The Dilemma (2011)

The Dilemma (2011)

Films where one line of dialogue can solve every narrative problem are always an uphill climb. We, the audience, know the solution early on, but we’re stuck watching tongue-tied actors pratfall their way through a script that depends upon that key line of dialogue to not be spoken. Otherwise we… Continue reading

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

In a sea of sameness, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World emerges as a fine work of originality and energy. It merges everything that twenty-to-early-thirty-something men have ever loved in life: video games, crazy action, humor, and the pursuit of women. While the core story is hardly anything special, director Edgar… Continue reading

MacGruber (2010)

MacGruber (2010)

The bar for Saturday Night Live-inspired films is set appropriately low. After all, for every Blues Brothers or Wayne’s World (the diamonds of the genre), there’s a The Ladies Man, Superstar, A Night at the Roxbury, Coneheads, or many other failures. That MacGruber is as consistently funny and inspired as… Continue reading

Couples Retreat (2009)

Couples Retreat (2009)

Couples Retreat is the latest comedic debacle for the once-funny Vince Vaughn, and at this point we’re a bit beyond worried. By my count, Vaughn hasn’t made a funny, or even particularly good (with the exception of his brief appearance in 2007’s Into the Wild), movie since 2005’s Wedding Crashers.… Continue reading

Public Enemies (2009)

Public Enemies (2009)

Public Enemies is Michael Mann’s best film since 1995’s Heat, but it’s not without its faults. What is refreshing is to see an old-school gangster flick with a stellar cast. This is a very intriguing portrait of John Dillinger, the famed bank robber and the FBI’s first-ever “Most Wanted” man.… Continue reading

Definitely, Maybe (2008)

Definitely, Maybe (2008)

Ah, the romantic comedy. I have a love/hate relationship with this drama, as it does have the capacity to spew out some of the worst garbage of the year. When done, correctly, however, it can be one of the most winning trips to the movies couples can make. How is… Continue reading

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008)

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008)

I’ll give Martin Lawrence credit; the dude tries. That’s more than can be said for a lot of so-called comedians out there, but why must he continually subject himself (and us) to these sappy, over-the-top, slapstick-riddled sitcoms-turned-movies? Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins really only differentiates itself from Lawrence’s past few efforts… Continue reading