Quick thoughts on this week's new films... Cowboys Vs. Aliens -- Not quite what I wanted (REALLY high expectations), Crazy, Stupid, Love -- too long and too uneven but with one of the craziest third act reveals in recent time, The Smurfs -- Strictly for the youngsters, there is some scary sequences though.
Full reviews up later as this was kinda my week off...though I still saw them all!
Jumat, 29 Juli 2011
Senin, 25 Juli 2011
Review - Captain America: The First Avenger
America, The Captain Is Here
Scrawny but brave Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants nothing more than to serve his country during the greatest time of need he has experienced. Hitler is moving forward and the Nazis are increasing their threat every day. Although Rogers wants to help his country they will have nothing of him as he cannot get a medical clearance to enlist. But he keeps trying, over and over and over again. Until one day Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) sees something he likes in Steve. He’s a good man, and the Army needs more “good” men for the good Doctor’s program.
Brought into a special program to create a super soldier; Steve progresses through the various tests and training, always being a step behind physically. But it is the mind that the Army needs, not the brawn. With this special serum, everything is enhanced. Not only do muscles grow, but the “bad” individuals become worse. In Steve Rogers they have found a man that will grow stronger and enhance the good that is within him. Steve Rogers will become, Captain America.
Captain America will fight for good, not evil. Even if it means embarking on a tour of the USA to sell war bonds, Steve just wants to do good by his country. But his ultimate goal is to help on the frontlines and on a tour overseas, he will get his chance to do something really legendary. But can he survive combat and save soldiers with his efforts? Or will the evil Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) have his way creating his own army of soldiers loyal to only him?
Captain America is a tale of two films. The film starts with the digitally altered Evans as a puny, weakling character and evolves to the ripped Captain America. The first part of that film feels weak as they set up the character. There is very little depth to the character that felt like it should have existed. We didn’t explore much of that “good” that was supposed to exist inside the character. Sure we find out he’s brave and won’t back down, but the “good” that was supposed to be enhanced is lacking in the early part of the film.
Where Captain America shines is as he is transformed. The kid who couldn’t keep up with the big guys, no matter how he tried was now able to fight back. Not only could he fight back, but he was brining the fight to those that would always look down on him.
Chris Evans is a star in this role, no question about it. And the film took great care to put a really solid cast around him. (An aside…is Stanley Tucci not great at everything.) If there is anything that suffers, it’s the lack of using some of the cast members like Neal McDonough and Derek Luke, we only get a little bit of them. But overall good acting will always enhance a film like this.
And let me mention two last things – the visuals of the period are really fun to see brought to comic book life here. The 40s are alive in Captain America not only visually but also in music. In fact, I’m not sure off the top of my head, but could the song here be in the mix come award season? If it qualifies, I say YES!
Captain America is a fun and exciting adventure despite its flaws. How can you not like the story of the underdog struggling to survive? America, the Captain is here!
B
Captain America: The First Avenger
Paramount Pictures
Director: Joe Johnston
Cast: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, Hayley Atwell, Dominic Cooper, Stanley Tucci
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 2 hours 5 minutes
Scrawny but brave Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants nothing more than to serve his country during the greatest time of need he has experienced. Hitler is moving forward and the Nazis are increasing their threat every day. Although Rogers wants to help his country they will have nothing of him as he cannot get a medical clearance to enlist. But he keeps trying, over and over and over again. Until one day Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) sees something he likes in Steve. He’s a good man, and the Army needs more “good” men for the good Doctor’s program.
Brought into a special program to create a super soldier; Steve progresses through the various tests and training, always being a step behind physically. But it is the mind that the Army needs, not the brawn. With this special serum, everything is enhanced. Not only do muscles grow, but the “bad” individuals become worse. In Steve Rogers they have found a man that will grow stronger and enhance the good that is within him. Steve Rogers will become, Captain America.
Captain America will fight for good, not evil. Even if it means embarking on a tour of the USA to sell war bonds, Steve just wants to do good by his country. But his ultimate goal is to help on the frontlines and on a tour overseas, he will get his chance to do something really legendary. But can he survive combat and save soldiers with his efforts? Or will the evil Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) have his way creating his own army of soldiers loyal to only him?
Captain America is a tale of two films. The film starts with the digitally altered Evans as a puny, weakling character and evolves to the ripped Captain America. The first part of that film feels weak as they set up the character. There is very little depth to the character that felt like it should have existed. We didn’t explore much of that “good” that was supposed to exist inside the character. Sure we find out he’s brave and won’t back down, but the “good” that was supposed to be enhanced is lacking in the early part of the film.
Where Captain America shines is as he is transformed. The kid who couldn’t keep up with the big guys, no matter how he tried was now able to fight back. Not only could he fight back, but he was brining the fight to those that would always look down on him.
Chris Evans is a star in this role, no question about it. And the film took great care to put a really solid cast around him. (An aside…is Stanley Tucci not great at everything.) If there is anything that suffers, it’s the lack of using some of the cast members like Neal McDonough and Derek Luke, we only get a little bit of them. But overall good acting will always enhance a film like this.
And let me mention two last things – the visuals of the period are really fun to see brought to comic book life here. The 40s are alive in Captain America not only visually but also in music. In fact, I’m not sure off the top of my head, but could the song here be in the mix come award season? If it qualifies, I say YES!
Captain America is a fun and exciting adventure despite its flaws. How can you not like the story of the underdog struggling to survive? America, the Captain is here!
B
Captain America: The First Avenger
Paramount Pictures
Director: Joe Johnston
Cast: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, Hayley Atwell, Dominic Cooper, Stanley Tucci
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 2 hours 5 minutes
Review - Friends With Benefits
These Friends Are Worth Checking Out
As a headhunter, Jamie’s (Mila Kunis) job is to find the best and the brightest. Dylan (Justin Timberlake) is the art director for a blog that is off the charts successful. Seems like a perfect match when Jamie needs to fill the Art Director job for GQ. The challenge is to bring him from California to New York, but she is ready to sell him on the move.
Upon acceptance of the job, Dylan realizes that he has no real friends here in the city. Both he and Jamie are tired of the dating game and decide to become friends with benefits. But can that type of relationship really last?
Timberlake and Kunis are fun stars to work with. I really believe they are both on the verge of becoming superstars. It is these two that make this film fun. Their raw and unencumbered relationship will shock and be a welcome change from most romantic comedies. When they are going for humor this film knocks it out of the park.
The one downfall is the fact that the film tries to get too serious in the end. Like so many before it, they don’t realize they don’t need a serious third act to tie things together. They use great actors like Richard Jenkins and the always likable Jenna Elfman to try and bring the story line to the fore, but instead it feels tacked on and added without a lot of thought. The plot line deals with something near and dear to my heart and despite Richard Jenkins bringing a tear to my eye, it wasn’t necessary in the film as it was constructed.
Sure it has its serious side, but you come to see Timberlake and Kunis and have some fun. The actors (and the bit cameos as well) are what you come to this film to see and they are wonderful. But why oh why did they have to go for the third act serious angle? Though it derails a bit, these friends are worth checking out.
B-
Friends With Benefits
Screen Gems Pictures
Director: Will Gluck
Cast: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson, Jenna Elfman, Richard Jenkins, Woody Harrelson
Rating: R
Runtime: 1 hour 49 minutes
As a headhunter, Jamie’s (Mila Kunis) job is to find the best and the brightest. Dylan (Justin Timberlake) is the art director for a blog that is off the charts successful. Seems like a perfect match when Jamie needs to fill the Art Director job for GQ. The challenge is to bring him from California to New York, but she is ready to sell him on the move.
Upon acceptance of the job, Dylan realizes that he has no real friends here in the city. Both he and Jamie are tired of the dating game and decide to become friends with benefits. But can that type of relationship really last?
Timberlake and Kunis are fun stars to work with. I really believe they are both on the verge of becoming superstars. It is these two that make this film fun. Their raw and unencumbered relationship will shock and be a welcome change from most romantic comedies. When they are going for humor this film knocks it out of the park.
The one downfall is the fact that the film tries to get too serious in the end. Like so many before it, they don’t realize they don’t need a serious third act to tie things together. They use great actors like Richard Jenkins and the always likable Jenna Elfman to try and bring the story line to the fore, but instead it feels tacked on and added without a lot of thought. The plot line deals with something near and dear to my heart and despite Richard Jenkins bringing a tear to my eye, it wasn’t necessary in the film as it was constructed.
Sure it has its serious side, but you come to see Timberlake and Kunis and have some fun. The actors (and the bit cameos as well) are what you come to this film to see and they are wonderful. But why oh why did they have to go for the third act serious angle? Though it derails a bit, these friends are worth checking out.
B-
Friends With Benefits
Screen Gems Pictures
Director: Will Gluck
Cast: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson, Jenna Elfman, Richard Jenkins, Woody Harrelson
Rating: R
Runtime: 1 hour 49 minutes
Senin, 18 Juli 2011
Home Screening Room -- Take Me Home Tonight to Melrose Place, the ideas are Limitless
Just From Theaters
Limitless – Rated PG-13 (Bradley Cooper, Robert DeNiro, Abbie Cornish)
Taking drugs is always a risk, but what if the drug could make you focus beyond anything you ever dreamed of? This movie deals with all the moral and ethical questions of this situation, plus some other plot lines thrown in for good measure. A great rental to check out.
Take Me Home Tonight – Rated R (Topher Grace, Anna Faris, Dan Fogler)
We’ve all wanted that second chance with a high school crush, now see it come to life.
Also new this week…
2011 NBA Champions: Dallas Mavericks
Cracks – Rated NR (Eva Green) This looks REALLY good.
House of the Rising Sun – Rated R (Danny Trejo, Amy Smart) Plus Batista….gotta see this…I’d link the trailer here, but it’s a little much for my site – it is out there tough.
iCarly: The i<3 iCarly Collection
Mayor Cupcake – Rated PG (Lea Thompson, Judd Nelson, Frankie Faison) Mayor Cupcake? Really? Was Mayor McCheese recalled?
Peep World (Sarah Silverman, Michael C. Hall and Rainn Wilson)
The Reef – Rated R The Tagline on the box says “Pray That You Drown First” love it…
Tekken – Rated R (Jon Foo, Kelly Overton)
WWE: Capitol Punishment 2011
And Finally
Melrose Place Season Six (Heather Locklear)
Ok, so I’m using this as an excuse to post highlights of the long past Season Six – with Heather Locklear…just so I can post a Heather Locklear video here, can you blame me?
Pick of the Week
Limitless is worth another watch for sure – and they didn’t show Take Me Home Tonight, so I kinda want to see it.
Thanks!
Pop Popcorn, Do the Dew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!
Limitless – Rated PG-13 (Bradley Cooper, Robert DeNiro, Abbie Cornish)
Taking drugs is always a risk, but what if the drug could make you focus beyond anything you ever dreamed of? This movie deals with all the moral and ethical questions of this situation, plus some other plot lines thrown in for good measure. A great rental to check out.
Take Me Home Tonight – Rated R (Topher Grace, Anna Faris, Dan Fogler)
We’ve all wanted that second chance with a high school crush, now see it come to life.
Also new this week…
2011 NBA Champions: Dallas Mavericks
Cracks – Rated NR (Eva Green) This looks REALLY good.
House of the Rising Sun – Rated R (Danny Trejo, Amy Smart) Plus Batista….gotta see this…I’d link the trailer here, but it’s a little much for my site – it is out there tough.
iCarly: The i<3 iCarly Collection
Mayor Cupcake – Rated PG (Lea Thompson, Judd Nelson, Frankie Faison) Mayor Cupcake? Really? Was Mayor McCheese recalled?
Peep World (Sarah Silverman, Michael C. Hall and Rainn Wilson)
The Reef – Rated R The Tagline on the box says “Pray That You Drown First” love it…
Tekken – Rated R (Jon Foo, Kelly Overton)
WWE: Capitol Punishment 2011
And Finally
Melrose Place Season Six (Heather Locklear)
Ok, so I’m using this as an excuse to post highlights of the long past Season Six – with Heather Locklear…just so I can post a Heather Locklear video here, can you blame me?
Pick of the Week
Limitless is worth another watch for sure – and they didn’t show Take Me Home Tonight, so I kinda want to see it.
Thanks!
Pop Popcorn, Do the Dew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!
Jumat, 15 Juli 2011
Appearances and Review Status for Today
My apologies to everyone, sometimes life gets in the way as it did for me last night....
Personal issues kept me from getting the reviews online last night.
But tune in at 9:40 or so on www.realmilwaukee.com to see what I have to say about these new films -- and how I manage on about 1 hour of sleep...
After some time off this afternoon, I'll also stop by www.kmox.com to talk with Mark Reardon about these very titles!
And then after I get just a little bit of sleep, I'll work on posting the reviews...
In a nutshell though....
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 -- a solid end to a well crafted series. Fans will not be disappointed - I wasn't. B+
Winnie the Pooh -- For the little ones, a nostalgic look at a classic character - it melds the storytelling of a book with the visuals of a film quite nicely. B-/C+
Sabtu, 09 Juli 2011
Review - Horrible Bosses
Horrible Bosses - Yes, Horrible Movie - No
We’ve all had them. Bosses that make us believe that nothing on earth could be worse. Bosses that don’t understand when you need a day off and bosses that think burn out is a kid they knew in high school. There are bosses that want everything done for them and now, and bosses that use your time and talents for their own benefit. But despite all these bosses that you may have experienced degrees of throughout the years, they are nothing like the bosses that Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day) have.
When it comes to bad bosses, Nick’s ranks right up there. Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey) obsesses about every minute someone is late, even if no one is in the office. He makes Nick work late, weekends and even miss his Gam Gam’s last moments. But the line is finally crossed when he takes a promotion that Nick felt he was destined to get.
Kurt on the other hand has a great boss, well in the beginning of the film he does. But that boss is not long for this world. Instead he is about to deal with that boss’s son, the coke snorting, womanizing, less than professional Bobby Pellit (Colin Farrell). This behavior puts Bobby and Kurt at odds from word one.
And then there is Dr. Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston). Dale deals with her inappropriate office behavior and Nick and Kurt just can’t seem to see what is so bad about her. Well of course, the newly engaged Dale is feeling very uncomfortable and can’t continue to work under these circumstances.
The three then come up with the brainy, alcohol induced, idea to eliminate their bosses. And hire a hitman consultant, because of course they can’t afford a real contract killer. Can these bumbling employees get rid of their less than desirable bosses?
Let me just say, this film is crude, crass and a bit over the top. It’s also funny, funny, funny.
Jason Bateman has a way with this type of film of leading a cast, but this is a true ensemble. From our main heroes of Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis to the bosses of Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey and Collin Farrell this is cast very well and makes the roles work.
We even get small roles that pop up in the course of things and folks like Jamie Foxx and Donald Sutherland help us tell the story that everyone can relate with. While we have all had a bad boss or two in the day, these bosses cross every line imaginable and therefore we feel the frustration, well except of course for Charlie Day’s boss.
The personalities of the men and their bosses work very well within the context of the film. There are moments that felt a bit harsh, but overall the laughs far outweigh everything here and the fantasy of getting rid of the worst of the worst bosses…well that is a fantasy that will be enjoyed by many.
Sure horrible bosses are bad, but the film is quite good and will have you laughing through your next meeting at the office.
B
Horrible Bosses
Warner Brothers Pictures
Director: Seth Gordon
Cast: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey and Colin Farrell
Rating: Rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language and some drug material.
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
We’ve all had them. Bosses that make us believe that nothing on earth could be worse. Bosses that don’t understand when you need a day off and bosses that think burn out is a kid they knew in high school. There are bosses that want everything done for them and now, and bosses that use your time and talents for their own benefit. But despite all these bosses that you may have experienced degrees of throughout the years, they are nothing like the bosses that Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day) have.
When it comes to bad bosses, Nick’s ranks right up there. Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey) obsesses about every minute someone is late, even if no one is in the office. He makes Nick work late, weekends and even miss his Gam Gam’s last moments. But the line is finally crossed when he takes a promotion that Nick felt he was destined to get.
Kurt on the other hand has a great boss, well in the beginning of the film he does. But that boss is not long for this world. Instead he is about to deal with that boss’s son, the coke snorting, womanizing, less than professional Bobby Pellit (Colin Farrell). This behavior puts Bobby and Kurt at odds from word one.
And then there is Dr. Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston). Dale deals with her inappropriate office behavior and Nick and Kurt just can’t seem to see what is so bad about her. Well of course, the newly engaged Dale is feeling very uncomfortable and can’t continue to work under these circumstances.
The three then come up with the brainy, alcohol induced, idea to eliminate their bosses. And hire a hitman consultant, because of course they can’t afford a real contract killer. Can these bumbling employees get rid of their less than desirable bosses?
Let me just say, this film is crude, crass and a bit over the top. It’s also funny, funny, funny.
Jason Bateman has a way with this type of film of leading a cast, but this is a true ensemble. From our main heroes of Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis to the bosses of Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey and Collin Farrell this is cast very well and makes the roles work.
We even get small roles that pop up in the course of things and folks like Jamie Foxx and Donald Sutherland help us tell the story that everyone can relate with. While we have all had a bad boss or two in the day, these bosses cross every line imaginable and therefore we feel the frustration, well except of course for Charlie Day’s boss.
The personalities of the men and their bosses work very well within the context of the film. There are moments that felt a bit harsh, but overall the laughs far outweigh everything here and the fantasy of getting rid of the worst of the worst bosses…well that is a fantasy that will be enjoyed by many.
Sure horrible bosses are bad, but the film is quite good and will have you laughing through your next meeting at the office.
B
Horrible Bosses
Warner Brothers Pictures
Director: Seth Gordon
Cast: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey and Colin Farrell
Rating: Rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language and some drug material.
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
Selasa, 05 Juli 2011
A Closer Look - The China Question
A Closer Look – The China Question
So with the 4th of July just in our rear view mirrors, I thought it was the perfect time to post a closer look at the new DVD, The China Question from filmmaker Brook Silva-Braga.
When the topic of China comes up, many people immediately tune out. Anything to do with foreign relations is an immediate disconnect with an entire group of people. But even that group of people could understand and find The China Question interesting.
Silva-Braga does a slick job of making foreign relations and trade interesting. And that’s not an easy thing! He takes things into account with the perspective of his mother. After noticing that everything she looked at was made in China, even an Uncle Sam doll, she makes the conscious decision to stop buying things made in China. It’s her one way to make a difference, but will she?
The Director begins a more than one year journey between the plants and facilities in China and the former plants and facilities in the USA. He asks regular average people simple questions like, “Where do you think your hat was made?” Hats that proclaim Texas pride, US pride and some of the biggest US consumer products all have the same result, made in China. But it wasn’t always that way. There have been US hat makers as well, but their presence has dwindled when compared to the Chinese dominance of the consumer product.
The film also looks at simple things that are the difference between Chinese and American politics. The different controls of the media and so much more are covered in this tight documentary. Sure now that I’m even talking about this, I may have diminished my abilities to be read in the massive country.
But the questions are real and fair? What is the influence of China on the USA and what can anyone do about it?
How can we engage a population that doesn’t want to deal with real questions?
Brook Silva-Braga does a solid job of making a tough topic enjoyable and interesting. With the global marketplace that we live in, it makes sense to at least sneak a peek at this fascinating documentary. Maybe you too will take a stand much like that of Nancy Silva or maybe not, but you owe it to
yourself to get informed on the situation.
The China Question
Visit - http://thechinaquestion.com
Not Rated – 86 MIN
Directed by: Brook Silva-Braga
Narrated by: Brook Silva-Braga
Available NOW on Blu Ray and DVD.
So with the 4th of July just in our rear view mirrors, I thought it was the perfect time to post a closer look at the new DVD, The China Question from filmmaker Brook Silva-Braga.
When the topic of China comes up, many people immediately tune out. Anything to do with foreign relations is an immediate disconnect with an entire group of people. But even that group of people could understand and find The China Question interesting.
Silva-Braga does a slick job of making foreign relations and trade interesting. And that’s not an easy thing! He takes things into account with the perspective of his mother. After noticing that everything she looked at was made in China, even an Uncle Sam doll, she makes the conscious decision to stop buying things made in China. It’s her one way to make a difference, but will she?
The Director begins a more than one year journey between the plants and facilities in China and the former plants and facilities in the USA. He asks regular average people simple questions like, “Where do you think your hat was made?” Hats that proclaim Texas pride, US pride and some of the biggest US consumer products all have the same result, made in China. But it wasn’t always that way. There have been US hat makers as well, but their presence has dwindled when compared to the Chinese dominance of the consumer product.
The film also looks at simple things that are the difference between Chinese and American politics. The different controls of the media and so much more are covered in this tight documentary. Sure now that I’m even talking about this, I may have diminished my abilities to be read in the massive country.
But the questions are real and fair? What is the influence of China on the USA and what can anyone do about it?
How can we engage a population that doesn’t want to deal with real questions?
Brook Silva-Braga does a solid job of making a tough topic enjoyable and interesting. With the global marketplace that we live in, it makes sense to at least sneak a peek at this fascinating documentary. Maybe you too will take a stand much like that of Nancy Silva or maybe not, but you owe it to
yourself to get informed on the situation.
The China Question
Visit - http://thechinaquestion.com
Not Rated – 86 MIN
Directed by: Brook Silva-Braga
Narrated by: Brook Silva-Braga
Available NOW on Blu Ray and DVD.
Jumat, 01 Juli 2011
Review - Transformers: Dark Of The Moon
To Transform Or Not To Transform
The Transformers films have hit (the first film) and missed (the second film) with me to this point. So, when I sat down for the third installment, Transformers: Dark of The Moon, I really wasn’t sure what to expect.
Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) has graduated college. He has paid his dues. Heck he has even gotten a medal from President Obama. So why can’t he get a job?
He can’t say word one about the fact that he has saved the world, but his appearance at the white house did get him one thing, his new girlfriend Carly (Rosie Hutington-Whiteley). While he struggles to find someone to take a chance on him, she is working for the very wealthy Dylan (Patrick Dempsey). This is a relationship that Sam has issues with but for now, despite what he has done, Carly is paying the bills.
We find out that an Autobot was launched from their home planet years ago and devastatingly crash landed on the moon. It was this crash landing that led to the space race to be the first to get to the moon and find out what has happened.
What they found were pieces of a portal that could open the door to this world through a means of teleportation. The Decepticons and the Autobots both would love to regain this technology, but who will be there first?
Hopefully this is a enough of a plot summary here, because the plot is not the important thing for this film. A loose plot is always nice to work with, but in the case of the Transformers films, it’s mostly about the action and there is lots of it here.
Director Michael Bay doesn’t waste much time with the small details. Why Sam has a new girlfriend, the ins and outs of the job he finally finds, they aren’t important and thus get glossed over. We are introduced to fun new characters like Jerry Wang (Ken Jeong) and Frances McDormand’s high-ranking government official. But don’t expect any details behind these characters; they are just a means to more Transformers action.
John Turturro could have been onscreen a lot more while providing the comic relief, same for Mcdormand and Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson are back, but seem forgotten. Did I mention John Malkovich has a role here as well? The actors are not the focus as we all know the stars are the cars that transform.
Seeing the film in 3D actually works. I found myself enjoying some of the depth that was present, and I have not been the biggest fan or the format. The action wlll leave you bleary eyed at times as it is fast and furious, especially as Chicago becomes the main battle ground.
The problem with the film that most fans will give it a pass on, the script is thin at best. Don’t try to connect the dots or put the pieces together. Your head my blow up if you do that. Fans will like the no-nonsense approach to the action. Critics will hate the lack of substance. You make the call; to transform or not to transform.
C+
Paramount Pictures
Director: Michael Bay
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Patrick Dempsey
Rating: PG-13 for intense prolonged sequences of sci-fi action violence, mayhem and destruction, and for language, some sexuality and innuendo.
Runtime: 2 hours 37 minutes
Review - Larry Crowne
Not Your Typical Summer Film
Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) is everything at UMart. He has been awarded employee of the month eight times and thinks he is on his way to get a ninth award when the shocking news greets him. The company is letting him go because of his lack of education. They say it limits his potential in the company and thus all the rest doesn’t matter.
So Larry goes back to college and ends up in the class of a teacher that doesn’t want to be there. Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts) has her own problems. Life with her husband (Bryan Cranston) is loveless and more than a bit unfulfilling.
As Larry is reestablishing himself in society, Mercedes is working to find her place as well and see if she should remain married at all.
Two characters, broken and thrown together by fate, can they help each other come out of the low points in their lives?
Crowne is a look at life as we know it today, but through some slightly rose colored glasses. There is more emphasis on the humor that exists within the situations and that’s not a bad thing. The situation of losing your job is very real in society today. Because of this, many may find this ill timed as subject matter, but I’m here to say, don’t worry, it’s still centered with good content.
Larry Crowne makes you feel good, about subject matter that could normally be depressing. Coming out of the movie the likable Tom Hanks, the winning smile of Julia Roberts, and the good humor of Cedric the Entertainer stay with you for days. That in and of itself is enough of a reason to see this one, but Hanks also delivers a pleasant movie going experience.
I just wish Larry Crowne had a different title. The title does absolutely nothing for me and doesn’t help sell the film. You can’t help but cheer for Larry Crowne to succeed on every level. The film is a nice diversion to the typical summer fare for adults.
B
Universal Pictures
Director: Tom Hanks
Cast: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Cedric The Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes
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