So I love getting screeners in to review, not only do I get to see the film and special features early I also get to add another movie to my collection. On this go around, I wanted to do something different. I wanted to find a twilight fan surprise them with the Breaking Dawn Blu-Ray and have them review it.. Unknown to me I wouldn’t have to look too far.. Come to find out my sister-in law was just that person.. Se was so excited to see the movie and review it.. Below is her little review.. Give your comments below..

In the latest installment of the Twilight saga, Breaking Dawn pt.1. You finally get to see the much anticipated “for twilight fanatics” wedding between Bella and Edward. Much to my surprise didn’t disappoint, with fantastic special effects and slight comic relief this was definitely a solid performance by a developing cast and the best of the saga thus far. The special features include audio commentary with Director Bill Condon, a fascinating 6 part documentary on the making of breaking dawn-part 1, Take a look into Jacobs Destiny, relive all of your favorite moments of Edward and Bella’s wedding with their personal wedding video, and a jump to option to watch only your favorite scenes of the movie over and over. Blu-ray really brings this movie to life with the stunning quality and is definitely a must own for your personal library.

First of all I must admit that I’m not the biggest fan of the first Downey Sherlock Holmes movie, and I’ve always loved the many incarnations of Sherlock Holmes, especially so with Steven Moffat’s Sherlock on the BBC. I was never too big on Holmes as boxing/martial arts champ, though I did like how true to the character if he was to be like that he would see the fight even before it happened. Even with that Downey and Law saved what would have been a mediocre film and made it just a little better. My huge problem with the movie was more the chemistry between that version’s Watson and Holmes. The whole movie felt like Watson as just annoyed at having to be around and Holmes and putting up with his abusive demeanor for now reason. I felt no respect from Watson for Holmes and it just felt like their relationship was forced. This is why I walked into the press screening for Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows with no high expectations and in the first few minutes of Act 1 I was beginning to feel justified as such.

Again the relationship of Watson and Holmes seemed just as baffling to me, and now Holmes was acting as Watson’s best man, from the interactions of the first movie I was amazed that Holmes was even to be invited to Watson’s wedding let alone be his best man. This coming to a head at Watson’s “stag” party which was just a ploy to get Watson to assist in solving another mystery he had come across trying to prove Professor Moriarty was a master criminal. Why this military man would put up with this was beyond me, but finally I think the writers realized what was wrong and showed us that not only does Holmes care, by getting Watson to his wedding on time, though in dubious condition but that he truly respected and cared for Watson even though he doesn’t show it. This is when finally Downey’s Holmes became a three-dimensional character for me. Almost tragic, when after the wedding he enjoys the site of the new couple from the shadows, place that he inhabits due to the way his mind works, this is the Holmes I love.

Jared Harris as Moriarty is absolutely brilliant in his role, and in true American fashion, and to make him an equal to Holmes, he is also a boxing champion so that the two’s epic “battle of wits” can take place at the closing of the film. I love the way they show Moriarty’s ability to misdirect and outwit Holmes early on in the film and just keep him down as the underdog in this showing. Truly the writing and direction have vastly improved from the 2009 film.

Now to the best part of the film for me, Noomi Rapace debut to a Hollywood film’s audience as the main female lead. If you have not seen The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy you are missing one of Sweden’s best film work and you need to watch all these on Netflix’s instant queue. She is one of the best actresses I’ve seen in years and I can’t wait to see more of her. Though her part is small and they don’t give her too much to do, she still manages to still the scene from Downey again and again.

My last favorite aspect of the movie is the great Stephen Fry, I love this man with a passion. He is other great actor in the film for me. Finally Mycroft has life breathed into him. He is so funny and so essential to making this film work that I just loved every scene he was in. It was a good break from the seriousness that surrounds the rest of the film and makes for some breakout laughs, that was best captured in the closing credits.

This movie in every way is ten times the movie that the first Sherlock Holmes was in 2009. This is the film that Holmes deserved from Hollywood the first time around. I’m just glad to see that they finally made it. If there is one film you see this Holiday Season, it must be this film.

I’ll make this simple for you. If you loved the Muppets growing up, if you’ve ever enjoyed anything they’ve done, from their movies, television show, or even the odd commercial, then you must go see this movie. The Muppets is the best Muppets movie in a very long time, and I defy you to not love it.

This movie had a lot of expectations when it was announced, especially from fans who’ve grown disenchanted with the Muppets’ efforts over the past decade. This movie had to answer two big questions. Can they reclaim the Muppet magic that previous generations fell in love with? And are the Muppets even relevant in today’s world?

The answer is a resounding Yes! From the very first song, one that will stay with you long after you leave the theater, it’s clear that this movie wasn’t just some cynical attempt to cash in on the Muppets franchise. This film is not only a loving tribute to what the Muppets were, it’s about the fact that their joy and magic will never go out of style.

The plot is fairly straightforward. The Muppets have broken up and gone their separate ways, but they need to get back together and put on one more show to save their old studios from being torn down by an evil oil baron. It’s the classic “getting the band back together” movie that knows where it’s going and how to get there. There’s a few nods and winks to the audience, and plenty of jokes that the grown ups will love and the kids won’t get.

This is a movie that works on multiple levels, so much so that’s hard to tell who in the theater loved it more: the kids or the parents. If you plan to make this a Thanksgiving outing, you needn’t fear any inappropriate jokes for your children. You might have to explain why you’re tearing up when a certain song comes on towards the end of the movie, and if you’re a fan of the Muppets, you know what song I’m talking about.

After all, the Muppet performances are at the top of their game, and there are moments you’ll forget that Jim Henson is no longer there to give Kermit his voice. The Muppets are real characters, and at no point do you simply see them as felt puppets. They have heart and may even break yours thought the proceedings. That is, when they aren’t making you laugh hysterically when they bring their A-game. The gang’s back together, and this is exactly the Muppets you remember.

As for the humans, they are also a joy to watch. Chris Cooper plays the villainous oil baron, and he doesn’t just chew the scenery, he devours it whole. Jason Segel, who cowrote this film with Nicolas Stoller, plays Gary. He and his brother Walter, a new muppet played by Peter Linz, are the driving force behind trying to reunite the Muppets. Segel plays his role with excitement and childlike joy, and he’s just a big, lovable kid.

Along for the ride is Mary, played by Amy Adams. Her character is similar to her turn in Enchanted, only this time she’s not a fish-out-of-water, but the long-suffering girlfriend who grows ever more frustrated when Gary spends more time with the Muppets than her, leading to a fantastic, and in many ways brave song of her own. Adams is perfect for this movie and, like Cooper and Segel, is a welcome additions to the Muppet family.

What’s a Muppet movie without celebrity cameos, and this film’s got them. I won’t spoil them all, but one worth noting is Jack Black. He plays himself, but rather than be an obnoxious scene-stealer, he plays along with the Muppet Mayhem. Black gets what this movie is about and turns out a very enjoyable performance.

Let’s not forget about the music. The songs are fantastic, given that they were written by Bret McKenzie, best known for Flight of the Conchords. They fit in perfectly with the Muppet universe and are insanely catchy. The musical performances are delightfully old-school, the kind you’d see in movies from decades past.

The Muppets is more than just a nostalgia-fueled revival, remake, or reboot. This is a triumphant return of the Muppets for fans, by fans, and it’s the equal of any Muppet movie, including the 1979 classic The Muppet Movie. It’s got the humor, the love, and the magic that made Jim Henson’s creations more than just felt puppets. If your kids are lacking in Muppet exposure, this is the perfect chance for you to raise them right as you revisit some old friends.

It’s a rare example of a Hollywood production that isn’t the result of cynical number crunching, but genuine love and understanding for the franchise. It’s a brave film and one that isn’t quite like any other you’ve ever seen. This covers very new ground, and you’ll be riveted.

Go see The Muppets, bring the family, or just see it by yourself. This is the Muppet movie you’ve been waiting for.

Read more of what Charles B. French has to say in his regular column here.

So I am not a huge Twilight fan or part of Team Jacob or Team Edward, I am just an innocent by stander in this little craze.. So when I got the invite for the press screening I wasn’t jumping out of my seat to RSVP… As I sat there watching the trailer for the first time, I thought to myself, Someone near and dear to my heart is a Twilight fan and may just indeed enjoy going to see this film before its released.. So I contacted my Mom, which is something I sometimes neglect to do, and asked if she would be interested in going…. Her reply was as follows “Are you joking OF COURSE I WOULD LOVE TO!”, So I told her that she would have to write a review that I could post on the site. The following is my Mom’s Review of Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1.. Enjoy…

Breaking Dawn Part 1 Review
By: Debi Cisneros

Twilight fans can rejoice that Breaking Dawn – Part 1, opening Friday, is a mixture of emotions of so much they’ve waited to see: Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella’s (Kristen Stewart) wedding, honeymoon and their darling, little bundle of joy.

The dress is beautiful, a tasteful but fashion-forward creation; Edward looks every bit the dashing groom; the toasts are hilarious and yes, the honeymoon location is a dream. For those waiting to see how Director (Bill Condon) will portray the sexy hot love scene, well get ready to be disappointed.

The big question before the movie began was “How long will it take for Jacob (Taylor Lautner) to take off his shirt?” The answer 8 seconds!  The movie begins almost as a romantic comedy, complete with the spurned suitor showing up for a good-natured dance with the bride. Before long, though, it’s a gestation horror show with Bella somehow (I hesitate to use the term “miraculously”) pregnant with Edward’s vampire baby, the kid literally sucking the life out of her.

All due credit to the special effects wizards who turn Stewart into an emaciated shell of a woman, because she truly looks as if a demon spawn were using her as a host.

The pregnancy touches off an internal fight within the wolf pack, pitting Jacob against his former brothers. The unintentionally funny business doesn’t stop there (if you serve a pregnant woman blood in a fast-food cup with a straw, people will laugh), turning the film’s second half into painful, tedious melodrama for anyone not already invested in the saga.

Not that any of that will deter fans one bit. If anything, readers may complain that the birth scene, an ocean of blood in the book, is too tamed onscreen – arguably, as is the PG-13 honeymoon. Plus, there’s not barely a hint of the war to come in next year’s final installment, which might’ve given this half more action.

Still, there’s precious little in Breaking Dawn – Part 1 that will truly disappoint the initiated – or attract anyone who doesn’t already care.

Contagion

Steven Soderbergh’s Contagion is a modern day horror film that’s as scary as any movie I’ve seen this year. It’s a film that at times comes across like the most interesting science class you’ve ever sat through because you feel like if you don’t stay till the end you won’t know how to kill the monster and save the day when it happens to you. Unfortunately there is no big bad monster in this film you can kill in the last act in the hopes of saving your friends, instead life or death decisions are left to bureaucrats and government scientists who may or may not have your best interest at heart. What makes this film so scary is that it may be happening as we speak and there is literally nothing you could do to stop it from happening.

Contagion follows a world wide pandemic as it gallops across the globe leaving a trail of death and destruction in it’s wake. Soderbergh’s camera follows multiple characters throughout the film who have all been affected in one way or the other by the deadly virus. Some are struggling with the aftermath of the disease and it’s legacy of death, some are working night and day to find a cure and save our population from certain doom while others are simply looking to strike while the iron is hot and make a quick buck while the world burns around them.

Soderbergh has gathered an ensemble cast full of great actors who deliver performance that are usually relegated to much smaller character pieces. He does an amazing job of putting quality actors in a position to deliver solid, nuanced performances that in the hands of other directors may not have been nearly as effective.

Matt Damon’s conflicted portrayal of a man who discovers his wife’s infidelity only after she is killed by the virus is both heart breaking and inspiring. Having lost his wife and step-son on the same day he is now taxed with keeping his daughter safe and does everything he can to keep her safe. His restraint and dedication to his daughter while everyone else around him is losing it is admirable and inspiring to watch.

Also excelling is Jude Law in a role that is miles from anything he’s played in recent years. Law’s character is an internet celebrity of sorts who believes in government conspiracy and world wide collusion by the elites and spends his days trying to expose the hypocrisy of the people in charge all the while trying to profit on the tragedy around him. He believes he has found a cure for the disease and it just so happens that he is set to profit wildly as the masses search for a magic cure to the threat of death that now surrounds them. Laws character is both ruthless and cunning but he also has heart and even though he is profiting off of death, he truly believes the things that he is doing are going to some how save the world.

Contagion is a master class in film making that will inflict a paranoia upon you that will have you washing your hands and avoiding sick people in your office at all cost. Lingering shots of recently touched surfaces leave your skin crawling because you know exactly what it means for the next person to touch that surface. It’s also a film full of flawed characters put in a no win situation and yet it somehow is able to draw hope and strength from such a dire situation. Soderbergh’s directing skills are in top form as he weaves a tale that is both interesting, informative, inspiring, and terrifying all at the same time. It’s a film worth seeing because honestly it is a blueprint for a very real situation and how easily it could happen and how helpless we would all be. I would certainly recommend checking this film out, just remember to wash your hands first. I would hate to think that then next great pandemic could start in a movie theater while watching a movie about the next great pandemic.

There has been a lot of talk over the last few months that Michael Bay was learning from the shortcomings of Transformers 2 and that part 3 would redeem him and his previous efforts. This movie was going to get away from the silly stuff (racist robots?) and other nonsense that turned people off so much regarding T2 and focus on creating interesting characters and telling a story that would make people forget how bad his previous effort really was. Well in my humble opinion, the rumors of Michael Bay’s growth as a filmmaker have been greatly exaggerated. The entire “he’s a different filmmaker now” schtick is apparently a marketing ploy to lure you back to the theaters because from my point of view there is nothing different in T3 that we haven’t see before in the previous sequels, except for the fact that it was shot in 3d and they made it about 30 mind numbing minutes longer. Transformers 3 is no better or no worse that the previous films and only exist as an extravagant example of everything that is wrong with Hollywood film making today.

Early in the film we find out that a secret Autobot ship crashed on the moon in the 60′s and our entire space program was built around the fact that we wanted to get what was on that ship before the Russians did, and we did it. We went to the moon with a secret plan to investigate the crash site and we were able to fool everyone and no one ever told a soul. They were so good at keeping this a secret that not one even told the Autobots that the ship was there in the previous two movies because if they had these sequels would not be necessary, but I digress. The secret items on the ship would have allowed the Autobots to defeat the Decepticons on their home planet and they would have never reached our planet. The next 2 hours are spent confusing us with double cross after double cross as robots jump sides, humans jump sides, and in the end an entire city is destroyed as the Autobots try to prevent another planet from being tele-ported into our atmosphere. That’s right, the secret weapon that was on the moon would allow the Decepticons to transport their planet to our atmosphere so they could force us to rebuild it for them. Really? Another planet right on top of ours? This is the best you could come up with? Hollywood pays people millions of dollars to write stories that are ultimately thrown in the trash and this is the best of all those ideas? Someone needs to check that trash can because I’m sure something that was thrown away had to be better than this.

Transformers 3 is an uneven mess of plot holes, dead ends, characters who are introduced and disappear without reason, and some of the worst robot acting seen since the old go-bots cartoons. The “robots” when left on screen to interact are lifeless and dull. We’ve grown accustomed to human emotion. When someone is angry we don’t just hear it in their voice, we see it in their face and their body language. There was none of this in regards to the Autobots or Decepticons. Just shiny robots with dull voice acting. Oh how I wish that was the worst thing about this movie. Let’s move on.

There are whole sequences in T3 that just seem to defy logic. There’s a sequence near the middle of the film where in the span of about five minutes the Autobots are the saviors of the universe, then kicked off the planet for no apparent reason (humans sided with the Decpticons who had previously been trying to destroy the planet. Really?), killed by a Decepticon who was hanging out in space just so he could shoot down their spaceship, only to have them return a few minutes later to save Shia and friends at just the right time. They spend the first hour of the movie setting up this scene, it all builds to this, then in the space of five minutes everything Bay has built up to this point is wiped clean and he ends the movie with an hour long battle scene that really has very little to do with the first hour and thirty minutes you already sat through. For fans of film making who enjoy a well thought out plot unfortunately this is not the movie for you. I’m sure the guy sitting next to me in the theater thought that something was wrong with me because of the sheer amount of groaning and sighing I was doing in the last hour of the movie.

The only redeeming feature this movie has is the way it was shot. This is probably the best live action movie I’ve seen in 3D. Bay did a really great job of shooting this film and the attention they paid to creating depth instead of just having gimmicks fly at the screen is to be commended. With that being said, I still hate 3D. The hyper violent fight scenes between the Autobots and Decepticons is often a blur of flying metal, fire, and explosions and it is often really hard to tell who’s who in the major battle scenes and the 3D doesn’t help. It all becomes a big mess and I just have to wait until the fight’s over and if the idiot sitting behind me is cheering then I know the Autobots won.

When it comes to remaking childhood cartoons into big budget films it’s never a sure bet. Transformers never really translated well from what I remember watching and reading as a child into what Michael Bay put on the big screen and I don’t really blame him, it’s just a type of story that people can’t really relate to anymore. We are surrounded by technology on a daily basis and artificial intelligence doesn’t seem like such a foreign concept but there was a time when that idea only existed in comics and cartoons and that was what the Transformers were to me in the 80′s. They represented what the future was going to be like for a kid who didn’t even have a color TV until he was in his teens and didn’t own a computer until he was in his twenties. For the teens of today who are inundated with technology on a daily basis, this movie is made for you. Me, I’ll stick with my comics and my old cartoons and do my best to forget what a mess was made of a story that I once believed could have been our future.

I am not a fan of the Green Lantern Comic. I don’t really dig the superhero ethos and I find the DC Universe that the Green Lantern Corp exists in a bit confusing and at times even a bit overwhelming (after all it does contain over 7200 members). I know they are not all featured but they do tend to get in the way when it comes time to tell a good story. All of this plays a major role in the main reason I was not exactly excited to see Green Lantern. The trailers didn’t exactly blow me away and the general lack of interest on my own part mixed with the fact that early review were trashing this movie from top to bottom certainly left me with a bit of trepidation regarding Hal Jordan’s big screen adventure. What I found was a movie that was somewhere in the middle of high expectations (from others not me) and the worst of the worst reviews that have been going around. Green Lantern is a middle of the road super hero movie that at times delivers some nice action-adventure style entertainment, but generally failed to keep my interest due to two of the weakest super villains I’ve ever seen as well as a script that seemed more interested in establishing Ryan Reynolds as a ladies man with daddy issues than a superhero worthy of wearing the ring of the Green Lantern Corp.

The story is a familiar one, Hal Jordan is a cocksure test pilot/ full time jerk who is struggling to follow in his father’s footsteps. He’s constantly pushing himself to the limit to live up to the legacy left for him by his dead father but is secretly scared to death of failing to live that standard. At his lowest moment he is chosen by a dying alien to become his replacement in the Green Lantern Corp. He ultimately must prove to himself and to the other Green Lanterns that he is worthy of the ring as well as capable of saving us all from the evil Parallax who (suprise) feeds on fear.

Yes it’s as garbled and convoluted as it sounds. At times I wasn’t sure exactly what was going on as there were huge chunks of the movie that were apparently cut to get this movie down to a reasonable (watchable) time. There seemed to be huge leaps in logic that got Hal Jordan from point A to point B plot wise but left me completely confused. How did he learn the Green Lantern Oath? One moment he’s stammering like an idiot trying every oath he can  remember from the Boy Scouts oath to the pledge of allegiance before suddenly knowing exactly what to say to gain his powers. Did the lantern tell him what to say? And how did he know what the lantern actually did? No one told him it charged the ring, so how did he know? It’s things like this that ultimately drove me crazy throughout this entire movie.

Let’s talk about villains. Villains are what make the superhero world go around. Every good guy has to have a bad guy to go against. The bad guys in this movie were a giant blob from space named Parallax who’s only actual menace to Hal Jordan was taken care of in about four minutes of actual screen time and Hector Hammond, a brain damaged scientist with daddy issues as well who becomes posses by Parallax and grows a giant head. He presented little to no danger to Hal Jordan as their big show down toward the end of the movie actually took place with Hammond in a wheel chair. In the end, he was actually outsmarted by Hal Jordan. Let that sink in. Hector Hammond, the gifted yet misunderstood scientist with telekenitic powers who grew a giant brain so large that he couldn’t walk any more was out smarted by Hal Jordan. Ryan Reynolds outsmarted Peter Sarsgaard. Never in a million years would I believe this possible.

Don’t get me wrong about Ryan Reynolds, he was by far the best thing in this movie. He played the love ‘em and leave ‘em fighter pilot as well as anyone has since Tom Cruise in Top Gun. He does a decent job portraying the struggling super hero who has the weight of the world thrust on his broad shoulders as well as Chris Hemsworth in Thor did, but both these guys fell trap to a far bigger problem than super villains and that villain is a weak script. In Warner Brothers’ eyes this movie was a throwaway. It’s an opportunity to establish Reynolds as the new Green Lantern, then throw him into the mix in the forthcoming Justice League movie and hope that surrounding him with other actors and a bigger story will make people forget about everything that stunk in this movie. Well Warner, you’ve done exactly that because 2 years from now no one will remember this movie. Hell, there isn’t a scene in this movie that probably won’t be forgotten the moment the opening credits roll for Captain America.

If you’re looking to be entertained this weekend skip this one and go see Super 8, or if you really want to see a superhero movie that will stay with you  seek out James Gunn’s Super. It will still be talked about years after this movie is long forgotten.

George, a lonely and fatalistic teen who’s made it all the way to his senior year without ever having done a real day of work, is befriended by Sally, a popular but complicated girl who recognizes in him a kindred spirit.

Director:
Gavin Wiesen
Writer:
Gavin Wiesen
Stars:
Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts and Michael Angarano

I am a sucker for these kind of movies, the loser ultimately gets the girl. I think its because I really wanted to see that happen to me in high school.. All in all “The Art of Getting By” found a way just to get by..   One of the good things the studio did was schedule its press screening the day before the Green Lantern screening.  It made me almost forget what I hated and liked about it completely.

I did find it entertaining at times but very predictable and formulaic. Which I cant hold against them, over the course of my career and working here at The Noob News, I feel that the studio makes all creatives fit into this mold of mediocrity. I can say that it was shot very well. Ben Kutchins did a great job of shooting this film. The visual texture, depth, and emotion kept me in this film. Not to pull anything away from the writing and acting.

Freddie Highmore did a great job of showing emotion and filling the shoes of the typical lazy kid that is whipped into shape by the normal struggles of life. Its nice to see even rich kids have problems too sometimes. I just hate seeing movies where teens talk like a 30 year old Brown graduate with a degree in creative writing. I mean yeah they are kids in a prep school in New York so I guess they should be smart, but come on… I am just lost in the teen culture of New York City, there are several scenes that these “teens” are drinking and openly have beers, champagne, or shots at a bar or club.. Did I miss something when I was growing up? I had to either sit outside of the grocery store and bribe someone to buy us beers or pay double at the bootlegger that sold us warm Milwaukee’s Best. I just found it a little unbelievable, which always pulls me out of a movie quick. I was expecting a better movie after seeing the trailer.

Dont get me wrong, your girlfriend or wife will love it.. I just have to say, if you have seen the trailer, you’ve basically see the best of the movie.. Definitely a must wait, until Netflix or Redbox..

2 Stars out of 5

There’s something about seeing that Amblin Entertainment logo come up right before a movie starts that lets you know exactly what kind of experience you’re in for. From the classics of the 80s such as ET and Goonies on through Harry and the Hendersons and even through the Men in Black series, Amblin has a track record of making quality films that just happen to be a great opportunity for parents and kids to watch a movie together and neither feel like they’ve been shortchanged. JJ Abrams has created a movie that fits very well into the Amblin universe while adding his own style and touch to keep the modern movie audience on its toes.

Set in the late 70s, which much of the Amblin audience was either born or grew up in, Super 8 is the story of a young man and his group of film maker friends who accidentally stumble into an amazing adventure when the train they are recording for their short film crashes and releases an unknown monster on the town they’ve grown up in. As mysterious incidents begin to take place all around the town the group must make some rather adult decisions that they hope will ultimately save the town from danger.

While the group of friends’ dynamic is very much in the same vein as Goonies or Stand By Me, this story never gets stale or bogged down. An excellent job of casting brings these characters to life. Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning shine when they are on screen together. Relationships are awkward at this age and that is portrayed wonderfully in the longing looks from Joel Courtney and the often uncomfortable silences between the two. They come from families with a tragic connection in the past and the well written scenes involving the situation let us know how deep that tragedy has damaged the two families. The other young actors of the group are also wonderful pieces that, when all on screen together, create a gang of friends that you truly believe are willing to do whatever it takes to keep each other safe.

Having these great characters to work with really allows Abrams to do something that he has at times failed at in some of his previous films, and that’s make us care about what happens to these kids. When the explosions get crazy, (and they do get crazy), or the creature is pursuing them, the previous character work done really pays off. You want to see them get out alive, you want to know whats going to happen next, and when the payoff hits, it was worth every minute you have invested.

As far as summer movies go we haven’t seen a movie like this in a long time. It has the heart and soul of early Spielberg mixed with the action and adventure of a modern day sci-fi epic and that is a potent combination. The action sequences are striking, at times leaving me gripping the seat as I waited to see what was gonna happen next. The mystery behind what’s on that train is riveting. From the moment I saw it on screen I couldn’t wait to experience the next twist in this adventure. I enjoyed every minute of this film and can’t wait to see it again with my family.

Yes Super 8 may be a nostalgic trip down memory lane meant to pull on your heartstrings and remind you of your childhood, but when it all comes down to it, Super 8 delivers story in droves and that’s what matters in the end.

The Hangover Part 2 is exactly the type of movie that Film Snobs hate. First, it’s a sequel. Snobs hate sequels as much as they hate made for TV movies, It’s just beneath them. They’ll also hate Hangover 2 because on some level it seems to be a remake/ bigger budget re-imagining of the first one and lord knows that “Film Snobs” hate remakes of any sort no matter how good they may be. When I say that this movie is re-imagining, I don’t mean they touch on some of the same themes and the character arcs are similar, I literally mean they have taken scenes from the first movie and re-shot them for this movie without so much as a second thought. Remember that tiger in the first one? Now it’s a monkey. Remember when Stu married that prostitute in the first one, well let’s just say Stu has some issues and leave it at that. The one thing that Film Snobs won’t mention in their reviews of this film is that despite the trappings of rehashing/sequelizing the Hangover Part 1, The Hangover Part 2 is at times a very funny movie. It won’t win any awards or change anyone’s life with it’s message, but it’s really not intended to do that. This movie was made to make you laugh and it delivers that in spades.

People who have seen Part 1 will be very familiar with the plot of Part 2. Stu is getting married and has invited the gang to Thailand to celebrate and share his special moment. The gang’s all here, they introduce the curmudgeonly father in law, bla, bla, bla. None of that matters. The only thing you should care about in this movie is what happens between the time the guys wake up in a rundown hotel room with no memory of the night before and the photo montage that runs during the closing credits. Usually character development is important and we want to get to know everyone and their motivations but that doesn’t matter here. The opening 30 minutes of the movie is actually the weakest point of the film and if you can sit through that and not totally lose interest in what’s about to happen, you are in for some good laughs.

The plot of this movie seems to be based entirely on the premise of “bigger is better”. Director Todd Phillips has gone out of his way to try and outdo his previous film in every way possible. The gags are more risque, the action sequences are bigger, and the over the top characters are way more over the top and that’s not always a good thing. One of the things I enjoyed from the first film was the nuanced idiocy of Zach Galifianakis. His humor really stood out in the first film because it was restrained. He was a supporting character who popped in from time to time to move the plot along and say some awkwardly hilarious things and that worked really well. In part 2, not so much. While he is still funny at times, His character is much more in the fore front of the story therefore his lines and awkward jokes and dialogue are more the focus making his character very hit or miss. When the jokes work they are really funny, when they don’t it seems forced and at times very unnecessary.

The stand out in this film is definitely Ed Helms. His journey from awkward soon to be husband to a fearless wild man willing to take on the darker side of Bangkok Thailand was a joy to watch. The very thing that didn’t work for me with Galifianakis worked great with Helms. With the focus squarely on him and the search for his missing brother in-law he really shines. Ed Helms plays up the everyman on the verge of a breakdown as good as anybody in Hollywood. His ability to flip a switch and go from brow beaten loser to wild man rioting in the streets is entertaining and has me looking forward to seeing more from him in the future, as long as it’s not in The Hangover Part 3.

The Hangover Part 2 is by no means a perfect movie. It struggles at times to separate itself from part one and occasionally drags when moving from one joke setup to the next but what it does do well is deliver funny moments that fans of the movie will be quoting for a while. If you’re looking for a good laugh and don’t mind seeing an ample dose of penis then round up a group of friends and check this movie out. You won’t be alone in enjoying what will probably be one of the bigger movies of the summer.

Kung Fu Panda 2 had a lot going against it before I ever even took my seat in the crowded theater full of kids and parents eager to get an early look at what’s sure to be a summer blockbuster. I wasn’t a huge fan of 2008′s Kung Fu Panda when I first saw it and the subsequent viewings as my children watched it relentlessly over the summer of 2010 did little to change my opinion of it. I can certainly understand the appeal of it. It’s got a cuddly panda who learns Kung Fu and goes from being a fat goof to being the Dragon Warrior over the course of 2 short hours or so. What’s not to like about that? Jack Black, that’s what. And Angelina Jolie. And the  rest of the cast. I never believed that any of them were doing anything more than just reading their lines and playing themselves, just as cuddly animals. So I went into this film with the same thoughts in my head regarding big time actors playing animated characters, I just don’t buy it. I recognized the famous actor voices and it immediately pulls me out of the story. If you’re gonna use A list actors with distinct deliveries for voice acting, take a cue from Johnny Depp in Rango and create a character, change your voice, or at least put a little effort into what you’re reading.

When you take away the famous people providing the voices for these cuddly characters you aren’t really left with much in the way of story. Kung Fu Panda 2 tells the tale of how an evil peacock who was scorned by his parents tried to change his destiny (being defeated by the Black and White Warrior) by killing off all the pandas in China. This in turn sets of a series of events that do just the opposite of changing his destiny by setting Po (Jack Black) on his path to become the warrior that defeats him. Po struggles from the beginning to find inner peace, which apparently is a Kung Fu move required to defeat ones inner demons as well as Chinese cannons.  Po and the Furious 5 set out to defeat the evil peacock not knowing that it’s Po’s destiny to defeat the dirty bird. Funny how all that works out.

I guess my biggest beef with this film is the lack of “character arc”. At least the first film had Po going from a lovable loser to the Dragon Warrior. He changed, he accomplished something by hard work and perseverance and in the end he was a completely different character than when he started. In the sequel Po stays very much the same. His major change in this film is Po learning to find inner peace, but before he learned what inner peace was he was perfectly content and was not in search of inner peace. It’s kind of like having a disease and not know about it, then when you find out you have the disease you instantly become sick. His search for inner peace is ultimately just a gimmick that allows him to learn a special Kung Fu move that just might allow him to save the day.

I don’t think Kung Fu Panda 2 is a bad movie, the 3D effects were very well done, the acting was servicable, and the cell shaded animations in the flash backs were awesome. I’m sure tons of kids will love it (the kids in the theater I was in gave it a standing ovation). It’s just not for me. Ultimatley Kung Fu Panda 2 reminded me of those Disney direct to video sequels that come out every so often, except in this case they kept the big name actors and spent an estimated $75 million dollars on a movie that would have been serviceable as a straight to video sequel.

If you have kids, take them. I’m sure they’ll love it. As an adult though I’d recommend spending my money on something else.

We’ve all had a Hesher in our life  at one time or another. Someone who, on the surface at least, does not live by the rules of society or really care that they even exist. They have their own way of doing things. They seem to live by some secret code that begins and ends with one rule “f@*$ the man”. Most people who see “Hesher” coming their way would cross the street, go out of their way to avoid eye contact, and generally do their best to avoid them all together in their day to day life. Personally I embrace the “Hesher’s” of the world. I see them as a necessary yin to the mostly boring yang of our daily lives. They provide an important counterbalance to the daily 9 to 5 culture that bores most people into an early grave and without them the world would be a much less interesting place. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed “Hesher” so much. It allowed me the opportunity to peek inside the life of this person, and live a little, even if that life isn’t exactly what you think it might me.

“Hesher” is a simple story of a young boy aptly played by Devin Brochu who is trying to keep it together after the death of his mother but failing miserably. His father, played by a bearded Rainn Wilson, has sunk so deeply into depression that he can barely be bothered to get off the couch. His interactions with his son are uncomfortable to watch. They find themselves so filled with loss and confusion that they can no longer communicate and most conversations simply erupt in to arguments that spiral out of control. This fractured family is on a path to certain destruction when “Hesher” shows up and turns an already ugly situation completely on it’s head.

Let’s talk for a moment about Joseph Gordon-Levitt. We all remember him from his early work including 3rd Rock From the Sun and 10 Things I Hate About You, but over the past few years he’s become a solid actor. He’s built quite a name for himself as a talent who can hold his own on screen with some of the biggest names in Hollywood but has also embraced the indy movie scene and taken roles in smaller films that have really allowed him to shine. The character he created for this film is iconic and is a role that people will look back on when they discuss roles that define an actor in much the same way that Travis Bickle defined Robert De Niro for a generation.

Hesher is a destructive force of nature who, for better or worse, brings chaos to all those around him. When he encounters the Forneys, they are on their last leg. T.J. is headed down a bad path and is being bullied by an older kid who is forcing him into a corner where if something doesn’t happen for T.J., his only escape very well may be a violent one. Paul Forney is dead inside. His wife is gone and he doesn’t know how to live without her. The Forneys attempt to attend group therapy session but it only seems to make things worse. They are not able to deal with the pain inside and watching others try to deal with theirs only makes things worse. This is where Hesher comes into play. He turns their world on it’s head, forcing them to deal with things they would rather not talk about in a way that seems totally insane but probably is the only to save them.

The supporting actors who were cast in this film are nothing short of a miracle. Who would have thought Natalie Portman could play a mousey, unattractive, first rate loser so well. Put on a pair of thick rimmed glasses, take away the make up and well groomed hair and all the glitz and glam of Hollywood quickly disappears leaving us with nothing but her first rate acting chops. Portman plays a part time cashier at a neighborhood grocery store whose only goal in life is to get enough hours at her crappy job so she can pay her rent and not end up living in her car. She shows up at just the right moment to rescue T.J. from his bully and sets in action a chain of events that will either lead T.J. to salvation or ultimate destruction.

This is a movie that will split a lot of people down the middle, you will probably either love this movie or hate it. Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Hesher character is going to piss off a lot of people because he’s rude, crude, crass, has some joyfully bad home made tattoos, listens to his music much too loud, and spends an awful lot of time pushing peoples buttons. Some of us will not relate to or understand why he does what he does throughout this movie and will not like him because of it. They will see him as simply a troublemaker, much they way the would probably see him in real life and that’s ok. This movie is not for every one. There’s a certain amount of people who will dismiss this movie for who Hesher is, what he looks like, and what the chaos he brings, but there is also a group of people out there who will embrace this movie for exactly who Hesher is, and that’s an amazing character who makes us uncomfortable at times, makes us angry, breaks our hearts and confuses us but also makes us laugh, makes us root for him, makes us wish we could be more like him and tell people what we really feel and live the life we really want to live. I am one of those people and hope you are too.

There’s something about Thor I just couldn’t put my finger on. Something that sat in the pit of my stomach for a couple of days, keeping me from fully recommending this movie to you. It’s not that I didn’t like it. The story was interesting, the characters well developed, the sets were beautiful, even stunning at times. It was well paced, didn’t really get too bogged down in details, honestly I don’t even remember looking at my watch once to see how much movie was left. It actually took me a few days to figure out what the problem was but first lets take a look at what worked for me.

We all know the story of Thor by now from the numerous trailers and tons of promo done for this movie and if you don’t here is a short rundown on the story. Thor is the  future king of Asgard. His father want’s to name him king but doesn’t really trust him because Thor is quite reckless and his actions often put others in danger and that’s exactly what happens. Thor puts the land of Asgard in danger when he is manipulated by his crafty brother Loki who himself wants to take over the throne. To make a long story short he gets cast off to Earth as punishment from his father where he loses his powers and must find a way to get them back in time to save his world and ours. That’s simplifying it a bit but you get the gist of if. It’s not anything we haven’t seen before and a million, nay a billion comics have been sold based on the same premise.

The cast of this movie was excellent from bottom to top. Standout number one is Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth who seems destined for stardom. He has a commanding presence and very well may be the next big thing in action movies (for god sakes stay away from the rom-coms). Natalie Portman shines as the super smart love interest of Thor, the earthling who falls in love with our hero the instance they meet and is ultimately tasked with finding her way back to him when it’s all said and done. The main shortcomings of this cast all seem to come on the side of the villains and that is certainly my biggest problem with this film.

Never at any point in this film did I ever feel that Thor could not save the day and that the others around him were truly in danger. The ice giants seemed annoyingly fragile, especially when going up against the mighty hammer. Loki, while as vile and cunning as a villain can be, never seemed to have what it takes to unseat Thor. His plotting and scheming seemed very transparent from the very beginning and made for a very short reign. Ultimately I felt that this film was kind of a throw away film. A training session of sorts to get us ready to see the mighty power of Thor unleashed in the upcoming Avengers. This is a good opportunity to fix a few things so that hopefully when the Avengers hits, we won’t be left with that empty feeling in our stomachs like I have right now.

There’s a common qualifier that goes along with seeing most low budget movies, especially low budget horror movies and that’s the old adage that “it was really good for a low budget movie”. It’s a way of saying a movie was OK, but it could have been better if they had spent more money on an actual sound person or had they actually paid someone to edit it instead of letting the only guy they know that has the software to do it for a copy of the DVD. It’s not an adage I particularly buy into as I try to judge each movie on it’s own merit but “Insidious” is definitely a movie that some people are either praising or damning based solely on the budget. I say without a doubt, this is one of the creepiest movies I’ve seen in a long time compared to any movie of any budget.

Insidious is a ghost story, pure and simple. It’s the story of an average family who begins to experience supernatural occurrences shortly after their son is injured and left in an unresponsive, coma like state.It starts with a few bumps in the attic, a creepy door opening on it’s own, and some incredible tension and runs with it. Before long the family is experiencing full blown apparitions who are not even trying to hide the fact that they are there. They want you to see them and they want you to be scared. After speaking with a ghost expert of sorts it becomes apparent what the ghost’s really want and that is to inhabit the body of the child in the coma. I could tell you more but than might spoil what I felt was an awesome roller coaster ride of scares and surprises.

One of the complaints that I have heard from people regarding this movie is actually one of the things that I feel they did better than 90 percent of horror movies out there and that is the use of the jump scare. You know, that part of the movie when it gets really quiet and the tension is high and your on the edge of your seat when suddenly some spooky music blares out right as a cat jumps out of a trash can. In “Insidious” there are plenty of scenes that do that very thing only there are no cats jumping out in this move. Every scare is genuine, never letting you off the hook once they have you on it.

The cast is solid, Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne are both believable as parents put in a terrible situation, trying with all their might just to keep it together for the sake of their children. My two favorite characters were Specs and Tucker played by Leigh Whannel and Angus Sampson as part of a team of ghost experts who investigate the house. They were the “comic relief” portion of the movie, raising the spirits just enough that when the next scare hit it was all the more impactful.

Is is a perfect movie? Of course not. The CGI ghosts were shoddy at times, the kid actors were a bit stiff and I don’t know if it was just my theater but the image was terribly dark which at times made it hard to see everything that was going. If your looking for a movie to keep you up at night and make you think than this is the movie for you. Check out “Insidious” this weekend and have a good scare, you just might like it…

There is a lot of discussion that goes on around here about movie adaptations of video games and how they never get it right. They always seem to be missing something whether it be important characters being re-imagined or plot points changed to make it more hollywood’ish or for the most part they just don’t get what video games are about. They are about the experience and the challenge. A good video game is one you can play over and over again and not get bored. The challenge is what brings you back and that’s the best way I can describe The Source Code for you. This movie is the live action version of a mystery/action-adventure video game that keeps bringing you back over and over again, each time discovering something new that will allow you to advance to the next mystery and hopefully escape from the danger and save the girl. While The Source Code may not actually be based on a video game, it certainly has all the elements of a great video game in droves.

I’m sure you’ve probably all known what this movie is about at this point. There has been a ton of trailers and press for this movie. It seems like rarely a day has gone by in the past few months that we didn’t get a new poster, trailer, teaser, or interview for this movie teasing out bits of info to keep us interested. The Source Code is an action thriller centered on a soldier who wakes up in the body of an unknown man and discovers he’s part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. He has eight minutes to discover who is responsible for this terrible deed and report back to his commanders before the train is going to explode. What we soon learn is that Gyllenhaal must relive these 8 minutes over and over again until he is able to solve the mystery and save the day. Sounds pretty straight forward right? Well that’s where this movie wins the day.

The real drawing point to this movie is the “video game” style replays where the character of Stevens must relive these moments over and over again in a Groundhog Day style series of events using what he’s learned each time to get closer to solving the mystery. The whole time he’s reliving these events he’s falling in love with Michelle Monaghan’s character and instead of just finding out who the terrorist is and handing over the info to his superior officers he begins to plot a way to save the people on the train and get the girl as well.

The Source Code is a very good movie that just happens to be a one of the better sci-fi movies I’ve seen in a long time. I love the way that they didn’t just gloss over the scientific aspects of whats going on here to focus on the action and romance elements. The science was respected, and that allows for some good discussion on whether what was happening in this movie could actually be possible and what the repercussions of those actions are, but that’s a thought for another day. What you should really take away from this review is that The Source Code is definitely a movie worth seeing. It’s smart, funny at times, has a little romance, has a lot of good action sequences, and has a mystery behind it all that will keep you guessing as to what’s really going on up until the very end. Check this movie out and support good movies like this, they just might make more smart sci-fi movies and that’s never a bad thing.

I was raised on the Hollywood western. While my friends were off playing Star Wars and Indiana Jones I was playing Rio Bravo and The Rifleman. My hero was always the man in the white hat that never failed to save the day and always got the girl. I also loved classic comedy westerns such as The Shakiest Gun in the West, The Apple Dumpling Gang, and The Great Race. Their comedic twist on the movies I had grown to love so much as a child kept me smiling on the worst of days. Perhaps that’s why I find Gore Verbinsky’s “Rango” to be such an excellent movie. It’s a perfect blend of all of the things I loved about the Hollywood westerns of old as well as a great bit of family safe comedy to balance out the seriousness of the dire situation our hero finds himself in.

“Rango” is the story of an ordinary chameleon longing for a more exciting life who is without warning thrust into the adventure of a lifetime. Rango finds himself in the town of Dirt, an aptly named destination whose water supply is mysteriously drying up and leaving the residents in fear of their future. In classic western tradition, Rango becomes the unlikely hero of the day and is tasked with saving the town from imminent doom all the while trying to keep secret the fact that he has no idea what he is doing.

In my opinion the credit for the movie must start at the top with Gore Verbinsky. This is by far his best work and his handling of the material here borders on mastery. He has created a film so full of great characters that is very easy to forget that you are actually watching animals play the roles on screen. From Isla Fisher as the spunky heroine “Beans” to Ned Beatty as “The Mayor” and all the small parts in between this an outstanding supporting cast that would be hard to compete with in a live action movie much less an animated feature.

Johnny Depp is simply wonderful in the role of Rango. He completely disappears inside this little chameleon, changing his voice so that it is unrecognizable and creating a character that it is impossible not to root for. The amalgamation of great character traits from western heroes of the past is evident and flawless. His mere voice performance in this movie has me slobbering at the mouth at the chance to see him play one of my child hood heroes, Tonto, in the upcoming Lone Ranger remake.

I’d be remissed if I didn’t mention the outstanding animation and cinematography in this movie. This is a beautifully animated movie the likes of I have never seen. Roger Deakins work as visual effects consultant lends a look to this film that rarely seen outside of the greatest of the classic westerns.

Rango is a great movie. There wasn’t one second of the movie that I wasn’t thoroughly entertained by the wonderful little story that was unfolding in front of me. If this is what is to be expected from ILM and Nickelodeon Films in the future, we have wild ride ahead of us and I can’t wait to jump on.

Before we get into my review of Beastly let me ask you a few questions. First, are you a female age 13 to 24? Second, have you read or watched any chapter of the Twilight saga and enjoyed it? Third, are you so desperate to find a partner that you would lock a girl you are infatuated with in your attic and read her poetry until she falls madly in love with your grotesque face? If you answered yes to any of the above questions then you should probably stop reading now because I’m probably going to hurt your feelings with what I’m about to say regarding this movie.

Beastly is quite possibly the most shallow, pandering, overwrought piece of excrement I’ve seen thrown on the silver screen in a long time. It all starts with a cast of characters who seem to have no rudder, no inner compass, and no parents to teach them right from wrong. (Apparently this is left up to the help in Beastly world.) Alex Pettyfer’s “Kyle” is one of the most unlikable leading characters I may have ever seen in a movie. The opening ten minutes of this film establish him as an egotistical, hateful, self-involved cretin whose laughable attempts to destroy those who he feels beneath him make him nigh un-redeemable. His father is apparently a famous newscaster who hasn’t given him the attention he deserves and the people he surrounds himself with are vapid, soulless ghouls. This makes Pettyfer’s character sad so he picks on the hot witch (Mary Kate Olsen in junior misses Goth gear) whose mere presence in his school is apparently the bane of his existence. Voila, you’re cursed to be ugly like Mary Kate. And by ugly I mean you’re still hot, you just have metal on your face and some cool tattoos. Oh, and nobody recognizes you anymore. Even though you still look pretty much the same and your voice is no different, you are now the weird guy who wears a hoody all the time that nobody pays attention to.

My second major issue with this movie is the story. In most movies the story is important; things need to make a certain amount of sense for people to follow what’s going on and enjoy the movie. Not in Beastly world. In this world you can stalk a girl you once mocked but secretly love, help her father cover up a murder you were involved in and then keep said girl locked in your attic until she’s “safe” (wink, wink). Now I totally understand the point of keeping her captive. Daniel Barnz is attempting to do a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, the classic story of not judging a book by its cover. Unfortunately for director Daniel Barnz we live in a modern world full of sickos and stalkers. Alex Pettyfer doesn’t come across as a good guy trying to save this poor girl from evil but as a creep keeping Vanessa Hudgins locked up till she goes all Stockholm syndrome and they can finally be together.

I could go on for days about how bad this movie was, about how Neil Patrick Harris and the Jamaican maid (Lindsay Gay Hamilton) played a role in a felony kidnapping while at the same time providing the comic relief but I digress. This was an awful movie that pandered to the lowest common denominator, people who aren’t old enough, or smart enough, to know a good movie from bad. Apparently you can show them some nice abs and a good smile, mix in a half assed romance story, and play some popular music over the trailer and you’ve got yourself a good opening weekend and you’ve made your budget back already. Hell, Twilight’s made a mint exploiting that same section of our society over and over again. You’d think they’d eventually learn. Oh well, bad movies get made every day and this movie will be quickly forgotten when the next pandering piece of crap hit’s the cinemas. Save yourself some grief and skip this one…

With the Oscar buzz going this weekend as we all prepare to watch the Academy Awards on my birthday this Monday, I was deemed lucky enough to take in a movie that in no way embodies the stature and grace of the films being honored at this year’s ceremony. Drive Angry 3D is a balls to the wall, explosive knee-capping joyride of fun. Now I know that this movie is not going to be for everyone, especially if you can’t handle hands being blown off with shotguns, knees exploding, and lots of naked women, bur for me scenes in this movie bring back fond memories of little Kevin enjoying the hell out of Robocop and the Terminator.

A vengeful father escapes from hell and chases after the men who killed his daughter and kidnapped his granddaughter.

Now that plot really is all the movie is about, it’s flimsy at best and the writers know this. By time the first line of dialog is spoken by Milton(Nicolas Cage), I and the audience knew the kind of movie this was going to be a great grindhouse movie in quality 3D, with some of the best worst lines I’ve ever heard uttered by A-list actors on film. My personal favorite? “I’d shot you in the throat and watch you gurgle while I eat my grapefruit.”

All the actors in this film do a great job of taking their riddicuos characters seriously enough that with these horrid lines sell some great comedic elements that make this film a must see for any action movie junkie that can love a film that tries to be bad and is all the better for it. The lovely Amber Heard, plays a great hard nosed girl that cares and looks so damn hot on screen. For most that’s reason to see it all-together, but she does a good job of bringing the fun as well as the hot. Billy Burke as satanist cult leader Jonah King is so perfect for his part that I can’t wait to see him again, and of course the best lines in the film are reserved for that bad ass of bad asses William Fichtner, as The Accountant sent from hell to bring Milton back.

Writers Patrick Lussier and Todd Farmer on set

The 3D in this film was about what you’d expect from director Patrick Lussier (director of My Bloody Valentine 3D, and the new Halloween III), and together with son Devin C. Lussier they edit together some great car chase/gun battle/crazy shit scenes that made me feel a little dizzy even in the opening shots of the film. So if you get motion sick very easily I’d suggest not watching this in 3D, or at least not the first 5 minutes or so. So how do you know you’ll like this movie, as much as I did? Well I’ve included below, one of the most talked about scenes that was in this film, and I feel it sums up the movie perfectly.

Till next time gang, enjoy your weekend at the box office, and remember if you have to drive, Drive Angry!

Rating 4/5

Ed Helms has been on my radar for a while now. While I certainly enjoy his work on NBC’s  The Office each week playing the bumbling Andy Bernard, it’s his supporting roles in some of my favorite films over the years that have kept me coming back again and again. His breakout role as Stu Price in The Hangover however, has recently secured him as a leading comedic actor in Hollywood. When I read that he would be sharing the bill with the comic legend (in my mind at least) John C. Reilly I knew this was something that was right up my alley.

So does it live up to the expectations that come to mind when two of the potentially funniest actors in Hollywood mix it up on screen? Well that all depends on what you’re looking for. If your looking for deep meaningful dialogue about the meaning of life and what it means to be a middle age man still trying to find his place in the world this may not be the movie for you (and then again it just might). If your looking for a funny, fish out of water story involving two men who couldn’t be more different who are forced to co-exist in each others world/hotel room over the course of an insurance sales convention than this is just the movie for you.

Ed Helms does some of his best work here as a man forced into a difficult situation that just happens to be his life long dream. You see, Ed Helms is a small fish in a small pond and he’s happy with his life as it is but what he really wants is to make his boss, played by Stephen Root of “Office Space “and “King Of The Hill” fame, happy and win one for the team by heading to the big city of Cedar Rapids to the annual insurance convention and taking home the coveted 3 Diamond award that will cement his company as the best in the business.

The only thing standing in the way of winning this award is insurance bad boy John C. Reilly. From the moment they meet John C. Reilly’s character does everything he can to get Ed Helms out of his shell, much to the chagrin of his boss Stephen Root who has already warned Helms to stay clear of Reilly and his troublesome ways. What results is one of the funnier fish out of water stories I’ve seen in some time.

I enjoyed the pacing, the dialogue, and the polished cinematography but what stood out the most to me was the strong supporting cast that  fills out the world around Helms and Reilly. Anne Heche shines as the married insurance saleswoman who uses the Cedar Rapids conference each year as a chance to recharge her batteries and escape the banality of her every day life. She really holds her own when she’s on screen with two leading men in a role where she could have easily been overshadowed by Reilly and Helms. Also carrying ample weight in this film is Kurtwood Smith as the flawed Orin Helgesson, a man that is not everything that he appears to be early on in the film. He plays the grim, straight edged, everyman as good as anyone ever has and his twist on the character that occurs late in the second act of the film makes him the perfect character to counter balance the silly, bigheartedness of Reilly and Helms.

While Cedar Rapids may not be the movie for everyone, it certainly gets a recommendation from me. It’s likable characters, funny situations, and willingness to push the envelope  when others might have pulled back (see the post party escape scene and anything featuring John C. Reilly in his underwear) make this a good watch and a great opportunity to see Ed Helms stretch his legs and go head to head with John C. Reilly and more that adequately hold his own.

On the 2nd episode of The Noob News’ VHS HELL (with Matthew Jones), we take a long hard look at the Ray Dennis Steckler opus BLOOD SHACK a.k.a. CURSE OF THE EVIL SPIRIT a.k.a THE CHOOPER a.k.a. THE BLOOD MONSTER a.k.a. “THE BEST WORST MOVIE EVER FUCKING MADE”!