MOVIE REVIEW: Ted

Ted is one over the top comedy that pushes boundaries on its jokes, not surprising since the creator is Seth MacFarlene of TV's Family Guy, aided without the boundaries of television, the movie actually works and despite it's crassness and vulgarity, Ted is a slight variation of the typical Hollywood buddy comedy that we see but with a touch of sentimentality and a big heart.

John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) got to have Ted (voiced by MacFarlene), a talking teddy bear, as his best friend, as a result of his childhood wish. They grew up together, smoke pot and drink beer together but then John falls in love with Lori Collins (Mila Kunis) and thus the conflict begin. Will John ever be stuck with his best friend for life despite having a relationship with a woman she loves or can he handle them both?

From The Fighter to now Ted, Boston native Wahlberg is at his best when he's playing local. Kunis is ever reliable in comedies, as evidenced in That 70's Show and last year's Friends with Benefits opposite Justin Timberlake. Be also prepared for an unexpected cameo from one of Hollywood A list actors in a role that will take you off guard.

The movie shows us that at a point in life, we do have to grow up and make choices that make us responsible for ourselves. Beneath the crude humor, Ted teaches us life lessons that is entertaining yet enlightening. This for me is one feel-good movie

MOVIE REVIEW: Magic Mike

They say luck comes in threes and after scoring two $100 million grossing hits this year at the US Box Office with The Vow and 21 Jump Street, Channing Tatum might as well have his third with Magic Mike, arguably one of 2012 most awaited films, which doesn't disappoint!!
Based on his life as a male stripper in Florida before he became an actor, Magic Mike is ably directed by the Oscar winning director Steven Soderbergh.
The premise is simple, a veteran in the field of male strip dancing Mike (Tatum), brings a 19 year old newbie Adam played by Alex Pettyfer, whom he met at one of his day jobs, under his wings and introduces him the tricks and the trade of the business, in the club managed by Dallas, played by Matthew McConaughey. There, along with Adam, we meet the other cast of characters who comprises the club, that Tampa ladies go to.
Male bonding to the point of bromance is Soderbergh's signature style as seen in the Ocean series in which he also directed. The characters are well believable to the point that you laugh along with them but not exactly wanting to be like them. Tatum gives a commendable performance but it is McConaughey, who gives away the film's best lines, is one actor that Oscar should not forget come awards season time as one probable nominee for Supporting Actor.
The genre that the Oscar winning film The Full Monty has monopolized for years finally has company with Magic Mike.

MOVIE REVIEW: That's My Boy

For my generation who grew up watching Adam Sandler films such as Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison while struggling to finish our collegiate years, That's My Boy feels like the child of the two above mentioned movies, who like us grew up but still retained the naughty child in us.
Sandler plays Donny Berger, who impregnated his teacher Miss McGarricle (Eva Amurri Martino) while on his early teens in school, thus having a son Han Solo (Andy Samberg) who does not want to do anything with him for he's a loud mouthed alcoholic who basically did not grow up as a person. He moved out of his Dad when he was 18, even changed his changed his given name to Todd and had a career as a hedge fund manager.
When Donny found out that his son is getting married, he shows up uninvited to the pre-wedding happenings and that's when all the craziness begins.
This is classic Adam Sandler, this time you would actually be rooting for him. I never thought that Samberg, best known for his SNL's skits such as the Emmy winning Dick in a Box with Justin Timberlake, would effectively play the part of the serious son. Both of them have similar features and the casting of them as father and son was perfect in my opinion.
I had never laughed so far in any recent Adam Sandler movies than this. After the crap that was Jack and Jill, I hope that audiences who like me, loved the laughs that Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison provided, to give That's My Boy a peek.

MOVIE REVIEW: Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

How do you top an animated franchise about a group of animals who escaped from the Central Park Zoo in New York to return to their roots in Africa only to experience more adventures? Simple, bring them to another continent, join other animals in the circus and enhance it through 3D!!
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted is one fast-paced animated film with characters that moviegoers of all ages that saw the first two films adore; from Ben Stiller's Alex the Lion, Chris Rock's Marty the Zebra, Jada Pinkett Smith's Gloria the Hippo, David Schwimmer's Melman the giraffe and Sacha Baron Cohen's King Julien following the ever cute Penguins as they attempt to get some loot from a Monte Carlo casino and joining a travelling circus across the continent to escape the wrath of Animal Protection head Capitaine Chantel DuBois, voiced by Frances Mc Dormand, the main protagonist. Inspired by Cruella DeVil mixed with a bloodhound's mannerisms, she is one of the best animated villains that came out in recent memory.
New characters are introduced using the circus as the backdrop and it's perfect!! I saw the film in 3D and it truly utilized the technology especially in the circus scenes.
There has been a void in animated  films the last couple of months with Dr.Seuss' The Lorax being only the certified box office hit and The Pirates: Band of Misfits hardly making noise despite being critically acclaimed. Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted will likely bridge the gap.