On DVD- The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Movie:  The Incredibly Burt Wonderstone
Major Actors: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Jim Carrey, Olivia Wilde, James Gandolfini, Alan Arkin
Rating: PG-13
Best Audience: Teenagers, young adults

Review:

This movie was not great--it wasn't even that good.  You probably saw the funniest parts in the previews.  One of the saddest things is that this movie has an EXCELLENT cast.  A great cast in a bad movie.  I feel as though they were all misplaced. 

The purpose of this film was to make a statement about how magicians/magic shows have changed over the years.  The problem with that message is that nobody in real life cares about magic shows or magicians.  Even if you enjoy a good magic show every once in a while, it's a novelty that does not affect your everyday life.  Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi parodied Siegfried and Roy.  Jim Carrey's character was a parody of Criss Angel (Mindfreak).  They are basically saying that Criss Angel's brand of magic is nothing more than shock-value.  In my opinion, all magic shows are for entertainment or shock value anyways. 

Other than the pointless "message" of this film, the comedy wasn't that great either.  If you enjoy immature humor, you may like this movie. 

People Like Us

Movie: People Like Us
Major Actors: Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Olivia Wilde, Michelle Pfeiffer
Rating: PG-13
Best Audience:  Adults would enjoy this, and maybe some emotionally mature teenagers.

Review:

This is a heart-warming movie reminiscent of movies like Elizabethtown, Rain Man, Garden State, and Jerry Maguire.  Like those movies, this one features a career-focused, socially-detached main character who meets someone that makes him value personal relationships and family.

In this case, the main character (Chris Pine) discovers after his father's death that he has a sister he never knew about and that sister has a son.  He embarks on a journey of getting to know them, but does not tell them who he is (which inevitable leads to confusing emotions).  He also discovers the reasons behind their separation and the dark family secrets. 

Even though I feel like I've seen this movie before (since it is a frequently used plot), I really did enjoy it.  I would recommend it, especially for a wonderful performance by Elizabeth Banks, who steps out of her usual comedic role to play a damaged single mother.  However, I felt the movie left a big plot-hole and unanswered questions involving the main character's career.  If you liked Elizabethtown or Garden State, you will most likely enjoy this movie.