Well-known comedian Seth Rogan’s recently released movie “Observe and Report” wasn’t exactly the funniest movie ever created. Actually, it was difficult to find any sort of comedy in the film. Any attempts at comedy were somewhat boring and dim. In fact, there were a couple of moments when I was sitting in the theater thinking, “When is this torture going to end?”

I think critic Peter Howell of the Toronto Sun said it best when he stated, “[Director] Hill evidently intends his film to be satirical. But satire requires intelligence to succeed. ‘Observe and Report’ has a moronic sense of humour, trading in racism, sexism, profanity and violence at every predictable corner.”

Brutal, but true. The film is filled with idiotic statements, profanity is heard every five seconds, there’s substance abuse and, lastly, the mother of Rogan’s character is drunk morning, noon and night. A lot of really good influences for the younger generation. Plus, it is a very violent film, which, to me, is not a bad thing because I love violence, but it comes unexpectedly in this film. As if the violence were not crude enough, having a man running around naked for part of the movie is a bit over-the-top.

Even though there’s a diverse group of characters in the movie the only one it mainly focuses on is Ronnie (Rogan), who is supposed to be the heroic protagonist that audiences root for. Despite that fact, I found myself despising this character and booing him more than cheering him on. He was very arrogant and thought he deserved to have everything in the world from the dream job to the perfect girl. At times, he kind of reminded me of a horrible version of Batman. He’s supposed to be the hero with a darker side, but I saw him as trying to be a hero with an overshadowing dark side. Luckily, in the end, he learns that you can’t have everything and that sometimes it’s okay to settle with the next best thing. Regardless, he’s still very arrogant and cocky.

The only thing I liked, or I should say I found surprising, was how athletic and tough Rogan really is. There were a couple of fight scenes that he was involved in where he really showed everybody that he’s strong and can fight back even though his character comes off as dumb and weak.

Anna Faris, famously known for her role as Cindy Campbell in the “Scary Movie” series, and Ray Liotta, who starred in the acclaimed movie “Goodfellas,” co-starred in the movie, but you rarely saw them since there was such a focus on Ronnie. Faris played the woman that Ronnie sought after, while Liotta was a detective. He was really the antagonist of the film since he tried holding Ronnie back from fulfilling his dream.

Rogan, Faris and Liotta might be amazing actors and great comedians, but, unfortunately with “Observe and Report,” it turned out to be more of a snooze-fest then a laugh-fest.

LISA ARPINO
Staff Writer

In an industry fueled by the representation of emotionally-driven, heart-warming relationships, the idea of a film based on a lack of relationships and the “man-dates” that follow, seems implausible. However, in John Hamburg’s newest film, “I Love You, Man,” this unlikely theme works as a surprisingly humorous and effective device.
The film follows recently-engaged real estate agent Peter Klaven, played by Paul Rudd, on his daunting quest to make a male friend. Always the ladies’ man, Peter never made a lifelong connection with a guy pal and even his own father and brother seem far removed from any sort of best friend relationship.
After his engagement to his fiancée Zooey (Rashida Jones), Peter must hunt for a best man and groomsmen to flank his sides at the altar. A caring fiancée, Zooey tries to set Peter up with her bridesmaids’ friends, but after projectile vomiting everywhere, no connection is made. Desperate, Peter seeks the help of a social networking Web site that turns out to be a mix between Match.com and Facebook. His friend finder pairs him up with a series of man-dates that go from bad to worse. After humorous hookups with strange, old and gay men, Peter begins to lose hope. However, at an open-house he is hosting, and the pinnacle of his real estate career, Peter’s luck begins to change when he meets guy friend Sydney Fife (Jason Segel). It is from there that their relationship begins to develop to that of best friends.
In the film, Rudd gives a strong performance, enveloping the awkward, tip-toe approach to finding a best friend in the strangest of situations. His relationship with Zooey seems genuine without becoming mushy.
Segel has a knack for turning quirky phrases into instantly memorable one-liners. His laid back, too-cool attitude is a perfect complement to Peter’s straight-laced, strict persona.
Jones gives a noteworthy performance in this film. As the lead female character, she certainly carries her own. Her sincerity and love for Peter feels real. And while her lines are not conventionally funny, there is something about her toothy smile and good-hearted nature that conveys a strong sense of humor. In this way she is able to powerfully portray her concern for her fiancé’s male social life or lack thereof.
The film was funny all the way through. More serious and somber moments were set up by earlier one-liners and funny jabs. Despite the predictable ending, the lead to the resolution offered a healthy dose of humor while still recognizing the seriousness of an uneasy situation. The plot was well-crafted and the script well-written. The film had an uncanny way of bringing a fresh and funny perspective to an old, overplayed best friend film.
Overall, the film was extremely well-cast and offers plenty of exciting and entertaining moments. And even during the more somber parts, audiences will still enjoy seeing the evolution of a genuine male relationship.

Elyse Fetherman
Entertainment Editor

Every Monday night wrestling fans see John Cena screaming out, “The champ is here.” He follows this loud and proud declaration with a series of bone-breaking bodyslams and clotheslines. His opponents never stand a chance. But on March 27, Cena showcased a different side to the wrestler as his second feature film, “12 Rounds” was released in theaters.

“12 Rounds” pretty much had the same plot as Cena’s first movie, “The Marine,” where Cena’s wife or girlfriend is kidnapped by a convicted felon resulting in an action-filled adventure to find and save her. Both movies were filled with explosions, car chases, car crashes and just pure destruction. But the major difference is “12 Rounds” is a lot more interesting and has more edge of your seat action than what “The Marine” presented.

Along side Cena was Aidan Gillan, who, according to IMDb.com, starred in “Shanghai Knights” with Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson, as the sadistic Miles Jackson.

The film also features Ashley Scott, who starred in “Walking Tall” with Dwayne Johnson (now formerly known as The Rock), as she takes on the role of Cena’s girlfriend, Molly in “12 Rounds.” It was directed by Renny Harlin, director of “Die Hard 2,” and one of the producers was Mark Gordon, who also produced “Speed.” Another producer was the Chairman of the WWE himself, Mr. Vince McMahon.
What I really loved about this movie was the action, even though there were times the cinematography was so bad that you couldn’t see what was happening.

However, I think that added to the suspense of the movie because you would be sitting in your seat moving around trying to see what was going on. It really kept you thinking what’s going to happen next from beginning to end and the action was never ceasing. Also, the characters in this movie, more specifically the character of Miles Jackson, were very intriguing.

“12 Rounds” is an action-packed movie that is also filled with suspense, love and laughter. It will keep you guessing and gasping from the title sequence to the end credits.

The film may have even sparked a series of future WWE film productions. WWE superstars like Cena and Johnson aren’t the only ones making movies; TNA wrestlers are making them too. According to lordsofpain.net, Kurt Angle is starring in a movie called “End Game” that is being distributed by North Shore Picture. As of right now there’s no release date.

Overall, “12 Rounds” was an excellent movie and I would definitely recommend all of you to go see it.

LISA ARPINO
Staff Writer

With summer comes three months of break, time to relax and unusually empty wallets. The result of the economic downswing: budget-friendly vacation options. Day trips to museums, zoos, aquariums and beaches are good stand-by options but can get extremely pricey due to the sky-rocketing cost of fuel during the summer months. The alternative may seem a bit uncanny but not unfamiliar. For just under $15, give or take, students can relax as a cool breeze circulates around their soft, cushy chairs complete with cup holder and lounge-back features. They can chow down on sweet and salty snacks while around the world and back in about 120 minutes. Where can you book? Your nearest movie theatre.

With some theatres offering student discounts and with an exciting summer lineup of prequels, sequels and recycled characters, movie theatres may have the ability to take the place of a distant, tropical vacation this summer.

For those looking to combat boredom and familiar plotlines, the newest installment of the X-Men films, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” may be the antidote. Hugh Jackman reprises his role as the unstoppable, brutish Wolverine. According to IMDb.com, the film follows Wolverine on his violent journey to seek revenge against Victor Creed and how Wolverine fully envelops his mutant role as the notorious claw-clad combatant. Audiences are given insight to his origins and meet new, familiar characters and mutants, a powerful nod to the original series. The scheduled release date for “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” is May 1.

On May 8, audiences will take an emotional ride on the out-of-this world, sci-fi adventure film, “Star Trek.” According to IMDb.com, the film is a prequel to “The Original Series” and follows Kirk and Spock on their first mission in space. Perhaps more interesting, is the stellar cast of the film. Chris Pine, known for his roles in “Just My Luck” and “Smokin’ Aces,” tackles the role of James T. Kirk. Alongside is leading lady Jennifer Morrison, known for playing Dr. Allison Cameron on “House M.D.,” who will play Winona Kirk. Other recognizable names are Simon Pegg, who will take on the role of Scotty, and Winona Ryder, who has been cast as Amanda Grayson. Erica Bana, Hector in “Troy,” is cast to play Nero.

Directed by Ron Howard, “Angels and Demons” will be released May 15. Tom Hanks reprises his role as Dr. Robert Langdon. IMDb.com reports that in this film, Langdon must combat the Illuminati, a powerful, ancient brotherhood, who threaten the Catholic Church with a weapon that could kill millions. Langdon meets up with Vittoria Vetra, played by Ayelet Zurer, to follow ancient symbols and save the Vatican. Ewan McGregor, known for his role in “Moulin Rouge,” also stars in this film as the head of the Catholic Church, Carlo Ventresca.

Christian Bale plays the role of John Connor in “Terminator Salvation” who must lead a group of survivors to fight Skynet and the Terminators who threaten to wipe out all mankind. According to IMDb.com, Connor learns about the truth behind Skynet’s operations and must prevent the complete genocide of humanity. Notable members of the cast include Sam Worthington who has been cast as Marcus Wright and Helena Bonham Carter as Serena. The film is scheduled to be released on May 21.
The sequel to “Night at the Museum,” “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” is scheduled to be released May 22. Ben Stiller reprises his role as museum security guard Larry Daley, according to IMDb.com. Daley must rescue his old friends Jedediah, played by Owen Wilson, and Octavius, played by Steve Coogan, from the Smithsonian. Along the way, Daley meets familiar characters such as Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), Al Capone (Jon Bernthral) and Einstein (Eugene Levy). The film is scheduled to release on May 22.

Pixar’s highly anticipated “Up” is also scheduled to release on May 29. According to IMDB, the story follows the adventures of 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen. After tying thousands of balloons to his home, Fredricksen prepares for the adventure of a lifetime to South America and beyond. However, Russell, a wilderness explorer, has stowed away on his front porch. The two embark on a journey together where one of their biggest troubles will be trying to understand one another.

The Decepticons are back and seeking revenge in the newest Transformers installment, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.” Shia LaBeouf reprises his role as Sam Witwicky, who has been taken prisoner by the evil forces of the Decepticons. It is up to the Autobots to keep peace and rejuvenate Megatron if there is any hope in beating Starscream and his army of destructive Decepticons. The film is scheduled to release June 24.
Harry Potter fans will go ballistic on July 17 with the release of the sixth out of seven Harry Potter films. “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” follows Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and friends, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) as they try to unveil the Half-Blood Prince, learning more and more about the Dark Lord Voldemort along the way. In this film, romance starts to bloom, making Harry’s sixth year at Hogwarts even more stressful than he expected.

Even though wallets are tight this year, action and fun can still be had. With a great summer lineup, travel and adventure is only a movie ticket away.

ELYSE FETHERMAN
Entertainment Editor

The movie was not scheduled to start until 7 p.m. Yet around 5:30 p.m., hordes of antsy pre-pubescent tweens and their mothers queued up outside the theatre. Most had pre-ordered their tickets, cleverly avoiding the crowded ticket line and the ever worse 3-D glasses line. At $15 a ticket, these hardcore, squealing moviegoers showed the utmost dedication, proudly wearing handmade tees varying from custom airbrushed band tees to puffy painted tank tops bearing the phrase “Future Mrs. Jonas.” These girls took the word fanatic to a whole new level, perhaps signifying the official manifestation of a new kind of boy band.

The film that united all of the excited, bouncy pre-teen fans was Disney’s newest addition to their 3-D concert series market, “Jonas Brothers: The 3-D Concert Experience.” Opening on Feb. 27, the Jonas Brothers’ newest movie was clearly geared towards a very gender specific market. Upon entering the theatre, waves upon waves of young girls (and their mini-van moms) flooded into their seats, echoing into a sea of chants, “Jonas! Jonas! Jonas!” They clutched their Jonas Brother’s collector popcorn buckets tightly in their laps as they sucked carbonated sodas and other acutely sugared soft drinks out of Jonas Brothers and “High School Musical” hologram cups.

And when the film began, the girls were literally at the edge of the seats, clutching the head rest in front of them to enjoy the thrill of 3-D or possibly to keep from falling head over heels at the sight of those three adorable mop-headed pop stars.

The one hour and 16 minute film followed the Jonas Brothers throughout their concert, detailing different parts of their adventures. The film opened to the three brothers, running away from a mob of tween girls, screaming and reaching for their chance to lay hands on any one of the brothers. The 3-D aspect made this scene especially enjoyable and set a high-energy, heart pounding mood for the rest of the film.

Although the film did mostly focus on the concert performance, it did take fans behind the scenes and beyond. The film followed the Jonas Brothers from their Times Square album release, to interviews, to concert rehearsal and beyond. These behind the scenes looks showed a more real side to the brothers. Fans got to see them joke around, interact with their audiences and ultimately just hang out.

While the film can be praised for its interesting camera angles - creatively filming each brother as if he were directly interacting with each member of the movie audience - perhaps the most interesting part of the overall experience was the extreme suspension of disbelief for all moviegoers. At the start of the film, the young girls screamed in delight as they watched their fan film counterparts running in hot pursuit of the three brothers, Kevin, Joe and Nick.

During the performances, each one of the brothers would point or reach out to the camera, giving the 3-D effect of reaching out to touch moviegoers. The young tweens and mothers would reach out, grasping at the air in an attempt to touch the brothers.

When the brothers performed “Burnin’ Up,” the fanatics went wild, clapping to the beat and singing along. As if that weren’t wild enough, when the brothers introduced special guests Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift to the stage, the young fans jumped up and down, bouncing around as if they were at the original filming of the concert. During the last half hour of the film, the girls were so sucked into the 3-D concert atmosphere, that a dozen or so girls began running laps around the outer aisles of the theatre, pumping their arms in the air and singing along as loud as their meek voices would allow.

As they exited the theatre, collectable Jonas Brothers popcorn buckets in hand, groups of young girls convened in front of the theatre’s movie poster. They posed for a few pictures, showing off their shirts and running off into the parking lot, still singing and clapping along to the songs that will continuously replay in their memories.

The “Jonas Brothers: 3-D Concert Experience” proved that Jonas mania has only just begun. And while boy bands and the obsessive young girls that flock to them are nothing new, the Jonas Brothers have managed to create a marketable edge, using 3-D technology and creating a great suspension of disbelief.

ELYSE FETHERMAN
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

In the trailer for Chris Evans’ newest film “Push,” the movie was heralded as “the greatest action movie of 2009.”
This larger than life statement is an evident advertising lie. It was barely action-packed with more morose and depressing moments than action throughout the entire movie. There were, literally, two significant fight sequences that really grabbed the audience for maybe five minutes. And then what followed? A whole lot of nothing. Just a confusing, cinematic roller coaster ride filled with endless questions of what to do next, where to go, whom to trust, etc. It was somewhat understandable until towards the end when you didn’t know who to believe, what was going on, and what exactly was the truth. I think Roger Ebert said it best when he stated on rottentomatoes.com, “‘Push’ has vibrant cinematography and decent acting, but I’m blasted if I know what it’s about.”
“Push” stars Evans and Dakota Fanning, along with Djimon Hounsou from, according to imdb.com, hit movies like “Amistad” and “Blood Diamond,” and Camilla Belle from the 2006 remake of “When a Stranger Calls.”
Fanning goes from playing a sweet, innocent girl to playing a rebel who likes to curse and drink. Talk about a complete 180. Belle’s character has no depth whatsoever and actually doesn’t speak for the first few scenes that audiences see her in. Really the only characters that I found to be sympathetic were Evans’ character and Fanning’s character. All of the other characters merely cluttered the busy movie and made it that much more confusing. They did little to help the progression of the plot.
The main plot is that the aforementioned characters, along with numerous others, have these “special powers” that they’ve had from birth. Some of them are very strong while some of them are somewhat weak in the overall execution of their powers. Their powers range from telekinesis to someone who can see the future to someone who can make you believe one thing happened while it never did. Confused? So was I. It reminded me exactly of “X-men” except you don’t have the Professor Xavier character coming in to help the person utilize their powers and become stronger.
In the end, the audience is left with a cliffhanger, which means there’s possibly going to be a second “Push.” Oh, I can’t wait.
The majority of the movie, except for the beginning, took place in Hong Kong, which is not a bad thing, but it makes me question the motives of the location switch. If the beginning of the movie started in America then why didn’t it just stay there instead of going thousands of miles to Hong Kong? Maybe it’s just me, but I think that’s a little weird and unmotivated by any action in the film.
All in all, the movie wasn’t exactly what I expected. I was hoping to see an action-packed film that would keep me hooked from beginning to end. Instead, I saw a drama that had me scratching my head. What did make it bearable and somewhat enjoyable, however, was the great soundtrack and Evans’ performance. I would only recommend this movie if you’re a huge fan of either Fanning or Evans and are willing to sit in a theatre for about two hours being bored out of your mind.

LISA ARPINO
STAFF WRITER

Who needs cash when the lure of credit cards is so seductively accessible? And as for those half-priced Gucci boots? Never a splurge but a wise investment that will be paid off later. It is that very devil-may-care spending attitude that traps financial journalist, Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher), in a seemingly inescapable snare of debt. Based on the same-named novel by Sophie Kinsella, according to IMDB.com, “Confessions of a Shopaholic” follows the triumphs and toils of Bloomwood’s superfluous spending and the endless debt that follows.

Like many money-conscious Americans, Bloomwood, a New York City journalist, faces the difficult task of pinching pennies in hopes to pay off over $1,600 in debt. The cause of such critically crippling debt? An addiction to shopping. But not just any shopping. From a young age, Bloomwood’s shopping habits fall nothing short of immaculate spending of labels. From Yves St. Laurent to Prada, the shopaholic gets her day-to-day fix from designer boutiques, sample sales and high-end department stores in the heart of New York City. But similar to those who are currently face financial burdens as a result of the on-going recession, Bloomwood is too easily enchanted by the seductive promise of “spend now, pay later” that all twelve of her credit cards boast.

When Derek Smeathe (Robert Stanton), the debt collector, begins making house calls, Bloomwood’s financial crisis becomes the forefront battle in her purchase-plagued life. In order to pay off her growing debt, Bloomwood takes on an uncharacteristic job as a columnist for a savings magazine. It is while working for the magazine that Bloomwood learns the most about smart spending, the importance of truth, love and the difference between value and worth.

“Confessions of a Shopaholic” shows a humorous, yet surprisingly realistic, portrayal of the hardships of debt and the dangers of credit. The film draws audiences directly into Bloomwood’s bank-breaking addiction through the use of talking, mobile mannequins. As she walks past each 5th Avenue designer boutique, the mannequins move towards Bloomwood. The mannequins stroke the $150 scarves and pose in the designer dresses, seducing Bloomwood and convincing her that the outrageously priced designer pieces are an “investment.”

The film takes another creative spin to show the ultimate power that Bloomwood’s addiction has over her (and her wallet). The time sequencing slows as Bloomwood falls in love with each new designer piece. And while the film shows other shoppers floating past the window displays, the camera zooms in on Bloomwood and her reflection against the glass. Her own reflection is cast upon the image of the designer clothing. This is a strong visual metaphor that does a powerful yet subtle job of showing how Bloomwood defines her identity and how she is so intensely caught up in her shopping addiction.
The film also presents some strong thematic devices that carry-on throughout the movie. The downfall of independent, grassroots magazines is seen as conglomerate, big-business, advertisement-filled magazines prosper. And with the goal of making money, it is up to Bloomwood’s newest financial editor Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy) and love interest at “Successful Savings” to reshape the magazine with strong, personal and investigative pieces without losing sight of the corporate mission: sell magazines. Bloomwood must make the difficult decision between a dream-job, high-end, corporate fashion magazine, and a truth-seeking, investigative magazine that prides itself on its personal approach to readers.

Complete with well-timed humor and sympathetic characters, “Confessions of a shopaholic” is a sharply crafted comedy that displays Fisher’s acting chops. Released at a financially unfortunate and strategic time, the film’s humor goes beyond the basic purpose of entertainment. It portrays the dangers of unmonitored credit and reinforces the values of truth, self-worth and personal identity. Unlike Bloomwood’s uncontrollable, frivolous spending, “Confessions of a Shopaholic” is a wise, comedic investment for moviegoers of all ages.

ELYSE FETHERMAN
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR