Transformers: The Revenge Of The Fallen

Star Trek

UP!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

The Hangover

Bruno

Terminator Salvation

G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra

Angels & Demons

District 9

Inglorious Basterds

Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs

 

Is he ever going to be a Cary Grant, Russell Crowe or Hugh Jackman style lead in a film, of course not but look to him to be the unthreatening kid next door you’d let your daughter go out with. Perhaps it’s time for a really clever comic hero that doesn’t need silly sex jokes. Look for a possible series of Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy type pictures with Michael Cera and Jonah Hill only it’s Cera saying “another fine mess you’ve gotten me into.” Unfortunately in Year One it was Jack Black that got Michael Cera into a fine mess. 

From Juno to Year one, Michael Cera seems to add something special to each of his movies: a little humility, a little everyman and lots of non threatening personality. Is it possible he could make a career out of it, I think maybe yes. He reminds me most of the unassuming Jimmy Stewart only more so. He's not dynamic nor fabulously good looking or even seemingly interesting yet his little one liners are brilliant and to the point. That was the only thing I enjoyed in Jack Black's new film: Year One, those little off hand comments from Cera. I can't wait to see what he does to impress us next.

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F

Jack Black and Michael Cera star in what could be the worst comedy of this or any generation. Well, that may be a slight exaggeration, maybe only the last decade. Now don't get me wrong, there are laugh spots in the film, spaced strategicallythroughout, but overall nearly every one was in the trailers.

Jack Black is particularly annoying and that wonderful likeable something seemed mostly absent and I'm a great fan. He is usually loveable, funny and gently challenging the status quo. In Year One, not so much. The film is a rehash of cheap jokes, one-liners and sexual deviance. I usually love this type of film, but this one is so bad, so cheap and silly that I wouldn't recommend it even to the hardiest fan. There is one bright spot: Michael Cera. His little comments, dry as a bone and seemingly off the cuff are original, funny and beautifully delivered. There is little else in the film that works.

There are so many really funny period films to recommend: Life of Brian, Caveman and the film of all films Monty Python and the Holy Grail to name a few, all of which are quirky, unusual and about a million times better than Year One. Please, Please don't reward these people for making a film like this.

Rating .5 on a scale of 5.

Every week I'm going to spend a few minutes warning you about what to watch and what to run away from. This weekend I think your Nike's will gain some much needed use. I will be doing the suffering for you. I'm going to visit the latest film by Sandra Bullock: anyone seen a cougar around here? And the newest Jack Black vehicle called Year One. It's all for you my faithful ones, I will take the brain damage. After all, I'm already crazy.

The Proposal READ MORE

It doesn't take a caveman to figure out that Year One has taken a few ideas from classic comedies Monty Python's Life Of Brian or Mel Brooks' History Of The World: Part I. But how does this new caveman buddy picture do in comparison? READ MORE