Big Screen Blurb: Our Idiot Brother

Insanely trusting. Mind-numbingly naive. And, well...not the sharpest knife in the drawer. No, that is not a description of yours truly, although many would argue and I could hardly protest. It is, however, an accurate sketch of Ned (Paul Rudd), the lead sibling in Our Idiot Brother.

Ned's a great guy. Actually, he's a little too great. In fact, Ned is a little too good for his own good. Case in point, when we first meet this happy-go-lucky organic produce seller, he's just trying to help a brotha' out. He hear's the guys sob story about a rough week and gives in to his request to sell him some pot--not that Ned was actually selling. He was going to give it away until the guy insisted that he pay something. The trouble with this scenario is that the brotha' was a cop...and, not even an undercover cop. Rather, he was a uniformed cop. Can the audience heave a collective "Whatta ya thinkin', Yo???"

After serving his time, the never negative Ned embarks on his new life. Unfortunately, he's forced to do so without his girlfriend, who has left him. Even worse, she's holding onto Ned's bff--Willie Nelson. No, not the singer, Ned's dog. Then, Ned heads over to Mom's for his first of four stops. After ole Mom, it's on to his sister's (Zooey Dechanel, Elizabeth Banks and Emily Mortimer) homes for short stays. It seems that everywhere Ned goes, he wreaks havoc on the lifestyle of his host. Yadayadayada Ned makes his rounds, bringing his uniquely naive and trusting philosophy to each home, while leaving a wake of disruption in his path; that is, until his family begins to embrace his idiomatic personality.

It's okay...2.5 Stars. I know in marketing...and relationships...and well, life in general...timing is everything. The same can be said for movies. With the hilarity coming out of Hollywood of late (Friends with Benefits, The Change-up, etc.), this one is just a bit flat. Sure, Our Idiot Brother has its moments--at least a few of them, but nothing like I've seen over the last few Friday nights. With that said, there are no glaring issues. The story is fine. The acting is fine. Rudd does no injustice to hapless. Zooey plays the sexually confused sis nicely. Elizabeth Banks nails the role of the high-powered wanna be sister. Finally, Emily Mortimer is convincing as the sister who struggles to dig her own head out of the sand as her hubby (Steve Coogan) cheats left, right and side-ways...well, make that moon-ways. Plus, there's a good message and some good humor, even a couple 'laugh-out-loud' moments.

All in all, with tons of 'funny' available in the flick world, this one is best suited to rent in November. No real need to go BIG here, unless you've got a stalker-esque crush on Rudd or fellow cast mate. That's it for me. No mowing this weekend as nothing grows in this heat. However, plenty of stuff to get done around here so off I go...enjoy your Sunday!

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Big Screen Blurb: Water for Elephants

I love Reese Witherspoon, and Robert Pattinson has been growing on me since his role in Remember Me. Still, I wasn't exactly giddy about seeing Water for Elephants when a friend wanted to go see it a few weeks ago. Obviously, I wasn't giddy about writing the review either, but make no mistake about it, this flick is one to see.

As the nation struggles economically in the 30's, here's Jacob. (Pattinson) He's not struggling. Actually, he's a Columbia U student nearing graduation in veterinary science. That's when it all falls apart. His parents are in a fatal accident and all is lost. With that in mind, he joins the circus as a staff vet. There, he is introduced to the lovely Marlena (Witherspoon) and the not-so-lovely August (Christoph Walz). They are a hubby-wife team. August owns the circus and Marlena performs. August rules everything, even Marlena, with an iron fist. Actually, 'iron fist' is not a remotely accurate descriptive. He's cruel. Sure, times are tough in the entertainment industry and competing with Ringling Brothers can't be easy, but August treats the people in his charge horribly and the animals even worse. This, of course, leads Marlena to finding solace with Jacob, Hmm...that doesn't sit well with August for some reason. So instead of a "The Show Must Go On" response, August has more of an "It's ON!!!" reaction. Yadayadayada August and Jacob square off with Marlena and a slew of animals on the line.

It's a moving on a lot of different levels and well worth a watch. I'll give it 3.5 Stars. It's a good story that is well told. It leaves you thinking and creates an emotional response. Of course, it's incredibly difficult to endure the scenes of animal abuse, even if those aren't played out graphically. Those scenes are necessary however, along with a few other abusive scenes of the human variety, to truly develop the character of cruelty that is, August. None of that would truly work for me, however, if it didn't leave me with an ultimate 'feel good' moment, which it most definitely does.

Pattinson, Walz and, of course, Witherspoon are all great. Walz definitely has the bad boy role perfected to nearly pure evil proportions. Although his August shows a hint of a conscious as opposed to his Colonel Landa from Inglorious Bastards. Still a strong role played exceptionally well. That's true of his fellow screen leaders as well.

All in all--Water for Elephants is one to check out. If you're looking for pure feel-good entertainment, it may be one to rent on a night when you could use a little emotional roller coaster ride. It will be out on BluRay in November.

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Big Screen Blurb: The Change-Up

The Change-Up. Hmm...maybe this one should have been called The Curveball instead. Yes, it is a familiar story that seems to make the rounds every few years with the same old message. However, this thing is riotously funny and easily overcomes the familiar ole "Wow...I'm now you and you're now me" storyline.

Dave (Jason Bateman) is our career-obssessed entrant. He's working on the deal of his life and watching his own go by. Dave is positioning himself for partnership in the law firm where he is also putting together a merger deal that will all but guarantee the promotion. Dave is also a big family man. He's got the lovely wife, daughter and newborne twins--all of which have pretty much gone forgotten or merely being tolerated. Next, we find Mitch...wake-up Mitch...Mitch, HEY WAKE UP! Oh well, Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) is a single, lazy and struggling actor; actually, he's just struggling. He works the ladies, but that's just about it. So, when the two lifelong friends get together for a night on the town, alcohol takes over and the two share an envy toward each other's life. That, along with taking a leak in public fountain is obviously enough to make Mitch, Dave; and Dave, Mitch. Yadayadayada they both learn a few lessons about appreciation and growing up on the way to switching back.

It's good...4.0 Stars--check that, it's freakin' hilarious. As if we didn't draw enough humor from Dave being Dave and Mitch being Mitch, we are treated to numerous 'OH MY GOSH' moments from the ole change-up. Keep in mind, you get a lot...check that A LOT of those, 'Uhh...I probably shouldn't be laughing at this, but can't help myself' moments. Friendly advice on that front: Give in...that's right, surrender to it; you'll be glad you did. It's a very well written script, taking a worn out concept and injecting some 'push the envelope' humor to make this more than work. It's fun. Bateman is awesome. Reynolds matches that description. Yes, it takes a lull (story and humor-wise) at about the 75 minute mark as the final plot point pieces are plugged into the puzzle. (say that three times fast) That sluggish stretch aside, it's more than worth it.

Word of warning--no prudes allowed. If you are tad on the uptight side, you're not going to enjoy this one. However, if you like humor that leaves a lingering twinge of guilt, you gotta see The Change-Up and see it BIG. It's 152-minutes of fun and December is too long wait to see this one.

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Big Screen Blurb: Thor

Thor. With the slew of super hero flicks we've seen come out over the past few years, I wasn't sure how this one would stack up. Sure, it carried lower expectations than Iron Man or the recent Batman flicks. Would Thor lower the hammer or merely drop it on his big toe? Hmm...I'd say the hammer is in fairly good shape and decently polished.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is about to take the throne from his aging papa (Odin--Anthony Hopkins) in the realm of Asgard. Unfortunately, young Thor is about 80 percent ego and 19 percent muscle. This leaves a mere one percent for maturity, which prompts Odin to dub him incapable of ruling and sees him banished to earth. Yeah--pretty rough first step, huh? One minute you're ready to set on a golden throne and the next you're stuck in a world where satellite TV and limited cell phone coverage are the high points. We meager earthlings do have something to offer, however, and that is the crux of the story. You see, on earth, Thor meets the lovely scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman). After Thor's unorthodox landing on earth, the feds confiscate all of Jane's research. Let's face it...Jane's a chick 'in-the-know' so years of documentation is unwillingly handed over. Thor's here to help and learn some valuable lessons. Thor's hammer arrived with him and he'll be able to pull it out of its resting spot when he's matured enough to rule. Yadayadayada Thor enrolls in Grow Up 101 taught by Ms. Foster as enemies from Asgard plot to destroy Odin and send a monstrous foe to earth to knock out Thor for good measure.

It's pretty good. I'll go with 3.0 Stars here...on the sunny side of okay. I'm a comic book fan, but admittedly had never truly delved into the realm of Asgard and Thor's story. It's a well put-together story that involves plenty of action, a little romance and a dash of humor just to keep you on your toes. You've got relationship issues, headlined by the sibling rivalry of Thor with his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), not to mention the ole father-son dynamic. All in all...it's a fun movie, if you've got a hankering for super heroes. Hemsworth is a solid Thor...Hopkins is well...Hopkins and Portman, in a fairly light role--lighter than Black Swan, yet far heavier than The Highness--is her typical Oscar nominated self (although this one probably won't garner much attention from the heavies).

If you like super heroes or some pretty good action attached to a good story, give this one a shot. Although, it's big screen life has just about ended. It is due out on Blu-Ray on September 13th, so give it shot then.

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Big Screen Blurb: Cowboys & Aliens

Cowboys & Aliens. Hmm...five words for you: I didn't see that comin'! Yeah, this one never really drew a blip on my radar screen. Not because of the cast, mind you--far from it. Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford make for one doozy of a action duo. No, this one didn't register with me during it's trailer run because of the crossing of two genres. Cowboys. Aliens. It just didn't ring true. The title itself invites a nasty double-take. Cattle, gunslingers, horses and buggies meet space-men? Come on! However, when a friend insisted that I see it...I thought "well...with Harrison Ford...how bad could it be?" Answer: Not bad at all.

We open with Jake (Craig). He's waking up in the middle of nowhere. Jake doesn't know where he is, or even who he is. All he knows is that he's got a funky bracelet attached to his wrist. Stumbling into the sleepy little town of Absolution provides some answers. At least Jake learns that he's a 'wanted' man--not in the 'we love ya, Jake' sense of the word, but rather, the fugitive sense. Things turn around for ole Jake's popularity when those funky space-men show up. They invade the town in their equally funky (at least to the cow-pokes) flying machines and snatch a slew of Absolutionites. That's when Jakes bracelet comes in handy. Slowly, he starts to piece together his past, as he joins Colonel Dolarhyde (Ford) and, yadayadayada...with the company of a tribe of indians, they wage war against aliens in an effort to save their people and mankind.

It's good. Quite good, actually--good enough for 3.5 Stars. Jon Favreau directs this one and told a thoroughly entertaining story. Not an easy tale to spin either, considering we've got two genres on polar opposites. This one could have been a flop from the beginning, but add Craig and Ford in starring roles...throw in great supporting roles from Sam Rockwell, Abigail Spencer, Adam Beach, Paul Dano and Noah Ringer, and you've got something that actually works. The story itself moves along nicely and develops in a way that keeps interest piqued. The characters help that tremendously. You've got a slew of interesting characters, each well acted, and most of which experience a surge of personal growth.

All in all, Cowboys & Aliens is definitely worth a watch, and deserves consideration for a BIG screen view. Of course, since the title is supposed to create the ole, "huh...what-the-???" effect, they probably should've called it "Cowboys and Indians...and Aliens". Yeah, that might have been a tad long, but hey...give my peeps some props--after all, the Indians played a big role in this one too!

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Big Screen Blurb: Crazy, Stupid, Love

Crazy, Stupid, Love. I'm not sure, but I think you could probably get herpes from this flick. Don't get me wrong. This is a movie worth seeing, but you might want to wear a condom. It is, after all, a film about a 'playa' (Jacob, Ryan Gosling) teaching the average Joe--or in this case, Cal (Steve Carrell), how to bed an endless parade of chicks and the hilarity that ensues.

It's a film that lives up to its name. Crazy. Stupid. Love. Robbie is in love with Jessica, who is in love with Cal, who is in love with Emily, who is in lalaland while Hannah is in love with Richard, whose attentions lie elsewhere. It's a vicious cycle of love meeting indifference, and thus the name. I must be a rarity. There is no bigger turn-off to me than to hear that someone is not interested in me. It's like a proverbial axe dropping on the noggin of that prospective relationship. That's not really the case with this group. Hearing that a potential love spark is not interested is like pooring gasoline on these heart's flames. Then again, that's Crazy, Stupid, Love. Enter Cal.

Cal and Emily (Julianne Moore) have been hitched for awhile. Uhh...too long if you ask Emily. That's why she took a ride on Dave's (Kevin Bacon) pogo stick. Not that she loves him, mind you, she's tired of life's intense monotony in general. Cal leaves Emily only to fall into the clutches of his soon-to-be Playa-Jedi Master, Jacob. He promptly revamps his padawan's image on the way to teaching him how to hunt for the chiquitas of the late-night bar scene. Yeah, Jacob is a playa of a lady's man who, quite frankly doesn't strike out. That is, until Hannah (Emma Stone) comes along. Hannah passes on Jacob's advances because she longs for the stagnate stability offered by Richard (Josh Groban). Alas, he's not really interested. Out of heartbroken frustration, Hannah hunts down Jacob to alieviate some sexual tensions and, low and behold, the two fall in love. Meanwhile, Robbie (Jonah Bobo), Cal and Emily's son, has his sights set on the babysitter, who is secretly crushin' on Cal. Yadayadayada it all unfolds as worlds collide and hearts and heads roll.

I liked it...3.5 Stars. It's not a riotously funny movie. There is little danger of you soiling your clothes while rolling with laughter in the aisles. Rather, the humor here comes in the form of irony as the plot unfolds. It is, after all, a story--with a strong comedic element...make no mistake about that, but its humor is less "in your face" and found more in the life-situations that unfold throughout the plot.

Based on the cast alone, this one is worth checking out.Carell-great. Gosling-never better...great role for him. Stone-I was crushin' on her before and still am after this...great stuff from her. Moore-challenging role played nicely. Bobo-good to see this guy again. I haven't seen him since Zathura and he knocked this role of a 13-year old, heart-handicapped, deep thinker out of the park.

It's good stuff and definitely worth a view. Big screen or rental is up to you on a 3.5 Star review. Now, shut down your computer or mobile device and go live a little. My yard is mowed. The weeds have been gnawed and it's time to throw a steak on the grill!

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