What’s on the Menu (April 23 – 25)

- Posted by Rusty


All in all, this looks like a pretty quiet weekend; think of it as the calm before the Iron Man 2 storm hits in 2 weeks. Although there’s some variety (we have a romantic comedy, a comic-book flick, and another entry into Disney’s new nature series), I’d use this weekend to catch up on some standbys, especially How to Train Your Dragon if you haven’t caught that yet (and I swear that review is coming soon—it’s my favorite film this year, and I can’t wait to talk about it!). Of the new releases, one looks solid (can you really go wrong with beautiful nature footage on the big screen?), one looks really entertaining, and one just looks plain dreadful. Let’s look at them in more detail… [breakdown of new releases after the jump]

1. “The Losers”

Story: Based on the popular graphic novel, this follows the title team of charismatic mercenaries (featuring Watchmen and Grey’s Anatomy’s Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Rock 'n' Rolla and The Wire’s Idris Elba, and the future Captain America, Chris Evans) as they join forces with a shady, badass femme fatale (Avatar’s Zoe Saldana) in an attempt to uncover the identity of the man that betrayed them.

The Good: Honestly, it looks like a lot of fun. This film is part of a surprising pattern of macho-specialized-teams films coming out in the next few months, including the update of The A-Team and Stallone’s 80’s nostalgia-fest, The Expendables. Of the three, I liked the trailer for The Losers the best, probably because it showed the best sense of humor amidst all the over-the-top stunts. I also like that it features no stars, but just a bunch of talented, very likable up-and-comers – Jeffrey Dean Morgan seems poised to headline many blockbusters in the future, if his turn as the Comedian in Watchmen proved anything, and I’m also psyched that Zoe Saldana, as brilliant as she was as Neytiri in Avatar, gets to have some actual face time in another big-budget flick. Best of all, word is that Chris Evans (who’s been all over the movie news lately, due to his landing the title role in some star-spangled, blue-tight big superhero movie) effortlessly steals the film, continuing his run of being the highlight in pretty much everything he makes.

I love pure entertainment movies like this, and if it shows more brains than the recent Clash of the Titans, I think we’ll be in for a good time.

The Bad: The reviews don’t inspire too much confidence, and even the people that liked it mention that the story holds barely any substance (as could be expected). It might also be hurt by opening so closely after the buzzy comic-book-based Kick-Ass and right before the blitz of Iron Man 2, one of the most anticipated movies of the year. Unfortunately, I don’t see this becoming a hit, for it doesn’t look like strong enough material to catch much fire right now.

Reviews: Mixed, with some loving it (like my fellow action-adventure nerd, Roger Ebert) and some just dismissing it as frivolous entertainment. Oh, and check out my friend’s great early review, which highlights the good and bad elements of the film in whole.

Overall: I think I’m seeing this sometime later this weekend. It does look enjoyable, but I'll admit that it also lacks the “must-see” factor that Kick-Ass and Iron Man 2 displayed. Still, of the movies out this weekend (at least the fictional ones) or just for some (most likely) good kicks on a lazy Friday or Saturday night, I’d go for this one.

2. “Oceans”

Story: Is there really one? The second entry in Disney’s new Disneynature brand looks to follow comfortably in last year’s Earth’s footsteps, here exploring the fascinating worlds and creatures of our seas and oceans.

The Good: I’m not sure if this will be repackaged Planet Earth material (a breathtaking, landmark series if there ever was one, which I’m very close to finishing on DVD!) like Disney’s Earth was last year, but, either way, this should be gorgeous on the big screen. In honor of the just-passed Earth’s Day, you really can’t go wrong with this one.

The Bad: Can’t really think of anything, with the small exception that some people might feel cheated if Disney has indeed recycled Planet Earth footage again. Nonetheless, I can't see much disappointment arising from a film of this kind, so I’d just sit back and enjoy what should be some astounding, remarkably-captured images.

Reviews: Excellent, as expected.

Overall: I wish I was a bit more of an animal enthusiast (and therefore could say that I’d rush out to see this right away), but, even if I don’t catch this in theaters, I still think it’s worthwhile to watch someday. Earth got a very positive reception last year, so, in that vein, this should uphold that tradition, and nicely educate and entertain all possible audiences.

3. “The Back-Up Plan”

Story: Jennifer Lopez stars as a fashionable, single gal who meets the man of her dreams…unfortunately, that same day, she undergoes artificial insemination and winds up pregnant! Most likely, some hijinks and wackiness ensue.

The Good: Well, it’s slim pickings for this one. Jennifer Lopez looks great, and it’s certainly nice to see her back on the big screen (am I wrong, or this her first starring vehicle in a while?). She’s also a legitimately good actress (as Selena and Out of Sight proved), so, on that level, it’s pretty disappointing to see her reduced to making Kate Hudson-esque romantic comedies like Maid in Manhattan, Monster-in-Law, and now this one. I also want to spotlight her co-star, the undeniably uber-handsome Alex O’Loughlin. I worked at CBS the year his vampire series Moonlight premiered, and everyone was excited about him, convinced he’d be a big star. It was for good reason – the guy has talent to spare (and isn’t it cool that the CBS big brass have so much confidence in him that, even after Moonlight and this year’s Three Rivers fizzled in the ratings, they’re giving him one more shot with the sure-to-hit remake of Hawaii Five-O…co-starring Jin from Lost?!). I like him, but even he deserves something that looks better than this.

The Bad: All of it sounds like some rejected sitcom. I hate when people falling, hitting stuff, spilling food on each other, etc substitutes for actual good writing and wit, and this film looks to revel in that. The premise maybe could have been cute and worth some laughs, but the trailer – and the near-universal terrible reviews, as seen below – suggest it’s not worth our time in the slightest.

Reviews: Very weak, though a few critics suggest that it’s no better or worse than an average Hollywood rom-com, which, admittedly (and only semi-embarassingly) I’ve ended up watching on more than one occasion.

Overall: It might not be terrible, or simply be a decent “turn off your brain” kind of rom-com choice, but I think you’ll be better off just renting a romantic comedy (or just catching one on TNT or something) if you’re in the mood for something like that.

And that’s it for the new releases. What do you guys think? Thinking of catching any of these this weekend, or will you check out some standbys instead?

I’m leaning towards The Losers and Oceans, with the latter sounding like the clear better of the two.

See you in a bit for some new trailers and my How to Train Your Dragon review!

Clips courtesy of Trailer Addict.
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Review: "Date Night"

- Posted by Rusty


Review: Date Night

My Rating: 3 bites [out of 5]

In Short: Don’t let that mediocre trailer fool you—Date Night is both and sweet and very funny, granting a perfect showcase for two of our absolute best comic actors. If anything, it’ll make for a pleasant diversion before the oncoming rush of huge summer films. [full review after the jump]

Full Review: I’ll keep this short and sweet, just like this film. However stupid and silly the trailer may have made it look, Date Night ended up really surprising me. It’s funny pretty much throughout its entire running time, with, best of all, a warm and heartfelt character-based story at its center.

Phil and Claire Foster (The Office and 30 Rock’s comedy giants, Steve Carell and Tina Fey) are a mild-mannered, likable couple who decide to spice up their weekly “date night” by dining out at a trendy New York hotspot. Unable to get a last-minute table, they end up stealing another couple’s reservation…and then chaos – involving mobsters, crooked cops, wild car chases, and a shirtless Mark Whalberg – ensues.

Although things get pretty goofy from there, I actually found myself charmed by the plot turns, even as the night took the most insane turns. The film’s enjoyment value really rests on the dependable and always improv-ready shoulders of Fey and Carell. They ground the wackiness with an actual believability – you instantly accept that these are two regular people who just want to go home, who are in way, way over their heads. And, of course, the two comedy stalwarts make an adorable married couple – they work so well together, riff so easily off one another’s rhythms (his: deadpan reactions, hers: instant quips and witty one-liners) that I hope this isn’t the last time they work together.

The film’s structure also gives way to a revolving door of essentially one-scene cameos, many by some very recognizable names. I don’t want to spoil them (that’s half the fun), but, since the trailer already gave one away, I’d say Mila Kunis and James Franco (who were comedy magic together once before) made the most hilarious impression with their takes on the trashy, weirdly sensitive, low-life couple…the very ones whose reservation sets off the night’s events. Of the rest of the cast (with what little screen time they have), I’d single out Mark Whalberg, an underrated comic actor to begin with (see: I Heart Huckabees—not a good film by any means, but a performance that should have gotten him his first Oscar nomination before The Departed) who nicely underplays as the suave, tech specialist, and whose chronic shirtless-ness gives Carell (and a lovestruck Fey) one of the best moments in the film.

But, as mentioned before, all of the cameos and awkward actions scenes (at least for our heroes) wouldn’t matter if we weren’t rooting so much for Phil and Claire Foster. Through this entire ordeal, they rediscover not so much the spark in their marriage (that was there all along; they just didn’t quite see it), but rather how much they mean to one another, how valuable they are to each other as partners in whatever madness ensues (be it having a family…or surviving a ridiculous case of mistaken identity). Carell, in particular, so talented that he makes being funny look effortless, continues to show his strengths as an offbeat leading man (just as he did with Get Smart and Dan in Real Life). He has a gift for sincerity, for making bizarre situations and lines that may be disgustingly sweet in other hands, come off natural and lovely. Fey, too, is a comedienne whose talent shouldn’t be overlooked; the entire film is a partnership (just like the marriage at its core), and it would never have worked if one of the actors wasn’t up to par.

Did the film really need all the action and shooting and stunt work? (even though there’s a car chase in the middle that might be worth the ticket price alone. It needs to be seen for its ingenuity, as a kind of Jason Bourne-style craziness gone even more haywire) Probably not, and the film occasionally steps in to territory that’s too juvenile and lowbrow, at least compared to the rest of the movie. But Fey and Carell are so good in their roles, and the entire ride so unexpectedly pleasant, that I didn’t mind the occasional flaws.

In the end, it’s refreshing to see a love story that feels genuine (and a middle-aged one at that), even if the central couple was married to begin with. With barely any fancy speeches, these two end up having a more romantic and realistic relationship than pasty, angsty tweens could ever dream of. I could understand saving this one for a rental, but I think many people will be surprised by this film, just like me. Even with some script flaws (and the much superior story of a boy and his dragon, probably playing in the theater next door), I doubt you’ll find as many laughs and a more appealing couple to spend two hours with.

Image courtesy of 20th Century Fox.
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Review: "Clash of the Titans" (2010)

- Posted by Rusty

Note: Sorry for missing the “What’s on the Menu” column again. To make up for that, I’ll have a review of last week’s only major release, the funny and surprisingly pleasant Date Night, very soon.


Guide to the Bite Ratings: I realize it’s been a (once again, super embarrassingly) long time since my last review. So, for anyone new to our ratings system, or for just a nice refresher, here’s a quick breakdown:

1 bite = terrible; an absolute waste of time (ie, Fantastic Four, Gamer, Friday the 13th, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)
2 bites = mediocre; almost good; decent, but not quite strong enough to recommend (ie, 9, Troy, Step Up 2: The Streets, G.I. Joe)
3 bites = a good film, if not necessarily a great one (ie, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, The Hurt Locker, Sherlock Holmes, Star Trek, Iron Man)
4 bites = a great film; pretty much an instant classic (ie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Inglourious Basterds, Matchstick Men, Avatar)
5 bites = a masterpiece; a perfect film (ie, Lost in Translation, Almost Famous, Lawrence of Arabia, Ratatouille, The Incredibles); I’m very stingy with this one, but I think many 4-bite movies, with time, graduate to this level

Review: Clash of the Titans

My Rating: 2 ½ bites [out of 5]

In Short: Ridiculous and occasionally just plain stupid, this is still a lot of fun to watch thanks to the actors and the overall entertainment value. Check it out for the awesome visuals and great action, if not necessarily the dramatic arcs or character development (of which the less said about, the better). [full review after the jump]

Full Review: Clash of the Titans is exactly the movie it promises to be. The action is all-out, the Greek mythological world is represented here with all the best that modern movie magic could produce, and the entire experience is just plain fun.

It’s just not a very good movie, as much as I enjoyed it.

So, I’ll make this a cautious recommendation: the entertainment value is definitely here, as is some good acting (for a movie of this type) and a more-or-less faithful approach to the original myth of Perseus and Medusa.

In this version of the story, demi-god Perseus (Avatar’s Sam Worthington, in crew-cut, manly-stubbled, glowering good-guy perfection), the son of Zeus (Liam Neeson, always good), vows to take down the gods for the pain they’ve brought him (revealing any more would be too much spoiler territory—suffice to say that Perseus’ motivation is more effective here than the simple “Let’s go out and do this!” attitude he showed in the myth). As such, his journey has him facing off against giant scorpions (a great sequence), the Gorgon Medusa, the lizard-ified witch who turns men to stone with one look into her eyes (an even better sequence), the wrath of Underworld god, Hades, with his giant serpent beast, The Kraken (the show-stopper, with the Kraken better used here than in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest), and, in the process, hopefully saving the city of Argos (which, like all Hollywood period pieces, is populated only by Brits…and one Australian), whose citizens have stirred the ire of the gods with their selfish and impious ways.

If it sounds silly, it occasionally is. But the filmmakers, particularly director Louis Letterier, know what type of film they’re dealing with here, and they never try to be anything more (or less, for that matter) than just delivering a good, rollicking, adventurous time at the movies. With that, you might be willing to forgive the terrible supporting character development of Perseus’ fellow warriors (they might as well have been called Expendable Good Guys #’s 1-5).

Or the ridiculous creature design of Perseus’ ally, who comes off as a less articulate version of Treebeard from Lord of the Rings.

Or the fact that Hades (played with lots of scenery-chewing, slimy fun by the great Ralph Fiennes, who we’ll see again in villain mode in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows later this year) has a takeover plan that barely makes any sense. Why does Zeus even listen to him? Or, better yet, why can’t Zeus just stop him when it becomes obvious that he's been betrayed? Well, maybe it’s best not to think about that…

Like I said, if you go with the spirit of the film, you might be willing to overlook all of those problems, just like me. Director Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk with Edward Norton, The Transporter 2 with my man, Jason Statham) stages terrific action sequences, like always, and shows a sly command with the tone of the picture as well, one that never quite veers into camp, but still manages to not take everything too seriously. I wish he showed the strong sense of story that he did with Hulk, but he keeps the pacing zippy and the action plentiful enough that I didn’t mind all that terribly.

More than that, the picture is cast just right. On the gods side, you could not do better than having Liam Neeson as Zeus, using that booming, commanding, and (yep) still pretty wise voice of his to maximum effect (despite the fact that this film retains Zeus’ stints as a part-time mortal rapist). Same with Ralph Fiennes, who’s clearly relishing playing over-the-top and irredeemably evil. And, on the virtuous side, we have Sam Worthington demonstrating once again why he’s so in-demand, and how well and comfortably he plays the reluctant hero.

--A note on Sam Worthington: I know a lot of people criticize his impossible-to-hide Australian accent (which, yes, still comes and goes here) or his lack of versatility. Fair enough, but, despite that, I find him an impressive young actor, one who should have a very bright future if he’s careful about his project choices. He might not necessarily become a respected character actor, but he certainly has the talent, and, like fellow Aussie Russell Crowe, he has the natural screen presence and charisma to hold your attention in a film of this scope. Look at him in his scenes with Neeson—he easily holds his own, and, throughout the entire film (even with minimal dialogue), you believe in his quest and in his ability to come out victorious. As he did with Terminator: Salvation and even Avatar, Worthington brings more depth than expected to this type of "conflicted" hero role. He has a straight-up drama coming up later this year, and I’m pretty sure he'll surprise more people once you get him out of the company of robots, gods, and giant blue aliens. Or, of course, he could always play Perseus again in a Clash of the Titans sequel (which just might happen, since the film’s a hit), something I wouldn’t object to at all!--

I also want to point out British actress Gemma Arterton (who will next be seen in May's Price of Persia opposite Jake Gyllenhaal), here playing Io, a slightly rejiggered version of the mythological heroine who caught Zeus’ eye. She mostly has to explain stuff to our hero, though she does it with aplomb, and she’s a very good, spunky foil for our straight-laced hero. Plus, the film nicely handles the would-be romance between Perseus and Princess Andromeda (Alexa Davalos), the woman who must be sacrificed to the Kraken if she wishes to save Argos, especially given that Sam Worthington has more screen time – and, really, chemistry – with Gemma Arterton. The film might veer off from the original myth to include more scorpions and special effects, but it keeps the story points that matter, and I very much liked that the script made Andromeda a strong woman with some actual agency over her fate, and not the boring damsel-in-distress (and prize for our hero) that she was in the myth.

All in all, if you can look past the many flaws, what we have here is an enjoyable film that just seeks to entertain. The effects are all amazing (well, maybe not the Treebeard…but the Kraken alone makes this worth seeing in theaters), the actors game to go with the tone, no matter how ridiculous things become, and, mostly, it’s just great to see the world of Greek mythology make such a huge return to theaters. If this gets kids excited to read up on Perseus and all his larger-than-life, horny, bizarre, yet always interesting fellow heroes, then, by all means, this is not a bad introduction.

So, if this type of adventure film is up your alley (it definitely goes with my ultra-geeky preference, that for old-school heroes vs. great, insurmountable odds), then you might come out with a smile on your face, just like I did.

P.S. I mentioned this before in the What’s on the Menu column last week, but I want to stress again that the 3D is not necessary for this film. As much as the advertising wants you to think so, the effect was added late in the process, so by no means was this movie shot with the intention of the extra dimension. With the exception of one axe flying at you, nothing here makes the extra $5 worthwhile. Unlike How to Train Your Dragon (the best film out right now—review also coming in a bit!), this wasn’t designed for the depth of 3D, so the world here just looks a little stretched out and poppy, nothing more. If you see it, save the money and just go for good old cheaper 2D.
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Trailer Time ("Schmucks"...and a crazy dude named "Scott Pilgrim"!)

- Posted by Rusty

"Scott Pilgrim vs. the World"

Ramona Flowers: "We all come with baggage."
Scott Pilgrim: "Yeah, well my baggage doesn't try to kill me every five minutes"

Stacey Pilgrim: "Next time, we don't date the girl with 11 evil ex-boyfriends."
Scott Pilgrim: (weakly) "Seven."
Stacey: "Oh, well that's not that bad."

Trailer Rating: 5 bites [out of 5]

What IS this movie? Based on the very popular comic series, I had a vague idea of what Scott Pilgrim vs. the World would look like, but none of that comes close to this bizarrely awesome first teaser. Scott Pilgrim, a slacker and musician wannabe (Michael Cera, the king of lovable geeks) meets the girl of his dreams, Romona Flowers (Live Free or Die Hard and Sky High cutie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead--nice to see her get a leading role). But, as it turns out, to win her heart, Scott must battle and defeat her seven evil ex-boyfriends, battle-royale, video-game-crazy style. Yep, you read that right. It's a hilarious idea, and I love the bait-and-switch in this teaser (which, at first, looks like another hipster teen comedy), as well as the "wham! zonk! kapow!" old-school comic-book visual style. From genre-bending director, Edgar Wright (who made two of my favorite films, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz), this just looks like a lot of creative fun. The supporting cast is also peppered with actors I love (Up in the Air's Anna Kendrick, Jason Schwartzman, and the soon-to-be Captain America, Chris Evans, who looks to rock his role as the obnoxious ex/skateboarding star, Lucas Lee). On top of all that, this looks to give Michael Cera a great chance to riff on the dweeby persona that made him famous...before turning that completely on its head as he develops into a legitimate geek fighting badass. Can't wait to see more! (as soon as the full-length trailer comes out, I'll have it up here as well) Scott Pilgrim takes on the evil exes on August 13, 2010. ["Dinner for Schmucks" trailer and thoughts after the jump]

"Dinner for Schmucks"

Trailer Rating: 2 1/2 bites [out of 5]

Shouldn't this look a bit funnier? I've been looking forward to seeing footage from this for a while now, and, well, the end result didn't floor me the way I thought it would. The premise - a bunch of corporate stooges have a weekly contest to see who could bring the most ridiculous guest to dinner - should definitely get some laughs. And, boy, does thing thing also have an amazing comic cast. I'll see anything with Paul Rudd in it (I'm actually watching his turn as Koonu in Forgetting Sarah Marshall right now!), and when you add Steve Carell, Office Space's Ron Livingston, Star Trek's Bruce Greenwood, The Hangover breakout, Zach Galifianakis (and one day I swear I'll learn how to properly spell/pronounce his name), and Flight of the Concords' Kristen Schaal and Jemaine Clement to the mix, there's bound to be some good entertainment here. I liked pieces of this trailer (especially the Post-It joke in the beginning, and anything with Zach Galifianakis and his "mind" powers), but other parts look a little stale. The subplot with Paul Rudd's disapproving girlfriend, in particular, already looks kind of grating, and something we've seen before too many times in comedies like this. On the flip side, the idea that this might turn into an offbeat friendship story (between Rudd's straight-laced hero and Carell's weirdo dead-mouse diorama-maker), before leading to an epic awkward dinner, is promising. We'll just have to wait and see. I know I'll watch this anyway, and, judging by their last collaborations (Anchorman and The 40-Year-Old Virgin), Paul Rudd and Steve Carell are brilliant together. And, after all, Paul Rudd's last starring vehicle, I Love You, Man, had a so-so trailer too, and that movie's now resting comfortably on my favorites shelf. We'll find out July 23rd if this is all worthwhile.


What do you guys think of these trailers? Has anyone read the Scott Pilgrim comic-book series? (I think I'll check them out before the movie comes out). And which of these summer films are you more excited about?

I'll be back later with my review of Clash of the Titans!

Trailer courtesy of Trailer Addict.
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What’s on the Menu (April 2 – 4)

- Posted by Rusty

For a quick refresher (since it’s been an embarrassingly long time since we’ve done one of these columns), this is where we look at all the movies coming out this weekend (some of which we’ve seen, some we haven’t) and try to decide what looks best. It’s not always foolproof, but, for me at least, it’s a good way to see the variety of films being released and to juggle the good and bad elements that each offers. With that, this weekend brings us a summer-like blockbuster (welcome back to the movies, Greek mythology!),a tween queen moving on to more dramatic work, and another entry from a guy who just keeps on making hits. Let’s see what we have… [breakdown of this week's new releases after the jump]

1. “Clash of the Titans”

Story: To save the ancient Greek city of Argos, the heroic Perseus (Avatar’s Sam Worthington) must venture out to kill the Gorgon, Medusa, the lizard-like witch who turns all men who gaze at her into stone. Oh, and there’s also some business with warring gods (played by the great British thesps Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes) and lots of good modern angst for our hero, Perseus, who vows to reject his demi-god nature to defeat these evil forces as a man. Along the way, of course, lots of other action and special effects happen, but that’s all just part of the fun, leading up to the show-stopping epic battle between Persesus and the Kracken, the gods’ personal giant sea beast.

The Good: Just saw this last night! (Review coming very shortly) This movie delivers exactly what it promises; if nothing else, it’s very entertaining. Its script leaves a lot to be desired (more on that in a bit), sure, but the action is superb, the creature designs and effects very well-done, and it features some fun scenery-chewing work by Ralph Fiennes as Hades (Warner Bros’ favorite bad guy, since he also moonlights as Voldermort in the Harry Potter series…ahem, sorry, as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named) and Liam Neeson as Zeus. Sam Worthignton (despite the fact that he’s the only Australian in ancient Greece) once again shows plenty of star quality; he’s very believable as Perseus, and a good enough actor to make you root for this reluctant, manly-stubbled and crew-cut hero to succeed. Plus, I have to commend the filmmakers for turning Andromeda (played by the beautiful Alexa Davalos), the Princess of Argos (and Perseus' would-be love interest, according to the myth) from a one-note damsel-in-distress into a strong woman with some actual personality.

Also, I’ve read quite a lot of reviews that accused the film of sidestepping the original Perseus myth. Having read the myth a few days ago, I can honestly say this movie is as faithful as it needed to be. All the set-pieces from the original story are here (the battle with the Gorgons, the three Fates with their one shared eye, Princess Andromeda being sacrificed to the sea beast), and I thought they were tied together as well as could be expected. If this is the first exposure to Greek mythology for a lot of kids, then by all means – it’s certainly better and more true to the world and myths than the kid-skewing Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

The Bad: Did I mention that script? It’s definitely not terrible, but all the useless subplots, thinly-sketched characters (mostly relegated to Perseus’ fellow warriors, who I’m positive are only there because they’re more expendable), not-quite-finished ideas (that’d be poor Ralph Fiennes’ Hades, who has a plan, but I’m not sure even he knows exactly what he wants), and odd, laughable character choices (that’d be Perseus’ sidekick who looks like a miniature Treebeard) prevent it from being a home-run adventure like the first Pirates of the Caribbean. Still, I think the entertainment value – and all the positive elements above – outweighs the bad in this instance. It won’t be on anyone’s Top 10 List, but it makes for an enjoyable night at the movies.

Reviews: Decent, although mostly pretty mixed. Some like Roger Ebert (a noted sucker for adventure films, just like me) liked it, while others panned it for its preference of loud special effects over, you know, actual drama and character work. But, really, you know what you’re getting into when you buy a ticket for a film called Clash of the Titans. Schindler's List, this is not (even though, ironically, it features two of that film's stars)...

Overall: I recommend it…although with a bit of caution. I think it appeals to our more kid-like sensibilities for great adventures in faraway, exotic lands. On top of that, it’s well-acted (for what this is) and the action sequences alone justify seeing it in theaters. If you liked the trailers and all the clips (which, admittedly, I liked too much), chances are you’ll come out satisfied by the final product.

Quick Note: The ads are pushing that this MUST be seen in 3D. Honestly, it’s just a ploy to capitalize on Avatar’s success (and now Alice in Wonderland’s as well), particularly since Clash star Sam Worthington also played the leading role in James Cameron’s 3D opus. Many fanboys cried foul at the 3D effects (which, to my inexperienced eye, were not awful in the slightest), but I can say that the added dimension does not do much for the film in whole. If the 3D showings are sold out, safely choose the cheaper 2D, and I doubt you’ll miss out on anything.

2. “The Last Song”

Story: A rebellious, angsty (is there another kind lately?) teen (played by reigning queen of the tween generation, Miley Cyrus) is forced or spend a summer in her father’s (Greg Kinnear, always good to see) Southern beach home. Young love, some good heart-to-heart chats, and (knowing that this comes from the pen of romance/cheesy novel guru, Nicholas Sparks), some kind of death will probably ensue.

The Good: I will always love Greg Kinnear (As Good as it Gets, Little Miss Sunshine, You’ve Got Mail), who, over the years, has become one of those dependable, charismatic actors who elevate just about anything they star in (yes, even Mystery Men). And as much as I can’t stand her overacting from the few episodes I’ve seen of Hannah Montana, I hear good things about Miley Cyrus’ performance here. Mainly, that it’s the work of a talented young actress, and not necessarily a Disney-packaged product trying to branch away from her target audience. Oh, and for a fun fact, this looks like the high-profile debut of young Aussie hunk, Liam Hemsworth – he’s the younger brother of Chris Hemsworth, who made an impressive splash in the opening of J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek (he played Kirk’s father) and will next tackle Marvel’s superheroic Norse god of thunder, Thor! (I know, not particularly relevant, but it’s nice to see that this family might just have two talented siblings up its sleeve.) I may have my problems with author Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, the recent hit, Dear John), but he is known to make watchable films, especially if you’re in the mood for a grab-the-hanky tearjerker.

The Bad: I really can’t stand Nicholas Sparks. I’m sorry, I respect the fact that he’s a mega-best-selling writer (while I’m, ahem, a grouchy newbie with nothing close to publication), and his books get turned into at least modest-hit films (even the pretty awful Nights in Rodanthe did well on home video). Nonetheless, the level of manipulation in his stories drives me insane. There is always some kind of death (really, it might as well be a character in each story! The Grim Reaper probably gets most of his business from Sparks’ novels/movies) and his characters seem to operate only on the level of big declarations and ultimate, hokey resolutions. I’ll admit: The Notebook was pretty good (mainly because of the performances, though, and despite that corny conclusion), but that was one of the few. Judging by the okay (if unenthusiastic) reviews, this looks to hit closer to Dear John or A Walk to Remember territory.

Reviews: Okay. Nothing too positive, but very few outright negative notices either. Much like Clash of the Titans (which, I’ll admit, must looks as bad to some people as this movie looks to me), you know what you’re getting into. If you’re a fan of the previous Nicholas Sparks adaptations, this one might do the trick.

Overall: This is probably good counter-programming to the male-skewing Clash of the Titans. I have a soft spot for adventure films, so I’m sticking with Sam Worthington and his band of Greek warriors and over-the-top special effects. However, if a romantic drama is more to your liking (and you’ve enjoyed the other films based on Nicholas Sparks' works), then this might be the choice for you. If anything, it could be the first promising step for a young actress to watch, and it will certainly have some nice moments with Greg Kinnear, if the below trailer is any indication.

3. “Why Did I Get Married Too?”

Story: Four couples (returning from the first film in this series, with Janet Jackson and Tyler Perry reprising their original roles) gather together for a tropical vacation, all the while exposing their marital problems and concerns.

The Good: At this point, Tyler Perry has become a brand all by himself, especially thanks to his tough-talking Southern grandma character, Madea. This is a sequel to a film that had quite a remarkable box-office debut in 2007, so there’s certainly a fanbase for it. I have never seen the first film, nor really any other film from Tyler Perry’s collection, so it’s impossible for me to judge (although some of my friends of mine have, and they warned me that his particular style of moralizing and focus on faith might not be up my alley).

The Bad: It’s hard to tell: the trailer did nothing for me (looks to be, like Nicholas Sparks' stuff, a lot of BIG emotional speeches) and the below disappointing reviews don’t exactly inspire confidence. Then again, like I said, I’m not familiar with any of Perry’s other films, so it’s hard to take a critical look at this.

Reviews: Yep, pretty weak. Critics attack the film for its sermonizing style (sounds like it reduces itself to a lot talking heads, as opoosed to actual narrative momentum) and a mostly lackluster shooting style.

Overall: Well, if you were a fan of the first film, you will probably want to see this for some sense of completion.

And that’s it for this weekend! What do you guys think? Are you tempted by the effects-heavy promise of Clash of the Titans (no worries if you’re not—I can admit that that film just happens to fall into my particular geeky preference)?

What do you guys plan on seeing this weekend, if anything?

- Trailers courtesy of Trailer Addict.
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