Project X

Teen party flick is original in parts, but overall shallow.

Like every other teenager with access to a computer or television set, I was immediately interested when I first saw the trailers for Project X.  The trailers were slightly deceptive as to the movie's plot, however.  Project X is about more than just partying.

The plot centers around two high school seniors who are willing to do just about anything to make a name for themselves.  Impulsive Kosta wants very badly to lose his virginity and when his friend Thomas turns 17, he seems his friend's birthday (when his parents are out of town) as the ultimate chance to throw the ultimate party.  Because they are both rather un-popular, he has no idea if anyone will actually come to the party, so he views the entire undertaking as a project.  This he titles "Project X." Thomas is somewhat weary of his friend's ideas and insists that they keep the party small. Kosta is quick to agree to this, but when he sets to work getting the word out via social media, the guest list starts to get bigger and bigger.  When the actual party begins, things start off slow, but once the guests start arriving, things get out of hand..fast!  Before long, both the house and yard are completely filled with teenagers (mostly teenagers that is) and despite complains and threats from the neighbors, the party rages on.  Along the way, both boys learn some valuable life lessons; mainly that the choices you make can easily have everlasting consequences.  This isn't a bad movie, but ultimately its overall message seems to be that being popular in high school is worth sacrificing absolutely everything.  This is a good teen movie, but don't go looking for any moral substance.

3 Stars

The Three Stooges

Early comedy trio slandered by 21st century culture.

I grew up watching the original Three Stooges and naturally when I heard they were making a modern three stooges movie, I was happy at first.  My joy quickly turned to doubt, however, when I learned that this readaption was going to be set in the modern, 21st century.  It just didn't seem right, but when this film was released, I watched it, mostly out of respect for the original stooges.  Now I wish I hadn't.

This modern retelling begins with three babies being dropped off at an orphanage run by nuns.  The identity of the person who did the dropping is never reveled and the boys, named Moe, Curly, and Larry grow up in the orphanage.  It should come as no surprise that they are never adopted.  The three troublesome boys grow up into men who never leave the orphanage, that is until they learn that all their troublemaking has thrown their home into financial ruin.  Vowing to come up with the thousands of dollars needed to pay off the bank they venture into the outside world, but quickly discover that earning money in the 21st century is difficult, particularly when you have no trade or education.  All the same, the lovable trio of dimwits presses on and meets with many adventures, getting mixed up in a murder scandal involving a childhood friend of their's along the way.

Fans of the original stooges can expect all the usual stunts and catchphrases, but beyond that, this film has little to offer.  Simply put, The Three Stooges should not be put in the 21st century and none of them, repete none of them, should ever appear on Jersey Shore.  Ever. Don't watch this movie expecting to be impressed, particularly if you are, or were, a fan of the original stooges.

2.5 Stars

The Amazing Spider-Man

Early superhero remake has its moments, but ultimately falls short of original.

Spider-Man was first brought to the big screen by director Sam Raimi in 2002.  Raimi's version of the web slinging superhero stared Tobey Macguire as Peter Parker, a nerdy, socially inept high school student.  On a class tip, he was bitten by a radioactive lab spider and thus the story began.  Not quite halfway through the film, Peter graduated high school and set out to make his way in the adult world.  Around the same time that Peter grew into his web-slinging powers, his friend Harry Osbourne's billionaire scientist father, Norman was working hard to save the company he created from men who wanted very much to see him fail.  When his attempt to test his latest project went wrong, he became Green Goblin, the foe Peter would spend the movie battling.  Kirsten Dunst co-stared as the beautiful Mary-Jane Watson, Peter's love interest while James Franco also appeared as Harry Osbourne, Norman's son and Peter's best friend.  J.K. Simmons gave a screen stealing performance as J. Jonah Jamison, the quick tempered editor of The Daly Bugel, a small newspaper where Peter went to work as a photographer.

This more modern version shows Peter in a similar stage of his life, but focuses more on one specific part of his life.  Peter (portrayed by Andrew Garfield) spends this entire movie in high school and never takes a job at any newspaper.  The character of J. Jonah Jamison is written out completely, as is the character of Harry Osbourne, although Norman is credited as the founder of Oscorp Industries.  Mary-Jane is completely absent from this film, but in her place is Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), a smart and talented girl from Peter's school.  As luck would have it, however, Gwen's father (Dennis Leary) happens to be the very police captain who wants to put Spider-Man away for good.  The original film had no mention of Peter's parents, but this one begins with him being dropped off at his aunt and uncle's house to live "for a little while."  When he happens across his father's old briefcase, he discovers a photo of his father and another scientist.  His uncle Ben reveals this man to be Dr. Curtis Conners, his father's former partner.  When Peter sneaks into Oscorp Industries to learn more about him, he is bitten by a spider which of course gives him his powers.  This movie didn't quite top the original, but it is still interesting enough to be worth watching.  Even fans of the original Spider-Man films, like myself, should enjoy this.  Its not a bad movie at all, just not quite as good as the original.

4 Stars