The weekend got off to an early start, at least as far as movie studios were concerned, with July 4th falling on a Thursday this year. We’ve got two major family blockbusters, a comedy special (that’s getting great buzz), and an indie flick that chances are is not coming to a theater near you (yet) but is worth catching if it does.
Despicable Me 2
Gru (Steve Carell), his adopted girls, and the Minions are all back in this animated sequel. Once one of the world’s top villains, Gru has more important things on his plate now – like fatherly duties and jelly making. When a dangerous formula is stolen, however, he’s recruited to find the villain who stole it and save the world from yet another dastardly plan.
With top notch animation and voice talent, Despicable Me 2 carries over most of what made the first one so enjoyable, while throwing more of the good stuff, and some new stuff, into the story. It’s not a “better” movie than Monsters University, but it is more fun. It’s a great addition to the library of family films and a whole lot of laughs for kids and adults. You can’t go wrong (and the 3D is even pretty good).
Read my full review here.
Trailer:
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The Lone Ranger
There seems to be at least one Western each year, despite the fact that it’s been quite some time since the genre had any major popularity of any kind. The team behind The Pirates of the Caribbean tries though, attempting to make cowboys and indians cool again, using the classic Lone Ranger as a vehicle.
It’s Johnny Depp doing Jack Sparrow as a native American. Two and a half hours of that, with nary another interesting character, and a plethora of bombastic action pieces. It’s crazy, and sometimes pretty fun, but also pretty bad. It’s not the Lone Ranger of the black and white era – that’s for sure.
If you liked Pirates and don’t care how good a movie is as long as it’s kind of entertaining, you’ll like this one. I even liked it enough not to hate it.
Read my full review here.
Trailer
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Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain
Apparently part documentary and part stand-up show, comedian Kevin Hart presents a slice of his life. I haven’t seen it, and can’t say that I’m a big Hart fan, but it’s been getting some great buzz. My guess is if you like standup, and especially Kevin Hart, you will like this movie. It looks like a pretty slick piece of work and is sure to be full of laughs for Kevin Hart fans.
Trailer:
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The Way, Way Back
When 14 year old Duncan (Liam James from Psych) is stuck on a vacation he doesn’t want to be on with people he hates, he wanders the ocean town, trying to find himself. What he finds are some unique people worth getting to know (Sam Rockwell and Maya Rudolph) and a summer job.
Steve Carell (in an atypical unlikable role), Allison Janney, and Rob Corrdry also star in this coming of age indie film. It’s real life, depressing emotion, yet funny and (ultimately) uplifting. It’s a great little gem worth checking out if you can find it, (it’s currently in very limited release).
Read my full review here.
Trailer
Film Hamster 
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