The Irishman (2019)

Hums along for the first 3 hours and then peters out. I enjoyed Joe Pesci’s subdued performance and Robert DeNiro’s steely blues.

Rating: C

Ant-Man And The Wasp (2018)

Much of the originality and fun from the first film got lost on the road to this sequel. My question about what a person eats to stay alive for decades in the quantum realm was never answered. Most of the “science” in this movie is highly suspect. I can tolerate an average amount of preposterousness that comes with superhero movies, but it seems like they’ve gone to extreme levels lately. The second half of the film was pure lunacy. 

Rating: D+

Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (2017)

About what I anticipated. People kept saying how good it was, so I figured I’d think it was ok. It was. Funny enough to keep me entertained, but not overly compelling.

Rating: C

Chef (2014)

It’s nice to see Jon Favreau writing and directing smaller films again, a la Swingers. The story feels personal and relevant. All the latest internet jargon is injected. Sure, the film will sound completely dated in 5 years, but it will be a nice snapshot of what social media was like in 2014. 

Food looks amazing. DVD sets would become relevant again if they could figure out a way to deliver a piping hot Cubano sandwich with the film. A bit overly sentimental at times, but it’s a feel good movie, so it can be forgiven. Enjoyed. 

Rating: B

Ant-Man (2015)

A rare superhero movie that works on all levels. Great story development. Funny script. Action that expertly straddles the line between cool and ridiculous. Throwback effects from Honey I Shrunk The Kids. (When is that remake coming out?) It was all there. Wish they hadn’t made this a part of the Avenger’s universe, but oh well.

Rating: B-

Spy (2015)

Laughed a lot the first half. Laughed less in the second. Felt that the film unraveled a bit at the end, but I enjoyed it enough overall to give this a…

Rating: C+

Happy Endings (2005)

A solid indie film with witty banter, meandering plots, and great acting.

Rating: C+

Snakes On A Plane (2006)

There's just enough plot-line to substantiate the presence of poisonous snakes on a plane. From there it's pretty much non-stop venom action, as passengers and crew alike proceed to be attacked by deadly vipers.

If this is what you expect going in, you'll be mildly entertained. If you are hoping for something more, it's best you intoxicate yourself first. Overused clichés come at you faster than angry snakes. I found myself groaning at the sight of carbon-copied scenes stolen from old movies. Scenes that were bad the first time they were used.

Great marketing, poor product.

Rating: D

Fast Food Nation (2006)

Picks up where Super Size Me left off and where Food Inc. continued, although not as good as either of those docs. Still, it makes you rethink your opinions of the fast food industry and immigration, the two main topics of the film. It was a bit dark, but I guess that's the point. It will leave you feeling depressed and second guessing that next trip to Mickey D's.

Rating: C

The Other Guys (2010)

Laughed the entire movie. Nice seeing McKay branch out into action comedies. Kevin Smith should take note—THIS is what you should have been aiming for when you made Cop Out. Instead you sprayed us with rancid feces.

I could watch Will Farrell all day. He's firing on all cylinders here. The other characters are given great lines too. The plot was a little thin, but does it really matter in these types of movies? Fun and Funny.

Rating: B

Brief Interviews With Hideous Men (2009)

I'm not usually a fan of plotless films, but this one was intriguing. It's the smart dialogue that pulls you in, plus some surprisingly well acted scenes that don't exactly jive with the rest of the movie, but are good nonetheless. (The bathroom attendant scene, for example) Reminds me a little of Neil LaBute's early work.

Rating: C+

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)

I made a point of not seeing this film once I heard it was produced by Happy Madison. They crank out movies dumb enough that you'll literally lose IQ points by seeing them. I still haven't recovered from the god-awful "Don't Mess With The Zohan". But, the fates aligned to have Paul Blart be the star of a Movie Night, so I gave it a viewing.

Pretty bad, but not grotesque. Acting was terrible across the board. Plot was cliché, filled with holes, and cheap. Jokes and gags were sub par, especially having seen them in the previews like 20 times.  Hmmm… maybe it was grotesque.

Rating: D-

10 Items Or Less (2006)

A quirky pet project from Mr. Freeman. It appears he’s playing himself, which is a bit of a stretch for the plot. It’s more of a toned town version of his real Hollywood stature. The lead actress is a delight, however it’s a slow film with a barely-there plot.

Rating: C-

Win Win (2009)

Imagine if The Blindside was a good movie. That's Win Win.

No pandering to the audience or America’s Sweetheart single-handedly trying to smooth over the collective guilt of all Southern women for slavery. Just a simple story, well told with realistic characters who aren’t being prodded into over-acting.

Rating: B