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. 

Despicable Me 2

Movie:  Despicable Me 2
Major Actor: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, Ken Jeong, Nasim Pedrad
Rating: PG
Best Audience: Children age 2 to adults.

Review:

This is really a movie you can enjoy along with your children.  It is very funny.  In the movie, Steve Carell returns as Gru, a former villain.  Kristen Wiig's character, Lucy, recruits Gru to go undercover to try to find a new notorious villain since Gru has experience with his own past as a brilliant villainous mastermind.

This movie has excellent casting.  Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig actually manage to have on-screen chemistry, despite the fact all their acting was done in a recording studio.  I was shocked that Russell Brand played Dr. Nefario.  I mean, Brand is British...but not that kind of British.  He changes his voice completely.  Wonderful acting.

My favorite parts of the movie involved Gru (Carell) trying to keep his daughter away from a smooth-talking Latino teenager.  Hilarity ensued.