Sibling Revelry... "Sisters"

Sisters (2015)

Rated R

Starring Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, James Brolin, Dianne Wiest, John Cena, Maya Rudolph, Ike Barinholtz, John Leguizamo

Directed by Jason Moore

The Story:

Maura and Kate (Poehler & Fey) are asked by their parents (Brolin & Wiest) to come home and clean out their bedrooms so they can sell the house. They return home, and decide to throw one last bash, just like the good old days. However, this time, Maura asks Kate if she can be the "house mom" for the night and let Maura have a good time for once at a party. Sure...what could possibly go wrong?

Here's a fun little reversal of fortune as Fey gets to play the crazy one and Poehler gets to play the by-the-book sister. You expect just the opposite for each of them. However, Maura wants one night to be the wild one, and let Kate be in charge, so it's fun to see how hard it is to be the other type of sister during the escalating party.

It's also a credit to both ladies that they can each pull off the funny one or the straight man with ease.

Of course, there's more to the story than just the party, but the party drives most of the plot and helps to resolve most of the conflict that was set up before and during the shenanigans.

It also helps that the house party has a crazy cast of insane characters in their own right.

And as usual, John Cena makes the most of his screen time. He might never be The Rock, but he'll have a future once he hangs it up for good in the wrestling world.

Don't get me wrong, I laughed, but I feel like a movie like this, I should have laughed more.

It was good, but I thought it could be better.

Of course, almost all movies could always stand to be a bit better, right?

So at the end of the day, I'm glad I watched it, but I don't have that urge to see it again soon, which is often the mark of a great movie.

Final Grdae:  C+

A Really Long Day At Work..."The 33"

The 33 (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette Binoche, James Brolin, Lou Diamond Phillips,

Directed by Patricia Riggen

The Story:

Mario (Banderas) and 32 other miners are down below getting ready for their shift in an underground mine in Chile when the earth begins to shift and the mine starts to collapse. The 33 men barely make it to the sanctuary area where there is food and water for a few days worth of survival. All attempts at escape and rescue seem impossible as the mine owners cut costs and never completed escape routes. Eventually several companies come in to try and get to the men, but as the days turn into weeks, the odds of them finding anything other than corpses becomes more likely.

Based on a true story.

It's a sentimental drama that tugs at your heartstrings and makes you feel for the men.

These movies are often derided for doing the "by the numbers" routine to play on audience emotions.

Hey, I thought it worked.

And really, that's why we have phrases like "by the numbers", you check them off and you know that while you may not be pushing any envelopes or breaking new ground, you're producing a competent film that should appeal to most audiences.

I would say that is achieved in this film.

Odds are you may have overlooked or never heard of this film. I was won over by the trailer when I saw it, and I thought it looked good.

Of course, I also work for the Mine Safety and Health Administration and our job is to make sure miners come home safely at the end of each shift, so maybe I'm biased.

:)

Final Grade: B+