MOVIE REVIEWS: DUE DATE

IN THEATERS

DUE DATE



Director Todd Phillips re-teams with his break-out Hangover star Zach Galifianakis for this road movie concerning a soon-to-be father (played by Robert Downey Jr.) and his cross-country trip to make it back in time for his baby's birth -- with the only roadblock being the dubious passenger (Galifianakis) who's along for the ride. Michelle Monaghan and Jamie Foxx co-star in the Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures production. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Todd Phillips

Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, RZA.

Release Date: Nov 05, 2010

Rated: Language, drug use and sexual content

Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min.

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Todd Phillips has made this type of film various times throughout his career; he has an almost unhealthy obsession with road trips and odd ball characters. Here Phillips throws together as many odd couple traveling clichés possible and contrived situations to make a plot. It’s barely a plot but it’s enough to give Galifianakis and Downey Jr. a showcase. Galifianaskis is in full man child mode, pretty much playing an even stranger version of his Hangover character. He gives his character enough heart to make a slightly different animal from that other role. Robert Downey Jr. delivers a strong performance as well, he’s like a tightly wound ball of rage and mania ready to burst at any point. He and Galifianakis have solid chemistry together and they are best thing about this entire film. Sadly, its strength is limited to these two and when the script tries shoe horn some sentiment or contrived connection it just rings incredibly false and hollow. These moments drag the film down and make it feel a lot longer than it actually is. Jamie Foxx walks through a few scenes and Michelle Monaghan is given less to do than Juliet Lewis and Danny McBride who both have memorable cameos. Due Date is a generally funny movie that feels like fast food and has as much nutritional value.

C+

Movie Reviews: SHERLOCK HOLMES

Friday, December 25, 2009
Movie Reviews: SHERLOCK HOLMES
IN THEATERS

SHERLOCK HOLMES

In a dynamic new portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous characters, Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson embark on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes battles as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.

Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly

Opened ..December 25, 2009..

Runtime: 2 hr. 14 min

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material.

Director: Guy Ritchie

Genres: Detective Film, Action, Mystery

Review:

Outside of general knowledge and a few episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, yes I’m that nerdy, I have no real knowledge of Sherlock Holmes or any connection to his literary incarnation. As a result, I was a blank slate for Guy Ritchie’s re-imagining of this iconic character and was met with mixed returns. Ritchie’s style and eye work just fine to give this version a visceral hook and freshness lacking form previous versions. He moves the film along at a brisk pace even if some portions feel like they could have been left on the cutting room floor. His biggest advantage is showcasing Downey and Law’s palatable on screen chemistry as Holmes and Watson. The two play off each other incredibly well and give the audience a real sense of their camaraderie. Downey, with an excellent British accent that borders on unintelligible at times, brings a fun bit of manic energy mixed with eccentricity all the while maintaining Holmes’s keen power of detection. He’s like an 18th century Batman sans the mask. Law’s work as Watson is a nice updated and he gives the character depth that isn’t written into the script. Eddie Marsan does strong work in a small role as Inspector Lestrade. Not faring nearly as well is Rachel McAdams and Mark Strong. McAdam’s feels miscast and her character isn’t really much use to the overall story aside from a movie long set up for a possible sequel. The script doesn’t do her character any favors; instead the romantic relationship feels forced and unconvincing. Mark Strong’s role suffers a similar fate as he isn’t required to do much except look villainous and utter dialogue in a monotone voice. Both roles are examples of the main issue with this film in general. The script is convoluted mess, the crux of the main mystery is something about a Masonic like group mixed with supernatural elements, and it’s not nearly as engrossing as it should be for its sometime laborious 2 hours plus runtime. The finale feels hallow as it seems more interested in setting up the sequel than wrapping up this film’s plot points. Even with these issues it’s a fun film that is saved by Downey and Law’s strong work.

C+

Movie Reviews: EXTRACT

Sunday, September 06, 2009
Movie Reviews: EXTRACT
IN THEATERS

EXTRACT

Joel, played by Jason Bateman ("Juno," "Arrested Development"), is one step away from selling his flavor extract factory and retiring to easy street when a freak workplace accident sets in motion a series of disasters that puts his business and personal life in jeopardy.

Cast: Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, Ben Affleck, Kristen Wiig, Clifton Collins, Jr., J.K. Simmons

Director: Mike Judge

Opened September 4, 2009..

Runtime: 1 hr. 30 min.

Rated R for language, sexual references and some drug use

Genres: Comedy, Workplace Comedy


Review:




Mike Judge’s 3rd film is an effective but unfocused effort that delivers plenty of laughs yet it leaves you feeling there could have been more. Judge returns to the mundane drudgery of the work place, which he wonderfully skewered in cult favorite Office Space, taking the management perspective this go around. His script is peppered with plenty of funny insights into America’s upper middle class making the laughs feel authentic and never contrived. Judge has always shown great talent as a writer as anyone who’s watched his terribly underrated King of the Hill and his criminally overlooked satire Idiocracy. His talent as a director isn’t quite as strong. His films have always had an unfocused meandering feel and Extract is no different. His direction makes you feel like you’re wandering through the story making you wonder where the story is going. It creates an odd feel for the film that makes it feel longer than its actual runtime. It’s not a fatal detriment mainly because Judge populates his film with fun characters played by an incredibly capable comedic cast. Jason Bateman plays his role perfectly and anyone who’s watched Arrested Development knows what to expect. He’s perfected his straight man routine and this role is tailor made for him. Ben Affleck as Joel’s best friend is great fun and he really seems to enjoy himself in this role. Affleck and Bateman’s interactions are some of the movies high points punctuated with a bong hit for the ages. The remaining cast members shine but not as much as they should considering the talent assembled. Kristin Wiig and Mila Kunis respective roles feel underwritten and don’t really give either actress a chance to shine. JK Simmons and David Koechner are giving running gags that are hit or miss in terms of effectiveness. Once the slightly abrupt finale hits you can help but feel charmed by Judge’s type of humor but it does feel like he could have hit a real homerun if he’d used his cast to its fullest potential.




C+