“Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle” wasn’t “Citizen Kane.” It also wasn’t “Animal House.” But it was a good guilty pleasure with a casting spin that gave it an edge.
The film’s sequel, which hits DVD shelves July 29, features more stereotype busting — and little else. “Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay” is a great title, a funny concept and a lousy movie, sad to say. My Washington Times review explains the rest.
It does perk up at the end, though, thanks to a cheeky cameo by a certain Commander in Chief impersonator. That could muster enough good will for a third “H&K.” Better stock up on Lays potato chips and pretzels.
I’m hoping the boys retire along with their predecessors, Cheech and Chong.
(Photo: John Cho and Kal Penn tangle with Homeland Security officials in their latest stoner comedy)
Beware the too-hip-to-be-square movie trailer. Too often it masks a film without a soul or sense of purpose. The Vegas drama “21,” out on DVD Tuesday July 22, is a classic example.
The film itself also loses its way with an avalanche of slow-motion sequences. Even the trailer can’t help itself. It’s got a sampler slo-mo to whet your appetite. Leave the slo-mo bits to Tarantino and a few other directorial experts.
And that’s a shame, since “21″ is based on a pretty cool true story. My Washington Times review explores just went wrong with the promising drama.
Frequent poster Heidi checks in today with this disturbing report from her screening of “The Dark Knight” …
We had a screaming child in our packed theater … the mother, instead of simply removing the child - would go and stand in the hallway so she could continue watching the movie, but no one would be giving her those “stares.”
We know the disease. So what’s the cure? I suggested recently that patrons could opt to pay $1 more per ticket to watch movies in theaters where iron-fisted ushers roamed the rows. That way people could watch movies in peace if they choose. The rest could save a buck and take their chances.
How do you handle a crying baby? A teen with a blaring cell phone? The elderly couple who say, “what did he say?” throughout the movie?
We have a new champion, folks. “The Dark Knight” will haul in between $153 and $155 million this weekend, according to track-master general Nikki Finke.
That beats the previous non-holiday weekend record set by “Spider-Man 3″ - and that’s a film that doesn’t deserve to hold a single record.
But can “The Dark Knight” keep on keepin’ on? It’s not a film for the kiddies, and word of that will surely spread (although the 1 year old who sat a few seats down from me at my screening didn’t complain a bit)
Then again, I can’t imagine people watching this and not all but dragging their pals to go see it with them.
Did anyone out there hate it? Feel it was a major letdown? Let me know …
(Photo: Batman smashes fellow superhero Spider-Man’s box office record with “The Dark Knight”)
“Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle” wasn’t “Citizen Kane.” It also wasn’t “Animal House.” But it was a good guilty pleasure with a casting spin that gave it an edge.
