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GRADE: D-

How much did I hate “Chuck & Larry”? Let’s just say it was close to beating “The Number 23″ starring Jim Carey (click here to read my review of that awful film) as the worst film of 2007. If it wasn’t for the brief cameos by David Spade and Nick Swarsdon I wouldn’t have laughed at all in this crap-fest.

If you have read this blog enough then you know I am gay. I have a liberal sense of what is PC and what is tacky when it comes to jokes and comedy in films. “Chuck & Larry” doesn’t offend, it is just absolutely worthless. The film tries to be a pro-gay film, but in the end it uses gay culture to get the cheap laugh.

Now I like Adam Sandler, he has his moments; “Happy Gilmore”, “Billy Madison”, “The Wedding Singer”, “50 First Dates” and “Punch Drunk Love” were entertaining pieces of cinema. So I can stand Sandler’s immature, fart jokes and macho humor.

“Chuck & Larry” from the get go has a sitcom feel to it. The cheesy special effects, the “Three’s Company” mis-understandings and the gay stereotypes are plentiful. This movie insults gay rights, gay people, gay couples, gay’s in the closet and even gay kids.

Watching Vingh Rhames come out of the closet was a funny moment, but why did her start talking like a woman as soon as the words “I am gay” started to come out of his mouth? Why does Jessica Biel’s character fall for a gay man? Why do none of the gay characters in the movie pick up on the obvious false relationship between Chuck and Larry?

I mean do we still need Streisand, Liza and Judy Garland gay jokes in a world that is able to make a film like “Brokeback Mountain” a financial hit? I know this is a movie and it’s supposed to be a “comedy”, but the set, delivery and ending of this film are just patheticly unrealistic. Since when did gays have it so good that straight people need to take advantage of our “benefits”??

Don’t be fooled by “Chuck & Larry’s” fake “soft side”. This movie not only degrades gay men, but it makes woman look like brainless drones that would think a guy that looks like Adam Sandler is hot. There is even a cruel, nasty scene with an obese man that is so out of place it is just gross.

And can someone tell me why Rob Schneider played a racist depiction of an asian person? Was that supposed to be funny? I could list the other mindlessly un-creative ways that Sandler and company tried to come off as liberal, witty and sexy but you get the picture.

To sum it up this film is absolute crap. I am confounded by the fact that this movie was a hit and has “fans”. I would love to ask those people that liked this film if saying the word “faggot” is funny and if they have any gay friends or relatives that think this kind of humor is acceptable or has any value.

I feel bad for Kevin James and Sandler, this movie is a pathetic attempt to look cool and understanding, but it is really just a vehicle to make money. Don’t believe the hype. Watching this movie won’t make you more tolerant of gays, if anything it will back up all the stereotypical things that people dislike about gays.

GRADE: B-

When the first “Ocean’s” movie debuted in 2001 it crackled with wit and charmed the socks off of the movie viewing public with it’s sleek look and star packed roster. It was a fun “popcorn” flick with no real value other than to entertain people. This was not Oscar caliber work in other words.

In 2004 “Ocean’s 12″ was released and it was a mild hit but it wasn’t the super hit that the previous film was. I personally hated that film, it was on my list as one of the worst films of the year. In my opinion it was a pathetic narcissistic journey into Hollywood biggest ego’s.

The gimmick of having multiple top billed actor’s in “13″ isn’t as obnoxious as it was in “Ocean’s 12″. The scenes with Clooney, Pitt and Damon don’t feel as if we are listening in on an inside joke like it has in the past. This movie has an even flow with it’s actor’s that “Ocean’s 12″ didn’t have. That movie was all over the map.

Although the scene with Pitt and Clooney in the airport towards then end does indulge in that snotty insider Hollywood humor for a moment. Those moments are the kind that irritate me. I get it, you’re all hot Hollywood big wigs and you are friends in real life, ha ha. I should give “Ocean’s 13″ it’s due, it comes off a lot less snarky then it’s predecessor.

“Ocean’s 13″ has a great plot and it has a lot more humor than the last two “Ocean’s” movies I think. At it’s core this is a revenge film, then it’s a heist caper and then a comedy. I appreciate all of the details that Director Steven Soderbergh incorporates into his scenes. Soderbergh is a master of the tight close up and panning huge crowd scenes within the casino. At the very least I learned a lot about the gaming industry and casinos that I had not known before by watching this film.

Al Pacino does a fantastic job as a new casino owner and he is a welcome addition to the already over crowded cast. I am really glad Julia Roberts or Katherine Zeta-Jones were not in this film, instead we get the delightful “cougar” Ellen Barkin. Barkin’s moments in this movie give “13′ that true comedic feel, especially her scenes with the hilarious Matt Damon.

Damon is on a streak lately, his roles always seem to highlight his talent’s. Even if I don’t agree with People Magazine’s pick of Damon as the Sexiest man alive, he shines in this movie a lot more than Pitt or Clooney do. Pitt seems to have taken a back seat in this film, his screen time is much smaller than the last two films.

Even though I liked this movie I am getting sick of the “Ocean” movies in general. I don’t doubt these films have a true fan following but I think it is time to retire these characters and all of the insider jokes that come with them. They were cute at the time, but I am guessing that they won’t stand up to the test of time.

In time people will look back at the “Ocean” movies as the vanity pieces they truly are. These movies are a prime example of when Hollywood has too much money to spend, but they are harmless and fun at times. Let’s just hope that this is the last movie in the “Ocean” series, this franchise is going nowhere fast and it needs to end while it’s still on top.

GRADE: B-

I was very hesitant giving this film a B-, if I were in a worse mood I may have just given it a C. These are very hard words for me to write. I love the “Shrek” films and think that the first movie was pure genius, it even won the first ever “Feature Length Animated Film” award at the Academy Awards back in 2002. The sequel “Shrek 2″ did the unthinkable by being just as good, if not better, than the original “Shrek”.

In the past animated side kicks like “Donkey” and “Puss N Boots” were delightful characters that helped to balance out Shrek’s moody disposition, in these films the pair become a bit obnoxious. The film has it’s bright moments with the focus on the Princesses being up-scaled. The voice work by Amy Poehler, Amy Sidaris, Cheri Oteri and Maya Rudolph is comic bliss. The action scenes with the Princesses get the most laughs in this film. Justin Timberlake doesn’t offer much up as “Arthur” the newest character in the series.

The animation in “Shrek the Third” is stellar and a step up from the original. The characters are more polished and the backgrounds are just as lush and realistic as ever (if not better). But as far as plot lines and story telling go, this tale of “Far Far Away” falls flat. The laughs are sporadic and they don’t come as fast as they did in previous “Shrek” movies. Some jokes I felt were too aimed at adults and just plain tacky.

The introduction of the creepy “Shrek” babies in this movie can only mean that “Shrek 4″ will be about Shrek raising a family. The premise at this point is getting thin, and if I were the producers, I would think of ways to end the franchise at #4 before the hip reputation of these films is completely ruined by mediocrity. This movies will make kids laugh and it will charm some folks, but this sequel doesn’t fall into the same “multiple viewings” category that the first two did.

GRADE: B

Director William Friedkin is best known for directing the scariest film of all time “The Exorcist”. His latest exploration into human madness and horror will leave you chilled to the bone and some what traumatized much like his horror classic “The Exorcist” did in the 70’s. His latest film “Bug” is intense, grotesque and disturbing; and I enjoyed it immensely.

“Bug” starts of slow and methodical, never giving the viewer the complete picture keeping the line between what is real and hallucination blurred throughout the film. Ashley Judd’s performance is nothing short of brilliant, and in my eyes her “Agnes” is an Oscar worthy role if ever there was one. Her dead on portrayal of a paranoid and abused woman teeters on borderline psychotic.

This movie makes a great comparison between battered woman’s syndrome and paranoid schizophrenia. The isolation and loneliness both of the characters experience in “Bug” leaves the viewer empathetic and confused so when the ending plays out we are left reeling from the disturbing images. The movie starts off with a whimper with few details and then out of nowhere spirals out of control leaving the viewer feeling just as disturbed and confused as its main characters.

I can’t recommend this film to the faint of heart, it has some seriously disturbing images and themes. Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd and the remarkable newcomer Michael Shannon light up the screen with a ferocious intensity that is a marvel to watch. “Bug” can at times be seriously gory and too claustrophobic for some viewers so use caution when watching this movie. Based on a stage play the movie “Bug” will leave you twitching and feeling completely isolated. Beware!

“THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN”

This bright, completely original Terry Gilliam film (”12 Monkeys”, “Monty Pythons The Holy Grail”, “Brazil” and “Time Bandits”) was considered to be a huge flop when it was released in 1998 and is still thought of as one of Hollywood’s biggest fiascoes to this day. Although critics enjoyed the fantasy film (it has a terrific 86% on RottenTomatoes.com and is certified “fresh”) it tanked at the box office all across the globe.

“The Adventures of Baron Munchausen” tells the legend of an old man who has lived a fairy-tale life. Blending Oscar winning effects with witty humor and a terrific cast, “Munchausen” is a gorgeous sprawling film. The art direction, acting, set design and effects still hold up to this day. The film stars John Neville, Eric Idle and Sarah Polley with cameos by Robin Williams, Uma Thurman and Sting.

“DARK CITY”

Many people consider this 1998 film, written and directed by Alex Proyas (”The Crow”), to be the real “Matrix” movie. It stars Rufus Sewell, William Hurt, Kiefer Sutherland, and Jennifer Connelly. While not a major box office hit, it has a considerable reputation within the film industry, with film critic Roger Ebert proclaiming it to be the best film of 1998.

The movie begins with a man (Sewell) waking up in a hotel room with no memory. Right away we find out he is being sought out by police (who believe him to be a serial killer) and also by a group of mysterious men with psychokinetic powers. Furthermore, something appears to be wrong with the world at large because time, memory, and identity behave in unusual ways. This is not only a beautiful film but it is also VERY trippy, extremely thrilling and smart.

“GALAXY QUEST”

The sci-fi comedy “Galaxy Quest” was a huge surprise and a decent hit when it was released in 1999. The plot of the film follows a group of out of work actors who co-starred with eachother on a canceled T.V. show called “Galaxy Quest”. When aliens from another world receive the t.v. show’s transmissions in space, they assume that the shows content is real and travel to earth to find the transmissions crew.

The T.V. shows cast is kidnapped by the aliens at a Sci-Fi convention and taken to another galaxy to help save them from an evil alien dictator. Watching the human actors pretend to be their on screen characters will leave you in sticthces. This movie has an incredible screenplay and a spot on cast starring Tim Allen (who I normally despise), Sigourney Weaver, Allan Rickman and Sam Rockwell.

“INNERSPACE”

Navy pilot Tuck Pendleton (Dennis Quaid) is selected as a guinea pig to take place in an experimental project which will have him placed in submersible pod, miniaturized to microscopic size and injected into the body of a rabbit. Immediately after being miniaturized and put into a needle, the experiment takes a bad turn when the lab is attacked. The experiment supervisor escapes with miniaturized Pendleton he accidentally injects Quaid’s character into a unsuspecting civilian (Martin Short).

“Innerspace” won a couple of Academy Awards in 1987 and was directed by Joe Dante and produced by Steven Spielberg. It stars Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan and Martin Short. “Innerspace” spoofs the 1966 sci-fi classic “The Fantastic Voyage”. The films blend of awesome, groundbreaking effects and Martin Short’s physical comedy are definate crowd pleasers!

“ENEMY MINE”

During a bloody battle, two warring ships crash on a barren planet, with only one survivor from each ship. At first, the human pilot and the lizard like alien “Drac” continue to fight, but the planet’s harsh climate and the need to survive force them to ally. Denis Quaid stars as the human pilot and Louis Gossett Jr. plays the alien pilot in this unique, bizarre sci-fi fantasy.

The movie has some really great set designs and Quaid and Gosset Jr. give riveting performances that will tug at your heart strings. “Enemy Mine” is a thinly masked treatise on race relations, handled well by its two lead actors. “Enemy Mine” is director Wolfgang Petersen’s first American films and it is a rare find if you have not seen it!

GRADE: A

In the past few years the general public has been subjected to an onslaught of terrible or mediocre zombie films; “Land of the Dead”, “Resident Evil”, “Planet Terror”, “28 Weeks Later”, “Undead” etc. The great ones are few and far between; “Dawn of the Dead”, “28 Days Later”…and the best of the bunch has to be “Shaun of the Dead” (which is a comedy!). The genre itself has been lacking in the creative spirit which made it my favorite to begin with. This was until I watched “Fido”, a film I immediately fell in love with within the first few frames.

The Wikipedia.com plot description for “FIDO” is as follows: When the Earth passed through a cloud of space dust and the dead arose from their graves to devour the flesh of the living, it first seemed that all hope for humanity was lost. Society’s rapid slide into chaos, however, was soon halted when scientists at a company called ZomCon created a special collar that turned the rampaging animated corpses docile. Now, thanks to ZomCon, everything is under control - or is it?

I would describe “Fido” as “Pleasantville” meets “Night of the Living Dead”. But even that description doesn’t capture the brilliance of the details in this film. “Fido” not only has an ingenious premise but it crafts a tightly shrewd social commentary of the 50’s and of race relations into a comedy/zombie horror film. The film goes even further with subtle references to the women’s movement, child neglect, adultery, necrophilia, credit consumption and on, and on without being heavy handed. This movie has a compelling underlined message that just happens to be sandwiched in between gore, great performances and genius comedic dialog.

Carrie Anne Moss is captivating as the 50’s housewife Helen Robinson. Her wardrobe and her glowing classic Hollywood good looks have never been so beautifully captured onto film. Her precise movements and dead on depiction of a 50’s “super mom” will have you in stitches. Some of the more funnier moments in this film are the scenes with Moss interacting with her pet zombie “Fido”. There are some tender, touching and yes, some revolting scenes in “Fido”. If you loved “Shaun of the Dead” you must see “Fido”, it is a great companion piece to the British cult hit that stars Simon Pegg.

There are some really great performances in “Fido”. Especially by Billy Connelly as “Fido” the zombie house pet/servant. There are a lot of jokes crammed into “Fido” and I look forward to owning this movie to catch the little jokes I missed with multiple viewings. The gore is not as bad as you would think and it isn’t the focal point of the main story. I am a big fan of this new breed of zombie films my friends and I call “Zom-Com’s”. A mix of comedy and shrewd wit are always a welcome addition to my splatter flicks! “Fido” is proof that these two elements work just fine together!

WATCH THE “FIDO” MOVIE TRAILER HERE:

GRADE: C+

I rented “Evan Almighty” expecting the most expensive comedy ever made to be a massive train wreck, much like how the reviews described it. When the movie was over I wasn’t exactly impressed, but I didn’t have the visceral negative reaction most critics had when the film was released this past summer. While watching “Evan Almighty” it was obvious to see where all of that money was spent. The creature effects and CGI were flawless. The spotty screenplay and corny set up may be too saccharine sweet for some viewers but I thought that this film was a great film for family viewing.

Let’s not forget that this movie is made for kids. Much like the over blown “A Night At The Museum”, this film won’t connect with adults but it will reach a much younger audience. This movie is harmless and not such a mess as I have heard it to be. Sure it has the corny plot and all of the religious references but it doesn’t get preachy. The movie centers on the family unit and doesn’t spend much time bible thumping the point. If I was ten years old I would have loved this film, as an adult it may try some viewers patience with it’s outlandish set up.

Evan Baxter was a hilarious character in the hit prequel “Bruce almighty” starring Jim Carrey. Maybe there was no need for a spin off but I enjoyed Steve Carell’s performance and sweet nature in this movie. The flaws are numerous, but if you let yourself go and give into the movies silliness you may find yourself chuckling at Carrell’s interactions with the various animals. I recommend this film for families with small kids, it’s harmless enough and non-offensive. This film could have been much better, but really what do you expect from a family comedy with a biblical premise..really?

GRADE: B+

You all have heard me say it before, I love zombies movies. No really, I LOVE zombie movies. When the double feature “Grindhouse” movies were released this past summer they were met with a luke warm reception by movie fans. Movie geeks and critics had nothing but great things to say about this new format. Quentin Tarantino directed “Death Proof” the companion piece to Robert Rodriguez’s “Planet Terror”. “Death Proof” is my favorite movie of 2007 so far, hands down. Unfortunately, as much as I was entertained, “Planet Terror” doesn’t match “Death Proof’s” flawless writing and edge of your seat action.

Now that said, “Planet Terror” is an exhilarating exercise of over the top gore and it is a great homage to the “zombie genre”. I must admit some of the zombie death scenes are pretty gruesome and not for the squeamish. The movie is about a group of people attempting to survive an onslaught of zombie-like creatures as they feud with a military unit. The set up and plot are irrelevant, what you will get a kick out of is the funny dialog and non stop carnage. “Planet Terror” doesn’t waste time with sentimentality, it gets to the point and fast.

Rose McGowan is a great choice for these type of campy main characters. Even after she has her leg amputated and replaced with a machine gun she still remains to be the pinnacle of sexy. Newcomer Marley Shelton (from “Sin City”, another Rodriguez movie) does a bang up job as the adulteress doctor’s wife who’s love of needles backfires on her. Her scenes simply kick ass in “Planet Terror”.

Some of the movie’s gimmicks fall flat for me, like the “lost reel” scene. I love the nuances of the “Grindhouse” films but I didn’t care for this cutesy little bit of cinematic improvisation. The cinematography and editing give the film that real “grindhouse” campy feel, but at times it took away from the action in “Planet Terror”. That said, this movie is pretty entertaining, very gross and worth a rental or purchase for those big fans of gore, zombies and campy films.

GRADE: D-

The “Fantastic 4″ movies could have been so much better than the 2 outings that Hollywood has given us so far. With so much to point out as the reason why these movies have failed, I will try and pick the ones that stick out the most. “Rise of the Silver Surfer” looks good on print ads, commercials and trailers but do not let it’s flashy looks fool you, this movie is void of any entertainment value. If you are looking for a cartoon-ish super hero movie with no real plot, then this is your movie.

How could this film maker have let such a great character like “The Silver Surfer” go to waste? The only redeeming quality in this movie are the Silver Surfer visuals and special effects. The dialog and set up don’t do much to explain the origins of The Surfer or why his character is destroying the earth. Is the Silver Surfer evil? The explanations are paper thin and start to grate on the nerves fast.

One major flaw of these films is Jessica Alba and her “acting”. Her fake platinum blonde hair and blue contact lenses only add to the irritation felt while being subjected to this boring “action” film. Not to mention her acting is on par with Halle Barry’s in the crappy super hero film “Catwoman”. Lastly, Alba and Chris Evans (Johnny Storm) do not pass as blood siblings in the slightest. The continuity issues with “Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer” are endless.

The most irritating thing about this movie is the lost opportunities and empty plot. This film was a hit by most standards just like the first, but will people put up with another “Fantastic 4″ movie of this caliber? Let’s hope the planned “Silver Surfer” spin off gives us more insight to a cool character without subjecting the audience to childish action sequences and ridiculous characters. This is definately one of the worst super hero films ever made, and one of the worst movies of 2007.

GRADE: B-

“Severance” is “Hostel” meets T.V.’s “The Office”. It is a gory, horror comedy hybrid that works on many levels. The last few horror movies I have seen have been pretty terrible; “Halloween”, “Hostel 2″, “The Hills Have Eyes 2″. “Severance” was made for fans of the horror genre much like other recent gory comedies such as; “Shaun of The Dead”, “Black Sheep” and “Fido”. I like these little pieces of cinematic junk food, but nothing compares to the dark comedy horror classics of the past like Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” series and Peter Jackson’s “Dead Alive”.

When the president of a high-profile international-arms supplier takes his six best employees to an Eastern European mountain retreat, their team-building getaway turns into a life-or-death game of kill or be killed. The trip takes a turn for the worst when a deadly enemy infiltrates the retreat with the singular goal of ensuring that no one gets out alive. The hilarious and gory action will leave you laughing out loud and then screaming with revulsion.

The way the film combines humor and horror is skilled and the script is smarter than average for the genre. There are some down right gruesome images in this film, but most are followed by a hilarious sight gag or joke. If you can get over the intense gore you will enjoy the great balance of shrewd comedy writing with pulse pounding chasing scenes. “Severance” isn’t high art or a cinema classic, it is a silly horror movie with bite and wit.

GRADE: A+

Let me just say right off the bat that “Death Proof” is my FAVORITE movie of 2007 (so far) and it is also my favorite Quentin Tarantino movie of all time, hands down! Those are big words, I know. “Pulp Fiction” is a classic and I have seen it a dozen times, but it is not my favorite. My second favorite of Tarantino’s is actually “Reservoir Dogs”. Something about this movie just worked on all levels for me. As a comedy, a smart/witty “talkie”, a suspense thriller and horror. This movie is a movie geek’s wet dream and it is full of sexy, fun dialogue and acting worth some recognition around award season this winter.

The first half of this movie is full of your typically delightful Tarantino banter. I held onto every word and nuance that was spoken in these first scenes. Tarantino delivers ripe and fresh conversation that comes off as “real” and not contrived. There are some shear moments of genius screenwriting in the first hour of this film. The camera angles, the type of camera used, the soundtrack..they all have such a cohesive feel which makes this movie believable.

Tarantino wrote and directed this high-octane thriller that stars Kurt Russell as a serial murderer who uses his revved-up car as a killing machine. After transforming his Dodge Charger into an indestructible weapon, Stuntman Mike climbs behind the wheel to terrorize a group of women on the road. But Russell’s character later finds out that he may have picked the wrong girls to fuck with. Rose McGowan, Rosario Dawson, Jordan Ladd and Vanessa Ferlito also star in the ultimate road rage film.

The final half of this movie is where all of the really, really good stuff is. Professional stunt woman Zoe Bell (who plays herself) has a tense well choreographed 15 minute car chase scene that will have you sweating bullets the whole time. You will be on the edge of your seat with your fists clinched during this hair raising uncut chase. Rosario Dawson has never been so bad ass and lovely as she is here in this portion of the film. The last few minutes of this movie give it one of the best endings of a movie I have EVER seen. “Death Proof” kicks major ass and it will leave you slack jawed and in shock….but in a good way!

I was hypnotized by this movie, it had me in it’s grip throughout every tightly woven scene with it’s exquisite dialogue and taught acting. Kurt Russell is dead on with his delivery as the sociopath “Stuntman Mike”. Russell is truly in his prime with “Death Proof” and Tarantino tapped the right guy for this role. I cannot say enough about this film, I am excited to watch it over and over to catch what little moments I may have missed the first few times.

GRADE: A-

While driving with his head lights off down a country highway, Chris Pratt (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), his girlfriend and two friends crash into a stalled combine on the road, which results in Chris’ brain damage affecting his short-term memory, and death of the two friends. Four years later, Chris has to write things down to remember them. This is the initial premise of “The Lookout”.

But, “The Lookout” is a cunning, smart thriller with a youthful twist. The young cast and beautiful direction give this movie an adult feel and hard edge with a smart sensibility. This movie is not your traditional bank heist film as the title may suggest. The first half is a gripping drama with emotional twists and the second half is a crime thriller.

Levitt’s performance is spot on and he expresses an emotional roller coaster with perfect ease. I also see some possible award recognition for Jeff Daniels powerful performance as his blind roommate. The two work great together in some of the more intimate scene, but it is in the climax of the movie that we are blown away as viewers. Watching both actors convey frustration within their handicaps is spectacular.

We can’t help but feel the anxiety of the decisions that are made by Levitt’s character as he is used by his so called “friends” and encouraged to make another life changing mistake. The movie makes evaluate the wrong decisions that people make that end up effecting the rest of their lives. This movie ends up being a moral tale as well as a gripping thriller, it is worth the rental for sure! This is one of the best DVD titles of 2007 hands down!

GRADE: B+

Do you like horror films and crave that random, small horror movie that offers up a brilliant premise with genuine chills and thrills? “Vacancy” is that great little hidden gem worth any horror movie fan’s time. I was genuinely wrapped up in the frenzied, creepy plot enough to be scared and anxious throughout “Vacancy”.

The movie centers around a married couple played by Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale who check into an old dirty hotel in the middle of nowhere after their car beaks down. They soon realize they are wrapped up in a scheme to make snuff films starring the patrons of the hotel. Beckinsale is drop dead gorgeous even when she is being tortured by redneck homicidal maniacs. Luke Wilson does a perfectly tense acting job as her husband.

The gore is pretty intense but the plot moves along quickly and doesn’t center on the violence. The movie does a great job keeping you involved and caring for its main characters. I was rooting for the good guys in this one, which is strange because I usually root for the killer. This movie reminded me of the old version of “The Hitcher” in the way it uses it’s brains along with the horror aspects of the film. This movie will be a good surprise for those horror movie fans looking for something new on DVD.

GRADE: D

I had some mild high hopes for “The Ex” but I already knew the reviews were terrible for this movie before I rented it. I can see how on paper this movie looked like it was hilarious and could be profitable. The casting of Zach Braff may seem inspired, but Braff plays this role no different then his star making role on “Scrubs”. The movie tries hard to be a cross between “Meet the Fockers” and any Farrelly brothers comedy and it just doesn’t work.

First off, there are plenty of fart/ass/tit jokes to make any pre-teen chuckle. This is where the laughs will end though, this movie tries too hard to make the audience laugh. The ridiculous t.v. sitcom set up started irritating me right off of the bat. Braff and Amanda Peet are not even believable as a newly married couple. Jason Bateman does a decent job in this film, but for the most part we hate his character. Right away we know there will be some plot device that will try and create a funny situation out of his disability. It is pretty obvious that his injury is not what it seems as soon as we are introduced to his character.

Some jokes in “the Ex” made me giggle and some offended me (like the scene where Braff plays basketball with wheelchair bound athletes). All in all this film is forgettable and insulting to movie lovers. With movies like “Knocked Up” and “Superbad’ reinventing the R rated comedy, who needs trifling crap like “The Ex’? I say don’t even rent this turkey, just skip it all together.

GRADE: A

I loved director Edgar Wright and co-writer Simon Pegg’s awesome “Shaun of the Dead” when it was released back in 2004, it was one of my favorite movies of that year. That film was so brilliant in the way it blended the comedy genre with gory over the top horror. Much like that genre bending classic, “Hot Fuzz” spoofs the buddy cop/action film genre with precise accuracy and wit. “Hot Fuzz” is already one of my favorite films of 2007. I cannot wait to see what these two come up with next.

“Hot Fuzz” is brilliant in it’s subtle nature. Some of the jokes will take you a second or third viewing just to get them. And I have seen this movie 4 times since purchasing the DVD (sight unseen I might add, that is how much I knew this would rock) and it gets better with multiple viewings. Simon Pegg plays an overachieving policeman who is transferred to a quiet country village in England. There he is teamed up with a bumbling cop (played by Nick Frost) who dreams of experiencing the action he watches in Hollywood Movies.

This movie spoofs every cop action film ever made such as; “Die Hard”, “Bad Boys 1 & 2″, “Point Break”, The “Lethal Weapon” Movies and many, many more. The way Edgar Wright directs his movies is refreshingly cool and his editing style is pretty neat too. The action scenes are charged with energy and are crisp with bad ass camera angles. Through out all of the fun witty dialog, pop culture references and sight gags there is a sweet story with a great climax to top the whole thing off.

I have come to look forward to the films of Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright much like I do with Christopher Guest and Judd Apatow films. All of these directors are on the cutting edge of comedy with their ingenious writing and depictions of realistic loveable characters in outlandish situations. “Hot Fuzz” is a comedy home run and is so far neck and neck with “Knocked Up” and “Superbad” as the best comedy of 2007.