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PITCH PERFECT
RUSS
Anna Kendrick plays a socially awkward college freshman who gets involved in an a cappella singing group in the broad comedy, “Pitch Perfect.” Fans of “Glee” are the obvious target audience for this lightweight tuner. It’s modestly campy fun.
SHAWN
“Pitch Perfect” has many funny moments but not enough to make this goofy premise tolerable. I get what the filmmakers are trying to do but it’s all just a bit off the mark.
RUSS
Australian stand-up comic Rebel Wilson steals the show as a wannabe singer called Fat Amy.
SHAWN
I agree. Did love Rebel Wilson. She was great. she actually saves the movie. Why wasn’t she the lead? She clearly stands out and is clearly a superior talent. More of her would have really helped this movie that was actually funnier the second time I watched it. The extras are cool. You get deleted and extended scenes, alternative scenes, Line-O-Rama, “Starships” The Pitch Perfect Music Video, profiles and interviews with characters Benji and Bumper, “On The Set: Burrito Drive By!” with Fat Amy “A Look Inside” featurette and two feature commentaries.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS
RUSS
If you don’t have a 10-year-old boy in your household, you may not be familiar with the popular “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” books. But the series is so popular that it has spawned two successful movies in the last two years. The inevitable third installment, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days” provides more of the same.
SHAWN
This is the best of the ‘Wimpy kid” movies. This third adventure holds up nicely with its playful comic energy, upbeat spirit and kid-friendly messages. It does feel a bit like an after school special. But for young viewers nothing wrong with that at all. It’s all harmless and fun.
RUSS
The cast members have returned for another round of the misadventures of a middle school kid named Greg, this time focusing on his summer vacation. From a critical standpoint, the filmmaking is pretty weak. Probably the best thing to be said about “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days” is that it’s harmless, a relief from the raunchy comedies we’ve endured of late.
SHAWN
The extras are standard and include deleted scenes and a gag reel.
RUSS: 2 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags