Horrible Bosses 2

Review by Pamela Zoslov



Here's a surprise, a comedy sequel that isn't a huge disappointment. Even with a change of director and writers, HORRIBLE BOSSES 2, the follow-up to the 2011 black comedy, works fairly well. It may lack its predecessor's appealing raison d'etre – to act out audience fantasies of vengeance against abusive employers – but it compensates with a flurry of funny, silly, raunchy jokes, so many, delivered so rapidly, that a second viewing might be required. This is not a meaningful or important movie, just something wickedly amusing to lift early-winter spirits. These kinds of movies aren't for everyone – for god's sake, don't bring the children -- but I can't get enough of them.

The Iron Giant (January 17th at the CWRU Science Fiction Marathon)

[THE IRON GIANT screens Friday January 17th at 10:30 pm as part of the CWRU Science Fiction Marathon.]

Review by Charles Cassady, Jr.

When THE IRON GIANT made its debut in 1999, I worked for a newspaper then, a real one, complete with paychecks. Kind of hard to imagine now… Anyway, I published a rather lukewarm (or luke-cold) opinion of the Warner Brothers cartoon, which was a big rollout for the studio’s amped-up animation division. Then I sat back and watched as every other critic in the country declared the family flick a masterpiece beyond words.

I did feel rather sheepish and lonely in my minority stand, until meager ticket sales ensued. And mighty Warner Brothers got less than…giant…results in their big bid to be an animation powerhouse. Could the American people have shared my cynicism? Or were we all too vulgar and spoiled by the likes of Marvel Comic's Iron Man to appreciate the finer qualities of this robot-monster fable?

Wanderlust

Review by Pamela Zoslov

The comedy of David Wain, who comes from Shaker Heights, Ohio, is not for everyone. After the preview screening of his latest movie, WANDERLUST, some older audience members made their way out of the aisles shaking their heads and saying words like “disgusting!” Well, I certainly wouldn't recommend it to my 86-year-old dad. But tastelessness is a style choice, and has long been the hallmark of sketch comedian Wain (WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER, THE TEN) and his longtime writing partner, Ken Marino. If you don't mind a lot of gross absurdity, Wain and Marino's comedy can be pretty hilarious.