Author: crunchonthis

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Happy Feet Two

Happy Feet Two

Starring the voices of Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Pink, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon
Directed by George Miller (Mad Max)
Rated PG for some rude humor and mild peril

    Taking place a generation after the events of the first film, Happy Feet Two follows the lives Mumble, Gloria and their new son Erik.  Under pressure from his parents to either dance or sing, Erik is confused as to what his talent really is and searches throughout the film to find it.  When global warming causes the colony of penguins to become trapped by mountains of ice, Mumble must find a way to rescue them before they starve to death.

    When Happy Feet hit theaters in 2006 I was shocked at how much I loved it.  I expected a mediocre to bad experience and was treated to one of my favorite films of that year.  The music was fantastic, the animation was gorgeous and the direction was inspired.  So armed with a bigger budget and five years worth of animation advancement, I figured the sequel could have real potential.  With expectations high, its sometimes hard to live up to them, and in this case they definitely weren’t lived up to.

    I’ll start off by admitting that they didn’t screw it all up.  This one, just like the first, has a unique look to it that is simply beautiful.  What could have been just a black and white film is full of vibrant colors that leap off the screen.  And George Miller has an eye for animation direction that I believe is unrivaled in the industry.  How to Train Your Dragon came close in regard to direction, but you could tell that there was a lot of inspiration from Miller.  That being said, his story telling here isn’t nearly as good thanks to an unimaginative script that steals heavily from Disney’s Dinosaur.

    To make matters worse, the music here is just plain flat.  There is an occasional laugh from a clever lyric such as “I’m Bringing Slushy Back,” but overall the music sounds like the B-sides from the first film.

    The big saving grace for the pic lies in the introduction of Will and Bill the Krill voiced by Brad Pitt and Matt Damon.  Leaving their swarm, they attempt to fight their way up the food chain at any cost.  Their dialogue is incredibly witty and their antics are extremely fun to watch.  They are most definitely the high point of the film.    

    Five years ago I had an image in my mind of what the first Happy Feet would be like before I saw it, and that image was the sequel.  B- 

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New in Home Entertainment – November 29, 2011

New in Home Entertainment

November 29, 2011

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
Rated R for bloody horror violence, language and brief nudity
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Tucker and Dale are just two nice-as-can-be country boys who are excited to be staying in their new vacation home/cabin in the woods when a group of teenagers mistake them for serial killers.  Comically, the teens find innovative ways of accidentally killing themselves as they try to take out poor Tucker and Dale.  Sure its a one-joke movie, but its a really funny joke that is told really, really well.  Tyler Labine (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) and Alan Tudyk (Serenity) are each very talented character actors who provide strong enough performances to make what could have been a bad B-movie a respectable little indie comedy.  B+

Rushmore: The Criterion Collection
Rated R for language and brief nudity
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
It is with great joy that Rushmore has finally made the blu-ray plunge in grand fashion with this new Criterion edition.  For the longest time, whenever I’ve pulled this title out to watch, I’ve had to suffer from lousy quality with a full black box around the picture and horrible sound.  Criterion’s treatment here fixes all of that with as beautiful of a picture and soundtrack as you can imagine.  Wes Anderson’s glorious coming of age tale starring Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray is as funny and poignant now as it was in 1998.  And since it was filmed in and around Houston, there is a special attraction to the film.  I wish they would have coughed up a few more special features than what appeared on the original DVD, but at least everything has been updated in the sight and sound department.  A

Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Rated G
Available on DVD and Blu-ray/Blu-ray 3D
Famed director Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man) was offered a unique chance to take a small crew into the Chauvet caves of Southern France in order to capture the oldest cave paintings ever discovered.  Discovered in 1994 in pristine condition, the paintings themselves are fascinating and a rare look at humanity’s oldest-known art.  I don’t discount the fact that this is important stuff.  I just wish it wasn’t so boring.  I wanted to like the movie, but I just didn’t find it compelling.  Maybe if Herzog had covered more material than just what was found in the cave, the movie might have been something I could recommend.  But while loads of folks really loved the movie, making it a relatively successful documentary while in theaters, I unfortunately found it to be nothing more than an overly long and tedious documentary that made me feel a tinge of guilt for not fully appreciating its apparent significance.  C+

Farscape: The Complete Series
Available on Blu-ray
Fans of this whacky SyFy Channel series will be glad to see its newest blu-ray release.  While I was never really into the show, I have to admit that the material is fun just because it seems so custom-tailored for sci-fi geeks.  This is the kind of show that your childhood friend who spoke more Klingon than Spanish was into.  The question that many will be asking is whether or not to upgrade.  The show itself was shot and aired in 4:3 until the last season, so you won’t be seeing additional widescreen here unless you manipulate the picture.  Also, because it was a SyFy on a budget, you won’t be seeing a pristine 1080p picture as the original print is in much lower resolution, so many will find it to not be worth upgrading if they already own all of the DVDs.  Then again, if you have been holding out, this will most likely be the definitive edition of the show and should make you happy if you are the targeted audience.  B

The Birth of a Nation
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Largely considered one of the most controversial films of all time, D.W. Griffith’s monumental 1915 film about the Civil War and violent racism in America has been newly mastered in HD from its original 35mm elements.  In other words, you will most likely never see a better looking print of this film.  But while it was included as # 44 in the American Film Institute’s greatest American films list, this is definitely not a movie for the masses.  This is also not an entertaining film, but rather an eye-opening vision of some of the ugliness America has endured.  A-

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J. Edgar

J. Edgar
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Armie Hammer and Judi Dench
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Rated R for brief strong language

    As the creator of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover was known as one of the most feared and hated men in America for almost 50 years.  While some feel that he spent years abusing the powers he was given, it is his private life that many have found to be most interesting.  This new biopic by Clint Eastwood explores both the public and private world of one of American history’s most intriguing characters.  

    I have to admit that I didn’t know a whole lot about J. Edgar before this film.  We had read a little about him in history in as much as to obtain the knowledge of “who created the FBI?”  I do remember my teacher discussing that he used to dress in women’s’ clothing but knew nothing more than a single fact and a rumor.  I only say this because I have no idea how accurate the film is.  Part of me trusts Clint Eastwood to create as factual a biopic as he is capable of.  That being said, if this is a true story, it’s a fascinating one.  The movie portrays Hoover as a man of pure ambition professionally and total confusion personally.  A man who knows what is acceptable to the world and how to get ahead in it, but who also must hide his homosexuality from it.  He makes a living of gathering secret and damaging information on the country’s leaders while at the same time hiding his true identity and damning secret from those that would persecute him.  In this regard I found the character study to be intriguing.  

    The acting here is inconsistent.  Actors of DiCaprio’s and Dench’s talents do well under the fast paced directing style of Eastwood, but Hammer, Watts, and other members of the cast come off as players who would have liked another take.  

    As for the production, there were also many inconsistencies.  I was pleased at how good the makeup looked on DiCaprio as the older Hoover (I actually thought it was Phillip Seymour Hoffman at first sight) and how poor it appeared on Hammer who looked like he was wearing a bad Halloween costume.  

    I was also disappointed in Eastwood’s minimalist score which played like cocktail lounge music throughout.  Clint is a talented composer, but this film needed a much better score than it received.  I would bet that hiring Alexandre Desplat, a composer who is much more adept at expressing emotion in softer films, could have improved the experience immensely.  

    Overall, I liked the idea of this movie quite a bit, but I was distracted by the execution.  There was a lot of potential for a masterpiece, but that promise was not delivered.  C+


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New in Home Entertainment – November 8, 2011



New in Home Entertainment

November 8, 2011

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
The final episode of the Harry Potter franchise was a momentous occasion this past year, not just because it was the last of eight films, but because they ended on such a strong note.  Unlike the Twilight films, the Potter series has been overall a run of decent adaptations that have been well-liked by both fans and critics.  And while the Prisoner of Azkaban had remained my favorite in the series to date, Deathly Hallows part two has become my new fave.  Masterfully directed by David Yates, the film maintains the fast pace left by the previous installment and yet retains most of the great storytelling of the book by J.K. Rowling.  And if you have blu-ray you are in for a real treat as the special features are a must see.  If you’ve already seen the film once or twice (or more if you are a big fan) check out the pic in Maximum Movie Mode for an enhanced experience.  A-

The Change-Up
Rated R for pervasive strong crude sexual content and language, some graphic nudity and drug use
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
I’ve always liked Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman, but I sometimes question their judgment in the films they make.  I’m sure the idea of this film was appealing, but the execution was tremendously flawed.  From the opening scene where Bateman is shot in the face by his child’s excrement to the perverse sexual antics of Reynolds, this film takes an unoriginal but funny concept and gives us the worst possible results.  Perhaps it would be more entertaining if Ryan Reynolds were actually into the beautiful women he appears with on the posters, but instead he resorts to tasteless sexual experiences that might force you to lose some of the dinner you just ate.  There were so many directions this film could have been taken in that would have made it not just tolerable but perhaps a decent comedy as well.  Unfortunately, the creative minds involved went down the wrong path giving us a poorly written mess of a film with a lot of wasted talent involved.  D

Tabloid
Rated R for sexual content and nudity
Available on DVD
Oscar-winning documentarian Errol Morris (Fog of War) has always found a way of telling unusual stories in a fun and exciting way.  Tabloid is no exception as he follows the adventures of Joyce McKinney, a former beauty queen who was made famous in the 70’s for going to London, kidnapping the man of her dreams, and forcing him to have sex with her until he was rescued by the Mormon church.  It is such a whacky story that it is hardly to be believed, but Morris does an exceptional job of tracking down all of the different angles in a truly entertaining manner that will having you shaking your head in amazement.  It’s not the best of Morris’s work, but it is still a very good example of what he is capable of.  A-

Band of Brothers/The Pacific Special Edition Gift Set
Available on Blu-ray
Few will argue that HBO’s two miniseries, Band of Brothers and The Pacific, contain some of the best storytelling surrounding WWII.  Producers Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have put together what many consider to be their legacy and this gift set embodies it perfectly.  Not only does it contain both series beautifully packaged with previously released special features, but it also adds in a never-before-seen documentary featuring surviving veterans of Easy Company and the 1st Marine Division whose stories are told during the course of the two spectacular miniseries.  A

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New in Home Entertainment – November 1, 2011

New in Home Entertainment

November 1, 2011

Water for Elephants
Rated PG-13 for moments of intense violence and sexual content
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
After falling in love with the novel by Sara Gruen, I so badly wanted this romance that takes place in a depression-era circus to be legendary, but instead we merely got a good but forgettable love story.  The male part of the love triangle was well acted by Robert Pattinson and Christoph Waltz but Reese Witherspoon was royally upstaged by her female co-lead Rosie the Elephant.  It’s not that Reese was bad, but she was severely miscast in the role.  Still, the film was well-produced with some marvelous cinematography and a lovely score by James Newton Howard.  B+

Crazy Stupid Love
Rated PG-13 for coarse humor, sexual content and language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
This romantic comedy about love, loss and pain comes on strong with a terrific first and second act, only to be brought down several notches by its ridiculous third.  Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore and Emma Stone put on a great show for most of the film but writer Dan Fogelman (Tangled) ran completely out of creative steam towards the end leaving the film with much more of a Hollywood feel than the movie deserves.  Due to the nature of the subject matter, I wouldn’t recommend it as a date movie, but it should play well as a movie that the girls will enjoy thoroughly with a bottle of wine and no men in the house.  B-

An Invisible Sign
Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material and some disturbing images
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Watching this trailer, I was really looking forward to what looked like a quirky and fun cross between Amelie and Stranger than Fiction starring Jessica Alba.  But rather than the entertaining and creative experience I was hoping for, I ended up with a miserable ninety minutes that I wish I could have back.  The film is not light at all, but rather a heavy mess that is not in the least enjoyable.  D-

Cars 2
Rated G
Available on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D
Critics enjoyed piling on to this latest Pixar release, but I simply can’t join the fray.  Cars 2 might be the least of the Pixar films, but when you are comparing to such perfection, that is not exactly fair.  This sequel, which follows Lightening McQueen (Owen Wilson) and Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) in a game of international espionage, is creative, funny and stunning to look at.  Where it does fall short is in the script department.  It’s not a bad script but not quite up to the standards of Pixar.  Pixar films are known for being spectacular four-quadrant films.  They are usually equally loved by males, females, young and old.  Here the adults have dismissed, while the kids seemed to have loved it.  The $549 million worldwide take in spite of poor reviews proves this point.  If you have a 3D television, the 3D is a step up for Pixar and really brings the film to vibrant life.  Also hitting stores this week are the 3D versions of the recently re-released Toy Story films.  B+

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The Rum Diary

The Rum Diary

Starring Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart and Amber Heard
Directed by Bruce Robinson (Withnail & I)
Rated R

    Based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), The Rum Diary follows the adventures of an American journalist (Depp) who moves to Puerto Rico for a job but ends up clashing with both the locals and the Americans living on the island.  

    I’ll start this off by declaring that Hunter S. Thompson is an acquired taste that I haven’t acquired yet.  While this movie wasn’t nearly as dismal an experience for me as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, I still could not get into it.  The characters are somewhat quirky as are the situations they find themselves in, and because of this I let out a laugh or two.  But those laughs only brought on a mild amusement as I was more bewildered than entertained.  

    As for Depp and the rest of the talented cast, they did an admirable job with the source material so there is no fault there.  

    The problem as I see it is with the script.  It’s one thing to have fun characters but if they don’t tell a compelling story then you get nowhere.  There were elements of the film that reminded me of The Big Lebowski, but without a plot.  Lots of fun to be had but once the drunk wears off there is no direction.  Two hours of this turns out to be quite tedious.  

    And to make matters worse, there is no resolution.  The journey isn’t over, but the movie is.  It’s almost as if the filmmakers are telling the audience “you don’t have to leave but you can’t stay here.”

    So if you are like me and place a heavy importance on the narrative, then you will probably want to avoid this meandering picture.  On the other hand, if you just like to see Johnny Depp in another eclectic role doing strange stuff, this might be right up your alley.  C

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New in Home Entertainment – October 25, 2011

New in Home Entertainment

October 25, 2011

Captain America: The First Avenger
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action
Available on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D
After the disappointment I felt from watching Thor and Green Lantern this summer, I wasn’t exactly looking forward to checking out the genesis story of Captain America.  Fortunately, the low expectations probably came to the aid of my enjoyment of the film.  The film takes place during World War II when a young soldier with a heroic heart yet underwhelming physical presence goes through a top secret government project to turn him into a muscle-bound stud with super-human speed and strength.  This new weapon helps America with the war against the Nazis and a Nazi offshoot called HYDRA.  The movie turns out to be a fun thrill ride of an adventure with a tight script and great pacing.  And unlike Thor, instead of being a big commercial for the upcoming Avengers flick, it possesses its own identity in a creative two-hour package.  B+

The People Vs. George Lucas
Not rated but contains much adult language
Available on DVD
Star Wars fans have been very vocal through the years concerning their dislike for both the new trilogy as well as George Lucas’s tinkering with the original “holy” trilogy.  This documentary gives the fanboys (and girls) their voice while also creating a strong devil’s advocate for the devotees that disagree.  The one thing we can all agree on is there is a lot of passion surrounding these movies and that the original Star Wars Trilogy is one of the most influential pieces of filmmaking since the introduction of the art.  The doc itself is so geektastic that it’s hard not to enjoy.  As someone who really loves the films (even the flawed new ones), I found a serene pleasure in listening to the hardcore fans voice their opinions. And seeing fellow Houston Critic and friend Joe Leydon lend his thoughts on the matter was a unique surprise that caught me off guard.  This is a movie that any enthusiast of the world George Lucas created should add to their queue.  A-

Shaolin
Rated R for violence
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Mandarin with English dub or subtitles
After a Chinese general pays a severe price for his cruelty and ambition, he escapes to a Shaolin monastery for both protection and salvation.  With a changed heart he attempts to save the people from the terrors of the new leader while at the same time restoring peace in the land.  The problem with this film isn’t the story or the acting, but rather the overlong script, slow direction and atrocious editing.  It’s okay to cut things out when they don’t serve the story and too much here serves as more of a distraction than a benefit.  That being said, the fight choreography is decent enough, especially the scenes with Jackie Chan who plays the monastery’s cook.  C

Jurassic Park: Ultimate Trilogy
Available on Blu-ray
Only a couple of Steven Spielberg’s big films have been released in Hi Def, so the addition of this new trilogy set is a very welcome event.  While I would have rather skipped the second film in this so-called trilogy (it’s the only Spielberg film I have ever panned), I loved the first and liked the third and I was especially pleased with the new six-part documentary about the world of dinosaurs Spielberg and Michael Crichton created.  Jurassic Park A; The Lost World D; Jurassic Park 3 B

Dazed and Confused: The Criterion Collection Edition
Rated R for pervasive, continuous teen drug and alcohol use and very strong language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
On occasion you see movies released with different editions a year or more apart, but rarely do you find two blu-ray editions of the same film released two months apart.  In August Universal released Dazed and Confused in a scaled-down but sufficient blu-ray package.  This week, Criterion is upping the game by putting their spin on the film on blu-ray as well.  This incredibly influential movie which introduced us to such A-listers as Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, Renee Zellweger, Parker Posey, and Matthew McConaughey, was also filmed by Richard Linklater in Austin, TX, setting the scene for Austin’s vibrant film community.  So which version should you buy if you already haven’t?  If you just want to own the film, buy the cheaper Universal version.  If you want to study the film and feel the need to check out all of the great things Criterion adds to a project, by all means pick up this week’s release.  A

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New in Home Entertainment – October 18, 2011

New in Home Entertainment

October 18, 2011

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action/violence, some frightening images, sensuality and innuendo
Available on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D
In another attempt from Disney to milk this franchise for all its worth, Pirates 4 brings back Johnny Depp as Captain Sparrow and this time he is after the Fountain of Youth.  Props go to Disney for an interesting premise and the invention of blood-thirsty mermaids, but just like the previous three films, there is much more style than substance.  I like the idea of Penelope Cruz as an old flame, but the lack of chemistry between the two characters hurt the chances of a nice romantic development and instead turned into a sort of mean entanglement.  One thing I was hoping for was that the 3D would look better on TV than it did in theaters, but the film is so dark that the 3D is not just cheesy, but wasted as well.  C

Little House on the Prairie: The Complete 9 Season Set
Available on DVD
From 1974 to 1984 Little House on the Prairie was one of NBC’s biggest hits on television.  Now, several decades later, the 55-disc set is being released with as complete a collection as you will find.  All 9 seasons and several special features about the book, show and legacy are found in this attractive new set.  While I usually like to find the time to dig into DVDs I review, there was no way to watch what seemed like hundreds of hours contained here, but what I saw was a nice trip down nostalgia lane.  The episodes here are nicely restored and while I used to make fun of my mom for liking the show so much, I can now admit that it is a very enjoyable piece of entertainment.  B+

Bad Teacher
Rated R for sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Cameron Diaz is the world’s worst teacher.  She comes to class each day, turns on a movie, and then sleeps at her desk while recovering from the previous night’s bender.  Her whole goal in life is to find a rich man that will take care of her, and she is convinced that a boob job she is saving up for will get her there.  In order to save enough money for her surgery, she lies, cheats and steals from any source she can find.  Just like horrible bosses, she is a despicable person that has the power to shape the lives of those she influences negatively.  But unlike Horrible Bosses, she is the hero and not the villain.  In that regard, the film is somewhat enjoyable as her behavior continues to shock from scene to scene.  The film is flawed being so over-the-top to be believable, but in light of last year’s documentary Waiting For Superman, many of her antics can be seen as possible.  The most important thing is that the film proves to be funny in spite of its many problems.  C+

Page One: Inside the New York Times
Rated R for language including sexual references
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
With traditional print media feeling a lot of pain over the last decade, Page One: Inside The New York Times attempts to explore the industry by studying one of the world’s most important newspapers.  If you have ever been interested in the inner functions of a major world newspaper, this is a great documentary to watch.  It’s not as informational as I would have hoped, but it does put you into the day by day in an engrossing way.  B-

Robotech: The Complete Series
Available on DVD
In 1985, the year after Little House on the Prairie left the airwaves, another influential and very different television program became a huge hit with sci-fi fans world-wide.  Robotech follows a group of humans as they attempt to fend off their world from an alien invasion.  This new set contains all 85 episodes of the legendary anime project with over 10 hours of bonus material.  Personally, this is not my cup of tea, but it is easy to see why this series has built up such a large fan base.  I can imagine that many fans will want to hold out for the inevitable blu-ray release, but until that time, this set will give them a nice diversion.  B-

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The Ides of March

The Ides of March

Starring Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Evan Rachel Wood
Directed by George Clooney
Rated R for pervasive language

    Set in the world of a fictional presidential campaign, Ryan Gosling plays an idealistic head staffer working under George Clooney’s presidential candidate who comes to terms with the fact that to survive in politics, one must not only play dirty, but must lose their integrity as well.  

    Before anyone even saw this film, many were ousting this project as liberal Clooney propaganda.  At first I could see the merit in the argument as Clooney’s character seemed like an ideal leader in many ways.  Sure he was liberal as all get out, but he seemed to be a man who would be a true servant of the people who would act out of the country’s best interest.  But then the stuff hits the fan and you find out what all of the characters are made of and the unfortunate truth and accuracy about our current political situation is unleashed.  The movie ends up being both negative for democrats and the entire political system in general.  It leaves you with a sense that our system, on both sides of the rail, is broken and there is a good chance that it can’t be fixed.  

    I mention all of this up front because I firmly believe that even though there is a good story here, the most important aspect of this movie is its message, whether positive or negative.  The reality hits home and gives almost as much of a bad taste in your mouth as our current situation.

    As for the actual movie, aside from its intention, this is a very well written, directed and acted pic.  Adapted from the Beau Willimon play, “Farragut North,” the characters are all very well flushed out and convincing.  Every member of this extremely talented cast turns in noteworthy performances.  The great thing about a cast like this is that then they are at the top of their game, the result is impressive.

    The screenplay is a winding ball of tension, deceit and tragedy, making the politics that much more believable; and Clooney’s storytelling keeps you on the edge of your seat as you wait patiently for the upcoming lie and the next spin.

    Although the film is very likely to leave you with a sick feeling as it punches you in the gut, it also manages to entertain you while shelling out the unfortunate truth (or at least the perceived reputation) about the people that run our country.  A-

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New in Home Entertainment – October 11, 2011

New in Home Entertainment


October 11, 2011

The Tree of Life
Rated PG-13 for some thematic material
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
The producers and stars of this new Terrence Malick film starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn freely admit that this is a very difficult film to describe and for some it is even harder to understand.  The crux of the film revolves around a young Texas family growing up in the 50s.  But the scope is much broader as it represents God’s very complex relationship with man as well as the question of who God is, where God is, and what is His plan.  It’s an incredibly deep picture that is very rewarding to those that take it in the correct way.  Many have dismissed it as merely an ambitious film that has gotten away from itself.  I disagree.  Malick here is certainly ambitious, but his vision is pulled off in stunning fashion and for those have connected to it, like myself, there is nothing but praise.  I cannot recall a film that has ever pulled me in and given me this much pleasure to watch.  For me, this was a truly religious and ethereal experience and while yes, it does lack the typical narrative you might expect, it serves as one of the greatest pieces of artistic filmmaking I can imagine on the screen.  My one complaint about this new release is the lack of features.  While there is a terrific documentary on how they made the film, I really wish Malick would have done a commentary in order to get a deeper insight to his masterpiece.  A+

Horrible Bosses
Rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language and some drug material
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Most of us have had our share of bad bosses, and while rubbing a boss out isn’t exactly an appropriate response to our work troubles, when a comedy about doing such a deed is released, it sure is fun to fantasize and live vicariously through the protagonists.  In Horrible Bosses, Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis suffer greatly from the hands of Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell and Kevin Spacey, so much so that they plot to have them murdered.  It’s only logical that chaos would ensue and what transpires provides us with the funniest comedy of the year.  Make sure to check out the featurette “My Least Favorite Career” where the cast discusses their worst jobs and bosses from their past.  A-

The Trip
Unrated
Available on DVD
Actor Steve Coogan (Tropic Thunder), playing himself, is asked by the Observer to travel the British countryside in order to write an article critiquing top restaurants along the way.  When his girlfriend can’t make the trip, he invites his actor friend Rob Brydon, also playing himself, to make the journey with him.  The two set off on a hilarious trip full of fun, food and tension.  In Britain this film existed as a BBC television series, but rather than export the series to America, the producers made the decision to cut the show up and serve it as a two hour narrative.  Fortunately, for us, the idea worked and the result is a slow-moving, but charming and funny pic that explores friendship, life, love, career and the concept of success.  And while the idea of fine cuisine in Britain sounds like an oxymoron, the British sense of humor is alive and well.  B

Green Lantern
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
When an evil entity threatens the galaxy, a human (Ryan Reynolds) is recruited to join an elite group of universal super protectors.  Armed with a powerful ring that acts upon his imagination, the newly crowned Green Lantern must take on this super baddie before it engulfs the Earth and possibly the rest of the galaxy.  As is the case with most Ryan Reynolds films, he far outshines the rest of the movie.  He is a fun personality and almost makes the movie watchable.  Unfortunately, the script is confounding at too many moments throughout, leaving character choices and plot holes that will keep you scratching your head.  If what you need is a good super hero pic at the red box, check out the recent X-Men addition or wait a couple of weeks for Captain America.  C+