Ted (2012)

Much to my surprise, "Ted" actually turned out to be one of the funniest movies I've seen in a while.

I recently took my parents to see this film because we had no desire to see the new Spider Man movie, at least not until it releases on DVD (there's something about rebooting a movie that was made in the past 10 years that seems so ridiculous to me), and nothing else of interest was playing. I didn't go into it expecting much, which is probably why I ended up loving it as much as I did.

The movie is about the relationship between a guy named John Bennett, played by Mark Wahlberg, and his teddy bear Ted, who came to life after John made a Christmas wish as a little boy. The two are inseparable, but John's girlfriend Lori (Mila Kunis) tests their friendship when she asks John to do some growing up. Blah blah blah - comedy and hijinks ensue.

This was Seth MacFarlane's big movie directing debut, and I certainly hope this will be the first of many for him. I do have to say, I think you need to enjoy the humor of his show Family Guy to enjoy "Ted." Much of the humor is similar, and by that I mean raunchy and irreverent. Luckily, that stuff is right up my alley. Speaking of Family Guy, many of the show's cast are actually in the film, including Kunis (who voices Meg), MacFarlane obviously, Alex Borstein (Lois), and Patrick Warburton (Joe). Basically, if you enjoy Family Guy, you're going to love "Ted." 

A lot of what Ted and John do is sit around and get high while telling profane jokes (what's not to enjoy with a plot like that?). They are both kind of stuck in this state of arrested development and tend to enable each other's bad behavior. They manage to get themselves into some pretty ridiculous situations along the way, which gives the viewer some pretty consistent laughs throughout.

While their relationship is funny to watch, it was actually endearing at times, too. The two have been best friends since childhood and have been by each other's side ever since. What's funny is that their relationship appears so realistic that after only a few minutes into the movie, you begin to look past the fact that Ted is a stuffed toy. Towards the end of the movie, you realize you actually care about the pot-smoking teddy bear and the bromance between Ted and John.

I feel like this will be one of those movies that gets funnier every time you watch it, kind of like "Anchorman" and "Zoolander." There were just so many great one-liners and humorous pop culture references, which MacFarlane is so great at. While there may have been some jokes that fell flat, the majority of them made the movie.

Leave it to Seth MacFarlane to take such a goofy premise and completely make it work.


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R, 1 hr. 55 min.
Comedy

Directed By: Seth MacFarlane

Written By: Seth MacFarlane

In Theaters: Jun 29, 2012 Wide
Box Office:$159.0M

Universal Pictures

Tower Heist (2011)

"Tower Heist" is a fun comedy about the a group of working stiffs who plot their revenge on a Wall Street swindler who has taken all their money - and has essentially gotten away with it.

So basically, the staff of The Tower, a luxury Central Park condominium, discovers the penthouse billionaire has stolen their retirement. The heartless billionaire Arthur Shaw, played by Alan Alda, proves unapologetic, and despite being investigated by the FBI, Shaw knows he's going to eventually get off scot-free (one of the perks of being one of the Wall Street "untouchables"). So, Ben Stiller's character, who has been manager of The Tower for years and cares for its staff like family, gets together a group of people to rob Shaw of the $20 million they know he is hiding somewhere in his apartment.

The movie is no "Ocean's Eleven," but the cast does provide some good laughs along the way. Most notably, I enjoyed Matthew Broderick's character, Mr. Fitzhugh - who we discover at the beginning of the movie is being evicted from his apartment at The Tower because he lost his job due to economic hard times. His character is one of those quirky, nerdy types that Broderick seems to play so well. Also, I want to give a big welcome back to Eddie Murhpy! I don't know where you went, Eddie, but it's good to see you on the big screen again, even if your character is only one dimensional. And I was pleasantly surprised by Gabourey Sidibe, who plays one of the conspirators in the scheme. I didn't know she could be funny... especially after her first role in the rather dark movie "Precious." 


For a comedy, this movie does have some heavier, more serious moments -- particularly with its timely depiction of the economic injustices of Wall Street. I was slightly surprised by that. But I think that also adds a little something. Specifically, I think it makes you want to see the demise of the corrupt billionaire even more, because you know people like him really exist, and they probably get away with stuff like this all the time. 


All in all, it was fun story of a victory for the underdogs. While not the greatest heist film out there, it is a humorous way to pass the time. 




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PG-13, 1 hr. 39 min.
Drama, Action & Adventure, Comedy

Directed By: Brett Ratner

Written By: Ted Griffin, Jeff Nathanson

In Theaters: Nov 4, 2011 Wide
Box Office:$70.6M

Universal Pictures

Ten Inch Hero (2007)

I'll admit - the only reason I watched this was for Jensen Ackles (star of my favorite television show "Supernatural"). However, I am really glad I did because it was very very cute.

"Ten Inch Hero" centers around a quirky group of individuals who work at a sandwich shop in Santa Cruz and each of their unique love lives. The main character, Piper (Elisabeth Harnois), is new to join the crew. A young artist, Piper later reveals that she moved to Santa Cruz to be closer to her young daughter, whom she gave up for adoption and has lost contact with for several years. The family that adopted Piper's daughter, Julia, ceased communicating with Piper after two years. After finidng a newspaper clipping about a talented young youth who has a gift for art and also shares the same name as her daughter, Piper packed up and moved to California. She begins innocently stalking the family (although it's just the dad and daughter at this point) until she fatefully finds herself being part of their lives.

The other members of the sandwich crew are also going through important stages of their lives - mostly in the love department. Priestly (Jensen Ackles) is the off-beat, tattoeed and peirced, yet charming, cook with a mohawk that changes colors almost daily. After years of seeing how women choose the men they will date based solely on looks, he has become disillusioned by love. Jen (Clea DuVall) is the smart and kind-hearted woman who works the computers. She has been engaging in an online relationship with an anonymous person she met online. She fears the inevitable day when they will have to meet face-to-face. Tish (Danneel Ackles) is the sexy vixen who can get any guy who walks into the sandwich shop. However, she has a tendency to pick all the wrong guys, later realizing looks are not the best indicators for a man's character. Lastly, Trucker (John Doe) is the surfer/hippy shop owner who has been pining after the free-spirited woman who works across the street. However, he just can't seem to make the first move.

All in all, this movie has some pretty universal themes: things aren't always as they seem, don't be fooled by appearances, beauty is only skin deep, don't judge a book by it's cover, etc. However, the movie has an interesting way of making these timeless themes fresh and still relevant. Each character has a different issue to face, but in the end, it all comes back to love and identity. Priestly helps show Tish that perhaps if she stopped picking guys based on physical appearance, she may end up finding the man of her dreams. Jen learns that even though she was quick to assume her internet-penpal (who turned out to be a looker) would probably judge her negatively based on her seemingly average looks, she was also negatively judging him without actually giving him a chance. Piper, whose story line was actually my least favorite and much less believable, learns some things too but I'm not really going to get into it. Overall, there is more to people than meets the eye, and if you take the time to realize that, you will reap the benefits (wouldnt it be great if we could all end up with a sweet and caring guy who also looks like Jensen Ackles?).

"Ten Inch Hero" is a cute and enjoyable movie, and I have a feeling I'll be watching it again at some point. What's great about it is that I think out of all the characters, there is at least one that each one of us can directly relate to. I highly reccomend!

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Genre: Drama, Comedy
Synopsis: The story of five friends who learn about love, sex, and cold cuts while working in a funky sandwich shop. The story of five friends who learn about love, sex, and cold cuts while working in a funky sandwich shop.

Rated: R
Running Time: 1 hr. 41 min.
On DVD: Feb 22, 2011
Distributor:Phase 4 Films
Directed By: David MacKay , David Mackay

Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

This is just a really cute movie. A lot of my friends told me it was one of their favorites, and I can see why.

The story revolves around a colorful group of friends in England who seem to find themselves at a lot of weddings, although never one of their own. Hugh Grant plays the lead role of Charles, who has a long history of failed relationships. Charles is the adorably awkward and charming British bachelor -- a role that Hugh Grant has mastered over the years. At one of the weddings, Charles becomes smitten with a mysterious American named Carrie (Andie MacDowell). They end up spending the night together, but the next day Carrie returns home to America. When they end up meeting again at yet another wedding, Charles hopes to pick up where they left off, but he finds that she is recently engaged (to a much older and much less attractive Englishman). The two wind up meeting again at another wedding, and it becomes clear that they just can't seem to get their timing right. I don't want to spoil how the rest plays out or who the funeral is held for. If you are curious, you should really just watch the film.

There were a lot of laughs -- particularly with the group's rowdier member, Gareth (Simon Callow), who always seemed to be the life of the party. It was also very amusing to see how consistently late Charles and his roommate were for every wedding. Cue about a zillion expletives.

But there were also scenes with a lot of heart. Of course, one being the funeral. But another being the storyline of Fiona (Kristin Scott Thomas), who plays one of the friends. The audience finds out that she has had feelings for one of her friends for years, but without him ever knowing or reciprocating.
All in all, a very cute movie. Hugh Grant has perfected the disarming, charming, awkward sweetheart. This movie certainly highlights that.


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Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
Synopsis: Romantic comedy about Charles, a noncommittal Englishman who meets Carrie--the American girl of his dreams--at a mutual friend's wedding and proceeds to awkwardly woo her through one funeral and three more weddings--one of which happens to be her... Romantic comedy about Charles, a noncommittal Englishman who meets Carrie--the American girl of his dreams--at a mutual friend's wedding and proceeds to awkwardly woo her through one funeral and three more weddings--one of which happens to be her own. Finally Charles discovers himself standing at the altar on his own wedding day, betrothed to a woman he has no desire to spend the rest of his life with.

Rated: R  for language, and for some sexuality.
Running Time: 1 hr. 56 min.
In Theaters: Mar 9, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Sep 7, 1999

Distributor: Gramercy Pictures
Directed By: Mike Newell

Say Anything (1989)

Ugghhhh.... I am just going to start out by saying I was greatly disappointed by this movie. I normally love movies from the 80s, too. So imagine my chagrin.

I don't know. I guess I figured since the scene depicted above is so widely recognized that must mean that this movie was worth watching. WRONG.

In short, this movie is about the underachieving Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) who falls in love with the class valedictorian Diane Court (Ione Skye). The two undergo some "obstacles" in their relationship, including her wanting to take care of her dad during her last summer before going away to England for a fellowship. In the middle of it all, Diane's dad is audited by the IRS because *spoiler alert* apparently he has been stealing from the old people he tends to at his nursing home for decades!


Oh *another spoiler alert* don't worry about how the two will continue their relationship once Diane leaves for England. After 2 months of dating this person he had never known before, he decides he will move to England with her. As he stated throughout the film, he really had no ambition anyway with the exception of loving her. Excuse me while I vomit. I found this movie ridiculously unrealistic and bizarre. It was also boring at times. I literally fast-forwarded through many scenes. Oh and her dad ends up in jail! The whole movie just seemed so weird and I'm unsure why I wasted my time. Oh, and to top it all off, that notorious scene where Cusack's character holds the stereo up (which I thought would be this grand gesture at the very end that wins her back) is actually in the middle of the film and has very little effect on her. It's also a very short scene.

I just found their whole relationship highly unbelievable. She was this super driven girl with what appears to be zero friends while he was this guy with absolutely no ambition or goals who decides he is going to start dating her. They eventually get hot and heavy, but then she breaks it off so she can be with her dad (who is definitely having his own problems) and also so she can prevent the future heartache between the two when she leaves for Europe.This all happens within the span of like a few months, maybe 2 tops. I'm not really sure what they ever had to talk about, but that probably didn't matter anyway because she did enough talking with her dad. I mean, she literally told the guy everything, including details of her sexual encounters with Lloyd. I don't know, it was all just bizarre to me. And where was Lloyd's family in all of this? Maybe I missed that when I was fast-forwarding.

I will never watch this movie again. And I think it has scarred me so badly that I can never watch a Cusack movie again... not that I would be missing much.

I feel bad posting such a negative review, especially considering this movie scored 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. I will say, however, that I have a feeling this movie meant a lot to another generation, and I can respect that. 

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Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
Synopsis: Romantic comedy about a less-than-average student who falls in love with a brilliant biochemistry major. Romantic comedy about a less-than-average student who falls in love with a brilliant biochemistry major.

Rated: PG-13 adult situations/language
Running Time: 1 hr. 40 min.
In Theaters: Apr 1, 1989 Wide

Distributor:20th Century Fox Film Corporation
Directed By: Cameron Crowe
Written By: Cameron Crowe

Red (2010)

When you take legends like Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Karl Urban and top if off with shots of Helen Mirren firing a sniper rifle, you really can't go wrong.

'Red' is an action-comedy about a retired -- and somewhat bored with all his new-found free time  -- black-ops agent named Frank Moses (played by Willis) who unexpectedly becomes the target of a CIA hit mission. Frank rounds up his old team (Freeman, Malkovich and Mirren) in effort to get to the bottom of what is really going on. Mary-Louise Parker plays Sarah, the case worker at the government pension processing center, and Fank's only recent joy. Because Sarah's life is also at stake, she is taken along for an experience she only read about in her action-romance novels.

I enjoyed this movie thoroughly. It combined just enough action, comedy and romance. My favorite scene would have to be the throwdown between Willis and Karl Urban, who plays William Cooper -- the lead agent on the case to hunt down Frank. Despite the age difference, William still had his ass handed to him on a silver platter. Mid-brawl, while Frank has William's faced pressed against a table, he asks "Kordeski trained you?" to which William answered yes, and Frank retorted with "I trained Kordeski." Seemingly a bunch of over-the-hill ex-CIA agents, the team kicks some serious ass. Cue Aerosmith's "Back in the Saddle." 


The dynamic cast makes for a fun film to watch. And, on a personal note, it was a treat to see Mirren in such a kick-ass role.

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Genre: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy
Synopsis:  Based on the cult D.C. Comics graphic novels by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, RED is an explosive action-comedy starring Bruce Willis, Morgan... Based on the cult D.C. Comics graphic novels by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, RED is an explosive action-comedy starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren. Frank (Bruce Willis), Joe (Morgan Freeman), Marvin (John Malkovich) and Victoria (Helen Mirren) used to be the CIA's top agents - but the secrets they know just made them the Agency's top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. To stop the operation, the team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the top-secret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracies and cover-ups in government history.

Rated: PG-13   for intense sequences of action violence and brief strong language
Running Time: 1 hr. 51 min.
In Theaters: Oct 15, 2010 Wide
Box Office:$90.4M

Distributor:Summit Entertainment
Directed By: Robert Schwentke
Written By: Erich Hoeber

The Kids Are All Right (2010)

So... I don't know if it was all the pre-Oscar buzz or all the raving reviews, but I was somewhat disappointed with this film.

'The Kids Are All Right' is the unconventional story of a lesbian couple (played by Julianne Moore and Annette Bening) and their two children (played by Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson). Before the daughter Joni goes to college, her brother Laser convinces her to contact their biological father (Mark Ruffalo), whose donated sperm was used by each of the two mothers. The kids decide to keep the meeting a secret for the time being.

Paul, the donor, takes to the kids instantly. What's interesting is how the kids respond to him. Joni, who had initially shown little interest in meeting Paul, appeared to quickly seek his approval and attention while Laser seemed disappointed in Paul's lack of machismo.

The parents eventually find out what's going on and they form their own relationships with Paul. Bening plays Nic, the slight control freak and overworked doctor who is very fond of her wine, while Moore plays Jules, the free-spirited landscaper. Nic doesn't initially warm up to Paul, which adds further anxiety to an already strained relationship. It is clear things have been rocky between the couple for a while now, which may lead to the (*spoiler alert*) affair between Jules and Paul. The couple eventually confronts the situation, but there is no real resolution. And the kids (who also discovered the truth about their mom's affair) are forced to sever ties with their father, who ends up being banned from their lives as a result.

The movie does have it's funny moments, and Moore and Bening are truly great actresses. The plot just left me wanting more, and I was honestly quite surprised by how little of the film actually dealt with the kids. It also seemed like some of the characters were overworked. We get it... Nic really likes to drink, Jules is a free spirit and Paul is self-centered. For the most part, the plot seemed to center around the volatile relationship between the parents, who were definitely not all right.

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Genre: Drama, Comedy
Synopsis: Two children conceived by artificial insemination bring their birth father into their family life.

Rated: R   for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some teen drug and alcohol use
Running Time: 1 hr. 44 min.
In Theaters: Jul 9, 2010 Wide
Box Office:$20.8M

Distributor:Focus Features
Directed By: Lisa Cholodenko