3 Razors

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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Kevin Smith Makes a Porno

/ / Movie Reviews
  • 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

/ / Movie Reviews
  • 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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Hulk Smash on DVD

/ / Home Video
  • Title: The Incredible Hulk
  • IMDB: link

“Don’t make me hungry.  You wouldn’t like me when I’m hungry.”

Athough not a sequel to Ang Lee‘s Hulk the film, after a brief introduction,  picks up with Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) on the run trying to control his condition and find a cure.  His search will lead him back home into the arms of Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) and the sights of Gen. Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt) and his new protege (Tim Roth) who has agreed to be enhanced by process which created the Hulk.  For more on the film read December’s original review.

Learning from the mistakes of Hulk this film stays truer to the characters and amps up the action.  This comes with the cost of replacing what worked Lee’s film (the actors), and although this version is a better representation of the character it lacks some of the style of Lee’s film.

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Dubya

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: W
  • IMDB: link

“Any kind of government will do, as long as it’s a democracy.”

Oliver Stone‘s biopic on George W. Bush (Josh Brolin) is a bit of a mixed bag.  On one side you have a terrific lead performance by Brolin and strong performances by Elizabeth Banks as Laura Bush and James Cromwell as Geroge Herbert Walker Bush.  On the other hand you’ve got a group of caricatures from the likes of Thandie Newton, Scott Glenn, Ioan Gruffudd, Toby Jones, and Jeffrey Wright, among others, all of which seem to belong more on a parody sketch from MADtv than a feature film.

Also, and perhaps more surprising, is that Oliver Stone, the guy who gave us an epic conspiracy in JFK and the foibles which brought down a president in Nixon, doesn’t have much to say about W.

Stone’s basic premise is George is a dumbshit with a daddy complex better suited to be a used car salesman who became president.  That’s not exactly breaking news.  And although there are some good scenes throughout the film, Stone doesn’t really offer much insight into the character as he’s too busy poking fun at everyone involved.

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