Friday Flicks

Friday Flicks (March 28, 2008)

Welcome to the first installment of Friday Flicks on this gloomy March 28, 2008. We have 4 wide-release openings this weekend that include 2 movies I really want to see, 1 movie I’ll probably see on Netflix, and 1 movie that should never have been made. Without further ado, let’s see what’s playing this weekend:

21 (Kevin Spacey, Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, and Laurence Fishburne)
21 is based on Ben Mezrich’s nonfiction bestseller “Bringing Down the House,” about six M.I.T. students who were trained to become experts in card counting and subsequently took Vegas casinos for millions in winnings. From the trailers I have seen, this movie looks really exciting and fast paced. I am always intrigued by movies that are based in part on true life stories, and of course, with movies that have Kevin Spacey in them as well. Up-and-coming actor Jim Sturgess, Jude from Across the Universe, leads a young, but formidable cast, into the crazy and at times shady world of Vegas casinos. Aussie film director Robert Luketic, who is best known for more bubbly, girl-centered, romantic movies, (Legally Blonde, Monster-in-Law, Win a Date with Ted Hamilton) tries his hand at an action thriller that in my opinion will pay off big!
Rated PG-13 for some violence, and sexual content including partial nudity.

Run, Fat Boy, Run (Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton, Hank Azaria)
Run, Fat Boy, Run is another movie from the down-to-earth Scottish comedian Simon Pegg of Shaun of the Dead fame. He plays “Dennis”, who is a clueless and slightly overweight guy, who left his pregnant fiancée five years earlier. Every day, he tries to persuade the woman he loves to accept him back into his life, but everyday he fails. When he discovers that “Libby” (Thanide Newton), his love, has found a partner in the form of American “Whit” (Hank Azaria), frustration grows, and he vows, that for once in his life, he will finish something. This something ends up being a Nike River-run in London. With his friends by his side, Dennis begins training for the marathon he must finish. I’ve never seen 1 movie that Pegg has done and I think I regret that. Everyone that has seen him in a movie has recalled to me how funny he is. There’s something humbling about his comedic approach. What makes this movie more appealing to me is that this is the directorial debut of David Schwimmer (Friends). Pre-screenings have audiences laughing out loud and claiming this movie to be the funniest comedy of 2008. I am really looking forward to seeing this one with my buddies here soon.
Rated PG-13 for some rude and sexual humor, nudity, language and smoking.

Stop Loss (Ryan Phillippe, Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt)
Stop Loss is about a decorated Iraq war hero, Sgt. Brandon King (Phillippe), who makes a celebrated return to his small Texas hometown following his tour of duty. He tries to resume the life he left behind. Then, against his will, the Army orders him back to duty in Iraq, which upends his world. The conflict tests everything he believes in: the bond of family, the loyalty of friendship, the limits of love and the value of honor. This is one of those movies I am sure will cause some controversy once the public starts seeing it and writing about it. I can really see this movie hitting home with a lot of people, especially concerning our current war situation. I typically enjoy war films for the most part, and at first glance I wanted to see this, but I don’t think I would be able to handle it. I can’t even understand the feelings and emotions that families go through when they have to send their son or daughter out to war, so I don’t EVEN think I could withstand watching a movie about someone who has to go BACK after serving. Depending on your feelings of the war, this movie may be enjoyable, or it might add to the already fuming rage you have over the war.
Rated R for graphic violence and pervasive language. (re-rating; originally also some strong sexuality)

Superhero Movie (Drake Bell, Sara Paxton, Leslie Nielsen)
A parody of superhero films, from Batman Begins to Fantastic Four. Anytime you see that Leslie Nielsen is in a movie with Pamela Anderson, you automatically know what it’s going to be: a big loss. Following in the long unfortunate line of “Scary Movie #” and any movie where Eddie Murphy plays more than 1 character comes another movie that should never have been made. Though I do give it a 1/2 pt for being original in that it’s seemingly the first superhero parody movie we’ve seen, I don’t give it much chance in the box office. I mean, when you have a Nickelodeon star as your male lead, how strong do you think it’ll be? Take it from me, don’t waste your time.
Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, comic violence, drug references and language.

Well, I hope that helps you out in your pursuit to pick a movie. If you have any disputes to what I said or have any additional details to add, please feel free to engage in discussion by leaving a comment below.