Big Screen Blurb: Hit & Run

Hit & Run. Hmm...think Pineapple Express meets Fast and Furious with a dash of Burn After Reading. Not a bad combo, huh? And, when all of the dust settles, not a bad flick. Okay--actually, it's one entertaining ride!

Annie (Kristen Bell) is a lover, not a fighter. That's how she basically created her own major at Stanford in conflict resolution. Annie has used her skills to tame Yul (Dax Shepherd), a former ruffian whose heart she has captured. Yul is in witness protection, after witnessing a bank robbery...or, at least that's what he told Annie. At any rate, Randy (Tom Arnold) is a Federal Marshall in charge of watching out for Yul in small Milton, California. It's no small task once Annie gets a job offer in Los Angeles. It's either said job offer or get fired, so Yul decides to risk life and limb and return to the scene of the crime that put him in witness protection. Risky indeed, especially considering that his past is coming into Annie's light. Meanwhile, Annie's ex (Michael Rosenbaum) joins Randy in hot pursuit and manages to inform Demetri (Bradley Cooper) that his former PIC (Partner in Crime for all my readers without street cred) is headed back to the city of Angels. Yadayadayada...a comedic adventure ensues as Demetri tries to exact revenge on Yul, as the latter tries to explain his past while getting Annie to her dream job interview on time.

It's good...very good, actually. I'll go with 4.0 Stars on this one! It's funny--which always scores big on my list. It's got some nice car chase sequences for the testosterone charged. It's got the romance angle with Annie and Yul for the chick-flick lovers. Finally, it's got some great messages.

First, the characters. I loved them all! Annie...the calm, sensible one who is not afraid to stand up for fairness. Yul...a good-hearted guy with a few mistakes on his ledger who has seen the light and is ready for a renewed second half of his life. Randy...poor guy. He'll make you anxious just looking at him. Graceful he is not, but he's got a great heart that more than compensates for his shortcomings. Demetri...yeah, he's a bad guy, but he won my heart early on...no, not with the dreadlocks, but by taking out a jerk that wasn't caring for his pupper. So, yeah, Demetri is not someone to cross, but it's kinda hard to dislike the guy, even considering what he's trying to do to our heroes.

Second, this great comedy-action combo. Good stuff all around. The comedy is derived from the characters. Yeah, there are plenty of one-liners and funny situations, including some classic funny moments that will forever lodge in my lil cranium. Plus, there is comedy of the more slap-stick variety from Randy and his sadly, zany exploits.

Finally, the messages. There is plenty of good stuff here brought out by writer Dax Shepherd. Kudos to him, for certain because I loved what he's relaying here. One, overcoming mistakes of the past to make good on a bright future. Second, this is a flick that could've easily played into racist and homophobic stereotypes. After all, you've got some pretty rough characters here, but none of them drank that Kool-Aid. They're all embracing people and it was very refreshing.

Bottom line: this is a good movie that's probably going to fly under the radar with its big screen release, but it shouldn't. It's too funny; too smart, too full of action; and all tied together with a great story. See Hit & Run and see it BIG. It's an entertaining movie experience in one souped up ride.

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Big Screen Blurb: Hope Springs

You know what it's like. It's that giddy feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when they walk in the room. There's that jump in your heartbeat when you see their name show up on your phone. There's that euphoric feeling when they put their arms around you. There's all those amazing emotions...then, there's marriage and Hope Springs.

Just ask Kay (Meryl Streep). She's been married to Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones) for 31 years. In those 3+ decades things have become a tad rote and stale. Okay, that may be putting it mildly. The two have been sleeping in separate rooms for nearly five years and they haven't had sex in more than four. If you're thinking that this sounds like a familiar tune, perhaps you should do what Kay did: sign up for Dr. Fields' (Steve Carell) intensive couples therapy. So, off the two head to Maine to fix what ails them. In the land of lobster, the pair are treated to discussions that take them well beyond their comfort zone. Topics include sexual fantasies, oral sex, intimacy in general, to name just a few. Both are in need of oxygen at the mere mention of these topics (this is, after all, a conservative couple from Omaha), but Kay is more than willing to try. Meanwhile, Arnold needs a little more coaxing before he's even ready to realize that a problem exists. Yadayadayada...Kaye and Arnold step outside of the box thanks to the ever-insightful Doctor in an effort to rekindle a little flame in the ole marriage.

It's good, but a lot more than I expected on one front and a little less than anticipated on another. I'll go with 3.5 Stars. First, the latter. Going into this one, I fully expected something a little more along the lines of It's Complicated meets Something's Gotta Give. Yes, I realize that Nancy Myers wasn't behind this production, but considering the subject matter and cast, my expectations were set upon a movie with great scenery, characters and a high degree of hilarity. It certainly delivered each, but the latter I would consider to be more of an intelligent brand of comedy more so than kin to "Baldwin stripping down for Martin to scope out his package"-kind of humor.

What is it, then? It's funny--make no mistake. It's just a smarter, more mature, brand of raunchy humor then a lot of today's movies. What you really get from Hope Springs is a lot of relationship depth. I'm talking serious stuff. This is a couple that has been married 31 years and appears to have little to no emotional connection whatsoever. As we explore with Dr. Fields through the couple's relationship were greeted with a realistic portrayal of a very disconnected marriage. The story is treated with great realism--and this is what I didn't really expect. You reach a point, where you realize there's little to nothing light-hearted about what is going on with this couple. Further, you don't really know if they will reach the point of relationship height that Kay is seeking. In other words, the proverbial happy ending greets a reality that is very much prominent in real life.

Meryl was great. I know, right! What a surprise! She is such an amazing actress, able to tap into a character's persona with a seemingly effortless appraoch and emerge AS THAT CHARACTER. Her Kay was dead on. She wasn't alone. Tommy Lee Jones was great as Arnold, as well. It was a different kind of character from the brash, tough guy that we normally see. Arnold was gruff, sure, but he had a distant softer side that Jones captured as well. And don't forget about the astute and well-spoken Dr. Fields, played nicely by Carell. Great Cast + Great Concept = Great Movie. That's my formula and why I wanted to see Hope Springs.

Should you see this one? Yes--unless you're a kid or a teen. Hope Springs is a very thought-provoking and entertaining hundred minutes. It deals with relationship issues of great depth and does so in a way that moves you to both laugh and think, if not want to cry. I love Meryl...or as I call her, "Mom". I'll see anything she's in, so I had to go BIG on this one. If you like a movie that will work out both your brain and funny bone, you should too.

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Big Screen Blurbs: The Odd Life of Timothy Green

The Odd Life of Timothy Green. Hmm...you've heard of Cabbage Patch kids, right? It's kinda like that only the kid is not as pudgy and his hair not as curly. 

Cindy and Jim Green (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton) want a baby. Yeah--I don't know why, but some humans are into that kinda thing. The trouble is, it's just not in the cards, or is it? When they find out that they can't possibly conceive, their last ditch effort involves writing down all the wonderful qualities that their child would possess on some slips of paper. They then bury their hopes in a box in the garden. The result? Quite the bumper crop, indeed, as out springs 10-year old Timothy Green. Timothy is a doll, from head to his leafy toes...well, leafy ankles. Did I forget to mention that the little lad has a host of leaves attached to his ankles? Of course, this is troubling to the new parents. However, aside from adjusting to their new bundle, they are trying to save their beloved town of Stanleyville from financial ruin, which is home to the ole number two. Meanwhile, little Timothy is busy displaying all of those wonderful qualities wished for by his parents. He's also losing his leaves in the process. Yadayadayada...the Green's learn about parenting as Timothy soon requires a rake as autumn sets in on his legs, while everyone tries to salvage the factory.

It's pretty good. I'll go with 3.0 Stars--on the sunny side of okay. Realists everywhere will roll their eyes, but this movie isn't for them. Sure, no one is in the least concerned that the Green's have, indeed, adopted a child from absolutely nowhere; but this is movie that saw the pair become parents with a pencil, paper and a box. Realism is not in play here. Yes, it provides you with a realistic framework for the story, but the intricacies within that framework are pretty fantastical. If you can embrace that element, you'll enjoy what is a very Odd Life of Timothy Green. 

Actually, I was able to embrace the LaLa, my issue was a little different. Now--fair warning, because this may well be a Spoiler--but as soon as Timothy starts losing his leaves, you know why and you know what's going to happen. Timothy loses a leaf when he experiences one of the attributes that had been put into the box by his 'parents'. With that in mind, you know he's not sticking around. Actually, you knew that from the start as the would-be parents are telling their tale to an adoption agent. Knowing that Timothy was eventually going to deliver a drive-by lesson and be on his way, it was hard for me to connect with him. I knew that eventually he was going to be out of the picture, so I didn't let myself get attached, which may have affected the impact this movie had on me. 

Yes, I was expecting something a little more inspirational than what was delivered. I was hoping that Timothy would help me relive and relieve. I wanted Timothy to help me relive those moments of living the carefree life that only youth brings...where perspective is gained through wide-eyed optimism. I wanted Timothy to relieve me from the skepticism that the years have taught me, so I could take a step back toward that wide-eyed approach to my world. It did neither, really. At least, it did neither with any sense of overwhelming influence.

With that noted, I still enjoyed the flick. I was still able to enjoy the story and the different dynamics between characters. The performances were all believable and sound. CJ Adams (Timothy) is a relative newcomer, with this being his first major role; and he was very good. Plus, the setting is a quaint little rural town that helped add to the escape. All in all, it was an enjoyable and entertaining movie. Just don't try to over-think this one and you'll be fine. 

Should you see this one BIG? I would wait on the BluRay in December, but make no mistake, there are plenty of positives to enjoy with this one...which reminds me, I should probably go rake some leaves.

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Big Screen Blurb: The Campaign

When I say "great combinations", I'm sure your mind automatically thinks of the no-brainers like "chocolate and peanut butter"..."Me and a Ferrari (hey...shut your pie-hole, it could happen!) and now... drum roll please: "Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis." It's The Campaign, a flick that even Republicans and Democrats can enjoy together. 

Meet Cam Brady (Ferrell). He's the incumbent, who has been unopposed in his North Carolina district for many years. For Cam the formula for success is quite simple: Jobs, Jesus and Freedom. Just tell people you're going to create jobs...tout Jesus as the greatest American of all time...throw in a yell for freedom and another term is a lock, right? Well, maybe not; at least, not if the Motch brothers have anything to say about it. The rich Motch brothers decide that they need a candidate to pave the way for moving their China offices to the States to save big bucks. So, they bring in the ever-moldable Marty Huggins (Galifianikis). Marty is, well...a tad on the quirky side. Okay, that's putting it mildly. Marty seems to be the kind of guy that would fart in a shoebox and store it in his closet to enjoy the aroma later. His wife and kids are equally funky, but with the right strategist behind them, The Huggins' will be on their way to a cushy life in politics and the Motch brothers can make their billions at the expense of the American public. Yadayadayada...hilarity ensues as the two candidates battle it out while Cam is unmasked as a typically sticky politician and Marty wakes up long enough to pluck his head from his own ass.

It's good; hilarious, actually. I'll go with 4.0 Stars on this one. I've always been someone who hates politics and just smart enough to realize that no politician can be trusted; so 85-minutes spent making fun of the hypocrisy of the Party game is great entertainment to me! I loved Ferrell and Galifianikis in this. Yes, some of the sequences are quite over-the-top, but who wouldn't expect and embrace that considering the subject matter. I just appreciate director, Jay Roach and his writing crew staying away from the temptation to make some type of commentary on any of the issues of the day. Nothing was really said about the current administration. Nothing was said about hot topics like gay marriage (take note Chick-Fil-A), immigration or healthcare. This left plenty of time for what I call guilt-ridden humor, which is hilarious stuff that your conscience tells you that you really shouldn't be laughing at, but is way toooo funny to resist. There were several such scenes in The Campaign. 

Don't get me wrong. This is edgy humor with plenty of irreverence and it is not for prudes or fundamentalists.  Fortunately, I'm neither. If you aren't either...you'll enjoy this one and should probably go BIG! If you fall into the stuffed shirt column...well, skip this one altogether. You'll miss out on Hollywoods' great new combo of Ferrell and Galifianikis, a pair that even Fox News would love...well, that may be a stretch unless they really are fair and balanced!

As for me, the yard is done. The pool party went great and now it's time to relax a bit. 

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Big Screen Blurb: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

It's retirement made easy. It's the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Oh sure, you have to move from your native homeland to a strange...and by 'strange' I don't mean JUST 'foreign', but rather 'dirty', 'chaotic' and borderline 'third world'...country. However, when you consider the promise of luxurious living within a budget, well, you're probably willing to contend with dirty streets (and dirty everything), strange food, etc in exchange for a little pampering when your bank account may not warrant it.

So, off we go. Meet Graham (Tom Wilkinson). He's a judge who is fed up with everything, including hiding his true sexual identity...so, off he goes. Meet Muriel (Maggie Smith). She's got health problems that have her fed up with just about everything and everyone...Muriel's quite the biggot, you know. So, off she goes. Meet Evelyn (Judi Dench). Her husband has recently passed, leaving her to deal with matters of the tech and legal variety that are quite foreign. Therefore, she's looking to get away to the good life. Meet Douglas and Jean. They are essentially flat broke and not accustomed to it. Jean expects...check that--demands the sweet life and souring investments in the couple's daughter have meant hard times. With that in summary, all head off to the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, promising luxurious everything in the utmost of exotic settings. Is it? Hmm...you know how, years ago,  advertising got a sour reputation for over-promising and under-delivering? That, in a nutshell is the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Make no mistake--this is not deception...far from it. It's a vision. The hotel's manager, Sonny, is projecting a dream. His vision is what he promotes. Unfortunately, it does not match the reality of what the patrons moved thousands of miles to buy. It's more accurately named, the Rundown Dilapidated Ruin.

What ensues is, not really a comedic story about the residents adjusting to renewed expectations. Rather, what we experience is a tale of relationships: the loving relationship that had been little more than a glimmer in Graham's eye during his childhood; embracing those you've previously held bigoted ideas about; the coming to grips the notion that you're with someone that you really should not be; and, overcoming family prejudice to love the one you love. Yadayadayada...we experience it all with the convergence of a cast of characters amid the ruins of an eternal optimist's dream.

It's pretty good. I'll go with 3.0 Stars on this one. Honestly, I was expecting a comedy. Sure, it has its funny moments, but make no mistake, this one is clearly anchored in the drama genre. I was told to see it..."it's this funny movie about a bunch of retired people moving to India to live in what they think is a grand, plush hotel and it's really a dump". Well, that's true...kinda. This one isn't a laugh-a-minute flick that's going to give you sore knees from all of that slapping! It's deep, thought-provoking stuff that will prompt you to enter that stage of life and encounter this great cast's every worry right along with them. That makes it a movie worth seeing.

Actually, it was the cast that sold me long before I heard anything about this one, plot-wise. Wilkinson, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy and the rising Dev Patel? Who could ask for more, right? Not I, said the Yada-meister. That's some acting power; and they didn't disappoint. Each nailing their role to near perfection that would give any understudy volumes of notes.

Bottom line: see this one, but know what you're getting into--get ready for something pretty deep with some light-hearted moments. And enjoy! Honestly, there's no need to go BIG here...rent it on BluRay when it comes out on September 18th.

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