Dumb and Dumber To

Long Awaited(?) Sequel is Everything You'd Expect...and Less

When word was first spread that there was a sequel to Dumb and Dumber in the works, many questions arose - Why now? Aren't they too old? and How much more potty humor exists in the English language? In this movie, the Farley Brothers answer all three.

DUmb and Dumber To couldn't quite pick up where the original left off, so it picks up at the earliest it can...20 years later. It finds Harry Dunn (Jeff Daniels) still living in Providence, Rhode Island. Most of his days are spent visiting his friend Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey), who has been long-since committed to a mental institute. Still heartbroken over Mary "Sampsonite," he hasn't spoken in 20 years but when Harry breaks the news that he needs a kidney transplant, Lloyd suddenly snaps out of it.   A visit to Harry's parents reveals that he has a long-lost daughter and that's just where the story begins. The deliriously dimwitted duo then embarks on a comedic odyssey to find her and save Harry's life.  Along the way, they pull all their old stunts, leaving a trail of destruction wherever they go.  Along the way they are even re-united with their former vehicle, the "shaggin' waggon," which has been remarkably well-maintained for 20 years.

It should come as no surprise that this film features many, many recycled gags and punch lines from the original.  If you thought the first Dumb and Dumber was gross, immature, or anything of that sort, you'll be absolutely astounded when you see this cinematic masterpiece; it tops all other comedies when it comes to rude, crude, and bathroom humor.  Instead of singing Mockingbird to the criminal they end up giving a ride to, they decide to teach him a game.  "Hey" Lloyd asks. "Wanna play 'he who smelt it?" No, it's not as bad as it sounds. It's even grosser and that's not even the worse it gets.  That said, if you want to laugh and don't mind very immature humor, this is not a movie to miss. It all depends on how low you're willing to stoop.  If you loved the original, though, or even the prequel, watch this movie.  It's worth it for a die-hard fan.

2.5 stars.

The Way Way Back

Summer Dramedy Has It's Moments, Though It's Nothing Spectacular.

In honor of it being summer again, I thought I'd post a review of a new summer film.  While lying in bed with the flu, I discovered this flick, which had somehow escaped my knowledge.

The Way Way Back is the story of Duncan, a moody adolescent.  He and his mother (Toni Collette) are spending the summer in an New England beach town with her boyfriend Trent (Steve Carrell) and his obnoxious daughter who wants nothing to do with Duncan.  With no friends around and a conflicted relationship with his father, Duncan hates his life.  He doesn't see any way for things to get better, but one day he chances across a small amusement park where he finds a friend in the manger.  Owen (Sam Rockwell ) is an arrested adolescent who takes the lonely Duncan under his wing.  Working at the park provides Duncan with just the escape he needs, but meanwhile, new problems are constantly brewing back home.  Although he resents his mother for bringing him on the vacation in the first place, his relationship with Trent is bad and as he learns more about the man, it only gets worse.  The cute girl next door, though (AnnaSophia Robb), keeps things interesting.

This is actually a very enjoyable movie up until the very end.  Most of the cast is very good.  Seeing Steve Carrell as a lazy jerk was different, but he pulled it off alright.  Most of the cast is good, including Allison Janney who gives a screen stealing performance as a loud, divorcee neighbor.  The movie is well acted and primarily well written, but the ending left me so disappointed.  On the whole, though, it's not a bad film by any means, just not one that left me satisfied.

2.5 Stars.

The World's End

Awful Apocalyptic Spoof Falls Short of Every Possible Mark.

I suppose I really shouldn't expect quality entertainment from Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.  The British comedic stars who brought us Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz are back with a film that's even worse than the first two.  Although I enjoyed Hot Fuzz somewhat, it was by no means a quality film.  This movie, however, tops even Shaun of the Dead for stupid comedic farces.

The World's End actually starts off as a somewhat decent movie.  It begins with five British school boys celebrating their last day of school by attempting to hit all 12 of their town's pubs in one night.  This epic pub crawl is known as the "golden mile."  Although they almost finish, they decide to call it quits early and head for the hills, just two pubs shy of completing their goal.  It was a life changing pinnacle for Gary King (Simon Peg) the group's leader.

Years later, we find Gary telling the story of the golden mile that almost was to people in an AA meeting.  Although years have come and gone, he has never been able to move on and live a productive life.  Following a suggestion from one of his AA comrades, though, he decides to reunite with his four old friends and take another shot at the golden mile.  Although his former friends Andy (Nick Frost), Oliver (Martin Freeman), Steven (Paddy Cosidine), and Peter (Eddie Marsden), all have good jobs and nice quiet lives, Gary convinces them to join him in their hometown of Newton - Haven for another pub crawl to finish what they started so many years ago.

Basically, this is a decent movie until the apocalyptic stuff starts.  I won't go into too much detail, but let's just say it goes from being an enjoyable film about five old friends reuniting to a stupid film about five old friends fighting evil robots in about five minutes.  Such a disappointment.  The only enjoyable part was Nick Frost, who took a break from his typical role of a bumbling idiot to play an uptight laqyer who disapproves of Gary and his antics. This movie didn't impress me but if you enjoy stupid, apocalyptic farces, be my guest.  Just don't expect too much.  The World's End had one of the worst endings I've ever seen.

1.5 Stars.

Endless Love

Sappy Rom-Drom Would Bore Even Nicholas Sparks.

It's common these days for most movies to be at least somewhat clique, but this chick flick tops them all.  Not even kidding.  If cliche were a movie, it would be Endless Love.

Every character in this film is a walking cliche, quite literally.  Let me explain.  The movie starts at a high school graduation where we first meet the pair of star-crossed lovers.  David Elliot (Alex Pettyfer) is your typical working class kid, the son of a humble, blue collar mechanic.  Jade Butterfield (Gabriella Wilde) is your typical high society beauty, the daughter of a wealthy doctor.  He plans on running his father's small auto body shop, while she plans on going pre-med at Brown University.  David is admiring Jade from afar, unable to talk to her, but his obnoxious friend Mason tells him not to waste his time, that a girl so beautiful and so rich could never be interested in the likes of him.  Very shortly thereafter, however, Jade and her family come to dinner at the incredibly upscale inn and restaurant where David and Mason work as parking valets.  While Jade accidentally drops something, their eyes meet for the first time and that's really where their story begins.

Is that cliche enough for you yet? I'll continue.  It's been stated that Jade's family is very wealthy, but they are also still recovering from the loss of Jade's older brother who was lost to them two years previously.  Aside from that, though, her family couldn't be anymore cliche.  Her arrogant father (Bruce Greenwood) isn't impressed by David and doesn't consider him a suitable match for his daughter while her impressionable mother (Joely Richardson) finds him charming.  Her older brother (Rhys Wakefield) is a college slacker who is an obvious disappointment to his businesslike father.   David and Jade's romance takes off, but her snobbish father will do just about anything to keep them apart, ignoring all of David's great qualities.  This isn't a bad film, there just isn't much originality here.  If you're looking for something of the sweet, romantic sort, stick with Dear John or The Notebook.  Watch this if you want, just don't expect anything new of exciting.

2.5 Stars.

Django Unchained

Inglorious Bastards comes to The Dirty South.

I'm not a fan of most 21st century action films, but I make an exception in the case of anything by Quentin Tarantino.    Pulp Fiction is his masterpiece, but he has yet to make a bad film.  I loved Inglorious Bastards and when I heard that Tarantino was taking on slavery and racism, I had a feeling it would be good.  It was.

Django Unchained is a unique story.  Set in the pre-civil war South, it begins with a mysterious man named Dr. King Schultz (Christopher Waltz), who drives a dentist cart, ambushing two vicious slave traders at night, who are returning home after purchasing a group of slaves.  He wants to buy one named Django (Jamie Foxx), who steps forward, but when the brothers refuse to sell, King Schultz kills one and leaves the other for dead.  The next day he reveals himself to be a bounty hunter and states that he wants Django's help in chasing down the south's most wanted criminals.  Wanting to be free, Django agrees, though he also wants to rescue the wife he lost to the slave trade years before.  A bargain is struck and their partnership is quite successful.  The duo's final challenge comes, though, in rescuing Django's wife from her masters.  As luck would have it, she is owned by Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), the ruthless son of a late southern millionaire.  Candie is what we in the 21st century would call a "trust fund baby."  King Schultz and Django adapt new personas and charm their way into Candieland, Calvin's estate.  Things go well at first, but, right when their about to make a deal, things get complicated when Calvin's trusted house slave Steven (Samuel L. Jackson) becomes suspicious.  That's where it gets interesting.

Except all the typical, guns, violence, and death of Inglorious Bastards that is typical of Tarantino.  Django and King Schultz are both very likable heroes and easy to root for and DiCaprio is his usual charming self as the villan.  Action buffs won't be disappointed and anyone who liked Inglorious Bastards should definitely give Django Unchained a shot.

5 Stars.

Ted

The Mind Behind Family Guy Takes His Shot at the Big Screen...What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

We've all seen Family Guy and heard all the jokes.  You may not get every one, but every joke made on Family Guy is always gotten by somebody somewhere.  Think what you want about Seth Macfarlane, but he knows how to make immature people laugh.  After eight seasons of Family Guy, he took his shot at the silver screen and didn't disappoint his loyal fans...at least not me.

Ted is unlike any movie I had ever seen, in both the best and worst ways possible.  Everything is uniquely Seth Macfarlane, starting with the plot.  On the surface it seems fairly almost innocent; a young boy named John wishes for a friend and receives a teddy bear named...wait for it...Teddy.  When he wishes for his friend to stay with him forever the bear magically comes to life and becomes a celebrity.  Things go well for awhile, but, eventually, the boy grows up and the bear does too...sort of.  Years later the movie finds John (Mark Wahlberg), grown and trying to make a career for himself and have a relationship with the woman he loves.  Unfortunately, he has one small problem - his talking teddy bear who lives with him and refuses to leave.  His manner is rude, crude, and everything else Seth Macfarlane.  Ted doesn't work a job or do anything productive; he's more into cigaretts, beer, TV, and partying.  John know he won't be able to move on with his life unless he unloads Ted, but dumping his longtime best friend is easier said than done.  Things really get complicated when a demented TV viewer decides he wants Ted for his own and seemingly normal guy John is faced with deciding between his best friend and the future he truly wants.

If you're a fan of Family Guy and it's irreverent humor, you'll likely enjoy Ted.  If you're looking for something mature, this is definitely not the film for you.  It's nowhere near a "quality movie" but if you are, or were ever a fan of Family Guy, it is most certainly entertaining.  As crude as it may be, much of the humor is clever, as per the usual from Seth MacFarlane.  If you looking to laugh at offensive, stupid things, give Ted a try.

2.5 Stars

Here Comes the Boom

The Theme of Rocky Meets the Spirit of School of Rock

For anyone who doesn't know the song, this film's title can be misleading. At first glance it seems like a comedy, given it's title and the fact that it stars Kevin James.  The plot, though, is hardly comedic and the film starts out in an almost depressing way.

James stars as Scott Voss, a former college wrestling star turned apathetic high school biology teacher.  He used to enjoy teaching, but life seems to have lost it's purpose and he leads a life of solitude.  Voss doesn't care much for his students or the people there, except for his friend Marty (Henry Winkler), a kind and charming music teacher.  Marty soon finds himself in trouble, though, faced with the prospect of losing his job with a baby on the way.  Scott steps in and vows to raise the money needed to save his friend's job, but soon discovers that it won't be easy.  Things get interesting, though, when he meets Hugo, a community college student who was once a mixed martial arts fighter.  When Scott discovers the money that mixed martial arts fighters make, he decides to try his hand at it.  Aided by Marty and training with Hugo, Scott enbarks on a quest to kick and punch his way to the top.  His plan is simply to advance to raise the money they need by losing all the fights he can, but things don't quite go as planned.  Along the way, though, Scott rediscovers his love of teaching and becomes something no one ever thought he could be; a role model.

This movie isn't quite the underdog triumph that Rocky is, but it still warms the heart and demonstrates the values of courage, friendship, and believing in oneself.  I personally enjoyed it much more than I thought I would.  Even though it's not a comedy, there are some laughs, particularly when Scott enters a fight with the arena speakers blasting "Holly Holy" by Neil Diamond.  Here Comes the Boom won't rank among the other underdog sports movies, but if you enjoyed Rocky, it's worth a watch.  Public school teachers especially should give it a try, although real mixed martial arts fighters may have a hard time taking it seriously.   Definitely not a bad movie, though.

3.5 Stars

Rock of Ages

Surprisingly enjoyable adaption of broadway hit reminds us of the power of rock and roll.

I've always been a die-hard rock and roll fan, from the rockabilly styles of the 50's to the 90's new wave punk.  Even so, when I saw the trailers from Rock of Ages the movie, I was suspicious.  It had a solid cast, but Tom Cruise as a rock star?  It just didn't seem right.  Cruise proved me wrong, though.  Everyone in this movie performed well.

Rock of Ages is set in the fading glory days of true rock and roll, which is to say the late 1980's.  The film's entire plot centers around a Los Angeles club titled "The Bourbon Room," a once popular concert venue that has  fallen on hard times.  Owned by rock and roll junkie Dennis Dupree (Alec Baldwin), the club is in desperate need of money and things only get worse when the city's new mayor's wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) vows to clean up the city, which means abolishing all rock and roll venues.  Dupree's two young employees Sherrie (Julianne Hough) and Drew (Diego Boneta) both have musical dreams of their own, but Dupree isn't granting any favors...at least he doesn't want to.  All the club's hopes rest on the shoulders of aging rock star Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise), who got his first start there, many years ago.  Things take a turn for the worst, however, when his greedy manager (Paul Giamatti) decides to double cross Dupree and that's where things get interesting.  Adding to the mix are Russel Brand as Dupree's rock loving sidekick Ronny, and Malin Ackerman as an overly critical journalist.

Expect many performances of songs you may know, including Twister Sister's "I Wanna Rock," Poison's "Every Rose Has It's Thorn," and a show stopping rendition of Journey "Don't Stop Believing."  It really had everything, from music, to romance, to standing up for what you believe in and "sticking it to the man."  I just wish Jack Black could have had a role in this; anyone who saw his performance in "School of Rock" will understand why.  The bottom line is, though, if you love rock, you'll love this movie.  Long live rock and roll.

4 Stars.

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

Jack and Jill

Norbit meets The Nutty Professor meets any bad Sandler flick.

As much as I typically enjoy Adam Sandler's work, I was not impressed with Jack and Jill.  I am not opposed to raunchy and crude humor by any means, but this movie was too stupid even for me.  As talented as he is, Adam Sandler should stick to male roles.  Some men were not meant to play women.

Sandler stars as Jack Sadlestein, a working class kid from the Bronx turned wealthy Southern California advertising executive.  He has a beautiful wife (Katie Holmes) and two great kids; his life on the whole is sweet except for one person; his clingy, unattractive, socially awkward twin sister Jill (also played by Sandler).  Jack can't stand Jill and dreads the her anual visit every thanksgiving.  Jill transforms Jack's perfect world completely upside down with her outrageous demands and crazy stunts, from riding a jetski through his pool to parading around his home in her undergarments.   He can't stand hosting her but when the lonely Jill decides not to leave, things get really out of hand.  To cure his sister's lonliness, Jack tries to hooking her up with a man through online dating (Craigslist in specific), but she manages to drive away the only man willing to date her.  Things seem bleak, but when the infamous Al Pacino falls for Jill, Jack begins to wonder if maybe his embarrassing sister might just be good for something after all.  Things take a turn for the worst, however, when Jill falls for Jack's charming gardener and despite her brother's urgings, does not return Pacino's sentiment.

This movie is painful to watch in some scenes (specifically the ones that show Adam Sandler in a woman's bathing suit).  If you enjoy bad movies this just be enjoyable, but it depends; just how stupid of a movie are you looking for?

2.5 Stars

Avengers

The one superhero movie to rule them all.

In the past few years, there have been many superhero movies, some spectacular, others awful.  Even superheros are only as super as the actors who play them; from Toby McGuire's epic performance as Spider-Man to Ben Affleck's "blind" performance as Daredevil.  This movie, however, did not have a bad actor in it.  Marvel Avengers was super in every way.

Many of Marvel Comic's "Avengers" have had their own movies over the years and in this movie they all came together.  It features Chris Evans as strong, patriotic Steve Rogers (aka Captain America), Robert Downy Jr. as the flashy, wise-cracking Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) and Chris Hemsoworth as deep-voiced, kingly Thor.   Although there have been two Incredible Hulk movies in the past decade, neither one has been worth the time or money that went into making it.  In The Avengers,  Mark Rufolo outdoes both Eric Bana and Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner and needless to say, as the Hulk himself.  Samuel L. Jackson is very good as well as Nick Fury and Scarlet Johansen shines as Black Widow.  Adding to the mix is Lokki, the younger brother of Thor, who descends upon Earth and instantly begins causing chaos, killing many people and laughing about it as he goes.  Directly after declaring war, Fury gathers the Avengers aboard a floating air-fortress but before they get very far, things start going wrong...fast.  Many personal conflicts arise as personalities clash.  Steve Rogers and Tony Stark don't quite see eye to eye, nor do Thor and Fury.  Dr. Banner does everything possible to control his temper, but it becomes very hard when Lokki is taken aboard.  This movie truly has something for everyone, action, humor and even romance.  The grand finale is truly incredible, with feats from every single hero.  There's even a laugh now and then.  This is not a movie anyone should miss.  See if in 3D if you can, but if you can't its still worth seeing.

5 Stars.

Moneyball

Heartwarming sports drama touches the soul.

Being a diehard baseball fan, I was curious to see how this nonfictional bestseller by Michael Lewis would transfer to the big screen. His previous novel to be made into a film The Blind Side was very good, so my hopes were high. Moneyball didn't disappoint.

I'll admit I was a little surprised by many of the actors cast in this film. Be prepared, if you follow professional baseball, you'll know what Billy Beane, Art Howe, David Justice and many other baseball figures portrayed by actors in Moneyball look like.  Brad Pitt bears about as much resemblance to the tall, slim real life Billy Beane as Philip Seymour Hoffman does to the tall, slim real life Art Howe. Both play their roles very well though. Jonah Hill, star of such films as Superbad and Get Him to the Greek, is fantastic and screen stealing as Peter Brand, a young Yale educated economist who catches Billy Beane's eye due to his new and strange but nonetheless effective way of figuring out baseball. The film focuses on Beane's journey as general manager of the struggling Oakland Athletics, a team with few fans and even less money. With only a few people who believe in him, Beane embarks on a quest that shocks many and almost costs him his job but forever changes the way the game is played. Whether you're a baseball fan or not, this is a great movie. Don't expect the tearjerking family drama of The Blind Side but this movie has some emotional scenes of its own. Its not about sports on the whole, its really about one man's courage and determination to leave his mark on the game he loves. A truly heartwarming account of nonfictional events, Moneyball will steal your heart and leave you cheering.

50/50

Will make you laugh out loud but also touch your heart.

We're used to seeing Seth Rogen in crass films such as "Knocked Up," "Pineapple Express," "Zack and Miri Make a Porno"..ect, playing crass roles. In this movie, however, Rogen manages to play the same obnoxious character but actually come across as almost deep.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Adam, a 27 year old young man whose life is pretty good until he discovers that he has a rare spinal cancer. Aided by his crude friend Kyle (Rogen) and seemingly perfect girlfriend Rachel (Bryce Dallas Howard) he begins the slow, painful path to recover, paved with heartbreak, painful reality checks, and overbearing parents. Through it all though, Adam keeps his head up because he knows he has a 50/50 chance of conquering this disease. As Kyle says "If you were a game in a casino, you'd be the one with the highest odds. On the whole, Adam's journey is more one of self discovery than anything else. He is also aided by a cute but somewhat quirky therapist (Anna Kendrick) who proves surprisingly useful in helping him sort out his life, in more ways than one. This movie isn't a comedy but it does have some good laughs and plenty of heart. What are the odds you will enjoy it? I'd say at least 50/50

4 Stars

Rise of The Planet of The Apes

Old series is reborn with stunning effects.

Hollywood legend Charlton Heston (R.I.P) first made Planet of the Apes a sensation when it first hit the big screen many years ago. The first film, which gave the series its name was by far the best although none of the follow ups were horrible. In 203, however, Mark Walberg stared in a remake of the Heston classic but failed to out-do Heston miserably. Then, in 2011, came this follow up, with visual effects created by the remarkable team that made Avatar what it was and the series was given a second chance.

This remake features James Franco as Dr. Will Rodman, a young scientist working on discovering a cure for alzheimers's disease, and testing it out on Chimpanzees. When a demonstration goes horribly wrong and a mother chimp is killed, Will brings its newborn baby home and raises it himself. Caesar, as Will's father (John Lithgow) names the ape, grows quickly and develops an incredible mind, far greater than that of a human child his age. Will discovers this is due to a sample of his drug given to Caesar's mother before his birth which was passed down to him. Caesar soon grows into a large, powerful, intelligent animal but when he attacks a neighbor while defending his master, he is sent by the law to a neglectful home for private. Things really take off from there, leading up to a spectacular battle sequence. This one solid action film you won't want to miss.

5 Stars

Kick-Ass

The title says it all

There have been many, many stupid movies over the years, too many to list in fact. From Borat to The Hangover and everything in between, but in terms of utter stupidity, nothing has come close to Kick-Ass. This is quite possibly the dumbest movie to come along in years and also quite possibly the funniest.

This movie features many stars in the making including Aaron Johnson and Christopher Mintz-Plasse as well as action and superhero film vertan Nicholas Cage. Johnson (known to fan for his portrayal of a teenage John Lennon in the biographical drama "Nowhere Boy") stars as Dave, a nerdy, misfit teenager with a love of comic books. He wonders why no one has ever tried to become a real life superhero and despite his doubting friends, he sets out to become one. Doning a wet suite and calling himself "Kick-Ass" he does a lot more taking punches than saving people until he suddenly becomes a Youtube sensation and New York City starts to view him as an actual hero. On one job however, he finds he's bitten off more than he can chew. Things look bad, but thankfully two new "superheros" come to his rescue; the father-daughter duo of "Big Daddy" and "Hit Girl."

Big Daddy is David McCreedy (Cage), a former cop sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. Angry over the loss of his job and the death of his wife, he sets out on a personal quest for vendetta against the man responsible; Frank D'Mico (Mark Strong) a crooked cop turned crime boss who framed him for dealing drugs years ago. Mintz-Plasse (known to fans as 'McLovin') costars as D'Mico's son Chris, a poor little rich boy with a love of comic books. When his father puts a price out on Kick-Ass's head, Chris creates his own superhero alter ego, in an attempt to bring Kick-Ass to justice. Thus "Red Mist" is born. It all adds up to one show-stopping finale you won't want to miss. This is the best spoof Hollywood as turned out since "Spaceballs." While there's no getting around how lame it looks and sounds, it really is a very enjoyable movie. Just give it a try. You'll be glad you did.

5 Stars

The Help

Important Oppression Drama Documents the Power of the Press

This was another movie I didn't expect to be impressed by. I went to the theater more unsure than anything else, but I have to admit, this is very engaging movie that focuses on some important, often overlooked points in U.S. history. It reminds us that the African American race's hard times didn't end with slavery..at all. Times were still very, very hard many years after its members were given their freedom.

The American film classic Gone With the Wind depicts the character of "Mammy" as a black but nonetheless very caring devoted maid who is very loyal to the family she works for. This movie features a cast of similar characters. Set in Jackson Mississippi, it tells of Eugenia (nicknamed Skeeter) a young woman from a well-to-do family who returns to her home in Jackson with a college degree and dreams of becoming a writer. She gets a low end job writing an advice cleaning advice piece for the local newspaper, but soon becomes interested in another topic - the treatment of black people in her home city. Having been raised by a black maid herself, Skeeter feels a certain attachment to the maids of the city that the rest of her family and many of her friends to do. Surrounded by cruelty and racism, Skeeter sets off on a quest to give the local blacks a voice by publishing a book of interviews given by black maids, testifying how bad they really have have it. It's a well written, well acted film that does the original book justice. Emma Stone leads a group of B-list actors all of whom give top notch performances. This film also documents how far the power of the press can go and proves better than anything to come along before it that the pen is in fact mightier than the sword. Anyone looking for a good movie should give this a go - it's an important film that everyone of age should see.

5 Stars

Just Go With It

Decent, but too much romance for the genre

Happy Madison productions got it's name from two early movies it's founder, Adam Sandler stared in; Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison. Those were both rude, raunchy comedies. Since then, the company has produced many movies, among them The Benchwarmers, Blades of Glory, and Grown Ups. When this movie first hit theaters I expected lots of laughs and crude humor. I was sorely disappointed. This isn't a bad movie but it just had too much romance for the Happy Madison genre. A good way to phrase it would be "Just Go With It is 80% romance and 20% raunch. Not cool Adam Sandler, not cool at all.

Sandler stars as Dr. Danny Mcabee, a successful, single plastic surgeon who uses a fake wedding ring to score with women. Things go great for him until the one girl he actually falls for discovers his secret. In order to cover up his story Danny enlists the help of his office aid Catherine (Jennifer Aniston) to pose as his soon to be ex-wife. That is supposed to be the end of it, but couldn't you guess it, through a series of unfortunate events, Danny is soon forced to drag her kids into his web of lies as well. One thing leads to another and before Danny knows what's happening, everyone (that's right, everyone) is headed to Hawaii for some fun in the sun and more chaos than anyone is prepared for. Don't go looking for Adam Sandler's usual potty humor but this actually isn't a bad date movie. It's got just enough romance to hold a woman's interest and just enough laughs to keep a man entertained.

4 Stars

The Green Hornet

Special Effects Good; Rogen Saved by Costar

From Freaks and Geeks to Knocked Up, from Observe and Report to Funny People, Seth Rogen has played a dazed and confused teenager, a complete loser who manages to get lucky in love through bad judgement, a down on his luck mall cop and a wannabe comedian, but this is the first time he's ever played a superhero...oh wait, he's not a superhero. He does just about nothing in this movie.

Roger stars as Britt Reid, the son of a wealthy Los Angeles newspaper tycoon who's content to let his life go nowhere. Apart from the money, the character is similar to the one he portrayed in "Knocked Up" years ago. When his father dies, however, he meets Cato, a brilliant young martial experts who also happens to be a wizard with building and technology. Tired of feeling like a loser, Reid gets Cato to deck out one of his father's cars and the two become an undercover crime fighting duo. Their heroics usually include Reid trying to be a hero but completely messing things up in the face of danger, and Cato having to come to his defense. Reid then turns to his late father's newspaper, which he has been left control of, to make his new alter ego "The Green Hornet" as big as possible. The public comes to have mixed feelings about this masked murad...er...poser who attempts to take down the city's top crime lord on almost a regular bases, but his attempts never quite go as planned. He also leaves business cards after every "bust." That's right, business cards! This isn't your average super hero flick, and it sometimes feels like a spoof. It's not horrible, but if your looking for a decent superhero action this is not a good choice. If your just looking to laugh though, Green Hornet might not be so bad.

3 Stars