Movie #274 - Hot Tub Time Machine

Hot Tub Time Machine
2010 - Rated  R - 1 hr 41 min
Director: Steve Pink
Starring: John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Sebastian Stan, Lynsdy Fonseca, Crispin Glover, Chevy Chase

I know this movie should be dumb. But what makes it work is that this movie knows it's supposed to be dumb.  A group of middle-aged guys tries to relive their glory days with a vacation in their favorite old ski resort town... which is now a dump.  Disappointed, they get hammered and have a party in the hot tub. Which is a time machine that sends them back to the best vacation of their lives. In 1986.

Stupid. I know. But as a lover of classic John Hughes 80's classics (and John Cusack), it's hard not to want to love this movie.  The 80s jokes abound, the cast embraces their own ridiculousness, and the writers are acutely aware that their plot is campy.  It works.  And I think it's just plain hysterical.

Movie #263 - The Heartbreak Kid

The Heartbreak Kid
2007 - Rated R - 1 hr 56 min
Director: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Starring: Ben Stiller, Malin Akerman, Michelle Monaghan, Jerry Stiller, Rob Corddry, Carlos Mencia, Danny McBride, Stephanie Courtney

A Farrelly brothers movie starring Ben Stiller? This should kick ass. Sadly, it's not as good as some of their other endeavors.  Still, Malin Akerman is perfectly annoying in every possible way, so it's got that going for it.  And Ben Stiller is all bachelor-on-the-brink-of-loveless-curmudgeon until you want to smack him.

This rom-com is too heavy on the com and leaves a lot to be desired from the rom.  Plus, the whole cross-wires in love concept gets tired by the end.

All in all, some fun scenes to watch. And Michelle Monaghan is adorable. Too adorable for Ben Stiller's irritating character in this one.

Movie #255 - Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
2008 - Rated R - 1 hr 47 min
Directors: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Starring: John Cho, Kal Penn, Neil Patrick Harris, Rob Corddry, Jack Conley, Roger Bart, Eric Winter, Missi Pyle, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Ed Helms

I'm not sure that we needed this movie, but it's definitely on par with the first.  Some of the jokes are referenced again, but mostly we get all brand new ones.  Including a stoner Prez.

NPH is back and redefining his name... This time, Kumar's chasing a girl, Harold wants to kill him, and Rob Corddry is going to send them back to Guantanamo Bay forever.  At points, this movie actually makes fun of itself - something I always enjoy in an over-the-top comedy.  It makes it somehow okay that you're laughing at the bad jokes.

All in all, another worthy effort.  But nothing beats a White Castle burger, so I prefer the original.