Very Bad Things (1998)

Starring: Jon Favreau, Cameron Diaz, Christian Slater
Director: Peter Berg

Thoughts On Very Bad Things

1. If it weren't for Zach Galifinakis, I would say in terms of Las Vegas bachelor party movies, Very Bad Things > The Hangover.
2. Kind of a train wreck, but a fun, dark train wreck!
3. Peter Berg has come a long way.
4. One of a few roles in which I actually enjoyed Cameron Diaz's work. She was indeed an acting highlight. Yes, I just called Cameron Diaz an acting highlight.
5. Daniel Stern needs to take more roles.

Rating: 7
Rating Breakdown
2 points - Jon Favreau
2 points - We miss you Christian Slater
3 points - Whatever else.

Grown Ups (2010)

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock
Director: Dennis Dugan

Thoughts On Grown Ups

1. No, Adam, No!
2. I feel like Adam Sandler did not want to make a movie, but wanted to make money and stay relevant. To do this, he just got all his friends to make a movie together.
3. It seems creativity stayed at a minimum.
4. Steve Buscemi and Norm Macdonald shined in their cameos. (As always)
5. Chris Rock will never be funny in a movie. Damn shame.
6. Kevin James can be a bigger star than Adam Sandler if he chooses. You heard it here first.
7. Watching David Spade is kind of sad.

Rating: 5
Rating Breakdown
3 points - Some laughs
2 points - NORM

Toy Story 3 (2010)

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack
Director: Lee Unkrich

Thoughts On Toy Story 3

1. Pixar is like that kid in high school who was the best player on the football team, and simultaneously always got better grades than you. Then, on top of that, you both played the same instrument, but he was a chair higher than you. To make matters even worse, this same guy saw The Sixth Sense a day before you and accidentally spoiled the twist ending yet you can't be mad at him because he's just overall a nice guy.
2. Toy Story 3 is just a continuation of the "Pixar can do no wrong" legacy. I want to hate Pixar for all their success, but their movies are just so friggin good.
3. I will say this 3rd installment is not as good as the first 2, but wow is it better than 99% of all 3rd installments.
4. I almost cried at the end. There, I said it.

Rating: 9
Rating Breakdown
9 points - Reach for the sky.

The Karate Kid (2010)

Starring: Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith, Taraji P. Henson
Director: Harald Zwart

Thoughts On The Karate Kid

1. Recipe For Disaster: Remake of a cheesy 80's film, director's follow-up to Pink Panther 2, unproven, inexperienced son of a movie star in the lead role.
2. Despite my Recipe For Disaster, The Karate Kid works on every level. I officially know nothing. FML.
3. I think Jaden Smith comes across as an unappreciative ass in person, but in the film he manages to hold his own. While not a blow-away performance, he never once distracts from the story.
4. Is Jackie Chan officially a box office draw in America? Most evidence says yes. Around The World In 80 Days says no.
5. I don't mean to overly praise this film or the actors. "It was what it was."

Rating: 6
Rating Breakdown
6 points - For whatever reason I feel like.

Splice (2010)

Starring: Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, Delphine Chaneac
Director: Vincenzo Natali

Thoughts On Splice

1. Interesting little sci-fi film in which I had to constantly remind myself that Adrien Brody won an Oscar.
2. Enthusiastically studies the human condition amidst a science fiction backdrop. Adrien Brody won an Oscar.
3. Despite a difficult character to get behind, I like Sarah Polley. Adrien Brody won an Oscar.
4. Buy a ticket for the premise, stay for the scene stealers. Adrien Brody won an Oscar.

Rating: 7
Rating Breakdown
5 points - genre bending goodness
2 points - Adrien Brody won an Oscar

Shooter (2007)

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Danny Glover, Ned Beatty
Director: Antoine Fuqua

Thoughts On Shooter

1. Decent film, decent, action, decent suspense. Not the worst way to spend 2 hours.
2. Shooter utilizes Mark Wahlberg's best strength: not emoting.
3. CAASSSEEYYY JONNNESSS!

Rating: 6
Rating Breakdown
6 points - Hey, Bogey... who died and made you referee? You did your job, now get out of here and let me do mine, all right? These JV low lifes need to be taught a lesson

Marmaduke (2010)

Starring: Owen Wilson, George Lopez, Fergie
Director: Tom Dey

Thoughts On Marmaduke

1. Apparently I love watching kid films.
2. Even as a kid film, this one was rather poor.
3. My 5 year old siblings liked it, so what do I know?
4. McLovin and Jules in the same flick again! What's a boy to do?

Rating: 5
Rating Breakdown
5 points - Despite my dislike of Marmaduke, the kids loved it and that's all that matters.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)

Starring: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer
Director: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath

Thoughts On Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

1. Kids' movie that does not transcend the genre but entertains nevertheless.

Rating: 6
Rating Breakdown
4 points - Do it for the kids
2 points - Andy Richter

The Messenger (2009)

Starring: Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton
Director: Oren Moverman

Thoughts On The Messenger

1. holyshitwowmywordthemessengerisamazing
   
2. I will say this for the 4,000th time: Ben Foster is the most underrated actor working right now. I dare say one of the most underrated actors of all time. How this man was not nominated for an Oscar is appalling. How this man was not nominated for an Emmy for his work in "Flash Forward" makes more sense.
3. As much as I thought Ben Foster had the stronger performance, Woody Harrelson's accolades were well deserved.
4. Samantha Morton is brilliant as always.
5. Definitely do not see this movie if you need a pick-me up

Rating: 9
9 points - I wanted to give this film a 10 oh so badly. Just didn't have that truly timeless vibe.

Get Him To The Greek (2010)

Starring: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Elisabeth Moss
Director: Nicholas Stoller

Thoughts On Get Him To The Greek

1. Funny, funny, funny, funny.
2. Mike wonders if Russell Brand will truly have a successful US film career or is he a one-trick pony.
3. Michael acts as if a one-trick pony can not make it in American film. Michael forgot about Michael Cera, Sean William Scott, Paul Rudd and many others.
4. Mike's Note: I act as if I don't actually like Michael Cera, Sean William Scott and Paul Rudd.
5. Puff Daddy was actually very funny beyond a "Oh hey look it's Puff Daddy poking fun at himself" kind of way.
6. I can't tell whether I am attracted to Elisabeth Moss or not. I might be.

Rating: 8
Rating Breakdown
10 points - Jonah Hill movies generally get free rides from me.
-2 points - Dear Nicholas Stoller, Please follow the Woody Allen rule and keep comedies at 90 minutes. Thanks. Love, Mike

The Slammin' Salmon (2009)

Starring: Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme
Director: Kevin Heffernan

5 Thoughts On The Slammin' Salmon

1. Criminally underwatched Broken Lizard offering.
2. As someone who was not a die-hard Super Troopers or Beerfest fan. I would put this film on par.
3. Michael Clarke Duncan holds his own with a talented comedic ensemble.
4. Cobie Smulders, I heart you.
   
5. Lots of problems with plot development and predictable turns. Who cares? The movie is funny.

Rating: 7
Rating Breakdown
3 points - Bringing the funny
1 point - wedding flashback
1 point - MCD
2 points - Scherbatsky!

Letters To Juliet (2010)

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Chris Egan, Vanessa Redgrave
Director: Gary Winick

4 Thoughts On Letters To Juliet

1. We were both young when I first saw you
2. I close my eyes and the flashback starts
3. I'm standing there
4. On a balcony in summer air

Rating: 5
Rating Breakdown
3 points - You were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles
2 points - And my daddy said stay away from Juliet

Sex And The City 2 (2010)

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis
Director: Michael Patrick King

2 Thoughts On Sex And The City 2

1. Michael will not be commenting on this fim until he completes his viewing of the "Sex And The City" complete series.
2. Come back soon!