After a string of great summer blockbusters, this weekend brings the season's first lull as Rolling Stone Peter Travers is At the Movies with the newest slate of flicks hitting multiplexes this Friday (Considering the nation is covered by rain clouds and the soaked masses are likely movie bound this weekend, this is terrible planning on Hollywood's part.) After spending his last four films exploring London and Barcelona, writer-director Woody Allen returns to his native New York City with Whatever Works, starring Larry David as a character that draws upon both Allen's own psyche and David's Curb Your Enthusiasm guise. Even though the film was written during Allen's peak in the 1970s, Travers says Whatever Works is not top shelf Woody, but the film still has its classic moments as Evan Rachel Wood co-stars as a girl who comes to the Big Apple and marries the older David. If you're going to see a new film in theaters this weekend, this is the one to see, because the other two comedies being offered up this weekend aren't too promising.
First, we have the Sandra Bullock-Ryan Reynolds rom-com The Proposal, with Bullock's boss character forced to marry her assistant Reynolds to avoid being shipped back to her native Canada. The bickering pair goes on a trip to Reynolds' family home in Alaska, where they begin to actually fall in love with another. Sounds generic, right? "I can't find the adjectives to say what it's like to sit in a movie like this. Is it awful? No, it's bland," Travers says. "To me, bland is much worse than awful." Thus, Travers is making room in his Scum Bucket for The Proposal.
But don't go putting the lid on the Scum Bucket just yet, as Jack Black and Michael Cera star in the prehistoric comedy Year One, written and directed by Harold Ramis. Despite the pedigree of all those involved, the studios wouldn't screen the film for critics, which is usually Step One for preventing the public from finding out the movie is a stinker before release date. Travers is pessimistic, but he will venture to the cinema house this weekend to review Year One, so keep it tuned to his Twitter for Travers' Take on Year One.
Read this week's reviews:
Whatever Works
The Proposal
Dead Snow
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Raymond Jolicoeur | June 25, 2009 9:51 AM
what do you mean,too many comments?Never sent one before.
Steve | June 22, 2009 4:41 PM
To iloveyouukiid: You mention you hate Jack Black and Michael Cera and yet you went to see Year One. Let me rephrase that. You hate Jack Black and Michael Cera and still purposley drove to a mall, stood in a lineup, took your wallet out, removed ten dollars and then proceeded to pay the cashier and say "one for Year One please". That doesn't show too much foresight on your part does it??
kimkim | June 21, 2009 10:49 PM
I swear if I listened to what reviewers said I would sit @home all weekend watching re_runs of Cops. I just saw The Proposal and have to say it was probably one of th best romcoms Ive ever seen! If you don't like that particular genre thats one thing but to just blatantly call a movie bland bc you assume the underline plot of the movie is "generic"? Thats a bit much, dont you think? Romcoms are just that-they're created for pure entertainment-not to change the world. The writing (the main characters "banter") was very sharp and funny, and Betty White almost stole the movie. And don't get me started on the gorgeousness that is Ryan Reynolds...anyway, if you're looking for a movie to take you away for a few hours, check it out!!
iloveyouukiid | June 21, 2009 8:55 PM
guess which movie took #1 at the box office?
HA!!!! told you!!!! "The Proposal" is fucking awesome!!!
And "Year One" is one of the WORST movies I've ever seen!! I hate Jack Black and Michael Cera. The plot and writing are even worse than the actors.
Nat Smith | June 21, 2009 1:08 AM
How can you miss with Larry David AND Woody Allen. It was only a matter of time, I can't wait to see this!
iLly | June 20, 2009 1:36 PM
Year One turned out a stinker. What an awful waste of talent!
JP | June 19, 2009 2:24 PM
I'm also disappointed that "Year One" wasn't available for advance screening for critics. This was one of the movies I was anticipating was going to be really good. So, I'm on the fence now on whether or not I'm going to see it this weekend, or just wait for the reviews and word of mouth about the movie.
Czikk | June 18, 2009 10:51 PM
God, I love you Travers. Listening to you trash The Proposal was purely entertaining. Year One, I must agree, does little to stir any interest either. Hell, judging by some of your recent (and often mischeviously critical) video reviews, I can bet that you would make a better summer comedy than a large portion of the industry. Seriously, think about it. If nothing else, getting a contact to make a hilariously bad trailer for one of your genius ideas would be a kick. Would definitely prime me for hopeful comic gold in Funny People.