Be Kind, Please Rewind

He’s Hard Spoiled. He’s the…

Vidiot

Week of February 24, 2011

Black makes villainy seem appealing. First up…

Megamind

There are three things one needs in order to be a true super-villain: arrogance, aggression and baldness.

Fortunately, the malefactor in this animated movie suffers from all of the above.

Soon after thwarting Metro City’s muscle-bound protector, Metro Man (Brad Pitt), for the first and last time, evil genius Megamind (Will Ferrell) becomes bored with no adversary around to antagonize.

Therefore, with the help of his minion, Minion (David Cross), he transforms the mild-mannered news cameraman, Hal (Jonah Hill), into a super-hero.

But when hotshot reporter Roxanne (Tina Fey) enters the picture, Megamind is too distracted to pay attention to his now corrupt, caped creation that’s running amok.

Although it does contain a few choice chortles, the bulk of Megamind is simply a retread of other-–better–animated super movies.

Furthermore, why would a super-villain waste time constructing a super-hero, when they could be plundering pocket universes for dark matter?  0

Due Date

The difference between traveling via airplane as opposed to traveling in a stranger’s car is that, when traveling with a stranger, the intrusive pat down is optional.

Needles to say, the commuter in this comedy declined on both counts.

While trying to make it home for the birth of his child, unruly passenger Peter (Robert Downey Jr.) is placed on the no fly list.

In need of alternate transportation, he accepts a ride from struggling actor/pothead/nut Ethan (Zach Galifianakis).

Forcing Peter to endure hours of bothersome personal questions and strange driving habits, Ethan eventually wears Peter’s resolve down and he begins to benefit.

Peppered with cameos and off-coloured humour, Due Date appears to be an innocuous comedy, but, in truth, is a mean-spirited mess that contains no relatable characters.

Besides, if someone really wants to go on a road trip with a crazy stranger, they should ride the Grey Hound.  0

***Delayed Off***

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

The best part of traveling with a complete stranger, as opposed to a family member, is that you can share the same hotel bed without it being weird.

And that is exactly what the two travelers who just met do in this comedy.

After a blizzard grounds all flights in NYC, a traveling businessman, Neal (Steve Martin), trying to make it home to his family in Chicago for Thanksgiving, is forced to endure days of road travel with the accident-prone Del (John Candy).

Although the two employ every means of transportation possible, misfortune continues to follow them, leading Neal to believe that their hardships are due to Del’s incompetence.

Written and directed by John Hughes, Planes, Trains and Automobiles combines the comedic genius of its leads with the chaotic nature of travel, with riotous results.

Unfortunately, when traveling with another male, people will automatically assume that he is your…chauffeur.

He’s a Personal Commuter. He's the...

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