I’m stuck at home. Hard to hold a book open, can barely type, can’t hold a video game controller–what can I do? Press the play button. Here are quick reviews of the movies I’ve been watching to pass the time.
The Fighter–4/4 stars. A great addition to the boxing film library. Bale is amazing in the movie. Modern day Rocky–very worthwhile, with fantastic story and acting.
Little Big Soldier–2/4 stars. Jackie Chan in a big budget historical Chinese war movie. Needed less drama, more action and humor. Play to your strengths, Jackie. Disappointing.
Gun Shy–2/4 stars. Liam Neeson and Sandra Bullock in a nervous/anxious undercover cop romantic comedy. A few patches of fun, but ultimately it’s a hodge podge of pieces that have been done better in other movies. Plus, all semblance of believability is blown at the climax.
Manhattan Murder Mystery–3/4 stars. Very fine Woody Allen murder mystery. A bit slow in parts, but ultimately a lot of fun.
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil–4/4 stars. This movie is a total guilty pleasure in the same vein as Shaun of the Dead. Gory, violent, and inappropriate. The film is brave enough to look at horror film hillbillies and ask, “What if it’s all just a big misunderstanding?” Favorite quote: “Oh hidy ho officer, we’ve had a doozy of a day. There we were minding our own business, just doing chores around the house, when kids started killing themselves all over my property.” Hilarious. (Thanks for the recommendation, Dan Wells. You saved my Tuesday from being 100% awful.)
As soon as you said two of them were 4/4, I knew one of them was Tucker and Dale. And yes, that police conversation was the best part of the movie.
Dale: “Officer, that girl we’re keeping in the house could explain everything, if I hadn’t knocked her unconscious with a shovel accidentally.”
Tucker: “ACCIDENTALLY.”
He just jumped into the wood chipper, head first. Crazy college kids.