Ghostbusters isn't as good or bad as you thought it would be

Movie Title:        Ghostbusters

  

Grade:  B

Rating:  PG-13, 105 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Some of the funny women of Saturday Night Live, including 4 time guest host of SNL Melissa McCarthy, star in this reboot of the 1984 smash hit.  

The beloved original (which I loved) is hard to beat, but this version gives it a respectable shot.

Written and directed by Paul Feig, this movie isn’t as good as you want, but also not as bad as you thought it would be. 

Uplifting theme: 

• “No woman should walk around unarmed.” – Jillian
• “The purpose of life is to love.” – Jillian
• Female empowerment.

Things I liked:

• Cameos and references from the fantastic cast of the original movie.
• Terrific cast includes Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Chris Hemsworth, and Cecily Strong.
• Keep watching during the final credits for a peek at the sequel…
• At the end of the movie, it says “For Harold Ramis.”  A lot of people don’t realize that he died in 2014.
• Chris Hemsworth.
• You’ll laugh out loud at least a couple of times.
• The action sequences are better than the original, thanks to new movie technology.
• I thought Zach Woods’ comments as the tour guide at the very beginning of the movie were really funny.

Things I didn’t like:

• It doesn’t have quite the charm as the original.
• Does this reboot add anything new to the original?  No, not really.  Oh yeah, Chris Hemsworth.
• The script didn’t allow these comediennes to really knock our socks off.  The material just isn’t as good as they are.
• Every male character in this movie is either an idiot or a jerk.
• Although this film isn’t the greatest ever made, it certainly doesn’t deserve all the hate that has been spewing over it online.
• The villain isn’t anything special or memorable.
• Needs better pacing.

Funny lines:

•  “Something big is gonna happen!” - Erin

“The word we’re looking for is Apocalypse!” – Jillian

• “That is a deadly high five.” -  Abby
• So, I don’t know if it’s a race thing or a lady thing, but I’m mad as hell.” – Patty
• “How can you be eating right now?” – Erin Gilbert

“Try saying no to these salty parabolas.” – Jillian Holtzmann

• “Am I on crack or is this a good logo?” – Jillian
• “That’s where I saw that weird sparking thing.” – Patty Tolan

“What was it?” – Erin

“If I knew what it was, I wouldn’t say ‘weird sparking thing.’” – Patty

• “Why am I using the untested nuclear thing?” – Erin

“You have the longest arms.” – Jillian

• “Ah, it’s always the sad, pale ones.” – Jillian
• “You hate to see the smart ones go bad.” – Jillian
• “You guys, this is exactly how I pictured my death.” – Jillian
• “Who’s the flying beefcake?” – Rourke
• “What year is it?” – Abby

“It’s 2040.  Our president is a plant.” – Jillian

• “I’m just looking for a reasonable ratio between wontons and broth.  This is absolute madness.” – Abby
• “It transports ghosts and I don’t know where, but I think it’s Michigan.” –
• “Safety lights are for dudes.” – Jillian

Tips for parents: 

• A lot of crude jokes.
• Some of the ghosts could be frightening for small children.
• Some profanity.
• Lots of slime, which your kids will love.

Zoolander 2 has more cameos than humor

Movie Title:      Zoolander No.2

Grade:   C+

Rating:   PG-13, 1 hour 40 minutes

In a Nutshell:    Blue steel is back!  If you loved the first Zoolander movie, like I did, you’ll generally get a kick out of this sequel.  If you didn’t enjoy it, then you’ll want to pass on this one, because it’s more of the same goofy nonsense.

Filled with TONS of celebrity cameos and a very thin plot, this ridiculous satire of the fashion industry and pop culture features Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Penelope Cruz, Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen.

Uplifting theme: 

• “How can you expect to love 11 people when you don’t even love yourself?” – Kiefer Sutherland (playing himself)
• What’s inside you is more important than what’s outside.
• Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Things I liked:

• The film includes special appearances of some of the icons in the fashion industry: Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Wang, Valentino, Alexander Wang, Anna Wintour, and Mark Jacobs.
• Benedict Cumberbatch!
• You get a little history lesson in the beginning to fill you in on what has happened since the first Zoolander movie came out.  Has it really been 15 years?
• Other celebrity cameos include: Billy Zane, Ariana Grande, Kiefer Sutherland, Willie Nelson, Katie Perry, Sting, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Susan Boyle, Madonna, Usher, Lenny Kravitz, John Malkovich, M.C. Hammer, Olivia Munn, and many more.  Susan Sarandon appears and quotes a line she said in the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show .
• #oops!
• Penelope Cruz works for Interpol in the Fashion Division.  Ha ha
• There isn’t a surprise at the end of the credits, but you can watch Mugatu dance as they roll.
• I liked what they did with Fred Armisen’s character.
• The beginning of the movie with Justin Bieber was pretty funny.
• A lot of the movie is filmed in Rome!  I love Rome!  Here are some pictures I took there during my last visit there a couple of years ago.

Things I didn’t like:

• Kristen Wiig’s character is so repulsive and hard to understand that there is very little humor on the screen when she appears.  I do, however, think it’s funny that she “floats”, rather than walks.
• Some of the fashion gags get a little tired.
• I actually laughed out loud several times, but most of the humor is really, really, ridiculously stupid and you can see them coming a mile away.
• For a movie to have a sequel, it has to have a good reason to exist.  Other than a money grab, there just isn't much there.  Huge Zoolander fans will probably be disappointed by that.

Funny lines:

• “I miss not knowing things with you.” – Derek
•  “Prison changed me.  I’m bad to the core now!” - Mugatu
• “Don’t drink the water or you’ll die.” – VIP
• Farm-to-table Wi-Fi….ha ha
• “All is all just married hermself.  Mono-marriage is legal in Rome now.” – VIP
• “We were a joke out there…a total laughing stick.” – Derek
• “Please accept my apologies, Derek.” – Valentina Valencia

“None taken.” – Derek

• “You’re the most narcissistic person I’ve ever met.” – Derek Junior

“But that’s not how I see myself.” – Derek

• “I’m not fat.” – Derek Junior

“He’s Plus Size!” - Derek

Tips for parents:   

• 1 F-bomb, although you get to hear Justin Bieber say “Oh fudge!”  Penelope Cruz swears in Spanish.
• Like the orgy scene in the first Zoolander movie, there is another one with Hansel.  
• Penelope Cruz is practically falling out of her bathing suit and blouses in every scene.  Zoolander grabs her chest in one scene and has an “aroused” profile in another.
• Mugatu and Todd have another odd sexual facial exchange like in the first film.
• Most of the characters are extremely shallow.  Talk to your kids about self-esteem and the importance of not judging people by their appearance alone.

Don't waste your time and money on Anchorman 2

Movie Title:  Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Grade: D for dumb

In a Nutshell:  Full of offensive stupidity.  I have a pretty good sense of humor and love to laugh, but this movie falls short of the cast’s talent and is a complete waste of money and time.

Uplifting theme:  Idiots can redeem themselves?

Things I liked: The slow-motion sequence in the rolling van.

Things I didn’t like:  Offensive on so many levels.  I really hated this movie.  Can you tell?

Funny line: I heard the audience laugh at terribly dumb things, so….

Things to look for:  A different movie to watch.

Tips for parents: DO NOT go.  DO NOT take your children.  Offensive jokes about race, sex, infidelity.  Bad language throughout.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty will have you renewing your passport

Movie Title: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Grade: A-


In a Nutshell: We’re all a little bit like Walter Mitty, imagining ourselves doing great things while reality jails us in some dull cubicle to eek out a living. In this fresh remake (the 1947 version starred the lovable Danny Kaye), Walter Mitty is, ironically, a “negative asset manager” for LIFE magazine who daydreams about heroism and romance, but lives an uninspired life. Because he hasn’t done anything “noteworthy or mentionable”, he can’t seem to catch the eye of his co-worker (Kristen Wiig) until... I remember reading this James Thurber’s short story in middle school and began drafting my very first “Bucket List.”



Uplifting theme: Stop dreaming. Start living. I took my family to see this comedy directed by Ben Stiller and asked my kids what they thought. One of my sons said “Motivated.” I prompted “Motivated to do what?” “More.” Another son chimed in “Motivated to do more instead of read about it on blogs.” The magazine Walter Mitty works for is, appropriately, LIFE. Now, go out there and use your passport.

Things I liked:  Gorgeous cinematography! Inspiring visions. Some of the biggest moments of the film were the ones that featured simple joys. The subtle humor had my husband’s contagious laughter fill the theater. Ben Stiller is the king of awkward moments. The 1947 film portrayed an overbearing mother, but in this version the lovely Shirley MacLaine brings to life a supportive, but aging mom who unintentionally brings out the best in her son.

For the younger generation who never had the pleasure of reading LIFE from 1936-1972, it was the photojournalism magazine that introduced us to places all over the world. Its motto, spotlighted in the movie was: “To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other and to feel. That is the purpose of life.”



Things I didn’t like: Walter Mitty is in really good shape on that skateboard, considering he was supposed to have been working in a dark photography office for 17 years. I know, as if the rest of the film was entirely believable. The great cell phone reception on the mountain top of the Himalayas provided some laughter from the audience.

Funny line: “I have that The Curious Case of Benjamin Button thing.”

Things to look for:  Read all of the signs on streets, walls, and even mountains during the film for insightful narration. You won’t see Stiller’s famous “Blue Steel” humor from Zoolander , but a solid dramatic performance that is endearing.

Tips for parents: Rated PG! Yay! There are some intoxicated guys in a bar drinking REALLY LARGE glasses. A couple of “mild” swear words. A funny Ben Stiller movie with no F-bombs and crude humor…a refreshing relief. It was a nice change to see Kristen Wiig and Sean Penn with clean characters as well. Your family will enjoy the thrilling action scenes and peaceful moments of reflection.

Now I'm ready to go to Iceland or Greenland

Despicable Me 2 is ADORABLE fun for all ages

ADORABLE!!  So cute!   Despicable Me 2 is not just for little kids who think yellow minions are hilarious….and they are.  Adults in the audience I joined were laughing aloud the entire time…and so was I.  The humor is often clever and always goofy.  Something for all ages.

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment grossed more than $540 million with their worldwide blockbuster Despicable Me in 2010.  It became the 10^th biggest animated motion picture in U.S. history.  Based on the reaction I heard during the movie, this is going to be another big hit.

Co-directors, Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, lucked out with voice talent in this gag-filled delight.  Steve Carell voices Gru, the evil villain-turned single dad of three “leeetle goils” from the first movie.  SNL star Kristen Wiig provides the sweet voice of Lucy, an Anti-Villain League agent who recruits Gru.  Her lines don’t pack the punch that her talent could provide, but the character is still charming and causes Gru, one of his daughters, and even a minion to fall in love with her.

The mad scientist, Dr. Nefario, is played by Russell Brand.  Silas Ramsbottom (bottom…ha ha) is really the voice of Steve Coogan.  Benjamin Bratt provides the over-the-top sounds of Eduardo, the enthusiastic Mexican restaurant owner inside a mall.  I was so impressed with the animation that featured his perfectly drawn chest hairs and jiggling fat when he danced the Salsa and Tango.  Pay attention to Eduardo’s necklace and tattoo towards the end of the movie….(no spoiler alert).  If the Mexican restaurant in my neighborhood sold Guacamole Chip Hats like Eduardo’s place, I’d be there every day.

I saw the movie with my 22 year old son who is an animation major in college.  We both marveled at the animation talent that created impressively expressive lip movement on all of the characters, moving ocean water, fibers in Gru’s knitted scarf that never left his absent neck, and humorously timed eye twitches.

Look for these hidden Easter egg moments in this funny flick:

*  Villain.com

*  Bruce Lee ping pong tribute with nunchucks

*  Studio Ghibli dancer from My Neighbor Totoro

*  Hugh Jackman shout-out

The dramatic good vs. evil fight towards the end of the movie features gorgeous colors, as well as singing minions in the finale.  You’re going to laugh, sing, and dance your way out of the theater.  Perfect for family fun.

Grade =  A-