KANSAS CITY, Mo — Is “Hot Pursuit” as hot as it’s hyped up to be? FOX 4’s Shawn Edwards and Russ Simmons have all the details and more in this week’s Popcorn Bag movie reviews.
- HOT PURSUIT (PG-13)
Warner Brothers
RUSS
Reese Witherspoon and Sophia Vergara are much too good to be trapped in the lame-brained chase comedy, “Hot Pursuit.” Witherspoon plays a by-the-book Texas policewoman who tries to protect Vergara, the wife of a Colombian drug informant, from hit men & corrupt cops.
SHAWN
Watching “Hot Pursuit” is like trying to eat soup with a fork. Everything is there, sort of. But you just can’t scoop it up.
RUSS
The plot’s contrived mechanics are all too obvious, thwarting any good will generated by the likable stars. There isn’t anything in this obvious farce that we haven’t seen before…and done better. Although the Oscar-winning Witherspoon is obviously slumming here, she has no one to blame but herself. She’s also the film’s executive producer. Pursue your entertainment elsewhere.
SHAWN
Despite all of “Hot Pursuits” flaws it’s actually hilarious. It isn’t coherent but gag reel funny. And Sofia Vergara takes charge as Reese Witherspoon sort of glides along, but they are good together.
RUSS: 2 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
- THE D TRAIN (R)
IFC Films
RUSS
When the characters are as annoying as the ones in the new comedy “The D Train,” even talented actors like Jack Black and James Marsden can’t save it. Black plays the irritating chairman of his small town’s 20th high school reunion committee. He thinks he can score by getting the most popular guy from his class, now an insufferable TV commercial actor, to attend. Black spins a web of lies to achieve his goal and it comes back to haunt him.
SHAWN
Jack Black just isn’t funny anymore, and the directions list “D Train” proves my point.
RUSS
Black and Marsden are terrific, but you won’t want to spend any time with either of them. Plus, the plotting is obvious and movie is spotted with events and dialogue that just don’t ring true. “The D Train” is one ride you’ll definitely want to miss.
SHAWN
I disagree. Black and Marsden are awful and the movie is the worst.
RUSS: 2 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 1 Popcorn Bag
- BROTHERLY LOVE (R)
Freestyle Releasing
SHAWN
In “Brotherly Love” a basketball star must deal with the pressures of fame in this Indy film that features terrific performances that at times get swallowed by the huge urban Shakespearean themes.
RUSS: DID NOT SCREEN
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
- PAY RESPECTS (N/R)
Javonne Films
SHAWN
And finally a big congrats to Diallo Javonne French whose short film “Pay Respects” shot in stark black and white powerfully sums up the state of music today. It’s brilliant and haunting with a searing soundtrack. Check it out on Vimeo.
Also opening this week:
-“White God” is a Hungarian film about a girl who tries to protect stray dogs deemed unfit by the state.
-“Dior & I” is a documentary about the fashion house’s new artistic director and his first couture collection.
-“Lambert & Stamp” is a documentary about a couple of young filmmakers who met some unknown musicians in 1960s London and became their managers. The band: The Who.
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Follow on Twitter: @fox4kc @RussSimmons1 @sedwardskc
