Puss in Boots

Directed By: Chris Miller

Written By: Charles Perrault (characters), Brian Lynch, Will Davies, David H. Steinberg, Tom Wheeler and John Zack

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis and Billy Bob Thornton

Rated: PG

MY RATING: B

A cute kitty cat comedy for the whole family!

In “Puss in Boots,” we learn how Puss (Antonio Banderas) grew up to be an outlaw. We also learn of his former bond with childhood pal Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis). Joined by Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) the trio sets out on a journey to find the magic beans which will lead them to the goose who lays the golden eggs. They each believe the golden eggs will solve all of their problems but of course it’s never that easy.

Antonio Banderas brings this cartoon kitty to life like no other. When Puss in Boots was first introduced in Shrek 2 he quickly became my favorite character. Now I wasn’t sure if he had enough weight to hold up his own movie but the writers certainly did a good job with this one.

Puss in Boots offers lots of comedy, action-adventure and of course a little heart. You can’t help but love this kitty!

Kitty Softpaws, voiced by Selma Hayek, proved to be a match indeed for playboy, Puss in Boots.

I enjoyed the story and thought the script was well done. I mean it wasn’t the most heartfelt story like classics, The Lion King and Finding Nemo but it was good enough. Definitely funny so it doesn’t disappoint with that either. There is a “dance fight” scene in the movie that did go too far on the silliness meter for my taste but I’m sure the kids will get a kick out of it. All in all it was a cute little movie. Still love Puss in Boots!

So I'd say if you have kids then it’s definitely worth seeing!

If you don’t have kids but are a fan of animated movies then check it out but there’s no rush.

Whistling in the Dark

Directed By: S. Sylvan Simon
Written By: Robert MacGunigle, Harry Clork and Albert Mannheimer
Starring: Red Skelton, Conrad Veidt and Ann Rutherford

MY RATING: B +

A great way to mix comedy with mystery!

Whistling in the Dark begins by introducing us to members of the Silver Haven cult group.  Their mission is to con rich people out of their money.  One woman in particular has left her inheritance to the Silver Haven but they can only receive it once her living heir dies.  Leader Joseph Jones (Conrad Veidt) decides to have the woman's heir murdered to speed up the process.  Who better to enlist  than a popular radio crime solver named Wally Benton a.k.a. "The Fox" (Red Skelton)?  Jones kidnaps him to have him devise a murder plot and for extra insurance he also kidnaps The Fox's fiance and friend.  Now Wally (Skelton) has to figure out how to escape and save everyone involved. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this classic!  It certainly was more of a comedy but I can see why Red Skelton was one of the comedic geniuses of his time.  I laughed out loud many times and it's hard for jokes to grow with the times.  Red Skelton delivered some hilarious lines though!  Also Conrad Veidt was perfect as the creepy, vindictive cult leader.  There's a line in the movie where Joseph Jones tells "The Fox," "Remember you only have to kill one person to save three." Perfect!  That sums up the stress thrust upon Red Skelton's character and the tension that builds throughout the movie.  Not to worry, there's plenty of comic relief. 
I also loved the integration of the radio programming with the story.  I'm always fascinated with how radio shows were the only form of entertainment back then and this film definitely gave a window into that world.
The set for the Silver Haven mansion wrapped the story up in the cold, haunting background it needed. 
As a classic this one definitely holds up!  I thought it was resolved a little too easily but that tends to be the case for a lot of films of it's time.  They only had an hour and 18 minutes to tell a story, not the 2 plus hours used today. 
But overall less can be more.  Whistling in the Dark ... very entertaining!

I'd say definitely check this one out!

Bridesmaids

Directed By: Paul Feig
Written By: Kristen Wiig & Annie Mumolo
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellen Kemper
Rated: R

MY RATING: B +

A hysterical new comedy from the female perspective that can rumble with the big boys!

Bridesmaids is about two childhood best friends, Annie (Kristen Wiig) and Lillian (Maya Rudolph) who have been through everything together.  However, Annie is struggling with her love life and life in general while things seem to be running smoothly for Lillian.  Just as Annie relies on the fact that she'll always have her best friend, Lillian breaks the news that her boyfriend has proposed and they're now going to be planning her wedding.  Naturally Annie is asked to be the Maid of Honor and she's then introduced to an interesting bunch of ladies who will serve as the bridesmaids.  One in particular - the beautiful, well-off Helen (Rose Byrne), is trying to steal the spotlight and make Annie's life miserable.  Though way out of her league, Annie is determined to show Lillian just how much her friendship and wedding mean to her. 

Let me say I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard during a movie.  At one point I was in tears thanks to the talented Melissa McCarthy who did a splendid job as the rough around the edges, brash, soon-to-be sister-in-law, Megan.  I know this was supposed to be Kristen Wiig's film, serving as writer, co-producer and main character but I'm sorry Melissa McCarthy stole the show.  Every time she was on screen she dominated but that is also a credit to the script.  She could not have accomplished the humor without the lines on the page.  For the most part I thought the script was pretty darn good.  Loved the dialogue!  What grabbed me the most was the realism.  When you wished a character would say something in a scene, they actually did.  That was gratifying.  They also tackled vulgar humor in a tasteful way.  Of course there were things added in for comic value that I felt could've been eliminated and the story got off to a slow start.  This is one of those films where you know the premise ahead of time so you're ready to just get to it and it takes a tick to get there.  I also wasn't quite in love with the pacing.  Scenes of absolute hilarity are followed by more serious, heartfelt moments and it didn't always make for a smooth ride.  The jokes outweigh anything else though and if laughter is what you're looking for then this is the film to see.  All in all I was pleased and it lived up to the hype. 

So I say this one is definitely worth seeing for some good laughs!

Jumping the Broom

Directed By: Salim Akil   
Written By: Elizabeth Hunter and Arlene Gibbs
Starring: Paula Patton, Laz Alonso, Angela Bassett and Loretta Devine
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: B +

Surprisingly good!

Jumping the Broom begins with Sabrina Watson (Paula Patton) at the end of a relationship with a no-good man.  She vows not to give up her goodies again until she meets the man she's going to marry.  So she prays to God to send her a clear sign when she meets the next man who's "the one." Enter Jason Taylor (Laz Alonso), a handsome, successful, great guy who sweeps Sabrina off of her feet.  After six months of dating, Sabrina accepts a job offer that will relocate her to China.  Jason doesn't want to lose her so he proposes and she says yes.  Now it's time to prepare for their wedding and bring the Taylors and the Watsons together for the first time on Martha's Vineyard.  Sabrina's family comes from wealth and her mom, Mrs. Watson (Angela Bassett) is very pretentious and snooty and dead set on having their wedding go perfectly.  But she's up against Mrs. Taylor (Loretta Devine), the blue collar worker who's overprotective of her only son Jason (Alonso) and not happy about the rushed nuptials.  Bringing the two families together proves to be very interesting and even unlocks a family secret that could jeopardize the big day. 

Let me say I was pleasantly surprised by this one!  It got off to a little bit of a shaky start for me when we were introduced to Sabrina (Paula Patton) and Jason's (Laz Alonso) relationship.  We were just thrown into one of their date nights and the next thing you know he's proposing.  I would have liked a little more background on their relationship but once the wedding weekend begins all is forgiven.  Also Paula Patton's acting started off too fairy tale princess-y for me.  All she needed in the beginning was a ball gown and a wand.  But like the plot, she smoothed out once the initial setup was done.
Angela Bassett was great as the bougie mother, Mrs. Watson and just perfect for the part!  Of course Lorette Devine was not to be messed with either as Mrs. Taylor!  The best scene between the two of them occurred during the wedding rehearsal dinner.  Great dialogue and verbal sparring between the two of them!  But I will say I was surprised by how funny this movie was!  I was cracking up!  Of course Mike Epps who played Willie Earl, was responsible for the majority of my laugh out loud moments.  But I also thought he did a good job as the wise uncle who could put Mrs. Taylor (Devine) in her place. 
Overall this was a sweet story with morals and values.  I loved that Sabrina (Patton) and Jason (Alonso) were abstaining from sex until they were man and wife, a great example needed these days.  Also Jason was a true gentleman which we don't always see but I'd love to see more of ... especially sexy ones like Laz Alonso. 

I was very entertained by Jumping the Broom and would actually watch this one again!         
 
So I'd say see it!

How Do You Know

Directed By: James L. Brooks
Written By: James L. Brooks
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Jack Nicholson
Rated: R

MY RATING: C-

How do you know when you're in love?  Not by watching this film.

In this newest James L. Brooks film Reese Witherspoon plays Lisa, a softball player on the USA olympic womens softball team.  After helping her team win a gold metal she is cut from the team because of her age.  She also starts dating Matty (Owen Wilson), a cocky, womanizing star baseball player.  Meanwhile businessman George (Paul Rudd) is dealing with legal problems at his father's (Jack Nicholson) company and a recent breakup.  One of Lisa's teammates had given George (Rudd) Lisa's number so he decides to give her a call and she finds herself in a love triangle.  Now she must figure out "How Do You Know."

I was so looking forward to this film because it's written and directed by James L. Brooks who also did As Good As It Gets, one of my all time favorite films.  But it was no where near on that level, even with Jack Nicholson.  The dialogue was great!  Brooks has a way with the english language but as a romantic comedy the romance fell very short for me.  I don't know what it was but something was missing for me.  There was no chemistry between Reese Witherspoon and her two leading men (Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson).  The guys were great!  Paul Rudd's character reminded me of his role in Clueless, I just loved him.  He was adorable and his usual funny self.  Owen Wilson was no surprise either and stole the show delivering some of the funniest moments.  But I wasn't a fan of the Lisa character Reese Witherspoon played.  She was emotionless throughout the entire film.  By the end I didn't think she needed to be with anyone and actually could use some therapy.  George (Rudd) was too good for her and Matty (Wilson) was too much of a jerk.  So what did I enjoy about this film?  Again, the dialogue, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson.  But as far as romantic comedies go, this would be towards the bottom of my list.  I can't say that I would watch it again but it held my attention enough the first time around.

So I'd say eh this is one you can wait for t.v. to see if nothing else is on.

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son

Directed By: John Whitesell
Written By: Matthew Fogel
Starring: Martin Lawrence, Brandon T. Jackson, Jessica Lucas & Portia Doubleday
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: D-

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son ... why oh why?!  Sometimes leave well enough alone. 
We don't always need a sequel, let alone sequelsss!  I love Martin Lawrence and enjoyed the first Big Momma's House but that's where the story could've ended for me.

In this third installment of the Big Momma's House films Martin Lawrence returns as FBI agent Malcolm Turner.  This time his stepson Trent is a senior in high school and played by a new actor, Brandon T. Jackson.  Trent ends up witnessing a murder so he and Malcolm go undercover at an all-girls performing arts school where evidence is hidden that could put away the bad guys and save Trent's life.
Sound ridiculous?  Well it is.
I mean don't get me wrong, I chuckled here and there at some of the scenes with Big Momma but overall this movie is definitely more for kids.  The humor was just way too ridiculous for me and the all-girls performing arts school element was a poor version of FAME.  Faizon Love plays Kurtis Kool and thank goodness he was there for some additional humor.  There were some funny scenes between Kurtis Kool (Love) and Big Momma (Lawrence).  But I didn't enjoy Brandon T. Jackson's acting at all as Trent.  Sadly he was better dressed in drag as his undercover character Charmaine, but not by much.  There were a couple of funny scenes involving Charmaine trying to hide Trent's masculinity.  Also there was a little bit of heart in the best character in the movie, Haley, played by Jessica Lucas.  Of course Trent (Jackson) ends up falling in love with her while he's dressed as Charmaine.  What a surprise.  From the beginning this movie was predictable and not that funny.  All in all I hope they're done making Big Momma's House movies for good. 

I say this is not worth your time at all. 

Little Fockers

Directed By: Paul Weitz
Written By: John Hamburg and Larry Stuckey
Starring: Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Owen Wilson and Jessica Alba
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: C+

"Little Fockers" - a little absurd.

This third sequel picks up with Greg (Ben Stiller) and Pam (Teri Polo) Focker married with 5 year old twins.  Gaylord Focker (Stiller) is still a nurse but with new home improvements and private school looming he decides to take a side job with a pharmaceutical company.  Finally inside Jack Byrnes' (Robert De Niro) sacred "circle of trust," this new secret may prove to be problematic.  Also a sexy pharmaceutical rep named Andi Garcia (Jessica Alba) steps in to add friction to Greg and Pam's marriage.  All of this goes on while the Fockers are planning a huge birthday celebration for the twins which includes Greg's parents, Roz (Barbra Streisand) and Bernie (Dustin Hoffman) and a visit from Uncle Kevin (Owen Wilson), Pam's ex lover.  With everything that's going on it's up to Greg (Stiller) to keep his family together and show Jack (De Niro) that he can be the man of the house.

After seeing "Little Fockers" if I have to pick a favorite of the three it would be Meet the Fockers.  This one was good and entertaining and funny but I would put it last when up against the other two.  Unfortunately they changed Directors (Jay Roach did the first two) and lost some of the magic. 
I wasn't crazy about Jessica Alba's performance.  She had some funny moments but overall I feel like they could've cast someone else in that role.  If her job was to be annoying however then she succeeded with that.  I was also disappointed because I wanted to see more of Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand.  I loved them and their chemistry in Meet the Fockers and this time they didn't show up until near the end of the film. 
But Little Fockers certainly delivered some jaw dropping moments.  Ben Stiller definitely kicked it up a notch with the physical comedy this go round.  There were a few scenes that left me saying "did they really just do that?!"  Normally I'm not a huge fan of physical comedy, especially "potty humor" but this one did a pretty good job.  I guess where the script was lacking they decided to go for the physical gags instead.  With the addition of the "little Fockers" I can't say they did anything for the movie one way or another.  Of course the kids were cute but nothing spectacular in the acting department.  Owen Wilson played his character to a tee though.  I think I enjoyed his character best in this film versus the other two.
But these films are really about Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) and Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro) and this one delivered plenty of great moments between the two of them. 
Overall I wasn't thrilled with the story.  This one lost some cohesiveness.  But just as a slapstick comedy it definitely delivered the laughs.

I say see it but there's no rush.

Love and Other Drugs

Directed By: Edward Zwick
Written By: Charles Randolph and Edward Zwick
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, Oliver Platt and Hank Azaria
Rated: R

MY RATING: A -

Funny, romantic, sexy.

Love and Other Drugs follows a womanizer named Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal) as he enters the pharmaceutical sales world and uses his charm to succeed.  Along the way he meets Maggie (Anne Hathaway) who's a solitary free spirit.  They decide that putting their two personalities together will be the perfect recipe for a no strings attached relationship.  Of course they realize things aren't so simple and end up on an emotional roller coaster that leads the two of them to grow up and face life and love head on.   

What a nice story!  Very well written!  I like what the Writers did using the pharmaceutical industry and pitting it against the patient.  What happens when a pharmaceutical rep falls in love with someone who relies on drugs to fight their illness?  Very fascinating! 
 Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway were great together!  Boy was there chemistry between the two of them!  They had some hot, hot scenes!  Don't expect a timid Anne Hathaway this time around.  She certainly showed versatility and much more strength and vulnerability.
Everyone was great in their roles.  I laughed out loud quite a few times.  Of course comedy giants, Oliver Platt and Hank Azaria as expected were good and added nice flavor to the film.  I was even surprised that Azaria took more of a backseat role and didn't steal the show like he normally does.  Also pleasantly surprising was actor Josh Gad who played Gyllenhaal's brother in the film.  He provided the majority of my laugh out loud moments.
Oh and Gyllenhaal delivers a speech at the end of the film that'll just melt your heart, ladies. 
This was my kind of movie for sure!  Love and Other Drugs shows how love can evolve in the real world.  Sometimes the niceties aren't there but you learn to wade through the muck together.  Yes the endings are sappier in the movies but we wouldn't have it any other way. 

This is a film I'd surely like to see again!

So I say see it, you'll enjoy it!