Lilo & Stitch (2025)

A live-action remake of the modern Disney classic upgrades Stitch from a lovable 2D character into a 3D CG model. Something gets lost in translation, because all the charm is missing and it feels like the soul has been ripped out of it. I thought the relationship and chemistry between Lilo and her sister Nani was handled well, but the rest of it feels ham-fisted and shoehorned in. In the end, it's just another substandard remake, made to bleed the IP dry for a new generation who can't be bothered to watch movies older than 20 years old.

2 kuleana out of 5

Youth in Revolt (2009)

The title refers to the actions that a sixteen-year-old boy (Michael Cera) feels he must must undertake in order to keep his attachment (and himself relevant) to the girl (Portia Doubleday) with whom he wants to lose his virginity.
Even though it had some big name producers behind it, it has the feel and the heart of an indie movie, which is perhaps its greatest strength, in my opinion.
By externalising the youth's inner conflict it both uses and plays around with the awkward, inexperienced deer in the headlights role that Cera has in many of his films. It likely won't be enough to win over anyone who dislikes his particular shtick, but those that enjoy it will probably still feel right at home.

3 ill-tempered sailors out of 5

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE [2017]

Robot Chicken director Chris McKay delivers the animated fun in spades with his LEGO Movie spin-off, The LEGO Batman Movie.
After accidentally adopting an overly eager orphan named Dick, Batsy must defeat The Joker and his usual band of lawless cronies from overthrowing Gotham City.
It's a very busy film that attacks the senses a bit but thankfully it's pretty damned funny with plenty of moments and gags that will please long-time fans of The Caped Crusader.  It references all sorts of cinematic forms of Batsy, including Adam West, Bruce Timm's animated series, Batfleck and yes, even the one with the nipples.   There's so much going on I'm willing to bet even a third or fourth viewing won't reveal all the jokes and sight gags to the exhausted viewer.  It's clearly the work of greedy Hollywood executives but it's enough batshit crazy fun to let it slide.

3½ family portraits out of 5

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES [2016]

Director Greg Mottola's action/comedy Keeping Up with the Jonseses joins a long list of potentially very funny dumb movies that never live up to it's potential.
When a mysteriously perfect couple move into the neighborhood, a boring husband & wife think there's more than meets the eye...and there is.
Sure there's plenty of chuckle-worthy moments but it gets you going and then constantly hits a wall of unfunny boredom.  The first half of the film is so paint-by-numbers by the time you get to the better final half the film has almost lost all hope.  The always entertaining Isla Fisher and Jon Hamm keep the film from getting too ho-hum but it's nearly not enough.

2 snake bars out of 5

BIRDMAN OR (THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE) [2014]

Since it was first announced two years ago, people have been looking at me funny when I expressed my excitement for director Alejandro González Iñárritu's twisted dark showbiz satire, Birdman.

I'm happy to say my excitement wasn't for nothing and this is easily one of the best films of the 2014 and quite possibly the best film of the year.

Michael Keaton, in what should become a defining moment in his career, portrays a has-been actor who can't shake off the comic book character he played in a popular late '80's franchise, while trying to make a comeback as a serious performer. With a cast that doesn't a weak link within it, the unusually long but effective tracking shots and a dizzying drums only score by Antonio Sanchez, this daringly ambitious film could have been a disaster if everything wasn't in the right place, which it is all thankfully fitted to careful perfection.    

5 weird moments for a boner out of 5

THE HANGOVER PART III [2013]

After the retread shittiness of the second film, it's nice to see director Todd Phillips put some care back into the final instalment of his Hangover series.
It ditches the "hangover" template of the story all together (you could be critical as to why it's called the Hangover then, but do you really want to bother wasting your time with something so silly?) and instead it allows the story to develop into a comedic manhunt/suspense film.  In a way it works quite well and in others it's a bit of a misstep as well.  There's a few good laughs to be had but at times it's just too dark or angry to fully enjoy it as supposedly funny film.  Hardcore fans of the series will eat it up but casual viewers will scratch their heads wondering if this is supposed to be funny or intense.

2½ coked up cocks out of 5

THE HANGOVER PART II [2011]

Todd Phillips' second instalment of the Hangover series lacks the element of surprise of the first and fails to bring anything really all that funny to the screen.

If not for the relocation from Las Vegas to Thailand the story would be an exact copy of the first one, only a bit more violent and grittier.  There's a few scattered laughs throughout the film but in the end, you can't help but feel that it's a result of screenwriting laziness and Hollywood producers eager to shit out a cash cow before it's fully cooked.

1 night in Bangkok out of 5

THE HANGOVER [2009]

It's a strange time when a vulgar & stupid film like Todd Phillips' fratboy humored The Hangover receives the critical adoration & awards one wouldn't expect it to.

I like to believe they gushed over it because it is pretty damned funny but sadly I'm willing to bet it's the box office intake that did it instead.  It's pretty much a fast-paced version of Dude, Where's My Car? set in Vegas and thankfully without Ashton Kutcher.  The characters are insanely underdeveloped, the premise and actions are overly outlandish and it will probably offend anyone who takes too much pride in their intelligence but if it's a buddy buddy film you're looking for then this is a good place to start.  

3 men and a baby out of 5

OPERATION: ENDGAME [2010]

A fantastic ensemble cast makes up the comically and ridiculously violent thriller Operation: Endgame.

Sadly that's about all this film has going for it, as each and every single character is despicable and once the plot starts it never really develops into much.

One thing I found fun, despite what the poster art depicts, there's only one gun in the entire film and it's not loaded.  Each character is hilariously killed by something you'd find at an Office Depot.  

2½ footprints of blood out of 5

DUE DATE [2010]

Robert Downey Jr. and Zack Galifiankis star as two obnoxious unlikable characters in the roadtrip comedy Due Date.

While it supplies some great laughs, they are unfortunately few and far between.  As much as I hated the characters, the chemistry between the two stars made it bearable till the end.  A real shame.  It could have been so much more, given everyone involved in the film.

2½ Men out of 5

PUSS IN BOOTS [2011]

Antonio Banderas reprises his role as the animated sword fighting feline, from the dead in the water Shrek franchise, in Puss In Boots.
The question is can a character who was no more than a couple cheap gags in the Shrek films, carry his own film? Surprisingly, yes.
It's nothing really groundbreaking, original or witty but it keeps an even flow and enough flare to never outright offend anybody with half a brain (which I suspect has a lot to do with Guillermo Del Toro's input). There's plenty of gags for cat lovers in it and enough wackiness for the kids...but it just never rises to it's potential.

2 litter kitties out of 5

The Muppets (2011)

Jason Segel co-writes and stars in this loving tribute to the Jim Henson-era of Muppets. At once self-aware and self-referential, it recognizes and acknowledges the fact that the Muppets' popularity has declined in recent years and attempts to restore it to its former glory (the photos of Henson abound are a nice touch). Basically follows the plot of the first movie in which Kermit has to round up the entire gang in order to throw one last show to save the old Muppet theatre. This is of course done very tongue-in-cheek, with plenty of cameos, sight gags and in-jokes. I enjoyed it for all it was worth; it actually lived up to the Muppet name, which is pretty much all you need to know.

Note: This movie was directed by James Bobin and features songs written by Bret McKenzie so it has a very Flight of the Conchords-esque feel to it.

4 Mahna Mahnas out of 5