Movie Review: "Grown Ups"

Seen on: June 22, 2010

The players: Director: Dennis Dugan, Writers: Fred Wolf, Adam Sandler, Cast: Adam Sandler, David Spade, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, Kevin James

Facts of interest: Dugan also helmed "Happy Gilmore" and "Big Daddy."

The plot: Five friends reunite after they learn their high-school basketball coach passes away. They spend a weekend in a cabin to honor him.

Our thoughts: Dennis Dugan’s new comedy “Grown Ups” isn’t as disastrous as I initially expected, but the film starring Adam Sandler and his buddies fails to reach beyond the mediocrity that surrounds it. It’s a decently paced flick boasting an energetic cast and some so-so jokes, but what it really lacks is an interesting enough story. In truth, there’s not much of a story in this thing to begin with…

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Movie Review: "Death at a Funeral" (2010)

Seen on: April 16, 2010

The players: Director: Neil LaBute, Writer: Dean Craig, Cast: Peter Dinklage, Chris Rock, Regina Hall, Keith David, Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan, Zoe Saldana

Facts of interest: Remake of Frank Oz's 2007 comedy.

The plot: The film tells the story of a family desperately trying to make it through a funeral ceremony.

Our thoughts: If you’ve seen Frank Oz’s 2007 British comedy “Death at a Funeral,” you may as well stick with it and skip Neil LaBute’s American remake, because the new “Death at a Funeral” is so close to the original one, it almost becomes a completely unnecessary viewing experience. Okay, maybe this one’s a tad raunchier, but in my book, it’s not exactly funnier.

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New 'Grown Ups' trailer still not funny enough

A new trailer for Dennis Dugan's upcoming comedy "Grown Ups" has popped up online, and sadly enough, it still isn't really that funny. In fact, I realize I didn't even smile once. That's not to say the movie will be a terrible disaster, but in my book, it does look crappy at this stage.

The story follows four old friends who haven't seen each other for decades and one day decide to reunite for a Fourth of July weekend. Yes, it's yet anohter retreat comedy, and it certainly doesn't look innovative. Kevin James bumps against trees, Rob Schneider makes out with an old lady, and blah, blah, blah.

Adam Sandler, David Spade, Salma Hayek, Maria Bello and Jamie Chung co-star. "Grown Ups" opens in theaters everywhere June 25, 2010. Dugan most recently directed "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" and "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry," and none of those delivered the goods.

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Here's the banner poster for 'Grown Ups'

If you paid a visit to your local theater this week, you may have notice this poster banner for Dennis Dugan's upcoming comedy "Grown Ups," which stars Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Schneider.

This one features original kid pictures of the lead actors - a cool promotional tool. It also seems to be the coolest thing about the whole movie, because its first trailer promises nothing but a lame comedy. The film opens June 25, 2010.

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'Death at a Funeral' remake trailer is kinda funny

I still have not seen Frank Oz's 2007 hit comedy "Death at a Funeral," but the remake is already heading towards a release. It will open April 16, 2010, and first trailer has now shown up online!

Much like the original, this new version follows a family stumbling across all sorts of weird secrets during a funeral ceremony that quickly turns into a disaster. Neil LaBute directed a script by Dean Craig.

The cast includes some big names: Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Danny Glover, Regina Hall, Columbus Short, Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan, Luke Wilson, James Marsden, Peter Dinklage and Loretta Devine.

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Adam Sandler's 'Grown Ups' trailer is totally lame

Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Schneider are starring in Dennis Dugan's new comedy "Grown Ups," and the first trailer for the film sucks big time. And I mean BIG TIME!

The story follows four old friends who haven't seen each other for decades and one day decide to reunite for a Fourth of July weekend. What a bad idea, because we get to watch them catch up and all.

As you can see in the trailer below, this one looks just like yet another ultra-lame slapstick comedy in which some good actors prove they have what it takes to pick a project everyone knows is going to stink.

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Movie Review: "Good Hair"

Seen on: October 8, 2009

The players: Director: Jeff Stilson, Writers: Chuck Sklar, Jeff Stilson, Lance Crouther, Chris Rock, Cast: Chris Rock, Maya Angelou, Sandra 'Pepa' Denton, Ice-T

Facts of interest: None.

The plot: Chris Rock tries to find out what good hair means in the African-American community and what people are willing to do to get the hair they want.

Our thoughts: In Jeff Stilson’s documentary “Good Hair,” Chris Rock heads out to explore the roots of African-American hairstyles and find the answer to his daughter Lola’s surprising question: “Daddy, how come I don’t have good hair?” The result is a both entertaining and informative doc filled with solid laughs and intriguing observations.

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This week's new movie releases - October 9, 2009

It's a quiet weekend, and the only wide release to open Friday is "Couples Retreat" with Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Kristin Davis, Faizon Love and Kristen Bell. "Good Hair' opens in limited release.

COUPLES RETREAT (with Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau)

Synopsis: Four Midwestern couples embark on a journey to a tropical island resort. While one of the couples is there to work on their marriage, the other three set out to jet ski, spa and enjoy some fun in the sun. They soon discover that participation in the resort's couples therapy is not optional. Suddenly, their group-rate vacation comes at a price.

First thoughts: To be honest with you, I don't know what to think about this one right now. The premise of course sounds funny, and the cast sounds great too. That said, recent previews and TV spots failed to win me over, as this looks just like another silly couple comedy filled with rather primitive humor.

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Oprah Winfrey, Chris Rock look for 'Black Friend'

Oprah Winfrey's Harpo films is partnering with Lionsgate to secure the big-screen rights to Devin Friedman's November 2008 GQ magazine article "Will You Be My Black Friend?," according to Variety.

The article is a humorous account of how a clumsy Friedman attempted to make friends with African Americans. Word is Chris Rock ("Good Hair") will be starring in the film.

Winfrey's career in the film indutrsy is slowly growing. She's a producer on "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire," and her credits also include "The Great Debaters."

She's also done a bunch of voice acting lately, including "Charlotte's Web," "Bee Movie" and the upcoming "The Princess and the Frog."

Lawrence, Morgan join 'Death at a Funeral'

Tracy Morgan and Martin Lawrence are gearing up to star alongside Chris Rock in the remake of Frank Oz’s 2007 comedy “Death at a Funeral."

Loretta Devine, Ron Glass, Danny Glover, Regina Hall, James Marsden, Zoe Saldana and Columbus Short are also part of the acting crew, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The story focuses on a funeral ceremony during which cadavers are misplaced, people engage in indecent exposure, and dirty family secrets suddenly come to light.

Neil LaBute is directing a script by Rock and Ayesha Carr (“Everybody Hates Chris”). Dean Craig, writer of the original British comedy, is on board to executive produce the project.

Morgan, who can be seen on "30 Rock," has a couple of projects coming up, including "Nailed" and "Freshman Roommates." Rock recently joined the cast of an untitled comedy for Columbia Pictures.

I still have to watch the original "Death at a Funeral," but I hear it's a wildly funny comedy.