Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008)

 Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg
Cast: John Cho, Kal Penn, Danneel Harris
Running Time: 102 minutes

 

Following the events of the first film, best friends Harold Lee and Kumar Patel embark on an improvised trip to Amsterdam, to make a surprise visit to Harold’s new flame. Unfortunately, a marijuana incident have Harold and Kumar mistaken for terrorists. Sent to Guantanamo Bay, they manage to escape. While on the run, they rekindle some old relationships as they try to get themselves out of trouble.

While it offers an interesting, albeit exaggerated for effect, look at racism in America, this film is mostly made to incite laughter. In that sense, it does an okay job. Again, the chemistry between the two leads helps a lot. Some very funny material here. Some jokes miss the mark, while others would have been better if tightened up a bit. Overall, an entertaining turn-your-brain-off movie.

Rating: «««

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

 Genre: Superhero
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church
Running Time: 139 minutes

 

All the while being overtaken by an extraterrestrial symbiote that alters his personality, Peter Parker must juggle Spider-Man’s newfound fame in New York, his rocky relationship with MJ and three new villains: his former best friend Harry Osborn; Flint Marko, uncle Ben’s true killer, who is turned into The Sandman by a freak accident, and Eddie Brock, a rival photographer at the Daily Bugle, who then becomes Venom.

While the visual effects are evidently still spectacular, this third installment in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man franchise suffers greatly from a lack of focus. There are too many villains, with too many switches and swerves also. It is like they tried to squeeze three movies into one. The acting is mostly good, though that dance scene and the teary-eyed stuff at the end was overly sappy for no good reason.

Rating: ««

Hello I Must Be Going (2012)

Genre: Drama/Comedy
Directed by: Todd Louiso
Cast: Melanie Lynskey, Blythe Danner, Christopher Abbott
Running Time: 95 minutes

 

Amy Minsky sacrificed her own dreams for her relationship. Now, divorced at the end of 35, she temporarily moves back in with her parents, and her depressed presence in the house creates uneasiness related to her father’s job. with some important clients about to come over for crucial meetings. An impromptu relationship with a 19-year-old friend of the family helps Amy find her self esteem again.

This is a very mature comedy-drama with characters that feel very real. It is a look at dysfunctional families and relationships. It is a very compelling stories told on screen by a talented cast. There were a few moments where the filmmakers almost lost me, but, in the end, it was well done.

Rating: ««««

Pitch Perfect (2012)

Genre: Musical/Comedy
Directed by: Jason Moore
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Skylar Astin, Rebel Wilson
Running Time: 112 minutes

 

The Barden Bellas are an all-girl a cappella group from Barden University that have been trying for years to win the National competition, with a traditionalist number, but they always come short. With an influx of new talent, they might stand a chance, if uptight ringleader Aubrey agrees to let go of the reigns a little bit.

With a talented ensemble cast and some toe-tapping musical numbers, Pitch Perfect is a fun film, albeit very campy. Some of the performances are over-the-top and there is a lot of silliness involved, but it is entertaining for what it is. Special mention to Elizabeth Banks. Her performance was a highlight for me.

Rating: «««

1917 (2019)

Genre: Drama
Directed by: Sam Mendes
Cast: George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong
Running Time: 119 minutes

 

In the midst of Operation Alberich, during the First World War, two British soldiers are sent out on foot to carry a message to another troop to tell them to abort an attack that will see them fall victim to a German trap.

Sam Mendes, who cowrote and directed this film, was inspired by stories told by his paternal grandfather. You could feel his attachment to the material as it was treated with respect and realism. The story felt a little dry at first, to me, but, when I finally got caught up into it, I was hooked.  The acting was solid. There even were some nice surprises, with bigger names in smaller roles. The sets were well done. You could really feel the devastation looking at the screen. It felt real.

Rating: ««««

Uncle Buck (1989)

 Genre: Comedy
Directed by: John Hughes
Cast: John Candy, Jean Louisa Kelly, Macaulay Culkin
Running Time: 99 minutes

 

Buck Russell is a slobbish bachelor that has managed to avoid a real job, marriage and family life for all of his life. Then, his brother and his sister-in-law call on him to watch over their three kids, including a rebellious teenager, while they travel for a family emergency.

I had not seen this particular title in years. What a fun comedy, with a sweet and touching part to it. John Candy is so great in the title role. He makes you believe it wholeheartedly. Jean Louisa Kelly was really good too. She reminded me of my sister around that age, so I had no issue believing it. As for Macaulay Culkin, you could see a glimpse of what was to come.

There were a few off moments here and there, but, overall, I enjoyed this one very much.

Rating: ««««

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Genre: Superhero
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina
Running Time: 127 minutes

 

Two years after the events of the previous film, Peter Parker is crumbling under the pressure that being Spider-Man puts on his personal life. As he decides to hang up the superhero costume, a new threat comes around in the form of Harry Osborn, Peter Parker’s best friend, who took over as CEO of his father’s company, and Otto Octavius, a scientist who is transformed by a failed experiment into to Doctor Octopus, a major threat to the city.

This sequel was an improvement upon the first installment. The story is better mapped out, and the acting is also more solid. It was easier to get emotionally involved in the conflict within Peter Parker, who must chose between love, friendship and duty.

Rating: ««««

Killer Joe (2011)

 Genre: Comedy
Directed by: William Friedkin
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple
Running Time: 102 minutes

 

Chris Smith is a 22-year-old Dallas, Texas, drug dealer who owes a great deal of money to some bad people. He decides to hire Joe Cooper, a detective/hitman, to kill his mom so he can collect the life insurance money. Since he does not have the money to pay the hired killer upfront, Chris begrudgingly accepts that Joe will take his younger sister, Dottie, as a retainer.

This is very dark black comedy. All the cast members do an awesome job in their respective roles. The story is compelling, though it is truly nasty and decadent. Not for the weak of heart. I was not crazy about the quick ending, but, overall, I was entertained.

Rating: ««««

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)

 Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Danny Leiner
Cast: John Cho, Kal Penn, Neil Patrick Harris
Running Time: 88 minutes

 

After a brief evening of pot smoking, stoner best friends Harold Lee and Kumar Patel get a craving for some White Castle burgers. As they venture out into the world to find a location of the fast food restaurant to satisfy that craving, they find themselves in a one crazy adventure after another.

While a lot of humor in this silly buddy comedy is hit-and-miss, the chemistry between the two leads and the fun cameo by Neil Patrick Harris made this enjoyable.

Rating: «««