RBR: The Watch

Originally called Neighborhood Watch, this film got off to a bad start before it was even released thanks to the Trayvon Martin case. If the film had been any good, all would have been forgotten. Instead, this is a lazy effort that makes one bad decision after another with regard to plot and character development. Ben Stiller playing yet another version of the high strung good guy establishes a neighborhood watch after a security guard at the Costco he runs is mysteriously murdered. He puts together a ragtag group of vigilantes that include Vince Vaughn, playing another version of his fast-talking schlub, and Jonah Hill, playing another version of his smart aleck who puts up a tough act. If there had been a realistic threat endangering the town, then there could have been some fun in seeing this cast of characters patrolling the streets. Instead, they opt to take the science fiction route and have the threat be aliens. There's nothing fresh about this angle and the attempt at mixing genres simply doesn't work. There are some laughs peppered throughout the film, but those exist simply because it's impossible for there not to be a few laughs when you have a cast like this. For the most part, however, this is an uninspired comedy that probably isn't worth your time, even as a rental. Rating: ** 1/2

RBR: Tower Heist

This movie earned some notoriety last fall first for initially being considered as the first movie to simultaneously be released in theaters and VOD (that plan never panned out) and then because its director, Brett Ratner got into trouble for making some inflammatory remarks. But none of that is what made me curious to check this film out. Rather I was interested in the heist plot itself and how well it would work with a cast that featured such funnymen as Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, and Matthew Broderick. The titular heist is a result of a Bernie Madoff-esque corporate criminal (played nicely by Alan Alda) scamming an entire building's staff out of their retirement fund, so the workers band together to rob him as revenge. I found myself enjoying the heist itself as it provided some twists that I didn't see coming, but found that the film was really lacking in the humor department. Considering this cast that is a big disappointment. Any group of actors could have been chosen to pull off the heist, but if you bring in these guys then there better be some sufficient laughs to go along with the action. The film also makes a pretty pathetic attempt at being relevant of our current tough financial times by making this to be a case of the 99% vs. the 1%. There could have been so much more done to make that aspect of the story stronger either through social commentary or biting satire. As a rental, you certainly could do worse. The story moves along at a decent pace and the heist plot is a reliably entertaining story. But if you go in with higher expectations, you'll be disappointed. Like he does with virtually every film he makes Brett Ratner proves once again what a subpar director he really is. And this time, not even his talented cast could help raise the material above his level of mediocrity. Rating: ** 1/2

Watchmen

Neighborhood Watch once again pairs up Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn. Here's the teaser trailer for their new comedy, which also stars Jonah Hill, set to come out this summer.

2012 Movie Preview (#18 - 13)

18. Neighborhood Watch (July 27th)

Plot: "Neighborhood Watch" is a sci-fi comedy about a suburban "neighborhood watch" group that serves as a front for dads to get some male-bonding time away from their families. The group finds itself in over its head when it uncovers a plot to destroy the world.

Personal opinion: Five years ago, a film featuring Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn would have likely been much higher on my list. But since that time, each of them have made some questionable choices in terms of their film roles, which make me somewhat cautious about getting excited about this one. That they are together in this movie helps, along with the fact that Jonah Hill and Will Forte are also part of the cast. I'm a bit suspicious of the sci-fi aspect of this film, but until I see a trailer your guess is as good as mine as to what to expect here.


17. ParaNorman (August 17th)

Plot: In "ParaNorman," a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman (voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee), who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he'll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst of all, moronic grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul whisperer may find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits.

Personal opinion: For some reason, I got hooked on this film after its first trailer came out last month. It seems as if the people behind this film are trying to outdo Tim Burton in the whole 'creepy, but not too creepy stop-motion animated' genre. I think the idea behind this story is really solid and the world they've created looks very imaginative. The only thing I question is why they are choosing to release this in August instead of October. Having a spooky film like this released in the summer may cause it to get lost in the shuffle.


16. The Five Year Engagement (April 27th)

Plot: The director and writer/star of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" reteam for the irreverent comedy "The Five-Year Engagement." Beginning where most romantic comedies end, the new film from director Nicholas Stoller, producer Judd Apatow ("Knocked Up," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin") and Rodney Rothman (Get Him to the Greek) looks at what happens when an engaged couple, Jason Segel and Emily Blunt, keeps getting tripped up on the long walk down the aisle. The film was written by Segel and Stoller.

Personal opinion: We've already seen the trailer for this one as well and all signs indicate good stuff here. They had already set themselves up well by having Segal reteam with his Forgetting Sarah Marshall director and pairing him with the sexy and charming Emily Blunt on screen. Segal seems to pick his romantic comedies well having been successful with Marshall and I Love You Man and his streak appears as if it will continue on in 2012.


15. Lincoln (December)

Plot: Based on the best-selling book "Team of Rivals," by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. The screenplay has been written by the Pulitzer Prize winner, Tony Award winner, and Academy Award nominated writer Tony Kushner. The film will focus on the political collision of Lincoln and the powerful men of his cabinet on the road to abolition and the end of the Civil War.

Personal opinion: Half-way through and now we're really getting to the good stuff. If you've already seen the picture that came online a few weeks ago, you'll know what inspired casting it was to have Daniel Day-Lewis play Lincoln. Spielberg may be getting a lot of press right now for the two films he has in theaters, but this one is infinitely more appealing to me than those two combined. This one should be a history buff's dream come true.


14. Prometheus (June 8th)

Plot: Visionary filmmaker Ridley Scott returns to the genre he helped define, creating an original science fiction epic set in the most dangerous corners of the universe. The film takes a team of scientists and explorers on a thrilling journey that will test their physical and mental limits and strand them on a distant world, where they will discover the answers to our most profound questions and to life's ultimate mystery.

Personal opinion: If you visited the blog earlier this week, you no doubt saw that I had posted a trailer for this new Ridley Scott film. As I alluded to in that post, the story is being kept tightly under wraps, but there are some indications that this may be a prequel to 1979's Alien. Having recently gained an appreciation for both the 1979 film and its sequel, I am really curious about this movie. Now even if it ends up having nothing to do with Alien, this still has a very good chance of being good given Scott's proclivity of delivering solid action films.


13. Argo (September 14th)

Plot: Based on true events, "Argo" chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis--the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA "exfiltration" specialist named Tony Mendez (Affleck) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.

Personal opinion: DirectingGone Baby Gone Ben Affleck raised some eyebrows. With The Town, he proved his first film was no fluke. Now he's behind the camera again with one of those so crazy it must be true stories. The more I read about this and think about what Affleck has done thus far as a director, the more excited I get for this film. I hate to rush to conclusions, but this could easily be a strong contender for some awards this time next year.