Role Models

Danny and Wheeler were just sentenced to 150 hours mentoring kids. Worst idea ever.

Expected a lot, got a little…

Yes, this is how I would sum up the latest box office hit Role Models. Quite frankly I cannot understand why Role Models is getting such great ratings and reviews on both IMDb.com and rottentomatoes.com, 7.9 and 76% respectively.

Plot: Wheeler (Sean William Scott) and Danny (Paul Rudd – first time in a leading role) are sentenced to 150 hours of community service to avoid jail for a destructive traffic dispute. Their assignment – be a big brother for two odd-ball kids – Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse of Superbad) – a nerd with a fascination for medieval role play, and a foul mouthed hellrazor Ronnie (Bobb'e J. Thompson) – replica of the 7-year-old Latarian Milton who "likes to do bad things". But after their first day with the kids, jail does not look half bad...

But for me, the film was a stereotypical, clichéish, and predictable raunchy comedy that wasn’t all that original or funny. After the first half (which had quite a few raunchy but clever laugh-out-loud jokes) the film became flat out clichéish trying to deliver a message – don’t be afraid to be who you are. Point taken. I will not be afraid to be who I am – an aspiring film critic – and I will not be afraid nor ashamed to give this film a below average rating.

* * (two out of five) -- Much overrated and falls short from comparable predecessors such as Knocked up, the 40-year-old Virgin, and Superbad.


V.

Enjoyed Role Models? Viira recommends: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Superbad, and the YouTube clip "Latarian Milton".


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Two of a kind...

Ironman & The Incredible Hulk – recession proof entertainment.

After watching both films on Blu-ray high def, I must say that they’re both equally enjoyable and very entertaining! Great action sequences, magnificent CGI, and (surprisingly) very good acting on both Edward Norton’s and Robert Downey Jr’s part. It will only get better from here on and I cannot wait till the next one (which is rumored to be either Captain America or Thor) comes out…

* * *

* * * (three out of five) – fun and entertaining. Something worth seeing if you want to take a time out from this financial gloom and economic downfall.

V.

Enjoyed Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk? Viira recommends: Transformers, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight.


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The Lookout

Whoever Has the Money Has the Power

Plot: Chris Pratt (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a once promising hotshot high school hockey player whose life is tragically altered after a devastating car wreck, gets caught up in a small town bank heist...and the heist goes terribly awry.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt who is known for his roles in teen flicks such as 10 Things I Hate About You and the TV comedy sitcom 3rd Rock proves that he is actually a really good actor (I was debating whether I should use the adjective “great” here, but decided not to). His role as Chris Pratt, a young man who is trying to cope with life while suffering from serious head injury, is so convincing and sad, that I was surprised that he did not get nominated for any (major) awards for it.

I rented The Lookout expecting a teen crime drama along the lines of Alpha Dog (which actually wasn't half bad), but to my surprise The Lookout turned out to be a very deep character driven drama. And truthfully it was probably one of the few films I’ve seen in a great while that actually really (emotionally) moved me.


* * * * (four out of five) - If you're into indie films then this one is definitely worth watching!!

V.

Enjoyed The Lookout? Viira recommends: Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, Alpha Dog.

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