Horrible Bosses 2

My View:  Horrible Bosses 2 (2014) R   Dale (Charlie Day), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Nick (Jason Bateman) have decided to be their own boss and start up a company to manufacture the, “Shower Buddy.”  A father (Christoph Waltz) and son (Chris Pine) steal the boys’ idea, and it looks like they will get away with it.  The guys come up with a plan to save their company, kidnap the son and hold him for ransom.  What could go wrong?  I wasn't a big fan of the first film. I thought that there wasn't enough of the bosses and too much of the guys.  This film has the same problem as Christoph Waltz’s character is so much more interesting than the main characters. This film, just like the first one, is crass (way too many rape jokes) and too often goes for the easy joke.  I just didn't laugh enough to make this one a film I would recommend.   My Rating: Cable  Horrible Bosses 2 Website

Family Faire:  Penguins of Madagascar  (2014) PG  Skipper (Tom McGrath), Kowalski (Chris Miller), Rico (Conrad Vernon) and Private (Christopher Knights) are out to stop the evil Dr. Octavius Brine (John Malkovich) from taking all the penguins out of zoos.  Skipper comes up with a plan that just might work if the undercover organization, The North Wind, comes to their aid.  I had so much fun watching this film. Kids will love all the action and the pratfalls, and adults will love the puns and quick dialogue. This is a film that doesn't take itself too seriously and just decides to have a good time, making fun of the world's obsession with cute animals.  Malkovich is a blast playing the evil bad guy with a bit of a grudge. I really like the Skipper character, especially when he does a running gag where he can't remember the bad guy’s name.  Stay through the first part of the credits for some bonus material.  I didn't really notice the 3-D effects, so save a few bucks, but do go see this film. 
 My Rating:  Full Price  Penguins of Madagascar Website

Indiefest:  Diplomacy (2014)  As the Allies march towards Paris in 1944, Hitler wants Paris not to fall into enemy’s hands.  He has given the order to General Dietrich von Choltitz (Niels Arestrup) that if he leaves Paris, it should be in rubble.  The Swedish Consul General Raoul Nordling (Andre Dussollier) finds out that mines have been planted on all the important French landmarks (such as the Eiffel Tower) and most of the bridges in the city.  Nordling’s plan is to talk the General out of blowing up Paris. This is a film that works due to the chemistry and on-screen presence of the two leads. The dialogue is well written and moves quickly, as the two debate why the General shouldn't blow up Paris. It's a fascinating look at a tense few hours that could have changed France forever.  My Rating: Full Price  Diplomacy Website

Forgotten Film:  Vanishing Point (1971) R    A car delivery driver, Kowalski(Barry Newman), makes a bet that he can drive a 1970 Doge Challenger from Denver to San Francisco in less than a day.  Kowalski is a man haunted by his past, and he survives his demons by adrenaline. It's a film that is filled with great scenery, and, even better, car races and police pursuits. While not a great film and a little dated (lot of counter-culture references), it's still full of great action sequences with some thrilling car crashes.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee  Vanishing Point Info

In Case You Missed it (A Film Just Released onDVD/Blue Ray):  The Giver (2014) PG-13  A very strange Young Adult book adaptation that misses the mark.  There is very little action in this story of a young man who receives the memory of his people.  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee  The Giver Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Horrible Bosses 2 (2014):  pursuit crane operator

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Inherent Vice (2014)  In 1970’s Los Angeles, detective Larry “Doc” Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) investigates the disappearance of a former girlfriend. From Paul Thomas Anderson, the director of Magnolia (1999), Punch-Drunk Love (2002) and There Will Be Blood (2007) comes a film that looks be a combination of The Big Lebowski (1998) and American Hustle (2013).  Inherent Vice Website

Until Next Time!