Ted 2

My View:   Ted 2 (2015)  R   Ted (Seth MacFarlane) and Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth) have gotten married and now want to have a kid. John (Mark Wahlberg) finds out that, for Ted to have a kid, he will have to prove, in a court of law, that he is a person.  As with most sequels, this film is mostly a rehash of the first film, but this time without the heart of the first. The film is too long, and, while the jokes are funny, it takes forever to set them up. There are a few unnecessary scenes, and MacFarlane could have taken 30 minutes out of this almost two-hour film without hurting the plot. One of the great things about the first film was it contained a love story between two best friends, but while this sequel attempts to pull at heartstrings, it never hits the mark. Amanda Seyfried fits in with the two leads, becoming part of the boy's club, but I think that is another problem with this film. The first film had Mila Kunis’s character, who played a clear opposite to the antics of the boys. It’s one of those films that does have some great laughs, but it takes too long to get to them. Make sure and stay through all the credits as there is a bonus scene that is worth the wait.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Ted 2 Website

Family Faire:   Max (2015)  PG   Max is a military working dog who returns from Afghanistan after his handler is killed. Max is adopted by the family of the slain soldier, and together they begin a journey of healing. This is an admirable family film that will touch your heart, especially if you or one of your loved ones has served in the Armed Services. The dog is the best part of the film and has a very expressive face and bark. Josh Wiggins plays Justin, the young brother of the slain soldier and has an excellent connection to the dog. The supporting cast is impressive with Lauren Graham and Thomas Haden Church playing Josh’s parents. I didn’t like the attempt at a Texas accent by Graham (no one else tries for one) as it comes off as corny. The action sequences are well done and kids will enjoy all the action that takes place on bikes and trails. It’s a perfect Sunday afternoon film that the whole family can enjoy.    My Take: Bargain Matinee   Max Website

Indiefest:  Me and Earl and the Dying Girl  (2015)  PG-13   Greg (Thomas Mann) spends most of his time making parodies of classic films with his friend Earl (RJ Cyler).  Their lives are changed when they meet Rachel (Olivia Cooke) a young girl who has just been diagnosed with cancer. I loved this touching and very inventive film. It takes the teenage coming of age romance genre and turns it on its ear. There is great chemistry between the three leads and Olivia Cooke shines as the girl who refuses to give in to cancer. This brilliant film is one of my favorite films of the year.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again    Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Website

Indiefest:   The Overnight (2015)  R  Alex (Adam Scott) and his wife, Emily (Taylor Schilling) have just moved to L.A. from Seattle with their young son. While at a park, they make friends with Kurt (Jason Schwartzman) who also has a son. He invites them to dinner at his house for pizza and kid playtime. Alex and Emily soon discover that they could be in for a wild ride.  This is a hilarious film that is going to make you uncomfortable at times as it covers some extreme adult situations. Scott and Schilling work well with each other on screen, giving us a feeling that this couple truly love and enjoy each other. Schwartzman is perfect in the role of a guy who pushes the boundaries of human behavior. The great fun of this film is that you never know where the film is going to go next - you only know that it’s going to be surprising and a whole lot of fun. I will warn you that there lots of nudity, including full-frontal male nudity.    My Rating: Full Price   The Overnight Facebook Page

Family Faire:   When Marnie Was There (2014)   PG   Anna (Hailee Steinfeld)) has been sent to the country after having a severe asthma attack. While exploring, she meets Marnie (Kiernan Shipka) a young girl who seems very familiar. Will their friendship last? Only time will tell.  This is a moving and beautiful film that is perfect for young girls, ages eight to fourteen. It’s a film about feeling alone and different, then finding out that there are other people out there who feel the same way. The characters are full and well thought-out, and the animation is breathtaking. It is rumored that this might be the last film of the legendary Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli, and, if it is, it is a perfect swan song. Go see this wonderful, touching film.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   When Marnie Was Here Info

Indiefest:   Escobar: Paradise Lost (2014)  R   Nick (Josh Hutchenson) is traveling through Columbia surfing the waves and having a good time. He meets the girl of his dreams, Maria (Laura Londono) only to find out that her uncle is the legendary drug trafficker, Pablo Escobar (Benicio Del Toro). Now Nick is in danger, but he doesn’t want to leave Maria. I think fans of Hutchenson may enjoy this film, but I found his character rather boring and he really couldn’t keep up with Del Toro. The film centers on Nick and his girlfriend, I would have liked it to center on the relationship between Nick and Pablo. I did like the ending, and I liked Laura Londono’s performance, but overall I felt the 2-hour length of the film.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee

Forgotten Film:   Room at the Top (1959) An ambitious and angry young man (Laurence Harvey) decides his way to move up in the world is to marry the boss’s daughter (Heather Sears). Complicating things is his attraction to a married older woman (Simone Signoret). This is a film full of tremendous performances, but it’s Simone Signoret who makes this film so memorable. She is able to make us love her from the start, and the sadness she displays in her eyes is incredibly touching. Room at the Top is an outstanding film that makes some of today’s dramas seems soul-less.   My Rating: Full Price   Room at the Top Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Ted 2: Goose Wrangler

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:   Mr. Holmes (2015)  PG  Ian McKellen playing one of my favorite fictional characters, Sherlock Holmes. As a bonus, Laura Linney is one of the co-stars.   Mr. Holmes Info

Until Next Time!