BTMG MINI-REVIEWS

We got ourselves a timid weekend after the onslaught of movies released over the past couple of weeks. Good news is, however, that there’s a little something for everyone – and that’s a good problem to have…

ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT (the 4th movie in the series) is the only major release this weekend. Kids are sure to enjoy it but if you have to see an animated movie go see Pixar’s BRAVE. If you’ve seen Pixar’s BRAVE…then go see Pixar’s BRAVE again.

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (!) opens next week so if you must see a movie this weekend I’m offering up a few mini-reviews for a few of the recently released.

Catch a movie, eat some popcorn, have some fun!

THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN B
Bottom line: A fun, exciting, entertaining, well-acted and completely unnecessary reboot of a superhero franchise that should have been left alone…for at least two or three more years. Still, a pretty entertaining movie!

MAGIC MIKE B+
Bottom Line: Director Steven Soderbergh puts a deft, minimalist, art-house stamp on this movie which, in turn, gives it more weight than it has a right to… But gosh darn it if it doesn’t work. After this, 21 Jump Street, The Vow and Haywire (all released in 2012) our hip-hop boy Channing Tatum has become a bona fide star. Oh, and guys – don’t be afraid to see it with your girlfriend/wife because it could earn you a few bonus points down the road (assuming she even wants to see it with you in the first place).

TED B-
Bottom Line: Mark Wahlberg’s best friend is a sex-crazed, foul-mouthed, pot-smoking teddy bear. Should have been a tad funnier and bit looser but it still delivers some pretty solid laughs.

MOONRISE KINGDOM A
Bottom Line: Director Wes Anderson’s style (RUSHMORE, THE ROYAL TENANBAUMS, THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU) isn’t for everyone…understandably – but this whimsical, beautifully shot and richly written story of young love is easily (thus far) one of my favorite movies of the year. Get past the quirky nature and you’ll find a clever, genuine, hard-to-resist delight.

SAVAGES C+
Bottom Line: Oliver Stone serves up a dark, drug-fueled cartel caper that may lack likeable characters and full-on intrigue…but it still serves up a nice dish of piping hot mayhem.