Ready For Action..."The Marine 4: Moving Target"

The Marine 4: Moving Target (2015)  

Rated R

Starring Mike "The Miz" Mizanin, Melissa Roxburgh,

Directed by William Kaufman

The Story:

Jake Carter (Mizanin) has left the Marines and is now working for the most prestigious private security firm that money can buy. His first assignment is to protect a whistleblower (Roxburgh) who has intelligence about top brass that are attempting to betray America. The biggest problem, she doesn't want protection, even from the assassins that are trying to kill her.

WWE Studios returns with their most successful franchise, The Marine. What started as a vehicle for John Cena has turned into a steady gig for The Miz.

Love him or hate him in or out of the ring, Mizanin has more than proved his worth to WWE as arguably their most consistent, and one of the best bad guys over the last decade.

The biggest misstep was trying to make his character a good guy because of his role as the face of The Marine.

They've now settled on the fact that his Hollywood career is part of his egocentric bad guy persona, and they've been mining gold ever since.

Again, they're not reinventing the action flick, they are simply taking what works and keeping the parts well-oiled for their wrestlers to create crossover appeal.

Added to the mix this go round is Summer Rae, who gets to take her turn as a deadly sniper who is trying to take down the target.

It's working, and it's pretty fun from start to finish.

And yes, we're but a few weeks away from the next installment that has The Miz returning in the starring role, and this time there's at least 5 more wrestlers in roles as well.

If they continue to follow this formula, it should be a pretty fun ride.

Final Grade: B-

I Was Not Expecting a "Bridget Jones Trilogy"

Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Rated R

Starring Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Gemma Jones, Hugh Broadbent

Directed by Sharon Maguire
  
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)  

Rated R

Starring Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Gemma Jones, Hugh Broadbent

Directed by Beeban Kidron

Bridget Jones' Baby (2016)

Starring Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey, Gemma Jones, Hugh Broadbent

Directed by Sharon Maguire

The Stories:

Bridget Jones (Zellweger) has decided to take control of her life and begins a journal for the New Year. In it she chronicles her life and the relationships she has, including a tryst with her boss, Daniel Cleaver (Grant) and Mark Darcy (Firth), a man she met at the family Christmas party who annoyed her to no end.

By the next film, Bridget seemingly has her mind set up on which gentleman suitor she wants to be with, the trick now is getting him to the altar.

Finally, the majority of the cast returns as Bridget, now alone, wishes she would have been a mother. As luck would have it, she beds a millionaire, has a romantic tryst with an old flame, and is suddenly facing the prospect of motherhood, but has no idea which of the two men might be the father.

So there, are we all caught up now?

As I've mentioned before, 2016 brought the revival of many dormant movie franchises.

With the arrival (no pun intended) of Bridget Jones' Baby, I decided to refresh my memory on what happened previously, and try and remember why I thought they were okay, but nothing great enough to buy for the movie library.

Thankfully, Netflix had the first 2 available to stream, and so I did.

With Diary, it's a pretty fun character driven adventure with lots of quirky people in and out of Bridget's life. As an admitted Hugh Grant fan, most romantic comedies are better just because he is in it. Teamed opposite Firth, as the quiet, bitter romantic interest, they are a comedic pair of opposites that keep the movie, and Bridget's life, very interesting. They also engage in one of the best, worst fights in cinematic history.

As usual, my distaste for language that exists simply because the movie is rated R and can say whatever it wants gives the film a lower grade, and reminds me of why it was never purchased the first go-round. Over the years, I've found that saying #$@#$@#%@$#%@# repeatedly rarely benefits the story, and seems to often be the product of lazy writing.

Unless you're Die Hard, try harder people. :)

Following up Diary, The Edge of Reason, it just feels like an obvious cash grab by the studios. Gone was the director. So too any and all charm and goodwill for the first one. There are a few bright spots sprinkled throughout the film, but not nearly enough to make this one worthwhile, save for the actors themselves.

Thankfully upon the return of the franchise, everyone, minus Hugh Grant, returns, including the director. Whether it was Maguire or what, the film regains much of the charm of the first while centering around the Who's Your Daddy? storyline. The disappointment that there was no Happily Ever After fades quickly as you realize that this is Bridget Jones after all, and why would there ever have been such and ending for her story?

Dempsey fills in admirably as the new potential love interest who finds himself on the other end of Firths' angry gaze. The pair pull off a pretty good chemistry as opposites again vying for Bridget's affections, but the story never quite equals that of the first film.

If you liked any of the previous films, then you'll be more than satisfied with the cinematic conclusion to the tale.

Which is better than some franchises that go out with a whimper, a shadow of their former glory.

Final Grades:

Diary - B
Reason - C
Baby - B-

The "Santa Clarita Diet" Is Not For Everyone

Santa Clarita Diet (2017)

TV-MA

Starring Drew Barrymore, Timothy Olyphant, Liv Hewson, Skyler Gisondo,

Created by Victor Fresco

The Story:

Sheila and Joel Hammond (Barrymore & Olyphant) are realtors in Santa Clarita. They're struggling to make sales while also raising a teenage daughter (Hewson). Oh, and apparently Sheila has somehow become a zombie, and now they have to see if they can find a cure to save her!

Welcome to one of the newest original series on Netflix.

It's as if they saw how good iZombie was and said, "hey, we want a zombie show too!"

And here we are.

It's got a great cast, anchored by Olyphant and Barrymore.

Barrymore gets to let her hair down as she becomes more and more acting on impulse as she devolves further into her zombie state.

Olyphant gets to play broader comedy as the husband who vows to stand by his wife, even to the point of committing murder to help satisfy her hunger cravings.

The show starts off rather slow, but by the 4th and 5th episode, they hit their stride and things begin to take off.  It builds to a satisfying cliffhanger that leads to the second season.

The show, overall, is good, not great.

I've run into the usual problem I have with Netflix originals:

The #$@@#ing language!

We get it, you're not on broadcast tv, you can let the F-bombs fly.

And they do.

Repeatedly.

Too much for me to feel comfortable watching with any of my kids, even the older ones, in the room.

Or even the wife for that matter.

And that's too bad, as we both really enjoy both Olyphant and Barrymore.

I guess I'll just have to fill that void by rewatching Justified and Drew's old romantic comedies.

Final Grade: B-

Sow 'Em While You Got 'Em..."Wild Oats"

Wild Oats (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Shirley MacLaine, Jessica Lange, Demi Moore, Howard Hesseman, Billy Connolly

Directed by Andy Tennant

The Story:

When Eva's (MacLaine) husband passes away, she receives a life insurance check in the mail for $5,000,000. The only problem? It's got a few zeros too many on the check. Instead of the $50,000 she was expecting. She and her best friend Maddie (Lange) decide to cash it and they are off on the vacation of a lifetime! What they don't know is that a dogged insurance rep (Hesseman) is hot on their heels to collect the money back before they can spend it all.

If it's true that Hollywood doesn't have any parts for actresses over 40, apparently the solution is to go out and make a movie that exclusively has main characters featuring older women.

On that, this movie succeeds very well.

Lange and MacLaine seem to have a very great chemistry with one another, and it's a nice reminder of what talented actresses they are.

There are some quirks built into both ladies characters that will either charm or annoy you, but at no time is the film anything less than interesting.

Surrounded by a wonderful supporting cast of older stars that show they've all still got it, especially a beleaguered Hesseman who plays an insurance fraud inspector that's wondering why he hasn't just retired yet.

Nothing fancy, just a quick, enjoyable 90 minutes of light fun and enjoyable characters.

I'll take that any day.

Final Grade:  B-

A Truly Bad Day At The Office..."Deepwater Horizon"

Deepwater Horizon (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, Dylan O'Brien, Gina Rodriguez, Ethan Suplee, Kate Hudson,

Directed by Peter Berg

The Story:

In April 2010, operational supervisor Jimmy Harrell (Russell) and his chief engineer, Mike Williams (Wahlberg) are trying to explain to BP executives why the Deepwater Horizon oil rig is overbudget and behind schedule. BP of course wants no more excuses so they order shortcuts to get caught up and back on schedule. Naturally, bad things are about to happen and the worst oil spill in history is about to occur.

Naturally, this film is based on a true story.

While it's not a documentary, and parts of it are dramatized, what is true is that corporate greed cost men their lives and spilled millions of gallons of oil into the ocean.

When it went to trial, naturally, BP executives got off with no charges.

Go figure.

Peter Berg continues to be one of those efficient directors that seemingly flies under the radar.  He makes a big budget film on a low budget, and makes the most of his cast, crew and editing. They are usually crisp movies that move along at a perfect pace and keep your interest from start to finish.

He re-teams with Walhberg, and set off on the quest to be an action drama that thrills and also leaves you holding your breath wondering how it's going to turn out, and who isn't going to make it.

Those people are honored as the end credits roll.

And that's part of what makes movies like this so difficult to watch.

You're both entertained, but at the end of the day, these weren't just actors getting killed to further the story, these were people who paid the ultimate price trying to do their jobs.

It also makes watching movies like this more than once a rare thing to do.

While they are technically sound and very well crafted, the subject matter doesn't cry out to be watched multiple times as an entertaining experience.

Your mileage may vary.

Final Grade: Solid B

It's So Fluffy..."Gabriel Iglesias: I'm Sorry For What I Said When I Was Hungry"

Gabriel Iglesias: I'm Sorry for What I Said When I was Hungry  (2016)

Not Rated

Starring Gabriel Iglesias

Directed by Manny Rodriguez

The Story:

Gabriel Iglesias, aka "Fluffy" is back, and this time Netflix had him film an original concert exclusively for their service. Among the topics he discusses are his very own celebrity death, raising an 18 year old son, Marvel vs. DC, and he concludes with a look back on racist gift baskets.

If you've never seen Gabriel Iglesias' stand up before, this is a great place to start.

If you've been a fan previously, you've probably already watched this since it popped up on Netflix in December.

Much like the rest of his concerts, the language and topics are fairly family-friendly.

There can be a few words or topics that venture to the PG-13 territory, but he tries to keep it as tame as he can, and he even acknowledges that in the concert.

I won't go into too much more than that, because I don't want to ruin any of the jokes or stories that he's going to spin for you.

Sit back, relax, and get ready to laugh and have a good time.

Final Grade: A-

If You've Seen One "Jason Bourne" Film, You Really Have Seen Them All

Jason Bourne (2016)  

Rated PG-13

Starring Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassell, Julia Stiles,

Directed by Paul Greengrass

The Story:

Jason Bourne (Damon) is back again, and he's going to kill the people that turned him into a deadly assassin with a past he cannot remember.

Wait, stop me if you've seen this before...

Yes, the 4th Damon entry into the Bourne franchise arrives in 2016, the year of long dormant sequels to franchises we all assumed were dead and buried.

And yes, Greengrass and Damon reunite to bring the troubled past of Jason Bourne once again to viewers everywhere.

As usual, I'm really indifferent to these films.

I've seen them all, and ironically, the most coherent and best of the bunch is the one that had Jeremy Renner as the star.

So there.

: )

Otherwise, they are literally a forgettable mashup of spy thriller cat and mouse.

Stylish, but utterly forgettable.

Much like Bourne's past.

At least Julia Stiles finally found a way to get out of this franchise...

Ooops.

Spoiler.

;)

Final Grade: C

Somehow You Get Sucked In..."Heartland"

Heartland (2007)

Starring Amber Marshall, Graham Wardle, Shaun Johnston, Chris Potter, Michelle Morgan

The Story:

Heartland is the story of a family that owns and operates a large ranch/equestrian center in Alberta Canada. It centers on Amy (Marshall) who has a gift for working with horses and her relationship with Ty (Wardle) the local ranch hand that is crazy for her. The family has come together after Amy's mom passes in a tragic accident and they are all left to pick up the pieces.

10 seasons later, those pieces are still being picked up and moved around.

:)

So welcome to Canada's answer to the soap opera format.

It's filled with actors you've probably never seen, and some of the plots are thin, nonexistent, totally contrived or just downright silly sometimes.

Yet...

It's endearing enough that you find yourself wrapped up in the lives of this crazy family, scratching your head at some of the decisions they make and often wondering how any of them have survived this long on their own.

As I mentioned, the 10th season is rolling out in Canada as we speak, and quite possibly available to those in America who have been watching in some way, shape or form.

For the rest of us, Netflix has the first 7 seasons available to stream as I write this review.

At this point, I'm somewhere in the middle of season 5.

I haven't seen every episode, but I've seen enough to stay caught up with what is going so that I'm not terribly lost if I've missed a few episodes here or there.

For me, the standout of the series is Grandpa Jack (Johnston), the patriarch of the family. He's strong, but fair, and adds a nice underlying layer of humor to his character that enriches every scene he's in.

Other characters have come and gone from the series over the years, but the main cast I've listed is still going strong with the show.

So nothing fancy, and a show that is probably not for everyone, but if you love horses, the cowboy life, or the scenic vistas of Canada, you might be entertained.

Final Grade: B

I Should Have Let It Stay A Secret..."The Secret Life Of Pets"

The Secret Life of Pets (2016)

Rated PG

Starring Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper, Albert Brooks, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey,

Directed by Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney

The Story:

Max (Louis C.K.) is a terrier who lives a happy life with Katie (Kemper). Until one day she brings home a stray named Duke (Stonestreet) and the two just don't get along. Naturally, one day Max's attempt to get rid of Duke wind up with them both on the lam from the law, and when Snowball (Hart) shows them the seedy underside of abandoned pets in New York City, they both just want to get home as soon as possible.

Sound familiar?

Yep, it's the plot to Toy Story, only this time substitute pets for toys, and you're guaranteed a smash hit for the whole family.

Except for all the charm and heart, this movie forgot to add most of that in.

The framework for the story was already done for them by Pixar, Illumination Entertainment forgot to add in all the fun, excitement and warmth that made Toy Story an instant classic.

Instead, they relied on a host of funny comedians and hoped that they would be enough to make this one fun on its own.

Ooops.

Doesn't really work that way.

I think the two most enjoyable characters in the film were voiced by Albert Brooks and Dana Carvey, and they were minor characters that show up in the 2nd half of the film.

At the end of the day, it's not unwatchable.

I've just seen too many animated films by all the studios continually push that bar ever higher, and it's not enough, for me anyway, to just be an animated film to entice families to watch together.

Final Grade: C

Time To Watch A Bootleg Copy..."Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman's Fantastic Four"

Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman's Fantastic Four (2015)

Not Rated

Starring Alex Hyde-White, Joseph Culp, Oley Sassone, Michael Bailey Smith, Rebecca Staab, Jay Underwood, Mark Sikes, Chris Gore,

Written and Directed by Marty Langford

The Story:

In late 1993, Roger Corman was approached to get The Fantastic Four produced, shot and made as quickly, and inexpensively as possible. Promising a theatrical release, and the end to poor Marvel movies as they knew it, the cast and crew threw all of their blood, sweat, tears, and sometimes even own money into making the best movie they could on what little budget they had. Little did they know that even far more sinister forces than Dr. Doom abounded to conspire to ensure that this movie never saw the light of day, but that it would spin tales that the production was never even supposed to happen.

Cue the ominous music!

In the history of cinema, how many low budget films did Roger Corman produce and/or direct that never saw the light of day?

Only 1.

This is that story.

Nobody puts any money or effort into a movie to not release it.

Yet that is the lie that has been told around Hollywood for over 20 years.

This documentary goes to the sources: the actors, the director, the crew and sets the story as straight as it can, or at least gets you as much of the information that has been previously unheard for generations.

Everyone involved put forth so much love and energy into the project because while they knew they were making a movie on a small budget, they all had dreams and aspirations that it could be a launching pad for that next big thing.

Little did they know...

It turns out that it was a power play to get a bigger budget version of the film to finally be made by a bigger studio.

It would still be a decade later, and I do have a soft spot in my heart for 2005's Fantastic Four, but this version, well, it simply has to be better, or at least more faithful, than the 2015 reboot which I awarded as last year's ultimate Turkey of the Year.

:: shudder ::

That the actors and crew all still remember their time with great fondness is a testament to how much they believed in what they were doing. Joseph Culp, who played Doctor Doom is still open to returning to the booth to re-record some of his dialogue that doesn't play very clearly in the movie.

What truly happened may never be fully known, but this documentary helps you to realize that the film in question was by no means the joke that everyone has played it off to be over the years.

Now available for streaming for those with Amazon Prime.

Final Grade: A-

Fame And Fortune? "Don't Think Twice"

Don't Think Twice (2016) 

Rated R

Starring Mike Birbiglia, Gillian Jacobs, Kate Micucci, Tami Sagher, Keegan-Michael Key, Chris Gethard

Written and Directed by Mike Birbiglia

The Story:

An improv group is struggling to keep their theater afloat when couple Jack (Key) and Samantha (Jacobs) are invited to audition for 'This Weekend Live'. Jack is hired, and Samantha blows off her audition because she just doesn't really want that life. The group struggles to go on with an integral member of their cast no longer there, and his inability to drag his friends to the next potential level of success.

Birbiglia returns as writer/director, and this time takes the focus off of himself, though his character, Miles, does play a major part in this movie. He even has to come to realize that he is the springboard to success for other actors as this isn't the first person he's sent to the big show.

Instead, he focuses on the interactions of an improvisational group of friends who have become a family, and what happens to the relationships in that family when one becomes successful and the others are all left behind.

Of course there are the well-wishes, but there is also pain and resentment, to the point where they even begin to call into question whether Jack's creations are even funny.

The parallel's to the rise to stardom on Saturday Night Live are there, and how each of them are trying to reach that next level of stardom, regardless of what that might mean to the overall effectiveness of their group.

However, without fail, the show must go on, and if that means there are a few less actors on stage and audience members coming to see them, the show must go on.

Funny and heartfelt, it's worth a look.

Final Grade: B

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year..."Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special"

Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special (2017)

TV-MA

Starring Michael Bolton

Directed by Scott Auckerman and David Ferguson

The Story:

It appears that the elves made 75,000 toys too many this past Christmas, so Santa turns to Michael Bolton to have a sexy special so that there will be 75,000 new kids around to receive those toys this year.

Naturally, Michael Bolton accepts the challenge!

If that sounds ridiculous, you ain't seen nothing yet.

Quick, call this number:

1-844-486-7869

I'll wait.

:)

Yes, this Netflix Original spared no expense on this holiday special, including an actual working telethon phone line so you can be among the 75,000 couples that are going to make the telethon a success!

With tongues firmly in cheek, Bolton and company swing for the fences and poke fun at everything that made him a household name and the butt of so many jokes over the years.

Along for the ride are a ton of celebrity guests both as themselves or as characters participating in the telethon.

As the rating of this special implies, there is language and suggestive situations, some from Michael himself, many that he ends up hilariously reacting to.

The cherry on top:  the showdown between Bolton and Kenny G!

Totally over-the-top, but worth every minute.

Final Grade: B+

Hollywood Remake 3:16... "Ben-Hur"

Ben Hur (2016)  

Rated PG-13

Starring Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Morgan Freeman, Rodrigo Santoro,

Directed by Timur Bekmambetov

The Story:

Judah Ben-Hur (Huston) a Jewish prince has been accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala (Kebbell) and exiled from his homeland to serve aboard a Roman naval vessel as a slave rower. When good fortune strikes, Judah is freed and washes ashore where Ilderim (Freeman) teaches him to be the best chariot rider so that he can return home and get revenge against his brother.

Naturally, this is a remake of the classic Charleston Heston movie of the same name. I don't think I've ever seen that one at all, or at least more than a few parts, so I have no basis to compare the two.

I have seen plenty of other movies in my time though, and this one seems strikingly familiar to Gladiator, sometimes too much so.

Also a touch of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, but that may just simply be because of the wise Morgan Freeman character teaching the young hero how to be better to overcome his enemy.

Alas, both of those movies have left enough impression on my mind to make me realize that this story is their inferior.

The naval battle is pretty impressive, but otherwise this story is a bit long.

Plus, while it's an effective storytelling device to start the story in the middle of things and then flashback to what had happened before, in this case, I believe it weakened the overall story.

There is no question that Judah and Messala are going to have a showdown at the chariot race at the end of the movie.

So there is little suspense when the brother turns, or when Judah is trapped aboard the slave ship.

Start at the beginning and go from there, it would have created the stronger narrative and made the movie more gripping of an experience.

Then of course there is the minor story about this guy named Jesus (Santoro) which is almost a throwaway subplot that seems almost tacked on because they felt they had to.

Sometimes it feels forced, and I can't help but wonder if they shouldn't have either left it out entirely, or beefed it up so there was more to it than the compassion coming full circle with the drink of water.

Watchable, but there's plenty of other sand & sandal epics that you could watch instead.

Even the really cheesy Gods of Egypt.

:)

Final Grade: C-

Here Fishy Fishy..."Finding Dory"

Finding Dory (2016)  

Rated PG

Starring Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O'Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy, Diane Keaton, Sigourney Weaver, Idris Elba, Hayden Rolence,

Directed by Andrew Stanton & Angus MacLane

The Story:

A year after their big adventure of finding Nemo, Dory (DeGeneres) is feeling restless. She's remembering bits and pieces of her life as a baby, and wondering if her parents (Levy & Keaton) are still out there. She begins her journey, and Nemo and Marlin (Rolence & Brooks) take off to find her and bring her back...home.

Well, the odds are good that if you liked Finding Nemo, you're going to enjoy Finding Dory just as much.

If you think 2003's Nemo is slightly exaggerated on how awesome and important a movie in the Pixar catalog, and animation as a whole, then you'll find nothing here that's new and exciting, and simply appears as Pixar's attempt to print money.

Guess which camp I fall in?

:)

As always, I'll give Pixar their due, their animation is top notch, and there are scenes where you'll swear you're staring at live action scenery, not recreated backgrounds.

However, neither of the Finding pictures makes my personal Pixar Top 10.

That said, they are not unwatchable, like The Good Dinosaur, so there's that.  : )

There are some fun new characters, and a few returns from the original as well.

The most notable new addition is Hank (O'Neill) the octopus that's going to help Dory in ways he can't even imagine.

Amusingly, most of my kids didn't see this one, as most were indifferent towards, or have never even seen Finding Nemo.

It is now streaming on Netflix, so I'm sure sooner or later, someone will give it a click, and we'll see how they enjoy it.

Final Grade: B-

Time To Enlist..."Dad's Army"

Dad's Army (2016) 

Not Rated

Starring Bill Nighy, Toby Jones, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Gambon, Bill Paterson, Tom Courtenay, Blake Harrison, Daniel Mays,

Directed by Oliver Parker

The Story:

The small town Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard is patrolling their town and keeping everyone safe from Nazi intruders during the closing of World War II. Under the leadership of Captain Mainwaring (Jones) and Sgt. Wilson (Nighy) they keep their motley band as ship-shape as possible. However, with the threat of a Nazi spy infiltrating their town at the same time a lovely journalist (Zeta-Jones) arrives, the crew will have to really mind their manners if they don't want to spoil the D-Day mission!

As I was completely unaware that this is a remake of the beloved late 1960s BBC comedy of the same name, I have no comparison with which to make between this movie and that show.

Which means, unlike that segment of the audience, I quite liked this film.

Those that were familiar, well, they pretty much savaged the very existence of this one, whether it seems they saw it or not.

So apparently Americans aren't the only ones who hate remakes of their childhood favorites.

:)

Anway, the movie is humorous, not gut-bustingly funny, so plan your viewing accordingly.

It's a slow, deliberate build and you can pretty much figure out what is going to happen and when, but it's still an enjoyable experience.


Final Grade: B-

These Boys Can Party..."Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates"

Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016)

Rated R

Starring Zac Efron, Adam Devine, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Stephen Root, Stephanie Faracy, Sugar Lyn Beard, Sam Richardson, Alice Wetterlund,

Directed by Jake Szymanski

The Story:

Mike (Devine) and Dave (Efron) have driven their parents (Root & Faracy) to the edge. Tired of their antics at family functions by showing up single, and drunk, they have an ultimatum for their sister Jeanie's (Beard) wedding in Hawaii. Show up with dates, or don't show up at all. So naturally, the boys do what anyone else would do in this day and age: post an ad on Craigslist.

What could possibly go wrong?

Naturally, this R-rated comedy is rude, crude, silly, stupid, obnoxious...

and funny.

Some of the gags misfire, but more work than don't.

And if you take the crudeness out of the jokes, and they still are funny, then you know it's a pretty good comedy.

This one definitely got more right than Efron's previous, yet similar film this year, Dirty Grandpa.

Much of that credit has to go to Efron and Devine who make a great comedy team. The sleaze is dialed way back in this one, and much of the humor is Mike and Dave's relationship with each other, the rest of their family, and of course, their final selections of Craigslist candidates (Kendrick and Plaza).

The girls have their own skeletons that they are trying to keep hidden from the boys in hopes of an all-expense paid trip to Hawaii, so it's fun as they are tripped up over their lies as well.

It's a great cast, and a whole lot more fun than I was expecting.

Naturally, with all movies, and comedies especially, there were things that could have been better, but overall, it was much better than I had hoped for.

I'm not sure if, or how, they would pull off a sequel, but with this cast of characters, I'd come back for another round.

Final Grade: B-

The American Way..."War Dogs"

War Dogs (2016)  

Rated R

Starring Miles Teller, Jonah Hill, Kevin Pollak, Bradley Cooper,

Directed by Todd Phillips

The Story:

David (Teller) is looking for a better way of making a living when he runs into his old buddy Efraim (Hill). Efraim has been making a killing by bidding and winning low-level defense contracts that the big companies don't seem interested in. The two join forces and make their company grow exponentially. However, success goes to their heads, and they decide to bid on a contract that is so big, and so important, nobody else seems to want to touch it.

Naturally, this one is based on a true story.

In a world where the lives of the forces fighting for America's way of life are on the line, you want the lowest possible bidder to be in charge of supplying our troops with their protective gear and ammunition.

Or putting someone in charge that really has no idea what they are doing.

Many might claim I'm talking about the recent Presidential election, but no, I'm referring to two college age kids who get into the very lucrative defense contracting business, with no real clue what they are doing.

Using a bit of clever deceit, they would get information on other bids, and make sure they could come in with the lowest bid while still making a pretty penny.

It's when they decided to get greedy, really, really greedy, that things finally spun off the rails and the two ended up on the radar and facing charges.

The movie waffles between trying to be a comedy and a drama, so the tone is a bit uneven throughout. The dramedy can be difficult to pull off unless you commit early to it being funny, with serious moments, or serious with bits of humor and levity sprinkled throughout.

Still enjoyable, and the cast does a nice job of making their characters three dimensional and ones that you care about.

Final Grade: C+

So Far, So Good..."The Magnificent Seven"

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, Byung-hun Lee, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, Haley Bennett, Peter Sarsgaard, Luke Grimes

Directed by Antoine Fuqua

The Story:

A town living in fear from a wealthy, ruthless mine owner (Sarsgaard) hires a noble gunslinger (Washington) to help save them. He rounds up a few infamous names to assist him with the job, and the Seven ride into town to help the townspeople learn to stand on their own two feet and repel the enemy.

If it sounds vaguely familiar, then congratulations, you have children and watched A Bug's Life.

Or quite possibly you grew up with the original western, The Magnificent Seven with Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen.

And the magnificent Elmer Bernstein score.

Then of course, it would be remiss to not mention Seven Samurai, since it's the version that got this whole story on film in the first place and is considered by many to be a masterpiece.

So where does the newest version land?

As I mention in the title, so far, so good.

It's not a game-changer, and likely to bring westerns back to the silver screen on an annual basis or anything, but it's a nice star-studded remake with enough changes to the characters and motivations to make it worthwhile.

To be fair, I also went back and watched the 1960 version afterwards, and it too has its flaws and isn't quite the perfect western I remembered it to be.

Overall, I quite liked the majority of character changes that the remake made on the characters. They all became a little more three dimensional than their 1960s counterpart.

Plus, the coward of the group wasn't so much a coward, as a suffer of PTSD, and I thought that was quite a novel idea.

Of course, they started the movie a bit over-the-top with just how villainous our bad guy really was.

Had they dialed that back a bit, I think they could have possibly matched or bettered the 1960 version.

Plus, if they would have used the Bernstein theme before the very end, I might have graded this one higher as well.

I mean, you sit there just dying to hear the theme!

:)

Final Grade:  B-