Home Screening Room – Time for The Campaign, Safety Not Guaranteed...Laughs Are

The election is coming on Tuesday, this week…do yourself a favor and vote Cam Brady and Marty Huggins. They’ll get the job done for you in the laugh department. Plus, did we really need a sequel to A Christmas Story? Well now we have one.

                                                                           

This Week's Big Releases

The Campaign - Rated R (Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis)

Cam Brady and Marty Huggins want your vote this election day. A vote for them is a vote for democracy! J

Ruby Sparks- Rated R (Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan)
What happens when a novelist creates himself the perfect girl, and she is real? A great story, I really liked this under appreciated gem from earlier this year.

Safety Not Guaranteed- Rated R (Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass))
It’s a strange ad, safety is definitely not guaranteed for these adventure seekers.

Also New This Week

First Position – Not Rated

Documentary focusing on the young dancers of the Youth America Grand Prix.

And Finally

A Christmas Story 2 – Rated PG

(Daniel Stern, Braeden Lemasters)

Ralphie is back, yep he is; now he wants … a car! Did we need a sequel to one of the classic Christmas movies of our time?  Time to see it and tell me .. too much???

 Check the trailer below.

DVD/Blu-ray Tidbit of the Week

Baseball’s World Series is over, but as the hot stove league heats up this December, you can pick up the baseball film Trouble With The Curve starring Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams. Look for it December 18.

Pick of the Week

Not many titles, but good quality. The Campaign has the repeatability factor, Ruby Sparks is quirky fun and I missed the release of Safety Not Guaranteed but it looks pretty good as well.

Pop Popcorn, Do the DietDew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!

Real Milwaukee - 10/26/12

Real Milwaukee had me in on Friday -- and here is the straight scoop on why parents of young children should avoid Fun Size -- plus comments on Cloud Atlas, new DVDs and more.

Take a look...enjoy.


Real Milwaukee from 10/26/12

Review - Fun Size

Not For Kids, Fun Size Delivers Tricks Not Treats

Wren (Victoria Justice) is coping with the loss of her father as she prepares to go to college. He has recently passed and the whole family is dealing with it in different ways. Her mom (Chelsea Handler) is dating a much younger man and her brother Albert (Jackson Nicoll) isn’t talking to anyone.

It’s Halloween and the cute boy is throwing the best party and wants Wren there for a special moment. But after planning for a great night, it all goes south. Her mom has decided to go part with the “kids” and leaves Wren to take her little brother out to trick or treat. But Albert has other plans and gets away from Wren to start a journey of his own. He ends up partying with a girl that is dressed as his comic book hero, toilet papering an apartment with a convenience store clerk, and leaving a bag of flaming poo on the porch of a bully. What a night for Albert?

Wren is made to search for Albert with her friends and finds parties, typical bullies, and a giant chicken statue that finds the car they are in well, much to its liking. Her night will include the cute boy, the best friend who wants social acceptance for them, a boy who has a thing for her that she just never notices, and a friend who visions himself a ladies man…but that the ladies envision as something else.

So what will this one wild night bring? Will Wren and Albert grow up in front of everyone or will they just staying floating through life?

Ok, let’s review the movie first…then get to other things with it. The movie is, itself, a kind of cross between Adventures in Babysitting and Superbad. It’s got a group of young stars, headed by Justice, that are trying to grab today in the youth scene. I just never felt the connection there. Justice looks like she could have a future in the business, but this vehicle doesn’t work for her. She comes across as a bit stiff and not comfortable with the role. Her co-stars don’t help matters either as there is a lot of fun cameo work, but nothing that stands out. It felt more as they were trying to shock a young crowd, but it didn’t work with those of us who have seen a million coming of age tales.

The storyline seemed a bit contrived and outlandish and that lack of plausibility hurt the film. Does a teen comedy need to be plausible? Not all the time, but here the film felt like everything was conflicted. And therein lies the problem.

This film has been heavily marketed on kids’ networks like Nickelodeon (where Victoria Justice has the very successful Victorious series). Kids like my 8-year-old daughter have been told about the fun of Fun Size, but this movie should not be viewed by anyone that isn’t at least a teenager. The topics and subject matter that pepper the film are meant for teens. And the problem lies in that in one minute, the film feels like they are trying to appeal to younger kids – but then out of the blue they go after the 17-year-old crowd. The lack of focus on the audience for the film shows.

They could have done this film really well with focus to one market or another, but instead of having some “fun sized fun” it ended up a “king size disappointment”. It's too bad too....I wanted to have this be a treat this Halloween but instead I felt like it was a trick.

C-

Fun Size

Paramount Pictures

Director: Josh Schwartz

Stars: Victoria Justice, Chelsea Handler, Jackson Nicoll, Thomas Mann, Jane Levy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes

Home Screening Room – Magic Mike takes it off….HONEST Abe!

Who knew? Abe Lincoln…a Vampire Hunter? Maybe that’s why he was assassinated….hmmm… Ok I haven’t seen the film, so if I just gave away anything it’s a total coincidence. But I will…who could resist… So what does that make Barack Obama…a Wolfman hunter? George W. Bush a Godzilla hunter? Bill Clinton a Mummy hunter (no…that is Brendan Fraser…that’s right). Plus Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey can now “take it off” in your home and a film I really like…Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Also – a new Madea film, a Disney Fairies title and a powerful and potent documentary.

This Week's Big Releases

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Rated R (Benjamin Walker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Dominic Cooper)
Did you know Abe Lincoln was a vampire hunter? I didn’t? No this is NOT a documentary, at least as far as I know…but it looks like a horror/thriller with a twist.

Madea’s Witness Protection - Rated PG-13 (Tyler Perry, Eugene Levy, Denise Richards)
Madea’s back and is taking in a CFO as part of witness protection.

Magic Mike - Rated R (Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer)
Ummm… Adult Entertainment…Ladies are lining up to get their copies everywhere. And it’s actually a pretty good movie from director Steven Soderbergh.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World - Rated R (Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Connie Britton)
Ok, this is a movie I really enjoyed that no one saw…(reflected in the $6.6 million box office). This film has a touch of a comic twinge, a bit of a drama and a little romance all in an end of the world apocalyptic film for you to enjoy. And no large special effects scenes are present!

Also New This Week

16 and Pregnant: Season 4

Crooked Arrows – Rated PG-13 (Brandon Routh, Crystal Allen)

Disney Fairies: Secret of the Wings – Rated G

Dragon Eyes – Rated R (Jean-Claude Van Damme)

Law and Order: Criminal Intent – Season 8

Rules of Engagement: The Compete Sixth Season

Take This Waltz – Rated R (Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen)

Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines – Rated R – Yep…they made another one.

And Finally

The Invisible War – Not Rated

I got a chance to see this courtesy of the amazing Milwaukee Film Festivaland the 2012 run, come on out and check it out next year. This film is an amazing documentary on sex offenses in the military. It is a MUST see.  It’s not a Republican or Democratic issue; it’s a moral issue. It is a simple case of right and wrong. If a woman (or a man) is sexually assaulted in the military, the accused should be tried as if they would be in society, and if they are guilty be convicted and punished, NOT PROMOTED. Director, Kirby Dick takes us into an area and will make everyone feel uncomfortable, and you should feel uncomfortable and angry after watching this. Here’s the trailer.

DVD/Blu-ray Tidbit of the Week

ParaNorman, my favorite scary animated film of the year…will be scaring up DVD business come November 27 – and yes…Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D releases are planned for that day.

Pick of the Week

The Invisible War is a must see doc, but I wouldn’t add it to my collection. Probably the most repeatable for folks will be Magic Mike, but not for me….hmmm… Let’s just say…SEE The Invisible War.

Pop Popcorn, Do the Diet Dew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!

CCMA 2013 Coming to The CW

The 18th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards is coming -- LIVE on Thursday, January 10, 2013 from 8:00-10:00pm ET on the new home for the show, The CW Television Network.

The show aired last year on VH1.

Airing on January 10 could lead to some dramatic and fun moments as it is the same day that the Academy is expected to announce their nominees for the 2013 Academy Awards.

The CCMAs have always been a bellwether of the season to come. Last year's ceremony featured attendees from Brad Pitt and Meryl Streep to Leonardo DiCaprio, Charlize Theron, Bob Dylan and directors Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg.

These are the awards that yours truly votes in each and every year. Tune in please, you won't regret it.

Home Screening Room - Obama, Sandler, and Luke Skywalker?

This week sees a diverse group of titles make their debut…from the conservative documentary of the last couple years to a Circus Afro; this is a complete week of DVD’s. Oh and did I mention, I found Mark Hamill. Check my And Finally…for more.

                                                                           

This Week's Big Releases

2016: Obama’s America- Rated PG

The documentary sensation of the conservatives comes to DVD faster than most theatrical releases with this kind of pull. (But it is in time for the election, go figure)

Chernobyl Diaries- Rated R (Jesse McCartney, Jonathan Sadowski, Olivia Taylor Dudley)
A horror film with Chernobyl as the backdrop. Yes please, even though it didn’t screen theatrically.

Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted- Rated PG (Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer)
Alex, Marty and all the gang are back for more as they come across Europe in their continuing effort to get back to New York.

Moonrise Kingdom Rated PG-13 (Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis)

An instant classic from Wes Anderson tells the tale of young love and all its complications. Touching and poignant, it is a great example of a little film that could.

That’s My Boy- Rated R (Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Leighton Meester)

A boy who had a son with his teacher is now an adult and sees his son as the payday that he could use to get back on track. Sandler’s character is a bit annoying, but there is some humor there.

Also New This Week

Alcatraz: The Complete Series – The Fox series comes home, I actually watched this one..and sad to see it go.

Columbo: The Complete Series – Have to list this for my mom, the Columbo fan.

The Cup– Rated PG (Stephen Curry, Brendan Gleeson)

The Mark– Not Rated (Eric Roberts, Gary Daniels, Craig Sheffer)

Psych: The Complete Sixth Season

Rites of Passage– Rated R (Wes Bentley, Kate Maberly)

Touch: The Complete First Season

And Finally

Airborne– Rated NR

(Mark Hamill, Alan Ford, Gemma Atkinson)

What has Mark Hamill been up to???? Check the trailer below.

DVD/Blu-ray Tidbit of the Week

Turkey, football and action heroes??? You betcha! The Expendables 2 will be available November 20, so of course you can buy it and then make your Thanksgiving have a little bit more action than usual!

Pick of the Week

Moonrise Kingdom is probably the choice this week, but my daughter would get Madagascar 3 instead. That’s My Boy has funny moments too, but who knows here.

Pop Popcorn, Do the DietDew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!

Review - Argo

Hollywood Loves Hollywood and I Love Argo

In the late 1970s the situation in Iran started to reach a crescendo. As anti-American sentiment was at its height an invasion of the US embassy took 52 Americans hostage. These Americans were held as leverage to get the Iranian leader returned to face the people. But in the midst of the takeover of the US Embassy, six Americans got away. The Canadian ambassador took them in; but with the walls closing in around them, the ambassador AND the Americans were in jeopardy.

 The CIA has decided they needed to act, or these six Americans would likely be killed. A CIA agent name Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) is brought in to do what he does best, “exfiltration”. The best idea he has come with, create a fake movie.

Now it’s up to Tony to see if he can get the pieces together to get the hostages out safe. He enlists the help of John Chambers (John Goodman), a Hollywood effects man that has the access to help set up the operation. The fake project needs a real director, and for that the team turns to Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin). Together they will create the illusion that the big budget, high profile sci-fi spectacular Argo will use the Iranian backdrop for their new film. Can they pull it off?

Ok, I’m just going to start off my analysis like this…I really like this film. Ben Affleck as a director is really starting to feel his situations and take us as viewers along for the ride. As I went through the period in Iran, I felt that I was there, alongside Ben as a fly on his jacket. The emotions I was to feel flowed from me as easy as anything I can imagine. Sure it helped that he had some very talented people along with him, but everything from the direction to the screenplay to the acting was spot on.

And let’s talk about the acting. Ben works as the lead that tries to separate himself from those around him. His co-creators on the film aspect of the movie Alan Arkin and John Goodman are award caliber good! Arkin brings his special brand of power and wit to capture the screen every time he graces it. And John Goodman has never been better than his role as the person that helps Ben put the whole plan together. Witty yet serious – the group is entirely enjoyable to experience.

The story that is here, is one that most no the periphery of, but there aren’t many that can tell you the specifics. Drawing on a declassified mission, and with the help of some of those that participated, Affleck tells a story that flows with a very special screenplay.

Ok, so I’m glowing about this film. There may be better films I will see yet this year…but to this point, so far, my money is on Argo for SERIOUS talk in EVERY year-end award. Hollywood loves movies about Hollywood…and in this case Hollywood is there to save the day…and it is good!

A

Argo

Warner Brothers Pictures

Director: Ben Affleck

Stars: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman

Rating: R

Runtime: 2 hours

Review - Here Comes The Boom

Submit Yourself To Laughs

MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) has really taken off in our society today. The disciplines of wrestling, judo, boxing, karate, kick boxing and many others are on display as warriors grapple with each other to leave the octagon as a winner. But did anyone ever envision Kevin James stepping in the octagon? Well he does in Here Comes the Boom, but how does it happen?

Scott Voss (Kevin James) is a teacher. The former teacher of the year is now going through the motions as he has lost a lot of his energy. He is envious of the way that fellow teacher Marty Streb (Henry Winkler) has his class producing and engaged on a daily basis.

But as it always is, a new budget year is upon the school that calls for cutbacks. Music is on the chopping block and Marty is about to be out of a job. It’s ok with many of the staff, but Scott doesn’t want to see it happen. He’s decided everyone needs to step up before music and Marty are no longer part of his school.

Trying to teach adults that are preparing for the citizenship exam is not going to get the $40,000 they are looking to raise, it will take something more. Scott has a student in his class, Niko (Bas Rutten) that formerly fought MMA. When Scott finds out you can make thousands for one fight in the MMA, it’s time to put his past wrestling prowess to the test. But no MMA fighter starts at the top and big time. He must earn is way through $100 matches to get to $40,000 and save his friend’s career. Can he?

Let’s set aside the silliness of this story. A teacher that hasn’t wrestled in years hitting the MMA cage, not likely. The ability for the teachers to raise the money on their own to save Marty’s job is a bit far fetched. And the number at $40,000 seems a bit out of whack…but let’s throw all that out the window…because this is a fun and funny movie.

Kevin James is able to elicit laughs from the audience in his quest to be, not the next MMA superstar, but the guy who doesn’t mind getting beat as long as he gets paid. James works well with his love interest Bella (Salma Hayek) as he is constantly turned down. Hayek uses every excuse possible until she finds James has more to his character than meets the eye. And we laugh.

The class of folks going for their citizenship including Bas Rutten is playful and funny. It allows us to see the world from different glasses. The film is tame and family friendly, proving that you don’t need a bunch of language (even in a film with the MMA) to make the audience laugh.

And of course, it features Henry Winkler, who I will always have a soft spot for in my heart. It is a delight to see him working and really batting it around with someone like Kevin James like two sparring partners of comedy.

So don’t sweat the little stuff… submit yourself to Here Comes the Boom. You’ll have a good time and smile without any guilt whatsoever.

B-

Here Comes The Boom

Columbia Pictures

Director: Frank Coraci

Stars: Kevin James, Salma Hayek, Henry Winkler, Bas Rutten

Rating: PG

Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes