Man of the Year (Comedy: 1 hour, 54 minutes); Starring: Robin Williams, Christopher Walken, Laura Linney, Lewis Black, and Jeff Goldblum; Director: Barry Levinson; Rated: PG-13 (Strong language, violence, sexual innuendo and mature themes) Movie Review: Directed and written by Levinson, ‘Man of the Year’ is a seeming mix of the political satire ‘Bulworth’ (1998) and the mysterious ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ (2004). Here, Tom Dobbs (Williams) is a comedian and an American political satirist on current events, pop culture, and more running for the big office, President of the United States. While warming up an audience before his show airs, a member of the audience states Dobbs should run for President of the United States. Half-heartedly and with bit of cynicism, Dobbs runs for office, competing well against Democrats and Republicans. Surprisingly, he wins. Or does he? When a newscaster in this movie announces, ‘... the free world will now be led by a comedian.’ Jack Menken, played by the always dependable Christopher Walken, utters, ‘Whoops.’ The expression can apply to ‘Man of the Year.’ ‘Man of the Year’ is smartly written by Levinson (‘Good Morning, Vietnam,’ 1987; ‘Rain Man,’ 1988; and ‘Wag the Dog,’ 1997). Too bad he does not do as good of a job directing. What could have been a great intelligent dramatic piece with plenty of laughs is underscored by over-the-top shenanigans of Williams. As an actor, Williams overacts, as if inebriated or suffering from adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. While the message is good, the deliverance is not as keen as other political films such as ‘Bulworth’ (Director Warren Beatty), ‘Primary Colors’ (Mike Nichols, 1998), and others. After the late 1990s, Levinson has slowed and is not as intense. The movie has its moments, just not always delivered with tangibility. At a presidential debate, Tom Dobbs states, ‘If you’re representing special-interest groups, maybe we should be like NASCAR with the little patches on the back: ‘Enron: We take your money and run!’’ The lines are clever, but ‘Man of the Year’ is impractical Ñ no way Democrats and Republicans would let an independent win Ñ but it still works as an enjoyable, light comedy with some thrills. While definitely not the man of the year, ‘Man of the Year’ is at least a man of the month. Grade: B- (Elections results are better than average.) Adann-Kennn Alexxandar is a contributing writer to Valdosta-Lowndes County Preview and The Valdosta Daily Times.
Movies
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No need to ‘Switch’ theaters
“The Switch” (Comedy: 1 hour, 28 minutes); Starring: Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston, Thomas Robinson and Patrick Wilson; Directors: Josh Gordon and Will Speck; Rated: PG-13 (Thematic elements including sexual material, profanity, nudity, brief violence, and drug-alcohol usage)
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Find some Other movie, Guys
“The Other Guys” (Comedy/Action: 1 hour, 47 minutes); Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, and Dwayne Johnson; Director: Adam McKay; Rated: PG-13 (Violence, profanity, sexual innuendo and mature themes)
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Like ‘Salt’ in a wound
“Salt” (Action/Thriller: 1 hour, 30 minutes); Starring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor; Director: Phillip Noyce; Rated: PG-13 (Intense sequences of violence and action including brief torture and profanity)
Movie Review: The Cold War officially ceased about 20 years ago. Too bad, “Salt” would have been a hit at its height. -
Movie reviews: "Knight and Day," "Grown Ups"
“Knight and Day” (Action: 1 hour, 50 minutes); Starring: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard, Paul Dano and Viola Davis; Director: James Mangold; Rated: PG-13 (Violence and profanity)
“Grown Ups” (Comedy: 1 hour, 42 minutes); Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Schneider; Director: Dennis Dugan; Rated: PG-13 (Thematic elements, sexual innuendo and strong language)
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‘Toy Story 3’: Third time still charmed
“Toy Story 3” (Animation/Adventure/Family: 1 hour, 43 minutes); Starring Voices: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty and Don Rickles; Director: Lee Unkrich; Rated: G (Violence and some suggestive humor)
Movie Review: Woody (voice of Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Allen), and the rest have not been played with in sometime. Their owner, Andy (John Morris), is now a young man, heading to college. Andy’s mother donates his toys to Sunnyside Daycare Center. Woody, Buzz and the gang of toys just want some human to play with them, so the toys are thrilled to be at a daycare center where they will bring joy to several children. -
The 1980s are back
“The Karate Kid” (Drama/Martial Arts: 2 hours, 20 minutes); Starring: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan and Taraji P. Henson; Director: Harald Zwart; Rated: PG (Violence, including bullying, and strong language)
Movie Review: Dre Parker (Smith) and his mother, Sherry (Henson), move to Beijing, China. Dre does not like China, but his mother’s job is an improvement for their lives. As Dre adapts to a new culture, he is bullied by martial arts students at his school. Enter Mr. Hun (Chan), the maintenance supervisor at Dre’s apartment complex. Dre becomes Mr. Hun’s padewan, training Dre kung-fu. -
What a pity, new ‘Sex and the City’
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Seek a different ‘Back-up Plan’
“The Back-up Plan” (Romantic Comedy: 1 hour, 38 minutes); Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Alex O’Loughlin and Anthony Anderson; Director: Alan Poul; Rated: PG-13 (Profanity, mature themes, and sexual innuendo and some crude mature themes)
Movie Review: While this may be Jennifer Lopez at her best, the plot for this romantic comedy is one mess. Lopez stars as Zoe, a lady thinking she will never find “Mr. Right” with whom to have children and live happily ever after. As fate should prescribe, Zoe meets Stan (Australian actor O’Loughlin), a cheese farmer. -
Visit ‘Shutter Island’
“Shutter Island” (Thriller/Mystery: 2 hours, 18 minutes); Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams and Max von Sydow; Director: Martin Scorsese; Rated: R (Violence, profanity, disturbing imagery and nudity)
- A movie as endearing, and as flimsy, as a ‘Valentine’s Day’ card
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