Little Brother (2026)

John Cena plays the reluctant "Big Brother" to a troubled former foster youth (Eric André), who tracks him down after 25 years and turns his picture perfect world upside down. It's formulaic but funny, in that type of What About Bob? plot where everyone else but the main character (and the audience) finds his antics charming. It's a dumb comedy that owns its dumbness, and both actors commit to the bit. I resisted it a lot, but it's delightfully crude and did make me laugh hard on a number of occasions, even though I hated it at its very core.

2 rimjobs out of 5

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

Last day of summer camp, 1981, and the camp counselors get up to all sorts of mischief. Despite the title, this is far from softcore porn, it's just a very dumb parody of teen comedies in the vein of Meatballs. I did not care for this film the first time I saw it, but it's somewhat grown on me over the past 25 years. Some of my favorite jokes ended up being DVD extras which live on in my memory. It's known for being an early showcase of many comedic talents and has since grown a devoted cult following. As many times as I've seen this movie, I just can't get myself to love it, but I can't entirely dismiss it either.

Spawned two TV series 15 years later, both of which I liked more than the film.

2½ cans of vegetables out of 5

Green Lantern: First Flight (2009)

An origin story in which test pilot Hal Jordan inherits a power ring and a spandex romper suit and is suddenly saving the universe from powerful bad guys. Hal embraces the role quickly, but that doesn't explain how he's instantly flying around and transporting heavy objects over great distances with no apparent learning curve. Before he can claim full ownership of the ring, however, he has to prove himself to a group of elders and to his peers. That part gets more time devoted to it, but isn't without problems of its own.

I don't know how the live action film coped with the origin story, but it's handled clumsily in FF. You'd be forgiven for thinking you’re watching a Marvel animation. Voice work is great, which is what my score reflects.

1½ fingered rings out of 5