Wild West Comedy Show

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: February 8, 2008

DVD Release Date: June 3, 2008

Plot 411: Vince Vaughn takes four up-and-coming comics on the road in a bus for 30 days and films their shows.

Review: This documentary follows Vince Vaughn and four hand-picked comics as they tour America and do shows. It covers some of their routines and reactions before and after the shows. It reveals a bit of their personal life as we meet their families. The comics talk about their material, inspiration and dreams. The comics are Ahmed Ahmed, John Caparulo, Bret Ernst and Sebastian Maniscalco. Also making appearances are Jon Favreau, Justin Long and Keir O'Donnell. I thought the comedy portions were interesting and sometimes funny, but the rest of the show was a waste of time. Who cares what it's like living on a bus? Who cares about the hardships of bouncing from one hotel room to the next? Just tells us jokes and make us laugh man.

Watch It: If you like stand-up comedy shows. You can go without leaving your living room.

Skip It: If you're expecting some Comedy Central stuff. This is like the extended version.

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.

Into The Wild

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 21, 2007

DVD Release Date: March 4, 2008

Plot 411: Based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, a guy who gave up almost all of his possessions to finally be free.

Review: Holy crap, I cannot believe I haven't reviewed this movie yet! It is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Perhaps it's because it tugs at the hidden idealism within me? Perhaps it's because it calls to my hidden adventurer? I don't really know, but when I first saw this film I had to learn more about Christopher McCandless, the person upon which this movie is based. I watched the documentary, The Call Of The Wild, and set Google ablaze with all my searches. Emile Hirsch plays the starring role, and for me, this is his best effort to date (even though I like him in many other films). Chris was a college student who embarked on a journey of self-discovery, independence and freedom. Being disillusioned with the capitalist world he lived in, he donated half of the money his parents gave him for college and took off to see the world. He hitchhiked around the U.S. and took odd jobs here or there. His life alternated between solitude and society. His ultimate goal was to test himself in Alaska. The themes are pretty heavy in this movie, but I found them quite inspirational. On one hand, Chris is the ultimate dreamer who went after those dreams. He didn't let anything stand in his way. Leaving all your worldly possessions behind, overcoming society's pressure to live a certain way and creating situations where you can only depend on yourself are all pretty huge deals. The fact that this guy did it is pretty amazing. Of course, the rational part of your brain is shouting what an idiot Chris was. Also in this film are Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart and Zach Galifianakis.

Watch It: If, like me, you're not normally a risk taker or even an idealist. This will give you something to think about.

Skip It: If, perhaps, you're more of a realist as some of Chris' actions are definitely illogical and foolhardy.

Mr. And Mrs. Smith

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 7, 2005

DVD Release Date: November 29, 2005

Plot 411: An unassuming married couple discover that they're spies for competing agencies.

Review: I know I should hate Angelina Jolie for causing the break up of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston with this movie, but somehow I just can't do it. Jolie plays Jane and Pitt plays her husband John. The couple live somewhere in suburbia, own a minivan and have a manicured lawn. However, despite appearances, Jane and John actually lead very exciting lives. They are both secret spies who work for secret agencies. They are so secret that they do not even know the other is a spy. Intriguing yes? The movie is filled with tons of action and humor. It's no wonder Pitt ran off with Jolie after making this film. Their chemistry is very apparent in this movie, which makes it all the more entertaining to watch. The lightning-quick action does not always occur with guns blazing. It's also present in their banter back and forth. Overall, a good time will be had by all. Also in this film are Vince Vaughn, Kerry Washington, Adam Brody and Michelle Monaghan.

Watch It: For the butt-kicking action sequences and witty humor.

Skip It: If you're on Team Jen. It'll only make you angry.

Four Christmases

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: November 26, 2008

DVD Release Date: November 24, 2009

Plot 411: When all outgoing flights are canceled, Brad and Kate must spend Christmas visiting each of their divorced parents.

Review: Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) have had a tradition of vacationing somewhere tropical during the holidays ever since they first met. The long-time couple both agree that avoiding their respective families is the best for everyone. By doing so, they do not need to experience the chaotic and sometimes embarrassing scenes that occur during the holidays. However, when a thick fog cancels all flights out of San Francisco, they are forced to visit their families and endure a day of four Christmas celebrations. The continuous family time and holiday cheer affects each of them differently and in the end, they learn more about themselves than they ever thought possible. This is a cute film to enjoy during the holidays. It makes you realize that your own family isn't quite as nuts as you thought they were. Vaughn and Witherspoon are okay as a couple, but I think the chemistry between Jennifer Aniston and Vaughn in The Breakup was a lot more real (probably because it was real). Despite this, I think there were a ton of laughs in this movie that came with all the family drama that Brad and Kate have been trying to avoid. Everyone can relate to the craziness of the holidays, and this film seems to capitalize on this concept. I really loved the San Francisco background and liked that the families didn't live within the city like the couple did. Rarely is the surrounding areas of a large city featured in movies so this is a good chance to advertise the suburbs and towns around the Bay area. Brad and Kate's parents are played by Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight and Mary Steenburgen. Jon Favreau also makes an appearance as Brad's brother. He is hilarious as always.

Watch It: With a cup of hot chocolate in your hands and thank the lord your family is "normal."

Skip It: Because Vaughn is looking quite chunky in this movie. Is that the price of success?

Swingers

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 18, 1996

DVD Release Date: September 24, 2002

Plot 411: A comedian trying to make it in Hollywood deals with the recent breakup of his six year relationship by hitting the clubs with his boys.

Review: This was an excellent '90s movies. Who knew that 13 years would make this movie almost nostalgic? I had forgotten about the swing music revival, the wallet chains and the Frank Sinatra-cool wannabes. The movie really captures a specific era that didn't last very long but was interesting nonetheless. Mike (Jon Favreau), a comedian from New York, moved to Hollywood to pursue his dream of getting his own sitcom. Unfortunately, his now ex-girlfriend is dating someone else and he's miserable. His L.A. friends Trent (Vince Vaughn) and Sue (Patrick Van Horn) and his buddy from N.Y. Rob (Ron Livingston) all try their best to lift his spirits. Trent takes the alpha dog approach and tries to bolster Mike's self-esteem through "babies" (aka women). Rob takes a more subtle route, doing more listening and hand holding than anything else. The boys are so "money" as they club hop around L.A. It's completely funny how they believe they're shot callers, like Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, yet they can't even manage to land a gig. Vaughn is ridiculously funny in this role. The movie is hip, for its time, and right on with its comments on people's attitudes during this time period - from the wannabe gangsters to the cool dude swingers.

Watch It: For the bear and bunny scene.

Skip It: If you're living a break up right now. Mike is such a downer that he'll make you feel worse.

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 17, 2004

DVD Release Date: December 7, 2004

Plot 411: Two competing gyms face off in a heroic battle in the dodgeball arena.

Review: Simply put, this is one of the dumbest movies out there. Yet, somehow I laugh my ass off ever time I watch it. Ben Stiller plays White Goodman, a wanna-be buffed up jerk of an owner at Globo Gym. Vince Vaughn is Peter Le Fleur, the humble owner of the small community gym next door. As tempers flair, both gyms end up going head-to-head in all out war, dodgeball style. There's some great one-liners in this one with notable performances by Rip Torn and Jason Bateman. Christine Taylor makes her usual appearance in her husband's flick. This movie is one of big vs. little and good vs. bad. There's a tremendous amount of physical comedy as well as well-written lines. This one never gets old.

Watch It: For dumb, slapstick humor that's not liable to strain your brain.

Skip It: If you aren't a Stiller fan because this is Stiller humor on steroids.

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