- — “Ted” (Comedy/Fantasy: 1 hour, 46 minutes)

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth a talking bear and

Director: Seth MacFarlane

Rated: R (Violence, profanity, crude humor, sexuality and drug usage)



Movie Review: John Bennett (Wahlberg) made a wish as an 8-year-old kid that his teddy bear would come to life and be his best friend. That wish was in 1985. Now at 35, Bennett is still living with that stuffed bear named Ted (voiced by MacFarlane) and very charming girlfriend Lori Collins (Kunis). Life is swell until Ted’s constant partying causes relationship problems for Bennett and Collins.

MacFarlane is the creator of the animated television series “Family Guy,” “American Dad!” and “The Cleveland Show.” Respectively, they include a talking dog, a talking fish and a talking bear. Therefore, a talking teddy bear in this live-action film is not out of the question for MacFarlane. This funny film is for adult audiences already fans of MacFarlane’s animated series and other works.

Wahlberg shows his comedic chops. He is one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors. He works here. Kunis, who plays Meg Griffin on the long-running “Family Guy,” is perfect. She provides the grounded character, the realism needed to keep Wahlberg and MacFarlane in check. MacFarlane is superb as Ted’s voice.

Think “Family Guy.” “Ted” is very similar to that animated show, funny flashbacks, racial jokes and sacrilegious. Others should also appreciate this adult comedy with plenty of laughs, although many are immature.        

Grade: B (A huggable bear)



“Magic Mike” (Drama: 1 hour, 50 minutes)

Starring: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Olivia Munn and Matthew McConaughey

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Rated: R (Nudity, sexuality, violence, profanity, thematic elements and drug-alcohol usage)



Movie Review: Directed by Steven Soderbergh (“Erin Brockovich”) and penned by Reid Carolin, his second film screenplay, “Magic Mike” follows a story inspired by the real-life events of Channing Tatum, who stars, co-produces, and is a talented dancer. Magic Mike (a confident Tatum) shows Adam, The Kid (an able Pettyfer), the ropes of male stripping. Mike, Adam, and five other men form an erotic-dancing team led by Dallas (an effective McConaughey). The men’s world is one of parties, drugs, women and plenty of money.

The men’s showmanship in this film is very much like being in a strip joint. The women in the audiences for this film scream and applaud at the view of these men. The only thing missing was audience members waving dollar bills. Yes, the audiences are just that rambunctious.

After a visually revealing opening scene of Tatum and two women, director Soderbergh and writer Carolin know just how to tease viewers. They allow the men to strip. Just as the men appear to go further, the scene ends and moves to another. Women sigh. This is smart movie making.

“Magic Mike” contains several handsome men revealing much of their toned physiques. This may be eye candy for many audience members, but a story exists here that works well. The cast implements the roles with a certain beauty that makes them likable, despite their lifestyles.     

Grade: B+ (Magic entertainment!)

 

“Madea’s Witness Protection” (Comedy: 1 hour, 54 minutes)

Starring: Eugene Levy, Tyler Perry, Denise Richards and Doris Roberts

Director: Tyler Perry

Rated: PG-13 (Strong language, violence and sexual innuendo)



Movie Review: George Needleman (comic genius Levy) is a Wall Street investment banker at Lockwise Industries. He becomes the scapegoat of his company’s Ponzi scheme. The problem is the money scheme is backed by a powerful organized crime syndicate. After law-enforcement authorities are involved, the mob threatens Needleman. To protect his family, Needleman relocates his family from New York to Atlanta, where they live in the home of Aunt Mabel “Madea” Simmons (Perry) and her brother, Joe (also Perry).

This comedy features some smart writing, despite being a usual, very Perry production.

It works until the last 15 minutes or until Madea goes overboard. Perry finally produces a film where a good part of it stays with his best character, Madea. Second, Madea’s brother is also fascinating. Their quips at each other are very humorous.

Madea is not the only thing that is overdone. This screenplay tries to hard to implement every present pop-culture event.

Despite some problems, the cast is humorous. Laughter abounds. The story is predictable, but it creates comedic moments. That is Perry’s main goal.

Grade: B- (Funny but conventional)

 

“People Like Us” (Drama: 1 hour, 55 minutes)

Starring: Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Michael Hall D’Addario and Michelle Pfeiffer

Director: Alex Kurtzman

Rated: PG-13 (Profanity, some drug use, brief sexuality and violence)



Movie Review: Sam Harper (Pine) is an agile salesman. His life changes after his father dies. He travels to the funeral and spends time with his secluded mother, Lillian (Pfeiffer). While settling the estate, his father’s attorney gives Sam a bag. The bag has a note in it instructing Sam to deliver its contents, $150,000, to Frankie (Banks) and her son, Josh (newcomer D’Addario), the sister and nephew about whom Sam has never known.

Inspired by true events, this is a very well-acted production by Kurtzman in his big-screen directorial debut. The cast does a good job of being convincing in a natural manner that is inviting. Pine has scenes with Banks, D’Addario and Pfeiffer. He is better with them in one-on-one scenes. In those moments, Pine shines. Banks is pretty and charming, and D’Addario is good as her son, stealing scenes often from more seasoned actors. Pfeiffer, still beautiful as ever, is superior in this role.

The cast is good. The plot is less desirable. The film takes too long to get where it is going. It often pushes off moments to debut its climax, stalling to the point of tedium. If only Sam’s character would do the right thing. He does eventually, but the wait is a long process. Still, the cast is worthy.         

Grade: B- (Good people)