2 Guns (2013)

If you want to watch this movie, DON'T READ ANY OF THE DESCRIPTIONS OTHER THAN THIS ONE AND DON'T WATCH THE TRAILER. I was very happy I did not watch the trailer or read any descriptions prior to watching it. They give away WAY too much information. 

The story itself is cheesy and lacks development but the focus is the relationship between Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. Their chemistry is really good. Wahlberg tries too hard at some points but overall it's fun to see them together. They make you want more of them and less of the actual story.

Paula Patton's performance is off. Her facial movements are unnatural and too exaggerated. Her chemistry with Denzel is painful. Being the only significant female in the movie, it's disappointing she doesn't have a better presence; but her character and story line lacks a lot so it's not that big of a deal that she doesn't do a good job. 

By far the biggest complaint is the terrible lighting. It's entirely too dark at times.

2 Guns could have been more of a quirky and memorable movie had it been directed by the Coen brothers. It doesn't win any awards for quality or depth, but it's a decently entertaining movie. Worth a watch if you're in the mood for a slightly dark action comedy.

I usually put a video of the trailer here...BUT...read above!

We're the Millers (2013)

We're the Millers is funny, cute, and quickly paced. Everything seems to happen fairly fast. Usually movies that are paced at this speed tend to feel rushed and turn out sloppy. This movie, however, is the exception. There are no dead spots or slow, hair-pulling scenes and yet it leaves you laughing for the ride and content in the end.

I have to give credit to the cast. Jason Sudeikis who plays main character, David, really holds it all together. He has instant appeal. There is a level of comfort he has with the camera that makes it so the movie doesn't require much character development on his part.

Jennifer Anniston as Rose, the stripper, is shaky in the beginning but she picks it up about 20 minutes in. She's not completely believable as a stripper in her mannerisms, and her body looks way to killer to be a low-class stripper, but her comedic timing is still there for sure. She plays well off of everyone. Nothing we're not used to.

Emma Roberts as Casey, the "daughter," is the weakest link. Her acting chops isn't quite at the level of the rest of the cast. With that said, she's still not that bad.

Will Poulter as Kenny is so quirky and funny and sweet and everything! He almost steals the spotlight. Seriously, who the hell is this kid and why isn't he in a shit ton of movies?!?! I would love to see a comedy series all about Kenny. 

I didn't want to tick down the cast but the cast is that great! Ed Helms as Brad Gurdinger, David's "boss," Kathryn Hahn and Nick Offerman as Edie and Don Fitzgerald, they're all so perfectly awkward. Kathryn Hahn is devastatingly underrated. 

There is no special plot. It's just a vulgar, funny, vulgar, sweet, vulgar movie. Did I mention it's vulgar? The language and content is most definitely mature...and vulgar, but wonderfully so.

Watch this one!

We're the Millers trailer...

The Heat (2013)

Ugh. I almost didn't want to review this one, so it will be short. No matter how hard I wished for it to be good, it isn't. The comedy is incredibly forced and awkward. The first three quarters of the movie are dull; with the exception of Melissa McCarthy, but not in a good way. She is over-the-top crude and simply not funny. Sandra Bullock lacks energy. She's tired and seems bored. Her usual confidence that emanates through all of her other characters is gone in this one.

The last quarter of the movie picks up. However; just when the chemistry between McCarthy and Bullock finally solidify, it's over.

Very shaky film. Not worth a recommendation.

The Heat trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5m7Ml76zoA

Jack Reacher (2012)

Not bad. The trailers and media promote Jack Reacher as being some kind of anti-law anti-hero with a vendetta. That's off-the-mark. Reacher is a badass detective with above average abilities...in everything.

This movie is like The Firm (1993) meets Punisher (2004). Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher is very much like Thomas Jane as Punisher, without the vendetta, and the story is like The Firm because of it's suspense, crime, and investigative aspects.

Maybe it's Tom Cruise's character or the way he delivers him, but the movie has an old school comic book hero feel to it, hence The Punisher. The main villain is cheesy to boot.

It's a little low on the action considering it's a Tom Cruise movie, but there is still enough to not be completely disappointed.

There are a lot of unnecessary looks and stares and slow scenic movements like they're putting onto film a Stephen King chapter of descriptive scenery. We see it, we get it, move on.

Surprisingly Tom Cruise is funny! It's my favorite aspect of the entire movie. Oh and bonus...Robert Duvall is in it too.

Overall, it's decently entertaining.

On a scale of 1-10, Jack Reacher: 7.0

Extract (2009)

This is a movie I can watch multiple times! The cast is great! Its simply, cozy. Extract revolves around the owner of an extract company named Joel, played by Jason Bateman. Bateman is his usual sad sappy underdog. Everything in his life seems to be going wrong and you just want to give him a hug. Joel is not a departure from most of Bateman's other roles, but he's good at it and I'm not tired of it yet.

J.K. Simmons plays Brian. Its not clear if he's a minority business partner or a type of general manager; regardless, its of little significance. Recognizing J.K. Simmons from such serious roles in OZ and Law & Order, its hilarious to hear him call everyone "dinkus." Watching him make fun of people makes you feel so sentimental. It sounds strange and I suppose that connection is only there if you're familiar with his much more serious roles.

I'm not a big Mila Kunis fan. I just really want her to clear her throat. I know that may seem silly or superficial but its slightly irritating to listen to raspy voices for too long. The good thing is, she's not the main character. I don't want this to sound like she isn't good in the movie, because she is! In fact, she's perfect.

Ben Affleck as Dean the Bartender, Dustin Milligan as Brad the Gigolo, Clifton Collins Jr as Step, Kristin Wiig as Suzie, T.J. Miller as Rory, David Koechner as Nathan; there are so many dynamic roles and they are all played superbly. The weakest link in all of the acting is Gene Simmons as Joe Adler. He barely pulls it off. He just doesn't have the hutzpah required for such a sleazy part. It was a missed opportunity for an eccentric outlandish character; however, its not distracting.

Extract is written and directed by Mike Judge from Beavis and Butthead fame; so naturally there's sex, drugs, more drugs, and little bit of rock n roll. Throughout most of the film, it isn't a noticeable Mike Judge story; but I would consider Brad the Gigolo to be his signature. The movie, the cast, the story...everything about it is surprisingly comfortable.

On a scale of 1-10, I give Extract an 8.0
                 with distinction: underrated.

Scene Spotlight: Suzie and Brad the Gigolo poolside conversation.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1225822/