Cindy Prascik's Review of The Inbetweeners 2

Dearest Blog: Seldom would I bother reviewing a film that was released almost a year and a half ago, but I've only just managed to catch up with the Inbetweeners 2, and it's definitely worth a mention. Not sure a spoiler warning is in order at this point, but if you haven't seen it yet, I shan't ruin it for you. 

 

With Will and Simon off at separate universities, and Neil and Jay in the midst of other pursuits, the boys reunite for a holiday Down Under. The Inbetweeners 2 makes no attempt to reinvent the wheel. Just like the TV series and its previous big-screen endeavor, it's rude, vulgar, gross, and often uncomfortable, yet somehow it still has great heart. 

 

The four young stars--Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, Blake Harrison, and James Buckley--are such a fantastic ensemble that I only hope they'll continue to work together in the future, be it on more Inbetweeners projects or something else...anything else! The movie's "plot" is mostly just another series of misadventures, but by no means is that a negative; on the contrary, I didn't laugh out loud half as much at any other comedy I saw this year. 

 

The Inbetweeners 2 clocks in at 96 minutes. If you purchase the DVD, there are loads of extra features, including cast and directors' commentary, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, and a gag reel. 

 

Far as I can find, the movie has not been rated by the MPAA, but there are enough F-bombs and other mature content for me to judge it "not for the kiddies." So...as it happens, my favorite comedy of 2015 is actually from 2014. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Inbetweeners 2 gets eight. Until next time... 

 

 

MOVIE REVIEW: DADDY’S HOME

A mild-mannered radio executive strives to become the best stepfather to his wife's two children, but complications ensue when their freewheeling biological father arrives, forcing him to compete for the affection of the children.

Director: Sean Anders

Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, Thomas Haden Church, Hannibal Buress

Release Date: Dec 25, 2015

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, crude and suggestive content, and for language

Runtime: 1 hr. 36 min.

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Daddy’s Home is a comedy that keeps you entertained enough to give it some time to find its footing.  Unfortunately it’ never really does.  It’s funny in parts and on rare occasions laugh out funny but it never does either consistently.  It’s a shame considering the strong comedic chemistry Ferrell and Wahlberg share on screen.  They are both game to roll with the punches but the film’s script and direction prefers to play it safe for the better part of the film.  As such, most of the plot plays out in a predictable manner with some bright spots here and there such as Thomas Haden Church and Hannibal Buress adding a bit of life to the proceedings.  Sadly it starts to drag towards the end, feeling much longer than its sparse runtime, never a good sign for a comedy. 

C

MOVIE REVIEW: SISTERS

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reunite for "Sisters," a new film from "Pitch Perfect" director Jason Moore about two disconnected sisters summoned home to clean out their childhood bedroom before their parents sell the family house. Looking to recapture their glory days, they throw one final high-school-style party for their classmates, which turns into the cathartic rager that a bunch of ground-down adults really need. Fey produces the comedy alongside Jay Roach ("Meet the Parents" series), and Poehler executive produces from a script by Paula Pell (TV’s "Saturday Night Live," "30 Rock").

Director: Jason Moore

Cast: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Ike Barinholtz, John Leguizamo

Release Date: Dec 18, 2015

Rated R for crude Sexual Content and Language Throughout, and For Drug Use.

Runtime: 1 hr. 58 min.

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Sisters lives and dies by the chemistry of its two leads.  Tina Fey and Amy Poehler take a recycled plot and keep it engaging enough to make it watchable and fairly enjoyable.  The comedy is fairly broad and leans more on the vulgar side especially coming from these two.  The film moves along at a steady pace with a sharp script keeping the whole thing from falling into too many dead zones, even though there are a few here and there.  When the film works it really work, resulting in some seriously laugh out loud moments.  Even when it’s not landing the way it should its likable enough because of the leads.  Tina Fey plays against type and does surprisingly well.  Poehler is a bit more predictable with her character coming off as a variation of Leslie Knope.  The supporting cast is a whose who of SNL cast mates with Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, and Bobby Moynihan leaving the best impressions.  Sisters isn’t a classic but it’s strong enough to have you leaving the theater grinning especially if your fans of the films two stars.

B

Cindy Prascik's Review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Dearest Blog: yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas to see--you guessed it!--Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. 

 

In a post-Empire galaxy far, far away, the resistance fights the tyrannical rule of the First Order. Dear Reader(s): Is there anything quite so magical as being in a dark theatre when that crawl starts and the iconic Star Wars theme kicks on? 

 

I think not. Fortunately, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is extraordinary from the theme's opening note to the end credits' final line. The Force Awakens is littered with enough nostalgia to keep the die-hards happy, but it's far from just a stroll down memory lane. 

 

The new story and new characters fit the universe with nary a hiccup, well crafted enough to stand on their own without upsetting the whole galactic applecart. New leads Daisy Ridley and John Boyega (Attack the Block...YEAH!) are so terrific the naysayers will be forced to come 'round, if they haven't already, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a little teary through the biggest smiles ever when my old favorites appeared. 

 

The Force Awakens has terrific effects that seem to come right off the screen, even in 2D, and it goes without saying the score is majestic. 

 

The movie's a hair on the long side, but that's a minor quibble with a picture that manages to please old and new fans alike, garner nearly universal support for a very polarizing director, and effectively redefine Hollywood's definition of "blockbuster." Star Wars: The Force Awakens runs 135 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sci-fi action violence." 

 

That rare item that lives up to the hype, of a possible nine Weasleys, Star Wars: The Force Awakens gets eight and a half. (Small bonus for having an actual Weasley in the cast!) Also, I want a BB-8!! 

 

Until next time...