The Other Guys

Die Hard Meets Dumb and Dumber

Action comedy is a hard genre to perfect. You can either have Die Hard or Dumb and Dumber, not both. However, this movie found a way around that rule.

Featuring action stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Samuel L. Jackson and Mark Wahlberg along with comedy mastermind Will Ferrell, this movie has just about everything. The bullets fly fast, but the laughs fly faster and theres even some romance. Johnson and Jackson star as flashy, heroic cops who meet their demise in the line of duty early on. When New York City needs a hero, who's left to save the day? Certainly not the other guys, the desk cops who do the real cop's paperwork. At least thats what the city thinks. Among the desk cops are an unlikely pair; Terry (Wahlberg) is an angry cop who longs for action. His demise was mistakenly shooting Derek Jeter during the 07' worse series. Allan (Ferrell) is his easy going parter who just likes things quiet. When duty calls, however, the dimwitted duo is forced to step into action and thats just where our story begins. Weather your taste is action, comedy, or both, give The Other Guys a spin. Not a movie to be missed.

5 Stars

Dropkick Murphys - Going Out in Style

You'll Never Beat the Irish

With St. Paddys Day rapidly approaching I've been jamming out to a lot of Irish music, both folk and rock. When the Dropkick Murphys's new album hit the shelves I knew I had to give it a listen. I've long been a fan of the band and they didn't disappoint me here.

This album features great covers such as The Irish Rover first made famous by Irish folk group The Pogues years ago. I didn't think anyone would be able to beat their version but The Dropkick Murphys proved me wrong. There are of course many great originals, including the title track. Rock and Roll legend Bruce Springsteen is featured on Peg O' My Heart, which is my favorite track of the album. If they Dropkick Murphys never released another album they would certainly be going out in style with this. So far the year's top album this is not an album to be missed. Happy St. Patrick's Day to The Dropkick Murphys and all those who love the Shamrock Shore.

5 Stars

The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger

First and Biggest Name in Young Adult Fiction. Emphasis on First

I'm like tons of American teenagers. I enjoy reading but I can rarely find a book that I simply can't put down. When The Catcher in the Rye was assigned as an English assignment I didn't think much of it. I had heard mixes reviews from adults and teens alike regarding the book. I knew, however, that it had once been banned in schools and I was curious as to why. By the end of the first chapter I knew I had stumbled upon something special.

I'm sure your familiar with Holden Caulfield, the depressed and complex heroine of Catcher in the Rye. Confused and unsure of himself and what he wants he runs away from his posh Prep School and heads to New York City before telling his parents that he's been expelled form yet another school. He wanters through the city almost in a daze where he encounters, old friends, old flames, prostitutes and their pimps and eventually his own younger sister, the sole human being who he feels truly understands him.

Told in a remarkable teenager like voice, this is truly a book every teenager should read. I think everyone can find a little bit of Holden Caulfield if they search deep enough. Its not an overly long book but I sometimes wish it was. Its really a remarkable book, the likes of which have never been seen since.

5 Stars

The Social Network

Of All the Cinematic Shockers....

Theres no getting around it - many of hollywoods biggest film makers have fallen majorly asleep at the wheel. Majorly. But sometimes, out of desperation and come pure greatness and The Social Network stands alone as living proof of that.

When Facebook's 500 Million users (myself included) log on every day, chances are their not thinking about the men who started it all, who made Facebook what it is. Jessie Eisenberg skillfully portrays Mark Zuckerberg, a nerdy and somewhat bitter Harvard Freshmen who happens to be exceptionally talented in the technology field. His friend Eduardo Saverin (portrayed equally as skillfully by Andrew Garfield) happens to be equally as talented in the business field. At the start of the film, a recently dumped Mark creates a website known as "Facemash" where students can compare Harvard girls. The site gets so many hits that it crashes the Harvard network. Word gets around and soon two wealthy upperclassmen brothers known as Tyler and Cameron Winkelvoss who want to create a "Harvard Network" and need a skilled computer programer. Mark agrees and thus begins the birth of Facebook. He is backed financially by Eduardo. Everything goes fine until he decides to break away from the Winkelvosses and create something all his own - something he dubs "The Facebook."

Thats just the start of a long journey, full of lawsuits, anger, corruption, romance and wild partying. Justin Timberlake all but steals the show as cocky, laid back Napster founder Sean Parker who steps in to lend Mark a hand along the way. Anyone with a Facebook, and anyone who doesn't shouldn't miss this movie. When it was first released, many, myself included, were a bit skeptical to say the least. This movie proved me wrong though. I'm rooting for it for best picture at The Oscars. This movie deserves to win.

5 Stars (only because I don't rate higher)

Dinner for Schmucks

Dumb and Dumber Gets a Corporate Twist

Ok, this is hands down the comedy of the season. I don't care what other titles you throw at my face, nothing I've seen this year beats Dinner for Schmucks for laughs.

Paul Rudd plays Tim, a successful but nervous businessman up for a big promotion at the office. When he starts to reel in a Swiss millionaire client he thinks he'd got it made but soon realizes he must pass one more test. Find the biggest idiot he can and bring him to his boss's annual dinner party. At the party the boss and his workers make fun of the guests. Tim's girlfriend objects to the idea and Tim is about to turn down the invitation when the ultimate schmuck falls right into his lap. Barry (Steve Carrell) is a dimwitted but lovable IRS worker who's only hobby is taking dead mice and using them to create scenes from history and such like. Having no friends he willingly accepts Tim's invitation never suspecting his new friend's true desire. Tim relaxes until Barry shows up at his apartment and starts to quickly burn every bridge Tim has. From almost ruining Tim's relationship with his girlfriend to almost costing him his job Barry leads to one giant fail after another in the form of a very funny story. This is truly one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time. Not to be missed

5 Stars

Sherlock Holmes

Odd Cast, Awesome Movie

When I first got wind of this movie's cast, I was skeptical, like most Americans. I mean, Robert Downy Jr. as Holmes was surprise enough, but Jude Law as Dr. Watson? That got me thinking. I wasn't sure that turning Watson into a sex symbol was a good idea. I was wrong.

This movie was well cast, well written, well acted, well shot and in short, well everything. The special effects were great and the leads, Downy Jr and Law were great. Rachel McAdams was wonderfully cast in her role as Ms. Adler, the only woman capable of capturing Holmes's heart. Mark Strong was good too, as the villain, Lord Blackwood. This is one movie that truly has it all, action, romance, frightening moments, and just about everything else. Mark my words, this movie will have you out of your seat giving Holmes and Watson a standing ovation as the end credits roll. Not sure if this movie qualifies as action, drama or something else, but whatever genre it is, its great. This is one movie that should not be missed by anyone.

5 Stars

Norbit

Pure Cinematic Garbage

Hollywood has turned out so many pieces of trash over the years I won't even bother to list them all. I don't like to review bad movies but I just have to warn anyone thinking about watching this cinematic abortion..DON'T. Simply put, Norbit is the worst movie ever made.

This movie doesn't have a witty line of dialogue in it. Its gross, irreverent, offensive, and beyond crass. Eddie Murphy really should only play one role per movie. The story tells of a nice guy (title character) who through a messed up childhood and a string of unfortunate events ends up married to a disgusting, vile woman known as Rasputia (also played by Murphy). She is obese, arrogant, and cruel, not to mention controlling. Norbit wants nothing more than to ditch his repulsive spouse who he does not love, but Resputia is backed by her three older brothers, Big Terry, Earl, and Mac, who are all large, violent, and cruel. Knowing her husband is powerless against her, Resputia treats Norbit horribly. He is miserable enough, but when his beautiful former crush moves back into town (played by Thadia Newton) Norbit's world threatens to explode. There's more to the plot, but frankly its just not worth discussing.

Just how fat is Resputia? When she and Norbit visit a water park she has to lift up her stomach to show she's wearing bottoms. If that's your kind of humor, Norbit is hilarious. If not, stay away. This is the only movie I've seen that truly ears a negative number of stars. Save your money and watch something else.

-5 Stars