Now You See Me, Now You Don't (2025)

The Horsemen are back and they're just as showy, obnoxious and improbable as ever. It's your basic diamond heist movie, except with magicians, illusionists and mentalists (oh my!) somehow always pulling one over on each other. It's exactly the same type of shit as the first two films, and this time you can add three more arrogant pricks to the roster. The only thing this film succeeds in doing is creating the title that they should have done for the second movie. 

1½ ace of diamonds out of 5

Note: No, I don't see the Magic Eye image above, either...

NOW YOU SEE ME 2 [2016]

Crap director Jon M. Chu takes over directing duties for the sequel to the 2013 surprise hit Now You See Me.  Fortunately screenwriter Ed Solomon (Men in Black, Bill & Ted's)  is still on board to guarantee dumb mindless fun.
This time around The Four Horsemen step back into the spotlight only to find themselves forced by a wannabe James Bond-esque villain to pull off a near impossible heist.
It doesn't do much to improve upon any of the glaring problems of the first film but nor does it really take a step down in quality either.  It more or less just sits exactly in the same position and hopes for the best.  Based on whether or not you enjoyed the first film will depend on how much you get out of the this retread joyride.

3 hats out of a bunny out of 5

THE NIGHT BEFORE [2015]

Director Jonathan Levine brings the Christmas cheer and beers with the bawdy holiday bromance comedy The Night Before.
Three friends decide to end their longtime holiday tradition of hitting the town on Christmas Eve as they all find their getting too old to take part in such vulgar activities but not without going out with an unforgettable bang.
There's plenty of gags that fall flat on their face but with that comes some insanely funny moments that should allow it stick around for at least one annual yuletide viewing with the buddies.  The film has a tough time balancing it's heart with it's dick but manages to bring in some pretty touching moments (both ways).  It packs in just enough spirit to make an enjoyably crass joyride for those who know exactly what they're getting into.

3 not-so wise men out of 5

Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

A group of friends past their prime and down on their luck attempt to rekindle memories of their youth at a ski resort they once frequented. One has to suspend disbelief when they discover their hot tub is a time machine. It's a blatant no-brains, have-a-blast type of comedy with plenty of raunchy humor and over-the-top performances. And despite a slow start, the film does a nice job of fitting in stories for each of the ensemble cast. Now in the 80s they act to change their pathetic destinies and find a way back to their own timeline. The only real eye sore is the absolutely terrible green screen effects.

3 one-armed Crispin Glovers out of 5

THE INTERVIEW [2014]

Vancouver boys Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg co-direct what would probably be the world's most controversial film of 2014.
A pair of bumbling American tabloid personalities go to North Korea to talk with Kim Jong-un, when they are secretly pulled aside by the CIA to assassinate him instead in the outrageously crass action/comedy The Interview.  It's dim-witted, overly crude, surprisingly violent and offensive, all while managing to toss in a great deal of laughs into the mix at the expense of both the U.S. and North Korea's funny little critter.  In reality had the nation not made such a fuss about the mediocre film, it probably would have disappeared into obscurity within the year...but instead it was hilariously turned into a piece of cinematic history.

2½ Unexpected Journey's out of 5

CLOVERFIELD [2008]

With director Matt Reeves, writer Drew Goddard and producers J.J. Abrams & Bryan Burk on board, you know you're guaranteed for some mindless SFX riddled good times with the found footage monster movie Cloverfield.
The story?  There's a giant monster in post 9/11 New York and it's taking down buildings like they're popsicle sticks.  If that's not enough for you then you're probably best leaving now to save your braincells.  If that's what you crave, then this one delivers the goods like an exploding jiffy pop pan.  There's no hidden subtext or deep character moments to follow but it's rather a LOUD bash 'n crash party that doesn't let up until the superbly Michael Giacchino scored end credits are complete.

3 Dharma Initiatives out of 5

Bachelorette (2012)

I frequently get curious about movies I don't think will be any good. Usually, I'm content to read plot spoilers on Wikipedia. There was something about Bachelorette that made me want to watch it. I blame the cast - it's full of actors I like, such as Adam Scott, Lizzy Caplan, and Kirsten Dunst.

Bachelorette is one of those movies that gets worse the more you think about it. The cast sells the hell out of the lousy script, but they can't save it, nor can they do anything to fix the shockingly inconsistent characterization. The movie flirts with being both dark and realistic and a standard rom-com, but never commits to either and winds up a mess. There were hints of something interesting here, especially with Isla Fisher's character, but the film discards this in favor of a forced happy ending. Boo.

1 My So Called Life reference out of 5