The Cell—Imagine a feature-length serial killer movie with a ho-hum script and shot by whoever shot those old Chanel commercials. The Cell is almost rescued by interesting visuals and sound, but not quite, and consequently, the weak plot and talentless "acting" of Jennifer Lopez drag this one down into the realm of bombs. Perhaps if it were just a hair shorter, it would be passable, but no such luck. The Cell is rated R for bizarre violence and sexual images, nudity, and language.
Meet the Parents—This is one of those comedies where the central joke is some guy (usually Ben Stiller) getting himself deeper and deeper into an embarrassing situation as the audience watches knowingly. Meet the Parents does this pretty well but it goes on just past funny, and I ended up cringing instead of laughing by the end. It’s a close call and depends on your tolerance for that sort of thing. Meet the Parents is rated PG-13 for sexual content, drug references, and language.
Strange Brew—Incredibly enough, this cult film is loosely (very loosely) based on Hamlet. Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas star as goofy, beer-loving, stereotyped Canadians off to visit Elsinore Brewery. The humor is amazingly sophomoric, but the experience is just plain fun. I highly recommend it. Rated PG.
