It’s hard to fit in. You would think that as a pint-sized alien with a very adult sensibility it shouldn’t be so hard, right? Well, that’s obviously not the case if you like eating raw birds, or showing your junk to a couple of Brits in a Winnebago. And what about that misfit guy who gets the gift of a lifetime and is now suave all of a sudden? Has he ever heard of “Never making a deal with the devil?” I would think that’s part of taking the “I’m now awesome” drug 101. And well, no one ever likes lawyers. Those guys are just jackals in loafers. But hardest of them all is fitting into high school. That’s the worst. Well especially if you look like a young Jeff Spicoli. That’s just gotta be extra hard.
Let’s see how they all make it work.
Paul:
So far the reviews aren’t in the toilet! Success. Well, at least if you’re Seth Rogen.
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) reunite for the comedy adventure Paul as two sci-fi geeks whose pilgrimage takes them to America’s UFO heartland. While there, they accidentally meet an alien [Seth Rogen] who brings them on an insane road trip that alters their universe forever.
What you can expect: More aliens. EVER MOAR! Well, okay. Obviously our fascination with space and the naked men that live there hasn’t abated. No matter how many times we see aliens we always find them to be interesting, I guess. But now this one tells jokes! Seth Rogen will be witty in an off-color way. He’ll say some crass things, and there may be some significant toilet humor. This is Seth Rogen we’re talking about. Some guest appearances by the likes of Jason Bateman, Kristin Wiig, and Bill Hader in addition to Peg and Frost will keep the funny going. We suspect there will be a few heartwarming moments here. Not E.T. heartwarming but enough for the viewer to say, “Aw.” And that may be enough.
What could annoy: It’s another alien movie. With two alien movies opening back-to-back, moviegoers may have to choose, and it’s possible that Big, Bang, Boom, will still win out over small duck out of water alien story. And well, Seth Rogen. Not everyone finds his sloppy-guy humor funny. It’s like the second generation of Adam Sandler, and that dude’s movies are pretty unwatchable. Here’s hoping Seth keeps it all in the safe zone and leaves more of the silly, less urbane comedy to the Sandler and James duo. We have a feeling Wiig, Hader, and Bateman will be natural scene stealers. Let’s hope they use their talents in the best way possible.
Limitless:
Well apparently there are limits, and these hover somewhere around mediocre.
Aspiring author Eddie Morra (Cooper) is suffering from chronic writer’s block, but his life changes instantly when an old friend introduces him to NZT, a revolutionary new pharmaceutical that allows him to tap his full potential. With every synapse crackling, Eddie can recall everything he has ever read, seen or heard, learn any language in a day, comprehend complex equations and beguile anyone he meets as long as he keeps taking the untested drug.
What you can expect: Much, much posturing by Bradley Cooper. A frenzied roller coaster of a ride that changes aesthetically based upon which state Cooper’s character is in. DeNiro will attempt to give the suspense thriller its gravitas, and Abby Cornish its heart, but it really is all Cooper’s show. From the slick and flashy to the downtrodden and morose, it will be up to Cooper to convey exactly what the character is thinking and feeling as the levels go from mid-range to heightened and then crashing back down to reality.
What could annoy: There may be too much suspension of belief involved, and Cooper’s character may be too slick and stylized to work on a few levels. It’s possible the notion of using drugs in such a carefree manner could feel a bit irresponsible. In addition, where the movie could have more of an impact, and really dig a bit deeper into the aspects of the drug, it’s possible the movie glosses over those parts and uses Cooper’s penchant for comedy to carry the moment.
The Lincoln Lawyer
Hey McConaughey may have a bit of a hit on his hands! Who knew? Well, that’s a reason to wear a shirt, right?
Mickey Haller (Matthew McConaughey) is a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who operates out of the back of his Lincoln sedan. Haller has spent most of his career defending garden-variety criminals, until he lands the case of his career: defending Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe), a Beverly Hills playboy accused of rape and attempted murder. But the seemingly straightforward case suddenly develops into a deadly game of survival for Haller. Based on the best-selling novel by Michael Connelly.
What you can expect: Richard Roeper says that it’s a “return to classic court room drama“. Wow, when was the last time we’ve seen that outside of NBC’s cancelled Law & Order series? Surely not in a film in a long time. Viewers may recall that when McConaughey was at his best, before all the romantic comedies wherein he played the same swaggering southern cad, he blew audiences away as the passionate lawyer in A Time to Kill. If he’s bringing half the talent he displayed then to this offering now, than that’s a formula for success.
What could annoy: The screen adaptation of Michael Connelly’s legal thriller could be a big bite for the movie to chew. There may be a few formulaic plot points and a slight level of predictability that could belie the efforts of Matthew McConaughey’s work, but that isn’t the large consensus. So far the critics are lauding the efforts of a chest-covered McConaughey, but very little at this point has been stated about the acting of Cruel Intentions star Ryan PhilliPeePee. The double Pee is obviously trying to jumpstart his flagging career, and the coupling with McConaughey could help with that…that is if moviegoers can overlook all the duds McConaughey has put out lately and go see this film.
Indie Pick of the Week
Win Win:
The reviews so far are pretty awesome.
Struggling attorney Mike Flaherty, who volunteers as a high-school wrestling coach, takes on the guardianship of an elderly client in a desperate attempt to keep his practice afloat. When the client’s teenage grandson runs away from home and shows up on his grandfather’s doorstep, Mike’s life is turned upside down as his win-win proposition turns into something much more complicated than he ever bargained for.
What you can expect: An emotional journey, and a good story to boot. Seems to be a quiet unobtrusive movie, but buoyed by heart and a wealth of compassion. There are comedic moments that roll off the tongue of Paul Giamatti with ease. He can play the loveable schlubby guy like no one else in Hollywood. Newcomer Alex Shaffer appears to do more than hold his own. He approaches the role with the same vigor as he does wrestling, with zeal and focus. Amy Ryan is always fantastic, and looks to do more of that here. All in all, a great showing by everyone involved.
What could annoy: Watch the trailer. If that doesn’t pull at your heartstrings, you were made in Steve Jobs’ laboratory.
