Aug 9 2013

We’re the Millers

Low grade dope dealer David (Jason Sudeikis) finds himself in a rough spot after he’s robbed of everything he owes his boss, Brad (Ed Helms). To pay off his debt and pocket some extra green on the side, David concocts the idea of smuggling a considerable amount of Marijuana into the country using a motorhome all the while hiring unlikely faces from his neighborhood to pose as his family– the Millers. The catch is that his “wife” Rose (Jennifer Aniston) and his “son and daughter” (Kenny Rossmore and Casey Mathis) have all bit off more than they can chew; instead of doing the job as proposed, it turns out the Millers are actually robbing a major cartel kingpin. Comedy ensues, now to get back into the U.S., make the drop, and survive; and what’s this about love in the air?MillersWhile not a total dog, We’re the Millers seems to have fallen prey to a rough case of “Trailer Giveaway Syndrome,” an unfortunate malady that will leave viewers with little left to look forward to in theatres, stale writing and sluggish pace don’t help this predictable comedy attempt. Still acting from the ensemble all feels all right, and bit parts from Nick Offerman and Kathryn Hahn round things off nicely. Perhaps a rental? We’re the Millers is rated R.


Aug 2 2013

2 Guns

After a series of bad run-ins, accomplished criminal duo Bobby Beans (Denzel Washington) and Stig (Mark Wahlberg) are looking to rip off Mexican Drug Lord Papi Greco (Edward James Olmos). But wait, oops, Bobby is a DEA agent and Stig is a Naval Intelligence officer, both are operating undercover and unaware of each other’s cover. So, when everything goes sideways the two are pitted against each other to clear their names; meanwhile, the CIA has sent its brut squad out to correct matters. Sinking quickly the two realize they actually need each other to set the record straight, lest the DEA, CIA, Navy, and Mexican mafia get to them first. A complex gambit, plus the added mess of romance between Bobby and Deb (Paula Patton), who will walk away alive?2guns Based on the graphic novel by the same name, 2 Guns is appropriately timed for release in August, generally the home of barrel scraping sludge. While there are some redeeming qualities, for example Bill Paxton’s bad guy persona is a nice touch, and both Washington and Wahlberg deliver their lines with enough chemistry that the two are fun to watch. But, the overall screenplay feels so overly complex, the efforts to be different and edgy come across as forced and unoriginal. I’m guessing the pitch session for this film went like this: Here’s a fresh idea, a few high ranking spec ops guys from different agencies are put at odds but have to team up to prove to their government that they aren’t bad guys. You mean the A-Team? No, there’s a pretty girl too. Oh, you mean The Losers? Um, no, there’s also this crazy guy who intimidates with a smile on his face. Oh you mean Gary Oldman is in this film too? Not exactly. Soooo, what’s new about this film? Did I mention that We have Denzel and Marky Mark? Oh, sort of like Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon 1, 2, 3, and 4? That’s sort of the idea! Well, by all means, that sounds great let’s green light this son of a gun and get to making cinema history. Right! Bottom line, there are bits of gold amidst the muck, but there isn’t a lot of sustenance, good luck with that. 2 Guns is rated R.