If you have ever been in couples therapy, this is funny, not hilarious or I can’t wait to see it again, but amusing.  It’s rather predictable and who cares.  Vince Vaughn does he’s usual thing, running at the month, and is most times successfully funny.  The shark attack and his whining afterward were priceless. 

 The rest of the cast is good and Jon Favreau – please step away from the plastic surgery.  He looks kind of scary. Overall: go to the matinee or wait for HBO (you know this one will be a continual loop one…)

I didn’t pick this movie night.  I was a little apprehensive for another Quentin Tarantino blood fest.  Happily, it wasn’t the gore that got you, it’s the tension.  Yes, there are moments best spent with your eyes closed (the skin carving) but I tell you – get thee to this movie!

 Gallows’ humor and wicked characters abound throughout this film.  How much did I love Lt. Archie Hicox (Michael Fassbender) switching from German to the “King’s word” at death’s door, finishing his fine scotch and starting the gunfight – all while looking unflappable and gorgeous???  Or Christoph Waltz’s Col. Hans Landa in any scene – he is unbelievably dislikable yet disturbingly hypnotic.   And finally Brad Pitt returns to the roles he shines in – character acting (remember SNATCH?)  There is not one weak performance in the bunch and you know they all had a blast making the film.

 One of the qualities I like best in Tarantino movies is he believes his audience to be smart.  Of course there are echoes of earlier movies (The Dirty Dozen) – that’s the point, he takes it further.  It’s like a tip of your hat and now, see what I’m going to do. 

 I loved the use of several different languages and the opening scene would never have worked otherwise – oh my God, the tension was almost unbearable.  It was what was off camera that created the tension – I was feverishly worried his daughters were not safe outside all while Col. Hans Landa held sway…Get thee to this film! 

I did not want to like this movie.  Not a big fan of Hillary Swank (began on 90210 years ago as annoying girl…) and a movie about losing your husband?  Not particularly happy-feel-good, but I was wrong. 

 There are just as many laughs as tears and frankly, Gerard Butler using his Irish accent – oh my…I am a complete sucker for a brogue.  The entire cast is good – particularly Harry Connick, Jr.  The friendships are real with their fluid teasing – facing the realities of life with humor and stumbling grace.   The girls’ trip to Ireland is bittersweet and gorgeous. 

 However, it is still a “crier” movie.  Truly it is in essence an Irish wake – tears, drinking, songs, storytelling, and oh so much laughter…Feels like home to me.  Enjoy! 

One word: rental.  Yes, there were some good parts (wrestling at Dad’s house while setting “boundaries” and the house of cougars…) however, a plot would have been nice.  Kind of left you waiting for Vaughn’s character to make jokes…My husband fell asleep.

I did really enjoy the white trash sister-in-law though.  Definitely a glimpse of what Britney Spear’s life would have looked like if she had not gotten famous years ago, but that does not make a movie.  Even one sprinkled with a few poignant moments…Trust me, wait for the rental. 

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Go see the movie “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and enjoy the laughs.  I can honestly say I howled watching this movie.  In the opening scene when the main character Peter Bretter is getting dumped and stands there with all his bits and pieces bare for all the world to see – oh my god.  I definitely squirmed in my seat.

When I go to the movies I like to be entertained by some adventurous story or laugh.  This was the laughing movie.  The characters were all sympathetic and real.  Don’t expect anything too heavy and be surprised as you giggle uncontrollably throughout…And they go to Hawaii – who doesn’t like listening to IZ and the beach?