Love Can Be Dangerous..."Hit By Lightning"

Hit By Lightning (2014)

Rated R

Starring Jon Cryer, Will Sasso, Stephanie Szostak, Jed Rees

Written and Directed by Ricky Blitt

The Story:

Ricky (Cryer) and Seth (Sasso) are best friends since forever, but now that they are the only two men who are still bachelors from their high school graduating class, Ricky is entering panic mode. He joins a dating site and meets Danita (Szostak). She's perfect in every way, Ricky is in love, and the feeling appears to be mutual. There's just one little problem: Danita's abusive husband (Rees). If Ricky will just kill him, then Danita and Ricky can be together forever.

That's right, it's a noir thriller played for laughs, and for the most part, it works well enough.

It's not a parody of noir films, it plays the situation straight, and Seth even remarks that they've seen this movie before, and he cites examples. But Ricky is his best friend, so Seth is in on the plan to help his buddy be happy, even if it includes murder.

Cryer works perfectly as the nerdy guy who can't believe his luck to land a supermodel, or at least a lady who is clearly out of his league. The cast generates quite a bit of chemistry together and helps elevate this one to being better than just an average film.

Not bad for first time director Blitt. He continues to be a strong writer, with much of his dialogue and situations really make the movie enjoyable.

Plus, he'll forever get a pass in our household for giving us The Ringer. :)

Final Grade: C+

Stomping On Childhood Memories Part One: "The Three Stooges"

The Three Stooges (2012)
Rated PG for Violence

Starring Chris Diamantopoulous, Sean Hayes and Will Sasso

Directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly

The Story:

This is the story of how the Three Stooges, Moe (Diamantopoulous), Larry (Hayes) and Curly (Sasso) arrive at an orphanage, remain at the orphanage, attempt to save the orphanage and ultimately doom the orphanage to failure.

This weekend's set of reviews is a sharp contrast in styles.

Two remakes.

One that shows respect and even reverence for the source material.

One that doesn't.

Today, this is the day that actually treats the subject with respect and is faithful to the source.

Tomorrow...not so much.

That it would take the 3 Stooges to illicit faithfulness is both scary, and amusing at the same time.

However, in the hands of the Farrelly brothers, they often go for outrageousness, with a dose of heart underneath.

With the stooges, they stick to what made them famous: slapstick and lots of it.

Why I Oughtta...

I think the problem with that...

The Stooges appeared in shorts.  They come in, some manic fights, and then it was over.

When it runs for 90 minutes... it becomes repetitive.

Still amusing, but having so much of the same gags repeat over and over (and over) wears on the viewer after awhile.

That said, the 3 leads inhabit the Stooges with the same vocal mannerisms and expert comic timing as their predecessors, many times it is like watching retrospective of the Stooges greatest hits.

I'll give them credit, it was much better than I feared it would be.

Final Grade: Solid C.

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Again, a little goes a long way.  Stick with the original shorts for a quick laugh instead.