New Releases

Horrible Bosses 2 – Sean Anders

/ ReelDecisions / Leave a comment
Horrible Bosses 2 starring Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, and Jennifer Aniston.

Horrible Bosses 2 starring Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, and Jennifer Aniston.

There is no denying that Horrible Bosses 2 is a funny movie. You could put Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day in a room with a camera and it would be a funny movie (evidence: bloopers). This one takes a little longer to provide the real laughs, but once they come they keep on rolling through until the end. Charlie Day, as the naïve and sometimes moronic hygienist (Dale) who was sexually abused by his boss in the last movie, and Jason Sudeikis (Kurt) are at the center of most of the comedy while Jason Bateman (Nick) is the grounded one and the only voice of reason in the group.

In the time between Horrible Bosses and this new movie, Nick, Dale, and Kurt have gone into business for themselves and have a product that they are eager to sell. When a large investor reneges on his promise of a large order, they hatch an elaborate kidnapping plan to come up with enough money to save their business. As expected, the movie gets more and more ridiculous as the storyline progresses but it is still fun to watch, especially when things (predictably) start to go downhill. There are a couple key scenes that are absolutely hilarious but the rest is pretty standard and what we would typically expect from these actors.

The return co-stars are Jennifer Aniston as the sex-addicted dentist, Kevin Spacey as the ex-boss who went to prison at the end of the first movie, and Jamie Foxx as Motherf*cker Jones. Jennifer Aniston, known as the wholesome girl-next-door, once again is so crude and her dialogue is so sexually charged that it is still fun to see her so out of place in the role. Unfortunately Kevin Spacey only has a small role this time around, but he definitely stands out. Newcomers Chris Pine and Christoph Waltz add another dimension to the story and play the two characters who shape the main plot of the movie. The two, however, are not as amusing to watch as Colin Ferrell was in Horrible Bosses. Comparing the two movies, the first one was probably the funnier of the two because of its originality and better characters; but on its own, Horrible Bosses 2 is still a satisfying comedy.

An audience that enjoys colourful profanity, sexual innuendo, quick and ridiculous dialogue, and equally ridiculous situations that wouldn’t be out of place in The Three Stooges, then Horrible Bosses 2 will be a blast. If that sort of light comedy isn’t quite what you’re looking for, then don’t bother, you will only be disappointed.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1 – Francis Lawrence

/ ReelDecisions / Leave a comment
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 starring Jennifer Lawrence, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Josh Hutcherson, and Donald Sutherland.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 starring Jennifer Lawrence, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Josh Hutcherson, and Donald Sutherland.

If Jennifer Lawrence is in it, it’s going to be a good movie, or so we have come to expect. Mockingjay-Part 1 is no exception. Fans of the Hunger Games series will flock to this movie and will love how it sets the series up for the big finale that will come in Mockingjay-Part 2, to be released next year. Part 1 sets the stage for the revolution that will come at the hands of the Districts as they unite in their fight against the Panem Capitol. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has unwillingly become the symbol of the revolution after the last Games and is now trying to cope with her new life in District 13. Using her status as the symbol of hope and strength, she does everything she can in order to get Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) rescued from the clutches of the Capitol and the evil President Snow (Donald Sutherland).

Based on the three books written by Suzanne Collins, the Hunger Games series has so far given the audience exactly what it wants. Although Mockingjay-Part 1 doesn’t quite live up to the excitement and action in The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, it is still necessary to complete the series and show more of Katniss’ inner struggle and her relationships with Gale, her sister, and Coin, the President of District 13.

Without all of the inner dialogue that plays a prominent feature in the book, it would be very possible for Katniss to appear as a very one-dimensional character on screen; but with Jennifer Lawrence playing the part, that never becomes an issue. She has a unique ability to touch the audience and make them feel something. There are some very exciting moments in the movie but the parts that really get you are the scenes where Katniss’ passion leaps across the screen and tugs at your own emotions as a viewer. It is very fortunate that such a talented actress has been involved with the series since the beginning, or it could have easily turned into an empty saga with atrocious acting like Twilight.

Other solid, seasoned solid actors that help round out the film and give the newer characters depth are Julianne Moore and Philip Seymour Hoffman (“Plutarch Heavensbee” previously appeared in Catching Fire and is Philip Seymour Hoffman’s final role before his unfortunate death).

This is a series that must be watched in a sequence and Mockingjay-Part 1 will mean absolutely nothing to those who haven’t seen the first two movies. For those who have read the books, the suspense of not knowing at which point the movie will end is part of the fun, and knowing what is going to happen in Part 2 will also add to the excitement. Overall, Part 1 is both a solid adaptation of the book and a good prelude to what is surely going to be the most exciting and the most emotional film in the series.