Box Watcher

First up, two more Popcorn Panel reviews.

Monsters Vs. Aliens 3D

For a 3D animated film, Monsters vs. Aliens it falls flat in all other regards.  Intended to be a parody of 50’s sci-fi/horror films, it never feels enough like one to work.  There are some interesting character moments and a few good gags but overall there is not enough tension to feel there is any real danger.  Sometimes a celebrity voice can be be distracting in animation but not here.  The actors are all right for the parts.   Not a bad movie but not a memorable one either.  Save yourself the extra charge and skip the 3D.  

Observe and Report

“Observe and Report” is the story of a mall security chief played by Seth Rogen who dreams of becoming a police officer. However, his biggest obstacle is himself. He is clueless in almost every aspect of his life. At one point, in order to impress a girl, he gives her his bipolar medication. Despite his sometimes psychotic behavior, he is very determined to live by a moral code, however twisted it may be. The humor, more akin to “Bad Santa” than “Paul Blart: Mall Cop,” is very dark and uncomfortable, yet very funny and worth the price of admission.

Now on to the other films. 

I Love You, Man

Any project featuring both Paul Rudd and Jason Segel gets my immediate attention.  This movie, about a groom’s search to make a friend to be his best man, is full of laughs and most of them come from Rudd.  He has this uncanny ability to be the guy who never quite fits into any crowd.  The humor is mined from people in normal, albeit awkward situations.  Funny people just being funny, end of story.  

**** out of *****

Duplicity

Duplicity stars Julia Roberts and Clive Owen as a pair of corporate spies playing two business against each other.  It’s a caper film along the lines of Ocean’s 11, just not as exciting.  It’s funny and Roberts and Owen make a good couple but the rapid fire dialogue gets a little repetitive.  I hate to say it but there was too much talking and not enough stealing.  

*** out of *****

Sunshine Cleaning

This years Little Miss Sunshine/Indie darling.  Quirky story about a pair of sisters who start a business cleaning up crime scenes.  Along the way they deal with parental deaths, infidelity, and quirkiness!  Parts work and the cast is good but the screenplay comes off as cliche ridden.  Flawed but still somewhat likable. 

** out of *****

17 Again

Your basic “It’s a Wonderful Life” type story. Nothing special but it is very funny mostly due to Thomas Lennon.  Zac Efron is just entertaining enough to carry this light-weight little comedy.  Nothing special but good for a few laughs.  

*** out of *****

Earth

Disney is relaunching their Nature films with one called Earth.  Following families of Polar Bears, Elephants, and Whales for one year. If you watch a lot of Discovery Channel or Animal Planet the content probably won’t be anything you haven’t seen before but, the visuals are worth the cost of admission. 

**** out of *****