FUNNY PEOPLE *½

Written and directed by Judd Apatow this Comedy/Drama stars: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, RZA, Aubrey Plaza, Maude Apatow, and Iris Apatow. Rated R for language and crude sexual humor throughout, and some sexuality. Running time is two hours and 16 minutes.

The story of a self-centered famous comedian (Sandler)who's been told he's dying and tries to cope by becoming more involved with other people (Rogen, Mann).

This is no doubt a generational problem but I just don't find Sandler funny. Put him in a film where he's also not particularly likeable and you have a film that's not very entertaining. The most interesting thing about the picture is that director Apatow managed to put his entire family to work in it. Mann is his wife and the two little girls are theirs. This is also one of those films where profanity is in itself considered funny. I don't happen to find that true but perhaps that's a generational thing also. The big screen will add nothing to this film and I didn't hear much laughter from the group I watched this with so I'd save my money for something with more entertainment value.

Worthwhile (or not), 7/31/09

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). Looks as if the first two films weren't screened which is never a good sign. My review of FUNNY PEOPLE will be posted later today. I've heard nothing but good reports on THE HURT LOCKER although it is a very intense drama and should probably not be considered entertainment.

xx Aliens in the Attic,
xx Collector, The,
58 Funny People,
93 Hurt Locker, The

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.

Opening 7/31/09

For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column.

ALIENS IN THE ATTIC [PG] 1 hr. 26 min. Adventure/Comedy Trailer Cast: Kevin Nealon, Robert Hoffman, Doris Roberts, Tim Meadows, Ashley Tisdale. Plot: kids on a family vacation must fight off an attack by knee-high alien invaders with world-destroying ambitions--while the youngsters' parents remain clueless about the battle. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

THE COLLECTOR [R] 1 hr. 25 min. Horror/Thriller Trailer Cast: Josh Stewart, Karley Scott Collins, Juan Fernandez, Jabari Thomas, Colvin Roberson, Michael Reilly Burke. Plot: a handyman and ex-con aims to repay a debt to his ex-wife by robbing his new employer's country home. Unfortunately, a far worse enemy has already laid claim to the property – and the family. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

FUNNY PEOPLE [R] 2 hr. 26 min. Comedy/Drama Trailer Cast: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, RZA, Aubrey Plaza, Maude Apatow, Iris Apatow. Plot: the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience. Showing at: Derby Plaza, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

THE HURT LOCKER [R] 2 hrs. 5 min. War/Drama Trailer Cast: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pearce. Plot: a riveting, suspenseful portrait of the courage under fire of the military's unrecognized heroes: the technicians of a bomb squad who volunteer to challenge the odds and save lives doing one of the world's most dangerous jobs. Showing at: 13 Avenue Warren.

Leaving 7/30/09

Derby Plaza - Transformers 2
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Drag Me To Hell, Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past, Hannah Montana Movie
Starlite Drive-In - Up, Terminator Salvation
Warren East 13th - My Sister's Keeper, Star Trek, Bruno
Warren Old Town - Public Enemies, Bruno
Warren West 21st - Bruno

THE UGLY TRUTH **½

Robert Luketic directed this Comedy/Romance which stars: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, Eric Winter, John Michael Higgins, Nick Searcy, Kevin Connolly, and Cheryl Hines. Rated R for sexual content and language. Running time is one hour and thirty-seven minutes.

A romantically challenged morning show producer's (Heigl) search for Mr. Perfect has left her hopelessly single. She experiences a rude awakening when her bosses team her with a hardcore TV personality (Butler) who promises to spill the ugly truth on what makes men and women tick.

Not a whole lot to say about this film as it's very predictable. You've seen it several times before. Heigl and Butler do a fine job in their roles and have good on-screen chemistry. There are several chuckles throughout. I was a little surprised at how crude the dialog was, unnecessarily so in my opinion. There are no extra scenes during the end credits. If you've got the money to spend, watching it in a theatre with an audience will probably make it a little funnier. Otherwise, it will lose nothing when watched at home.

Worthwhile (or not), 7/24/09

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film).

43 G-Force,
44 Orphan,
28 Ugly Truth, The

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.

Opening 7/24/09

For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column.

G-FORCE 2-D & 3-D [PG] 1 hr. 28 min. Animated/Adventure/Comedy Trailer Cast: Bill Nighy, Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Jon Favreau, Penelope Cruz, Steve Buscemi, Tracy Morgan, Kelli Garner. Plot: a comedy adventure about the latest evolution of a covert government program to train animals to work in espionage. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Starlite Drive-In, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Oldtown, 21st Street Warren.

ORPHAN [R] 1 hr. 56 min. Horror/Thriller Trailer Cast: Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, Isabelle Fuhrman, CCH Pounder. Plot: after losing their unborn child a couple decides to adopt another child. At the local orphanage they find themselves strangely drawn to a young girl, but as soon as they bring her home an alarming series of events begins to unfold. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

THE UGLY TRUTH [R] 1hr. 36. min. Comedy/Romance Trailer Cast: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, Eric Winter, John Michael Higgins, Nick Searcy, Kevin Connolly, Cheryl Hines. Plot: a romantically challenged morning show producer's search for Mr. Perfect has left her hopelessly single. She experiences a rude awakening when her bosses team her with a hardcore TV personality who promises to spill the ugly truth on what makes men and women tick. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Oldtown, 21st Street Warren.

Leaving 7/23/09

Derby Plaza - The Proposal, I Love You, Beth Cooper, Public Enemies
Movie Machine - Public Enemies
Northrock 14 - Bruno, I Love You, Beth Cooper, Night At The Museum 2
Palace West - Earth, The Soloist, Obsessed
Starlite Drive-In - Public Enemies, Taking Of Pelham 1-2-3, The Hangover
Warren East 13th - Away We Go
Warren Old Town - Ice Age: Age Of The Dinosaurs
Warren West 21st - I Love You, Beth Cooper,

Worthwhile (or not), 7/15/09

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film).

85 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.

Opening 7/15/09

For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column.

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE [PG] 2 hrs. 33 min. Fantasy/Adventure Trailer Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis, Julie Walters, David Bradley, Jessie Cave, Frank Dillane, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Helen McCrory, Natalia Tena, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Bonnie Wright. Plot: Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Starlite Drive-In, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

Leaving 7/14/09

Derby Plaza - My Sister's Keeper, Up
Movie Machine - Up
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Dance Flick (after Thursday)
Starlite Drive-In - Ice Age 3, Up, Night At The Museum 2
Warren East 13th - Taking Of Pelham 1-2-3, Whatever Works
Warren Old Town - Proposal
Warren West 21st - Year One, Taking Of Pelham 1-2-3,

Worthwhile (or not), 7/10/09

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film).

55 Bruno,
63 Cheri,
68 Moon,
34 I Love You, Beth Cooper

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.

Opening 7/10/09

For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column.

BRUNO [R] 1 hr. 28 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Gustaf Hammarsten. Plot: gay Austrian supermodel Bruno comes to the big screen. Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Oldtown, 21st Street Warren.

CHERI [R] 1 hr. 32 min. Romance/Fantasy Trailer Cast: Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Friend, Kathy Bates, Felicity Jones. Plot: set in 1920s Paris, an adaptation of the 1920s novel by French author Colette about the lingering effects of a romance between a middle-aged woman and a wealthy young man. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.

I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER [PG-13] 1 hr. 42 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust, Jack T. Carpenter, Lauren London. Plot: the story of a nerdy valedictorian who proclaims his love for the hottest and most popular girl in school - Beth Cooper - during his graduation speech. Much to his surprise, Beth shows up at his door that very night and decides to show him the best night of his life. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

MOON [R] 1 hr. 37 min. Sci-Fi/Thriller Trailer Cast: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey, Dominique McElligott, Rosie Shaw, Kaya Scodelario, Benedict Wong. Plot: in the near future. Astronaut Sam Bell is living on the far side of the moon, completing a three-year contract with Lunar Industries to mine Earth's primary source of energy, Helium-3. It is a lonely job, made harder by a broken satellite that allows no live communications home. Taped messages are all Sam can send and receive. Then, things start to get strange. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.

Leaving 7/9/09

Derby Plaza - nothing
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - Pelham 1-2-3, Year One
Palace West - nothing
Starlite Drive-In - Year One, Star Trek
Warren East 13th - Night At The Museum 2, Year One
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - Night At The Museum 2

WHATEVER WORKS **

Woody Allen wrote and directed this Comedy/Romance which features: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Ed Begley Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Henry Cavill, and Michael McKean. Rated PG-13 for sexual situations including dialogue, brief nude images and thematic material. Running time is one hour and thirty-two minutes.

In Woody Allen's latest film an eccentric New Yorker (David) abandons his upper class life to lead a more bohemian existence. He meets a young girl (Wood) from the South and her family (Begley Jr. and Clarkson), and no two people seem to get along in the entanglements that follow.

If you like Allen's sense of humor, which I do, you'll probably enjoy this more than the rating indicates. It's a minor film but with numerous chuckles throughout. To me, David was the least of the four leads, but that's the way the film was written and no reflection on his abilities. Wood is just delightful and Begley Jr. and Clarkson are very good as her fundamentalist parents who turn out to be not so fundamentalist after all. As usual in an Allen film, the music score is enjoyable. You can wait for the DVD if you're so inclined without missing anything.

PUBLIC ENEMIES ***

Michael Mann directed this Action/Thriller which stars: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Giovanni Ribisi, Billy Crudup, Stephen Dorff, Rory Cochrane, Stephen Lang, David Wenham, Stephen Graham, Channing Tatum, and Jason Clarke. Rated R for gangster violence and some language. Running time is two hours and twenty minutes.

The story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp)—the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover's fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public.

If you're my age you've seen this story countless times before. The only real reason to watch it again is to see Depp's performance, and it's worth seeing. The pic is well enough made that its length doesn't become a problem. It portrays facets of Dillinger's character that may or may not be actualy true but do make him less offensive, homicidal bank robber that he was. This film will be perfectly acceptable for DVD viewing.

Worthwhile (or not), 7/3/09

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). This week a multi-dimensional animated family comedy, an extremely well made 1920's gangster film, and the latest in a long line of Woody Allen films.

51 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs,
71 Public Enemies,
47 Whatever Works

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review. This week I've reviewed PUBLIC ENEMIES and WHATEVER WORKS. As usual, they will be on this site after 4:30 p.m. on Friday.