Movie Review – Righteous Kill (2008)

Starring – Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Carla Gugino, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson
Director – Jon Avnet
Domestic Gross – $40,081,410
Running Time – 101 minutes

I’m sorry. I need to apologize in advance. Why? Because I actually liked this. I realize that this may ruin any street cred I may (or may not) have earned as a critic, but look at it this way... I'm honest and will tell you how I really felt about a movie. I know Pacino and DeNiro are insane caricatures of their former selves. I don’t care. The plot was absurd, but the twists and turns were entertaining. Plus, 50 Cent was really good as the gangsta (stretch, right?). And ever since Son In Law I’ve had a tremendous thing for Carla Gugino. So, is this Oscar material? Of course not, but if you’re looking for mindless entertainment it’s definitely better than most of crap on television. Oh, and as a warning I think that all women will hate this movie. Just keep that in mind.

I’m Mike D and I approve this message.

Movie Review – Twilight (2008)

Starring – Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson
Director – Catherine Hardwicke
Domestic Gross – $190,723,849
Running Time – 120 minutes

As an unabashed lover of all things teen melodrama you know I had to watch Twilight. Hell, I read the book. Generally, if you read the book first then you’re let down by the movie. That wasn’t the case here. This was more a companion that flushes out the book. The characters and scenery were extremely well done and true to the book. Kristen Stewart it an extremely talented actress. Her talents aren’t really on display given it’s a pretty simple role. As for Pattinson as a straight male I don’t think he’s good-looking enough to play Edward. The book describes him as the best looking man alive. I guess because every teenage girl thinks their crush is the hottest thing alive I’ll let it go. I really think Hardwicke did a great job bringing the fantasy aspects to the screen given the budget constraints. I’ll be honest I’m not looking forward to the sequel. The Director is not involved and the source material is crap. So, check this one out and treat it as a stand alone.

I’m Mike D and I approve this message.

Book Review – Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (2008)

Malcolm Gladwell is back with another insightful non-fiction book. I really enjoyed Tipping Point and Blink. In Outliers Gladwell is attempting to identify why some people are successful while others of the same theoretical ability are not. His assumption comes down to opportunity that in many cases is completely out of the subject’s control. For example he delves in to why the majority of successful Canadian hockey players are born within the first 3 months of the year. What he finds is that Canadian youth hockey slots children based on year of birth. So, everyone born in 1980 is in the same level. So, starting out at 4 or 5 years old the kids born Jan-Mar are more developmentally advanced that those born in Oct-Dec. So, these kids are the best in the league at that young age. As a result they get the most coaching and ice time. Moving forward they are making the All-Star teams etc. So, Gladwell is saying that by being born in the latter half of the year you are less likely to get the attention to develop in to the player that they have could be. Now, this is just one of the examples he goes through many, but it’s definitely interesting. As always with Gladwell it tends to feel like common sense broken down to the n-th degree, but it’s totally worth the read.

I’m Mike D and I approve this message.

Movie Review – Religulous (2008)

Starring – Bill Maher
Director – Larry Charles
Domestic Gross – $13,011,160
Running Time – 101 minutes

It’s well established that Bill Maher is an outspoken douche at times. But, regardless of his conviction of general douchebaggery he's always honest. The guy speaks his mind and isn’t at all concerned with the reactions of others. This particular documentary deals with the ridiculousness of religion on a worldwide scale. He doesn’t attack any one religion over another instead doing his best to poke holes in the mythology of all of them from the mainstream Judeo-Christian to Scientology. He feels that religion is a form of mental illness. While that’s a bit extreme to say the least he does spend the entire movie talking to various religious leaders more or less questioning their beliefs. At times regardless of whether or not you agree with them you start to empathize with the people his is interviewing because he is so condescending that the person could believe the Hamburgler is the second coming and you’ll just want Maher to leave them alone. The best part is when the guy who plays Jesus at Bibleland is discussing the Holy Trinity with Maher. Maher asks him how he can explain the same being as The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. He responds asking how Maher can explain water as liquid, solid and gas. It’s far from a perfect analogy, but he put Maher in his place for a second. Often times I disagree with Maher, but I really do enjoy him as a commentator and comedian. This film is worth watching if you can relax and enjoy it. It you’re a devout (insert religion here) skip it. You’ll only get pissed off.

I’m Mike D and I approve this message.

Movie Review – Body of Lies (2008)

Starring – Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe
Director – Ridley Scott
Domestic Gross – $39,394,666
Running Time – 128 minutes

I love Ridley Scott films. I really enjoy DiCaprio and Crowe as actors. Why then did I just dislike this movie so much? Probably because it was terribly convoluted. Body of Lies was adapted from the novel of the same name by David Ignatius. I haven’t read the book, but I would wager that this story plays much better in print. The characters are in this country then another pursuing one terrorist after another. It’s really difficult to make a stand alone movie like that. A trilogy can do it because you can get invested in the character over time (think Bourne), but when you are introducing everything upfront and wanting the viewer to care about these characters it’s tough when they are already immersed in action. Technically speaking this is a well-made, well-acted film I just couldn’t get in to the story or the characters. Pass…


I’m Mike D and I approve this message.

Movie Review – The Wackness (2008)

Starring – Josh Peck, Ben Kingsley, Olivia Thirlby
Director – Jonathan Levine
Domestic Gross – $2,077,166
Running Time – 95 minutes

The Wackness is one of those straight to DVD (it did get a limited release, but it was never anywhere near Boston) films that makes me keep checking out straight to DVD releases. This is a story set in 1994 NYC about an oddball teenage pot dealer named Shapiro (Peck). His life is one of uncomfortable situations. He lacks the confidence to be better in school or with the ladies and at home his parents’ struggles in their own lives complicate his relationships with them. As a result he now trades weed for therapy with psychiatrist, Dr. Squires (Kingsley). The psychiatrist also happens to be the stepfather of a cute (read “out of his league”) girl from school named Stephanie played by Olivia Thirlby. It’s a simple if kinda ridiculous story with a phenomenal early 90s hip-hop soundtrack. There’s even a cameo from Method Man playing Shapiro’s Jamaican supplier. Kingsley is hilarious and touching as the troubled, drug addicted psychiatrist. Thirlby is cute and funny again. I loved her in Juno and she didn’t disappoint here. The real surprise though is Josh Peck. He played the little fat kid in one of my personal favorite guilty pleasures, Disney's Snow Day, and is better known for multiple shows on Nick, but the kid can act. I’m looking forward to seeing him in the future. The Wackness isn’t going to blow you away, but I really just enjoyed it throughout. If you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary check it out.

I’m Mike D and I approve this message.

Movie Review – The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

Starring – Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly
Director – Scott Derickson
Domestic Gross – $79,239,505
Running Time – 104 minutes

Calling this movie a steaming pile of shit would be an insult to mounds of excrement everywhere. Why does Hollywood feel the need to take beloved movies and cast Keanu Reeves in the remake?!?! I’m not opposed to updating a movie. Especially Sci-Fi classics. With the right actors you are taking something that already has a solid plotline and using the advances in special effects to create a product greater than the original. By casting Keanu Reeves you fail to do that. The original is a very simple film that has some Christian overtones. The update appears to have been produced by Al Gore. That’s my other complaint. If you’re going to remake a movie then remake it. If you want to take some of the ideas and make a different movie then do that. No need to use the same name just to attract an audience. Bottom line… I’m really happy I was multi-tasking while watching this because at least something was accomplished with the time.

I’m Mike D and I approve this message.

Movie Review – Role Models (2008)

Starring – Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bobb’e J Thompson
Director – David Wain
Domestic Gross – 67,294,270
Running Time – 95 minutes

You know when you watch a trailer and they show all the funny parts? This isn’t one of those. This movie is hilarious. Little Bobb’e Thompson nearly steals the show with his barrage of grown-up comments. This really is the best kind of comedy where it’s really funny throughout, but there is a legitimate plotline. Of course, the impetus for everything is absurd, but once they’ve established the need for community service the rest really flows through to the resolution. Paul Rudd is fantastic. He can play everything from the critical straight man to Kunu the surfing instructor. And while Seann William Scott is really only playing Stiffler at age 28 he is entertaining as well. McLovin’ may be nearing the end of his career. I just can’t see how he can play anything else. Hopefully, he’ll prove me wrong because the kid can play uncomfortable as well as anyone, but between his geeky looks and lisp and I just don’t see him parlaying this in to a career. At this point I’ve seen the movie twice in a short period and both times I laughed out loud. Definitely check this one out soon.

I’m Mike D and I approve this message.

Movie Review – Still Waiting (2009)

Starring – John Michael Higgins, Alanna Uboch, Maggie Lawson
Director – Jeff Balis
Domestic Gross – Direct to DVD
Running Time – 90 minutes

This is the Direct-to-DVD sequel to 2005’s surprisingly funny Waiting starring Justin Long, Ryan Reynolds and Anna Farris. Still Waiting picks up a few years in the future with many of the same players (read lesser known actors) still working at Shenanigans. I always struggle with what to expect from Direct-to-DVD stuff. I really enjoyed Waiting, but if this sequel was really good why didn’t it get a release? Then again, I think the newer American Pie DVDs are hilarious and they didn’t get a release. So, what to expect from this?! Nothing much. Like the previous installment if you ever worked in food service you’ll think this is a lot funnier than if you didn’t. Unfortunately, a lot of the jokes are recycled and not so good the second time around. So, if you ever worked in a restaurant it’s worth the rental since it’s decent enough. I know… Not much of a recommendation, but while I don’t have too much good to say I really don’t have all that much bad either. Just a neutral effort.

I’m Mike D and I approve this message.

Movie Review – Dead Like Me: Life After Death (2009)

Starring – Ellen Muth, Callum Blue, Jasmine Guy, Sarah Wynter
Director – Stephen Herek
Domestic Gross – Direct to DVD
Running Time – 90 minutes

The aptly named Life After Death picks up on the canceled Showtime series Dead Like Me a few years after we left the characters. They are still grim reapers snatching souls just before death so that those souls may go in to the light. The movie holds to the dark comedy roots of the series employing many of the main players including Ellen Muth, Callum Blue and Jasmine Guy. Unfortunately Many Patinkin passed on reprising his role and the film really suffered as a result. The story revolves around his replacement and how the group adjusts (or doesn’t), but it’s still just a fun long episode. I really loved this series and was sad to see it canceled. So, while it is flawed I was still just happy to catch up with the characters again. If you get the chance pick up the Dead Like Me Complete Box Set. That way you can check out the series and then the movie. I definitely don’t recommend it as a stand alone.

I’m Mike D and I approve this message.