Couples Retreat

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: October 9, 2009

DVD Release Date: February 9, 2009

Plot 411: Four couples sign up for a relationship retreat and find it's more than they bargained for.

Review: Don't see this movie. All you need to do is watch the trailer and you're golden. Anything else in this 107-minute movie is filler. Jason (Jason Bateman) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell) are a Type-A married couple whose marriage is not working out. They decide to take a week to sort out their issues at a vacation club dedicated to this kind of thing. In order to get a cheaper rate, one that they can afford, they hit up their friends and ask them to participate as well. At first everyone is reluctant, especially Dave (Vince Vaughn) and Ronnie (Malin Ackerman) who are busy renovating their home, raising their two sons and launching a new video game. However, in the end, everyone agrees to go for the sake of Jason and Cynthia. What they find on the island is nothing for which they are prepared. Also in this film are Jon Favreau, Faizon Love, Kristen Davis, Kali Hawk, Tasha Smith and Jean Reno. This movie had so many potential laughs that just were not fulfilled. The concept of being stuck on an island doing therapy and yoga are gold mines for comedic humor. However, the plot was too slow to be effective. Jokes were few and far between for me. There's also a cameo by Ken Jeong that is completely humorless. I mean, how is that even possible right? But it is.

Watch It: As a last resort?

Skip It: For a better Vaughn/Favreau flick in Four Christmases.

Fanboys

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: February 6, 2009

DVD Release Date: May 19, 2009

Plot 411: A group of Star Wars uberfans try to break into George Lucas' ranch to watch Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace before it's released.

Review: Four long-time friends, Eric (Sam Huntington), Linus (Chris Marquette), Hutch (Dan Fogler) and Windows (Jay Baruchel), embark on a cross-country journey from Ohio to California. Their mission? Break into George Lucus' Skywalker ranch and catch a glimpse of Episode 1 before it hits theaters. Along the way, the boys are tested (like any real Jedi knight would be) and must trust in each other to make it through. This is the ultimate movie for Star Wars fans because it not only pokes fun at them but also embraces all their quirkiness. It's a good-spirited movie that honors all the world's fanboys and fangirls. There are so many references to Star Wars and Star Trek that you kinda need to be aware of the history of the two movies to really get it. I can honestly say that I'm a fan of neither and still laughed my head off at some of the jokes. Also in this film or playing cameos are Kristen Bell, Seth Rogan, Billy Dee Williams, William Shatner, Carrie Fisher and Kevin Smith.

Watch It: And don't be afraid to geek it up. Best viewed with other fanboys to enhance the total experience.

Skip It: If you're a Trekkie (or Trekker). The jokes are harsh.

When In Rome

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: January 29, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: A girl is pursued by suitors after her trip to Rome and must figure out which guy is the real deal.

Review: When Beth (Kristen Bell) goes to Rome for her sister's wedding, she meets her brother-in-law's college roommate Nick (Josh Duhamel) and they hit it off. Previously shut off from love, she decides to take a chance on Nick. But as all her previous experience has revealed, she realizes that he's just like all the other guys she's dated. Drunkenly, she splashes around in the fountain of love outside the church. Disheartened with love and cynical about the powers of the fountain, she picks up five coins in an effort to save the coins' owners from a broken heart. Unfortunately, this causes the opposite effect. The coins' owners, who include Antonio (Will Arnett), Lance (Jon Heder), Gale (Dax Shepard), Al (Danny DeVito) and Nick, all fall in love with her. Upon her return to New York, Beth is confronted with each of the men as they attempt to woo her. This movie wasn't as disappointing to me as Dear John, but I didn't really have the same high hopes for it to begin with. It played out like a typical romantic comedy and didn't really have any twists, making it quite predictable. The romantic relationship between Beth and Nick was not successfully portrayed by Bell and Duhamel. In Rome, it looked like they might have potential, but once they were back in New York (most of the movie), the two actors didn't seem to have a lot of chemistry. It wasn't believable that they would fall in love with each other, which I suppose can only be attributed to the actors' performances. The comic relief provided by Beth's other suitors was just mediocre too.

Watch It: If you don't care that it's a below average rom com.

Skip It: If you're watching it for the Italian scenery (like I did). Most of the film takes place in New York so no Italian countryside and barely any of the city is shown.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 18, 2008

DVD Release Date: September 30, 2008

Plot 411: After a horrible break up, Peter takes a trip to Hawaii only to run into his ex and her new beau.

Review: I thought I'd try another Judd Apatow movie because I just don't understand the hype about this guy. I still don't get it. I've watched a number of movies in which he is the writer or producer and find them only mildly humorous in a sophomoric way. This one had the added benefit of being filmed in Hawaii, but other than that it didn't really impress me. Peter (Jason Segel) makes his living by scoring his girlfriend Sarah's (Kristen Bell) hit tv show. But when she dumps him for another man, he spirals down into depression. His step brother, played by Bill Hader, suggests that he go on vacation to clear his mind (only after he's waded through a sea of one night stands to no affect). Unfortunately, Sarah and her boyfriend are also vacationing and it seems that Peter cannot escape her. The one interesting thing about this film in comparison with the others is that Peter and Sarah realize that they were both at fault for the destruction of their relationship. This, I think, is a new development in many of Apatow's movies. Most films have a good guy and bad guy and leave it at that. This one clearly depicts a grey area in the relationship, which is much more realistic. As in other Apatow films, support comes by way of Paul Rudd and Jonah Hill. Other stars include Mila Kunis and Russell Brand. Kalani Robb also makes an appearance.

Watch It: For comedy on par with Superbad and Knocked Up.

Skip It: If you've had enough of Apatow's creations.