comment #1

orler says ...

Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughan, Jason Bateman directed by the kid from A Christmas Story? Sounds just fine to me - all have proven comedy chops - Jon and Vince have definite chemistry - so I don't see a problem with this movie. It's not meant to be an Oscar winner - just to have some laughs. Of course if it truly has no laughs that's another matter - but I would find that hard to believe.

comment #2

great scott says ...

Why, oh why, did Paramount decide not to release Shutter Island this month like they were originally going to? I don't buy their b.s. excuse about not having any money to promote it either. It probably would have gotten its clock cleaned by Vaughan's shitfest, but at least there'd be something decent playing around here.

Peter Travers Impression: DAMN YOU, HOLLYWOOD. DAMN YOU.

comment #3

StoneFan1 says ...

With all due respect Mr. Wells, but "People refuse to consider reviews" is an elitist, film blogger comment. What are people supposed to even SEE these reviews they're refusing to consider? People don't get the newspaper or most magazines anymore. And even if hey did, most papers and mags have cut back big time on film/tv critics. Really, a film like this has ALWAYS been critic proof, because it's a mainstream film and 99% of people have never read a single movie review in their lives!

comment #4

plastiqueelephant says ...

Plus, it kinda looks like a two hour, check-your-brian-at-the-door vacation to Bora Bora. I've had a pretty hectic week and that doesn't sound too bad in the way that the trailers for Bronson make it look like an admirable punishment.

comment #5

buck.swope says ...

just saw it tonight. it's fairly lightweight. pretty much a rom-com. still, vaughn has some great stuff in there. i was hoping for some dark stuff but didn't get it. it's definitely passable though. it was packed at a 6pm show, but i'm in chicago where v.v is a hero.

comment #6

COCO says ...

StoneFan1 nailed it...the Eloi are all about self pleasure.....and the critics do not matter......the shark scene alone is worth $5 million in sales....
delivered by Vince. This movie opened on a quiet
weekend......that and a need to escape all the
political BS.

comment #7

corey3rd says ...

The power of Jean Reno compels them! The power of Jean Reno compels them!

comment #8

buckzollo says ...

saw it. delivers as advertised but nothing to write home about, vaughn and Jon Favreau are funny but then again I did not pay

comment #9

Pinko Punko says ...

It is highly likely that this crap movie is better written than the top 20 TV shows. Given the irredeemably bad writing that fills up the paint by numbers procedurals, there is nothing to conclude about anything based on the success of this film.

comment #10

DeeZee says ...

Courtesy of Crooksandliars.com, Drudge tries to connect Polanski supporters to Obama. http://theimpolitic.blogspot.com/2009/10/politico-fail.html
Speaking of Obama, I remember That one of the HE regulars wanted to know about his stance on DADT.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091011/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_gays;_ylt=AmikjUPoeBKK25Dljbny7ndv24cA;_ylu=X3oDMTJnYXRmcWQ5BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMDExL3VzX29iYW1hX2dheXMEY3BvcwMyBHBvcwMyBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcmllcwRzbGsDb2JhbWFyZWFmZmly
Reality tv-style horror scores again.
http://www.boxofficeprophets.com/column/index.cfm?columnID=12098

scott: Why was WB afraid to go wide with Trick R Treat, but they had no problems blowing a fortune on Watchmen? Who knows what the fuck these studio heads are thinking nowadays?

comment #11

Gordon27 says ...

"Really, a film like this has ALWAYS been critic proof, because it's a mainstream film and 99% of people have never read a single movie review in their lives!"

So, you're saying that people refuse to consider the reviews?

comment #12

Kyle_D says ...

Isn't it a bigger story that Paranormal Activity did more than $2.5 mil this Friday on 159 screens? Good enough for a #4 finish.

comment #13

Sefster says ...

This is a well architected film from a marketing perspective; an straight up date movie that women will want to see and that men will have less resistance to seeing. No shock at all that it won the weekend.

comment #14

DeeZee says ...

Moore beats Hannity @ his anti-Sicko game.
http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/michael-moore-makes-mincemeat-out-ha

comment #15

dinovelvet says ...

Take one part generic romantic comedy, add in a guy-friendly leading man, stir in tropical locations, sprinkle with a handful of Reno and Serafinowicz for cult value, and serve.

comment #16

LexG says ...

MALIN AKERMAN + KRISTEN BELL = HOTNESS.

This movie's a hit because guys let themselves get dragged willingly so they can look at chicks they'd much rather have sex with than their wives. And their wives can convince themselves they can in any way compete and wouldn't get dumped in .00005 seconds for 10 MINUTES with Malin Akerman.

Then they go home and the guy thinks of these two sexy women while fucking his decidedly NOT sexy frau of a wife.

comment #17

Gordon27 says ...

My favorite line is 'Made' is "Easy Ruiz? Don't 'Easy Ruiz' me! You turned an Easter egg hunt into a butt-fuck-a-thon!"

comment #18

actionman says ...

made is the best comedy of the decade. or, i should say, it's my favorite.

couples retreat looks like ass-cream. zero desire. and it's a shame because i love pretty much everyone in the cast.

comment #19

great scott says ...

Didn't know Moore was involved in Couples Retreat, Deez.

Jeff, not all critics hated the movie. Owen Gleiberman at EW gave it a B-. Of course, he's also an idiot. B+ for The Dukes of Hazzard for example.

comment #20

Griff says ...

(Proudly waving my Eloi press-pass):

Not bad. Lightweight, but had a heart. Very pro-marriage, surprisingly. Enjoyable, with enough off-beat casting of the secondary characters to keep it interesting.

Not quite as laugh a minute as one might like...still, mostly amusing without going for every obvious joke (see some of the photos at the end of The Hangover).