All About Steve (2009)

"Crossword puzzle constructor Mary Horowitz is smart, pretty - and a natural disaster that shakes news cameraman Steve to the core..."

TV director Phil Trail brings up this major release romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock as the word wielding, eccentric beauty Marry Horowitz who after years of being single and living at home, and with the help of some very rude but enlightening children, has decided it's time to get a man. That's where Steve (Bradley Cooper, The Hangover, He's Just Not That Into You) comes strolling in after being set up blindly by their parents. Immediately Marry is infatuated and overcome by her bottled up sexual frustrations. Steve catches on quick and realizes he needs to leave, and leave now. Rolling camera alongside disaster news reporter Hartman Hughes (Thomas Haden Church, Spider-Man 3, Sideways), Steve is constantly on the move and feels it'll be a clean break. To his dismay, Marry is not jobless, and has nothing better to do in life but pursue his love, wherever it may go. But when a sinkhole appears from nowhere and Marry is trapped, cligning to life, Steve begins to re-evaluate his priorities and think about what he's doing to Marry. Disaster turns into love as Ken Jeong and DJ Qualls aid in handing out laughs in this delightful date movie that you might just take something away from.

If for no other reason than the message behind the movie... you know, basically that whole don't judge a book by it's cover deal... see this movie. It's cute, vibrant, and just fun to watch. All others need not apply. Sandra Bullock was super cute and well Bradley Cooper... I can't remember a thing he said in this movie. It could have been All About Hartman and just left Steve at home.

5.2/10

Rated: PG-13
99 mins

Dance Flick (2009)

Nothing is sacred as the Wayans clan spoofs another sub-genre of cinema in their signature style.

Damien Dante Wayans directs his bretheren in yet another campy comedy from the spooftastic family of actors/comedians. The story revolves around a naive young girl named Megan (Shoshana Bush, Fired Up!) who almost gives up a life in dancing, after her mother dies in route to her Juliard audition, when she meets Charity (Essence Atkins, Deliver Us from Eva, How High) and her brother Thomas (Damon Wayans Jr.) at Musical High. Thomas, the attractive boy from the other side of the tracks, is involved in street dancing competitions, and after finding out about Megan's dancing past, he wants to enlist her in attempts to form the #1 dance group in town. There are lots of laughs to be had as the firt family of spoof throws out all the punches by taking from all of your favorite dance movies of the past ten years: Save The Last Dance, Step Up, Stomp The Yard, Honey, and You Got Served.

Some folks out there say this is one of the better spoof's to come out lately, and well, that may be. But seriously, these movies need to stop, they suck. It's only marginally fun to try and pick out the movies they are making fun of, and the slapstick nonsensical comedy is truly below average. But it's a spoof, I guess they are supposed to be that way. I really don't have much else to say about it. If you can keep from seeing it, hats off... but if it happens to find it's way on to your screen, may god have mercy on your soul.

4.8/10

Rated: PG-13
83 mins

College (2008)

A juvenile, hilarious foray into yet another college, party orientated movie that is sure to draw similarities to others in the past few years.

Deb Hagan produces this freshman comedy about three high school guys, Kevin (Drake Bell, Disaster Movie), Carter (Andrew Caldwell, Drillbit Taylor) and Morris (Kevin Covais, American Idol 2006 Top 12) who are in their senior year and realizing that perhaps they have happened to have missed out on all the fun. After being dumped by his g/f, Kevin gathers the guys for a trip to his prospective school and prepare himself for the next step. However, after shacking up with a campus fraternity and experiencing a life he never knew was possible, he meets sorority girl named Kendall (Haley Bennett, The Haunting of Molly Hartley) who makes him rethink his priorities. They guys spend a weekend in hell as they step the beat of the raunchy frat guys and put their friendship to the test.

You know, I gave this movie a pretty low score, but don't let that keep you from seeing this. It seriously had me cracking up throughout the entire thing. The lead, Drake Bell, yeah, I could do without him, he belongs back on Disney. But Caldwell, that kid is genius. If he hasn't taking acting cues from watching classic Chris Farley, then I don't know where he gets it. And really? Chicken Little from American Idol... the role was perfect for him. But except for a few good comedic performances, this movie is just the next in line of your basic high school/college comedies. Easily compared to the likes of Old School and Superbad to some golden oldies like Animal House or Porky's. So the lack of originality combined with the lackadaisical approach to the movie on a whole really kept this from being a standout. However, if you're evening calls for "titties and beer", watch this and go to sleep with a smile on your face.

5.7/10

Rated: R
94 mins

Next Day AIr (2009)

What appeared as a typical "black" comedy turns out to be well executed story of money, deception, and murder. Not quite what it seems as Next Day Air proves, "it's all in the delivery."

Hip-Hop music video director Benny Boom brings us the dysfunctional story of a day in the life of ten individuals whose paths will cross in a unforeseen series of events. Donald Faison (Scrubs) stars as Leo, a soon to be fired delivery driver who mistakenly drops off the right package to the wrong people. Small time thugs Brody (Mike Epps) and Guch (Wood Harris) work fast to move the product and score a big payday, but the original owner is hot and on a rampage to take back his goods. Watch the weed induced humor as the supporting cast (Omari Hardwick, Emilio Rivera, Cisco Reyes, and the always funny Mos Def) flips the scripts and heads start to roll.

While not being what I expected, it was enough to keep me entertained. From the previews and the actors, I really thought it would be your average, typical comedy in the vain of Friday, but that was not the case (though Mike Epps does use a line from the first few minutes of Friday After Next). The acting was surprisingly good for a cast, other than the main players, who haven't seemed to be in much more than TV. It was fun to see a serious crime plot involve such small time goons, especially ones high on weed. But is that not how it always is? People without a clue land a hopeful payday at the expense of big time mafioso? What I'm saying is that it is a painfully unoriginal story. These days, making it "in the hood" isn't enough to carry a film.

6.5/10

Rated: R
84 mins

I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)

Were you the quiet kid in school and never felt like you got out and did or said the things you always wanted to say or do? Do you look back at your time in High School and wish things went differently? This flick shows you just how different it could have been, but is really just another teen movie where the unknown loser picks up the hot popular girl.

Based on the book by Larry Doyle, Chris Columbus (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Stepmom) directs this stereotypical teen comedy where Dennis Cooverman (Paul Rust, Inglorious Basterds), the school valedictorian lets it all out during his graduation speech, and professes his love for the girl he's sat behind in nearly every class since being a Freshman, Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere, Heroes). In doing so he sets off a series of events that will become the only night from High School he will ever remember. Alongside his might be gay best friend Rich (Jack Carpenter), they cross paths with every person Dennis called out in his speech, and just hope to make it through the night alive. It's amazing how "five little words can change your life."

It's really amazing how many times studios can put out the same story over and over again. This film delivers absolutely nothing original, but at least what it does do isn't terrible. Perhaps it would have been a little better with a much more "real" Dennis. The character just seemed so engrossed in nerd-dom that it was impossible to believe he'd even have the social skills to survive five minutes with normal human interaction. The overall theme to the movie reminded way too much of Superbad, not that it's a bad thing, but Superbad was many times better. Thankfully there was saving grace to this movie in the form of Hayden Panettiere, she's one of the few main characters who seemed comfortable in her role, and managed to really convey the feeling of someone who knows their life peaked in High School.

This is one of those movies you watch when all the really good movies have dried up. It will definitely be in the bargain bin at Wal*Mart in no time. That being said, you could do worse.

6.5/10

Rated: PG-13
102 mins

Land of The Lost (2009)

Movies made from TV shows usually can't hold their own. Especially those made from old TV shows... old TV shows that they themselves didn't last very long, though well received they may have been. But in spite of that, Land of The Lost shines with the humor we've come to expect from it's stars while bringing new life to a thirty year old classic.

Brad Siberling (Lemony Snicket, City of Angels) directs this outlandish romp through a parallel dimension where shunned theoretical scientist Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell, Step Brothers, Semi-Pro), his swooning admirer Holly (Anna Friel, Pushing Daisies) and their uneducated, redneck of a cave guide Will (Danny McBride, Tropic Thunder, Pineapple Express) are transported to a world where "past, present and future mash up together." With the help of primate like being, they travel the land in search of the device that brought them here, and ultimately, can bring them home. Against all odds facing starved, monster mosquitoes and intellectual Tyrannosaurs, they must come face to face with the Sleestak not only to get home, but to save the world as they know it.

Had I gone on my gut, or listened to any general reviews of this movie, I wouldn't have wasted my time. But being out here floating in the Gulf of Mexico you tend to watch things you normally wouldn't. But this is one of those rare occasions where I'm 100% happy I went against the grain. From start to finish this movie does what all movies intend, entertain you. It's no blockbuster, but it's completely engrossing and a pleasure to watch. Will Ferrell delivers exactly what I've come to expect and Danny McBride compliments him beautifully. The story seems to fast forward in some places, leaving you wondering why or how something might be going on, but it's subtle enough to allow you to get past it and continue on enjoying the humor which is intended for adults. That's one thing that threw me off. From the previews it appears to be geared towards children, but believe me, between the homosexual, psychedelically induced sleep pattern and the rest of the sexually charged humor, this is no kids movie. So go out and watch this with an open mind, and allow yourself to laugh, you'll be glad you did.

7.1/10

Rated: PG-13
102 mins

Brüno (2009)

Brüno is well… hmm, hell, what is Brüno? It’s a see once and forget, shockingly funny, and seriously wrong film that revolves around an exiled fashion flamer who wants to re-image himself in the US. Did I say see once and forget?

Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) as Bruno, is directed by Larry Charles (Mad About You, Entourage) in this audacious shock comedy about a homosexual Austrian fashionista who becomes blacklisted all over the UK and feels the need to reinvent himself stateside. With his trusty Assistants’ Assistant in tow, he begins a journey that will take him to levels he never though possible. From attempts to seduce politicians, father an African baby, and even give up his way of life in pursuit of straight fame, Brüno goes the gamut to reclaim his stardom and become, “the biggest Austrian celebrity since Hitler.”

As ridiculous as Borat was, it was interestingly curious to witness the state of our society in regards to someone as seemingly naïve as the character portrayed. In that sense, again Cohen excels, but in doing so may have fanned the flames of homophobia across the US. The blatant attacks on the Catholic Church and Southern “Good ‘ol Boys”, while outrageously funny, were hard to watch and borderline inappropriate. But that’s what this movie is all about, shock value… and there is plenty of it, but at what cost? All of the antics were crude and perverse, and many of the situations bewitchingly embarrassing. It was fun to watch the first time, but never again.

To close, I don’t recommend this film to anyone who doesn’t have a homosexual friend, or is extremely aware of gay culture. The movie can be fun to watch, but painful for all parties involved. It would otherwise just add to your disgust and discontent of an entire grouping of people all over the globe. But ask yourself this, “How do you protect yourself from a dildo?”

5.7/10

Rated: R
81 mins.

The Hangover (2009)

The Hangover is an amazing story of friendship that pulls out all the stops, but tends to drop the ball a bit in my court. I say that, but don't think for a minute this is not a must-see comedy, and by chance the comedy movie of 2009.

Todd Phillips (Old School) directs a trio of drunken goofballs led by Phil Wenneck (Bradley Cooper, He's Just Not That In To You, The Rocker), who take their soon to be married friend Doug (Justin Bartha, National Treasure) out for a night of debauchery in none other than Sin City itself, Las Vegas. Fast forward one mindless night that no one can remember, with a side of tiger in the closet, and you have the making of comedy genius. The guys wake the next morning with no teeth, no pants, and... no Doug! Zack Galifianakis, Ed Helms and Heather Graham round off the supporting cast (which might throw a surprise or two your way) as laughs ensue while the guys try to piece back together their night and find Doug in time for the wedding.

The story may not be original, but it takes plenty of liberties that really make it its own laughable entity. The movie really works. There are so many high points that even the low ones don't seem to blemish this laugh out loud comedy. Granted, the ending may not live up to the rest of the movie, and the music a bit dated (and at the same time fitting seamlessly into the scenes) but the acting was top notch and the comedy not too low brow for classic connoisseurs to detest. It really does go to show that, "some guys just can't handle Vegas."

I’d like to end by stating that I saw this movie five months after its release and had been filled with all the hype from my peers. Maybe I just didn't want to let myself hear this was a "two thumbs up" or "5 star" comedy... but I didn't have to because it really proved itself. Go see it, because if you don't, you'll just be the guy who hasn't yet.

8.1/10

Rated: R
99 mins. / 108 mins. (Unrated)