At The Cinema - April 2010

Hot Tub Time Machine – 2
You’ll like this movie if
a. You’re easily amused
b. You like John Cusack
c. You think it’s a great concept

I give this a 2 for the 2 times I laughed.
Some movies are great scripts, with great titles. With this one, they should’ve stopped right there, kind of like Snakes on a Plane. Better to imagine it than actually sit through it.
Look, I like raunchy comedy as much as anyone. But, there’s one key element that should be present. It should be funny. This movie just falls flat. The main characters are so broad and boring that the only spark to the film is in the females who apparently inhabited the 80’s. They’re genuinely likeable, interesting, and well-acted. Other than that, not much works. Maybe the 80’s that the protags travel back to just weren’t that funny. The movie just never engaged for me.
The plot telegraphs itself like a hanging curveball, and yet it is so full of holes it’s borderline ridiculous. I could give it away, but why spoil the lack of fun? Let’s just say that in Back to the Future, hair growth ability wasn’t one of the things that changed as people vaulted back and forth through time. So, all in all, a huge disappointment. I went looking to be entertained and should have stayed home. I’d have laughed more at one of those Jimmy Kimmel short films he’s doing these days. In the best spirit of the 80’s I wanted to just yell, “Engage, Maverick, engage.” It never did.

Date Night – 8
You’ll like this movie if
a. You like Tina Fey
b. You like Steve Carrel
c. You like to laugh

This movie is Shakespeare by comparison. First and foremost the stars of this lightweight froth, Tina Fey and Steve Carrell are today’s comedy royalty. Their timing, rapport and delivery are a pleasure to watch, and it’s nice to see stardom deserved for a change.

It’s also nice to see a realistic portrayal of a married couple that actually seem committed to each other. Sure, they’re thrust into an unrealistic story, but it’s their skill that makes the ridiculous believable. Nice can be funny – what a revelation.

What’s really cool is that the movie gets funnier as it progresses. Instead of fizzling out early like so many comedies the movie builds to a hilarious climax. Nice work, and a nice way to spend an hour and a half. That’s right, short and sweet too.

Here’s hoping the two stars make more movies together. We could use a Tracy and Hepburn.