adamgehrke.com

Graeme and Clive (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost) are two lifelong buds from the UK on holiday in the U.S.. While in the country the two self admitted nerds are busy checking out Comicon in San Diego, then on to tour some of the most noted extraterrestrial hot spots in the South West. But, as luck may have it the two are in for more than they bargained with when an actual alien named Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen) befriends them and asks for their help. Now it’s a matter of evading the authorities and getting Paul back to his home. Will they succeed or will The Big Guy (Sigourney Weaver) and Agent Zoli (Jason Bateman) get their way and steal Paul’s brain? A love letter to the sci-fi community much the way their previous films Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz have been done in homage to the horror and action communities. Writers Simon Pegg and Nick Frost continue to go back to their wells of influence and find fun ideas from old themes. And, while this may not be their funniest work, there’s still enough that is consistently irreverent and is funny to keep fans happy. Supporting part picked up by comedic players such as Jane Lynch, David Koechner, and Jeffrey Tambor elicit chuckles by just appearing on the screen and then continue by delivering the goods as well. I’m thinking matinee, maybe more. Paul is rated R.

Defense lawyer Mick Haller (Matthew McConaughey) is as slick as they come, known for his ability to work the legal system and work miracles for the lowest of the low. But, when Mick takes on a new client, Louis (Ryan Phillippe), he begins to question what it is to be a defense attorney, especially when he learns his client is not only guilty of the crime he’s accused of but also several murders. Now the question becomes how to keep his ex, Maggie (Marisa Tomei) and his daughter, safe. One part suspense, one part courtroom procedural, and one part Columbo and you’ve got the makings for a fresh script. Based on Michael Connelly’s novel, this adapted screenplay plays well, breaks the audience’s expectations of a surprise twist, and chooses to focus instead on telling a good story. Interesting and well acted characters keep the story moving forward– which proves it doesn’t necessarily take explosions, car chases, shoot outs, or special effects to make a Hollywood based film succeed. Worth at least a matinee. The Lincoln Lawyer is rated R.