So Much Promise, Such Poor Execution: Our Review of "The Watch" (2012)

Directed By: Akiva Schaffer (Hot Rod)

Starring: Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade

Rating: R for some strong sexual content including references, pervasive language and violent images

Run Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes

Synopsis: After the security guard of his store is brutally murdered one night, Evan (Stiller) decides to put together a neighborhood watch to catch the killer. He manages to get three guys to join him - Bob (Vaughn), who doesn't know how to deal with his teenage daughter; Franklin (Hill), a police academy reject with violent tendencies; and Jamarcus (Ayoade), a new neighbor who wants to make some friends. When the four of them discover an apparent alien invasion in town, they struggle to figure out how to stop it and to fix what's all wrong in their lives.

REVIEW

Andrew: Hello readers! We know it’s been about a week since our last review and for that we apologize. But the other night we caught a matinee of this past weekend’s new R-rated comedy The Watch, starring Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill and Richard Ayoade. Directed by Akiva Schaffer – one third of The Lonely Island – and written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (who teamed together to write Superbad), this was one of only two new releases this week. In our preview I said I was pretty excited because of the pedigree behind it, but you were less than enthused to see it. Turns out you were right to be, eh?

Sarah: Yeah! I had very little enthusiasm for this movie. Great pedigree and I usually love the actors in it, but I just wasn’t excited about the storyline and it turns out I was right not to be. Because this movie was one of the dumbest movies we’ve seen this year, in my opinion.

A: I wouldn’t say it was one of the dumbest, but it was certainly disappointing and very uneven in the comedy department.

S: It was like they were trying to fit in science fiction with a your typical Ben Stiller or Vince Vaughn comedy and then shoehorn some family conflicts going on…I just didn’t get it. I didn’t understand why it was the way that it was, and I thought it was just generally bad. I was bored!

Our Preview of This Week's New Releases (For Friday, July 27th)

Andrew: Hello readers! We're back with our preview of this week's new releases. Last week we only saw the wide release of one film, the juggernaut that is The Dark Knight Rises, but this week we see two films. One is an original R-rated comedy starring some big names, The Watch, and one is a sequel to a series that I have no idea how or why they're still making more of these, and that's Step Up: Revolution.

Sarah, you pick which one we'll talk about first.

Sarah: Let's go ahead and get the new Step Up Revolution out of the way. The only good one of these films was the first one. It actually did a lot to help Channing Tatum's career and he has turned into quite the movie star. But now, all these movies are are glorified dance videos. And granted, they have some pretty sweet dance scenes but the storylines are usually lacking pretty heavily.

They are niche movies that appeal to a very small audience, but an audience nonetheless so they continue to make them. These movies fall under my "Land Before Time Movies" – as in movies that have sequel after sequel made and I have no idea why.

Official Trailer for Step Up Revolution

A: I haven't seen any of them, to be perfectly honest. And it's pretty much because I have no interest in seeing them outside of checking out the dance scenes, and THAT'S only because I watched the Jabbawockeez on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew.

But looking at the box office information for this series on Wikipedia, I can see why the studio keeps making them. While each new one has made less money than the previous one domestically, it's been the opposite internationally and Step Up 3D actually brought in over $159 million total when it only cost $30 million to make. That's some nice profit.

Continuing my amazing research into this film, the star looks to be some actress/dancer named Kathryn McCormick who placed 3rd during a season of So You Think You Can Dance. The biggest name I can find on the cast list is Peter Gallagher, who I know best from The O.C. and a movie I’m not afraid to admit I love, Mr. Deeds. So the film-makers must be doing something right to make such a good profit off of these no-name films.

S: Like I said, they do have an audience. I think it is safe to say that we will probably not be seeing this one in the theatres...or ever for that matter. I think I just have a hard time seeing them based on my movie standards.

So let's move on to The Watch. This Ben Stiller/Vince Vaughn/Jonah Hill movie looks to bring hilarity with a twist of science fiction to the screen this weekend. What do you think about this one?

A: I'm actually quite looking forward to The Watch because of the pedigree it's bringing. As you said, it stars Stiller, Vaughn and Hill who are all funny people in their own rights, but it's also directed by Akiva Schaffer, one of the members of The Lonely Island. He personally directed some of their best videos like "Dick in a Box," "Natalie's Rap," and "I Just Had Sex" to name a few. It's also co-written by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen, who wrote Superbad together, and Goldberg also co-wrote Goon, a personal favorite of ours we just caught. So yeah, I'm all about the people behind the making of this movie. The fact that it's rated R gives me some high hopes, too, because those are relatively few and far between.

 Official Trailer for The Watch

S: True! I am expecting it to be similar to 21 Jump Street in the comedy deparment, which is holding the bar pretty high for it in our opinion. Vaughn hasn't been in anything lately that I really loved so I am excited to see what he can bring to this movie. Stiller will be hilarious in it I'm sure, and I love Skinny Jonah Hill. I can't seem to get enough of him lately and neither can Hollywood apparently! So while this weekend isn't going to be as epic as last week at the theatres, it looks to be one where we will be laughing more.

A: My one hesitation with The Watch is that Stiller and Vaughn seem to be playing roles that they always play. Stiller is playing the straight-guy, the every-man who's nothing special but kind of reacts to all the shenanigans that are happening around him; while Vaughn looks like he's playing a guy who's related to his Beanie character in Old School. That said I find them to be very funny in those roles. I've also heard good things about Richard Ayoade from some co-workers who've seen him in a British comedy show called The IT Crowd.

S: Oh yeah but we have come to love them for playing these characters, it wouldn't be fair to expect them to change for this movie. It should be entertaining and that is all I can ask for!

Also, because I was gone while this happened and didn’t get a chance to speak on it, I think it is important to also note that our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the Colorado shooting last week. It was such a terrible thing to happen in a place that brings joy to so many people.

A: Amen. Ok readers, be on the lookout for our review of The Watch at some point this weekend as we’ll definitely be seeing that one, and as always thank you for reading!

When the Zoo Animals Met the Circus Animals: Our Review of "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" (2012)

Directed By: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath and Conrad Vernon

Starring: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer, Sacha Baron Cohen, Frances McDormand, Martin Short, Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston

Synopsis: The gang’s all back – Alex the Lion (Stiller), Marty the Zebra (Rock), Gloria the Hippo (Smith) and Melman the Giraffe (Schwimmer) – and they’re headed to Monte Carlo to find the Penguins and go back to New York City. After scaring a casino full of humans, Animal Control Captain DuBois (McDormand) makes it her quest to capture Alex so she can mount his head on her wall. The gang joins a European circus in an attempt to evade DuBois and get home, becoming friends with Gia the Jaguar (Chastain), Vitaly the Tiger (Cranston) and Stefano the Sea Lion (Short).

REVIEW

Andrew: Hello readers! This afternoon Sarah and I made our usual excursion to the movie theatre down the street and caught a matinee showing of Madagascar 3: Europe’s MostWanted.

Sarah, we previewed this film on Thursday along with Prometheus, and we were both excited to see it, you probably a little more so because you have a special love for one of the Madagascar films, correct?

Sarah: Yes, the first one is 100% my favorite of the series. I screened it for my younger sister before she could watch it back when it first came out, and I remember sitting in my basement all by myself laughing my head off. So it will always be my favorite.

But I have to say, this new entry in the series is pretty darn funny and the 3D is amazing!

A: I would say I like the first two movies, but of the three I think I like this one the most. I found myself laughing more during this one for a variety of reasons, but I think the addition of Martin Short as the Italian circus sea lion, Stefano, is one of the biggest reasons. He was pretty hysterical – and not just in making me laugh, but literally his character is hysterical a number of times. The penguins, per usual, were also great. I love me the penguins especially Skipper.

The gang's all back! Gloria the Hippo, Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra and Melman the Giraffe are trying to get back to NYC in Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

And yes, the 3D was absolutely fantastic. Along with Prometheus, the strength of both movies this weekend has been that they’ve been incredible examples of what GOOD 3D can do for a movie.

S: Agreed. You know, what I think makes these movies so funny is that you not only have your slapstick humor for the kids, but you also have adult humor for the parents

A: Let’s be honest, it’s funny but it’s a silly funny.

S: Yes. The penguins, yet again, were humorous and are really the cherry on top of this movie. Their quick little remarks you have to pay attention to because otherwise you’ll miss the humor in them are really some of my favorite parts. I think the ensemble cast, especially with the addition of Martin Short, Jessica Chastain and Bryan Cranston really were good additions for people whom you don’t normally see as voice actors. They did a good job.

A: It’s not like these are intellectually humorous, you don’t have to think about it much. It’s a lot of slapstick, a lot of physical humor, which is fine. It makes us laugh, which is par for the course. But I think what a good animated film has to do is have heart and all three Madagascar films have really had their own heart.

Vitaly the Tiger (Cranston), Gia the Jaguar (Chastain) and Stefano the Sea Lion (Short) are the stars of the circus the gang joins to get back to America.

This was a good one because it shows that the characters wanted to go home to NYC, but maybe home wasn’t exactly what they thought it was now that they’ve seen the rest of the world. Plus they have other people that they care about or care about them, these circus animals that they become a part of, so it’s harder to just go back to the Central Park Zoo.

S: Yeah, in the second one they kind of go back to their roots, get to see where they come from, but it’s still not quite them because they’re used to performing in front of people. And the circus in this one allows them to do that again.

Overall, Madagascar 3 Is funny and I really did enjoy it. Seriously, the 3D is amazing. If you’re going to see this in theatres, see it in 3D because there’s a circus scene that just blew my mind. It was like a Cirque de Soleil on the screen. It was really cool.

A: This movie is a visual feast. It’s really worth the extra dollars to see it in 3D. I’m sure it’s fine in 2D and is just as funny, but it won’t LOOK as stunning. Ok, real quick, I was also a fan of the little English dogs that turn out to be like English gangsters. They were funny. But I was not a big fan of Frances McDormand’s character, Captain Chantel DuBois. It’s not her fault, I thought she did fine voice acting but…

S: She didn’t add a ton to the story.

A: Exactly. Obviously she was the conflict that the film needed, but it wasn’t much. She made me laugh a few times, or the people that encountered her made me laugh I should say.

The Penguins are back, led by Skipper (front), and are Andrew's favorite part of the film (again). They'll also track you down if you don't see this film in 3D.

I also liked the music, I was a big fan of the French music they use, including one song by Edith Piaf that DuBois actually sings. I recognized it as the song the characters in Christopher Nolan’s Inception use as the kick to wake them up from the dreams, and using Journey’s “Any Way You Want It” was kind of random but I love Journey so I was okay with it.

S: Yeah, I loved Katy Perry’s “Firework” for the circus scene. The music was fun and kept the movie upbeat.

Madagascar 3 is definitely one to take the kids to see, or maybe for a light date. Whereas Prometheus was the dark, adult movie to come out this weekend, this one is just pure fun and I definitely think they’ve hit the nail on the head yet again.

A: Will we own this one? We don’t own any of the others.

S: We don’t, but it will definitely be one that family members will own it and we’ll watch it.

A: And of course, as we said earlier, definitely see it on the big screen and see it in 3D! As always, thanks for reading!

(Out of Five Clapboards)

Photo Courtesies: Movie Carpet, Time, About.com, New Raleigh

Our Preview of This Week's New Releases (for Friday, June 8th)

Andrew: Hello readers! It's time again for our weekly preview of the new theatrical releases coming out on Friday. This week brings only two wide release films, but boy are they pretty big ones. The first is Ridley Scott's Prometheus, the highly-anticipated quasi-prequel to his 1979 classic Alien; the second being Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, the third entry in the highly successful Madagascar series (obviously).

Sarah, we're seeing one of these two films TONIGHT at midnight, aren't we?

Sarah: Prometheus, the Kecks have landed! I am so looking forward to this movie tonight. We have been brushing-up on our Alien knowledge this week. After buying the Blu-Ray set, we have been cranking through them. Even after seeing the first one again I notice so many things from that one that are in the trailer for Prometheus! I can't wait to see what else is in store! Will we get to see the elusive Xenomorph in this one as well? We will see!

I think I am most excited to see this ensemble cast though! What do you think?

A: I'm intrigued by the cast for this one because it has a couple of my favorite current actors in Michael Fassbender and Idris Elba. I've heard nothing but glowing remarks on Fassbender's performance (what else is new?) and I'm looking forward to experiencing it firsthand. I'm a bit skeptical about Noomi Rapace in the lead role because I felt she didn't bring much to her role in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, but I'll withhold judgment until tonight.

Another thing I’m personally excited for is to see more of this world that Scott helped create in 1979. The Weyland-Yutani Corporation has always been this very shifty company and I’m interested to see where their sinister ways started. This film was co-written by Damon Lindelof, one of the co-writers/producers of Lost, my favorite TV show of all-time, so I'm hoping he comes through here.

 Official Trailer for Prometheus

Something I'm excited about for YOU, my dear, is that this will be your first time seeing a movie that was shot IN 3D, not post-converted. I'll be curious to hear what your thoughts are on 3D once you see this film since you weren't able to see Avatar in 3D.

S: Yes, I am really excited to check out the 3D. It's funny that both of the movies coming out this weekend just happen to be in 3D. Soon, will be every movie! Ahhh the future!

Well I’m really excited to see Charlize Theron in Prometheus. She's pretty bad-ass these days so it will be cool to see her in the role of a "Company Gal" for  Weyland-Yutani. I have really high hopes for this movie and I really hope it proves worthy of my hopes.

Now, we also have Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted coming out this weekend! I love these movies so I'm pretty stoked for this one too. What about you?

A: I'm looking forward to Madagascar 3 for one reason and one reason only: the penguins. I love them. And by that I mean not just the characters in the films but penguins in general. So the fact that the penguins in these films are like secret agents and are by far the best parts of the movies, yeah. I'm looking forward to it. I guess I’m also looking forward to the additional voice work of Martin Short, Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston and Frances McDormand to go along with the return of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, et al.

Official Trailer for Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

I generally find the first two Madagascar movies to be funny and I like the trailer for this one, so I go into it with slightly raised expectations. Obviously I'm not expecting it to be the greatest animated film of the year (those expectations would go to Pixar's Brave) but I do think we'll be quite entertained.

S: The Madagascar movies hold a special place in my heart, so I am pretty excited about this one.

While there are only two movies coming out this weekend really worth noting, they both promise to be huge blockbusters! I know I am excited for these to come out and we’ll be seeing both this weekend! We’re seeing Prometheus tonight so our review will be posted tomorrow morning sometime. Be on the lookout for that! And as always, thanks for reading!