Saturday, September 18, 2010

Old, Stinky Dogs

Old Dogs
John Travolta, Robin Williams, Kelly Preston
comedy

No.
Even an appearance by Justin Long, wearing a mustache, couldn't save this one. 1/5 stars.

Monday, September 6, 2010

I Heard About the Morgans

I just finished watching the surprisingly enjoyable Did You Hear about the Morgans?  I should confess that I've enjoyed Hugh Grant in everything I've seen him in, so far.  Music and Lyricsis one of my favorite romantic comedies.  Hm.  (Just saying that, I'm embarrassed to admit I have favorite romantic comedies.)   He was also perfect for his role in Love Actually.




Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker, who I usually find annoying, star in this comedy about an estranged couple who witness a murder.  They end up finding shelter with a couple played by the incomparable Sam Elliott and capable Mary Steenburgen.  The chemistry between the couple is excellent, every actor plays his part beautifully, and there are a few enjoyable jokes about the gun culture and Democrats.  With an extra half a star for the first movie use I've seen of a Kel-Tec carbine, it gets 3.5/5 stars.

Salt and The Other Guys

Salt is the Angelina Jolie spy thriller. It succeeds in having lots of action, and is well-acted. The unfortunate part is that Salt has a ridiculously overcomplicated plot that is, somehow, still predictable. After adding back in half a star for the most innovative use of a Taser in a movie, it nets 3/5 stars. Don't expect a lot except gunfire and big lips, and you should be happy.

The Other Guys pits Will Ferrell against and with Mark Wahlberg. Will Ferrell seems to only know how to play humor one way, over the top (with perhaps the single exception of the touching Stranger Than Fiction). This works in some movies (Old School , Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights) but falls down in others (Semi-Pro, Stepbrothers). Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson make brief but even more outrageous appearances (but at least you're not in a Disney flick this time, right, Dwayne?).  If you can handle your humor silly and applied heavily, you'll enjoy this movie. 3.5/5 stars.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Continuing Gulf Problems

The environmental and economic problems the USA has been experiencing in the Gulf of Mexico continued today with another oil rig explosion. The Mariner Energy rig off the coast of Louisiana is about 200 miles west of the British Petroleum rig that caused massive leakage this year. The 13 rig crew members donned "gumby" suits and huddled together in the water until rescued by the Coast Guard.

gumby survival suit, Dillingham, United States
This travel blog photo's source is TravelPod page: Gumby survival suit, Dillingham, United States

HallowE09