Quickie Reviews: Now Playing at the Cheap Theater

The Bank Job
I saw this a few months ago when it first came out and really enjoyed it. Loosely based on actual events, the film is about the biggest bank heist in England's history. However, much more was going on behind the scenes than the bank robbers knew about. Starring that big slice of man hunk, Jason Statham and set in London in 1971, the film is an engaging drama/thriller with plenty of action and suspense.

Horton Hears a Who!
The kids really wanted to see this one when it first came out and I went expecting a cute, slightly amusing retelling of Dr. Seuss' classic story that would be more fun for the kids than the grownups. I was pleasantly surprised. Voiced by Jim Carrey, Steve Carrell, Carol Burnett, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen and more, the film is very funny to both children and adults alike. It is a better adapation of Seuss' stories than the big Hollywood productions that have come out in recent years. I would definitely see it again.


Run Fatboy Run
I got a chance to catch this at a matinee last week. Starring Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton and Hank Azaria, the film is also directed by David Schwimmer. Pegg is Dennis, a man who left his pregnant fiancee (Newton) at the altar. Fast forward five years later when she begins dating Whit (Azaria) and Dennis decides he's going to win her back by running a marathon. It wasn't bad, but I didn't really get into it until halfway into the film. I really enjoyed Pegg in Hot Fuzz and he's pretty cute as a doting father. All in all, not too bad.


Drillbit Taylor
Produced by Judd Apatow and gang, directed by Steven Brill and starring Owen Wilson, the film is about three young kids tormented by two older bullies. They enlist the help of Drillbit Taylor (Wilson) to learn how to deal with the bullies. I didn't enjoy this film very much and it was only slightly amusing at times. It was an interesting premise and I generally enjoy Wilson's work, but it just didn't come together for some reason. It was interesting seeing Josh Peck (from the Nickelodeon series, Drake & Josh) as one of the evil bullies, which is a complete 180 from the sweet goofball he was on Drake & Josh. I wouldn't rush out to see this one.

More ramblings to come......