Despicable Me (2010)

Want a fun, cute little movie you won't have to think about too much? This is a good one. Want a movie you can watch with kids of all ages and not worry about what may or may not happen or be said? This comes as close as movies come these days.

The animation is first rate and over-the-top outrageous. In this case, that is a great thing.

The voices come from some very surprising big names. Don't bother trying to match them up by ear. You need a list to believe you ears in this one. Happily, the animated characters look nothing like their voice counterparts as is the case with so many CG toons lately.

Here is a short list:
Steve Carrell
Jason Segel
Russell Brand
Julie Andrews (no kidding)
Will Arnett

The voices of the 3 little girls who change the bad guy's world are fantastic. I hope they can act as well as they read. Oh wait, they can, and already have.

Watch this movie with someone who was a fan of Mad Magazine's Spy vs Spy.

Date Night

Just out on DVD this goofy movie is fun for everyone over the age of about 18. No, it's not R-rated, but not many under that age will get all the best bits. Married couples, or couples who are in a comfortable groove will most likely appreciate the point.

Steve Carell and Tina Fey, arguably the funniest people on TV, star as a married couple out for a night of something different. Their worst crime, as you will see, is taking some other couple's reservation at a very in-demand restaurant. Non-New-Yorkers take note. You can shoot someone, steal their car, and even resort to blackmail, but worst of all is to pretend to be someone else and take their reservation. Be warned.

This movie is outrageous as it is funny. The guest appearances are very good. Mark Wahlberg is great with his limited role. But can anyone tell me while he needed a wardrobe assistant?

This is a great date movie because regardless of how the date goes, it's better than the one portrayed in this movie.

Watch this movie with couple who are stuck in a rut.

Horton Hears a Who

If you grew up a Seuss fan, you will probably enjoy this movie. It stays true to the story and the concept set forth in the book way back when. At times there are so many things going on you have to pause it or use the slo-mo to catch it all. Fun. I believe the good Dr. Seuss would have been happy with this production.

More than just being faithful to the vision or Dr. Seuss, this movie goes a bit beyond and pokes fun at pop culture and even other movies along the way. How many references to hit movies can YOU spot? And how many references to other Seuss books can you spot?

Jim Carrey is as good as Horton as he was as the Grinch a few years ago. I know the family personally approved of his work. I concur and I hope you enjoy it too. Steve Carell is the erstwhile Mayor of Whoville and Carol Burnett is the know-it-all who tries to stop Horton. Many other great voices are part of this cast including Charles Osgood as the Narrator.

Watch this with a kindred Seuss-sa-fan.

Get Smart

Is anyone NOT in this movie? What a cast. And what an intentionally goofy movie.

As a kid I was a huge fan of the TV series. I was Maxwell Smart for Halloween a couple years there in the 60's. So, I had very high expectations for this movie. I was not disappointed. It had everything from the TV series plus 100 other things TV never attempted. Like Agent 23 and Agent 86 kissing. Welcome to the 21st century.

Smart's catch phrase "Missed it by thaaaat much" cannot be be applied to this movie. They got it - just right.

This is a very fun, very dumb, very inappropriate movie. If you like the TV series there will be plenty for you to recognize. If you never saw the series, it's a shame. But if you like movies like the Pink Panther series, the Police Academy series, the Naked Gun series, and so on, you will like this movie too.

Watch it with your secret friend.

Dan In Real Life

This movie was much better than I expected. For a change, all the funny bits are NOT in the previews. In fact, the best parts are not.

This movie got to me on a different levels. First, as a father of daughters. Second, as former single guy. Third, one familiar with large funky families.

This story keeps moving and goes in directions you may not expect. It is smart. It is funny. It hurts to watch certain scenes if they are things that have happened to you or people you know.

Steve Carell may be one of the most recognizable faces on American screens big and little. He is so funny because his timing is perfect, and he represents the "everyman" in each of us. He is very smart and knows how to make us laugh. He is the ultimate straight man. And I mean that in the comic sense.

If the conversation between Carell's character and his daughters (any time he talks to all 3) does not bring a tightness to your throat or a tear to your eyes, I'll refund the cost of your rental. If you are a parent of teens, especially daughters, you will totally relate to these conversations. They are totally real.

Juliette Binoche is as charming and desirable as she is in Chocolat if not just a wee bit older. The meeting between her character and Carell's should appeal to the romantics of both genders. Brilliant.

Dane Cook is the same doofy character he played in "Good Luck Chuck", but this time it actually works.

The relationships in this family should ring true with anyone who grew up in a big family.

Dianne Wiest and John Mahoney are perfect as the heads of this very interesting bunch of adults and their kids.

Watch this movie with someone who will play word games with you to see who does dishes.