There are a million movies out there about reluctant adults being forced into helping a kid for their own personal gain. You know what's going to happen and you know how it's going to end. It's another gold standard that Hollywood gives us about half a dozen times a year. Role Models is another one of those films and delivers something that isn't greatness, but an entertaining romp that delivers a little more than expected.
Wheeler (Seann William Scott) and Danny (Paul Rudd) work for an energy drink company, performing anti-drug campaigns in various schools at the behest of their company (which is ironic in itself). When Danny's relationship with Beth (Elizabeth Banks) falls apart he flips out leading one thing after another until the pair end up serving their community service be mentoring a youth apiece, foul mouthed Ronnie (Bobb'e J. Thompson) and amateur dragon slayer Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse).
You know the story. The adults are being forced into this, but later own will enjoy being the mentors for these kids. The only difference is that in Role Models there is no massive personality change to the two leads- they're still the same guys and they relate to the kids in their own way. They don't suddenly become Cliff Huxtable but remain the same rude, crude guys that freaked out and got into this mess. It's not a hilarious film, yet there are some great guffaws that keep you into the movie without that ill fated eye rolling moment.
Role Models isn't the modern day comedy classic that you'll remember for years to come. Hell, chances are you'll forget it by the time you finish this review. It's a funny film that will carry you away for about two hours. That's about it. It will fill your time, but that's about it.
Crap. Pure straight to video crap. I could say that kids will like it, but the one I watched it with promptly decided that playing Lego batman on the Nintendo DS was more entertaining. I don't even know if the attached picture gies with this film or the first and really don't care. It sucks. It really, really sucks.
Typical garbage from the Walt Disney juggernaut that's only going to encourage kids to get these rat-like dogs.
Pinocchio is probably one of my favorite Disney films and represents the great, early masterpieces of Disney animation. With Pinocchio you get a story that not only entertains, but also serves as a morality tale for children that isn't too preachy and entertaining. It's a mesmerizing film that makes you believe in crickets in tuxedos and wooden boys that turn into jackasses.
A great kids film will entertain children as well as adults. This is what Pixar does so well today and the early Disney features accomplished this feat in the same way. A pure masterpiece.
Coogan's Bluff is a somewhat acceptable fish out of water story starring Clint Eastwood and direct by Don Siegel. The general idea of the film is Coogan (Eastwood) is an Arizona deputy sheriff who is sent to New York City to bring back a fugitive named Riggerman (Don Stroud). While in the city he butts heads with the local Leutenant (Lee J. Cobb) while encountering the various cultures throughout 1968 New York.Coogan's Bluff is an average story with average acting and a disappointing effort from Siegel. The story is filled with so many inconsistencies that it boggles the mind, particularly the relationship Coogan has with a probation officer (Susan Clark). She appears the women's lib type, then falls for Coogan's chauvinist ways, then holds a bold front when Coogan beds with another lady, and finally waves and blows kisses like an adoring groupie when he leaves. Silly girl in a character that is a sexist depiction of a city female. Coogan's Bluff is an OK action flick filled with fights and smart ass comments. It's not a deep, thought provoking film, but is suitable for rainy Sunday afternoon viewing.
Actors always want to be directors. It seems to be a right of passage that every actor seems to think that they can do a better job than the guy behind the camera. Clint Eastwood seemed to be one of those actors and in 1971 Universal allowed Clint Eastwood to take a crack at directing, thinking that if we throw him a bone he'll do another western for the studio. Instead he gave them a little thriller called Play Misty For Me that planted the seeds of a second career as an actor. Clint Eastwood stars as Dave Garver, a small town jazz disc jockey tom cats around town on a wave of popularity. But good old Dave is trying to change his ways and get back with his steady girlfriend Toby (Donna Mills). The problem is he's gotten involved with a fan who requests Misty nightly named Evelyn (Jessica Walter). Dave saw their relationship as a typical one night stand. Evelyn is more clingy than that. And a little more violent as he tries to juggle his new problem with his old flame.
Play Misty For Me represents Eastwood's first work behind the camera and shows that he had been studying a bit. Misty is a solid film that delivers it thrills with a cast that is above average. Eastwood and Walter really carry the film with Donna Mills over acting a bit in her damsel that doesn't know she's in distress role. For all of Eastwood's good direction, there are a few sequences that tend to show how green he was behind the camera, particularly the long winded Robert Flack and Monterey Jazz sequences that drag the film to a grinding halt. Thankfully, Eastwood gets the film back on track after these horrendous segments.
For a directorial debut Play Misty For Me is a solid piece of film making from Clint Eastwood. It's a film that was ahead of it's time in that it led the obsessed love interest craze that have filled cinemas by over fifteen years. It's also a representation of the first effort of a director whose career has exploded into better films as time has past. Yes, Misty is dated, but it's still a classic thriller that stands the test of time (wardrobe excluded).
