May 25, 2012, - 8:07 pm
Wknd Box Office: Men in Black III, Bernie, Headhunters [Hodejegerne]
It’s a miracle. I liked every new movie, this weekend.
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* “Men in Black III“: I normally don’t like sequels, but this is the best of the three Men in Black installments . . . by far. It’s funny, it’s cute, it’s endearing, and it’s very cool. I enjoyed this fun movie, every step of the way. It’s got action, humor, aliens galore, and fantastic special effects, plus a time-travel back in history to the astronauts launch to the moon in the late ’60s.
Will Smith (Agent J) and Tommy Lee Jones (Agent K) are back as the secret agents who fight alien criminals on earth. But one of the most hardened aliens escapes from his imprisonment in Lunar-Max. And he travels back in time to kill Agent K before Agent K shoots his arm off and arrests him. Agent J (Smith) goes back in time to save his partner, Agent K–who is then decades younger and played by Josh Brolin. Brolin’s impression of Tommy Lee Jones is so spot on, it’s uncanny.
The movie is touching, entertaining, engaging, and fine for your family (though some violence with aliens and a weird kiss by the alien with his very long tongue are not suitable for young kids). One drawback: the movie co-stars anti-Israel Emma Thompson who supports boycotting Israel and its actors.
Otherwise, a great Memorial Day weekend flick destined to be a blockbuster. If you didn’t like the first two Men in Black movies, don’t worry. You’ll like this.
THREE REAGANS
Watch the trailer . . .
* “Bernie“: This weird, but funny and light movie, is playing mostly in arthouse theaters. But it’s worth a look. It takes place in Carthage, a small town in East Texas, and stars Jack Black as an assistant funeral director. The movie is based on a true story. I’m not much of a Jack Black fan, but his acting in this is pretty good. I did not like what seemed to be a faint anti-Christian vibe, but overall it is a positive, funny portrayal of small town America and the South, which we rarely see in Hollywood. The people are smart and insightful, not dummies or backward (well, at least, most of them). And they are endearing. Matthew McConaughey plays the District Attorney.
Black’s “Bernie” is a single, effeminate man who likes to sing and dotes on all of the mourners of those who’ve died and have their funerals at the local funeral home. Bernie is well-liked and beloved by everyone in town. He particularly befriends the old widows and takes a shine to the widow of one of the town’s richest men, who is loathed by nearly everyone. She (Shirley MacLaine) takes a liking to Bernie, and soon convinces him to leave the funeral home and travel with and work for her full time. At first, he enjoys living the high life of the rich and famous. But, soon, he can no longer take her cantankerous ways.
To say what happens next would give it away.
ONE-AND-A-HALF REAGANS
Watch the trailer . . .
* “Headhunters [Hodejegerne]“: This is a Swedish movie with English subtitles. But I recommend it, as it’s a very entertaining, funny thriller, with twists I’ve never before seen in caper movies. And as caper movies go, this is pretty good. It’s based on a novel by writer Jo Nesbo (who is, FYI, a leftist). It’s an adult movie and definitely not for kids because it’s a tad bloody and violent, and it has brief sexual themes and nudity. But it’s a smart movie and thrilling every step of the way.
Roger Brown is a short man with a Napoleonic complex. He’s married to a tall, slender, beautiful blonde woman who looks like a model and believes he’s a wealthy guy. He’s bought her an expensive home and an expensive art gallery. But he’s really not so wealthy. He’s a headhunter by profession, and uses his position to scope out valuable art of the CEO candidates he interviews. Then, he and a partner in crime rip off the artworks, replacing them with forgeries and selling off the real goods on the black market.
Soon, though, he is trying to figure out how to steal the art of a mysterious, handsome former CEO and mercenary, whom he is also trying to place in a job and whom he sees as a threat to his marriage. Can’t tell you more, or it would spoil the fun. If you can’t find this in theaters, definitely check it out when it’s released on video.
THREE REAGANS
Watch the trailer . . .
Tags: Bernie, Carthage, East Texas, Headhunters, Hodejegerne, Jack Black, Jo Nesbo, Josh Brolin, Matthew McConaughey, Men in Black 3, Men in Black III, MIB3, movie, movie review, Movie Reviews, Roger Brown, Shirley MacLaine, Swedish movies, Texas, Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith
“To say what happens next would give it away.” Why would you say that when the trailer gives it away? I started guessing what would happen from the hints in the review and the trailer kind of confirmed it.
Thought you would probably like “Headhunters”, based on past reviews. I saw the trailer for it last night.
MH on May 25, 2012 at 8:36 pm