License to Wed (2007)

I am a pastor. In spite of everything I do, I know that the statistics are the same for couples I counsel as ones who elope. The divorce rate is still 50%. Statistics are worse for couples living together before marriage.

In fact, recently a couple I was preparing to marry split up weeks before the date. She was planning a wedding while he was planning to leave her. So I watched this movie to do a little cheering up. As I did so, I gained a lot of perspective and insight.

In this hilarious movie (I do want to emphasize it is for mature audiences), Father Frank works in hilarious ways to wipe the innocence off of the faces of the young couple. While they are seeing hearts and roses, he wants them to see and talk about what is real to them. By creating off the chart stressful situations, he helps them to see past the romance and into the reality.

I am actually considering this movie as required viewing for future couples! I can make a list of various scenes to discuss.

This will remain in my library!

What a great movie!! License to Wed I read all the reviews online and was surprised with some of the comments. I think people missed the point of this movie. I viewed it as a satire to marriage preparation; however, there were some great points made. One, with marriage comes committment, trust, communication and children. Two, marriage is never easy and one should not go into it thinking life will be great. Both parties need to learn to communicate and work out the every day issues.

The actors were great-like everyone else I love John Krasinski who I think was perfect for this role.

I highly recommend this movie for a nice easy going, hilarious family movie. My 11 year old daughter could not stop laughing.

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If you are reading this review, you are probably thinking that this movie may be worth while seeing, it has robin williams. Not so. HE could not even save this completely disasterous movie. This follows the trail of a couple who get engaged at her parent's 30th anniversary party, then find out to use the "family" church to get married, they only have 3 1/2 weeks to do so, or it is wait 2 years. During this 3 weeks, they have to pass the pre-marital class ran by the "reverend" played by Robin Williams.

The chemistry of the couple is not believeable, the extent that the reverend goes to is so far fetched it's not funny, and the script has numerous holes/flaws (please see many of the other reviews, so i won't have to rehash). I'm glad I rented this rather than seeing it in the theater. Even one for robin williams loyalists to skip. No wonder MSN ranked this Worst movie of the year.

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There are parts within `License to Wed' that will make you laugh, and even a few scenes that may make you laugh hard, but in the end `License to Wed' cannot be called a good film because quite frankly, it's not. I really wanted to love this film, and while I did like it to a certain extent there were still times when I felt it was almost a wasted evening. I love me some Mandy Moore and really hope that she picks up the ball and makes some better role choices in the near future because her recent film choices have been less than desirable. Now, `License to Wed' is light years beyond the ridiculous and utterly wasted effort that was `Because I Said So' but it is no where near the brilliance that was `Saved' so you see my dilemma. It's fair to midland at best.

The film follows a young and adorable couple Ben and Sadie who are undeniably in love. At Sadie's parents thirtieth wedding anniversary party Ben decides to purpose and this thus starts our little outing. Sadie has always dreamed of getting married at the same church her parents were wed but in order for them to do so they need to take a marriage preparation course put on by Reverend Frank. It becomes quickly apparent to Ben and to the audience that Frank is a psycho but for some strange reason no one else can see that. Ben quickly grows tired of Frank's rules and mind games and soon starts to wage war with the man in cloth only to drive a wedge further and further between Sadie and himself.

Mandy Moore is still adorable here but she falls a little flat due to the poor plot and dialog. John Krasinski is almost wasted here. He ends up being the punch line most of the time, leaving everyone around him to bring whatever funny there is at his expense. In fact, he finds himself upstaged almost every step of the way, even when the only other `actor' on the screen is a mechanical baby (who by the way should have been in EVERY scene). This brings us to Robin Williams. Now I have not seen `Man of the Year' but I hear it was not that rewarding either, so it appears to me that Williams is running into a bit of a snag in his career, going the way of De Niro as of late. This is sad because we all know he has so much more to offer. He offers nothing in `License to Wed' besides over the top antics that are at times extremely annoying. In fact, the funniest thing about Reverend Frank is the choir boy that follows him around everywhere he goes.

`License to Wed' is not going to be a film you remember, which is kind of a word in its defense. While there is nothing outstandingly wonderful to remember, there is nothing painstakingly horrible to remember either. Williams is annoying but forgivable and while the plot is far too overdone it is not like we expected something revolutionary or truly inventive. `License to Wed' is just a movie to pass the time. Something to watch and that's really it. I may never watch it again, but this is the type of film that doesn't warrant repeated viewings. I laughed a bit, sure, but I'll laugh more watching something else.

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The theme seems to be that people many times really don't

know each other well enough when they get married

and as a result marriages don't last.

The family preacher or priest was traditionally the one to go to

for marriage counseling. This movie has the preacher from hell

making the lives of the people he is supposed to be helping

miserable. The motivation and the result of this movie seems to be two different things.

The spying, conniving preacher and his alter boy might be funny

in another universe, but in this movie they are terrifying?

The movie is very bad for organized religion too?

You get feeling really sorry for the clueless couple.

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Superhero Movie (Extended Edition) (2008)

SUPERHERO MOVIE bombed at the box office, but as a lifelong fan of the genre and movies like AIRPLANE, TOP SECRET, and NAKED GUN, I felt almost compelled to watch it. I doubt there will ever be another breakthrough spoof movie due to the fact that now there are so many of them. During the eighties and nineties, spoof movies came out every other year or so, now they come out every other month (Scary, Date, Epic, Disaster, etc). SUPERHERO MOVIE is not a great movie within the spoof genre, but it provides many good laughs and returns to the roots of what made the movies like Airplane and Naked Gun so great.

The DVD has a feature called "Anatomy of a Spoof" that among other things, gives director Craig Mazin's (a Zucker protégé and fan) philosophy of spoof movies. First, the actors need to play it straight, and second, the movie needs to have characters you care about and create an actual story within the genre you are trying to spoof. It this movie, all the actors play it straight. Drake Bell is Rick Ryker, the Peter Parker clone who gets bit by a Dragonfly and gets superpowers. Sara Paxton plays the love interest. Christopher McDonald is the evil Hourglass. Leslie Neilsen is the wise uncle. The plot follows the basic structure of Spiderman, and throws in Fantastic Four and X-men spoofs as well. The movie avoids trying to create comedy by recreating scenes from famous super hero movies. Director and writer Mazin really tries to make a story the viewers will care about, and many of the jokes are found in the dialogue.

Mazin knew what he was doing. He crafted an entertaining spoof full of witty dialogue. A few things brought the movie down. First, the glut of spoof movies took away any chance for this film to be original. Second, it seemed a limited budget took away from some of the special effects that could have been utilized. Third, Mazin just isn't as talented as the Zucker brothers. Still, this movie had some good stuff, including my favorite, Steven Hawking. This is a must see for fans of the genre. It's not perfect, but SUPERHERO MOVIE is definitely trying to follow in the footsteps of AIRPLANE, and that's more than can be said for all the Date and Epic movie spoofs.

This flick which is a average entry into the spoof genre, one that has direct roots to the classic movie "Airplane". In many ways they are all similiar from "Scary movie" to 'Hot shots" they spoof a current trend or movie. In this one they mainly spoof 'spiderman"; but in spite of the extended gay and fart jokes it's still entertaining. The main villian 'hourglass" is actually a good supervillian that could fit well into any comic book or film based on a comic books. In fact most movies are storyboarded just like a comic book before shooting. So anyone who looks down at comics should forget about movies as well. This isn't a stand out performer in it's genre but it's what you expect and that's some laughs and lots of silliness. Since 'airplane' there has been a alot of these over the top spoofs and they all have their moments and a basic similiar structure based on a outlandish gags. The blu ray print is as good as it gets and this is the only way to watch this movie if possible.

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Is there any good way to start a review for yet another mindless spoof? With the release of "Meet the Spartans" back in January, it did seem as if the parody genre was on the rise again. Since we now have "Superhero Movie" added to the mix, I'm really not sure anymore; it isn't as funny as "Meet the Spartans," but it's certainly a lot better than the droning jokiness of films like "Scary Movie 3," "Scary Movie 4," "Date Movie," and "Epic Movie." Most of these films were nothing more than comedic vignettes, having no real plot other than a back-to-back series of gags. This new film actually does make an attempt at a plot ... and by "plot," I mean that it takes all the best elements from the first "Spider-Man" and forces them to be goofy, at times too much so. "Superhero Movie" is by no means a comedic masterpiece--the sense of humor is juvenile, the jokes are blatantly obvious, and the dialogue is just plain dopey.

But since "Meet the Spartans" was all that and more, how can I be kinder to it than to "Superhero Movie"? Partly, it's because the former parodies "300," a movie with violence so excessive and action so stylized that it was practically begging to be made fun of. But it mainly has to do with the fact that "Meet the Spartans" was unashamedly aware of itself, letting the audience know that it was, in fact, watching a spoof of a great film. I found that level of self-awareness funny. "Superhero Movie" is certainly aware of itself, but not at a satisfying level; the opening credits show close-ups of the hero's suit while a light passes over it; we eventually see that the light emanates from a flashlight the hero is holding. Could nothing more come from this gag than a flashlight? Could no one think of something even funnier than that?

"Superhero Movie" tells the story of a high school kid named Rick Riker (Drake Bell), a story he claims "is not for the faint of heart." While on a field trip to the local laboratory, Riker is bitten by a genetically altered dragonfly; he soon realizes that he's developing super powers, not the least of which is his ability to break-dance vertically on the wall of a building. He also has lightening fast reflexes, as seen when he catches a nail fired from a nail gun. Disguised in a green and black suit and going by the name Dragonfly, Riker uses his abilities to fight crime all over the city, which doesn't seem to be a problem for his aunt and uncle (Marion Ross and Leslie Nielsen). By the way, he lives with them because, nine years ago, his parents were horribly murdered after leaving a movie theater.

His archenemy is Lou Landers, a.k.a. Hourglass (Christopher McDonald), a terminally ill scientist who, through a technological accident, has the ability to suck the life energy out of people. If he can find a specific number of victims, he will be able to live forever, despite his illness. Riker is supposed to save the day, but he lacks confidence since he's a dragonfly that can't actually fly. Whatever. Maybe the girl he's secretly in love with--Jill Johnson (Sara Paxton)--can inspire him towards greatness. At the very least, she can inspire him to attempt a naughty version of the upside down kiss from "Spider-Man."

If this doesn't seem all that funny, that's probably because the plots for parody films are anything but; it's all about the jokes and how many can be crammed into a single film. Indeed, "Superhero Movie" practically bursts at the seams with the mass of its humor. Does all of it work? No, but there are a few select moments I laughed at: there's a moment when Leslie Nielsen's character reads to Riker from a puberty book, only to realize it covers changes in the female body; Riker recalls what his uncle says later in the film, when it seems least appropriate. There are some moments when a parody of Professor Stephen Hawking (Robert Joy) cusses in his distinct computer-generated voice. Some may find this offensive, but keep in mind that the real Stephen Hawking once provided his voice to an episode of "The Simpsons."

But for every funny moment, there are two or three that aren't all that funny. Example: Riker accidentally sprays himself with animal pheromones and attracts everything from dogs to rabbits to skunks (and you don't want to know what happens when a snail shows up). There's a cameo appearance from Pamela Anderson as Invisible Girl; she's been having an affair with the handicapped and bald Professor Xavier (Tracy Morgan), and that puts him at odds with his equally handicapped and bald wife (Regina Hall). There's also a moment when Riker's aunt is asleep on the couch, and she does nothing but pass gas in front of Riker and Jill as they try to share a tender moment with one another. You may not believe this, but that does get old after a while.

While this movie is nowhere near as bad as it could have been, it still isn't good enough to recommend, so those of you upset by my positive review of "Meet the Spartans" can rest easy. "Superhero Movie" is amusing but hardly hilarious, which--believe it or not--is more than I can say for many of our more recent parody films. I'm sure teenagers will love this film, which I guess is fine since there certainly are worse movies. Some people will get a kick out of Brent "Data" Spiner, who plays a scientist that screams like a woman at a certain point. Yes, "Superhero Movie" is juvenile, but it's also harmless, so in the end, it's really no better and no worse than you expect it to be.

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Having `basically' gotten a free copy of this, I decided to go ahead and check it out. I had seriously doubted I would laugh at all in this movie since these movies have been going from good to really bad as quick as a snowball down a snowy hill. I like Scary Movie 1 and 2. But 3 and 4 were bad. Meet the Spartans was bad. I didn't even watch Epic Movie or Date Movie. But Superhero Movie... well... it just might surprise you.

The movie basically spoofs Spidey with tidbits of other movies like Batman and X-Men thrown in. Don't let the box art fool you guys. Everyone on the front of the box is in the movie for maybe 5 30 seconds with the exception of the Dragonfly. Wolverine's whole part was him shaving his legs with his claws while smoking a cigar... lame. Prof X was in the movie for a few scenes, but it really was just thrown in to get laughs in my opinion. Pam Anderson was in there for maybe a good 30 seconds. Ah well. The movie revolves around Rick Riker (or you could say Peter Parker) who becomes bitten by a radioactive dragonfly. And instead of Green Goblin being his arch-nemesis we have Hourglass played really well by Christopher Donald (I always like that guy for some reason). And, in my opinion, Hourglass is a lot cooler, movie wise at least, than the Green Goblin. Hourglass sucks the life force out of people so he can stay alive. The bodies on screen actually look like all the juices and matter were sucked from their insides until there just a prune of what they once were. So basically if you've seen Spidey then you know what's going on here. Good vs. Evil.

The thing about this movie though is they throw in some little twists to the story. Some to make you laugh (or try to) and some just to make the story a little different. The story itself isn't really that bad. If it wasn't for the goofiness and the forced humor, and of course the carbon copy script of Spider Man, then this movie might have been able to stand on its own.

Now for the funny parts. I don't see how the writers can go from one extreme to the other like they do and expect laughs. Some scenes seem like they were written for 8 year olds to laugh at while some scenes would have you dive bombing your child with `ear muffs'. In my opinion, I have a pretty good range of humor. I laugh at Kevin Smith stuff, Will Ferrell stuff, and then even stuff that's in Wes Anderson movies such as Royal Tenabaums and Rushmore. I'm everywhere. So saying that, I did laugh more than I expected in this movie. Leslie Nielson had 2 of the best parts in my opinion that involve a nail gun and then a punch. It was back to back and I just didn't expect it and it made me laugh pretty good. But, like most of the recent stuff these writers and directors have done, most of the comedy is too forced and just incredibly dumb. For instance, they have Johnny Storm freak out cause he's on fire. Seriously? He says, "Watch what I can do" then says "FLAME ON!" Then looks at his body and says, "OH MY GOD I'M ON FIRE! HELP ME!" and stops and drops and probably rolls. I'm not sure since I was rolling my eyes. That's the kind of stuff that took this movie from being decent to `eh'.

In the end I would say, if there is nothing else to rent, give this a try. Or if you're just a big fan of the Superhero movies, like I am, then just say to heck with it and rent it. It almost feels like a big "WHAT IF?" comic. Almost.

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Rick (Drake Bell) is your baisc high school nerd who was bitten by a genetically enchanced dragonfly and has the abilities and powers of a dragonfly. He becomes an avenging superhero nicknamed Dragonfly and must protects the good citizens of Empire City from criminals, Rick also wants to win the heart of beautiful girl Jill Johnson (Sara Paxton) and must do battle against the evil Hourglass or Lou Landers (Christopher Mcdonald).

Co-starring Leslie Nielsen, Pamela Anderson, Brent Spiner, Jeffery Tambor, Keith David and Tracy Morgan, this is an outrageous and nicely done parody of superhero movies from "Spider-Man 1 & 2", "Superman", "Batman Begins", "Fantastic Four" and "X-Men". This movie is produced by the great parody maker David Zucker who made "Naked Gun" and this movie works better then the Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer duds as it successfully uses some decent laughs, some nifty spoofs on celebrities like Stephen Hawking, and not too much overdosing on Pop culture references like the Friedberg and Seltzer movies. Sara Paxton is simply gorgeous in this movie as the hero's love interest and Tracy Morgan is hilarious as Professor Xevier, it's worth a look for those that were fed up with Friedberg and Seltzer's trash.

This DVD contains never before seen footage that was cut out of the theatrical release and has some good extras like audio commentary, alternate ending, deleted scenes, and two featurettes with trailer.

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Armed and Dangerous (1986)

Like many of the action comedies of the time this one delivers an entertaining story with John Candy's wacky humor. Candy and Levy star as the protagonists who are forced to join a security agency when all other options fail. Revolving around a plot involving corruption and crooked cops Candy and Levy aim to get to the bottom of all that is wrong while [complicating matters] frequently. I really laughed a lot at this film. Candy and Levy make a great team and offer up some very hysterical scenes. Levy's attempts at being a defense attorney, Candy fishing at a pier, and the two crashing a ball thrown for the chief of police all seem like harmless events but these two always know how to screw them all up. If you are a fan of the SCTV or SNL crews then you definately have to see this movie. It is lesser known but very funny.

John Candy is Frank Dooley, a cop unjustly fired from his job. Candy decides to become a Security Guard for Guard Dog Security. He is teamed with second-rate former prosecutor Norman Kane.

On the job they find themselves mixed up in a plot with shady, mob-run Union reps led by Robert Loggia as the mob boss. They try to tell their story to a young Meg Ryan, daughter of the security company boss but she doesn't beleive them. Soon they find themselves accused of murder and on the run from the cops and the mobsters.

Levy and Candy, two ex-SCTV alums have a good chemistry together in a kind of modern day laurel and hardy stlye. Not an uproarious movie but some funny parts, the best being when the pair hide out from the cops in a LA sex shop and Candy dresses in drag to escape the cops.

A fun movie. Not a gem but some good bits.

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When an Honest Cop (John Candy) was framed for stealing and Ex-Lawyer (Eugene Levy), they become together Private Security Guards but when a Conspiracy that is happining at the Private Security Guards. The Ex-Cop and the Ex-Lawyer are going to solve the case together, if they like it or not.

Directed by Mark L. Lester (Class of 1984 and 1999, Commando) shows a great fun of Comedy and Action. Candy and Levy are great together, the supporting cast are:Robert Loggia, Kenneth McMillian, Meg Ryan, Jonathan Banks, Brion James and Steve Ralisback (In a Cameo). DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer (also in Pan & Scan) with the Original:Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound. This was a box office disappointment in 1986 but it does way better on Video. John Candy and Brion James died years later after this fun. This is a fun cop comedy. Grade:A-.

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I read some of my fellow viewer's comments; I have to say you people need to lightenup somewhat. This is not meant to be a sketch from the Royal Shakespeare Company. It is simple, corny, but fun! The scenario has already been written above, but I think Levy's banter with Candy, especially in the Peep show booth is hilarious. Also in the courthouse as Candy knocks Levy to the ground. "Thanks a lot, made my day." Great stuff! So, if you want to be entertained by pure stupid fun, go ahead, watch and enjoy yourself. This is a funny movie and not meant to impress pseudo-critics, of whom far too many adorn these pages.

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This is just one of John Candy's very entertaining movies. I highly recommend it.

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Police Story (1985)

I first saw Police Story back in 1989 on VHS. I loved it and thought it was a riot. The fight scenes were great and I just couldn't believe the things Jackie Chan would do to put action on the screen. That is what makes his movies so great. You see the action and amazing stunts and you KNOW that is Jackie doing it, not some stunt double and since he's doing it, it's not that unbelievable. Plus, he knows how to be funny on screen and it works so well with everything going on. His fighting style is not some fancy martial arts. Like Jackie says, it's street fighting and unlike other heroes, Jackie gets so beat up and yet he still gets up and makes you cheer for the good guy.

Now, with this DVD release, you get the movie the way it was. The VHS was at 90 minutes. This version is at 101 minutes which means there were some added scenes which I can't remember for the life of me. It's been so long since I saw the VHS version that I don't know what scenes were put back in.

You can watch it in the English dubbed voices in 5.1, in the original Cantonese in 5.1 or the original Cantonese in mono. Personally, I love it in the Cantonese language because when they dub to American, they try to change the dialog a bit to fit the lip movement. With the Cantonese track, you get to feel the real emotions that the actors used in the scene. Also, unlike his later films, Jackie did NOT dub his own voice in here on the English track.

You would think that is where it would end with this, but no. There is so much more here than the movie.

First off, you have commentary by Rush Hour director Brett Ratner and Asian Film Expert Bey Logan. It's too bad Jackie didn't lend his comments as well. I would have loved that. However, you do get a conversation with Jackie Chan that lasts about 10 minutes where he goes over the stunt work, how he likes to do his own stunts, etc. It is especially interesting to know that they didn't have the budget to rehearse various stunt scenes, so they did them usually in one take. This resulted in some serious injuries, especially with the bus scene. It's amazing to hear how some people came close to death making this film, but when you watch the film, you can see why.

There is also a 35-minute feature where they speak with the people of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team (Sing Ga Ban). Here, many members of this team talk about what everyone's role was, how great it was to work with Jackie, etc. A VERY interesting retrospective on Jackie and his work ethic.

There is also a 6 minute feature that is a tribute to Jackie Chan with Brett Ratner talking about how this movie is so great.

Along with all of this, you also get various deleted scenes, alternate opening and ending as well as a deleted scenes montage that shows some scenes wrapped in between the released scenes so you can see where they would have fit in.

If you've never seen a Jackie Chan film before (what rock have you been under if you haven't?), then see this one first. The stunt work and action is raw and in real time. No wires, no digital enhancements, just pure, raw stunt work caught on film in real time.

Excellent DVD release and it's about time!

Finally its on dvd, and long overdue one of the best Jackie Chan movies ever made. Police Story is classic Chan at its best, including terrific action and great Chan humor. Jackie Chan plays "Kevin Chan", and is a one man army in this action blast.

After capturing a criminal drug lord in an explosive action-packed beginning sequence, the movie only begins to take off, as Chan constantly fights off goon after goon wherever he goes to protect a witness to the criminal. The drug lord only frames Chan for killing another cop, result, Chan becomes one angry and determined man to take matters on his own hands to capture the guy once and for all, who had escaped his first capture swiftly thanks to his ridiculous lawyer at the hearing.

The action is constant from beginning to end, and where there isn't Chan fighting and action, there is the comedy and humor, resulting in great pacing overall. The real treat of Poilce Story is the final fight in the shopping mall, where fist fly, glass breaks everywhere, motorcycles run, and Chan performs an outrageous stunt that is shown 3 times from different angles during the movie sliding down a multi-story string of lights and crashing into a glass house. Simply amazing and one of his best known stunts ever.

Poilce Story is a must for the heart of any Jackie Chan collection, and now that its on dvd you can experience this much deserved movie in better than VHS quality. Thank God Poilce Story 2 is to be released soon too, another excellent Chan flick!

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Jackie Chan worked on the violent action movie The Protector in 1985. The film was a critical and commercial flop. Chan did not get along with director James Glickenhaus. In Hong Kong, Chan re-edited and re-shot scenes for the Hong Kong version of The Protector, but the movie was still a failure. Chan took matters into his own hands by directing and starring in Police Story(1985). He plays Chan Ka Kui. In the English dubbed versions, he's known as "Kevin Chan" in the UK English dub and "Jackie Chan" in the US New Line Cinema version released on VHS. Chan plays a Hong Kong police officer who tries to put crooked businessman Tom Koo/Chu To(Chor Yuen) in jail. Chu To frames Officer Chan for murder and he must find a way to prove that he's innocent. A young Maggie Cheung plays Chan's on screen girlfriend May. In Hong Kong, Police Story is known as Ging Chat Goo Si. The HK version is longer than the US cut and the Japanese version has more key scenes.

After my high school graduation, I didn't go to sober grad or a party. I stayed at home, ate cake and pizza and watched Jackie Chan movies. Chan and his stunt team put some real elbow grease into their work. We get to see Jackie Chan kick and punch people and fly through glass! We see stuntmen fall three stories and crash into furniture. Brigette Lin plays a woman who tries to help Officer Chan prove his innocence. Bill Tung became a regular in Jackie Chan movies around this time.

Police Story isn't perfect. There's a gag in a court room that has a cheap payoff! Chan throws in some slapstick humor to take the edge off the story. May hits Chan in the face with a birthday cake after getting angry! The action scene where cars drive through a dumpy town was used again in Bad Boys II(2003). The scene where a bad guy flies through a windshield was referenced in Tango and Cash(1989). Police Story(1985) is still one of my favorite Jackie Chan movies.

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I have to say that I vastly prefer Jackie Chan's work during the '70s and '80s, and I prefer his Asian movies to his Hollywood movies (although RUMBLE IN THE BRONX is pretty good). Jackie Chan has so many awesome action flicks under his belt I don't know that I can say for certain that POLICE STORY is his very best film. But if it isn't his best, it's absolutely right up there with the ARMOUR OF GOD and DRUNKEN MASTER thrillers and THE YOUNG MASTER (I don't know that THE YOUNG MASTER is actually considered among his best, but it's certainly one of my favorites). Directed and starred by Jackie, POLICE STORY is entirely his vision and one perfect instance in which all the elements that constitute a Jackie Chan picture combine to form this incredible synergy. After a bad experience in Hollywood (cough*theprotector*cough) Jackie went back to Hong Kong and decided to show the world something new in the genre of police drama. If I were to suggest a Jackie Chan film to someone who had never seen a Jackie Chan film, this is the one.

Jackie and gritty rarely go together, but there's a definite Dirty Harry vibe in POLICE STORY, what with Chan Ka Kui (Jackie) fighting not only drug kingpins but also police corruption. I had never seen a more edgy Jackie, and, yes, I understand the film is peppered with his trademark comedic bits. But he commits such intensity into the no-holds-barred action sequences that I'm blown away every time I see them. You can feel the impact whenever Jackie or his opponents absorb vicious blows or slam into unforgiving surfaces. This is Jackie Chan in his absolute prime, way back in 1985. I see his more recent efforts nowadays and I note how the guy has slowed down, and there's this bittersweet taste.

POLICE STORY, in my eyes, presents some of the most electrifying fight scenes and certainly the biggest stunts I've ever seen Jackie do. Plenty of jawdropping action set pieces, but there are two absolute standouts: that crazy insane car chase down thru the hillside shanty town and then the brutal extended fight sequence in the shopping mall in which Jackie uses anything and everything he can get his hands on to pummel a grip of goons. The mall sequence climaxes with Jackie's amazing slide down an electrified pole. The fast and furious nighttime skirmish with Jackie battling thugs in the street where he's hurtling in and out of vehicles that's not too shabby, either. Just another demonstration of precision and pinpoint timing between Jackie and his trusty stunt men. But, man, I wonder how many cars Jackie demolished in this one?

Humor is a constant in a Jackie Chan film, to the extent that sometimes I can't help but groan. But, here, the humor provides a stabilizing element against all the intense segments. POLICE STORY comes up with good gags, mostly involving the nonexistent romantic triangle of Jackie, Jackie's long-suffering girlfriend Maggie Cheung, and Brigitte Lin, the key witness whom Jackie is protecting. I always laugh when the film arrives at the courtroom scene. It starts out as this oh-so-dramatic event until, suddenly, it degenerates into an episode of Three's Company. For those who enjoy broad schtick, there are also moments in which pies and cakes are catapulted into people's faces.

What I gots is the Special Collector's Edition DVD and its special features are very solid, even though one deleted scene presents even more pies in the face:

Director Brett Ratner and Asian Film Expert Bey Logan's informative audio commentary

Five "Rare Deleted Scenes" (total running time 00:16:25 minutes): 1)an extended opening with new stuff including an office surprise birthday party and Chan Ka Kui apparently having just been newly assigned to this police department; 2)a brief press conference introduction; 3) an extended ending with alternate outtakes; 4) montage of very brief deleted shots shown in continuity within the official footage; and 5) outtakes without the closing credits which means that the blooper footage now fills up the screen

"A Conversation with Jackie Chan" (00:10:22 minutes) Jackie reveals fascinating behind-the-scenes stuff about the making of POLICE STORY. One tidbit we learn is that, at the end of that double-decker bus sequence, the two stunt men on the second tier of the bus were supposed to crash thru the window and land on the car instead of smashing onto the asphalt road. Also, we learn that one of the stunt men went missing somewhen during the crazy drive down thru the hillside shanty town. Jackie also talks about his concerns regarding that death-defying slide down that electrified seven-stories-high pole in the mall

"A Tribute to Jackie Chan by Brett Ratner and Bey Logan" (00:06:14 minutes) these two guys talk about Jackie and POLICE STORY and the film's impact

"Stunts Unlimited": A retrospective with interviews of members of the celebrated Jackie Chan stunt team, and they reflect on their stunts in POLICE STORY (00:34:07 minutes, with English sub-titles)

the original Hong Kong theatrical trailer and the U.S. promotional trailer for POLICE STORY, as well as the promotional trailer for KILL ZONE

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By general consensus, Jackie Chan has made two very great movies above others: The Legend of Drunken Master and "Police Story" here. "Drunken Master" is a straight kung fu film while "Police Story" is more of a balanced action movie, incorporating gunfights and car chases with the martial arts. On the whole, I like "Master" more because its story is easier to follow and it has fewer pauses between fight scenes, but "Police Story" is no slouch, either. While it does drag a bit in the middle, the film is a myriad of death-defying stunts and physical comedy, and its ability to almost perfectly balance the two is what has made it so unforgettable for a lot of folks.

The story: Ka Kaui (Chan) is a Hong Kong policeman-turned-hero after he single-handedly captures a notorious druglord (Chor Yuen, Twin Dragons), but in midst of protecting the key witness to the gangster's trial (Brigette Lin, Chungking Express) and trying to keep his girlfriend (Maggie Cheung, In the Mood for Love) from leaving him, he is framed for the murder of another cop and needs to clear his name without getting arrested or killed.

The plotline is one of the two major issues I have with the film: I suppose that someone well-versed in Hong Kong cinema or proficient in Cantonese/translated subtitles would have less of an issue understanding what's going on, but I needed to read a synopsis to clarify some of the things that happened in the complicated second half of the movie. My other beef lies with the amount of time that passes without any action scenes: rest assured, there is no shortage of thrills involved, overall, but since I find it difficult to appreciate the acting content, I felt myself losing attention more than once during the ongoing dialogue scenes. Of course, not all the performances baffle me: Chan speaks a universal language with physical comedy. As far as I'm concerned, he has surpassed his idol, Buster Keaton, in how to make people laugh via body language and has perfected the art of "funny face" and taking a fall. This is especially well on display when his on-screen girlfriend assaults him with his own birthday cake upon assuming infidelity. Gold.

Still, it's the film's award-winning action content that makes it stand out, and as much as I could go on about it, nothing I write can come close to expressing my amazement at how well it has been done. For starters, the martial arts scenes are not quite as technically-accurate as Chan would develop them in the future, but nonetheless amazingly choreographed and well within Chan's top-ten list. There are about three big ones of varying lengths, but the final one-against-many brawl in the shopping mall is as beautiful and brutal as one can hope for. Of course, no matter how very good these hand-to-hand encounters are, the definite highpoints of the picture are the stunt scenes. Since there are too many cool instances to name individually, let me highlight the most breathtaking ones: 1) Jackie and the villains drive three cars downhill through a shanty village, destroying literally dozens of scrap metal and straw shacks in their way, 2) Jackie uses an umbrella to haphazardly hang onto the side of a speeding bus, 3) the near-entirety of the shopping mall fight, culminating in Chan's legendary leap onto an electric lighting structure, down which he slides a legitimate seventy-five feet before crashing through a glass ceiling. In a word, astonishing.

So, is it my favorite Chan flick? no. Is it awesome anyway? without a doubt. Should you buy the Dragon Dynasty release with a host of cool and exclusive special features? of course, silly.

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Blazing Saddles (2006)

"...of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Thus spoke Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman), the State Procurer, Attorney General and Assistant to the Governor as he plotted against the residents of Rock Ridge in Mel Brooks' hilarious western spoof "Blazing Saddles", which was first released to theaters in 1974. With the meager budget of only $2.6-million, the film grossed over $119.5-million, making it the highest grossing western of all time until the release of "Dances with Wolves" in 1990, which grossed over $184-million. The success of "Blazing Saddles" is attributable in large part to the superb direction and writing (in conjunction with several other writers) of Mel Brooks, who (of course) also acted in the film in three separate roles: as Gov. William J. LePetomaine, an Indian chief and a World War I aviator. Equally important are the many very talented comedic actors who brought the film to life.

The plot of "Blazing Saddles", as I eluded to in my review opening, takes place primarily in the fictional old-west town of Rock Ridge, whose residents seemingly all have the same last name and who have been mercilessly besieged by a group of thugs who are lead by a man named Taggart (Slim Pickens, 1919-1983). After the thugs kill the sheriff of Rock Ridge, the residents send an urgent plea to Gov. LePetomaine to immediately appoint a new sheriff. Gov. LePetomaine delegates the appointment to his assistant Hedley Lamarr, whose nefarious secret agenda is the destruction of Rock Ridge to make way for a new railroad line. Lamarr devises what he believes will be the final, unconscionable inducement to the residents of Rock Ridge for them to vacate: the appointment of a black sheriff, Black Bart (Cleavon Little, 1939-1992). Most of the residents of Rock Ridge are aghast when Sheriff Bart rides into town. However, he quickly acquires a sidekick in Jim 'The Waco Kid' (Gene Wilder) and some unsolicited attentions from the heavily accented visiting stage performer Lili Von Shtupp (Madeline Kahn, 1942-1999), whose passions include the consumption of schnitzengruben. The story continues to entertain as it builds to a climax that only the twisted comedic genius of Mel Brooks could devise. Also, in classic Mel Brooks fashion, the film includes several musical interludes that include the film's title song (sung by Frankie Laine), "The Ballad of Rock Ridge", "I'm Tired" (sung by Madeline Kahn), "The French Mistake" and "April in Paris". Other memorable characters include Olson Johnson (David Huddleston), Rev. Johnson (Liam Dunn, 1916-1976), Mongo (Alex Karras in his first big-screen role), Howard Johnson (John Hillerman), Van Johnson (George Furth), Gabby Johnson (Jack Starrett, 1936-1989), Harriett Johnson (Carol DeLuise, a.k.a. Carol Arthur), Dr. Sam Johnson (Richard Collier, 1919-2000), Buddy Bizarre (Dom DeLuise) and a cameo by Count Basie (1904-1984). There were also several brief uncredited appearances by Anne Bancroft, Gilda Radner (1946-1989) and Rodney Allen Rippy who played Bart at age 5.

Overall, I rate "Blazing Saddles" with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars. It is a hysterically funny film that I can highly recommend to everyone. Though none of Mel Brooks' other films were as financially successful as "Blazing Saddles", many are noteworthy of mention, including "The Producers" (1968), "Young Frankenstein" (1974), "High Anxiety" (1978), "The History of the World, Part 1" (1981) and "Spaceballs" (1987).

Blazing Saddles is one of the great comedies of all time. Unfortunately, it's likely that no major studio today would release it. South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, Something About Mary and American Pie (all hilarious movies which I would highly recommend, by the way) contain toilet humor that makes Mel Brooks at his most graphic seem like a Disney movie in comparison. However, today's politically correct Hollywood would be horrified with a comedy that uses racial epithets left and right, worrying about the backlash that subject matter would cause.

This is too bad because Blazing Saddles shows that such language, given the right context, can actually combat bigotry by showing how stupid it really is. Cleavon Little, as Sheriff Bart, and Gene Wilder, as The Waco Kid, are presented as islands of sanity in a sea of ignorant, racist townspeople. The 'n' word is thrown out repeatedly, but is intended as an insult to the people who say it rather than a slur against blacks. Mel Brooks, a very liberal Democrat, recognized that racism is offensive and nasty in nature and showed it in its true light in Blazing Saddles. As a result, the film does more to ridicule racism and bigotry than most serious "message films" on the same subject ever could.

Unfortunately, the corporate suits who now run the big studios are more worried about image and profits than producing quality movies. As long as a film offends as few people as possible and appeals to as many members of the general public as possible (preferably between the ages of 18 and 35), the executives like it -even if the film has no originality or artistic merit at all. As a result, films like Blazing Saddles and TV shows like All in the Family are taboo these days. Hollywood has lost a lot of daring and courage since 1974. See Blazing Saddles and you will realize just how much.

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Yes, I am an early adopter and this was the second HD-DVD I purchased. I show this to my friends, including those with HDTV from either cable or a dish, and they are VERY impressed. This movie looks fantastic. The colors are spot on and the level of sharpness is top notch. This release showcases an excellent video transfer of this movie. Regardless of whether or not Mel's humor is to your liking, this is one of the finest HD DVDs currently on the market

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It is one of those comedies that you either like or hate. I liked it, I think that too many people take themselves so seriously. Blazing saddles gives a relief to that narrow type of outlook. I think that if you just accept it as a comedy, and don't try to make it more than it is. It's a comedy, and plain and simple a very good one. It a parody on everything that people look for to take an issue on. Lighten up ,and just enjoy.

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This was definitely Mel Brook's crowning achievement. Unfortunately you could never release a movie like this today in our "politically correct" environment. Although Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder were terrific (these are common-clave people. You know, MORONS!), it is the supporting cast that truly made this the all-time classic it is today. Slim Pickens first line in the movie is unforgettable, Harvey Korman's hilarious bad guy (that's HEDLEY!), Madeline Kahn's deadpan impersonation of Marlene Dietrich, and Alex Karras as dimwitted Mongo all contribute to the nonstop hijinks. All are hilarious and each of them steals the show at some point in the film. That part where Mongo punches out the horse is a classic clip. One terrific character in the film not mentioned in other reviews here is frontier gibberish-uttering Gabby Johnson, a dead-on spoof of Gabby Hayes, who appeared in pretty much every Western film from the turn of the last century up through the Roy Rogers era. But the true gift of this film is that every kind of humor is used, from subtle situational humor to in-your-face slapstick comedy. Truly a funny movie that is appreciated by several generations today and will continue to be so in the future.

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Blue Streak (1999)

Blue streak was a good film, funny, good action scenes and a good cast. Martain Lawerance is always good in the films he's been involoved with, from House Party 1&2, Bad boys and Nothing to lose. This is not his best movie (as Bad boys would take some beating), but is one of his best and a lot better than Nothing to lose. Blue Streak is a solid film. Extra on the DVD lok well worth the purchase inluding an HBO First Look Featurette, music video's and the trailer.

Blue Streak is a great comedy/action movie. The movie stars Martin Lawrence (from Bad Boys) as Miles logan, a supergenious when it comes to crime. When his group decides a huge diamond from a bank that is worth $17 MILLION! One of the guys truns on them and makes the plan go wrong. Miles is the only one who gets arrested but before he did, he hid the diamond into a construction across the street. After two years of prison, Miles was finaly let out but things did not go so well. One, his girlfriend dumps him and the building that the diamond was hidden in became a police station. Now Miles has to break into a police station which happens to be the one place you would actually want to break in. Miles gets a fake ID and poses as a cop so he can retrieve the hidden diamond but it instantiousely partnered with a rookie cop, Carlson (Luke Wilson). Logan ends up having to do stuff with police department and seem to fit time to get back the diamond. One thing was for sure, Miles knows how the criminal mind works and manages to solve cases like a pro. Soon Miles has a biig case that involves finding missing drugs. Logan other problem is that he knows his old friend Deacon(Peter Green, the guy who turns on him in the beggining) is still after the diamond and knows Miles is too. Miles has to worry about things.

Overall, I think Blue streak is a good comedy that you will love. Buy it cause I know youll love it.

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I admit, I'm not a very big fan of Martin Lawrence. I don't find his type of humor very funny and do find it crude, unoriginal, and rude. Unlike, say Richard Pryor, there is no wit in Lawrence's comedy. He goes for the lowest level of humor and does not seek any depth or to grow.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by BLUE STREAK. The film stars Lawrence as a jewel thief named Logan who is sent to jail when a heist goes sour. He hides the jewel in a building under construction, but when he returns to the site two years later after serving his time in the pen, he discovers the building to be the site of a new police headquarters. So, he goes "undercover" as a cop to get his "baby" back and along the way nabs crooks and impresses the rest of the force.

The premise of the movie has been done before, but for the most part works here. However, the movie works best when Lawrence is interacting with other actors. When left by himself, the action halts and the film loses continuity (like in the pizza delievery scene). Nevertheless, the movie does have a few moments and rises above it's major flaws.

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Martin is just to funny in this movie. This is the perfect role for him. Nobody could of done a better job in this movie. You'll laugh hard... so be careful...

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Martin Lawrence once again stars in a outstanding comedy, the plot is already interesting and the movie itself is very easy watching and pleasant, the actors are all great and Martin is just too funny. You won't get borred one minute.

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Pineapple Express (Mastered in 4K) (Single-Disc Blu-ray + Ultra Violet Digital Copy) (2008)

A movie like PINEAPPLE EXPRESS should not be expected to be talked about in the same breath as CITIZEN KANE or GONE WITH THE WIND. However, it has nonetheless ascended to near the top ranks in its own particularly little sub-genre: the "pot" comedy.

While Cheech & Chong's UP IN SMOKE will probably always lead the pack, simply for being the first (and for being very edgy...in it's day)...EXPRESS is the first film of its ilk to boast huge laughs, modest thrills, enjoyable lead characters and a narrative structure that doesn't fall apart the further it goes. For example, the HAROLD AND KUMAR films can be greatly amusing, but their "plot" grows more and more flaccid and pointless as they move along. The lead "characters" are hardly believable as people...they are comic devices.

In PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, we have the story of a process server (Seth Rogan) who enjoys doing little else but smoking pot. He is decent at his job, but also spends much of it sitting in his car smoking. He's dating a high school girl who would have been seriously out of his league when HE was in school. His "best friend" may just be his pot dealer (James Franco.) And through an unfortunate circumstance, Rogan witnesses the murder of an Asian drug dealer by the leader (Gary Cole) of the other drug ring in his city. The murder is aided by a policewoman (Rosie Perez), who is also a pretty vicious killer. They get wise to who their witness is when Rogan makes the mistake of tossing his half-smoked joint out the window of his car as he hurriedly drives away. You see, the joint is made of a new weed called Pineapple Express, which thus far has been sold only to one drug middleman (Danny McBride), who has only sold it to one of his dealers...Franco. Thus, almost immediately, Rogan and Franco are on the run for their lives. Eventually they will have to beat these violent men at their own game just to survive.

That's about it for the basics of the plot...but what is nice about it is the way it holds together from beginning to end. The characters go through a journey and they change and grow a little. While the dialogue and humor are important, this is one "pot" movie where the plot is actually important to the film, not just an excuse to make "I'm so stoned" jokes.

Rogan is basically playing his character from KNOCKED UP again...but if you need that sort of character, he's got it down cold. He's a nice loser who actually looks like a real life person. Danny McBride joins this group of losers midway through, and he brings a nice jolt of almost absurdist humor the film. He's like Rasputin mixed with the character Terry on RENO 911 (you know, the "male prostitute" on roller skates). Gary Cole and Perez are a little too generic, and frankly, the bad guys in the film are not well-sketched out. Their behavior is inconsistent and not always credible.

James Franco steals the film, though. He was born to play this role. In movies as varied as SPIDERMAN and FLYBOYS...he often is unsuccessful at playing a button up, "serious" types. He's better when allowed to let his slacker show through. In FREAKS AND GEEKS, he was a stoner heartthrob, who discovered he had deep reserves of loyalty and love. In PINEAPPLE, he's a stoner with very little to offer, but who has a simplicity and openness about him that makes him likeable. Yes, it's the pot that has made him this way...but Franco refuses for settle for a simple caricature. His stoned but winning eyes & smile are the heart of this film.

The humor is certainly R-rated. Lots of "f" bombs. A fair amount of violence near the end too. It's crass and loud at times. Sometimes the jokes are obvious and unoriginal. But mostly it is sustained by moments of real feeling (as we see so often in films with the name Apatow stamped on them), likeable characters and a plot that has a beginning, middle & end.

Now, finally, let me comment on the "drug" elements. I don't use drugs. Even in my days of "youthful indiscretion" I was not a dabbler. I would certainly be what anyone would call "conservative" on this particular issue. So therefore, I might tend to take offense at such "glorification" of drugs. But I'm not sure that the film does that. True, it pretty much assumes that the entire world does drugs. But it also shows, quite clearly and without preaching, that the use of these drugs, while inducing pleasurable feelings, also induces stupid decision making, slothfulness and wastefulness. Clearly, it sides with those who would make pot legal...but it doesn't disdain those who oppose this. It simply IS. I can't imagine this film would make anyone change their behavior. Those who use pot regularly already are likely to smile in recognition at much of the behavior. Those who don't use it will NOT be inspired to give it a try. So while I'm not thrilled at a film that is clouded 90% of the time with pot fumes...I can't get upset about it either.

This was another in a long line of funny movies from Judd Apatow, but with a lot more action thrown in for good measure. Seth Rogen may always sound and act the same in everything he does, but that doesn't make him any less funny. James Franco is the real star of the show. I always thought he had great potential, but he just seemed so bland in the Spider-Man movies and Flyboys. This is a well acted and funny performance. I heard some people on the web talk about casting him as The Joker in the next Batman movie. Whether it happens or not, I now think he has a chance to pull it off. All the other cast members are weirdly memorable, especially the cat loving drug dealer who just won't die.

Pineapple Express does get really violent and a little gory towards the end, but it is a good mix of comedy and action. It's just plain fun.

3 and 1/2 out of 5 stars

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Truth be told, there were moments in this film where I died of uncontrollable laughter. I mean, Seth Rogen is hilarious, and James Franco is really transforming into an actor I get excited about watching. What happened there? There was a time when I would intentionally avoid movies starring that guy. I must say, he's surprised me. This film is a little unevenly crafted, but the end result is not anything to be ashamed of. It basically follows some stoner idiots as they run from a corrupt police officer and a drug dealer who they happened to witness kill some guy. The film bounces along nicely, remaining forgivably unbelievable. The ending, for me, was a mess and that whole action sequence overload killed a little of the films `fun factor', but the ending diner sequence was a laugh riot so I forgave it. James Franco owns this movie, playing a mindless stoner to perfection with the right amount of overplayed tenderness to make his character a pure standout. Not much else to say here. I'd watch it again.

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Saw this movie in the theater, and it was funny the whole way through. In my opinion, it wasn't like a normal pot movie, where people that don't smoke wouldn't enjoy it, it is funny for pretty much anyone. It's stupid funny sometimes, dark humor other times, smart and stupid, action and drama (a little bit), but all around hilarious. I laughed so hard I cried, and I felt it for days after--quite the ab workout! Definitely worth the money!

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The movie was so good it's hard to fault the Blu Ray's lack of content (not horribly lacking, but could have been better) or the slow loading time (that is horrible, but that's Blu Rays in general and not just this one).

So, since I got this for less than $10 shipped, I can honestly say that it was worth every penny. This movie is absolutely hysterical, so even for a few more dollars it's still a 3 or 4 * purchase.

Enjoy!

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The Change-Up (Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UltraViolet) (2011)

This movie, according to rotten tomatoes and other critics, is supposed to be lousy. In my opinion, this is far from it. It shows the sides of living the opposite lives; living a life of a busy/working man and the life of a down-to-earth/relaxing life. I personally found the movie to be eye-opening. Life's meaning is not to always work but it is also not to always have fun; just need to find the right balance. Great movie with funny moments and also serious and thought-provoking moments. The only negative thing is that they revealed too many of the funny moments in the trailer and left the audience with many predictable scenes. Nevertheless, I will buy the dvd in order to have a physical copy since it is a great movie.

I have no idea why this movie has bad review. It's REALLY hilarious and well-though. The writing is really strong unlike most movies out today. My friend suggested we see this and all 5 people watching this were cracking up. I would definitely rent it. :)

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THE CHANGE-UP is another film by the writers of HANGOVER AND HANGOVER II (Jon Lucas and Scott Moore) and the director of wedding crashers (David Dobkin): that should give a pretty solid clue as the what is in store in this film potty mouth and gross humor that is so very very popular today! The concept of the story (two disparate characters changing lives in a manner as magical as the fairy tale 'The Three Wishes') is not new and at times it becomes wearing, but the big difference here is that the characters are assigned to two really brilliant comic actors and so it works in the long run.

Two longtime friends are feeling distance in their relationship: Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) is a womanizing free-spirited life as an actor for commercials and 'lorn movies' (soft porn) who lives in a pigsty of an apartment, grabbing fast food where he can find it, while Dave (Jason Bateman) is a conscientious successful lawyer with a major la firm in Atlanta, and is married to a beautiful woman, and lives in a picture book house with three small children. The old concept of the grass being greener on the other side of the fence brings the men together for a drunken evening where while voiding in a public fountain voice that they wish they could change places. Thunder, darkness and boo, they wake up as the other guy. Mitch must carry on the functions of a learned lawyer while maintaining his own style and faces the duties of a parent of infants and a dissatisfied wife (Leslie Mann) while Dave attempts to adjust to the grungy Lothario existence as the lorn star, being pursued by the beautiful Sabrina (Olivia Wilde). Gradually each man in his new role discovers ore about life by walking in the others shoes and it is at this point that the film becomes an intelligent vantage of appreciating what we have by seeing it through the eyes of polar opposite friends.

Both Reynolds and Bateman have great comic timing and make us understand the conflicts of views and appreciation found in the change of lives. The women in the cast do well and there is a touching cameo by Alan Arkin as Mitch's father. This is a bawdy comedy with the emergence of a heart full of lessons in the end. Make it through the fist 30 minutes and you'll find a good movie. Grady Harp, November 11

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This is a movie that's been done before in films like "Big" and "The Parent Trap". However, I don't know if its been done between two grown men so maybe that might be where this is different. The film is entertaining mainly because of the performances by Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds. The female supporting cast is top notch as well, Leslie Mann and Olivia Wilde who is beyond stunning and no surprise she's going to be in a movie called "Welcome to People" playing Michelle Pfeiffer's daughter.

The male leads were fun to watch as they take over the other's persona. Ryan Reynolds is a pot smoking slacker who stays home all day having sex and has zero goals. Jason Bateman plays an unhappy married guy with a young kid and 2 babies. His life is his miserable lawyer job and his way of finding happiness is buying more cars and houses. Naturally both guys envy the other one's life. Jason's character dreaming of spending the day doing nothing like his pal. And Ryan's character envying that Jason's character has a family who looks forward to seeing him when he gets home to a place crammed with nice things.

Both of them get that opportunity to switch into the other's body one drunk night as they're urinating in a park fountain. Ordinarily they'd be slapped with a sexual predator ticket for doing that and done again in a mall in front of kids which was very strange that it was written that way, but obviously the movie pays no mind to those real life rules.

The movie is also crude, crass and plagued with never ending foul language. Maybe that'll be fun for a teenage boy, but for me it was wearing thin because it simply was not working each time. There were places where it was warranted and it was funny, but then its sprinkled throughout so you're thinking, 'o-kayyy, what does that have to do with anyone?' I've been known to curse like a sailor and sometimes no other word will do, but when it's forced in every line then it just comes off forced. Jason Bateman was top notch in this and really belted out a great performance.

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I really enjoyed watching this movie. I love Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds. Yes it is the same old same old switching bodies movie. But it was a really funny comedy. If you like to laugh and can take a little crude humor, then this movie is for you.

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Larry Crowne (2011)

I see a lot of reviews that aren't positive and mention that this movie isn't funny. I think it might be because Hollywood decided to market this movie as something it wasn't. It's not a romantic comedy. It is, however, a very good movie about people who aren't 25 or even 35, and how they realize they don't have to be stuck in a situation that isn't good, just because of their age. Tom Hanks does a great job as "Lance" and Julia Roberts and he have real chemistry on screen. This movie has no explosions, no fast cars, no half-naked women. What it does have is good acting and an interesting and entertaining story. Above all, it demonstrates that no matter your age, we are all still trying to figure life out.

"I was downsized, I'm here to make sure that never happens again." After thinking he will receive his 9th employee of the month award, Larry (Hanks) is fired because he never went to college. After talking to his neighbor he decides to enroll and change his life. Going in I was thinking, Tom Hanks is in this...this will be good. After watching it I have to say it was even better then I expected it to be. Besides the obvious great acting watching a 50 year old man start his life over is pretty inspiring to watch. This is not an Oscar worthy movie, but this is the type of movie you can watch over and over again. Every now and then I really like watching the light hearted type movies that are just fun and stress free to watch. This is a perfect example of that. Overall, a must see movie that will leave you feeling good after you are done. I give it an A.

*Also try Eat, Pray, Love & Everything Must Go

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Larry Crowne `with an E' (Tom Hanks) is dropped from employment at UMart even with his stellar record including 8 employee-of-the-months. He's at midlife, 20 year Navy vet, but has to college degree. No future at UMart. Out!

Wilma (Rita Wilson, Hank's real wife) from the bank loan desk suggests life changes due to finances. College classes are the obvious answer and Larry enrolls into a Speech 217 class with Ms Mercades `Mercy' Teinot (Julia Roberts) his teacher. "'Tai-no' not `Tai-NO'" instructs the sour teacher a bit grumpy from living with a porn fanatic. Don't expect a sudden romance on this scene.

An unexpected flirtatious delight is student Talia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw -also HOT in `Bonekickers') who takes Larry under her wing and gets him involved in a scooter gang. This takes form of some Gump-like events. The speech class is quite a mix of 9 other quirky characters including Natalie (Grace Gummer, Meryl Streep's daughter-you can't miss that face).

Mercy is called "washboard" by her boob-loving spouse, soon to be discarded. Later viewed in a low-cut dress, Mercy proves she's not flat--she's a Pretty Woman. That leaves a romance available, right? Not so fast.

If you were expecting lots of bed scenes, skin, and raucous behavior, you will be disappointed. This will not be a 5-star movie for the under-40s. Older adults, mid-life through Boomers like a romance that has some intellect mixed with emotion, and from that perspective, this romantic comedy works. After all the economy has everyone relating to job loss, low income, loosing a home, reentry into a new job, and here we have a fun, but truthful picture of that struggle in life.

Theatre ticket price plus gas and popcorn, may have been a bit costly, but the value comes in the DVD version now that it's available. And of course quite fun for Hanks and Roberts fans.

Try an added reminisctic romp through Mystic Pizza (1988), best viewed in a hotel room in Mystic, Connecticut--love that Roberts.

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Larry Crowne, directed by Tom Hanks, from a screenplay by Tom Hanks and Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) is not a deep movie, which is disappointing because it could have been. But that said, Hanks and Vardalos get a lot of the important stuff right and as a result Larry Crowne hits home in a lot of ways. The issues it touches on job loss, divorce, worry about losing your house, having to start your life all over again both career-wise and romantically are things that will connect and resonate with a lot of people these days.

The title character, Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) is a likeable guy who works hard at his job as a "team leader" at the local U-Mart where he's worked every day since doing 20 years in the Navy right out of high school. He enjoys his job, likes his co-workers who like him in return, and has been voted Employee-of-the-Month multiple times. And so it comes as a complete shock when he's summoned by the management who tell him that they're letting him go because he doesn't have a college degree. Which is disastrous news for Larry as his house is underwater mortgage-wise and finding a new job is proving nigh impossible. Encouraged by his next-door neighbor Lamar (Cedric the Entertainer), who's been running a perpetual yard-sale on his front lawn for the last ten years, Larry decides to go to the local college and get a degree that will, in Lamar's words "make you fire-proof!" One of the courses he ends up taking is a public-speaking course taught by Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts), a teacher who's suffering from burn-out in her job and disenchantment with her marriage. Predictably, and yet without succumbing to easy cliche, a cautious spark of romance begins to kindle between them as each begins to move beyond their set-backs and disappointments and towards re-starting their lives.

There are a number of key scenes where the film really strikes a resonating chord with what a lot of people have either been through or going through in recent years. The early scene where Larry is being fired is priceless where the managers use convoluted corporate-speak language to make it sound like they're doing Larry a favor by firing him. Another scene is where Larry is at the bank trying to talk to them about his underwater mortgage and the same thing happens as they talk him into doing whatever he can to continue making payments even though there's no way he can sell the house or keep up with the payments, again using contorted bank-speak to make it sound like they're acting in his interests and not their own.

The supporting cast is excellent and really helps keep things interesting with stand-out performances by Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Talia, a hurricane-on-wheels of irrepressible perkiness who takes charge of giving Larry a new look as well as a new set of friends, and manages to do a feng-shui makeover of his house in the process; Wilmer Valderamma as Del, Talia's frequently glowering and much put-upon boyfriend; Malcolm Barrett as Dave Mack, a student in the public speaking class who, against type, turns out to be a major Trekkie; and George Takei has a delightfully dry comic turn as the serenely self-important Dr. Matsutani who teaches Larry's Economics 101 class. And Cedric the Entertainer does another grand scene-stealing turn as Lamar, who lives to haggle with people at his never-ending yard sale.

And in the why-is-that-face-or-voice-familiar? category: Grace Gummer who plays Natalie, one of Larry's fellow students, is in real-life the daughter of Meryl Streep, to whom she bears a striking resemblance; Rita Wilson, who plays the let-me-not-help-you bank rep Wilma Gammelgaard, is Tom Hanks' wife in real life; and Nia Vardalos supplies the voice of the annoying Map Genie GPS system in Mercedes' car.

On the somewhat minus side however, Bryan Cranston, who was brilliant in TV's Malcolm in the Middle and Breaking Bad, doesn't seem to quite hit the mark as Mercedes' shiftless porn-addicted husband, Dean. And Pam Grier is largely wasted in her role as Frances, Mercedes' friend and fellow teacher.

The one real drawback to Larry Crowne is that it never digs very deep, particularly on the emotional level, in spite of all the stressful life-changing events Larry and Mercedes are facing. Hanks' Larry, for example, _never_ gets angry, in spite of his being fired for inane reasons, having to face losing his house, etc. Neither does Roberts' Mercedes, no matter how much her husband lets her down or insults her. Annoyed or peeved is about as far as they go. Hanks and Vardalos, as director and writers, could have gone for more, given the things Larry and Mercedes must deal with in their personal lives, but they just keep things fairly light. Which is not bad exactly, as the film is enjoyable. But in the end, you're left with the feeling that they could have gone for more.

Again, while Larry Crowne is not a terribly deep film, it does connect in a lot of ways, and I think a lot of people will relate to it. Recommended for anyone who wants to find something whimsically upbeat and hopeful about dealing with the things life can throw at you these days.

Want Larry Crowne (2011) Discount?

I liked the movie. Julia Roberts was as lovely as ever. Tom Hanks had a nice turn around in the film from frump to somewhat of a middle aged hunk. I appreciated the theme of finding oneself/reinventing oneself/establishing your own identity. The ending was a bit much, but nice for a happy ending.

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