Movie Reviews

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
  • IMDB: link

“Hurry up before we all come to our senses.”

More.  That’s the simple explanation to what you get with the new sequel to Madagascar – more lions, more zebras, more giraffes, and more hippos.  More of those crazy penguins and more zany adventures.

An attempt to fly back to New York in a plane rebuilt by the penguins (Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, Conrad Vernon) gets the gang off the island of Madagascar, but soon crashes them into the nearby continent of Africa.

There’s much happening here including Alex (Ben Stiller) reuniting with his long lost mother (Sherri Shepherd) and father (Bernie Mac), the mechanations of a lion (Alec Baldwin) who wants to be King of the jungle, Marty (Chris Rock) finally living out his dream as part of a herd, the penguins attempt to rebuild the plane with the help of some local grease monkeys, the return of that mean old granny (Elisa Gabrielli), and Melman (David Schwimmer) dealing with feelings for Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith).

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Role Models

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  • Title: Role Models
  • IMDB: link

David Wain, an alum of basic cable sketch comedies The State and Stella, has always understood the clichéd studio picture.  His latest two pictures, Wet Hot American Summer and The Ten, have more closely resembled parodies of the trite mainstream lightweight drama than they have functioned as their own picture.  So then what, we may ask, is Wain doing directing a big-budget comedy from Universal Pictures?  The notion almost seems hypocritical; but luckily Wain proves that his comedy chops isn’t restricted to Indie material.

In Role Models, friendly co-workers Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Seann William Scott) are forced into a month of community service after a traffic accident left their monster truck perched atop a High School mascot’s statue.  The judge decides the two’s service will be for Sturdy Wings, a sort of Big Brothers Big Sisters service that links adults to kids with adult role models.

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Rachel Getting Married

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  • Title: Rachel Getting Married
  • IMDb: link

“I am Shiva the Destroyer and your harbinger of doom for this evening.”

Kym (Anne Hathaway) is released from rehab for her sister Rachel’s (Rosemarie DeWitt) wedding.  Although sober, Kym is still a bit shaky with deep unresolved issues which will be brought into sharp focus over the course of the weekend.

Director Jonathan Demme, having learned much from his time making documentaries, gives us a chance to view the action as if we are one of the other guests attending the wedding.  The natural low-key approach gives the film a loook at feel more like a documentary than a feature film.  There are several moments including the rehearsal dinner where the events unfold so naturally I wonder how much, if anything, was scripted.

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Kevin Smith Makes a Porno

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  • Title: Zack and Miri Make a Porno
  • IMDB: link

“Sometimes you need someone else to show you the things you can’t see.”

The latest from writer/director Kevin Smith focuses on two lifelong friends and roommates who find themselves under a mountain of debt with no money to pay off rising expenses.

Out of other, more conventional, options Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) decide to make a porno together in hopes of raising enough money to get their water and heat turned back on.

Those familiar with Smith’s films will feel right at home here with the vulgar humor tinged with some sweetness.  There’s also some Star Wars references thrown in, and I would like to know what George Lucas thought of Zack and Miri’s first porno idea.

You’ll also notice some staples of the View Askew universe in small roles including Jason Mewes, Jennifer Schwalbach, and Jeff Anderson as those who chip in to help on the film.

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Changeling

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  • Title: Changeling
  • IMDB: link

“Miss Collins, if that’s your son I’ll eat my yardstick.”

Based on a true story the film, set in Los Angeles of the 1920’s, tells the tale of Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) and her missing son.

When the police reunite her with who they believe to be her son Collins quickly finds plenty of evidence to support her own feelings that this boy is not Walter.  Attempts to get the police to acknowledge their mistakes fall on deaf ears and eventually Collins is thrown into an asylum for her “irrational” behavior.  Cue the inevitable electro-shock scene.

Director Clint Eastwood gives us a terrific looking picture filled with crazy and bizarre events.  However the film’s mood is never quite right and many of the disturbing events, such as the inane explanations in the change of Walter by the officer in charge (Jeffrey Donovan) and a doctor (Peter Gerety), come off silly rather than menacing.

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