The Change-Up

2011’s ‘The Change-Up’ written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore and directed by David Dobkin, was a light Comedy starring the usual suspects. This time, no leading lady, but two leading men, Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds. You’ll want to keep the children inside for this one; this film is Rated R for very strong sexual content, nudity and drug-use; which although I found un-necessary at times did turn out to make me laugh. 

Hollywood has excelled at the cookie-cutter recipe for movies depending on genre; for this instance, comedy, there was a lot of crude and provocative humour, followed by retrospection, the ‘a-hah’ moment and then the heart-warming and positive ending. Not a bad formulae but a bit mundane at this point.

Leslie Mann and Olivia Wilde also join in the fun as love interests and capture not only the hearts with their chemistry with cast-mates but with the audience as well. ‘The grass isn’t always greener on the other side’; a great reminder that we can’t always fill the shoes of someone else!

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Steve Carell always delivers as he always does, but Jim Carey and the story in general didn't really bring in side-ripping laughs but instead a few chuckles.  2013's 'The Incredible Burt Wonderstone', however entertaining, it's repeat jokes after a while became forced and predictable just as were these super-star magician acts. Steve Buscemi whom you may remember from 'The Big Lebowski' or 'Big Fish' as well as Irish/American actress Olivia Wilde whose been hot on the Hollywood circuit and working in a number of films like, 'Tron', and 'In Time' to name a few also co-star in this comedy.

Filmed in Los Angeles with a budget of a whopping $30 million USD, this film fell shy of 8 million USD at the box-office. Writers Jonathon M. Goldstein and John Francis Daley shared a decent message about finding the strength from within and standing up to bullying. Despite success, one must always remember where they came from and to remember those who matter most. The stunts and action was most times over-the-top but funny-man Carell depicts the sensational truth of what shows and a life-style in Las Vegas, Nevada is all about.

Light on inspiration and laughs but compelling enough to make it to the end.

Butter

Written by Jason A. Micallef and directed by English Jim Field Smith, this 2011 comedy had remnants of 'Little Miss Sunshine' - with a small budget but plenty of talented and big names, including Jennifer Garner, Phyllis Smith, Alicia Silverstone, Olivia Wilde, Ty Burrell, Ashley Greene and Hugh Jackman to name a few. Interesting blend of comedy and heart-warming moments all-in-one. Although the main character is a cute 10 year old Yara Shaidi who plays 'Destiny', I wouldn't recommend the film for children because of it's strong adult language and sexual content.

Wonderful to see the shots used in this film, and the sheer commitment of each character portrayed. Because of the skillful devotion it was easy for the viewers of this film to go on a comical yet emotional journey of what we all go through during different times in our lives.

A fun little movie - great acting and camera angles and lighting to study from. The story…a little less interesting.