Pitch Perfect

Pitch Perfect (PG-13) 2012

Directed by Jason Moore

Starring:  Anna Kendrick, Skylar Astin, Ben Platt, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Rebel Wilson, Alexis Knapp, Ester Dean, Hana Mae Lee and Kelley Jakle

Here We Go:  An all-girls college a cappella group comes together to update their image in order to stand a chance in a heated competition.  Pitch Perfect is like Glee with bite, but maybe that's the difference between high school and college.  There is still that chick-flick, cheekiness that comes from movies like this (think: Bring It On), but it's still a movie that both guys and girls can enjoy.  It's actually funny in an off the wall sort of way, and the singing is pretty awesome!  Of course there are those "it would never happen" moments, but so what?  Just listening to Anna Kendrick sing Cups makes it all ok!

Bottom Line:   Watch it!

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (R) 2012

Directed by Lorene Scafaria

Starring:  Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Melanie Lynskey, Connie Britton, Adam Brody, Gillian Jacobs, Patton Oswalt, T.J. Miller, Melinda Dillon, Rob Corddry, Rob Huebel and Amy Schumer

Here We Go:  The end is coming and Dodge (Carell) finds himself abandoned by his wife and in the company of a younger companion (Knightley) who may make all the difference in the world.  I expected this to be more comedy than anything else, but I was surprised to find that there was more to it than a typical Steve Carell movie.  The storyline isn't anything sci-fi and there aren't any weird aliens or special effects.  It truly is about the journey of two people who are literally facing the final days of Earth.  There are definitely some funny moments, so it's good for the guys, but it's also touching, sad and sweet.  No matter what, it's refreshing to watch a movie about the end of days that doesn't involve the demolition of NYC or any other been there/done that stuff.

Bottom Line:  Try something different, and watch it!

A Haunted House

A Haunted House (R) 2013

Directed by Michael Tiddes

Starring:  Marlon Wayans, Essence Atkins, Cedric the Entertainer, Nick Swardson, David Koechner, Alanna Ubach, Dave Sheridan, Liana Mendoza, Affion Crockett and Jamie Noel

Here We Go:  A couple discovers that their home is possessed and they explore different ways to handle the problem, all while keeping a video diary.  From seeing previews, you might think that this movie is just a spoof, but there's more to it than that.  Some of the jokes are just goofy, but most of it is flat out funny.  I was cracking up!  Sometimes it's just good to sit back and watch something entertainingly mindless.  The cast is great and the acting is never treated like it's just for some goofball movie.  Cedric the Entertainer as the questionable, ex-con priest brought a whole new level of funny.  This is a comedy for the sake of being a comedy, so kick back and enjoy it.

Bottom Line:  Watch it!

The Guilt Trip

The Guilt Trip (PG-13) 2012

Directed by Anne Fletcher

Starring:  Barbra Streisand, Seth Rogen, Adam Scott, Colin Hanks, Kathy Najimy, Nora Dunn, Ari Graynor and Casey Wilson

Here We Go:   Andy (Rogen) decides to take his overbearing mother, Joyce (Streisand), on a road trip while he promotes a cleaner that he invented.  In theory, this movie is supposed to be funny, and some parts were (thank you, Seth Rogan), but good grief this woman is annoying.  Annoying to the point where I felt nothing but anxiety for the first half of the movie.  I couldn't understand why this grown man didn't just change his number, pack up and move to another country.  If you can get past the pure torture that is this mother, you'll find some really funny moments, but I'm not really sure if making it to those moments is worth it.  Here's an idea, pop a xanax before tuning in and then maybe you'll be able to avoid the urge to claw at your face while Joyce attempts to seep into her son's life like a virus.

Bottom Line:  Skip it and opt for running your nails on a chalkboard instead. 

That's What She Said

That's What She Said (R) 2012

Directed by Carrie Preston

Starring:  Anne Heche, Marcia DeBonis, Alia Shawkat, Miriam Shor, Mandy Siegfried, Kellie Overbey, Heather Lindell, Marylouise Burke, Kristine Nielsen, Kate Rigg, Nick Gregory and John G. Preston

Here We Go:  New York City women bond over their flaws and strengths.  This movie is a short 84 minutes, and it is nothing short of wacky from start to finish.  Although there are some parts that drag, a lot of the movie is odd enough to keep you going.  Heche's character is rudely dry and funny, which is a nice contrast to DeBonis, who is such a sappy do-gooder.  The closest that I can come to helping you understand this movie is to say that what Sex in the City is to the Upper East Side of Manhattan, That's What She Said is to The Village.  The humor is wacky, dry and raunchy, which isn't for everyone.  I will say that there were a few times that this movie caught me off guard and I laughed out loud.

Bottom Line:  Take it or leave it...but take it only if it's free.

Parental Guidance

Parental Guidance (PG) 2012

Directed by Andy Fickman

Starring:  Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott,Bailee Madison, Joshua Rush, Kyle Harrison Breitkopf, Jennifer Crystal Foley, Gedde Watanabe, Rhoda Griffis, Madison Lintz and Brad James

Here We Go:  Billy Crystal, Bette Midler and Marissa Tomei headline a talented cast that delivers a funny and entertaining movie.  Crystal and Midler are the grandparents that are called in to babysit their grandchildren at the last minute.  Their daughter (Tomei) has a decidedly "modern" parenting attitude and doesn't believe in the "old school" parenting style of her parents.  Of course, the styles clash and we watch the family learn (through various funny and sometimes dramatic scenes) that both styles of parenting can be effective.  This one won't win any Oscars and the plot is predictable but its a movie that is simply supposed to entertain and it does just that.  

Bottom Line:  Watch it.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG-13) 2011

Directed by John Madden

Starring:  Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Tom Wilkinson, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Dev Patel, Tena Desae and Sid Makkar

Here We Go:  Seniors decide to relocate to India to make the most of retirement.  They find that retirement doesn't mean an end, but rather the opportunity to  write new chapters in their lives.  This movie is full of quick English wit and endearing characters.  It was nice to see such a talented group come together in this ensemble cast to make such a smart, feel-good movie.  By the end, you feel that things have come full circle and that everything is as it should be.  With the overall messages being of new beginnings, risk taking, love, and learning (at any age), this movie is a pleasure to watch. 

Bottom Line:  Watch it!

Wanderlust

Wanderlust (R) 2012

Directed by David Wain

Starring:  Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux, Alan Alda, Malin Akerman, Ken Marino, Joe Lo Truglio, Kathryn Hahn, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Lauren Ambrose and Todd Barry

Here We Go:    A couple finds that a compound full of free-loving hippies may just suit them better than life in modern society.  Wanderlust is so ridiculously funny that there is hardly any downtime between laughs.  Each character is so strong in their own right and it's amusing to watch such different personalities interact.  For instance, how would you react if you needed some privacy in the restroom but people decided to just come on in to have a chat?  Also, it must be noted that Joe Lo Truglio as the nudist is just perfection!   If you want several good laughs (and why wouldn't you?) this is the movie for you.

Bottom Line:  Watch it!

Kinky Boots

Kinky Boots (PG-13) 2005

Directed by Julian Jarrold

Starring:  Joel Edgerton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sarah-Jane Potts, Nick Frost, Linda Bassett, Jemima Rooper, Robert Pugh, Ewan Hooper, Stephen Marcus and Mona Hammond

Here We Go:  A men's shoe factory in the UK isn't making enough to stay afloat, which leads the owner to make a daring decision: scrap traditional men's shoes and start making footwear for drag queens.  It was a cute movie and it was fun to watch some very straight laced characters, and those who aren't all too accepting of the new direction of the factory, slowly change their views.  The movie was less about drag and more about the people involved in the process of change in their lives, their work and their mindsets.  Overall, it was an entertaining movie that had a little bit of everything (including a few stage shows).

Bottom Line:  Watch it!

Identity Thief

Identity Thief (R) 2013

Directed by Seth Gordon

Starring:  Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy, Jon Favreau, Amanda Peet, Robert Patrick, John Cho, Genesis Rodriguez, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, Eric Stonestreet, Ben Falcone, Morris Chestnut, Clark Duke, T.I. and Steve Little

Here We Go:  McCarthy plays an identity thief who robs Sandy (Bateman) of his name and money.  As Sandy goes about tracking her down and bringing her back to clear his name, the two wind up on the run from others who are also after the thief.  The Curse of Too Much Hype plagued this movie.  Sure, it was funny, but I felt like most of the really funny parts were given away in the previews and the rest was just a bunch of fluff.  Bateman does what he does best and that's play the common sense, straight arrow, and McCarthy does what she does best, which is insert her own straight-faced funny remarks throughout the film.  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a terrible movie, but it didn't live up to its potential or the hype.  

Bottom Line:  Go ahead and check it out...but only if it's free.

Clifford

Clifford (PG) 1994

Directed by Paul Flaherty

Starring:  Martin Short, Charles Grodin, Mary Steenburgen, Dabney Coleman, Richard Kind, Jennifer Savidge, Brandis Kemp, Ben Savage and Don Galloway

Here We Go:  This is one of those movies that you either get it or you don't.  Clifford (Short) is an obnoxious little boy who teeters on psychotic.  The things that this boy puts his poor uncle (Grodin) through just for the sake of getting his own way is laugh-out-loud funny.  If an out of control, mischievousness, manipulative brat that terrorizes anyone who gets in his way (for 90 minutes) is something that might give you more anxiety than pleasure, you may want to skip this.  However,  consider that this isn't your child putting you through a special brand of hell.  It's a funny, funny movie, and Short pulls this role off with ease.

Bottom Line:  Watch it!

Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids (R) 2011

Directed by Paul Feig

Starring:  Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Chris O'Dowd, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Jon Hamm, Ben Falcone, Jill Clayburgh and Rebel Wilson

Here We Go:  Lifelong best friends hit a rough patch when one gets engaged and the other finds that her life is pretty much stagnant.  Fortunately for us, everything leading up to the big event is insanely funny.  These ladies OWNED this movie.  I can't say enough about the comedic talents cast for Bridesmaids, or just how right the writers got it.  There were a couple times that I literally laughed to tears!  From being unlucky-in-lust to being struck down by food poisoning during a bridal party fitting, Bridesmaids keeps the laughs coming.

Bottom Line:  Watch it.  Now.

A League of Their Own

A League of Their Own (PG) 1992

Directed by Penny Marshall

Starring:  Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty, Rosie O'Donnell, Jon Lovitz, David Strathairn, Garry Marshall, Bill Pullman, Megan Cavanagh, Tracy Reiner, Bitty Schram, Don S. Davis, Renee Coleman and Ann Cusack

Here We Go:  In telling the story of the All American Girl's Professional Baseball League, this movie really pulls the viewer in.  During a time when men were at war, business was struggling, and women were asked to take on different roles in society, it's interesting to see the perspectives of the characters in this film.  Madonna plays a dancer, Davis and Petty come from the farm, and many of the other female baseball players are housewives.  You get to see them all grow from those roles into strong, confident women who can really play ball.  Although there are some heavy and emotional moments, so much of the movie is light, funny and entertaining.  It's a Tom Hanks movie, so can you really go wrong?  

Bottom Line:  Watch it and then watch it again!

Magic Mike

Magic Mike (2012) R

Directed by Steven Soderbergh

Starring:  Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey, Cody Horn, Olivia Munn, Matt Bomer, Riley Keough, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez, Gabriel Iglesias, James Martin Kelly and Caitlin Gerard

Here We Go:  Are the men in this movie hot?  Absolutely.  Will any man watching this with their woman benefit from the aftershock of this movie?  More than likely.  Because this movie is strictly about eye candy.  If you're watching this movie for any other reason, you're either crazy or...nope, you're just crazy.  At the end of the day, Magic Mike is about aging male strippers who live like teenagers.  It's just kind of a sad picture of a group of immature degenerates.  Then the dancing starts again, a fireman takes the stage and all is well again.

Bottom Line:  Watch it, fast forward, watch the dancing, fast forward, watch more dancing....  The end.

Rat Race

Rat Race (2001) PG-13

Directed by Jerry Zucker

Starring:  John Cleese, Rowan Atkinson, Whoopi Goldberg, Cuba Gooding Jr., Seth Green, Jon Lovitz, Breckin Meyer, Amy Smart, Kathy Najimy, and Dean Cain

Here We Go:  A group of people are selected by a wacky rich guy to race each other from Vegas to a train station in New Mexico, and whoever gets there first gets $2 million.  The obstacles that these characters encounter along their way are hysterical.  This movie has everything from Lucille Ball impersonators to a Jewish family riding around in Hitler's car.  Sure, some of the comedy bits are absurd and cheeky, but sometimes it's that light, comedic absurdity that really triggers the funny bone.  Jon Lovitz couldn't have done more to make me laugh - his facial expressions alone are classic.  If you're looking for an easy and light movie that offers plenty of laughs, this is the movie.

Bottom Line:  Watch it!  It's just plain funny.

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve (2011) PG-13

Directed by Garry Marshall

Starring:  Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Héctor Elizondo, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Ludacris, Seth Meyers, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, Hilary Swank, Sofía Vergara

Here We Go:  Yes!  New Year's Eve is funny, sweet, sad, charming, romantic, frustrating, endearing, fun... and the list goes on.  It's a really great movie that seems to have bipolar tendencies on paper, but it's truly good!  I was especially fond of Michelle Pfeifer and Zac Efron's story line with Hillary Swank's story coming in as a close second.  Every character is connected in some way, and it's cool to watch things unfold to see how they know each other.  Since there are so many solid stories going on in 117 minutes, the movie never drags and the transitions between stories flow well.  Importantly, the movie ends with closure, and you'll be left happily satisfied.

Bottom Line:  Just go watch it already!

One for the Money

One for the Money (2012)  PG-13

Directed by Julie Anne Robinson

Starring:  Katherine Heigl, Jason O'Mara, Daniel Sunjata, John Leguizamo, Sherri Shepherd, and Debbie Reynolds

Here We Go:  At first I was thinking Katherine Heigl just highjacked the plot from The Bounty Hunter, but this movie was a pleasant surprise - even though it wasn't drop down hysterical.  Nothing terribly original in the story, but Heigl's down-and-out character is likable and entertaining.  The ladies will probably be wondering throughout whether she will end up with Jason O'Mara or Daniel Sunjata, but I won't ruin that one for you.  It was a little odd that Sunjata kept getting mystery calls to run away after helping Heigl.  At first I thought this was on purpose and that the mystery calls would go somewhere but, alas, it was just a way to get him out of the scene.  The film's main protagonist, Gavin-Keith Umeh, is a murderous rapist that says maybe 15 words through the whole movie.  Could have used some more development on him but this was a comedy aside from being the main bad guy, he really didn't have a role.  

Bottom Line:  Probably not worth spending any money on (hence its bombing at the box office) but worth renting for 90 minutes of entertainment.