctantly agrees to join forces with him to save the land she inherited. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
FOUR CHRISTMASES [PG-13] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy/Romance Trailer Cast: Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Jon Favreau, Mary Steenburgen, Dwight Yoakam, Tim McGraw, Kristin Chenoweth, Jon Voight, Sissy Spacek. Plot: when an upscale, happily unmarried San Francisco couple must cancel their exotic holiday vacation plans, they trudge to not one, not two, but four relative-choked festivities, increasingly mortified to find childhood fears raised, adolescent wounds reopened... and their very future together uncertain. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
TRANSPORTER 3 [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Action Trailer Cast: Jason Statham, Francois Berleand, Natalya Rudakova, Robert Knepper, Jeroen Krabbe, Alex Kobold, David Atrakchi, Yann Sundberg, Eriq Ebouaney, David Kammenos, Silvio Simac. Plot: Frank Martin is pressured into transporting the kidnapped daughter of the head of the Environmental Protection Agency for the Ukraine, from Marseilles through Stuttgart and Budapest until he ends up in Odessa on the Black Sea. Despite her cynical disposition and his resistance to get involved, they fall for each other, while escaping from one life-threatening situation after another. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
What's Leaving 11/25/08
Derby Plaza - Role Model, Fireproof, High School Musical 3
Movie Machine - Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Northrock 14 - Fireproof, Religulous, Role Models, Soul Men, Zack & Miri Make A Porno
Palace West - Miracle At St. Anna, Sex Drive
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Appaloosa, Soul Men, Zack & Miri Make A Porno, Eagle Eye, Secret Life Of Bees
Warren Old Town - Zack & Miri Make A Porno
Warren West 21st - Zack & Miri Make A Porno, Molly Hartley, Eagle Eye, Secret Life Of Bees
Movie Machine - Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Northrock 14 - Fireproof, Religulous, Role Models, Soul Men, Zack & Miri Make A Porno
Palace West - Miracle At St. Anna, Sex Drive
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Appaloosa, Soul Men, Zack & Miri Make A Porno, Eagle Eye, Secret Life Of Bees
Warren Old Town - Zack & Miri Make A Porno
Warren West 21st - Zack & Miri Make A Porno, Molly Hartley, Eagle Eye, Secret Life Of Bees
Friday, November 21, 2008
BOLT ***
Byron Howard and Chris Williams directed this Animated/Adventure/Comedy which features the voices of: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, and Mark Walton. Rated PG for some mild action and peril. Running time is one hour and thirty-six minutes. It can be seen in Digital 3-D on certain screens at 13th Avenue Warren and 21st Street Warren. Other screens in those two theatres and in all other theatres showing this feature are 2-D.
A make-believe super-dog (Travolta) is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City where he begins his biggest adventure yet—a cross-country journey through the real world to get back to his owner and co-star (Cyrus), armed only with the delusion that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and aided by a cat (Essman) and a hamster (Walton).
Children and families should find this film entertaining while the rest of us most likely will find it only occasionally amusing. This is not one of those animated films where the dialog operates on both a children's and an adult's level. This is all directed at children. I watched a 2-D screening but even so I could tell it has some pretty effective 3-D effects and I would recommend you watch that version as it should make it substantially more interesting. The closing credits features a song written and sung by Cyrus so her fans will find that an additional plus. If you're not going to watch in 3-D you won't lose anything at all waiting for the DVD.
A make-believe super-dog (Travolta) is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City where he begins his biggest adventure yet—a cross-country journey through the real world to get back to his owner and co-star (Cyrus), armed only with the delusion that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and aided by a cat (Essman) and a hamster (Walton).
Children and families should find this film entertaining while the rest of us most likely will find it only occasionally amusing. This is not one of those animated films where the dialog operates on both a children's and an adult's level. This is all directed at children. I watched a 2-D screening but even so I could tell it has some pretty effective 3-D effects and I would recommend you watch that version as it should make it substantially more interesting. The closing credits features a song written and sung by Cyrus so her fans will find that an additional plus. If you're not going to watch in 3-D you won't lose anything at all waiting for the DVD.
TWILIGHT **½
Catherine Hardwicke is the director of the first of the Twilight series films which stars: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, and Elizabeth Reaser. Rated PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality. The running time is two hours and two minutes.
A modern-day love story based on the best selling series by Stephenie Meyer between a teenage girl (Stewart) and a vampire (Pattinson) who's a member of a family (Facinelli and Reaser) who don't have fangs and who choose not to drink human blood. Their relationship is threatened when a clan of new vampires comes to town and threatens to disrupt their way of life by killing humans, a fact which sets the girl's father (Burke), the sheriff, on their trail.
This is a well made film with good production values and a competent if not particularly appealing cast. To my of thinking, however, in an effort to boost the boxoffice the film has been mis-sold as an action thriller and it's nothing of the kind. It is a modern romance teenage girls will no doubt love but males and adults are going to find slow and boring, with most of the film's time spent in introducing the couple to each other and in developing their romantic relationship. There is some action but if you've seen the trailer, you've already seen most of it. Clearly, the intent is to create a "franchise" with sequels. Whether this first film will leave enough of what appears to be a huge initial audience with a desire for sequels remains to be seen.
A modern-day love story based on the best selling series by Stephenie Meyer between a teenage girl (Stewart) and a vampire (Pattinson) who's a member of a family (Facinelli and Reaser) who don't have fangs and who choose not to drink human blood. Their relationship is threatened when a clan of new vampires comes to town and threatens to disrupt their way of life by killing humans, a fact which sets the girl's father (Burke), the sheriff, on their trail.
This is a well made film with good production values and a competent if not particularly appealing cast. To my of thinking, however, in an effort to boost the boxoffice the film has been mis-sold as an action thriller and it's nothing of the kind. It is a modern romance teenage girls will no doubt love but males and adults are going to find slow and boring, with most of the film's time spent in introducing the couple to each other and in developing their romantic relationship. There is some action but if you've seen the trailer, you've already seen most of it. Clearly, the intent is to create a "franchise" with sequels. Whether this first film will leave enough of what appears to be a huge initial audience with a desire for sequels remains to be seen.
Worthwhile (or not) 11/21/08
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). Three distinct genres this week: a Disney animated family film, a teenage vampire romance and an art film. According to the national critics, the family film is the clear winner. And while I don't think it's the best animated film I've ever watched I agree it is certainly better than TWILIGHT.
72 Bolt,
57 Twilight,
56 Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.
My reviews of TWILIGHT and BOLT will be on this site after 4:30 pm.
Here are previews of films opening on Wednesday, 11/26: AUSTRALIA, FOUR CHRISTMASES, and TRANSPORTER 3.
72 Bolt,
57 Twilight,
56 Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.
My reviews of TWILIGHT and BOLT will be on this site after 4:30 pm.
Here are previews of films opening on Wednesday, 11/26: AUSTRALIA, FOUR CHRISTMASES, and TRANSPORTER 3.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Opening 11/21/08
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
BOLT (3-D) [PG] 1 hr. 35 min. Animated/Adventure/Comedy Trailer Cast: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton. Plot: a super-dog is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City where he begins his biggest adventure yet—a cross-country journey through the real world to get back to his owner and co-star, armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren. Digital 3-D version available at 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS [PG-13] 1 hr. 35 min. Drama Trailer Cast: David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga, Rupert Friend, Asa Butterfield, Jack Scalon. Plot: a fictional story based on the novel of the same name offering a unique perspective on how prejudice, hatred and violence affect innocent people, particularly children, during wartime as we witness a forbidden friendship that forms between Bruno, the son of a Nazi commandant, and Schmuel, a Jewish boy held captive in a concentration camp. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.
TWILIGHT [PG-13] 2 hrs. Romance/Thriller Trailer Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Cam Cigandet, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone, Ashley Greene. Plot: an action-packed, modern-day love story based on the best selling series between a teenage girl and a vampire who doesn't have fangs and who chooses not to drink human blood. Their relationship is threatened when a clan of new vampires comes to town and threatens to disrupt their way of life. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS [PG-13] 1 hr. 35 min. Drama Trailer Cast: David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga, Rupert Friend, Asa Butterfield, Jack Scalon. Plot: a fictional story based on the novel of the same name offering a unique perspective on how prejudice, hatred and violence affect innocent people, particularly children, during wartime as we witness a forbidden friendship that forms between Bruno, the son of a Nazi commandant, and Schmuel, a Jewish boy held captive in a concentration camp. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.
TWILIGHT [PG-13] 2 hrs. Romance/Thriller Trailer Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Cam Cigandet, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone, Ashley Greene. Plot: an action-packed, modern-day love story based on the best selling series between a teenage girl and a vampire who doesn't have fangs and who chooses not to drink human blood. Their relationship is threatened when a clan of new vampires comes to town and threatens to disrupt their way of life. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
What's Leaving 11/20/08, (11/25/08)
Derby Plaza - W, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, (Role Model, Fireproof, High School Musical 3)
Movie Machine - The Haunting Of Molly Hartley, High School Musical 3
Northrock 14 - Changeling, Saw V, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, The Haunting Of Molly Hartley
Palace West - The Express, My Best Friend's Girl, The House Bunny, Burn After Reading
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Saw V, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Nightmare Before Xmas 3-D, The Haunting Of Molly Hartley
Warren Old Town - Saw V, Body Of Lies
Warren West 21st - Saw V, Pride And Glory, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Soul Men
Movie Machine - The Haunting Of Molly Hartley, High School Musical 3
Northrock 14 - Changeling, Saw V, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, The Haunting Of Molly Hartley
Palace West - The Express, My Best Friend's Girl, The House Bunny, Burn After Reading
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Saw V, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Nightmare Before Xmas 3-D, The Haunting Of Molly Hartley
Warren Old Town - Saw V, Body Of Lies
Warren West 21st - Saw V, Pride And Glory, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Soul Men
Friday, November 14, 2008
QUANTUM OF SOLACE **½
Director Marc Forster has quite a few quality films to his credit and this time around he helms one of the most famous film franchises, starring: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright, Jesper Christensen, Joaquin Cosio. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sexual content. Running time is one hour and forty-five minutes.
Betrayed by the woman he loved, 007 (Craig) fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Determined to uncover the truth, Bond and M (Dench) discover the organisation which blackmailed her is far more complex and dangerous than imagined. With the help of a South American agent (Kurylenko) and in a minefield of treachery, murder and deceit, 007 must keep one step ahead of the CIA (Wright), the terrorists (Amalric, Christensen and Cosio) and even M, to stop the organisations sinister plan.
Production values and pacing are good in this film which features non-stop action from start to finish. But at times it's hard to tell what's going on, even on a large screen, because the camera is too close to that action. So, you're aware a lot is happening but you know you're missing most of it. There are some nice touches, such as the meeting of the criminal minds during a performance of Tosca, but the plot seems like a group of episodes which don't quite connect into a cohesive whole. Combine that with a rather dour, humorless cast of characters and you're left with a film which should be satisfying but simply isn't. If you want to see this film I'd recommend doing so in a theatre. A TV screen isn't going to do this pic justice.
Betrayed by the woman he loved, 007 (Craig) fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Determined to uncover the truth, Bond and M (Dench) discover the organisation which blackmailed her is far more complex and dangerous than imagined. With the help of a South American agent (Kurylenko) and in a minefield of treachery, murder and deceit, 007 must keep one step ahead of the CIA (Wright), the terrorists (Amalric, Christensen and Cosio) and even M, to stop the organisations sinister plan.
Production values and pacing are good in this film which features non-stop action from start to finish. But at times it's hard to tell what's going on, even on a large screen, because the camera is too close to that action. So, you're aware a lot is happening but you know you're missing most of it. There are some nice touches, such as the meeting of the criminal minds during a performance of Tosca, but the plot seems like a group of episodes which don't quite connect into a cohesive whole. Combine that with a rather dour, humorless cast of characters and you're left with a film which should be satisfying but simply isn't. If you want to see this film I'd recommend doing so in a theatre. A TV screen isn't going to do this pic justice.
Worthwhile (or not) 11/14/08
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). No distributors were interested in going against James Bond so (with the exception of a Saturday sneak) he's the only new show in town.
60 Quantum of Solace
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.
My review of QUANTUM OF SOLACE will be on this site after 4:30 pm.
Here are previews of films opening on Friday, 11/21: BOLT, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY, and TWILIGHT.
60 Quantum of Solace
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.
My review of QUANTUM OF SOLACE will be on this site after 4:30 pm.
Here are previews of films opening on Friday, 11/21: BOLT, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY, and TWILIGHT.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Opening 11/14/08
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
QUANTUM OF SOLACE [PG-13] 1 hr. 45 min. Action/Adventure Trailer Cast: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench, Gemma Arterton, Jeffrey Wright, Jesper Christensen, Joaquin Cosio. Plot: betrayed by the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Determined to uncover the truth, Bond and M discover the organisation which blackmailed her is far more complex and dangerous than imagined. In a minefield of treachery, murder and deceit, 007 must keep one step ahead of the CIA, the terrorists and even M, to stop the organisations sinister plan. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
SNEAK, Saturday 11/15/2008
BOLT 3-D [PG] 1 hr. 35 min. Animated/Adventure/Comedy Trailer Cast: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton. Plot: a super-dog is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City where he begins his biggest adventure yet—a cross-country journey through the real world to get back to his owner and co-star, armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
Leaving 11/13/08
Derby Plaza - Saw V, The Haunting Of Molly Hartley, Appaloosa
Movie Machine - Saw V
Northrock 14 - nothing
Palace West - Traitor, The Longshots, Tropic Thunder
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Pride And Glory, Max Payne, RockNRolla, Body Of Lies
Warren Old Town - Max Payne
Warren West 21st - Max Payne, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, RockNRolla, Body Of Lies
Movie Machine - Saw V
Northrock 14 - nothing
Palace West - Traitor, The Longshots, Tropic Thunder
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Pride And Glory, Max Payne, RockNRolla, Body Of Lies
Warren Old Town - Max Payne
Warren West 21st - Max Payne, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, RockNRolla, Body Of Lies
Friday, November 07, 2008
ROLE MODELS **½
Paul Rudd wrote, directed, and stars in this film which also features: Seann William Scott, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jane Lynch, Bobb'e J.Thompson, and Elizabeth Banks. Rated R for crude and sexual content, strong language and nudity. The running time is one hour and thirty-nine minutes.
Two salesmen (Rudd and Scott) who trash a company truck on an energy drink-fueled bender get a choice (negotiated by Banks): do hard time or spend 150 service hours with a mentorship program (run by Lynch). After one day with the kids (Mintz-Plasse and Thompson), however, jail doesn't look half bad.
There's no doubt this film is rude and crude, sex oriented with a little nudity, uses a plot we've all seen before, and has an ending which is both ridiculous and completely expected. However, it's also pretty funny in spots and has a "can't we all just get along" attitude. There were several older teen/college age viewers at the screening I attended and all seemed to be having a good time. Depending on how easily offended you are, you might like it as well. I was in the mood for something requiring no thought and with a few laughs and that's exactly what this film offers. If you want to wait, the DVD will do just as well.
Two salesmen (Rudd and Scott) who trash a company truck on an energy drink-fueled bender get a choice (negotiated by Banks): do hard time or spend 150 service hours with a mentorship program (run by Lynch). After one day with the kids (Mintz-Plasse and Thompson), however, jail doesn't look half bad.
There's no doubt this film is rude and crude, sex oriented with a little nudity, uses a plot we've all seen before, and has an ending which is both ridiculous and completely expected. However, it's also pretty funny in spots and has a "can't we all just get along" attitude. There were several older teen/college age viewers at the screening I attended and all seemed to be having a good time. Depending on how easily offended you are, you might like it as well. I was in the mood for something requiring no thought and with a few laughs and that's exactly what this film offers. If you want to wait, the DVD will do just as well.
Worthwhile (or not) 11/7/08
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). Just about all the bases have been covered this week. An animated comedy for the family, an adult drama with very high reviews, a raunchy comedy for the upper teen/twenty set, and a raunchy comedy for adults. Everything reviewed appears to be at least average or better.
61 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,
82 Rachel Getting Married,
59 Role Models,
49 Soul Men
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.
My review of ROLE MODELS will be on this site after 4:30 pm.
Here are previews of films opening on Friday, 11/14: QUANTUM OF SOLACE (no other major films appear to want to duke it out against James Bond).
61 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,
82 Rachel Getting Married,
59 Role Models,
49 Soul Men
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.
My review of ROLE MODELS will be on this site after 4:30 pm.
Here are previews of films opening on Friday, 11/14: QUANTUM OF SOLACE (no other major films appear to want to duke it out against James Bond).
Monday, November 03, 2008
Opening 11/7/08
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
MADAGASCAR - ESCAPE 2 APRICA [PG] 1 hr. 30 min. Animated Family Comedy Trailer Cast: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter, Bernie Mac, Sherri Shepherd, Alec Baldwin, Will.i.am. Plot: marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan to repair an old crashed plane - sort of. Once aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just enough to make it to the wildest place of all - the vast plains of Africa itself. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren. Similar DVD selection.
RACHEL GETTING MARRIED [R] 1 hr. 55 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Anne Hathaway, Bill Irwin, Anna Deavere Smith, Debra Winger. Plot: an estranged daughter returns to the family home for her sister's wedding and throws a wrench into the family dynamics, forcing long-simmering tensions to surface in ways both hilarious and heartbreaking. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren. Other Jonathan Demme films.
ROLE MODELS [R] 2 hrs. Comedy Trailer Cast: Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jane Lynch, Bobb'e J.Thompson, Elizabeth Banks. Plot: two salesmen who trash a company truck on an energy drink-fueled bender get a choice: do hard time or spend 150 service hours with a mentorship program. After one day with the kids, however, jail doesn't look half bad. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
SOUL MEN [R] 1 hr. 45 min. Comedy/Drama Trailer Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac, Sean Hayes, Sharon Leal, Jennifer Coolidge, Isaac Hayes, Affion Crockett, John Legend, Adam Herschman, Fatso Fasano, Jackie Long. Plot: the story of a popular singing duo back in the day, who went their separate ways and never spoke again. When the death of their former group leader reunites them and sends them driving cross country for a tribute concert at the legendary Apollo Theatre, they have only five days to bury the hatchet on a twenty-year-old grudge. Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
RACHEL GETTING MARRIED [R] 1 hr. 55 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Anne Hathaway, Bill Irwin, Anna Deavere Smith, Debra Winger. Plot: an estranged daughter returns to the family home for her sister's wedding and throws a wrench into the family dynamics, forcing long-simmering tensions to surface in ways both hilarious and heartbreaking. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren. Other Jonathan Demme films.
ROLE MODELS [R] 2 hrs. Comedy Trailer Cast: Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jane Lynch, Bobb'e J.Thompson, Elizabeth Banks. Plot: two salesmen who trash a company truck on an energy drink-fueled bender get a choice: do hard time or spend 150 service hours with a mentorship program. After one day with the kids, however, jail doesn't look half bad. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
SOUL MEN [R] 1 hr. 45 min. Comedy/Drama Trailer Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac, Sean Hayes, Sharon Leal, Jennifer Coolidge, Isaac Hayes, Affion Crockett, John Legend, Adam Herschman, Fatso Fasano, Jackie Long. Plot: the story of a popular singing duo back in the day, who went their separate ways and never spoke again. When the death of their former group leader reunites them and sends them driving cross country for a tribute concert at the legendary Apollo Theatre, they have only five days to bury the hatchet on a twenty-year-old grudge. Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
Leaving 11/6/08
Derby Plaza - Pride And Glory
Movie Machine - Max Payne
Northrock 14 - W, Eagle Eye, Pride And Glory, Max Payne
Palace West - College, The Women, An American Carol
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - W, Quarantine, Nights In Rodanthe, The Duchess, Nick And Nora's Infinite Playlist
Warren Old Town - High School Musical 3
Warren West 21st - W, Nights In Rodanthe, Appaloosa
Movie Machine - Max Payne
Northrock 14 - W, Eagle Eye, Pride And Glory, Max Payne
Palace West - College, The Women, An American Carol
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - W, Quarantine, Nights In Rodanthe, The Duchess, Nick And Nora's Infinite Playlist
Warren Old Town - High School Musical 3
Warren West 21st - W, Nights In Rodanthe, Appaloosa
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About Me
- Wichita, KS, United States
- I've spent most of my adult life in film exhibition management, from which I've retired. As a result of my work I've seen thousands of movies over the years and maintain a strong interest in movies and theatres.
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