22 Jump Street (2014)

Let's be clear.  22 Jump Street is a sequel.  With that in mind, the second pairing of Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill will entertain.  Returning as cops Jenko (Tatum) and Schmidt (Hill), the duo join the 22 Jump Street squad and head undercover, this time, as college students.  Add the returning foul-mouthed Ice Cube as Captain Dickson and a cameo by every one's favorite man's man, Nick Offerman and you have a comedy this is too smart for it's own good.

The movie runs a little long milking the audience for laughs, but it's funny enough that you won't mind a bit.  Peter Stormaire is under-utilized; but with the proven duo of Tatum-Hill, it's just fun to watch them play off of each other.  As expected, the two have grown up and go their separate ways as married couples do.  When the movie separates them, the viewer is sad and their world darkens much like Jenko and Schmidt's.  The movie is at it's finest when they are onscreen.

As I see it, you won't find anything remotely Oscar worthy here.  Who cares?!  Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller don't take their movie too seriously and neither should you.  Grab a beer and enjoy!  Then stick around to see Seth Rogan.

Quartet (2012)

Residents of a Beecham House, a home for retired musicians, plan their performances for their annual celebration of Verdi's birthday.  A trio of retired opera singers (Billy Connelly, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins) conspire to get their estranged fourth member (Maggie Smith) to join them. 

Quartet is an exquisitely nuanced drama directed by Dustin Hoffman.  Hoffman leads the remarkable aforementioned cast plus Michael Gambon, Sheridan Smith and Andrew Sachs through a screenplay that is intelligent and respectful without being spiteful or contrite.  Connelly's Wilf keeps the film from being too serious.  Although the film drags in the middle while we work through some history between our characters, the film's climax is beautifully done and takes on added weight as the viewer will discover when the final credits roll  photos of each of the supporting cast members of retired musicians is shown beside a picture of them during their performing careers.  Needless to say, the score here is beautiful.  The production is set in the English countryside with the prerequisite window dressing.

As I see it, old age is fact.  But as Quartet so eloquently reminds us, old age is just like anything else.  It's what you make of it.  Excellent drama for young and old.  Fans of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) will certainly enjoy.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Regardless of what the critics or my fellow-movie goes say, I won't see a better film this summer.  Sure, there are other great films out this season, but Moonrise Kingdom with Wes Anderson's delightful story-telling, superb dialogue, and thoughtful soundtrack will rein.  Now that you know I love the film, allow me to tell you why.

It's a story made for summer.  Adventure, camp, benign youthful wanderlust... whatever you call it, the young Suzy (Kara Hayward) and Sam (Jared Gilman) fall in love and plot to run off together forever is the epitome of youthful dreams.  It's the local townspeople who besmirch the innocent relationship that is not entered into lightly by our two protagonists.

The cast imbues a lovely reticent tone. Anderson's muses... Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman are flanked by Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Bruce Willis--who takes a lovely understated tone as Captain Sharp.  And finally!!  Someone understands the greatness that is Edward Norton.  Anderson does not bother with unneeded character development.  The adults are merely flawed adults who impose their own misgivings onto the children in their care.

Anderson's humor has not dulled.  With delightful names like Lazy Eye, Nickleby, Skotak and Gadge, Anderson's characters provide understated laughter and sweetness without the cloying sentimentality. Children are mean, so Anderson's streak of viciousness and black humor are present without being gratuitous.

From the opening frames to the closing credits, charm seeps out of every detail.  The illustrated book covers, the Khaki Scouts uniforms... stylistically speaking, Anderson have created an alternate universe in 1965 that maintains the nostalgia and embraces the sadness of reality.

And finally, the musicality of the soundtrack is quintessentially Anderson's.  Who else would have the guts to pair Hank Williams with Schubert and Mozart?

As I see it, Moonrise Kingdom is for the child in all of us.  The one we so neatly tuck way as we age.  The one that slowly dies as we spend out days in a cubicle.  The one who remembers when all you needed was a compass and a coonskin cap for life's grand adventures.

Rock of Ages (2012)

Rock of Ages is a train wreck--an incredibly cheesy, super corny and undeniably entertaining train wreck.  What else would you expect from director Adam Shankman?!  In a movie that pulls the greatest tunes from Journey, Def Leppard, Twisted Sister, Foreigner, Joan Jett, Poison, Bon Jovi and Night Ranger and proceeds to whirl them around an ensemble cast of odd-balls, you won't get an Oscar nominee.  What you do get is a hot damn mess.

Centered around a love story between Julianne Hough and some dude, it's the musicality of the film that's worth a watch... and the corny delivery from the likes of Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin, Paul Giamatti, and Tom Cruise.  I was a little worried when Julianne Hough (of Dancing with the Stars fame) tries to belt Sister Christian, but if you embrace the film for it's hedonistic ways and satirical smarts--you are guaranteed a good time.

Mad props to Tom Cruise who plays Stacee Jaxx (part Brett Michaels, part Buddhist monk) with conviction.  Staring into the blue soulless eyes, you can feel the pain of Cruise/Jaxx.  This viewer cringed (and secretly wondered) if Cruise was crying out for help when as Jaxx, Cruise answers the Rolling Stone reporter 'I know me better than anyone... because I live in here... and nobody else can.'

Cringe-worthy moments include just about every scene with Julianne Hough and the Baldwin/Brand rendition of 'I Can't Fight this Feeling Anymore'.  Mary J. Blige adds class.  Constantine Maroulis detracts.  Brian Cranston, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Paul Giamatti are well...so brave, so awesome.

As I see it, Rock of Ages is ballsy, walking the line between the glorious excess of rock and roll and nut shots to pop-culture as we've come to know it.  The film revels it it's self awareness and for that reason--much like its many predecessors--Hairspray, Saturday Night Fever, Spinal Tap, Grease--Rock of Ages is a glorious success.

The Ladykillers (2004)

This is the Coen brothers trying too hard: a great cast has been overwrought in this witless farce of crude jokes, bad accents and stereotypes. 

See the 1955 original starring Sir Alec Guiness and Peter Sellers if you prefer your comedy quirky, but smart.

Red (2010)

An altogether entertaining movie that pokes fun at itself and others. The wizened cast includes Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, and Brian Cox as an ensemble of retired CIA operatives. When a hit is taken out on Frank Moses (Willis), he goes on the run to save his own life and that of his former team who have been classified as Retired and Extremely Dangerous.

The success of Red is in the fact the film doesn’t take itself too seriously. Willis and Co. executes a pitch perfect blend of sarcasm and humor in this shark-jumping action comedy. The cast is obviously having fun, enjoying one another’s company. Fortunately, the viewer gets to ride along. Willis is essentially playing himself, swagger and wit-filled. John Malkovich gets a great turn as the mad conspiracy theorist of the group. Helen Mirren is a great surprise and tempers the comedy with class. Also along are Ernest Borgnine and Karl Urban. (Why did his star quit shining?)

As I see it, Red is not Oscar winning material. The plot is perfectly predictable, but it doesn’t matter. Red is too good of a good time for anyone to care.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World (2010)

Slacker and aspiring rocker Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) falls in love with an Amazon.com delivery girl named Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). To win her love, he is unwittingly committed to defeating her seven evil exes in the Mortal Kombat-esque battles.

Although I’m unfamiliar with the source material of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is doesn’t keep me from enjoying this strange little film. Hyper-kinetic, viscerally engaging, the film feels like (not speaking from experience here) like a crack addiction.

The action herein is tongue-in-cheek, steeped in pop culture, and just cool. It’s as if you and Edgar Wright have an inside joke. For those remotely interested in video games (like myself), it’s fun. For those epic gamers, I imagine there’s a whole other layer for you.

Director Edgar Wright—who hasn’t made a bad movie yet—channels Cera’s laid back demeanor and uses it alongside a great supporting cast that includes Kerian Culkin as a snarky gay roommate, Brandon Routh and Chris Evans evil-exes, Allison Pill as a bandmate and an unexpected Jason Schwartzman to create a smart romantic comedy for a younger generation. It’s like You’ve Got Mail for Generation Y.

As I see it, Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World is self-aware without being obnoxious. It’s witty and and stylized and quite possibly Michael Cera’s best to date.

Cemetery Junction (2010)

This 1970s coming of age story set in an English suburb has a trio of friends struggling to break free of their middle class backgrounds.  This labor of love from writer/directors Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant was just a labor for me.

Going the Distance (2010)

Just over relationships, Erin (Drew Barrymore) and Garrett (Justin Long) hook up thanks to a mutual interest in Centipede. As the summer comes to an end, so must their fling. Erin, heading back to San Francisco to finish school, leaves Garrett behind in New York. Traveling between coasts, awkward family introductions, and miscommunications are just some of the challenges that the couple must navigate to keep their relationship alive.

Beneath the film's raunchy covering is a funny look at long distance relationships.  The chemistry between Barrymore and Long is undeniable. Just as in Fever Pitch the duo is quirky cute here. The supporting cast of Christina Applegate, Jim Gaffigan, Jason Sudekis, and Ron Livingston add another level of funny. The dialogue is shallow, but quick.

As I see it, Going the Distance is a straightforward rom-com. It’s a fresh take on the original formula that guys and gals will both appreciate.

Knight and Day (2010)

On a plane flight back to prepare for her sister’s wedding June (Cameron Diaz) meets the mysterious Roy (Tom Cruise). The plane isn’t off the ground before June is dragged into a crazed adventure involving thrilling car chases, dangerous gunfights, and intense confrontations. One drugged moment after another and June isn’t sure which way is up on this campaign to stay alive. Who is Roy Miller? We all want to know.

This far-fetched action comedy from director James Mongold is as mess-terpiece. With plot holes large enough for Tom Cruise’s ego, Knight and Day is just awful. It’s ‘wham-bam-thank you, mamam’ on steroids. Also along for the ride are Peter Sarsgaard, Paul Dano, Viola Davis and Maggie Grace. All these beautiful people and locations are just mucked up with useless unfunny dialogue and mindless action. The film is poorly edited to boot.  One chopped scene after another with no continuity, just one flashy grin after another.

As I see it, Knight and Day is pure popcorn entertainment—burnt. Too frantic, too flashy, too choppy. Who is Roy Miller? Trust me, you don’t care.

Valentine's Day (2010)

Relationships are difficult; even more so on Valentine's Day as we see in this trite romantic comedy from director Gary Marshall.

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)

With a sold cast including George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Robert Patrick, Steven Root and Keven Spacey, why did this movie turn out so crappy?

Greenberg (2009)

Ben Stiller stars as a self-absorbed 40-something who won't play the cards life has dealt.

Cold Souls (2008)

Paul Giamatti stars as himself—as an actor who is so overwhelmed by anxiety—he has his soul removed and placed into cold storage. Then is gets lost.  So Paul has some serious soul-searching to do.  Literally.

This existential dark comedy is heavy on irony. You’re either going to like this movie and appreciate Paul’s execution. Or you are going to hate it—just like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. You know who you are.

As I see it, Cold Souls lacked the whimsy and emotion of Eternal Sunshine.  Giamatti is good here, but just not interesting enough for me.

Mike Birbiglia: What I Should Have Said was Nothing: Tales from My Secret Public Journal (2008)

I discovered Mike Birbiglia after hearing an interview by Terry Gross on Fresh Air to promote his new book Sleepwalk with Me.  Intrigued enough by his book, I queued this Comedy Central special.  Although this set is likely old news to most; for me, this set is freshly hysterical without the seemingly required foul language.  His approach to comedy is endearing without being obnoxious.

MacGruber (2010)

I don’t know what I was expecting from the SNL sketch turned feature film—but it had Val Kilmer in it. Surely, he wouldn’t attach his name to a dud. I was wrong—so very wrong.

MacGruber (Will Forte) is an inept and accident-prone special ops agent called back into action to eliminate arch-nemesis and former college buddy, Dieter Von Cunth (Val Kilmer). Also enlisted in this crude charade: Kristen Wiig, Ryan Phillippe, and Powers Booth.

As I see it, MacGruber is all shades of wrong. It’s unfunny and uninspired. It’s a never-ending stream of f-bombs, elementary dialogue, and gay sex jokes. Yeah…that’s real original.

The Trouble with Harry (1955)

The trouble with Harry is he’s dead and nobody in the small town knows what to do with his body. Capt. Wiles (Edmund Gwenn) thinks he killed him while out shooting rabbits. Miss Gravely (Mildred Natwick) knows she did it, but Harry shouldn’t have grabbed her. Jennifer Rogers (Shirley MacLaine) thinks she did it and Sam Marlowe (John Forsythe) didn’t but wishes he did.

This macabre murder mystery comes from director Alfred Hitchcock. Making The Trouble with Harry worth the trouble, is the gallows humor and the ‘will they or won’t they’ suspense from the ensemble cast. Poor Harry is buried and dug up over the course of a day in this nice little tourist town.

The production is, of course, top-notch. Hitchcock’s direction is unparalleled. He frames Harry’s death with autumn in Vermont making quite the juxtaposition. The Technicolor is brilliant making the scene oddly morbid. Unexpected shots, gory details and comedic timing to die for enhance superb performances by John Forsythe and Edmund Gwen.

As I see it, The Trouble with Harry is a clever unstated comedy—sadly, it’s probably lost on modern film fans. That’s too bad, because this is one of Hitchcock’s most twisted.

Old School (2003)

I'm wishing for 90 minutes of my life back right now.

Up in the Air (2009)

Writer/director Jason Reitman’s Up in the Air is a nice movie; too bad it’s boring. And that’s a shame. There’s a great cast led by George Clooney with some obscure favorites like Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jason Bateman, Danny McBride and my new, new favorite: Zach Galifianakis. But this movie felt as cold as the airport terminals it was filmed in. No chemistry, no inspiration, no anything.

I miss the wit and humor of Reitman’s earliest work, Thank You for Not Smoking. Just like Juno, the charm of Up in the Air is lost on me.

The Other Guys (2010)

Terry ‘The Yankee Clipper’ Hoitz (Mark Walberg) and Allen ‘Paper B!tch’ Gamble (Will Ferrell) play third fiddle to fellow NYC cops and heroes Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson) and Danson (Dwayne Johnson). When the dynamic duo of H&D meets their unlikely demise, the desk jockeys finally get their chance.

And that, dear readers, is all you’re going to get. Suffice to say the pithy dialogue, voice-over by actor/rapper/bad-a$$ Ice-T and brilliant casting that includes smoking-hot Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, and Ray Stevenson and with cameos by Brooke Shields and Spike Lee create a summer-must see.

A surprisingly relevant, socio-economic commentary—only if you want to look closely—The Other Guys is a finely executed action-packed comedy. The film’s success is in its delivery. The onscreen chemistry between Ferrell and Walberg is top-notch. With both playing straight, the film contains less sight gags than you’ve come to expect from McKay’s productions. The cop clichés don’t hinder the film. Ferrell and Co. use 'em and blow 'em away.

As I see it, The Other Guys is smart rapid-fire comedy. Every element is on par delivering another level of hilariousness. The soundtrack is incredible. Ultimately, it’s the pairing of Ferrell and Walberg that makes it work.