Spenser Confidential (2020) R - 3½ Stars

While this is not your typical comedy, it does offer up enough sarcasm and wit to keep you entertained. Action packed with a touch of violence, Mark Wahlberg plays an ex-cop that's been in prison for attempting to take a dirty cop down. Once released hell take on the Boston Police dept to confirm his hunch regarding corrupt cops. He vows to make things right and bring down the bad guys.

The day Spenser (Mark Wahlberg) gets out of prison, he's already been warned about what's waiting on the outside for him. He's just done time for assault on a Boston police officer. As it turns out Spenser, also an ex-officer himself, is not liked by a small handful of Boston's finest. His only friend is his ex trainer, Henry (Alan Arkin), who gives him a ride and offers him a place to stay. Along with a another boxer in the house, Hawk (Winston Duke), Spenser vows to not let the cops get away with it again.

NETFLIX
Director: Peter Berg
Producers: Bill Bannerman,Eric Heffron,John Logan Pierson
Writers: Sean O'Keefe, Brian Helgeland

Hot Fuzz (2007) R - 3½ Stars

If you are in need a of British comedy, try this one by the makers of Shaun of the Dead. It's an action packed cute comedy drama that stimulates a few of your senses. While it ridicules plots found in big budget action films, Hot Fuzz is a delight.

A London cop, Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg), is too good at what he does and he's making the other cops on the force look bad. He gets transferred to the small town of Sandford, Gloucestershire in hopes he can teach proper law technique here. His new partner Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), has fantasized about what it would be like to see action in his town. Danny has watched way too many action packed movies and would like to get in on that action. Be careful for what you wish for Danny as this quiet town starts to see way too much action that even Danny are ready.

StudioCanal Rogue Pictures Working Title Films
Director: Edgar Wright
Writers: Natascha Wharton, Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg
Producers: Tim Bevan, Nira Park, Eric Fellner

Tropic Thunder (2008) R - 4 Stars

At first I didn't think I was really going to enjoy this movie as I thought it would turn out at yet another lamb attempt at laughter. However, the story line really took me by surprise and I thought it was not only a good comedy, but a good action / adventure film and everyone fit their roles. Great cast of names and RD Jr. is great in his role, Stiller made up for my let down of "Night at the Museum" and Cruise was funnier than I've usually seen him. Movie starts out great but fizzles out and gets a little cheesy towards the end Some pretty funny lines like RD Jr's, "I'm a dude playing a dude disguised as another dude." I recommend this funny poke at Hollywood and some of it's pompous actors.

It's been called a racist movie due to Robert Downey Jr.'s character. What about the movie, White Chicks, which I didn't think was near as funny, but I don't recall any mention of racism with that film... lighten up. I think we need to stop labeling things so precisely as it aids in keeping racial tension active. It's just a funny flick for EVERYONE, white, black and all alike.

Producer, Les Grossman (Tom Cruise), and director Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan), are making a film taking place in the jungles of the Vietnam war. Four Leaf Tayback (Nick Nolte), is a self proclaimed Vietnam vet and offers advice on where the direction of the movie should head. Production has slowed way down as the actors are too busy pampering their gi-normous egos, and don't take the filming seriously. Four Leaf suggests to Cockburn, the actors be taken to the middle of the jungle and filmed fighting their way back out. Cameras could be hidden throughout the trees, to give the film a more realistic "Gorilla style" look.

Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), is just a little to full of himself. As he constantly tries to direct the film, he extends the movie way past it's budget. Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), has gone to the controversial extent of dying his skin dark, in order to play the role of an African American soldier. Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), is the overweight comedian of the group, only thinking about where he will get his next fix, out in the middle of nowhere. Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson), great name btw, is the African American soldier that has to deal with Lazarus trying to think he's his "bro"and Kevin Sandusky (Jay Baruchel) is the slower one that everyone seems to pick on or look to as the man with any military training. Along with Damien and Four Leaf, the group are dropped off in the jungles of Vietnam, not knowing a secret drug production operation is lurking right next door.

As they all start to whine over their predicament, they realise, the sooner they continue through their scenes, the sooner they can get back to the set and go home. As they move along, with exaggerated Rambo techniques, each new trail leads them to a new scene of the movie. Even when the find stumble upon a heron production plant, thinking it's part of the movie, they ad lib through their lines. Next, the group of ego baring, misfitted, irritating actors must keep themselves from being killed by the bad guys so the can bring the film to it's end.

Red Hour Films, DreamWorks
Director: Ben Stiller
Writers: Etan Cohen, Justin Theroux, Ben Stiller
Producers: Eric McLeod, Ben Stiller, Stuart Cornfeld

Get Smart (2008) PG13 - 4 Stars

Having grown up in the 60's watching Get Smart, what can I say, I liked it. Silly and not really all that funny, but it did have it's moments. Hathaway, is perfectly cast for the role of Agent 99, while Carell, as Maxwell Smart, totally looks the part. I wish it would have had more secret Control gadgets like the old show and I can't say it will reach the shelves of my collection, but I did find it pretty entertaining especially towards the end.

Everyone knows that the old days of the U.S. spy agency Control are over, except the people that work there. Using secret entrances, the agents still are at their posts protecting America from KAOS and it's evil head, Siegfried (Terence Stamp). When it's reported that KASO has suddenly opened up shop again, making nuclear bombs to spread through out the world, the Chief (Alan Arkin), puts together his best team.

Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway), a veteran agent of self defense in the field, and Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) who's wanted this chance forever, are sent to Russia to uncover the plant that houses the goods. But could there be a spy at Control?

Good looking macho Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson), thinks Smart will botch thinks up again and as the team races against the clock to save the president, and all of Los Angeles from the evil no-good doers, Smart will be put to the test of proving he's got the stuff it takes to be a great Control agent.

Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Peter Segal
Writers: Tom J. Astle, Matt Ember
Producers: Alex Gartner, Eric L. Gold, Michael Ewing

Nim's Island (2008) PG - 3½ Stars

I just love Jodi Foster is just about everything she does. She's one versatile actress! While I thought the parts of this movie were on the unbelievable side, I guess it could happen? But what father in their right mind would leave his young girl on the island alone while he went on a journey to discover a new species of I'm still not even sure what? But all that aside, it is a cute movie. I watched the "special features" and it was pretty cool showing the filming of the water scenes and with the animals and it appears they worked pretty hard to make it look believable.

On a special note, I think whom ever made the animated opening screen cut outs should be designing children's story books cause I really enjoyed that. The movie starts out in this mood and ends this way through the credits. Also I loved the fact, Nim was so excited to read her novels and use her imagination by reading books. For me, this was the main point of the movie, that reading books can take you anywhere you want to go.

Nim Ruscoe (Abigail Breslin), is living on a deserted island with her scientist father. Her mother was lost at sea and as the story goes, swallowed by a whale that still watches out over the island. Nim and her father live in a rather open style hut, complete with all the luxuries like electricity, satellite computer access and running water. When Nim's father wants to go on a trip for a few days to find a glowing plankton of some sort, Nim wants to stay home and read her new adventure book by Alex Rover. It seems her hero Jack Rusoe (Gerard Butler) comes to life and always finds his way into an adventure, and with his courage, gets out of tricky situations. Nim explores new adventures, in the same manor, with her animal friends on the island.

When Alex Rover is stuck on the final chapter of the next book in the series, she turns to the Internet to seek information on what it's like living along side of an active volcano. When Rover contacts Nim's father through email, Nim jumps on the chance to answer her greatest hero's email. She even climbs the volcano to report accurate descriptions about what she finds, thinking all the time she is mimicking Jack Rusoe. When she slips and falls and puts a large gash in her knee, and all alone on the island, she becomes uneasy of what to do next.

A large storm blows in and Nim's father is late getting back and Nim feels she must defend herself on the island to what ever lands on the beach. Rover becomes anxious to read, Nim is all alone and her father's missing, and Nim's knee has become infected. But never fear, Alex Rover to the rescue as Rover knows the coordinates to the hidden away island. But, the largest problem is, Alex is really Alexandria and she has an extreme fear about going outside of her front door. With her character, Jack Ruscoe, pushing her out her front door, Alexandria sets off for the adventure of her life time. But will her phobia hinder her to get there, and will Nim's father come home? Okay from here, you'll have to rent it and see how the story goes.

Summit Entertainment
Directors: Mark Levin, Jennifer Flackett
Writers: Mark Levin, Joseph Kwong, Paula Mazur
Producer: Paula Mazur

Mad Money (2008) PG - 3 Stars

I guess the idea of the movie is feasible? NOT! But okay that aside, it has a few fun parts to it. Three ordinary women, Bridget Cardigan (Diane Keaton), Nina Brewster (Queen Latifah) and Jackie Truman (Katie Holmes) all have jobs at the local Federal Reserve Bank. The bank is where money is destroyed, and the girls decide to dip into the bins, just a tad, since it's just going to be thrown away.

Bridget lives with her husband Don (Ted Danson) and they have severe financial problems that could cost them their home, and their upper class standard of living. Don can't find work so Bridget picks up a job at the bank in the janitorial department. There she meets Nina, a single mother of two boys who's in charge of shredding the money, and Jackie, a young hip dancing girl in charge of moving the money from one area to another.

When Bridget gets tempted to touch money she looks at all day, she tries to come up with a plan of taking some of it home with her. Together with Jackie and Nina, the threesome come up with a plan to smuggle money out at the end of each shift. The women try to stay one step ahead of the authorities who are onto them even though they can't prove anything.

Overture Films
Director: Callie Khouri
Writers: Glenn Gers, Callie Khouri
Producers: James Acheson, Goldie Hawn, Frank Demartini

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) R - 2½ Stars

BTW the high school shown was filmed at my Alma Mater, John Marshall High School in Silverlake, CA. But even though, the movie didn't entertain me that much.

Martin Blank (John Cusack) returns to Grosse Pointe, Michigan for a job assignment and to attend his high school reunion. But what does he tell the people he's been doing these past 10 years? He's a hired assassin but he is growing tired of his job. His psychiatrist, Dr. Oatman (Alan Arkin), thinks it's a good idea for him to move back to Grosse Pointe as he is not thrilled having an assassin for a patient. At the reunion he meets his high school sweetheart, Debi Newberry (Minnie Driver), who still holds a grudge against him for standing her up.

Mr. Grocer (Dan Aykroyd), is a fellow hit man that wants to join forces with Martin and won't take no for an answer. Martin has to pull off one final hit.

Buena Vista Pictures
Director: George Armitage
Writers: Tom Jankiewicz, D.V. DeVincentis, Steve Pink
Producers: Roger Birnbaum, Susan Arnold, Donna Arkoff Roth

I viewed 1/19

Happy, Texas (1999) PG13 - 3 Stars

I just love the versatility of William H. Macy acting. Here he plays a goofy, coming out of the closet, gay sheriff and he's great as usual. The story line is pretty silly but none the less it does have some funny moments. The acting is pretty good which helps make up.

Harry (Jeremy Northam) and Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr. (Steve Zahn) are two escaped prisoners who steal a motorhome only to find out it belongs to two gay male judges who are late getting to a beauty pageant. When they arrive in the town of Happy, Texas, Sheriff Chappy Dent (William H. Macy) gets them into the bank right away to collect half their pageant money. Being the con men they are, Harry and Wayne decide to take on the roles of two gay beauty pageant judges but are highly disappointed when they discover the girls are only 8 years old.

Harry has his eye on "Joe" Josephine McLintock (Ally Walker) the owner of the local bank. In a small town like hers, business is conducted with a hand shake and keys to vaults are left in top desk drawers. Harry makes quick note of that while he plans in his head how to rob the bank leaving Wayne to train the girls for the pageant. Wayne has no idea what to do with the girls and their teacher, Ms. Schaefer (Ally Walker), patiently tries to grasp the new techniques of his training.

Wayne and Harry are seen fighting many times which brings Sheriff Dent back into the picture as he asks Harry for a date. Staying true to character, he must accept. Wayne does start seeing a light at the end of his tunnel when he and Ms. Schaefer have wild sex.

With day of the bank robbery, the "Little Miss Fresh Squeezed" pageant event and the cops are hot on Wayne and Harry's tail, what could go wrong?

1999 - Happy, Texas - Independent Spirit Award - Best Supporting Actor.

Miramax Films
Director: Mark Illsley
Writers: Ed Stone, Mark Illsley, Phil Reeves
Producer: Mark Illsley

I viewed 5/08

In Bruges (2008) R - 3½ Stars

The movie takes some time to get used to their accents so you can understand what they are saying and catch everything. You may want to play with closed caption just so you don't miss some of the dialect. I liked the movie in it's quirky form. It's not really a comedy but more a "dramedy." Two assassins are on vacation while awaiting further orders from the boss, in Bruges, Belgium. They are sent there because the boss thinks it's a fairytale land that everyone should see at least one time in their lives.

Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) have just completed a routine hit. Routine that is until Ray accidentally kills a child in the process. It seems there was a small boy standing behind his target and Ray has not come to terms with killing a child. When Ken tries to relax and await the new orders, by touring the countryside, Ray is distracted and becomes a real kill joy for Ken. When boss man Harry (Ralph Fiennes) calls and tells Ken he wants him to ace Ray for killing a kid, Ken decides to carry out the plans. Ray is actually thinking of taking his own life and Ken arrives to save Ray from himself rather than shoot him.

But Ray meets a girl in Belgium Chloë (Clémence Poésy), and thinks that his life may have just gotten some new meaning. Along with Ken's help, Ray makes his escape to another land to carry on his new life. Harry is not pleased and comes to Bruges to take matter into his own hands. When he finds Ken has helped Ray escape, he wants his revenge on Ken. But Ray, who's supposed to be long gone, is returned to Bruges just in time to be delivered to Harry on a plate. It's show down time and who will come out on top?

Focus Features
Director: Martin McDonagh
Writer: Martin McDonagh
Producers: Peter Czernin, Graham Broadbent

I viewed 8/19

Mamma Mia! (2008) PG13 - 3½ Stars

Okay men are going to definitely label this one a chick flick but it really is a fun musical for all. It's playful, Meryl Streep is very good and the movie is done quite nicely. The music is all enjoyable with many good songs I hadn't heard in a while. Sure it's hammy in parts, but it's a musical so everything is over exaggerated. It's not going to make it to my personal collection, but still an enjoyable watch.

Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), is getting married and yearns to have her father walk her down the isle and give her away. Problem is, her mother Donna (Meryl Streep) was a free loving yet rebellious teenager and three different men could fit this bill. Sophie secretly invites the three men, Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Harry (Colin Firth), and Bill (Stellan Skarsgård), to her wedding as guests of her mother. The three arrive and Sophie must hide them, while trying to uncover her true roots, before her mother knows there here. Too late, the cat is out of the bag and Mamma is having to do some double stepping. But eventually all will work out and Donna will learn it's never too late for love.

Universal Pictures
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Writer: Catherine R. Johnson
Producers: Gary Goetzman, Judy Craymer

I viewed 1/19

Hancock (2008) PG13 - 3½ Stars

I was a bit disappointed in the concept of this movie. Not like "Superman" or "Spiderman" seems like reality to me, however this idea was borderline silly. I just loved Will Smith, in his powerful performance in "I Am Legend" but to me this was plain silly. To me, it's more of a comedy than a believable drama but still a decent rental.

Hancock (Will Smith), is not your average superhero. He wants to do good, but the fact that he is an alcoholic, clouds his judgement when it comes to properly addressing a problem. He's sarcastic, crude and doesn't really care much what the public thinks of him. As he saves the life of Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), from being hit by an oncoming train, it costs the tax payers of Los Angeles plenty from all the damage he causes, trying to protect. The people have finally had enough of his shenanigans and Ray, feeling indebted to the Superhero, takes on the mission of giving Hancock a new public image.

Public Realtions is Ray's job and he is sure he can change Hancock's perception by the public. On the other hand, Ray's wife Mary (Charlize Theron) is not pleased when Ray is brought home and literally dropped off, with his car, in the front yard. But there's a close bond between them all that put's Hancock back on track, to becoming the greatest Superhero the world has ever seen.

Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Pictures
Director: Peter Berg
Writers: Vy Vincent Ngo, Vince Gilligan
Producers: Will Smith, James Lassiter, Akiva Goldsman

I viewed 11/08

RV (2006) PG - 3½ Stars

Bob Munro (Robin Williams) is married to Jamie (Cheryl Hines) and they have two children Cassie (Joanna 'Jojo' Levesque) 15 and Carl (Josh Hutcherson) 12. The family is scheduled to go to Hawaii for a vacation till Bob gets in his mind a road trip in an RV that will really help the family bond and spend some quality time together.

The kids are not into this trip and had their hearts set on Hawaii, but Bob convinces everyone this trip is just what the family needs. One thing Bob forgets to tell everyone is his job depends upon it. He's needed in Colorado for a business meeting he neglects to mention.

Along the way they meet the Gornicke family, a gun-ho happy camping family of well trained RVer's. But it seems everywhere they go, the keep running into the Gornicke's. The family has a high, wet and bumpy ride to their destination but find their way back to each other.

Sony Pictures
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Writer: Geoff Rodkey
Producers: Lucy Fisher, Doug Wick, Matthias Deyle

I viewed 9/06

Randy and the Mob (2007) PG - 2 Stars

I've seen worse movies and I have to admit this movie did have me laugh a couple of times but seriously folks, I think you can pass this one up. The plot is predictable with a loan shark demanding his money and the character development is weak as people just sort of show up to complicate the story line. Maybe I missed some inside humor somewhere as other reviews I read depict a funnier scenario. The quaintness of a small Georgia town separates it from your other mob movies, but I was hoping for more laughs.

Randy Pearson (Ray McKinnon), is your typical middle class American guy living the American dream. He lives with his depressed wife Charlotte (Lisa Blount) who suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome as she teaches baton class. Randy's into just about every business in town but most of them aren't making any money. He soon finds himself faced with Italian mobster Franco (Paul Ben-Victor), demanding he makes good on his loan. Randy must turn to his wife and estranged gay twin brother Cecil (Ray McKinnon), for help. Now that he's in over his head with the Franco, Tino Armani (Walton Goggins), finds a way to start producing profits.

Capricorn Pictures, Ginny Mule Pictures, Timbergrove Entertainment
Director: Ray McKinnon
Writer: Ray McKinnon
Producers: David Koplan, Walton Goggins, Lisa Blount

I viewed 8/11

Man of the Year (2006) PG 13 - 3½ Stars

I do feel that Robin Williams is one of the funniest comedians around. I have never heard anyone who can just ad lib for hours on end and still be funny. Maybe that is why I see most of his movies and find them entertaining. Live he is outstanding and this movie got laughs out of me.

Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams) is a popular talk show host speaking his mind about how messed up the nation is. While broadcasting his show, he boasts that he'd make a better president than who's in charge of the White House now. After receiving a warm welcome to his comments, Tom takes the idea to the extreme and along with his following of fans, form a grassroots movement to get his name on the ballot. They rally behind Tom as he speaks whats on his mind. He laughs at the beuaracy swarming around the elected officials and the people find it enlightening to laugh with him, instead of at him. He's giving the people a voice.

Tom doesn't expect to win but a computer voting glitch, gives him the victory. But his first order and most important order of business is to discover if he wants to go back to his microphone, where he is safe and comfortable or stay on the course for the White House.

Universal Pictures
Director: Barry Levinson
Writer: Barry Levinson
Producers:Barry Levinson, David C. Robinson, James G. Robinson

I viewed 3/07

Blades of Glory (2007) PG13 - 3 Stars

Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) and Jimmy MacElroy (Jon Heder) have been rival men's figure skaters since their youth. Chazz is a macho skater that tears up the ice while women line up with shrieking screams of support. Jimmy also attracts a crowd and is famous for executing triple lutzes. It's the World Championship and both men want the title.

When the men tie for first place, and are both awarded gold medals, it's more than either can bare. They break out into a street brawl fight that takes out the mascot and embarasses the entire sport. After going before the skating commission board, they are both stripped of their medals and banned from competing in the men's figure skating for life. A pretty hard blow for both of them to take.

Three years later, the men discover a loophole that could allow the two to skate again this time as men's pairs. Now if they can just loose their anger towards each other, the two can becomes stars of the ice again.

Paramount Pictures
Directors: Will Speck, Josh Gordon
Writers: Dave Krinsky, Jeff Cox, Craig Cox
Producers: Stuart Cornfeld, Ben Stiller, John L. Jacobs

I viewed 9/07

The Other Guys (2010) PG13 - 2 Stars

Oh brother! What can I say about throwing a bunch of named stars together and making a piece of crap. The only reason I am given it 2 stars is I still love Will Ferrell. But the days of his off beat innocence on "Saturday Night Live" and movies like "A Night at the Roxbury" are over. Will, why do you keep doing these mindless comedies - it's boggling to me. Reading some of the reviews that say how funny it is well to me it's stupid, not funny. The best part of the movie is Samuel L. Jackson and the "Rock" Dwane Johnson at the beginning and even then it wasn't funny to me. I think this is one you can miss completely.

Detective Allen Gamble, (Will Ferrell), and Detective Terry Hoitz, (Mark Wahlberg), have been doing their time in the office instead of out on the streets where the action is. Detective P.K. Highsmith, (Samuel L. Jackson), and Detective Christopher Danson, (Dwayne Johnson), were the macho heroes on the street until they jumped to their death going after once last bust. Now Captain Gene Mauch, (Michael Keaton), needs someone to step up to the plate and take their place. Gamble and Hoitz are the two least likely to succeed but rise to the occasion where the other guys could not.

Mosaic, Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures
Director: Adam McKay
Writers: Adam McKay, Chris Henchy
Producers: Adam McKay, Jimmy Miller, Will Ferrell

I viewed 12/10

Dan in Real Life (2007) PG13 - 3½ Stars

What fun a large family reunion like this one would be. This movie, set in the great back woods of Rhode Island, is a wittey comedy that gives you that farm fuzzy feeling of finding love.

Dan Burns, (Steve Carell), is a single father and writes an advice column for the local newspaper. His column is directed toward parents and being one himself, he can relate to how hard it is to make intelligent choices. It's been four years since his wife died and he is struggling with the needs of his fast growing and outspoken daughters. Jane, (Alison Pill), Cara (Brittany Robertson), and Lilly (Marlene Lawson).  On a family reunion to Rhode Island, he meets the woman of his dreams Marie, (Juliette Binoche), only to find out his brother Mitch (Dane Cook), has brought her to the reunion as his guest - girlfriend, Situations clash and Dan finds out from his daughters what true love really is.

Buena Vista Pictures
Director: Peter Hedges
Writers: Peter Hedges, Pierce Gardner
Producers: Brad Epstein, Jonathan Shestack

I viewed 3/08

Paul (2011) R - 3½ Stars

I have to say this is a movie I would probably not have rented on my own. My friend owns a copy and told me to put on my happy face, sip a little wine and keep an open mind while I watched it. I have to say Paul is an unexpectedly funny almost "cute" movie, though watching the unrated version, I doubt "cute" is the proper word. This is not a movie for children as it does contain many adult situations and strong language but if you need a good laugh it can probably find one of your funny bones.

Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen), an alien from another world, has been on planet earth now for years working solely with our government answering and sharing information. Graeme Willy (Simon Pegg), and Clive Gollings (Nick Frost), two English Sci-Fi geeks and comic book fanatics, are on their way to the Comic-Con convention in San Diego, California. They have rented an RV and vow to have their greatest adventure by visiting every site of major extraterrestrial importance along the way. While headed to New Mexico deserts of Area 51, they stop to help a car that raced passed them and crashed off the side of the road. Paul emerges from the accident he tells Graeme and Cliff the Feds will be looking for him and they must help him escape and get back to his spaceship so he can return home.

Awards: 2011 Best Comedy Award - National Movie Awards, UK

Universal Pictures
Director: Greg Mottola
Writers: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost
Producers: Eric Fellner, Nira Park, Tim Bevan

I viewed 10/15

The Dog Problem (2007) R - 2½ Stars

The movie seems to have many mixed reviews online with some viewers getting more out of it than I did. Labeled a comedy, it's hard for me to call it that because other than one time I don't remember smiling often. I couldn't even find a credit given for Don Cheadle's role on the rental box or in the final rolling credits. Maybe I just got a bad copy.

I feel the director is trying to bring across the similarities between this odd mix of dysfunctional people stumbling through their lives with people that surround all of our lives daily but for me, I couldn't connect with anyone. The story is of a man who under the advise of his therapist, buys a dog hoping to give his life some purpose.

Solo Harrington (Giovanni Ribisi), is a depressed novelist who can't get in touch with his creative side. Even though he's been successful in the past, he's spent all his lives savings on women, drugs and his expensive psychiatrist, Dr. Nourmand (Don Cheadle). When nothing seems to help Solo break out of his mood, the doctor suggest he get a dog to help with his lonesomeness. Casper (Scott Caan), Solo's friend, introduces him to a rich girl Jules (Mena Suvari), who Solo tries to convince to take the dog when he suddenly notices he's becoming attached. But with Benny (Kevin Corrigan) is breathing down his back to pay his loan, and the dog gets bit at a dog park needing expensive medical treatment, he meets a feisty stripper named Lola (Lynn Collins), who he tries to convince to take the dog and pay his veterinarian bill. Now he has to sort out his feelings of letting go of the dog?

A Thousand Words
Director: Scott Caan
Writer: Scott Caan
Producers: Jonah Smith, Palmer West

I viewed 3/13

Extract (2009) R - 3½ Stars

Now here's a refreshing, simple and sweet independent comedy. While it's not a movie to give you huge belted out laughs, it's a cute little story of a too nice of man that everyone seems to takes advantage of. If you like simple comedies, I would add this one to your list.

Joel (Jason Bateman), is the owner of Reynolds Extract company which manufactures items such as vanilla and root beer extracts. But lately his mind is not into his job and he spends too much time with his pot smoking bar tender friend Dean (Ben Affleck). When two workers Mary (Beth Grant), and Gabriella (Lidia Porto), see Step (Clifton Collins Jr.), bragging about his 'soon to become' floor manager position, Gabriella decides if he can goof off, so can she and walks away from her busy assembly line. Without pushing that important stop button, this soon causes a huge disruption to the production causing a painful injury to Step. Brian (J.K. Simmons), the plant manager brings in unethical Cindy (Mila Kunis), in an effort to help get production back on track. And it just might do the trick if Joel could stop imagining his wife Suzi (Kristen Wiig), in her chastity sweat pants, might be having an affair.

Miramax Films, Ternion Entertainment
Director: Mike Judge
Writer: Mike Judge
Producers: Dave Krinsky,Tom Lassally, John Altschuler, Michael Rotenberg

I viewed: 12/13