July

Reign Over Me - ***

The Blind Side - *1/2
As far as a stretch as this overexposed award-winning role was for Sandra Bullock (um, why wasn't this attention received for "Crash"?), I found this film to be incredibly condescending and ridiculously offensive. In what world does an upper class white woman (and her 9 year-old son) teach an 18 year-old black man how to play football?! Even if said young man had *never* played or watched football before, yet displayed a natural gift, wouldn't it fall to the coach of the team to guide him?! I find it embarrassing for our culture that this film became such a hit.

The Spiderwick Chronicles - **1/2
A mini Seth Rogan marathon caused me to seek this film out. It seemed to try too hard to be a 'scary kids adventure' (and maybe would have been in the 80's) but the cast was good, there was a couple of fun ideas but it's no Harry Potter.

Paul - ***
Hilarious, cleaver, well-made and fun. Has Simon Pegg ever done wrong? Kristin Wiig is also fantastic and it's too bad this didn't come out after "Bridesmaids" as it would have gotten a lot more attention.

Little Nicky - **
If Sandler would have come up with another voice this film would have been a success. There were a few clever gags and a decent enough plot but that voice is just the most irritating sound ever. It would be perfect if this were a cameo in someone else's film but 90 minutes of it is just way too much.

Observe and Report - **1/2
I appreciate the dark tone this film was going for, but it seemed to do it half-assed. Released a mere months after "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" it wouldn't surprise me if people thought it was the same movie. I assure you, they're not. Where 'Blart' went for slapstick, 'Observe' goes for goofy socio-pathic romance. It succeeds on some levels, then tries to make Rogan's character a sympathetic loser rather than the bi-polar failed-hero Rogan seems to want to portray (and does very well). I can see this becoming a cult classic for people who abhor standard Hollywood films. This really is the antithesis of 'Blart' and WB should have capitalized on that in its marketing.

Evan Almighty - **1/2
As much as I like Steve Carrel and *love* Lauren Graham, seeing them in something this vanilla pains me. The film is likable enough, but it's totally paint by numbers. It's everything it looks to be and will delight your pre-teens and grandparents, without being too preachy.

The Green Hornet - **1/2
Another in my Rogan marathon -- This film wasn't nearly as terrible as I'd heard and Rogan really does a great job of being a spoiled playboy. I really respect him as an actor but he seems all over the map here and never quite finds the character. He's totally likable goofy pot-head Rogan in one scene, then overly serious Bruce Wayne-ey in the next. Rogan and Jay Chou have great chemistry and their scenes of 'becoming heroes' are the highlights.

OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies - ***1/2
Made by the same 'team' who did "The Artist" and it's a gem. If you're a fan of the 'Austin Powers' series and/or have an affinity for the Pink Panther films then there is *no way* you wouldn't totally enjoy this film (unless you're absolutely against sub-titles). I hate to even describe much about the film in fearing I'd spoil any of the jokes. I will say that the recurring 'chicken' gag is my favorite. I even had to pause the film to collect myself.

The Hangover Part II - *1/2
Ugh, why... this is one of those sequels that is just a repeat of the first film in a new location.

Just Go With It - ***
Director Dennis Dugan seems to have a way with Sandler that works (other than in 'Grown Ups') and this is one of the good ones.Formulaic, sure, but the chemistry between Sandler and Aniston is enjoyable and the kids are terrific.

The Adjustment Bureau - ***
Damon and Blunt make a great romantic pairing in this stylistic, fast-paced and under-appreciated sci-fi thriller. The film is an impressive entry for first-time director George Nolfi.

Dr. Suess' Horton Hears A Who - **1/2
Likable enough but gets pretty heavy-handed and political. Kids may not get the political/religious subtext but it will smack most adults right in the face so hard it becomes a bit off-putting. Jim Carrey is so over the top that it becomes distracting while Steve Carell does a great job portraying a father/husband/mayor with a lot responsibility to his family and community while harboring his own worldly questions about existence. I'm convinced that if anyone has the nerve to remake "It's A Wonderful Life," they had better do it with Carell.

Spider-Man 3 - **1/2
I was extremely disappointed in this upon my original screening a few years ago and although the film holds up a little better than I remember, it's still the weakest of the trilogy. As good a job as Thomas Haden Church is in his role as Sandman, I couldn't help but thinking that he was mis-cast. I'm unfamiliar with the comic book version of Sandman, but Church plays him very sympathetically and it's hard to see him as a villain. With additional villains of Venom and New Goblin, this film is just too busy.

Crazy, Stupid, Love - ***
I really enjoyed this comedy aimed at adults. I think anyone younger than 30 wouldn't appreciate the changes one must do in order to update themselves to modern times once they've been so comfortable in a marriage or career for so long. Carell, Moore and the always amazing Gosling really craft unique characters and the script by Dan Fogelman (who's mostly penned kids animation for Disney) peppers enough comedy and drama throughout to really give the film an even flow. A genuine surprise for me.

The Descendants - ***
I didn't quite enjoy this film as much as I'd hoped from all the hype it was given. It's solid writing, great performances and solid direction, but I was hoping for more comedy. It seemed like it wanted to be a quirky Coen Bros. comedy then ventures into Lifetime TV movie of the week territory. A little off-balanced, but still better than most.

Cyrus - ***
This is a great independent film. Dark, funny and genuinely touching. The Duplass brothers really show some promise here. John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei and Jonah Hill (he gets an Academy Award nom for "Moneyball" and is ignored in every aspect for this role?) give great performances. If you're in the mood for something unpredictable and unique, this is a great choice.

You Don't Mess With the Zohan - **1/2
The first third of this film is fantastic. An Israeli secret agent who longs to be a hairdresser! Unfortunately, it veers off into the cheeky Sandler romance-type film and completely abandons the promise of what might have been. Sandler and co-star Emanuelle Chriqui (gorgeous and talented as she may be) have zero chemistry. Likable enough as a whole, but just disappointing after that hilarious first act.