The BC Review: The Trip

I'm sorry to report that my life has become increasingly busy these last couple of months and as a result my film watching (and reviewing for that matter!) has suffered.

Until last Friday evening when my husband so pleasantly surprised me with a "date night" trip downtown to catch one of my beloved Indie flicks, the last movie I caught was back in April and well, it was Scream 4. Yes, you read that correctly, I spent good money to catch the fourth installation of the 1990s era horror sensation and well, actually it wasn't terrible. Certainly not Bee Charmer Review worthy, but if you are a fan of the slasher series, you'll likely enjoy it.

In any case, if you're wondering why the title of this post makes no reference to Wes Craven, I will tell you (probably to the delight of most) that I am not reviewing Scream 4, and instead will compose my thoughts on that Indie film I mentioned, pleasantly and appropriately titled, The Trip.

The Trip, starring British actor Steven Coogan (you may recognize him from The Good Guys) and Welsh funny man Rob Brydon, is the delightful tale of two friends who set off on a week's road trip throughout the picturesque northern country side of England, tasting gourmet food and wine (yes, I realize the oddity of this - British cuisine not always associated with the description "gourmet" but surprisingly some of the dishes do in fact look delicious), sleeping in quaint and sometimes famous inns (one locale the basis for Bronte's Wuthering Heights) and well - just enjoying themselves along the way.

And that certainly goes for us too - this riproarious comedy depends on these two friends, one-Coogan- a womanizing, not entirely unattractive in that Englishman with long hair and awkward speech, struggling to find that one break out acting role that will bring his career to new heights and his funnyman friend Rob (Brydon) who's pleasantly content with his young wife and baby at home and his positively expert impersonations, the likes of which include Al Pacino, Michael Caine, Billy Connelly, and Hugh Grant.

And the impersonations - let me just say, these are what make the film. As we follow these two on their journey (true, there is a bit of a more serious underlying story of Coogan trying to find meaning in his life), but it is the constant dueling of two that will start you and keep you rolling in the aisles. My favorites including the battle"this is how Michael Caine speaks" wherein each believes his impression reigns supreme (and it is truely difficult to say which one best characterizes the famed British actor) and Brydon's "small man in a box" (if you have the time, check out these two segments posted on Youtube).

Overall, a light and enjoyable film that may end in you standing in front of the mirror making your own effort to impersonate the best of the best!

The Trip is recommended for those inclined for a good laugh and all lovers of food!

The BC Review Rating - B+

The BC Review: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Following our summertime trend this year, my husband and I ventured out on a random Monday evening to catch another light-hearted, distinctly summer-esque flick, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

As I am not a reader of graphic novels, I can't speak for the film's accuracy in terms of keeping close to the original story and/or depiction/illustration (for those of you who are, I'd love to hear your thoughts). But, I can say this - I thoroughly enjoyed this off-beat flick about a young man (Scott Pilgrim, played by Michael Cera) trying to find love and ultimately choosing self respect.

To accurately review this one, I feel it necessary to set the stage:

- First, you need to go into this one with a quirky sense of humor (think low-budget Indie flick, only without the low-budget aspect). The film is set in Toronto, but is in a video-game world. Quirkie, definitely quirkie. Complete with Super Mario Bros/Mortal Combat type images and sounds.

- Then you need to consider the crazy storyline and even crazier characters (keep an eye out for an absolutely diabolical Jason Schwartzman as Gideon).

- Finally, strap yourself in for one awesome ride!

As you can probably tell from the title, this one is about 22 year old Scott Pilgrim and his battles with "the world" which in reality range from playing in a "rock band", dating a 17 year old Catholic school girl, falling in love with a punk-styled Ramona, and then (and this is the kicker), battling Ramona's 7 evil exes (aka. ex-boyfriends and one ex-girlfriend) for not only the right to be with Ramona, but also the right to life!

Ramona Flowers (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is the alluring new girl in town with a positively punk attitude (and attire to match). First spotted in Scott's dream (yes, he sees her in his dreams before he ever sees her in real life), Ramona is instantly ingrained as the woman Scott is destined to be with. All he has to do is figure out A) how to meet her and B) how to get her to love him as much as he loves her. Of course, as with all love stories, this is not such an easy task. Ramona is nothing if not aloof.

For the sake of brevity (and not ruining the best parts of the film for you) I will say Scott ultimately "gets the girl". But much to his dismay upon discovering Ramona has a new man in her life these exes come seeking revenge. Scott is subsequently forced into fight to the death battles with these exes (don't worry, they don't come all at once, he of course has to fight each one individually, only succeeding in defeating them by discovering their weaknesses).

Of course, as I mentioned, this all takes place in a video-game type world so the "deaths" are not gruesome, but rather envision the hero defeating the evil villain in a Mortal Combat zone (think: when these guys fall they turn to coins).

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World comes recommended for fans of the Indie flick, and of course (due to his substantial role in the film), Michael Cera. Seriously, if you did not enjoy Arrested Development, Juno, or Superbad, might be best to leave this one alone.

New Feature: Watch the trailer!

The Bee Charmer Review Rating: B+

The BC Review: The Other Guys

As the summer is already beginning to show signs of winding down (can it really be August already?!), my husband and I find ourselves heading to the theatre as often as we can (before he heads back for his last year of law school). This past Friday night, along with some friends of ours, we made our way to the Courthouse AMC 8 and caught The Other Guys.

The Other Guys, starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, served up an uproarious funny "buddy cop" film.

Fans of Will Ferrell will be pleasantly pleased with his comedic contributions; as always, he delivers both classic and modern comedic timing, complete with some great quotes. As the bumbling Allen Gamble, Ferrell gives us exactly what we expect; the awkward coward, with surprisingly good instincts who somehow manages to save the day.

As my husband can attest, I am quite the Mark Wahlberg fan. Whether it be serious roles (catch him as Staff Sgt. Dignam in The Departed) or his recent comedic roles (equally as good in Date Night, I Heart Huckabees,and the seriously under rated, Rock Star). Wahlberg plays the straight dead-pan cop, Terry Hoitz; a counter to Ferrell's Gamble, with expert precision. Stuck in a less-than-exciting desk job (for shooting one of New York's beloved stars), Hoitz seeks the action of the streets and continuously exclaims "I'm a peacock, you gotta let me fly!" to anyone who will listen. Of course, much to his dismay, he is not only saddled with completing the paperwork for the force's star cops, P.K Highsmith and Christopher Danson (a seriously over-rated duo) Hoitz is stuck with a bumbling fool of a partner who is exstatic to lend his accounting skills to the dynamic duo.

In addition to Wahlberg and Ferrell, we are treated to welcome performances from the original "bad Ass" (with a capital "A") Samuel L. Jackson and Disney's latest action money-making machine, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (seriously, this guy is in everything right now). While watching these two, be prepared for one crazy (and obviously absurd, but not in a bad way) ride through the streets of NYC, followed by some super machismo office antics. The NYPD's super heros, Highsmith and Danson attempt to steal the spotlight from our true heros (but fortunately for us, they do not succeed).

The lovely and vivacious, Eva Mendes also lends a hand (and a sexy smile) to the flick. In a hilarious twist, Mendez puts on quite the show as Gamble's startlingly beautiful, and by all accounts, completely out of his league wife, Dr. Sheila Gamble. Wahlberg is his best while interacting with Ferrell and Mendez. Needless to say, Hoitz cannot keep his eyes off her all night long and remains in a state of complete shock over the good doctor's (obviously flawed?)choice in men.

Expect to be laughing pretty much throughout the entirety of this film. It is definitely one of the better comedies out there this summer.

The Other Guys is recommended for fans of the buddy cop comedy, the action thriller, and the comedic stylings of Will Ferrell.

The BC Review Rating: B+

The BC Review: Knight and Day

The latest expected Hollywood “blockbuster” helmed by Hollywood heavy-weight Tom Cruise and his unexpected female co-star, Cameron Diaz, though apparently failing to live up to its studio’s expectations, far succeeded in not only reaching, but surpassing this reviewer’s expectations.

Catching Knight and Day at our local AMC theatre this past Friday night, my husband and I were pleasantly surprised at the significant audience turn out (though certainly not to the scale of our Twilight Saga: Eclipse premier a couple weeks earlier) as well as our overall enjoyment of the film. Knight and Day gave us exactly what we wanted; a light-hearted, if not completely un-realistic, action thriller with a bit of comedic repartee between the two leads.

The story centers on the mysterious Roy Miller, a super-cool and always composed American secret agent. From the opening scenes, Roy is charming, drawing us in early as fans, willing him to succeed in his mission and ultimately "get the girl". Love him or hate him (I think many of us may fall in the latter category), Tom is undoubtedly perfect in a role like this (think back to his performance in Jerry Maguire). In films like these Tom is his best; simply playing his cocky, smooth, exceedingly over confident self. His portrayal of Roy is no different and is frankly perfect. Roy is everything we believe a secret agent should be: daring, sexy, a bit cocky, and always one step ahead of the bad guys.

Following poignantly bad publicity of late (recall Oprah’s couch jumping incident, assorted pro-Scientology sermons, and his latest flop as the Nazi turncoat in Valkryie) at this point it should surprise no-one, Cruise desperately needs this film to succeed. I’m not sure to what level he expects Knight and Day to revive his career, but it seems a good start.

Of course, as this is a Tom Cruise vehicle, I will not lie to you and tell you there were not several actions scenes involving motorcycles, planes, trains, and automobiles featuring death-defying stunts (in the truest sense of the phrase). But in the vain of his Mission Impossible movies (at least the first and second installments), we found ourselves delighting in every minute of it!

In all fairness, Cameron Diaz’s contributions should also be noted. As my husband can attest; a fan of Ms. Diaz’s I am not, surprisingly, she is able to hold her own in this flick. She gives a charming performance as June Havens, the, at first, unwilling participant in Roy’s assorted spy games. I will echo other movie review critics and say, Diaz is starting to show her age (and the obviously over-done spray tan in this flick is certainly not helping), but she still exudes natural beauty and does appear to be growing into herself more of late (I can say I actually enjoyed her in The Holiday and My Sister’s Keeper).

Akin to notable comedies like Wedding Crashers and American Pie, it is difficult to say what kind of staying power the film may have on its own if viewed in the comfort of one’s home (I find the success of comedies are often at the mercy of the live audience viewing experience). Therefore, this reviewer recommends making a trip to the theatre to catch this one in its full glory (if not for the $11.00 or $12.00 evening ticket, at least the $8.00 matinee price).

The film, Knight and Day, provides a fun-filled, action-packed, and comically-proficient summer film and is recommended for fans of both the Action and Romantic Comedy genre. Fans of Tom Cruise should also be pleased with his return to the big screen in a comfortable role.

The Bee Charmer Review Rating: B+

The BC Review: Valentine's Day

Despite being the subject of some utterly toxic critical reviews, the Garry Marshall directed, Romantic Comedy (RomCom), Valentine’s Day offers a delightful compilation of short vignettes depicting intertwining relationships in various stages. Although similar to the British Romantic Comedy, Love Actually (Valentine’s Day also goes for the built-in popular appeal utilizing a heavy star-laden cast), the film also shies away from the sugary sweet RomCom-style and shows a darker side of love and relationships.

Set on the day of all days for lovers, boyfriends and girlfriends, fiancées, husbands and wives, and in one case, a mother and her son, Valentine’s Day gives us an at times amusing (and at times depressing) story of individuals experiencing the Hallmark-created and singleton-shunned holiday.

In the first scene we are introduced to two young lovers, Reed Bennett (played by Ashton Kutcher) and Morely Clarkson (played by Jessica Biel). As the sun rises Reed excitedly hops out of bed and prepares himself for the biggest question he will pose to someone else in his life; “Will you marry me?” to his still sleeping fiancée. Fortunately for Reed, Morely graciously accepts. Soon after, Reed runs to his best friend Alphonso (played by a somewhat comedic, George Lopez) to proclaim his joy. Much to his (and our) dismay, Alphonso appears surprised upon learning of Morely’s acceptance (this then becomes a recurring theme throughout the film).

Fast forward to another couple, we see two people sharing a shoulder and an armrest on a plane. It is not long before we learn the man is Holden (played by Bradley Cooper), a well-dressed and charismatic sulking soul suffering the remnants of a broken affair and the woman (expertly using his shoulder as a pillow) is Kate Hazeltine (played by Julia Roberts) a soldier making a 14-hour trip home to see someone very special for Valentine’s Day .

A third couple gives us two young people in the midst of no-less-than two-week old relationship. Liz (played by Anne Hathaway) and Jason (played by Topher Grace) demonstrate the utter awkwardness of celebrating a holiday built around the public expression of love. Additionally, of course, as this is a romantic comedy, there is something peculiar (and quite funny) about Liz. I won’t spoil that one for you – just suffice it to say, she is a struggling actress who utilizes her talent for impersonations in the evening hours.

For the sake of brevity, the three scenarios above are just the tip of the ice-burg. The film includes several more vignettes; each complete with its own unique twists and turns.

As I mentioned earlier, Valentine’s Day is jam-packed with stars, giving us no less than nineteen "A" Listers, including: Julia Roberts, Patrick Dempsey, Shirley MacLaine, Bradley Cooper, Topher Grace, Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Kathy Bates, Ashton Kutcher, Emma Roberts, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Eric Dane, Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner, Jamie Foxx, George Lopez, Hector Elizondo, and Queen Latifah.

Reviewer’s Note: Keep an eye out for the impressive comedic performance of Country singer/songwriter, Taylor Swift. The novice actress gives quite a performance as a giddy love-sick teenager fawning over real-life teen heartthrob Taylor Lautner (Twilight Saga’s Jacob).

Valentine’s Day is not for the faint of heart (as the film depicts, not all love stories are meant to be), but is recommended for fans of compilation films (i.e. Coffee and Cigarettes, Love Actually) and the romantic comedy.

The Bee Charmer Review Rating: B

The BC Review: City Island

With all of the supposedly (at least marketed to be) Hollywood blockbusters making their way to the theatre during the summer season it's often difficult to find a shining "diamond in the rough". That is to say, the smaller Indie jewels unfortunately tend to fall by the wayside. One such flick is the recently released comedy, City Island. My husband and I had a chance to see this one over the weekend and we were beyond pleasantly surprised!

Starring Andy Garcia as Vince Rizzo, a City Island (for those of you not as familiar with New York City like me, City Island is a small historic fishing village in the Bronx) corrections officer with a secret dream he desperately (and ultimately fails) to hide from his wife and two kids.

Born and raised on City Island (which means he is a bonefide "clam digger"), Vince seeks a life away from the small-town expectations and difficult work of prison guard. His real dream? To become an actor in the likeness of his hero; Marlin Brando. Not wanting to embarrass himself, he uses the guise of evening "poker games" as a cover for his real activities; acting classes. Of course, as the old adage goes, "What a Tangled Web We Weave When First We Practice to Deceive"!

Vince Rizzo's wife, Joyce (expertly played by Julianna Margulies) also has a few secrets to hide; most notably, her addiction to cigarettes (a running theme throwout the film that all four Rizzos share) and her lust for young mysterious house guest tasked to build a bathroom in a shed next to the house. Joyce is the cement that holds the family together, she is rough and tumble with uncharacteristically straight hair, well-worn jeans, and a grating New York accent. But inside her tough exterior, she is vulnerable. As the film continues, her insecurities soon get the better of her and she falls prey to her own unfounded suspicions that Vince's "poker game" is just another word for "affair".

The Rizzo's two kids are also included in the tangled family web, as they too play charades in an attempt to keep their private lives (and in one case; hidden obsession) far from the knowledge of their parents.

Vince's teenage son, Vince Jr. (played by Royal Pains' Ezra Miller), forgoes the usual angsty teenager with a quick wit and biting tongue routine and instead plays a still quick-witted, yet surprisingly humorous, teen with a passion for women. Of course, as this is Indie, Vince Jr.'s love for women is not just any ordinary love, it is a love for the Full-Figured-Woman. One of whom happens to reside next door, runs a 24-hour web cam, and has a passion for baking.

Not to be left out, Vince Jr.'s sister, Vivian Rizzo also has a few secrets to hide. Most notably, her new career; dancing at a club in the city appropriately named, the Hell Cat. Of course, this wouldn't be such a big deal if it wasn't for what she was supposed to be doing; going to college. And one notable piece of trivia, Vince's daughter, Vivian Rizzo, is played by Dominik Garcia-Lorido; Andy Garcia's real-life daughter. In her case the apple certainly did not fall far from the tree!

Finally, we come to one of the most interesting characters in the film; Tony Nardella (played by Steven Strait). At the start of the film, Tony is in lock down in City Island's prison. After a brief and mysterious encounter with a well-intentioned corrections officer, Tony is brought to the outside and tasked to construct a bathroom in an unfinished shed. Of course, he too is not without a few secrets (although he does not yet know what they are) and plays a key role in bringing the whole charade crashing down.

This review would be remiss without the mention of Alan Arkin as Vince's tough, grating, acting coach. In my book, the addition of Alan Arkin to any film almost always spells success (Little Miss Sunshine, America's Sweethearts, and of course, So I Married An Axe Murderer).

Don't be surprised to find yourself laughing out loud at the priceless comedic scenes in this one. Andy Garcia leads the talented cast, expertly adopting the lovable "every man" character and winning our undying adoration.

City Island is highly recommended for fans of the Indie comedy and those looking for something with a bit more substance than the average DC Comics summer blockbuster remake/Tom Cruise action-romantic comedy.

The Bee Charmer Review Rating: A

The BC Review: Killers

Fresh off of our good experience catching Get Him to the Greek, my husband and I set out to see another comedy. This time changing it up a bit, and catching the Katherine Heigl -Ashton Kutcher Romantic Comedy (RomCom), Killers.

Of course, as you can probably discern from its off-beat title, Killers, is a bit of a unique RomCom. It’s somewhat shocking, and includes what I believe is supposed to be, funny violence (thus, contributing to this characterization). However, it fails to break away from the mold completely, clearly utilizing the basic RomCom plot line, Boy Meets Girlà Boy Marries Girlà Boy and Girl Argue/Have Disagreementsà Boy and Girl Make-UpàBoy and Girl Live Happily Ever After.

The film opens with Katherine Heigl playing Jen, an attractive blond and the victim of a recent dumping on vacation in the south of France with her parents, Mr. Kornfeldt (played by Tom Selleck) and Mrs. Kornfeldt (played by Catherine O’Hara). Struggling to convince herself that she not a romantic dud, Jen tries to make the best of her situation.

Fast forward to five more minutes into the film and Jen (and we!) are introduced to a shirtless, bathing suit clad, Spencer Aimes (played by Ashton Kutcher) with a secret to hide.

Of course, as this is a RomCom, it is not long before the wooing is in full swing and Jen finds she is head over heels for Spencer. Fortunately for us, the director considerately employs a time-flashing-forward-mechanism and we do not have to sit through several minutes of witnessing various scenes depicting their wedding/ marriage. Rather we are transported to three years in the future, with Jen and Spencer living what appears to be a quiet suburban life.

Unfortunately, this relative domestic bliss is short-lived. Spencer’s sorted past as an employee of the “Blah Blah Blah” who gave him a license to “Blah,” comes spiraling back, resulting in a harsh reality check for Jen and some pretty shocking scenes for us. In an effort to keep the details of the film a surprise, I will cease to divulge any additional specific details, but be forewarned, the film’s title is not without meaning or consequence.

Killers is the latest Heigl-helmed RomCom in recent weeks/months (years?), following a line of hits to include: The Ugly Truth, 27 Dresses, and Knocked Up, and has 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (yes, you counted correctly) films currently in production. Formerly Izzie Stevens on Grey’s Anatomy Heigl’s attained a substantial fan-base so her rise to movie stardom is not surprising, I just hope she does not go the route of those before her (i.e. Jennifer Aniston) and is quickly type-cast as the Romantic Comedy leading lady of choice for the next 10 years.

The additions of Tom Selleck and Catherine O’Hara to the cast are welcome. Selleck is reminiscent of his recent recurring television role as Monica’s boyfriend on Friends, giving us what we expect; a hyper-masculine, attractive older man with an impressive mustache.

Catherine O’Hara, playing Jen’s alcoholic mom, is arguably the best actress in the flick as she truly demonstrates what real comedic timing and characterization is. If you’re not familiar with her work, this reviewer highly recommends catching Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, Home Alone (although not as funny in that), and Away We Go.

Killers is an OK Romantic Comedy, but could stand some considerable improvement in character development and dialogue (a Quentin Tarantino flick this is not). Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher make a good team in this film genre, but they fail to provide Oscar-winning performances.

The Bee Charmer Review Rating: C+

The BC Review: Get Him to the Greek

Last weekend my husband and I decided to take a brief vacation and make our first summer of 2010 trip to the beach. To mix things up a bit, we rode the 4 hours or so down to Virginia Beach and spent two nights at a beachfront Quality Inn. After a long day of pool, sand, and ocean, and joined by some friends of ours, we took a break from the heat Saturday night and treated ourselves to the air-conditioned facilities of the movieplex. On tap for the evening, an uproarious comedy based on characters penned by How I Met Your Mother/Forgetting Sarah Marshall’s, Jason Segal; Get Him to the Greek.

For those of you who are Jason Segal fans, or for that matter, Jonah Hill fans (Seth of Superbad fame, co-starring in Get Him to the Greek), Get Him to the Greek does not disappoint.

Get Him to the Greek stars the comedic brilliance of Russell Brand (who in this reviewer’s opinion, certainly seems to be giving his predecessor and comedic rival, Sacha Baron Cohen a run for his money these days) as the over-indulgent, but not entirely un-sympathetic, bona fide British rock star Aldus Snow. Fans of Forgetting Sarah Marshall will fondly remember Russell Brand’s characterization of an overindulgent, crass, and for all intents and purposes, drugged out rock star (not to mention front man of legendary rock group, Infant Sorrow), Aldus Snow.

Unlike his part in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Brand plays a central role in this pseudo-spin off and gives the viewer what they really want to see; MORE Aldus! Just watching this guy fumble around on screen adorned with seriously tight jeans, a tall, yet not entirely gangly frame, not without the customary rock star bling in all shapes and sizes, and strikingly beautiful curled locks, as he dominates the stage and all those who cross his path, we find ourselves desiring a show at the biggest local arena starring Aldus along with other legendary rock greats like Mick Jagger, Steven Tyler, and Robert Plant. Of course, as we feel our shoes slightly sticking to the ground and hear the faint tick-tick-tick sounds of the person next to us texting, we are sadly reminded that Aldus is a fictional character, limited to gracing our presence on screen only.

Jonah Hill expertly plays his role as the socially awkward, yet love able Aaron Green, a young man struggling to make it in the intensely competitive music business. Fortunately for the viewer, this is a familiar role for Hill (likewise roles in similar comedies like Superbad, Funny People, Knocked Up, and Accepted).

Struggling to renew his sense of adventure and challenged by his demanding boss (P Diddy), Green develops a genius idea to bring Aldus Snow back to the Greek Theater for an anniversary concert. Once given the go-ahead, Green sets off across the globe for a hilarious 3-day venture with 3 goals:

1. Find Aldus Snow;

2. Get him sober enough to play and make a litany of press appearances, not the least of which includes a visit to the Today Show;

3. And finally, GET HIM TO THE GREEK!

Of course, Aldus the self-proclaimed rock star, is not without his alcohol and drug addictions. From the moment Aaron Green shows up in his London flat, he is dead set on showing Green the time of his life (and indeed, succeeds).

Complimenting the comedic performances of Brand and Hill, we are also treated to some interesting cameos. To name a few, Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, Meredith Vieira, Lars Ulrich, P!NK, Mario Lopez, Kristen Bell, Rick Schroder, and Christina Aguilera. Of note, Kristen Bell, with the addition of Rick Schroder, reprises her role as the television star vixen, Sarah Marshall (albeit for a brief moment). Perhaps a sequel starring Sarah Marshall is at bat next?

This reviewer is looking forward to additional films created, written, and starring, the new buddy-comedy/Bromance all stars troop, set to take over from the former “Comedy All - Stars” (Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Vince Vaughn).

Get Him to the Greek comes recommended for fans of the rising buddy-comedy star troop/makers of Knocked Up, Suberbad, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but is not recommended for those easily offended.

The Bee Charmer Review Rating: B+

The BC Review: MacGruber

As I was chatting with my friend Kara last Friday afternoon, she mentioned she and her fiancee were planning to grab dinner and catch the latest in the growing line of Saturday Night Live (SNL) parody skits-turned-feature-film-adaptations; MacGruber. Admittedly quite aware of the expected repercussions of a flick like this, I quickly disavowed all knowledge and reason and happily agreed (I knew my husband would be thrilled at the invitation and the chance to see it as we'd both admittedly enjoying the brief trailers we'd seen in the theatres over the course of several weeks).

For those of you who do not pride (?) yourselves on being SNL fans, I will just say that of all of the original skits (and characters) SNL has created (Superstar, the Ladies Man, Night at the Roxbury, the Blues Brothers, and Waynes World 1 and 2, to name a few), MacGruber ranks up there as one of the decidedly better adaptations. Will Forte's, what we will classify as "interpretation," of the 80's genius-problem-solving-creative-with-any-everyday-tool-or-device "MacGyver" is actually quite funny and lends itself to some serious belly-laughs.

Based on the 80's successful television program of a similar name, MacGruber tells the story of an American hero who has earned the rank of Green Beret, Navy SEAL, and Army Ranger, 16 purple hearts, 3 Congressional Medals of Honor, and 7 presidential medals of bravery, who comes out (following the horrendously violent, blood-spattered, death of his fiancee) to face his sworn enemy and life-long nemesis, Deiter Von Cunth (yes, you read that correctly) expertly played by Val Kilmer (who, as my husband pointed out, after going what can be classified as certifiably insane, moving his family out to the sticks and taking them completely off the grid, is apparently making a come back in his career).

In the aftermath of his fiancee's death, we find MacGruber much changed, sporting long hair and what looks to be Buddhist monk attire. Ten years since the dreadful events of his wedding day, he has sworn off violence and espouses a commitment to pacifism. However, this is short-lived. Upon hearing Von Cunth has attained a deadly nuclear weapon and is henceforth threatening to destroy the earth (or at least a big city or a lot of people), MacGruber buoyantly bounces back, cuts his hair, throws on his favorite vest, flannel shirt, and trusty watch, and joins with the expert stylings of Lt. Dixon Piper (another surprise casting role, played by Ryan Phillippe) and Vicki St. Elmo (played by Kristen Wiig).

Of course, as this is clearly a farce our hero proceeds to make mistake, after mistake, after frustratingly hilarious, mistake. As the film progresses we see his efforts to fashion a grenade out of a few household items continuously disappoint, leaving Lt. Dixon Piper with no choice but to use his (as MacGruber deems) "barbaric" guns to take down the assorted goons fighting with Von Cunth.

Will Forte does a great job portraying MacGruber, by all accounts a complete bumbling idiot who takes himself extremely seriously. His characterization is reminiscent of someone envisioned by a former SNL cast member, Will Ferrell (think Ron Jeremy in Anchor Man: The Legend of Ron Burgundy). Only time will tell if his career leads to similar commercial success, but from the looks of his resume he is presently working on two more feature films, played the role of Paul on Tina Fey's (another SNL alumna) 30 Rock, and has joined forces with Ferrel already on his website, Funny or Die.

Aside from MacGruber's absurd actions, the best elements of the film center on the assorted 80's paraphernalia, trends, fads, hair styles (check out Vicki St. Elmo's feathered style), and fashion. The worst (if you can classify them as such) are the truly, ridiculously, bloody/violent scenes of explosions, burn victims, and ultimately, death as well as the more crass humor ("potty" humor and the like). MacGruber is not for the faint of heart (or the easily offended).

Ryan Phillippe as Lt. Dixon Piper is an odd choice for this role (recent roles include Flags of Our Fathers, Crash, and Stop-Loss), but he seems to make it work and we get to see a side we normally do not see of him; a comedic one. He deftly plays the role straight; not wavering in his portrayal of a "serious" military soldier, but we cannot help but find his reactions and eventual acceptance of MacGruber's absurdity both endearing and laugh-out-loud funny.

Kristen Wiig, as Vicki St. Elmo also brings a bit of talent to the film. Similar to MacGruber, Vicki St. Elmo also reminds this reviewer of a character in Will Ferrell's farce; Anchorman, female reporter Veronic Corningstone (it could definitely be the feathered hair and pantsuits!). Another SNL cast member and a relative newcomer to the big screen, Wiig is starting to gather some notice, recently appearing in the previously review Date Night and lending her voice to the upcoming Steve Carell animated feature, Despicable Me.

Those looking for a laugh (albeit a cheap one) should enjoy MacGruber, as will fans of the original MacGyver; though die hard fans of the latter may be better off skipping this one and sitting home watching DVDs of the original in the comfort of their own homes.

The Bee Charmer Review Rating: C+

The BC Review: Date Night

So far this summer my husband and I have started a bit of a tradition - Tuesday night "Date Night" outings to the cinema! In the past couple of weeks I've let him pick the flick (I figure he does enough when I ask him to sit down and watch one of my decidedly "Indie" Netflix picks at home, he's entitled to pick some of the lighter summer fare).

This past week we made our date night a true date night, making our way to the Ballston Regal Theatre for an evening showing of (have you guessed yet?), Date Night (with Steve Carrell and Tina Fey)! As Romantic Comedies go, Date Night was quite enjoyable. Tina and Steve took us on a wildly uproarious ride as their characters, Phil and Claire Foster, attempted to spice up their happy, albeit, somewhat boring, average "Date Night".

The opening scene presents Mr. and Mrs. Foster in bed with the clock flashing an early hour on the night stand, their morning slumber soon-to-be interrupted by the running, jumping, and subsequently, landing of a child on Claire's shoulder followed by the cruel ripping off of Phil's anti-snoring "breathe E-Z" nose strip. This is our welcome to a day in the life of Mr. and Mrs. Foster, a New Jersey couple with young children living in a quaint suburban home outside of New York City.

After learning of the impending divorce of one their closest couple-friends, the Fosters decide to shake things up a bit, and well, prove to themselves (and each other) that their marriage is anything but dead. Seeking a high class "night out on the town" Mr. Foster drives them to a famed restaurant aptly titled "Claw" - the sort of place where the staff act as if everyone is at a party and the restaurant guests were not invited. Despite the pretentious host who ensures them in short order they did not make it in time to actually get a table and should expect to wait patiently at the bar all night; the Fosters decide to make their own luck, quickly grabbing a table really reserved for a "Mr. and Mrs. Trippelhorn" (who, as luck would have it, fail to show up). Upon sitting down and enjoying an apparently delicious entree, two goons (and yes, we would certainly classify them as such), arrive at "Mr. and Mrs. Tripplehorn's" table to inform them that they must leave immediately and step outside into the nefarious alley behind the restaurant. Of course, thinking this is nothing more than a slap on the wrist for stealing someone else's table reservation, they agree to do so.

Standing vulnerable in the alley, the "Tripplehorns" are corrected and informed as to the real reason they are out there - they have apparently stolen from Joe Miletto (played by none-other-than Ray Liotta), a notorious mobster. At this point, the film takes off and we proceed to go along for a hilarious ride as Claire and Phil Foster stumble onto the misgivings of the city's District Attorney, Frank Crenshaw (played by William Fichtner) and the city's seedy underworld.

Carell gives us what we expect; the sometimes bumbling, but always good-intentioned, caricature of a suburban guy trying to look cool, but constantly falling victim to his own cluelessness (recall similar characters in Get Smart and of course, the famed Michael Scott of The Office). But, no matter how many gaffs he makes, we find him endearing and secretly hope he can manage to get out of his own way long enough to do to the right thing and have it actually work out.

Fey is equally enjoyable as Claire Foster. Although even slightly less "cool" than her husband (she is absolutely clueless when it comes to any kind of technology and refers to a flash drive as "that little stick thingy we use at work"), she eventually succeeds in understanding the full scope of the plot they've found themselves mixed up in.

Liotta, quite rightly so, plays the notorious gangster. Since the start of this reviewer's awareness of him (as his ingenious portrayal of Henry Hill in Goodfellas), Liotta is often a welcome addition to any cast of characters (if you've not seen Corrina, Corrina, you are missing out on one of his best), especially, of late, as he delved into the comedic/family-friendly arena with such roles as Jack in Wild Hogs. His role as Joe Miletto is equally good, however, this reviewer would have liked a bit more on-screen time.

Among the great performances of Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, and Ray Liotta, we are treated to the stylings of an exceedingly hunky Mark Walberg, as Holbrooke Grant, a former client of Claire's who, conveniently, happens to be a wealthy independent security consultant with a litany of spy-like toys and agrees to help the Fosters in their quest to find the real Tripplehorns and ultimately escape the city in one piece.

Date Night is recommended for fans of Steve Carrell and Tina Fey and those looking for an enjoyable low-key "Date Night" flick.

The BC Review Rating: B

The BC Review: She's Out of My League

As a wonderful surprise last Tuesday night, my husband took me out to the movies! For a change, I decided to let him pick the flick. Not surprisingly, he went with a bit of a lighter fare than I'm usually inclined to choose myself.

She's Out of My League, although certainly far from ever achieving the coveted Oscar nod, turned out to be a mildly amusing romantic comedy. The age-old, boy-meets-girl story gained a bit of a twist as the male lead, Kirk, played by Jay Baruchel, presented the down-trotten story of a mid-30s guy stuck in a dead-end job at a Pittsburg airport desperately trying to win back his, by-all-accounts, trashy, ex-girlfriend Marnie (played by Lindsay Sloane), when he suddenly meets the girl of his dreams, beautiful, viviacious, too-good-to-be true - Molly (played by Alice Eve).

Surrounded by his somewhat idiotic friends (who in the end turn out to be his saving grace), we watch as Kirk fumbles through awkard pseudo-dates with Molly; all the while questioning why anyone like Molly would be with a guy like him. After a fair amount of time/dates the two become an item; much to the chagrin of Molly's family and much to the shock of Kirk's less-than-supportive extended family (which humurously includes his ex and her polo-shirt-attired boyfriend Ron).

Throughout the ensuing scenes, we watch helplessly as Kirk struggles against his own self-loathing to see what Molly sees in him; a kind, if yet, "safe", sensitive romantic.

Some viewers may recognize Baruchel from previous films to include small roles in Tropic Thunder and Knocked Up. But my favorite harkens back to his Zeppelin-obsessed "band aid" character, Vic Munoz, the Zeppelin fan, in Almost Famous. Although older, and certainly more mature, Baruchel holds tight to his slight, nerdish frame; expertly playing the Anthony Michael Hall "we really wish he gets the girl!"-created pursuer.

Lastly, this review would be remiss without the mention of Kirk's BBF, Stainer, (played by T.J. Miller). A quick glance at his stats indicates Miller is a relative newcomer on the scene, but in this movie-goers opinion, his physical appearance and comedic "buddy comedy/bromance" timing, places him on the path of the Kevin James, Will Ferrells, and Jason Segels of the world. (I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more Miller roles in the future).

She's Out of My League comes recommended for those looking for a light-fare "date night" flick. For those looking for substance, our advice... keep looking.

The Bee Charmer Rating: C+

The BC Review: Zombieland

At the risk of being ordinary, I've decided to expand my reviews to both currently in-the-theater films and those on DVD. The primary reason for this is there are a ton of wonderful films that do not get the exposure they rightfully deserve. Therefore, I've made it my goal to give them just that; exposure! These posts may vary, highlighting films recently released on DVD and those that have been out for some weeks, months, or even, years. And for those of you with Netflix, seeing these little gems is an inexpensive venture!

So, enough rationale, my first DVD review is below. I hope you enjoy!

When I first heard about Zombieland when it was released in the theaters some months ago I was not enthused to run right out and spend my $11.00 on a movie ticket. I mean, really, with all of the great dramas out there, what would possibly compell me to see a zombie-bashing flick?

So... I waited. I figured if my husband and I had some friends over on a Saturday night and they wanted to see a riduculous action flick then I'd just put it on the Netflix queue. In reality, things didn't happen in that exact order, but I did end up watching it one evening while my husband and his friends were studying in the apartment.

Much to my surpise I LOVED it! And at times, found myself having trouble stifling my outbursts of laughter. From the opening scenes, as told by Columbus (played by Adventureland's Jesse Eisenberg), narrating his key "rules to surviving Zombieland" (to name a few: cardio, the double shot, and beware/cautious of using public restrooms!) I knew, indeed, I was in for a raucous good time in Zombieland.

Surviving in the crazed Zombie-infested United States, now known to those who have actually managed NOT to become murderous Zombies, as Zombieland, we find an assorted cast of characters. The first of which, Columbus, a nerdy-bumbling college student, tells of his heartache surrounding the events of a few weeks prior. The love-of-his life, his attractive next-door co-ed, comes knocking on his door complaining a homeless man tried to bite her, much to Columbus's dismay, turns into - you guessed it - a flesh eating Zombie who in turn tries to take a bloody thirsty chunk out of him!

The second, Tallahasse, (played by a hilarious Woody Harrelson)gives us a refuse-to-quit cowboy character who much in the vein of Robert DeNiro in Goodfellas, enjoys his craft - killing Zombies in the most brutal of fashions. Harrelson's portrayal of Tallahasse is reminiscent of his role in No Country for Old Men, yet with a twist of comedic genius. Indeed, Harrelson steals the show here.

Adding to the mayhem, Tallahasse and Columbus arrive at a Zombie-destroyed grocery store, to find two more survivors - sisters by the names of Little Rock and Wichita -(played by Abigail Breslin of Little Miss Sunshine fame and the coolest girl in school, Jules, of Superbad, Emma Stone). Breslin gives a descent performance as Little Rock, although she's still a bit rough around the edges, at times playing the character a little too serious (this is a Zombie flick afterall!). But, she's definitely growing her craft(as evidenced in her recent role in My Sister's Keeper). Emma Stone plays a role we are familiar with - the too cool, popular, attractive vixen with a touch of humility and a "I'm deeper than I appear" interior. Overall, a fitting role for her.

Much to the viewer's surprise, these sisters take Columbus and Tallahasse on a raucous, and at times, frustrating ride! In the end, an enjoyable cast of characters takes to the streets crushing Zombies wherever they pop up; in their quests to reach a favorite childhood amusement park.

Of course, this review would be remiss without the mention of Bill Murray's surprise cameo. Love him, or hate him (it's definitely a toss up!) Murray adds to the debauchery; playing himself as an inventive Zombieland survivor, until ultimately meeting his untimely demise at the hands of a bumbling Columbus.

Whether an avid fan of the Zombie film genre or a conventional movie-goer, Zombieland comes highly recommended for anyone looking to kick up their heels and go along for the ride!

The Bee Charmer rating: A