The amiable if at times flat Game Night is a little like David Fincher’s The Game done in the style of contemporary comedies like Horrible Bosses. It also falls into that cinematic sub-genre the Jason Bateman movie in which Bateman plays the put-upon, every-man, nice guy schlub forced into a dangerous situation that inevitably provides some necessary jolt to his
Read moreThe raunch comedy is really just a more obscene and cynical update of the 80’s party animal comedy. For evidence look no further than Office Christmas Party, a messy, occasionally amusing but mostly predictable excuse for juvenile comedy that features the party animal movie staples: nerds, prostitutes, comical pimps, people going nuts on coke, a laid back sensible everyman central character and ultimately an
Read moreDisney’s Zootopia is one of the best animated films of recent years. Other recent films in this genre have contained sparkling photo-realistic animation, a few clever gags and some endearing characters but Zootopia has all these qualities combined with a clever film noir-like detective plot and a variety of thoughtful and positive messages. Zootopia is set in an imaginary world
Read moreHorrible Bosses was an enjoyably dopey, mildly obscene and occasionally amusing lads comedy that successfully tapped into the fantasy of the little guy getting the better of arrogant bastards, corporate bullies and crass, undeserving rich kids. The film worked because the three wage-slave knuckleheads Nick (Jason Batemen), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day) who plotted to off their obnoxious
Read moreMelissa McCarthy’s foul-mouthed, borderline psychotic performances were highlights of Bridesmaids and This is 40 but in Identity Thief, this routine is looking a bit tired. McCarthy plays a deranged con woman Diana who steals people’s personal information to create fake credit cards which she uses to fund outrageous spending sprees. Her latest victim is Sandy Patterson (Jason Bateman) a decent
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