DEATH AT A FUNERAL

Plot:

In this remake of the 2007 independent film of the same title, Chris Rock and Martin Lawrence play brothers Aaron and Ryan, who must put aside their differences so that they can tend to affairs regarding their father’s funeral. Older brother Aaron has the bulk of the responsibilities, juggling everything trying to run things smooth while the younger Ryan a famous publisher is trying to get laid. When the remaining family shows up along with a mysterious guest, let’s just say things get very crazy during the ceremony.



Reel Talk:

Although the original movie was funny this one with a beefed up all star cast is on another laugh meter. From beginning to end you are bombarded by humor. The cast is well balanced with everyone contributing to the fun with some scene stealers throughout the movie, Tracy Morgan and James Marsden to name a few. Peter Dinklage who starred in the original film version reintroduces his character in this one. A hilarious funny must see movie.

Starring: Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Regina Hall, Tracy Morgan, Danny Glover, Loretta Devine, James Marsden, Zoe Saldana, Luke Wilson and Peter Dinklage
Directed by: Meil Labute
Rated: R

I give it 5 corn dogs

By: Corndog – The Reel Hustler

THE RUNAWAYS

Plot:

This film is the depiction based on the true events involving the all girl rock group The Runaways, which included teenage rockers Joan Jett (Stewart), Cherie Currie (Fanning) and Lita Ford (Taylor-Compton). From their first introduction into the rock world during the late 70’s by the eccentric producer/manager Kim Fowley (Shannon), up till their huge successful Japan tour and eventually the demise of the group because of the sex, drugs and jealousy that drove a wedge between the band members. The movie is based off the 1989 biograpghy novel Neon Angel:The Cherie Currie Story. Currie (the lead singer of the group) who at the age of 16 along with the other girls rocked as hard as any male group during that era but with the consequences of becoming distant from her family she had to make some life changing decisions which ultimately led to her quitting the band.


Reel Talk:

This film about the hard rocking girls group is just what real rockers will enjoy. Fanning and Stewart were very impressive as the young Currie and Jett and Michael Shannon’s portrayal of the ego maniac Kim Fowley was awesome. For some who have limited knowledge about the group, you will be well educated to the girls that opened the doors to such other girl groups like The GoGo’s and The Bangles to name a few and who set the tone for such provocative acts like Madonna (who wore a corset and stockings on stage which Currie wore during the Japan tour). One of the better made rock movies with a great soundtrack to coincide. This movie proves that Rock and Roll will never die.

Starring: Dakota Fanning, Kristen Stewart, Michael Shannon, Stella Maeve, Scout Taylor-Compton and Riley Keough
Directed by: Floria Sigismondi
Rated: R

I give it 3 corn dogs

By: Corndog – The Reel Hustler

DATE NIGHT

Plot:

Phil (Carell) and Claire (Fey) Foster are two hard working parents who get very few opportunities to share each other without the kids. So when their best friends announce that they are divorcing, the Fosters in an attempt to spice up their routinely boring date night decide to go to an upscale restaurant in Manhattan, but when the place is completely booked, the pair takes the reservations of a couple that didn’t show up because they were targeted by the mob to retrieve something they had stolen. With the mob and some crooked cops on their trail mistaking them for the wrong couple, they must use all their un-street smart wit to come through this alive along with the help of one of Claire’s former clients, a technical security expert named Holbrooke (Wahlberg).


Reel Talk:

Ok let me say that this is a typical cat and mouse movie, but it’s the comedic teaming of Carell and Fey that makes this movie work. They are hilarious as the goofy, clueless couple. From beginning to end you will be rolling with laughter as these two take you for one rollercoaster ride. Mark Wahlberg, Taraji P. Henson, Common, Jimmi Simpson and William Fichtner all lend big in their supporting roles. Great date night movie that you will thoroughly enjoy.

Starring: Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, Taraji P. Henson, Common, Jimmi Simpson and William Fichtner
Directed by: Shawn Levy
Rated: PG-13

I give it 4 corn dogs

By: Corndog – The Reel Hustler

CHLOE

Plot:

Catherine Stewart (Moore) is a prominent GYN who has come to believe that her relationship with her professor husband David (Neeson) has been compromised. So what does she do when she suspects him of cheating, she hires a high priced call girl named Chloe (Seyfried) to seduce him in order to confirm her suspicions, but Chloe has her sights set on Catherine as well. Soon what started out as a simple investigation turns into a dangerous love affair that also threatens her teen son Michael (Theriot).


Reel Talk:

This is an interesting version of the classic Fatal Attraction movie, only with a lesbian twist. Moore’s character seemed to be clueless through out the whole movie and Seyfried as the crazed Chloe was just plain weird. But the big question is who would actually pay someone to have an affair with their mate to confirm that they are cheating? Duh! It is still an interesting movie that is worth watching. Entertaining at best.

Starring: Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried and Max Theriot
Directed by: Atom Egoyan
Rated: R

I give it 2 and a half eaten corn dogs

By: Corndog – The Reel Hustler

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE

Plot:

When Lou (Corddry) fails at an attempt to commit suicide, his longtime friends Adam (Cusack) and Nick (Robinson) along with Nick’s nephew Jacob (Duke) decide to take him on a getaway to a ski resort the group used to hang out in their youth. During a wild night of partying the foursome some how manages to damage the hot tub that they were using and it takes them back into the 80’s time period, a time when they were wild and young and the period that would change their lives forever. But it is essential that they do everything according to how they did it back during that era so that they do not alter the future while they wait for the mysterious handyman played by Chevy Chase to repair the hot tub.


Reel Talk:

This was one funny as heck movie. From Cusack who brought to mind his earlier movie roles when he was younger, Robinson as the rambling jealous husband, Corddry as the crazed uptight party animal to Duke as the geeky nephew, everyone played a part in giving off some laughs. Even the small role of Crispin Glover as the disgruntled one armed bell hop was hilarious. Truly one of this years funniest movies that you should check out.

Starring: John Cusack, Clark Duke, Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry, Chevy Chase and Crispin Glover
Directed by: Steve Pink
Rated: R

I give it 3 and a half eaten corn dogs

By: Corndog – The Reel Hustler