Little Fockers Movie Review

Usually a sequel becomes rather long in the tooth the third time around however the Little Fockers still has the zing that makes this franchise so popular. You do not have to have seen the first two, Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers to appreciate this newest [...]]]>

Little Fockers Movie Review

Usually a sequel becomes rather long in the tooth the third time around however the Little Fockers still has the zing that makes this franchise so popular. You do not have to have seen the first two, Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers to appreciate this newest one. Ben Stiller as Greg, a registered nurse is now head of a big nursing department in a Chicago hospital. He and his wife Pam played by Teri Polo have five year old twins. Pam’s parents Jack and Deena played by Robert DiNiro and Blythe Danner come to visit for Christmas. Jack a former CIA operative is paranoid and is concerned that Greg may be fooling around.

Greg is contacted by Jeri Garcia, Jessica Alba, a drug rep for an ED drug for men with heart issues. She wants him to represent the drug and he is reluctant to do so. Greg gives a speech to a group of doctors but does not tell his family about it. He comes home with a box of samples not telling the family. Jack takes a dose with hysterical results.

Pam’s former fiance Kevin, played by Owen Wilson, is a wealthy kook having made his money in the stock market. It is apparent he still likes Pam and that is okay with Jack.

Greg’s parents Roz Focker played by Barbra Streisand and Bernie played by Dustin Hoffman play minor parts but are funny. Roz is a sex therapist and has a TV program ala Dr. Ruth. Bernie, a former attorney has been a house husband for the past twenty five years. In the words of Roz, he is going through Manopause.

All in all, the film is very funny and the humor may not be suitable to the little ones. There is chemistry among the members and it is obvious they enjoyed making this film. I may see it a second time.

How Do You Know Movie Review

Lisa, played by Reese Witherspoon is an Olympic softball player. She just discovered she was cut from the team due to her age. She is dating Matty, Owen Wilson, who is a star pitcher for the Washington DC baseball team. He is totally insincere in his feeling for Lisa and for women in general. He keeps a stock of new sweat suits for his conquests to wear home. He can throw a 95 MPH fast ball and makes $19 million a year. Lisa knows she can do better but for some unexplained reason doesn’t try to hard to do so.

George played by Paul Rudd is head of a successful business created by his now retired father played by Jack Nicholson. He discovers that he is the subject of a federal investigation and does not know why. Lisa and George meet and it is apparent that there is no chemistry between the two. George was dating a physics professor who promptly dumped him when she realized he may be in trouble.

As with any romantic comedy, boy meets girl, falls in love and they live happily ever after. Reese Witherspoon was very good in this role as she is in every role. Owen Wilson plays Owen Wilson and that gets a little old. Paul Rudd is convincing as the innocent who is in trouble and Jack Nicholson plays an irascible and arrogant no so loving father. We enjoyed the film and although it does not have some of the punch of some other chick flix I enjoy, this film was worth the $7 price of the popcorn. Reese Witherspoon is one of my favorites and she saves this film.

bruce@kantorandassociates.com

2010 Ballantyne Scoop

Brooklyn’s Finest Movie Review

Brooklyn’s Finest stars Richard Gere, Ethan Hawk and Don Cheatle. This movie was created by the same folks who gave us Training Days, the film that earned Denzel Washington his first Oscar.

The film follows the same path as Training Days with violence and profanity. It is [...]]]>

Brooklyn’s Finest Movie Review

Brooklyn’s Finest stars Richard Gere, Ethan Hawk and Don Cheatle. This movie was created by the same folks who gave us Training Days, the film that earned Denzel Washington his first Oscar.

The film follows the same path as Training Days with violence and profanity. It is the story of three cops. Richard Gere is depressed, suicidal and dating a prostitute. He is a week or so from retirement and is over due in hanging up his shield.

Ethan Hawk’s character is a messy unkempt detective who is having financial problems. He has six children, a wife expecting twins and they live in a three bedroom house. He is saving up for a bigger house by taking money when he partakes in a drug bust.

Don Cheatle is an undercover cop who has infiltrated the drug culture. He is basically a good guy and is trying to help a pal who was recently released from prison go straight.

Profanity rules. If the editors removed all of the “F” and “N” words the picture would be over in about 30 minutes. People are being shot and killed right and left. Rather than the old movie cliché of the gunman making a statement before plugging the victim these guys shoot first and ask questions later. Although the three main characters have no contact with one another, in a contrived finale their lives intertwine to end this bomb of a movie and bring on the credits. If this is what police life is all about, it a bad commentary on our society.

As an aside, I saw this film on a Saturday afternoon. There were at least three children under the age of six in the theater. What were their parents thinking? This movie is not for most adults and is definitely not for a child.

bruce@kantorandassociates.com
Bruce Kantor owns Kantor & Associates in Matthews, NC.