Okay. So now that you know touching the “butter button” is a sin against nature, you’re still going to brave the movie theater, because really where else are you going to see awesome movie trailers with a bunch of people totally ready to oohhh, ahhh, or sneer uncontrollably at Kevin James dressed as Monica DelMonico from Soapdish? It’s the movies or standing in line at the Olive Garden with Aunt Matilda after her trip to the podiatrist. Kevin James in drag it is!
Now then, what looks good this week.
Rango:
This thing is getting rave reviews so far!
When Rango (Johnny Depp), a household pet chameleon sets out on a journey of self-discovery, he accidentally stumbles upon the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West. Coincidentally, the town is in need of a new sheriff, and Rango is just the man for the job.
What you can expect: Johnny Depp in full Pirates of the Caribbean cheekiness, but with some clever adult humor thrown in. Kids may not get all the jokes, but of course there are enough hijinks and antics that mostly they’ll love whatever is on the screen. Adults may find themselves laughing along with most everything, and Depp is pretty good at playing a caricature, so that goes a long way for an animated movie.
What could annoy: Johnny Depp. He’s great at what he does, but it’s possible that he’s becoming a one-note, and while it may work for an animated feature, the shtick could wear out its welcome. We’d mostly like to see him get away from such constant farciful fare. Also, bugs and geckos and things. Some people find them kind of icky…well, if they’re not Australian and starring in Geico commercials. This doesn’t look like a movie for the cuddly animated bunneh and kitteh group. I expect these crawly doodads to have plenty of bodily functions and the eating of snipes and snails. These movies come from a long line of creature-feature animated films. See: Bee Movie and Ants. The genre probably isn’t quite stale yet, but next to the emotional depth of Toy Story 3, this movie just could be pure fun, but on a very surface level.
The Adjustment Bureau:
The reviews so far are just eh. Not great, not terrible. Much less than I’m sure Damon was hoping for.
Ambitious politician David Norris (Matt Damon) stumbles upon bliss after finding true love with beautiful contemporary ballet dancer Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt). However, sustaining the heart of the lovely Elise proves more difficult than expected. When the couples’ sweet romance is derailed by a group of mysterious men who conspire to keep them apart, David must decide whether to let Elise go or continue in a dangerous game with fate.
What you can expect: Matt Damon and Emily Blunt looking beautiful and poignant in this supernatural time and fate turn. Judging from the trailer, Damon and Blunt have an easy chemistry. While the scenes with her running in heels and the “meet cute” on the bus were a bit trite, the notion of destiny and what you would sacrifice for love and happiness is always an audience pleaser, if not too cloying like a Meet Joe Black or a Benjamin Button. Loves conquering all despite sinister types (General Zod and Roger Sterling) with “big plans” are great for those frantic, running, pleading, awash with angst type films, and this seems to be one of them.
What could annoy: If it delivers like a knock-off Inception or something of that ilk. I think we can only stand one bend-a-brain movie at a time. I’m all for well-nuanced, well thought-out Sci-Fi, but not just turning a building upside down just because. And then there’s Mr. Damon. Well, Matt Damon hasn’t had much success lately has he? With the exception of a small role in True Grit, his latest supernatural effort in Hereafter wasn’t exactly a runaway hit for the Oscar winner. Is he too much of the thinking man’s movie actor that he doesn’t quite translate into these more emotional stories? Sometimes he does come off a bit cold, but that could just be the movies he chooses. The Good Shepherd, the Bourne movies, Green Zone (Bourne movie without the title), yeah, it seems he has trouble finding the “feeling zone.” Emily Blunt on the other hand is usually pretty fantastic. I’ll ignore the close resemblance she has to Katy Perry, even though that’s become a bit of an annoyance, and focus on how well her work has been lately. The Young Victoria was stellar. Keira Knightly, girl, you better start making films again.
Beastly:
Well, Alex Pettyfer, is pretty. So there’s that. The reviews of this modern-day spin on the classic fairytale “Beauty and the Beast” haven’t been good. In fact they’ve been awful.
Kyle Kingson (Alex Pettyfer) is living the teenage dream — he has privilege, popularity and good looks. He also has a knack for being one of the meanest guys around, constantly ridiculing his “unattractive” peers. Up to his usually tricks, Kyle invites Goth classmate Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen) to a school bash intent on humiliating her — but the jokes on him. Kendra retaliates by casting a spell on Kyle that physically transforms him into a social outcast. To reverse the curse, he must do the impossible — find someone to love him. Will he succeed?
What you can expect: Lots of teen-centered D.R.A.M.A and angst. Zac Effron’s ex-girlfriend is in this one, and mostly it looks like a message movie about loving oneself for what’s on the inside. Will it be the movie all the giggle-head kids will go see? Probably. It has cute guys and enviable girls, a Mary Kate Olsen spotting, plus magic and wickedness. This is kind of a prerequisite for teen films nowadays. This will be firmly lopped into the recent bombardment of young adult themes making their way to the big screen much like its rise in the publishing industry. Thanks Stephenie Meyer!
What could annoy: Pretty kids with seemingly everything who now face dealing with some imperfections in life. Could seem a bit shallow and inconsequential. The movie isn’t supposed to be more than popcorny fluff with some veiled messages thrown in. If you get that point and your kids understand, there’s really not much harm, well no more so than what most of the CW channel broadcasts. It’s also possible that the lessons about self-love and respect for others could get lost amongst the young Hollywood lovefest but I suppose we’re supposed to look past that because of the pretty people.
Take Me Home Tonight:
Is Topher Grace ever good in a movie? Ashton Kutcher’s inexplicable success must kill this guy. The reviews of this thing won’t make him feel any better.
Recent MIT grad Matt Franklin (Topher Grace) takes a part-time job working at a video store inside the local mall. But what looks like a dead-end job, becomes the biggest opportunity of Matt’s life when his high school crush (Teresa Palmer) walks through the door. When she invites him to an end-of-summer party, Matt, no doubt, leaps at the chance to score the girl of his dreams. With his twin sister Wendy (Anna Faris) and best friend Barry (Dan Fogler) by his side, Matt sets out on a hilarious evening filled with pranks, dance-offs and unforgettable moments.
What you can expect: Lot’s of 80’s music. Lot’s of seen before, done before things with 1980’s pop culture references. Sounds to me like an attempt at a John Hughesian film, but failing mostly. I’m thinking it’s because of Grace. He just seems like a dick, no? Anyway, all the formulaic fodder is there. There are popped collars and bad jokes about stealing cars and going to parties. Basically not much new territory is covered here. It may be an interesting way to spend a Sunday, but it doesn’t have nearly the anticipation of Hot Tub Time Machine, but seems to have the same outcome.
What could annoy: The entire thing. It just looks stupid and unnecessary. And again there’s Topher Grace.
Source: IVillage Entertainment
