Jan 14 2011

The Green Hornet

Heir to his father’s multimillion dollar media business, slacker and goof Britt Reid (Seth Rogen), is suddenly thrust into the position as editor in chief for the LA Sentinel. Under pressure, Britt and his father’s former assistant, Kato (Jay Chou), accidentally discover they actually make a pretty good team as masked crime fighters while originally trying to blow off steam. Assisted by Britt’s secretary, Lenore (Cameron Diaz), the duo quickly find that their heroics will land them face to face with the head of organized crime, Chudnofsky (Christoph Waltz). But who’s really pulling the strings on crime in LA and how did Britt’s father actually die? Admittedly this is a January release film, traditionally a time when anything new in theatres is expected to be scraping the bottom of the barrel, a time when expectations are low. Surprisingly, what looked originally like it was going to be a train wreck, turns out to be not entirely bad. Again, we’re not getting a real stretch from Rogen here, but newcomer to American cinema Chou makes a strong showing as potentially the next martial artist crossover actor with natural sensibilities and comedic timing. Meanwhile, Waltz as bad guy Chudnofsky never really seems to achieve his true potential. Overall, the ensemble could have done a lot worse. Creative points go to director Michel Gondry in choreography and directing in the action sequences. But, screenplay wise the film feels like it’s missing a few cogs in the gears and grinds out in a number of instances, still a few tips of the hat to the original Green Hornet don’t go unnoticed. End result, it’s fun and worth at least a matinee, maybe more. The Green Hornet is rated PG-13.


Jan 14 2011

The Dilemma

Best friends since college Nick (Kevin James) and Ronny (Vince Vaughn) are now developers of a competitive special technology for hybrid cars; the two are thick as thieves  and know each other inside and out, or do they? You see, Geneva (Winona Ryder) is Nick’s loving wife, but when Ronny catches her stepping out on her relationship he’s got a dilemma on his hands. If Ronny tells Nick what he’s seen, he risks destroying their business and friendship, all the while his girlfriend, Beth (Jennifer Connelly), is growing suspicious that Ronny is hiding something from her at the same time. But, just how far will the whole situation tip before it tips over? So here’s how this all breaks down; you get Vince Vaughn doing what he does best, fast talking and charming, Kevin James does his bumbling buddy/common guy routine and Winona and Jennifer doing a notable job supporting the men– not exactly a stretch for anyone in the ensemble. And, it’s not as though tales of lovers triangles are anything new, so what are we left with? Well, there’s always comedy right? But while the film is being sold as a laugh riot, I’d like to point out the actual film is much more uncomfortable and more of a schadenfreude in it’s delivery. Now, none of this makes the film horrible, or a failure per se; but, it also doesn’t exactly push the envelope or try anything new. Bottom line it’s a matinee at best but more of a rental. The Dilemma is rated PG-13.