Get Smart - 3 smiles

Those who thought the original television series “Get Smart,” starring Don Adams and Barbara Feldon, was just a little too silly can rest more easily. The movie “Get Smart” wisely doesn’t try to duplicate its source material although there’s enough ‘stupid’ stuff if that tickles your funny bone. Unlike the TV Max, the movie Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) is smart. In fact, he’s so smart that Control Chief (Alan Arkin) doesn’t want to promote him from data analyst to field agent. However, when an attack on Control headquarters by Kaos operative Sigfried (Terrence Stamp) eliminates many of Control's agents, Max is promoted. He and Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) are sent after Sigfried with Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson) providing tactical office support.

Steve Carell is perfect as Maxwell Smart because he doesn’t try to imitate Adams. Instead Carell has created a character that feels like Adams and when you add Adams’ signature lines ("Would you believe…?", "Missed it by THIS much"), there’s a flavor of the original without trying too hard. Hathaway’s Agent 99 has been modernized, and she plays well opposite Carell. Control nerds (Masi Oka and Nate Torrence) provide Max with gadget support (and some pretty funny lines). Cameos include James Caan (the president), Bill Murray (man in a tree), and Bernie Koppell (the original Sigfried as a taxi driver). Plus, one of Sigfried’s men (Dalip Singh) seems to have been modeled after Jaws, a James Bond character. There isn’t much of a plot, but there is a lot of action and half of the fun of this movie is spending some time with familiar characters because you know that Control will best Kaos in the end. “Get Smart” is a blend of humor and slapstick that works. It’s not the best comedy for 2008, but, then, it’s way better than “The Love Guru.” (6/20/08)

The Love Guru - 1 frown

Anyone who goes to see “The Love Guru” deserves an apology for having to sit through this lackluster mess of a movie. Full of crotch humor, toilet jokes, sexual innuendo and midget gags, “The Love Guru” is such an awful movie that it even insults the intellect of its target audience of 13-year-old boys. Well, maybe not 13-year-old boys, but definitely anyone else. Mike Myers’ Guru Pitka, a Deepak Chopra wannabe, goes from one unfunny joke to another and just when you think Myers can’t go any lower, he does. Think male elephant and female elephant in a hockey rink and you’ve got an image you probably could have lived without. At 90 minutes, “The Love Guru” is roughly 80 minutes too long. (6/23/08)

The Incredible Hulk - 2 1/2 smiles

If “Iron Man” has been described as a comic book movie that you don’t have to be a comic book fan to like, “The Incredible Hulk” is a comic book movie that you have to be a comic book fan to like. That’s because this movie is mainly about action – lots of action. And with so much action, there’s not a lot of room for plot. So the storyline revolves around three confrontations between the Hulk and his arch-rival. The first encounter happens in a soft drink factory in Brazil, where Dr. Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) is working and trying to keep a low profile. A tactical assault team, led by Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), is sent in to capture Banner, but they meet the Hulk instead. After the Hulk smashes out of the factory and escapes into the jungle, Banner heads back to the US, where he reunites with his love, Dr. Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). Meanwhile, General Ross (William Hurt) decides to inject Blonsky with a serum that makes him superhuman and send him after Banner again. The next skirmish occurs at a university where Blonsky is a better adversary, but still no match for the Hulk. The third and final knock-down-drag-out fight happens in downtown New York. Blonsky has become the Abomination and in fitting comic book fashion, this is a battle between two computer graphics.

Edward Norton is effective as the anguished doctor with a Jekyll and Hyde personality disorder. Like Robert Downey, Jr., he brings a wealth of talent to his character. Too bad the script is so weak. Tyler doesn’t have much to do, but there is chemistry between Betty and Banner. As Blonsky, Tim Roth gets to sneer a lot and overact, which, for a movie about a comic book character, may not be a bad thing. Lou Ferrigno and Robert Downey, Jr. have cameos. “Hulk smash!” That pretty much sums up the movie. (6/13/08)

Roman de Gare - 3 smiles

Movies with subtitles are often a hard sell to U.S. audiences. Nonetheless, some of the better movies in theaters now come from other countries. “Roman de Gare,” a delightful blend of comedy, romance, and mystery, is such a film. Here, people are not what they seem to be – you have Judith Ralitzer, a popular French novelist (Fanny Ardant) who may or may not be responsible for killing her ghost writer, and Pierre (Dominique Pinon), with his pushed in face and blue eyes, who may or may not be a serial killer or a run-away husband. One evening, Pierre, who is on his way to Cannes, offers to give Huguette (Audrey Dana) a ride. Huguette, who has been abandoned at a gas station after a fight with her fiancé, is on her way to visit her family. She asks Pierre to pretend to be her doctor boyfriend and he agrees. Some of the fun begins as the two of them try to maneuver around an awkward situation and a tentative love grows out of their arrangement. However, director Claude Lelouch is also making a mystery. When Pierre eventually gets to Cannes, he tells Judith he wants his name on her next book because, after all, he’s writing it. Forced into a corner, Judith is ready to take drastic measures to salvage her reputation and her livelihood.

Not only is the plot of “Roman de Gare” top notch, but so is the acting. Pinon, not movie-star handsome, is an interesting choice for a leading man. Initially creepy and then endearing, he’s a joy to watch as we gradually begin to care what happens to him. And Dana’s Huguette, at first so abrasive, slowly softens as she interacts with her family and Pierre. Veteran Fanny Ardant brings elegance to the role of a novelists who can blithely rationalize cheating as acceptable behavior. “Roman de gare" translates as a best-seller, the type of novel one might find for sale at an airport or train station. And like a best-seller, “Roman de Gare” is engaging from beginning to end. (6/12/08)

The Happening - 1 1/2 smiles

In “The Happening,” writer director M. Night Shyamalan has come up with an interesting premise. Too bad he doesn’t know how to develop it other than devise gruesome ways for people to commit suicide. Something ominous is happening in Central Park, causing people to become disoriented and kill themselves. An airborne toxin quickly spreads throughout New York and then expands through much of the Northeast. Theories about the cause abound, from terrorist attacks to a virus to the negative effects of nuclear power. Caught in a mass exodus of Philadelphia is Elliot, a high school science teacher (Mark Wahlberg), his wife Alma (Zooey Deschanel), Elliot’s best friend, Julian (John Leguizamo); and Julian's young daughter, Jess (Ashlyn Sanchez). They escape by train only to find themselves stranded in rural eastern Pennsylvania. There, Elliot and his small group must find a safe place to hide.

Shyamalan develops his concept of nature as menace through contrivances, not through natural outcomes of a solid plot. Because Elliot, Alma, and Jess just happen to find a ride with a man who believes that plants communicate with each other, Elliot postulates that Mother Nature is fighting back and that the wind is spreading the deadly toxin. Are we to believe that he stumbles onto the cause of ‘the happening’ after one random conversation? And then there’s a ridiculous marital problem that’s bothering Alma. It’s so silly that it easily results in thinking Alma is silly. And Zooey Deschanel’s frequent wide-eyed-deer-caught-in-the-headlights expression doesn’t help. In order for “The Happening” to work, you need a first-rate plot, strong characters, and a meaningful message. Instead you get barely enough story for a 30-minute “Twilight Zone” episode, overwrought characters that you really don’t care about and a vague message about messing with Mother Nature. "The Happening" is no "Sixth Sense." (6/14/08)

The Strangers - 1 frown

Random acts of violence in “The Strangers” calls to mind the Tate-LaBianca murders in 1969 although this movie is based on an incident that happened in 2005. Director Bryan Bertino successfully builds suspense for his two central characters, Kristen McKay (Liv Tyler) and James Hoyt (Scott Speedman), but, at best, this heartless home invasion movie is an ordeal to watch. (6/7/08)

Mongol - 3 1/2 smiles

Adventure story, love story, history lesson….”Mongol” has it all and director Sergei Bodrov successfully humanizes Genghis Khan as he tells the story of Temudgin’s early years. We first meet Temudgin at age 9 when his father takes him to another village to select his wife. He selects Borte (or, rather, she selects him) and on their return trip home, Temudgin’s father is poisoned by a rival clan chief. When his father’s lieutenants turn on him, Temudgin flees for his life, eventually taking refuge with another clan where he becomes blood brothers with Jamukha, who, in later years, becomes his chief enemy. Shortly, Temudgin is captured and he spends the next few years as a slave in his own clan. Now a young man, Temudgin (Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano) escapes and sets out to claim the older Borte (Mongolian newcomer Khulan Chuluun). This is a period full of violence, betrayal and more years spent as a slave, but the portrait of Temudgin that emerges is one of a man who is strong enough to hold the mantle of leadership through the might of his sword and the power of his beliefs. And at his side, faithful through all of the hardships, is his wife, Borte.

The cinematography is impressive with extensive shots of vast Mongolian grasslands that underscores Temudgin’s struggle to survive. But Bodrov also fills the screen with a ‘cast of thousands’ as he choreographs battle sequences full of charging horses, flailing swords, and spurting blood. Nonetheless, Bodrov uses CGI sparingly because, for him “it was very important to go back to the old kind of movies,” to create an epic rarely attempted by foreign filmmakers. “Mongol” is as refreshing as it is beautiful; it is truly worth seeing. (6/8/08)

Kung Fu Panda - 3 smiles

”Kung Fu Panda” is definitely a kid-friendly film, but it also appeals to the child in all of us. What’s not to love about a cuddily panda who turns out to be the hero? At the heart of “Kung Fu Panda” is a message about believing in oneself and we go on a remarkable journey with Po as he learns this lesson. Po the Panda (voiced by Jack Black) daydreams about being a martial arts hero when he’s not working in his father’s noodle shop. In another part of the city, Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim), has had a vision that Tia Lung (Ian McShane) will escape his prison and ravage the city in his quest for dominance. Master Oogway must choose the Dragon Warrior to stop Tia Lung. There are five obvious candidates, all students to Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman): Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Viper (Lucy Liu), Crane (David Cross), Mantis (Seth Rogen) and Monkey (Jackie Chan). However, Oogway chooses Po, which outrages Shifu and his pupils. The thought of the chubby Po fighting Tia Lung is laughable because Po can’t even climb the stairs to the temple. Nonetheless, Po has hidden talents that Shifu must discover as time grows short.

The film contains enough humor and action to keep children engaged and adults will enjoy the fanboy aspect to Po’s personality and the way Master Shifu unlocks Po's talent. Po is a true kung fu wannabe and meeting the Furious Five is a dream come true, even if they don’t like him. And he is awestruck when he sees all of the legendary gadgets on display in the temple. Jack Black brings a mix of puppy dog enthusiasm and self-depricating humor that’s perfect for Po. Dustin Hoffman and Ian McShane are also standouts. “Kung Fu Panda” delivers and if you like animated movies, you’ll enjoy this one. (6/7/08)

You Don't Mess With the Zohan - 2 smiles

“You Don’t Mess With the Zohan,” Adam Sandler’s latest effort, is really two different movies. One is typical Sandler schtick, juvenile, crude, and definitely not funny. The other, a narrative about a superspy who becomes weary of nonstop violence and wants to change his life, has promise. Unfortunately, the stupid stuff interferes. Zohan (Sandler) is an Israeli James Bond who loves disco music, hummus and Fizzy Bubbly, and wants to style hair. After staging his death, he moves to New York, assumes the name of Scrappy Coco and goes to work in a Palestinian hair salon. He graduates from unpaid worker to star stylist, as his hair technique (along with loud animal sex in the backroom) makes him a top attraction with older female customers.

The script would have been less schizophrenic (and more engaging) if director Dennis Dugan had focused on Zohan trying to escape his past with circumstances forcing him to continually use his superspy abilities to defeat the bad guys. We see a little of this, but not enough. Regrettably, Dugan tries to juggle too many tiresome and boring elements such as subplots involving a terrorist taxi driver (Rob Schneider) and another terrorist called the Phantom (John Tuturro). Trimming about 30 minutes from this movie would have resulted in a better movie. As it is, it’s really not worth the time and money to see it. (6/6/08)

Bigger, Stronger, Faster* - 3 smiles

Professional weightlifter and filmmaker Christopher Bell concludes in his documentary “Bigger, Stronger, Faster*” that winning at all costs is part of being American. At least, that seems to be his explanation for why some athletes and entertainers choose to use anabolic steroids. And at the heart of Bell’s investigation into steroid use is his family. His two brothers, Mike and Mark, have pursued careers – powerlifting and professional wrestling – that almost demand steroid use. Pursue is the operative word here because Mike and Mark have not become successful or famous yet they continue to take steroids and dream about one day….. The saddest part of the movie is listening to Mike, who is in his mid-40s, explain that he was born for greatness and it’s there; he just needs to work a little harder.

Chris talks with many people on both sides of the issue of steroid use. Donald Hooton, who started a foundation to fight steroid abuse after his son committed suicide in 2003; an HIV-positive man who believes that steroids saved his life; athletes Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis; two U.S. Congressmen; various bodybuilders. Without medical data, it’s hard to evaluate some of the comparisons Chris proposes regarding performance-enhancers: Is taking steroids any different from Tiger Woods getting laser surgery on his eyes? A bicycle racer sleeping in a high-altitude chamber to pump his system full of oxygen before a race? Any number of baseball players taking products to give them the advantage? We know that lasik surgery isn’t typically dangerous nor is sleeping in an oxygen changer. But we don’t know enough about steroids because there have been no studies, only circumstantial and anecdotal evidence. Why? Because taking anabolic steroids is illegal.

Everyone agrees that cheating is reprehensible, yet performance enhancing drugs are a part of body building, weight-lifting and professional wrestling. And, according to Chris, they are even more common among ‘gym rats,’ your average men and women who work out regularly. Is this cheating? On the other hand, there are many athletes who resist the urge to artificially enhance their performance. What is it to be American? Is it to win at any cost? Does the end justify the means? If everyone is doing it, does that make it right? “Bigger, Stronger, Faster*” leaves you with more questions than it answers. And maybe that’s a good thing. Note: the asterisk in the title refers to the subtitle, “The Side Effects of Being American.” (6/1/08)

Son of Rambow - 3 smiles

“Son of Rambow” is a delightful coming-of-age tale that also touches on the importance of friends and family. However, it’s a small movie that opened on May 2, so it may not be in a theater near you. Set in a small English town in the 1980s, “Son of Rambow” pairs two unusual boys: Lee Carter (Will Poulter), a budding juvenile delinquent whose parents are away and have left him in the care of his inattentive older brother, is determined to win a competition for student film makers. Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner), a lonely child with a single mother whose fundamentalist faith has made him an outsider at school, becomes Lee’s enthusiastic partner when Lee inadvertently exposes Will to a pirated copy of “First Blood.” Their work on the unauthorized sequel, “Son of Rambow,” allows Will to work through some of his grief about losing his father and eventually pulls in many other students, including Didier (Jules Sitruk), a bored French exchange student.

Much of the humor comes from Will’s willingness to throw himself wholeheartedly into Lee’s project, even to the point of jumping out of a tree with an umbrella in place of a parachute, and from their creative attempts to bring their amateur script to visual fruition. Making “Son of Rambow” proves to be a liberating experience for Will, who chafes against the strict practices of his faith and for Lee, it results in his first real friendship. So if you miss this appealing film in the theaters, be sure to catch it on DVD. (6/2/08)