The Pink Panther 2

Movie Info

Directed by: Harald Zwart (One Night at McCool's, Agent Cody Banks)
Written by: Scott Neustadter (debut), Michael H. Wever (debut), & Steve Martin (The Pink Panther)
Starring: Steve Martin (The Jerk, Roxanne), Jean Reno (Leon, The Da Vinci Code), Emily Mortimer (Notting Hill, Match Point)
Genre: Comedy/Family
MPAA Rating: PG - for some suggestive humor, brief mild language and action
Runtime: 92 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 14% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 37/100
IMDB Rating: 4.6/10
My Response: What the hell happened to Steve Martin? He used to be great, and now look at him. WTF Steve? WTF. Skip this one just like everyone skipped the first Pink Panther remake.

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Official Website

Fanboys

Movie Info

Directed by: Kyle Newman (The Hollow)
Written by: Ernest Cline (writing debut), Adam Goldberg (The Muppets' Wizard of Oz), & Dan Pulick (writing debut)
Starring: Dan Fogler (Balls of Fury, Good Luck Chuck), Jay Baruchel (Knocked Up, Million Dollar Baby), Kristen Bell (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Veronica Mars (TV))
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for pervasive crude and sexual material, language and drug content
Runtime: 90 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 28% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 43/100
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
My Response: Fanboys was originally supposed to be released in 2007, but due to many re-shoots and setbacks (including a very long back and forth with Miramax studio cheif Harvey Weinstein (who wanted to change much of the movie to his liking) that was finally stopped with the help of an online movement called "Stop Darth Weinstein" that reportedly sent Miramax over 300,000 emails) the movie was delayed until now.

If you don't know what a fanboy is, then this is probably not the best movie for you. But George Lucas gave it his official "stamp of approval", so if you are a fanboy, you cannot miss it.

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Official Website

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

Movie Info

Directed by: Steve Carr (Daddy Day Care, Are We Done Yet?)
Written by: Sreenplay: Kevin James (The King of Queens (TV)) & Nick Bakay (Sabrina the Teenage Witch (TV))
Starring: Kevin James (The King of Queens (TV), Hitch), Keir O'Donnell (Pathology, Sons of Anarchy (TV))
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG - for some violence, mild crude and suggestive humor, and language
Runtime: 87 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 28% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 41/100
IMDB Rating: 5.5/10
My Response: I think this teaser clip that was released online a few months ago about Paul Blart: Mall Cop says a lot about the movie. I can sum it all up in three...okay two...words: Not Funny. This looks to be the worst comedy since, well, a very long long time ago. Skip it and hope Kevin James didn't sign some deal like Rob Schneider did a few years ago that let me put out crap film after crap film after crap film.

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Official Website

Hotel for Dogs

Movie Info

Directed by: Thor Freudenthal (Motel)
Written by: Lois Duncan (book), Jeff Lowell, Robert Schooley, & Mark McCorkle (screenplay)
Starring: Emma Roberts (Nancy Drew, Wild Child), Jake T. Austin (The Ant Bully, Everybody's Hero), Lisa Kudrow (Friends, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion)
Genre: Family/Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG - for brief mild thematic elements, language and some crude humor
Runtime: 100 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 44% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 51/100
IMDB Rating: 4.2/10
My Response: I will start off by telling you the absolute best thing about this movie: the director's name is Thor. Thor?!? Really Thor's parents? You're going to do that to him?? Oh well, skip his movie.

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Marley & Me

Movie Info

Directed by: David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada)
Written by: John Grogan (book), Scott Frank (Get Shorty) & Don Ross (Happy Endings)
Starring: Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers, Bottle Rocket), Jennifer Aniston (Friends, The Break-Up)
Genre: Comedy/Family
MPAA Rating: PG - for thematic material, some suggestive content and language
Runtime: 120 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 51% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 53/100
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
My Response: This is the kind of movie that a certain group (dog lovers) will love no matter what, and most other people will think it's sub par. See it if you are the former, skip it if you're a cat person.

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Official Website

Bedtime Stories

Movie Info

Directed by: Adam Shankman (The Pacifier, Bringing Down the House)
Written by: Matt Lopez (The Wild) & Tim Herlihy (Little Nicky)
Starring: Adam Sandler (Happy Gilmore, Big Daddy), Keri Russell (Felicity, Eight Days a Week), Courtney Cox (Friends, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)
Genre: Comedy/Family/Fantasy
MPAA Rating: PG - for some mild rude humor and mild language
Runtime: # minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 15% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 34/100
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
My Response: Remember when Adam Sandler made good movies? You know, movies that were enjoyable to watch? Well, I miss those times. It seems like they happened in the long long ago. Skip this one.

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Official Website

Nothing Like The Holidays

Movie Info

Directed by: Alfredo De Villa (Adrift in Manhattan, Yellow)
Written by: Robert Teitel & Rene M. Rigal (story), Alison Swan & Rick Najera (screenplay)
Starring: John Leguizamo (Moulin Rouge!, Ice Age 1 & 2), Freddy Rodriguez (Grindhouse, Lady in the Water), Debra Messing (Will & Grace, The Wedding Date)
Genre: Comedy/Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for thematic elements including some sexual dialogue, and brief drug references
Runtime: 99 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 50% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 51/100
IMDB Rating: 5.7/10
My Response: This looks to be the best mainstream holiday film this season, as it should be leaps and bounds better than Four Christmas. Don't expect it to be hugely memorable, but definitely check this one out if you are in the holiday spirit, and have a good time.

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Official Website

Nobel Son

Movie Info

Directed by: Randall Miller (Houseguest, The 6th Man)
Written by: Randall Miller & Jody Savin
Starring: Alan Rickman (Harry Potter series, Die Hard), Eliza Dushku (True Lies, Bring It On), Shawn Hatosy (The Faculty, Alpha Dog)
Genre: Comedy/Thriller
MPAA Rating: R - for some violent gruesome images, language and sexuality
Runtime: 102 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 21/100
MetaCritic Score: 29/100
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
My Response: Nobel Son actually debuted at a film festival in 2007, but it took a year to get picked up for distribution. That usually isn't a good sign, but it has happened to some other good independent films, so don't count it out. This movie looks to be fun and entertaining, so see it if it comes to your town.

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Official Website

Four Christmases

Movie Info

Directed by: Seth Gordon (The King of Kong, Fears of a Clown)
Written by: Matt Allen, Caleb Wilson, Jon Lucas, & Scott Moore (screenplay)
Starring: Reese Witherspoon (Sweet Home Alabama, Walk The Line), Vince Vaughn (Fred Claus, Old School), Mary Streenburgen (Back to the Future Part III, Step Brothers)
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for some sexual humor and language
Runtime: 82 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 25% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 41/100
IMDB Rating: 5.4/10
My Response: I'm really at a loss here. What's to say about this movie? Ummm...it's only 82 minutes. I think that just may well be the best thing it's got going for it. And apparently Reese and Vince (who has already show his skills in making a crappy Christmas movie) did not get along while making this movie, which I'm sure doesn't add to the holiday cheer. Skip it and go see A Christmas Tale instead.

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Official Website

Bolt

Movie Info

Directed by: Byron Howard (directorial debut) & Chris Williams (Galgo's Quest)
Written by: Dan Fogelman & Chris Williams (screenplay)
Starring: John Travolta (Broken Arrow, Grease), Miley Cirus (Hannah Montana), Susie Essman (Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Man)
Genre: Family/Animation/Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG - for some mild action and peril
Runtime: 96 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 84% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 67/100
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
My Response: I am admittedly bias when it comes to animated movies these days, as I feel nothing out there is up to par with what comes out of the Pixar studio (Wall-E, Ratatouille). But Bolt has been getting pretty good reviews and it looks to be the best of the rest when it comes to animated movies these days. Rent it.

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Official Website

Special

Movie Info

Directed by: Hal Haberman (directorial debut) & Jeremy Passmore (Crossing)
Written by: Hal Haberman & Jeremy Passmore (screenplay)
Starring: Michael Rapaport (True Romance, Mighty Aphrodite), Paul Blackthorne (24, Lipstick Jungle), Josh Peck (Drillbit Taylor, Drake & Josh)
Genre: Drama/Comedy
MPAA Rating: R - for language, some violence and brief drug use
Runtime: 81 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 57% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 56/100
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
My Response: This film has actually been around since 2006, and even played at some film festivals two years ago, but it is just now getting its limited release. Michael Rapaport always does a superb job in every movie he's in, and he has more than perfected his skills as a character actor (but sadly he is usually only known as "Oh, look! It's that guy. I've seen him in something before"). Rapaport's lead role is the main reason I want to see this film, and I don't think he'll disappoint. Rent it.

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Official Website

A Christmas Tale

Movie Info

Directed by: Arnaud Desplechin (Kings & Queens, Esther Kahn)
Written by: Emmanuel Bourdieu & Arnaud Desplechin (screenplay)
Starring: Catherine Deneuve (Dancer in the Dark, Persepolis), Jean-Paul Roussillon (Kings & Queens, Same Old Song), Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Quantum of Solace)
Genre: Drama/Comedy
MPAA Rating: Not Yet Rated
Runtime: 150 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 93% fresh
MetaCritic Score: 87/100
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
My Response: This is the film to watch if you been waiting your whole life for a great family Christmas movie...in French. I know some will be put off by the foreign languageness of this one, but it has been getting superb reviews and looks to bring both drama and pure joy to the Christmas season film offerings. It is only in limited release, so see it if it comes to a theater near you.

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Official Website

Slumdog Millionaire

Movie Info

Directed by: Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Sunshine)
Written by: Simon Beaufoy (screenplay)
Starring: Dev Patel (debut), Freida Pinto (debut)
Genre: Romance/Drama/Comedy
MPAA Rating: R - for some violence, disturbing images and language
Runtime: 120 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 90% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 85/100
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
My Response: Slumdog Millionaire has been grabbing more and more attention with the more people see it. It has been a huge success at every film festival it has played in, and now it is being released to theaters. Everyone who has seen it has simply loved it, as it is a film that makes the audience want to stand up and cheer. Who doesn't want to have that movie watching expeirence? See it.

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Official Website

Role Models

Movie Info

Directed by: David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer, The Ten)
Written by: W. Blake Herron & Timothy Dowling (story), Paul Rudd, David Wain, Ken Marino, & Timothy Dowling (screenplay)
Starring: Paul Rudd (Knocked Up, Clueless), Seann William Scott (American Pie, The Rundown), Elizabeth Banks (Slither, The 40-Year Old Virgin)
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R - for crude and sexual content, strong language and nudity.
Runtime: 99 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 75% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 59/100
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
My Response: This movie looks to be pretty funny with some fun loving comedy. The cast has some semi-familiar faces (can you say McLovin?!) that should mesh well to deliver the laughs. This is a must see once it hits the TV screen, and a safe bet at the theater.

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Official Website

Soul Men

Movie Info

Directed by: Malcolm D. Lee (Roll Bounce, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins)
Written by: Robert Ramsey & Matthew Stone (screenplay)
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Snakes on a Plane), Bernie Mac (The Bernie Mac Show, Mr. 3000), Sharon Lee (Dreamgirls, This Christmas)
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R - for pervasive language, and sexual content including nudity
Runtime: 103 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 45% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: N/A
IMDB Rating: N/A
My Response: I'm not one to feel bad for marketing executives, but the guys behind this one are in a tough spot since leading man Bernie Mac and supporting star Isaac Hayes both recently passed away. And with the recent death of a friend being a central plot point in this movie, there's not a lot of funny aspects to spin for this film. But on the good side, Bernie Mac can be pretty damn funny on screen, so there should be some laughs. I'd give it a look once it hits the TV screen.

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Official Website

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Current Poster:
Original Poster (Banned in US for suggesting oral sex):
Movie Info

Directed by: Kevin Smith (Clerks, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back)
Written by: Kevin Smith (screenplay)
Starring: Seth Rogen (Superbad, Knocked Up), Elizabeth Banks (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Slither)
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R - on appeal for strong crude sexual content including dialogue, graphic nudity and pervasive language
Runtime: 101 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 64% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 51/100
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
My Response: This movie looks like a slam dunk comedy hit. Star Seth Rogen couldn't be any hotter right now, and every comedy he's headlined has been successful. Director Kevin Smith can write and direct great comedies (Clerks 1 & 2). This pair would have to try very hard to make a bad comedy, so check this one out and have a few laughs.

PS - A lot of the promotional material for this film has had to be redone and edited because many media outlets consider the word "porno" to be too vulgar. Also, the original poster (shown above) was banned in the US for "suggesting oral sex".

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Official Website

What Just Happened?

Movie Info

Directed by: Barry Levinson (Man of the Year, Bandits)
Written by: Art Linson (book & screenplay)
Starring: Robert De Niro (Raging Bull, Analyze This), John Turturro (The Big Lebowski, Transformers), Bruce Willis (Die Hard, Look Who's Talking)
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R - for language, some violent images, sexual content and some drug material
Runtime: 107 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 64% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 49/100
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
My Response: I saw this film at a screening last night, and I can tell you one thing: skip it. The movie felt like it had no clear purpose, no idea where it was trying to go, and that it needed to be finished. It was more than a little boring, as the person I went with fell asleep. There was some funny parts, but they were few and far between. I think this film is a perfect example of what happens when everyone making a movie goes through the motions at the same time.

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Official Website

Sex Drive

Movie Info

Directed by: Sean Anders (Never Been Thawed)
Written by: Andy Behrens (book), Sean Anders & John Morris (screenplay)
Starring: Josh Zuckerman (Austin Powers in Goldmember, Surviving Christmas), Seth Green (Austin Powers, Robot Chicken), James Marsden (X-men, 27 Dresses)
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R - for strong crude and sexual content, nudity, language, some drug and alcohol use - all involving teens
Runtime: 109 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 52% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 49/100
IMDB Rating: N/A
My Response: I liked this movie better when it was called The Sure Thing and it starred John Cusack. You can never go wrong with Cusack. Never. Anyway, Sex Drive looks to use a pretty simple formula (horney teenager looking to get lucky + everything goes wrong = funny), and seeing as it stars a few unknowns (Seth Green and James Marsden play minor roles), it will most likely be best viewed on TV during a night when you can't fall asleep.

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Official Website

How To Lose Friends & Alienate People

Movie Info

Directed by: Robert D. Weide (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
Written by: Toby Young (book), Peter Straughan (screenplay)
Starring: Simon Peg (Shawn of the Dead, Run Fatboy Run), Megan Fox (Transformers), Kirsten Dunst (Spider-Man, Bring It On), Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski,
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R - for language, some graphic nudity and brief drug material.
Runtime: 110 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 43% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 41/100
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
My Response: If you like Simon Pegg, and there are a growing number of people that do, this is a can't miss movie. He's a hilarious Brit that now has a few solid movies on his resume, starting with his breakout hit Shawn of the Dead. It's hard not to like Pegg's humor, so I'd recommend seeing this one in theaters.

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Official Website

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Movie Info

Directed by: Peter Sollett (Raising Victor Vargas)
Written by: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan (novel), Lorene Scafaria (screenplay)
Starring: Michael Cera (Arrested Development, Superbad, Juno), Kat Dennings (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Charlie Bartlett)
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for mature thematic material including teen drinking, sexuality, language and crude behavior
Runtime: 90 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 70% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 57/100
IMDB Rating: 6.1/10
My Response: To me, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist looks like a very enjoyable offbeat comedy. A lot of people will compare this film to last year's big hit Juno, but give it a break and just enjoy it from the time you sit down to watch it to the time the credits roll, and you'll have a good time. Rent it and enjoy it!

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Official Website