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Movie review: Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay |
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Written by Lisa Miller/special to the World
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Friday, 02 May 2008 |
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(Ratings are out of four stars)
The Bong Show
HAROLD & KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY
(2008)
* *1/2
Directed by Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Starring John Cho, Kal Penn, Neil Patrick Harris, Danneel Harris, Eric Winter, Rob Corddry, David Krumholtz, Eddie Kaye Thomas
New Line/Rated R/Comedy/102 min
There’s a generosity of spirit about “Harold & Kumar,” a film asserting that stress is best relieved by chilling out. It presents the hopeful thesis that taking a few tokes leads to letting go, a state preferable to the amped up sobriety common to those seeking control over others.
 It’s a lot to bite off, and potentially more than the film can chew, but the story wisely focuses on the civil rights denied to suspected homegrown terrorists incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay. Homeland Security gets barbecued while George W. (played by look-alike James Adomian) is portrayed as a cool party-dude attempting to escape from pushy members of his administration.
Our heroes, Korean-American Harold (John Cho) and Indian-American Kumar (Kal Penn), are apolitical types seeking love and the simple joys of toking. While Harold mourns losing Maria (Danneel Harris) to an aristocratic nice-guy (Eric Winter), Mr. Nice-Guy is beginning to show cracks in his facade. It’s obvious to viewers that the gentle Harold and Maria are destined to share many joints together.
Meanwhile, Kumar enthusiastically supports Harold’s pursuit of love because doing so means flying to Amsterdam -- land of legal pot. Having brought along a high-tech, smokeless bong of his own invention, Kumar gets himself and Harold busted for possessing a device mistaken for a bomb.
The hostile head of Homeland Security (Ron Fox) theorizes the pair’s ethnicity indicates the Koreans are now colluding with Al Qaeda in a plot against the U.S., and he whisks the offenders off to Guantanamo Bay. Once there, Harold and Kumar are subjected to homophobic guards forcing inmates to perform lewd sexual acts.
 The boys escape to Florida on a Cuban refugee boat. Having decided they must go to Texas to clear their names, we enter a road-trip phase taking the boys through the wilds of the Southern USA. Their experiences will both challenge and reinforce widely held stereotypes while compelling us to recognize that Americans can not be identified based on race or ethnic heritage.
Amongst the gratuitous nudity and sexuality on display, is a bottomless party (where wearing a top is required), attended almost exclusively by women. Some theaters, mine included, posted security guards at the door to bar teen admittance. Harold and Kumar do their best, but are unable to fully partake in the festivities due to a romantic notion they must remain true to the women they pine for.
While the film’s heart is in the right place, its vulgar comedy frequently misses. Since failing to get laughs is the death knell of any dirty joke, it’s a good thing that Harold and Kumar are firmly positioned as nice guys just trying to make it through the day (and night). Despite a lack of laugh-out-loud gags, we like these dummies because they search relentlessly and aimlessly for truth, provided there’s pot at the rainbow’s end.
COMING SOON
CR = Critics’ Consensus Rating (where available), PR = Lisa’s Predicted Rating
IRON MAN
(2008)
PR: * * *1/2
Directed by Jon Favreau
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Leslie Bibb Shaun Toub, Faran Tahir
Paramount/Rated PG-13/Action/126 min
When industrial designer, Tony Stark (Downey Jr.), travels to Afghanistan to assess U.S. weaponry needs, he is kidnapped by local warlords and forced to build them a missile. Instead, Stark assembles an Iron Man suit used to decimate the guards, and outfitted with jet propulsion to fly him back to the USA. Subsequently, the industrialist loses all interest in warfare, but he becomes Iron Man once again when Stark’s partner -- played by a wickedly salivating Bridges -- steals the technology for himself. Fifteen years getting off the ground, the film adaptation owes much to marvel comic book hound and director Jon Favreau. Having persuaded the principals, including Paltrow and Howard, to sign on for a three picture deal, Favreau is the Iron Man inside the “Iron Man.”
MADE OF HONOR
(2008)
PR: * *1/2
Directed by Paul Weiland
Starring Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin McKidd, Kelly Carlson, Busy Philipps, Sydney Pollack, Kathleen Quinlan
Sony/Rated PG-13/Comedy/100 min
A turnabout on “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” this rom-com casts Dempsey as Tom, a womanizer who realizes his best friend, Hannah (Monaghan), is the only girl for him immediately after she becomes engaged to Scotsman, Colin McMurray (McKidd). Hannah asks Tom to be her maid of honor, a role he accepts knowing they’ll be spending quality time together that he hopes to use to ignite a romantic spark. Competing for Hannah’s attention with her hunky betrothed, Tom must also endure the sarcastic scrutiny of Colin’s wealthy, uppity clan. Fresh off his “Enchanted” success, Dempsey tries to enliven the “been there, done that” plot, while Monaghan charms every drop of magic from her shopworn role.
REDBELT [limited]
(2008)
CR: * * *
Directed by David Mamet
Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Allen, Emily Mortimer, Alice Braga, Rodrigo Santoro, Max Martini, Joe Mantegna, David Paymer, Rebecca Pidgeon, Ricky Jay
Sony Pictures Classics/Drama/Rated R/99 min
Mike, a Jiu-Jitsu instructor, has long resisted getting into the ring, due his belief that, “A competition is not a fight.” Unfortunate circumstances, involving an accidental shooting and a movie star (Allen), force Mike (Ejiofor) to earn much need cash by appearing in a competitive bout. Since “Redbelt” is written and directed by David Mamet, his stable of actors, Mantegna, Jay and Mamet’s wife, Rebecca Pidgeon, all appear in supporting roles. Fans may rest assured that a central con informs the action, but the director places Mike’s ethical struggle front and center.
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BABY MAMA
(2008)
CR: * * *
Directed by Michael McCullers
Starring Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Sigourney Weaver, Greg Kinnear, Dax Shepard, Maura Tierney, Steve Martin
Universal/Rated PG-13/Comedy/96 min
By the time unmarried, high-powered business woman, Kay (Fey), realizes her biological clock is ticking, pregnancy is no longer an option. Encouraged by an agent for surrogate mothers (Weaver), Kay hires Angie (Poehler) to incubate Kay’s baby, but their professional relationship becomes intensely personal when Angie needs a place to live and moves into Kay’s perfectly appointed apartment. While shopping for upscale baby items, Kay meets a handsome and available juice store owner (Kinnear). However, her efforts to pursue romance and prepare for the baby’s arrival are hampered by Angie’s juvenile behavior and by Kay’s underdeveloped social skills. It isn’t the sort of movie you’ll want to coo at, but “Baby Mama” scores one for the unconventional woman.
DECEPTION
(2008)
CR: * *
Directed by Marcel Langenegger
Starring Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor, Michelle Williams, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Maggie Q, Charlotte Rampling
Fox/Rated R/Thriller/108 min
The promise of Hugh Jackman as a deceptive attorney is augmented by Ewan McGregor as a bland accountant. When Jonathan (McGregor) complains of loneliness, playboy Wyatt (Jackman) hooks him up with a sex club. Jonathan enjoys the anonymous one-nighters until he falls hard for S (Williams). However, their night together ends with Jonathan awakening to blood on his pillow and S mysteriously gone. Wyatt demands Jonathan perform illegal services if he wants to see S alive. With the police hot on his trail, the accountant must redirect his number-crunching skills to find her and extricate himself from the suspect list. Nicely lensed with crisp night action, the film fails to develop the leads in favor of overplaying its titillating premise.
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL
(2008)
CR: * * *
Directed by Nicholas Stoller
Starring Kristen Bell, Jason Segel, Paul Rudd, Russell Brand. Bill Hader
Universal/Rated R/Comedy/112 min
The Joke of “Sarah Marshall,” is that Peter (Segel) can’t get away from his ex girlfriend, TV star Sarah (Bell). She has ended their 5-year relationship in order to be with Aldous, a Fabio knock-off. Hoping to make a fresh start, Peter heads for a Hawaiian resort where he runs smack into Sarah and Aldous (Brand) and discovers he’s booked in the suite next door to their’s -- the only room to be had. Sarah isn’t about to let Peter’s proximity dampen enthusiastic sexcapades or romantic dinners with her new beau, though Aldous hopes that he and Peter can be good friends. Segal, who co-wrote the screenplay, gathers laughs aplenty with his dough boy physique. Yet another Judd Apatow (he produces) acolyte, Segal’s male-centric comedy contributes to a brand that’s beginning to feel like “the movie of the week.”
88 MINUTES
(2007)
CR: * *
Directed by Jon Avnet
Starring Al Pacino, Alicia Witt, Benjamin McKenzie, Leelee Sobieski, Amy Brenneman, William Forsythe, Deborah Kara Unger, Benjamin McKenzie, Neal McDonough
Columbia Tristar/Rated R/108 min
Al Pacino tries to hide from the inferior execution of a cliche plot beneath his 80’s mop. He plays FBI forensic psychiatrist, Jack Gramm, responsible for convicting serial killer, Jon Forster (McDonough). On the eve of Forster’s scheduled execution, Gramm receives a call stating the psychiatrist 88 minutes to live. As Gramm races around Seattle trying to prevent his own death, it becomes clear he is being set up for a string of killings replicating Forster’s M.O.. Not only is it impossible to buy Pacino as a victim, the only mystery is how the actor keeps his hairdo looking so Covergirl in all that Seattle rain.
THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM
(2008)
* * *
Directed by Rob Minkoff
Starring Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano, Collin Chou, Liu Yifei
Lionsgate/Rated PG-13/Comedy, Fantasy/113 min
The long awaited teaming of martial arts stars, Jackie Chan and Jet Li, occurs in a family comedy. Young, present day American, Jason (Angarano) is transported back in time to ancient China where he must learn Kung Fu in order to perform a vital mission. Jason is taught by longtime rivals, the Silent Monk (Li) and Lu Yan (Chan). The pair agrees to temporarily set aside their differences in the interest of freeing the Monkey King (Li, again) from imprisonment. Chan and Li, both officially retired from martial arts films, apply their talents to this humorous chop-suey.
STREET KINGS
(2008)
* *1/2
Directed by David Ayer
Starring Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie
Fox Searchlight/Rated R/Thriller/109 min
On the surface, Tom Ludlow (Reeves) is a cop’s cop, but on the job he does whatever it takes -- rules be damned. He’s an alcoholic, secretly suffering from pre-shift panic attacks. Ludlow despises his blabbermouth partner, detective Washington (Terry Crews), but when Washington is murdered -- most likely by another cop -- Ludlow is determined to bring his partner’s killer to justice. Ludlow’s unofficial investigation puts him on a collision course with both Internal Affairs, and his cop friends, but he’s a force to be reckoned with. Whitaker appears as Capt. Wander, Ludlow’s friend, while Hugh Laurie plays the enigmatic, Internal Affairs investigator, James Biggs. Reeves delivers a dark, multifaceted performance, finally bringing the actor’s promise to fruition.
SMART PEOPLE
(2008)
CR: * * 1/2
Directed by Noam Murro
Starring Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Haden Church, Ellen Page, Ashton Holmes
Miramax/Rated R/Comedy/95 min
An academic burnout and arrogant S.O.B., college professor Lawrence Wetherhold (Quaid) suffers a head injury that forces him to confront his past. Wetherhold’s loser brother, Chuck (Church), shows up to freeload off his brother and provides colorful commentary, in exchange for acting as the brother’s chauffeur. Janet, Wetherhold’s ER doc, turns out to be his onetime Victorian Lit student, one of the many coeds with a crush on him “back in the day.” Ellen Page, fresh off her “Juno” boat, appears as Wetherhold’s conservative, sarcastic daughter -- a chip off the old block. While Janet romances Wetherhold, Chuck makes it his goal to put Vanessa in touch with her inner rebel. Though the story holds few surprises, its smarmy, off-kilter humor is expertly manipulated by the eccentrics, Church and Page.
PROM NIGHT
(2008)
CR: *
Directed by Nelson McCormick
Starring Brittany Snow, Scott Porter, Jessica Stroup, Dana Davis
Screen Gems/Rated PG-13/Horror/90 min
The fourth film of this title, Screen Gems Studio green-lit an unwarranted remake of 1980’s schlock. The studio’s motivation is surely the PG-13 rating allowing teens to buy tickets to the horror genre they favor. Having survived a stalker attack several years ago, Donna (Snow) excitedly prepares to attend her senior prom with her boyfriend and friends. The night unfolds like a dream come true until one of the students is murdered. Donna, her date, and two other couples make a run for their hotel suite only to discover that Donna’s stalker is back. There’s plenty of chasing and screaming, capped off by mild PG-13 gore. Once word gets out about the film’s unintentionally funny effort to create suspense, few teenagers will dance on over to see it.
THE RUINS
(2008)
* *1/2
Directed by Carter Smith
Starring Shawn Ashmore, Jena Malone, Jonathan Tucker
DreamWorks/Rated R/Horror
Two young American couples take a self-guided tour of picturesque, vine-covered, Mayan ruins. When the visitors attempt to leave, an attack by spear wielding natives forces the tourists to take refuge atop a tumbledown temple. While the couples regroup, wormlike invaders find their way beneath one visitor’s skin, freaking out the others who can see the critters freely wriggling about. From the book by Scott B. Smith (of “A Simple Plan”), the assault, occurring miles from civilization, forces the unprepared visitors to rely on their wits. In other words, they are rare intelligent protagonists appearing on the horror genre’s endangered species list.
LEATHERHEADS
(2008)
* *1/2
Directed by George Clooney
Starring George Clooney, Renee Zellweger, John Krasinski
Universal/Rated PG-13/Comedy/112 min
George Clooney seeks to capture the early, anything goes era of football in a screwball comedy. The actor directs and stars as Dodge Connolly, an aging football player on a team competing in a league where flexible game rules invite playing field brawls. Hoping to put his team on the map, in 1925, Connolly recruits young Princeton star and WWI hero, Carter Rutherford (Krasinski). Suspecting there’s more to Rutherford’s heroics than he’s telling, sassy journalist, Lexie Littleton (Zellweger) saunters onto the field decked out in high heels and a sexy red dress. Instantly infatuated, Connolly is torn between managing his newfound star’s PR and trusting his heart to the lady in red.
NIM’S ISLAND
(2008)
* *1/2
Directed by Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin
Starring Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler, Abigail Breslin
Fox-Walden/Rated PG/Fantasy, Comedy/91 min
A violence free adventure from the children’s book by Wendy Orr, Nim’s island takes viewers to a fantasy destination -- the idyllic home of young Nim (Breslin), her marine biologist father (Butler) and her many animal friends. Nim adores author Alex Rover’s (Foster) stories centered around a macho wilderness adventurer. When Nim’s father goes missing on the very day thoughtless tourists invade her island sanctuary, Nim pleads for help from the author who she believes is the rough-and-ready hero of Indiana Jonesy adventures. In reality, Alexandra is an agoraphobic -- never venturing beyond her own front door. Egged on by her courageous alter ego Alex (also played by Butler), the author braves a dangerous world -- and a wild heliocopter ride -- to come to Nim’s aid. It’s no surprise when Nim must repeatedly rescue her scardey-cat savior.
21
(2008)
* *1/2
Directed by Robert Luketic
Starring Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Spacey
Columbia Pictures/Rated PG-13/Drama/123 min
Based on a true story, the screenplay follows a band of MIT mathletes in their journey to become card counters and win millions from casinos by playing blackjack. Kevin Spacey appears as Mickey Rosa, the professor hatching the idea and recruiting the brightest students to join. Jim Sturgess portrays Ben Campbell, a member of the group and card counting genius who refuses to take orders. Bosworth plays Campbell’s girl and fellow team member. The heady experience of taking down the house is countered by an old school security man (Fishburne) who is serious about his work. While the film’s appeal to college kids is a given, casting Fishburne and Spacey in the same movie is a high roller play that should pay off.
SUPERHERO MOVIE
(2008)
CR: *1/2
Directed by Craig Mazin
Starring Drake Bell, Leslie Nielsen, Sara Paxton, Christopher McDonald
Weinstein Co./Rated PG-13/Comedy/85 min
In a spoof of the “Spider-Man” films, Drake Bell plays high school loser Rick Riker. After being bitten by a genetically altered dragon fly, Rick crawls up buildings, hangs from the ceiling and grows guard hairs in the most unlikely places. Wearing an ultra tight, prone to tearing, green latex suit, heroic Rick falls for lovely Jill (Paxton). Meanwhile, an experiment transforms Lou Landers (McDonald) into the evil “Hourglass,” devourer of life forces. With the popular Spidey currently on hiatus, fans may jump at a chance to revisit familiar stomping grounds through comedy -- or more likely, will avoid not this lackluster satire. Competition to win the film’s teen audience is tighter than a superhero’s costume.
DRILLBIT TAYLOR
(2008)
* *
Directed by Steven Brill
Starring Owen Wilson, Josh Peck, Alex Frost, Leslie Mann
Paramount/Rated PG-13/Comedy/102 min
Listed as the film’s producer, Judd Apatow has his fingerprints all over the screen treatment cowritten by his Knocked Up star, Seth Rogen. Three freshman tormented by bullies at school, advertise for protection. After interviewing a handful of weirdos, they choose Drillbit Taylor (Wilson), unaware he’s a homeless bum posing as a solider-of-fortune. One of the lads loans Drillbit his father’s suit, causing the imposter to be mistaken for a substitute teacher. While instructing class, Drillbit catches the eye of a pretty teacher (Leslie Mann, Judd Apatow’s wife). Meanwhile, the boys discover that Drillbit lacks fighting skills, but has taken the job hoping to find something he can steal. Same goes for Wilson who steals the film as its chief BS’er.
HORTON HEARS A WHO!
(2008)
* * *
Directed by Jimmy Hayward, Steve Martino
Voiced by Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, Seth Rogen, Dan Fogler, Jonah Hill, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler
Fox/Rated G/Animated/88 min
Brilliantly animated in muted colors, “Horton” is dark and moody one minute, sunny the next. Jim Carrey and Steve Carell lead a voice talent dream team that would have made Dr. Seuss proud. While lounging beside a pool, Horton the elephant (Carrey) discovers microscopic Whos living in a speck lodged on a flower. Horton signs on as their protector, a job made more difficult by his disbelieving friends and by Vlad (Arnett), a nasty vulture. While Horton searches for somewhere the Whos will be safe, The mayor of Whoville (Carell), his wife (Poehler) and their 94 children go about their normal routines unaware of Vlad’s plot to destroy them. A humorous object lesson for the kiddies, these lively characters from two very different, yet similar worlds will energize the whole clan.
NEVER BACK DOWN
(2009)
CR: *
Directed by Jeff Wadlow
Starring Sean Faris, Amber Heard, Djimon Hounsou, Cam Gigandet, Evan Peters, Leslie Hope
Summit Entertainment/Rated PG-13/Drama/106 min
Two buffed high schoolers duke it out for the title and the girl (Heard). Football jock, Jake (Faris), is lured into an underground fight club after taking a beating from Mixed-Martial Arts Champ, Ryan McCarthy (Gigandet). Having recently lost his father, Jake asks a well-known master, Jean Roqua (Hounsou), to train him, but the physical challenges are only half of a battle that requires Jake to control his anger. Every generation craves its own version of the “Karate Kid,” in this case, beefcake for teens. We can only hope that one of these films will raise “Kid’s” shopworn philosophy to the next level.
10,000 B.C.
(2008)
*1/2
Directed by Roland Emmerich
Starring Camilla Belle, Steven Strait, Marco Khan
Warner/Rated PG-13/Action, Fantasy/109 mins
The story is set during early civilization, a time when relatively primitive man and prehistoric beasts coexisted. Young tribesman, D’Leh (Steven Strait), has pledged his love to Evolet (Camilla Belle) when she is stolen, along with other tribe members, by mysterious men on horseback. D’Leh and friends begin a rescue mission that takes them over snowy mountains, through the jungle, and across a vast desert. When they reach Africa, D’Leh meets other raided tribes. Impressed by D’Leh’s saber-tooth tiger protector, more warriors join his quest. Big budget CGI effects fail to conjure realistic beasts, and the climactic battle is a big snooze.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 29 April 2008 )
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