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uncomfortable, but there is still something really nice and genuine there. The key to Everything Must Go is vulnerability. Whether it’s our piteous hero or the other characters, it’s their vulnerability, awareness, and honesty that make the difference. This is demonstrated in a couple of brief side stories featuring Stephen Root and Laura Dern. Obviously Nick can’t live on his front lawn forever; everything must go and everyone must move forward. If you get Will Farrell, you’ll likely take to the film. If you’re not a fan or find him utterly obnoxious and juvenile, you will certainly be more impressed by him in this outing, though you may still not really like him. If Farrell continues to do films in the comedic and dramatic realms, he will rise to even greater popularity and certainly to more acclaim. Rated R for language and some sexual content. REVIEWED BY
MICHELLE KEENAN
Fast Five ∑∑∑1/2 Short Take: Number 5 in the Fast and Furious franchise is an above average heist film but it has a lot less car action than the previous four which will disappoint fans of the series.
REEL TAKE: Fast Five continues the fran-
chise that began in 2001 with The Fast and the Furious and continued with Too Fast, Too Furious (2003), Tokyo Drift (2006), and Fast and Furious (2009). Although there is action-a-plenty, fans of the series may be disappointed with this outing as it focuses more on plot and characterization than on car racing.
O’Conner (Paul Walker) and Dominic (Vin Diesel) check out the hot local action in Fast Five.
The exotic setting this time around is Rio de Janeiro where Dominic (Vin Diesel) and O’Conner (Paul Walker) are there to pull off a monumental heist and thwart the local drug lord (Joaquim de Almeida) who has every official, police and otherwise, in his pocket. It’s more about the challenge than revenge at first but over the course of the film that changes as things begin to happen to members of Dom and O’Conner’s team.
Bridesmaids ∑∑∑∑ Finally—a Judd Apatowstyle comedy targeted for women. Bridesmaids is a combination of quintessential chick flick values and crude humor. The comedy starts when Annie (Kristin Wiig) finds out that her best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph) is engaged and is asked to be the maid of honor. However, between personal problems and a series of unfortunate, though hilarious, wedding-planAnnie (Kristen Wiig) discovers her best friend Lillian ning mishaps, she is horrified to (Maya Rudolph) is getting married in Bridesmaids. find Lillian moving closer to a new friend, Helen (Rose Byrne), as decent values. The most refreshing part Annie’s life continues to spiral out of of the movie is that the female characters control. With the help of a handsome actually seem real. cop (Chris O’Dowd), Annie must try to Annie is certainly get a handle on the situation and create a endearing, but she also great wedding. has multiple flaws and I found Bridesmaids exceptionbehaves like an average ally entertaining. It contains plenty person. Kristin Wiig does of gross-out jokes—such as when the a fine job of carrying the bridesmaids get food poisoning before by Clara Sofia movie, and other actors— a dress fitting—but also promotes
TEEN REVIEW
Added to the mix this time around is Hobbs (Dwayne “no longer The Rock” Johnson), a ruthless federal agent who always get his man (or men in this case). Hobbs is not a bad guy, he is just a badass with a bad attitude. Hobbs is brought in by the corrupt Rio police to take Dom and O’Conner down. He is there to harass our heroes and then come face to face with them in the end. Essentially Fast Five is a classic heist film in the vein of Rififi or The Italian Job with the cars playing as important a part in the proceedings as the humans. This does allow the fans of the series to have one get together scene in the auto underground where you get to see lots of hot cars and hot babes with thongs and a climatic chase scene with a huge safe that has to be seen to be believed. There’s nothing new here other than a scale back on the racing scenes. I’m not sure why the filmmakers chose to do this as it annoyed the audience that I saw the film with. While watching Fast Five, I realized what a long, long shadow Brian De Palma’s Scarface has. Several times I saw setups and camera movement and angles that were clearly De Palma inspired. At 130 minutes the movie is way too long and despite the subject material, too slow in places. It’s not a bad movie but it comes under the heading of completely disposable entertainment. In fact I’ve already forgotten the opening and I saw it shortly before writing this review.
such as Melissa McCarthy, who plays an eccentric bridesmaid named Megan— keep the story from getting dull. Chris O’Dowd also gives a fun performance as the nice-guy Officer Rhodes. In my opinion, not all of the jokes work, but there are enough laugh out loud moments to ensure entertainment. My one veritable complaint with Bridesmaids is that it is a little too long. The plot drags in some places but not enough to make it truly boring. I recommend this film to anyone looking for a unique comedy that is certain to provide some laughs. Bridesmaids may be geared more toward females, but there are enough crass jokes that I am sure many men can enjoy it too. Furthermore, I think it’s a movie that teenagers as well as an older audience will appreciate. If you’ve been waiting for a comedy worth your ten dollars, this is it. Rated R for some sexuality and strong language.
Rated PG-13 for sexual content, sequences of violence, language, and intense action.
REVIEWED BY CHIP KAUFMANN
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides ∑∑∑∑ Short Take: Captain Jack Sparrow is back for a 4th pirate adventure – argh!
REEL TAKE: The box office phe-
nomenon and beloved Captain Jack Sparrow is back for yet another pirate adventure and hijinx on the high Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush are up to their old seas. Is Pirates of the Caribbean: On pirating tricks once again in Pirates of the Caribbean: Stranger Tides a been-there-doneOn Stranger Tides. that? Sure it is. Is it as good as the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie Sparrow’s dad. (Given the fact that this tale that captured the hearts of moviegoers the focuses around finding the elusive Founworld over? No. However it is far and away tain of Youth, you can imagine the converbetter than the third installment and far sation between Depp and Richards.) There better than I thought it would be. While still is also an incredibly brief (blink and you’ll a bit overblown in parts, it is filled with solmiss it) cameo with Dame Judi Dench that idly funny dialogue and brilliantly choreoevokes a good laugh. graphed action sequences. Most importantThis adventure begins in jolly old ly, Johnny Depp revels fully as everyone’s London. Captain Jack Sparrow is there to favorite swaggering and palavering pirate. rescue Gibbs from the gallows and to find Joining Depp for this adventure are out who is going around London looking for Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane; Orlando a crew, claiming to be the infamous Captain Bloom and Keira Knightly are neither menJack Sparrow. Along the way he learns that tioned nor missed much, as this adventure Barbossa is now working for the crown stands on its own. Geoffrey Rush returns as and that King George II (Richard Griffiths) the ever present Captain Barbossa, as does wants to beat the Spanish to the Fountain of Kevin McNally as Gibbs, and – much to Youth. Just as he is figuring out what’s going everyone’s delight – Keith Richards as Jack
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Vol. 14, No. 10 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — June 2011 15