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!

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!

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.

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.