21 Jump Street (2012)

Two rookie cops who went to school together find themselves assigned to flesh out the ranks of the recently revived 21 Jump Street unit.  Their mission is to pose as high school students and infiltrate and expose a drug ring.  When they start school they find that the social dynamics of high school are not as they remember them.  Hilarity ensues as they struggle to adapt to their new identities, their roles in the school and to track down the drug ring.

When I first saw a trailer that siad they were remaking 21 Jump Street and it was going to be a buddy comedy, I looked at Tony and told him "Some things should not be remade."  I had no intentions of watching the movie and frankly figured it was going to suck.  I was very wrong.

This movie is hilarious.  I haven't laughed this hard since The Hangover (although The Hangover has this movie beat).  Now this movie plays on all sorts of stereotypes so some might get offended.  The dialog is what makes this movie so hilarious.  While Channing Tatum gives a good performance, Jonah Hill really carries the movie.  His comedic timing, and body language are spot on.

Naturally the law enforcement aspect is incredibly unrealistic and weak, but the movie is funny enough that even cops can overlook it.  21 Jump Street is rated R for numerous reasons.  I would say it could probably pull off a PG-13 rating if it weren't for the drug usage in the movie.  This movie is one you really need to watch.  I give it 9 / 10.  (KopOut Magazine score 5 / 5.  Go see in the Theater)

Wanderlust (2012)

George (Paul Rudd) and Linda (Jennifer Aniston) live in New York and finally buy a tiny apartment in the West Village.  Murphy steps in and their finances dry up.  They find themselves unable to afford their home, and unable to sell.  They decide to move to Atlanta to live with George’s jerk brother.  On the way they stay the night at a bed and breakfast that turns out to be a hippie commune.  The next day, they leave and move in with George’s brother.  It doesn’t take long before living with his brother becomes unbearable and they decide to give life on the commune a try.

Wanderlust mixes banter, situational comedy and slapstick into a hilarious comedy. It is crude and has a fair amount of nudity in it, but unfortunately, it isn’t anyone you would actually want to see nude.  “That which has been seen, cannot be unseen.”  One incredibly long scene is not very funny and drags on far too long.  It really kills the flow of the movie and I am not sure what the director was trying to accomplish with it.  The casting was great and everyone really fit his or her character.  Costume and set design were awesome as well. 

In all, I really enjoyed Wanderlust.  It is rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity, drug usage and language.  The rating is more than appropriate.  I would discourage letting kids watch this movie, at all.  I give it a 7 / 10.  (KopOut Magazine score 3 / 5  - Watch it on DVD/Netflix)

This Means War (2012)

Just about all of us have one; the friend you have known for years, that is like a brother.  One for whom you would do anything.  Now imagine that you and your friend both separately meet the girl of your dreams, only to find out you are both dating the same girl.  This is the premise for “This Means War.”   Tuck (Tom Hardy) and FDR (Chris Pine) are both CIA agents who fall for the same girl, Lauren (Reese Witherspoon).  They decide to not let her know that they know each other, and to let her date them both and may the best man win.  Their gentlemen’s agreement breaks down and they each bring the power of the US intelligence agency to bear on each other in an effort to sabotage their rival.  Hilarity ensues.

This Means War is hilarious.  I was laughing through half the movie.  The dialog is funny, and the physical comedy is top notch.  Now the plot is obviously unrealistic, but it works for this movie.  This is the kind of movie critics hate but audiences love.  It is just a comedy, with no real depth or message.

It is not going to win any of the major awards but it is worth watching.  The film is rated PG-13 for sexual content, violence and action.  It was originally rated R and they edited to get the PG-13 rating.  I’m guessing they barely got it because there is a bit too much sexual innuendo, etc for younger audiences.  I give it 8 / 10.

One for the Money (2012)

One for the Money is the film adaptation of the first book in an 18 book series by Janet Evanovich.  I’ve never read the series myself but I’m told the movie does not stick to the book.  With that said, I’m pretty sure that there won’t be a film adaptation for “Two for the Dough.”

The movie is the story of Stephanie Plum, an unemployed lingerie store manager who, desperate for a job, goes to her sleazy cousin Vinnie who is a bail bondsman.  Instead an office job, she becomes a bounty hunter.  When she tries to bring in a cop wanted for murder, she ends up investigating the murder instead.

The movie stars the beautiful Katherine Heigl (Knocked Up) alongside Jason O’Mara (Terra Nova).  The two have some witty banter back and forth that carries the movie.  The law enforcement investigations side will leave any police officer sighing at the absurdity.  Joe Six Pack may not have problems with it, but this movie will frustrate police officers to no end.

The movie has a PG-13 rating that I think is appropriate.  However, I wouldn’t waste your money at the theater watching it.  It might be worth watching on Netflix or Redbox though.  I give it 6 / 10.

Puss in Boots (2011)

DreamWorks Animation usually puts out great kid friendly movies that parents can enjoy too.  I loved watching movies like Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, etc with my kids.  The movies are geared toward kids, but have subtle double entendre jokes for the adults.  Puss in Boots, a spinoff of the Shrek franchise, is no exception.

The movie is the back story for one of the main characters in the Shrek movies, Puss.  For those who don’t know, Puss is a “Zoro” like cat voiced by Antonio Banderas. When Puss runs into his childhood best friend turned enemy, he sets out on an epic quest to capture the goose-that-lays-the-golden-eggs, and to clear his own name.

The story is very entertaining, and the banter is first rate.  I took my daughter to watch it and she laughed the whole time and actually stayed in her seat (a major feat.)  The movie is paced well, and, at about 90 minutes long, is a good length for a kid’s movie.

The movie is still playing in the discount theaters, but should be out on DVD on February 24, 2012.  It is well worth seeing or getting for the kids.  I give it 9 / 10.

Notting Hill (1999)

Last night my wife wanted to watch a movie with me and chose Notting Hill, a film neither of us had seen. Notting Hill was released the week we graduated from high school, and would have been a perfect date movie for us to go see. After all it had only been 11 days since I asked Lisa to be my girlfriend. Unfortunately, I never had the sense to take her. While I had heard good things about the movie, a romantic comedy is not something a guy just watches on his own normally. Thanks to my wonderful bride, I was able to enjoy this movie while retaining my man card.

Notting Hill went on to be nominated for three Golden Globe awards. One for best picture, and one each for best actor/actress in a comedy/musical for Hugh Grant and the beautiful and talented Julia Roberts.

The film is your typical romantic comedy plot line. Poor boy gets the girl, looses the girl, gets her back. Along the way both have transformations of character and come out of the crisis even more in love, and better for the experience.

With that said, this movie is extremely funny. My wife and I were laughing throughout much of the movie. Roberts and Grant had great chemistry, and worked well together. The movie had some great dialog and banter. The cinematography was typical for a film filmed mostly indoors on sets that are supposed to be inside. There was one time morph sequence that was exceptionally well done, cute, and effective.

All in all my wife and I both thoroughly enjoyed the movie. The next time your girl wants to curl up on the couch and watch something romantic, pull up Notting Hill on Netflix, etc. You will enjoy the comedy, she will enjoy the romance. It is a win-win for you. I give the film 8/10.

The Descendants (2011)

George Clooney plays Matt King, the descendant of Hawaiian nobility. He is a lawyer and the executed of the family trust worth billions to him and his cousins. When a new law forces the trust to sell off its property the Kings begin looking for a buyer. Tragedy strikes when Matt's thrill seeking wife is critically injured in a boating accident. Matt finds himself trying to gather his children, deal with his wife's coma, keep up his practice and proceed with the sale of the family trust. When Matt finds out his wife had been having an affair, Matt's world is thrown even further into chaos as he struggles to come to terms with the pain and provide guidance for his immediate and extended family. This movie is an emotional drama/comedy that leaves you sympathizing with the main characters. Each actor delivers an exceptional performance. I was particularly impressed with Clooney's performance. Each character has depth and different facets to their personality. The writing is exceptional and the cinematography is beautiful. Some will feel that the movie moves too slowly, but I feel it is paced appropriately for the story being told. The Descendants is rated R primarily for language. While I believe that teenagers would be fine watching the movie, they will probably be bored. I would encourage you to see this film. I give it a 9/10.

Fright Night (2011)

If there is one movie genre we have had an overabundance of in the last several years it is vampire movies. Not surprisingly most of them suck more than the undead nosferatu that populate them. I was fully expecting Fright Night to fall in line with all the others. Instead I was pleasantly surprised. Instead of a not-scary horror film (or the other type of popular vampire move, the lame romance film) I found myself watching a campy action film that reminded me of watching The Monster Squad (1987) back when I was a kid. It has the same “geek vs overwhelming odds” feel to it.

When the teenage Charley (Anton Yelchin) realizes that his neighbor Jerry (Colin Farrell) is a vampire, he struggles to protect his mom and his new hot girlfriend while keeping them both in the dark about what he suspects. Along the way he tries to defeat Jerry but finds that he is ill prepared, and Jerry instead plays with him like a cat toying with a mouse.

While the movie is not going to win any Oscars, it is quite entertaining. Farrell delivers a very convincing performance. I was quite impressed. Everyone else’s performances were acceptable, but nothing that stood out. The movie successfully combined action and humor with a little bit of suspense. While there were the normal “oh how convenient” issues, they weren’t so much so that they detracted from the story.

All in all, this movie was quite fun and worth seeing. It is rated R, and I’d agree with the rating. While it has a “The Monster Squad” feel, it would not be appropriate for younger kids. I give it a 8 / 10.

Will's Movie Review's - Horrible Bosses (2011)

Three friends (Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis) find themselves working for bosses that make their respective careers hell. One works for a self centered corporate suit (Kevin Spacey) who lures him on with the promise of a promotion like a carrot on a stick. The second works for a coke addict (Colin Farrell) hell bent on running his father's company into the ground. The third works for a gorgeous nymphomaniac dentist (Jennifer Aniston) who wants to have sex with him. As you can imagine the other two friends don't find his situation all that bad. Hilarity ensues when they decide the only way they can bring the semblance of normalcy to their lives is to kill their bosses.

This is one of those rare comedies in that everything just seems to work. Each character seems to have been tailor made for the person who plays them. The acting is surprisingly good for a comedy. While much of the humor is juvenile and slapstick, it is well executed and funny. There are also subtle jokes that are told with as little as an expression.

Overall I really enjoyed this movie. I would not recommend children be allowed to watch it at all though. It earns its “R” rating. I give it a 8.5 / 10.

Death at a Funeral (2010)

Originally written January 31, 2011 at 3:18 am

Death at a Funeral boasts an all star comedy cast including Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Danny Glover, Tracy Morgan, Luke Wilson and many more.


General hilarity ensues as a family gathers to pay its last respects to the family patriarch at his funeral. Death at a Funeral is full of slapstick and toilette humor but it works. Don't watch the movie expecting witty intelligent zingers; you won't find them. However you will find a hilarious movie. Much of the plot is predictable and the parts that might not have been, were spoiled by the trailers. Despite this the movie still had me fighting to keep my laughs quiet so that I wouldn't wake my family up. It is like listening to a friend or a comedian tell a joke and figuring the punch line out before it is over; its still funny.


Nobody gives a stellar performance, but most of the characters hold their own. The cinematography is acceptable but nothing special. On a purely technical level the movie is mediocre in every way, however as a comedy it works well. I would not recommend letting your kids watch it however.
As a comedy I give it a 7 / 10.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Originally written January 9, 2011 at 5:46 pm

Zombies. The stereotypical bad guy used to be the Germans. In the last couple of decades it has become zombies. They are everywhere. They range from lethargic sloths, to indefatigable sprinters, to mutated monstrosities. The only hard and fast rules seem to be that to kill them you have to destroy the brain and that if you are bitten by one you will die and become a zombie too.
Enter Shaun of the Dead, the latest installment of zombie killing to be added to the ever expanding genre. I’ve watched zombie movies since I was a kid. I believe I was about 9 when I first watched the classic Night of the Living Dead. Come to think of it that was the year my mom took my little brother and I to see Total Recall in the theater. My parents must have thought rated R meant “really cool.” Shaun of the Dead has less to do with Night of the Living Dead, than it does with Zombieland. Shaun of the Dead is more of a comedy than a zombie movie. The zombies serve more as props for the comedic antics of the main characters.
The story takes place in London and stars Shaun (Simon Pegg - Hot Fuzz, Star Trek), his freeloading slob of a best friend, Ed (Nick Frost – Hot Fuzz, Pirate Radio) and Shaun’s girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield). When zombies attack, Shaun and Ed don’t even notice at first. When they finally do notice they instead use it as an opportunity for a little fun, sorting through and chucking vinyl records at the slow moving zombies. They eventually realize the danger and formulate a plan to rescue Shaun’s mom and Liz then hole up in their favorite bar. The only problem, they are bumbling buffoons.
Their antics are hilarious if not well thought out. I found myself laughing throughout much of the movie. While the movie is totally and completely absurd, it is the good kind of absurd. The Monty Python kind of absurd. I’d highly recommend it for adults, but kids might still have problems due to the zombies ripping peoples guts out etc. I give it 8 / 10.

The Bounty Hunter (2010)

Originally written December 29, 2010 at 2:28 am

The Bounty Hunter is a romantic comedy starring Gerard Butler (300) and Jennifer Aniston (Friends). The general premise is that Milo Boyd (Butler) is a former cop turned bounty hunter; Nicole Hurley (Aniston) is a reporter. Boyd and Hurley were once madly in love but divorced. When Hurley misses court to pursue a lead for a story, a warrant is issued for her arrest. Boyd's boss is the bail bondsman who fronted the money, and Boyd gets the assignment to go catch his ex-wife and take her to jail. Along the way someone tries to kill Hurley to keep her from investigating the story she is working on.


Much of the story is very predictable. The overall plot is so far fetched it is ridiculous. However in a comedy that isn't really all that bad. The banter and fighting between Boyd and Hurley is quite funny. The minor characters provide several good laughs throughout the movie, especially Boyd's boss Sid (Jeff Garlin).


Nothing else really stands out one way or the other with this movie. While it is not great, it isn't terrible. It was good for several laughs, but by no means has any real chance of winning any sort of Oscar, etc. I give it a 5 /10.

Due Date (2010)

Originally written November 8, 2010 at 12:14 am

Due Date once again pairs up The Hangover Director Todd Phillips and actor Zach Galifianakis. Added to the mix is Robert Downey Jr. Phillips once again is directing a low brow slap stick comedy. Galifianakis plays an almost exact remake of his character from The Hangover. Downey plays his signature sarcastic role.


First I want to point out that this movie bears an almost remarkable resemblance to Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Think of this as the film equivalent of a Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs song. Total theft of the heart of the song, but with new wording.


That being said, the movie is hilarious. By the end of the movie, my cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing so much. This is Family Guy not Frasier style humor. Downey's performance is good. You can start to relate to his character's frustrations and occasional outbursts. Galifianakis's plays his character pretty much exactly as he did in The Hangover. The character is still pretty much just a joke, but is fleshed out slightly by the dialog regarding the death of his father. This too, of course, becomes a spring board for more comedic situations.


My wife, the couple we went with, and I all really enjoyed the movie. It isn't an Academy Award winner by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a great movie to watch, relax and blow off some steam by laughing. If that doesn't work, you can always try what one character does to help him get to sleep. That always works. LOL JK. I give the movie 7 / 10.