PICKS OF THE WEEK
“Our Idiot Brother” (R) — Is the man who sells pot to a uniformed cop an insufferable dolt? Or is he just a refreshingly honest and trusting man in a cynical world?
This is the question at the heart of this lighthearted comedy.
Paul Rudd puts all of his easygoing charm into Ned, the titular idiot. After his hippie girlfriend kicks Ned out of his organic farm, his three sisters (Zoey Deschanel, Elizabeth Banks and Emily Mortimer) offer him a place to stay. Ned cycles through being burdensome, charming, obnoxiously burdensome and then somehow redeeming himself. Like Ned, the film creates positivity, even if overdoing it a little bit.
“Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil” (R) — Tucker and Dale (the equally underrated Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine) are two country boys and best friends taking some time off in a cabin in the woods. To an outsider, the friendly but awkward duo may appear to be straight out of an ’80s slasher flick. In a series hilarious and brutally unfortunate coincidences, a group of superficial college kids each get themselves killed while under the impression that the pair of sweet-natured rednecks are psychopaths who have kidnapped their friend.
To the unseasoned, it’s a comedy complete with funny lines, likable characters and hilarious misunderstandings. For a horror fan, this is a loving send-up worthy of mocking our favorite movies.
“30 Minutes or Less” (R) — This original comedy about a pizza guy turned human explosive is loud, abrasive and over in a flash. Jesse Eisenberg plays Nick, the small-town loser who gets a bomb strapped to his chest by a pair of bumbling criminals who want him to rob a bank. Nick enlists the reluctant help of an old friend, Chet (Aziz Ansari).
Expletives, off-color humor and a speedy disregard for plot holes keep things moving along at a decent pace. Those who can’t get into the profane spirit of things will be quickly left behind. However, fans of Ansari’s brand of humor or Danny McBride’s character acting will get a bursts of laughter from the experience.
DOG OF THE WEEK
“The Smurfs” (PG) — I’m going to keep this short. I’ve only got room for one pun, and I just used it. If somebody can find it in themselves to laugh at “smurf” being used in place of every third or fourth word through the course of a movie 100 minutes long, then that person may enjoy this film. For the rest of mankind, it’s a witless 3-D exercise in outdated references and all the compensating self-referential humor.
TV RELEASES
“Smallville: The Complete Tenth Season”
“30 Rock: Season 5”
“Hot in Cleveland: Season Two”
“The Six Million Dollar Man: Season 1”
“Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Collection 6/Part 1”
© 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.