stjoelive.com | Movies

Review: 'Going the Distance'

Typical rom-com sprinkles in moments of man humor

“Going the Distance” will undoubtedly appeal to both sexes. The ladies will flock to see a sweet romantic comedy starring Drew Barrymore and guy-next-door Justin Long. The guys will fork over $8, $9 or $10 to watch a raunchy laugher with “Saturday Night Live” star Jason Sudeikis and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” wild card Charlie Day. But everyone will leave the theater feeling like they didn’t get the best of either world.

'Last Exorcism' takes No. 1 spot

When box office returns started coming in Friday afternoon, the heist film "Takers" looked like the clear winner. But as the sun faded on the West Coast, the horror movie "The Last Exorcism" leaped into the lead, ultimately grossing $9.5 million for the day, compared with $7.5 million for "Takers."

3-D or not 3-D

Is technology tiring audiences?

Quick, name the year: A new, improved 3-D technology is being touted as the future of movies. Theaters around the country begin converting their venues and adding expensive new equipment. The 3-D format, previously considered a gimmick, begins attracting some of Hollywood's most respected filmmakers and actors. Soon the industry is cranking out 3-D movies: horror flicks, war films, thrillers, even musicals.

Sure-fire cinema

The most promising movies of the rest of 2010

If you’ve gone to see a movie in the past few months, you’ve probably been burned — badly at times. Even with unanimously praised hits like “Toy Story 3” and “Inception,” much of this summer movie season has been practically the epitome of lackluster. So, why should you have to suffer a similar fate for the rest of your movie-going days in 2010? We don’t think you should. Therefore, St. Joe Live, with the help of regional movie critics and insiders, has put together a list of films that we think have the best chance of giving you the most bang for your buck. Whether you’re looking for big laughs, huge special effects, intense drama or family fun, these are the flicks you should put on your must-see list.

Review: 'Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World'

A combo punch of entertaining style, originality

So, we’re in the month of August, a sweltering time in the summer season where bad films typically go to die. While you could argue there have been and could be some box-office hits this month, you’re not going to see much originality on the movie menu. That is, unless you count “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World,” which is unlike anything you’ve ever seen on the silver screen — and is all the better for it.

Review: ‘The Other Guys’

Cookie-cutter comedy throws out a few surprises

Every Will Ferrell comedy promises two things — lots of yelling and improvised one-liners. Those moments remain prevalent in “The Other Guys.” It’s the film’s twists and Ferrell’s supporting cast, however, that make it a memorable cop laugher. Ferrell plays Allen Gamble, a nerdy, number-crunching detective for the New York Police Department. While Allen is content sitting at his desk and busting crooks for scaffolding violations, his new partner Terry Hoitz (played by Mark Wahlberg) finds himself getting bored because he can no longer battle drug dealers and the scum of Skid Row. But because of an embarrassing shooting incident that took place at Yankee Stadium, Terry’s stuck with Allen for the long haul.

Review: 'Dinner for Schmucks'

Cast makes this conventional comedy a riotous winner

When it comes to comedy, this summer has been terribly short on movies with big laughs and “The Hangover”-esque potential. But despite its comic conventions and general lack of edge, and thanks to a winning cast that includes a never-better Steve Carell, “Dinner for Schmucks” definitely comes close.

Review: 'Inception'

It will blow your mind — or at least leave you with a headache

Prepare for your mind to be bent, twisted, warped, bashed and smashed until all that’s left is one big glob of cerebral jelly. “Inception” isn’t the typical summer blockbuster. It’s this summer’s brain-buster. Seriously, you can’t just kick back and enjoy this one.

Review: 'Predators'

An entertaining sci-fi homage with squandered potential

After the effectiveness of the 1987 sci-fi action/horror classic “Predator” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, the franchise has been prey to mediocrity following lackluster sequels like “Predator 2” and the sci-fi fanboy death matches in two “Alien vs. Predator” films.

Acting his age

'Grown Ups' star grows up with his fanbase

Two movies hit theaters last Friday -- "Knight and Day" and "Grown Ups" -- and only one exceeded expectations. Audiences flocked to the Adam Sandler flick as the comedy reached a healthy $41 million in its opening weekend. "Knight and Day," on the other hand, made about half of that, tapping out at $20.5 million. As I saw the numbers, I could only wonder if this would have happened 10 or 15 years ago, when Tom Cruise and Sandler were in their youthful prime.

Review: 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse'

Supernatural love franchise finally gets good

After the uneven entertainment of “Twilight” and the woefully bad sequel “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” you might suspect there’s no way to take the books of Stephenie Meyer’s human-high-schooler-meets-bloodsucking-immortal love fest and make them into something worth watching. But “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” proves there’s hope.

Box office blues

Why aren’t as many people going to the movies this summer?

The widely heralded “Toy Story 3” flew to infinity and beyond as it grossed $109 million last weekend, making it the greatest opening ever for a Pixar film. Meanwhile, “Jonah Hex” opened to $5 million and finished in eighth place far behind May releases “Shrek Forever After” and “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.”

Review: 'Grown Ups'

Love it or hate it, this comedy offers exactly what you’d expect

Set-up. Gag. Joke. Additional sarcastic comment. Repeat. This formula is the cornerstone of “Grown Ups,” a film in which ’90s comedy icons Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider and Kevin James are constantly cracking on each other. And they have to because “Grown Ups” doesn’t really have much of a plot. Thirty years after winning the league championship as 12-year-olds, the five guys reunite to honor the passing of their late, lovable basketball coach.

Review: 'Knight and Day'

Star power can’t keep this spy flick afloat

Tony Stewart won’t win any NASCAR races in a Yugo. Kobe Bryant can’t execute a fast break with a flat basketball. In the same way, the mega-watt star power and charisma that Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz bring to the screen aren’t nearly enough to save “Knight and Day,” an action-comedy that slips and stumbles far too often, even for fans of escapist summer entertainment.

Review: 'Toy Story 3'

A fitting end for Pixar’s most iconic franchise

As I was leaving the press screening of “Toy Story 3,” everyone was stopped at the door and asked to remove their 3-D glasses and place them in a recycling container. One by one, each movie-goer removed his or her shades. And one by one, each movie-goer revealed red eyes fighting back tears. Heck, some weren’t putting up much of a fight.