11:14

4 Licks

2003

Rated R

Henry Thomas, Patrick Swayze, Barbara Hershey, Rachael Leigh Cook, Hilary Swank, Clark Gregg, Colin Hanks.

This movie deserves a lot more notice and accolades than it received. Superb dark comedy involving multiple storylines all converging at one point in time. The movie opens with an accident that occurs at 11:14pm, and backtracks from there to show events that lead up to that fateful moment impacting so many both directly and indirectly.

Robbery, murder, scams, lies and deceit…what more could you want in a dark comedy?! Drunk driving? Juvenile delinquency? Death? Dismemberment? Misinterpretations? Small-town cop trying to make sense of it all? Really? Well, if that’s what you want, you may be demented and others may think your sick sense of humor requires therapy, but hey, that’s awesome…because it means you’ll love this movie!!

Watching 11:14 unravel the stories from various individual perspectives, wondering just how or why each story somehow has a connection to the events that unfold one night around 11:14pm will leave you well entertained and amused.

Warning: Not all things are as they appear in your rearview mirror. Or maybe they are. I’m not telling. Just watch the movie and be glad you’re only a spectator!

40 Year-Old Virgin, The 

3 Licks

2005

Rated R

Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Catherine Keener, Elizabeth Banks.

The 40 Year-Old Virgin is often vulgar with a lot of swearing, but if you can stand that…you’ll find this movie hilarious! (For those of you who can’t take the vulgar language, you won’t make it through this movie…so don’t even try. Trust me on this.) Of course, if you were a 40-year-old virgin, you could probably understand the vulgar language and the frustrations or need for such dialogue.

Carell is perfect as the virgin. As I watched this movie, I really believed he had never had sex before. And I still don’t think he has in reality! Well, you know what I mean.

That’s either great acting or a sad commentary on the state of things in his own personal “office.” 40-year-old virgins, virginettes and born-again virgins, you make the call! No matter the state of your sexual life, you’ll enjoy this movie and it will probably make you feel better about your own situations…and positions (for those of you that have had some and “gotten some” *wink*).

American Dreamz

0 Licks

2006

Rated PG-13

Hugh Grant, Mandy Moore, Dennis Quaid, Willem Dafoe, Chris Klein.

American Dreamz is a satire on the reality show generation, wherein people are seemingly more interested in watching a bunch of loser dreamers on stage than in facing the realities of the world around them or in being part of that world and what goes on in it.

In American Dreamz, even the president (played by Quaid) is clueless! (Some days, that doesn’t seem like such a stretch. =p) Hoping to improve his popularity ratings, the president is set to judge the final two contestants on the "American Dreamz" show. The show itself is hosted by a weary but now rich host (Grant) and some of its contestants are chosen to maximize ratings, diversity and drama…regardless of their talent or lack thereof.

Are we sure this is a satire? It sounds like a normal reality show to me. =p Then again, I am no fan of the reality show genre, so to be fair, take my rating for what it’s worth. Maybe you have to be a fan of the reality show genre in order to appreciate this satire of it.

As for me, I couldn’t enjoy it less. Or maybe I could, but not much less. Mandy Moore (who plays one of the top contestants) is not a convincing actress to me. Sure, she can sing, but the movie focuses on a reality show and therefore its contestants aren’t supposed to be professional at that. In addition, the intended comedy was pretty much all played out in the commercials or previews seen prior to paying to watch this.

If you’re not a reality show fan, this is probably not "your movie."

Big Bounce, The

0.5 Licks

2004

Rated PG-13

Owen Wilson, Charlie Sheen, Morgan Freeman, Gary Sinise, Sara Foster.

With the diverse personalities cast in this film, it had a good chance to be an entertaining and unique film. However, those personalities and acting quirks were never fully utilized or capitalized in this film.

The story wasn’t as fun as it could’ve been. The lines weren’t as entertaining as they should’ve been.

Then, there’s the casting of the female lead…a role that went to former model Sara Foster. Had they chosen a real actress, this movie would’ve had a fighting chance to be worth something. However, Foster as the female lead sunk this movie. She lacked believability, depth, genuine understanding of personality, character and chemistry with Owen Wilson.

Other than the sex, it’s hard to see why Wilson’s character would want to have any sort of relationship or antics with her. Even the sex was a questionable reason as it seemed rather cold, empty shell-ish and completely contrived. A blow-up doll would’ve been warmer, more animated and probably more desirable in her talents.

Clerks     Writer/Director: Kevin Smith

2 Licks

1994

Rated R

Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith.

A convenience store clerk gets called into work on his day off. His day goes from bad to worse between things going wrong, personal problems, customers and their own issues and tales, etc., etc.....not to mention, it isn’t looking like he’s going to make that hockey game he’s supposed to play later in the day.

This black and white film has a good documentary type feel to it as you listen in on one convenience store clerk’s day. The acting, however, is completely unimpressive.

If you’re a convenience store clerk or enjoy watching, stalking, bugging or dating small-town loser clerks, you shouldn’t miss this movie. Not all convenience and video store clerks are losers, of course, but the two showcased in this film certainly fit the stereotype.

Evan Almighty     (follow up/sequel to Bruce Almighty)

3 Licks

2007

Rated PG

Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham, Wanda Sykes, John Goodman.

In modern day times, God warns Evan (Carell) of an upcoming flood and wants him – like Noah in biblical times – to build an ark. Naturally, Evan suspects stress has him losing his own mind well before he ever believes God has really called upon him for some monumental task or worthy purpose.  A flood where he lives? Impossible! Isn’t it?

Evan Almighty is a good story with a fast-pace feel to it. If you need a bathroom break during the movie, you’ll miss something. Thus, if you can’t pause the movie or your biological functions…go before the movie starts and limit your intake of liquid refreshment…or simply wear a diaper (but just don’t tell anyone)!

With Carell and Sykes, there are a lot of funny moments in this movie. Carell is even better as Evan the second time around (having also played Evan in Bruce Almighty), and the character played by Sykes is a scene-stealer with all the zingers she has for lines.

Though Bruce Almighty has a slight edge on humorous moments, Evan Almighty is still a great comedy to watch! Plus, you may learn a few things about ark building, just in case you ever need to know…

Godfather of Green Bay, The

2.5* Licks

2005

Rated R

Pete Schwaba, Lauren Holly, Tony Goldwyn, Lance Barber, Thomas Lennon.

The Godfather of Green Bay proves that the mullet is still alive and well…and living in some parts of rural Wisconsin on men still stuck on their glory days of high school. The mullet, however, is not the focus of the movie, nor is it on its way back “in.” (We hope.)

The movie focuses on a stand-up comedian named Joe (played by Pete Schwaba) who’s blown every single chance for notice, fame and celebrity in his umpteen-year career. Still believing in his friend, a fellow comedian convinces Joe to road-trip to small-town Wisconsin with him, where a powerful industry scout returns every year for Rocktoberfest / Octoberfest. With a rocky start, things aren’t looking good for Joe, but there’s still a chance he could get his big break yet…get the girl and live to tell about all of it.

However, the locals aren’t so amused, especially Big Jake (aka “The Godfather of Green Bay”), who feels Joe stole his girlfriend. If you’re from Wisconsin or elsewhere in the Midwest, see the movie. You’ll probably feel picked on, but it’s all in good fun. The Midwestern accent in the movie is entertaining, although Wisconsinites will likely claim they not only have no accent but that the one given them here is more of a Minnesotan accent…ala the movie Fargo. Minnesotans will try to deny this. Don't believe them.

Enjoyable comedy filled with small-town personas and habitats, as well as a love of football and staunch football-related rivalries. Green Bay rules! Bears suck! (And so do the Vikings, though the movie’s residents are more concerned about Bear-bashing.) Also included for your entertainment is the glory-days-living godfather doing the Macarena, thinking no woman can resist him after seeing him dance that. (Note to godfather: You should’ve done a polka instead! The date would probably still laugh, but hey…you could blame it on the beer. Or she could.)

*Earnote: The Godfather of Green Bay is a good comedy, but the lick rating is variable. We’ll start with an average of 2.5 Licks and go from there. If you’re from Wisconsin or are a Green Bay Packer fan, it’s at least one lick higher than average. If you’re from Illinois, take away one lick. If you’ve lived in Wisconsin but moved away and have been picked on for your accent (even though you still claim you don’t have one), add a lick. If you have friends from Wisconsin and/or enjoy poking fun at the alleged non-accent accent, add a lick. If you have no idea what or where a “Wisconsin” is or you don’t get the Wisconsin humor, minus two licks and immediately go “google” Wisconsin, Green Bay and the Packers!

If you’re a Chicago Bears fan, take away 2 licks, go to confession and accept the Green Bay Packers as your lords and saviors. If you’re a Vikings fan, remove no licks, but still…go to confession and accept the Green Bay Packers as your lords and saviors. (Win or lose, they’re always still lords and saviors!) If you don’t watch or enjoy football, stay out of Wisconsin. It’s sacrilege not to enjoy football when you’re in Packer country! And finally, when it's football season, root for the Packers. Always.

I Think I Love My Wife

0 Licks

2007

Rated R

Chris Rock, Kerry Washington, Gina Torres, Steve Buscemi.

A man’s marriage is less than perfect though, at first glance, he may seem to have a good home and family life in middle class America. With his marriage currently lacking sex, he fantasizes…and then bam! A hot, single female from his past shows up, tempting him as he wonders “what if…”

I think I didn’t love this movie. I think I didn’t find it funny. I think I didn’t love or even care at all for the husband, the wife nor the temptress. I think I would’ve loved skipping this movie!

This tale fails in so many ways…especially when it dares in any way to aspire to even think it’s a romantic comedy, unless somehow, the term as we know it has been wrong all these years!

Just Visiting

1 Lick

2001

Rated PG-13

Jean Reno, Christina Applegate, Matt Ross, Christian Clavier, Malcolm McDowell, Tara Reid.

A French nobleman and his servant from long, long ago are transported into modern day Chicago when a wizard’s spell goes wrong. They end up meeting one of the nobleman’s descendents (played by Applegate) and she takes them in, mistaking the nobleman for a cousin she thought had passed away. Thus she attributes his strange behavior and attire to amnesia or some other trauma he may have sustained. In amidst the new experiences, the nobleman keeps searching for a wizard to get back to his time so he can keep a tragedy from happening…which is what he was attempting to do when the wizard’s spell somehow sent him to present day Chicago instead.

The idea of time travel can be a hard sell, especially when the main focus of the movie seems to be the differences in time, as well as the reactions to new experiences or items completely unlike anything the time travelers had known before.

Just Visiting did not complete the sale. Though there were funny moments throughout the movie, much of that humor seemed to be cheap, corny and sophomoric humor. It’s the kind of humor you generally need to be in the mood for in order to enjoy it.

The story was bland. The jokes were stale and cheap. If you’re looking for a time traveling story, there are definitely better and funnier ones out there. (Try the Back to the Future trilogy, for instance.)

Mallrats     Writer/Director: Kevin Smith

1.5 Licks

1995

Rated R

Shannen Doherty, Jeremy London, Jason Lee, Claire Forlani, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Ben Affleck.

If you’re a Kevin Smith fan, you will likely like Mallrats more than I did, though many fans will admit it’s still not one of his better films.

In Mallrats, two geekish teen boys are dumped by their girlfriends so they decide to hang out at the local mall all day. Naturally, Jay and Silent Bob are there as well, in addition to others they know. The dumped boys decide to try to win back their girlfriends somehow…with the help of Jay and Silent Bob. A plan like that can’t possibly go wrong, can it?!

There are some entertaining moments in Mallrats, but all in all…I’d have rather spent my time – and  money – at a mall!

Mamma Mia! The Movie

4.5 Licks

2008

Rated PG-13

Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Christine Baranski, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper.

Mamma Mia! The Movie is a great comedic musical, featuring songs by ABBA. If you’re an ABBA fan, this is a “must-see” that won’t let you down!

Sophie (played by Amanda Seyfried) is about to get married, but really wants her father to give her away. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know who that is…so, unbeknownst to her mother (played by Meryl Streep), she invites the 3 men it “might” be to the island for the wedding. If that’s not asking for trouble and chaos, what is?!

This movie is perfectly cast and wonderfully carried out! The acting is great, as are the score/music, setting and storyline! ABBA fans --- you’re absolutely gonna love it!

On the downside, you may notice the lip movements don’t always match up with the singing, so try not to look too closely. We wouldn’t want this small oversight to ruin the joy of an otherwise great movie!

Though Meryl Streep may not typically be adored by movie-goers everywhere, she’s certainly adored by me, and not just for her work here! She’s got talent, personality, a mind of her own…and she knows how to use them all! Maybe it’s not so much that she isn’t liked, but that she’s envied for being what many others these days simply feel they can’t.

As for Amanda Seyfried, it’s time she made more movies and got out of that HBO Show called Big Love (even though I happen to love that show as well). In other words, she is a treat to watch in this comedic musical.

Now, as for the men in this film, it’s clear neither Pierce Brosnan nor any of the other men were hired for their singing abilities. But alas, this movie was for the women to shine, so this fact does not deter from one’s enjoyment of the film…but rather makes you applaud the men for their bravery in singing anyway. Of course, their bravest moment comes at the very end, but I’ll let you discover that for yourselves! 

Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life

3.5 Licks

1983

Rated R

John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones.

A mix of sketches all focused on matters related and pertaining to life as performed by Monty Python’s British comedy group.

Monty Python movies and shows excel at finding those little niches in society and tweaking, twisting and exploiting them to the nth degree for hilarity.

This movie does exactly that, but on the flipside – the funny doesn’t go above the usual expectations one’s come to expect from this British comedy troupe. (Monty Python and the Holy Grail, however, does…though I haven’t officially reviewed that movie at the time this review was done.) Still, though, at 3.5 Licks, this is well worth a watch for countless laughs!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles     Writer/Director: John Hughes

3 Licks

1987

Rated R

Steve Martin, John Candy, Michael McKean, Kevin Bacon.

Classic Hughes film. It’s the tale of that person you really hate who keeps hanging out with you anyway, oblivious to that fact. As much as you despise that constant presence or pestering, eventually, you realize you need – and maybe even begrudgingly – like that person on some level.

Steve Martin is the movie’s grown-up "cool kid," while John Candy is the movie’s stereotypical adult version of the "fat loser kid" who’s the better person if you give him a chance and take the time to get to know him. By the end of the movie, you realize Candy’s character is a loveable "loser," and somehow…Martin’s character is cooler for having known him.

No matter what the transport mode or entertainment vehicle, Martin and Candy work well together and are great in comedic roles.

Relative Strangers 

3 Licks

2006

Rated PG-13

Ron Livingston, Kathy Bates, Danny DeVito, Neve Campbell, Beverly D’Angelo, Christine Baranski.

An uptight professional played well by Ron Livingston wants to connect with his biological parents...but he’s a bit embarrassed to find “The Man-you-rays” he thought they were are actually “The Ma-new-ers” --- Frank and Agnes Menure (played superbly by DeVito and Bates).

Though the Menures are lovable in their own way; upper-crust, socially refined and part of the in-crowd, they are not. More often than not, Richard (Livingston) is embarrassed by their manners and behaviors to the point that his own behavior towards them jeopardizes his relationship with his fiancée Ellen (Campbell).

Relative Strangers is an enjoyable movie that brings smiles and laughter, while also helping you feel better about your own relatives and their less than perfect behaviors and peculiarities. Everyone is embarrassed by their own parents or other relatives at some point in their lives…or let’s face it…at many points through the course of life!

Of course, the movie’s lesson is that we should learn to accept each other for who we are as individuals, because like it or not…family is family and we are bound to them. This isn’t the first movie with this message or general story, but it’s a comfortable tale that is easily relatable – relatively speaking, of course. =p (Obvious puns intended.)

DeVito and Bates are excellently cast in their roles, ensuring the good-natured but unsophisticated Menures seem like people you might recognize somewhere in your own family tree or someone else’s. The likeability they give their characters might even make you feel closer to the embarrassing relatives you know…even if you’d rather not acknowledge that publicly, even just amongst friends! Livingston also does a great job acting as the uptight professional having a hard time accepting the less than enticing scent and essence of his biological roots.

School for Scoundrels

2.5 Licks

2006

Rated PG-13

Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Heder, Jacinda Barrett, Michael Clarke Duncan, Sarah Silverman, Ben Stiller.

Roger (played by Heder) is a stereotypical loser with low self-esteem, lack of confidence and no assertiveness. Upon a friend’s urging, he enrolls in a class designed to help its students become the “real men” they want to be. Of course, this is all done for the love of a woman…and it’s not going to be easy! Thornton plays the teacher with an extremely competitive nature…and a sudden interest in the woman Roger loves.

Main actors are well-chosen for their roles, as they make the story seem very realistic and plausible. Then again, who can’t relate to or identify with the suffering and struggles of stereotypical loserhood at some point in life?! School for Scoundrels is a good movie, regardless that the storyline is relatively non-stimulating.

When you’re in need of some easy, mindless instant pick-me-up type humor…this one’s a good choice! It won’t make your brain hurt or overheat.

Ten, The

4 Licks

2007

Rated R

Paul Rudd, Winona Ryder, Adam Brody, Famke Janssen, Liev Schreiber, Jessica Alba, Gretchen Mol, Rob Corddry.

The Ten is uniquely perverse and quirky take-off of each of the ten commandments. One man with more than his share of problems (and broken commandments) introduces ten different stories – all having relevance to a specific commandment – and each story somehow intertwined with another.

If you’re serious about your religion and/or don’t take kindly to those who exploit the humor in religious subject matter, skip this movie, as you will absolutely hate it.

However, if you…like me…are open to oddball comedies and have a mind or sense of humor others often find perversely bizarre…The Ten may even question whether or not your own thoughts are as “out there” as you think they are.

As the stories begin to unfold, you may think you won’t like this movie as it has you feeling you’re not sure WHAT you’re feeling or thinking…or even what you should be feeling or thinking. (It’s just that off-the-wall.) The more of the stories that play out, though, the more you’ll likely realize how much you really, really like this movie…even if, at times, you wonder why or how that is. It’s just so unusual that you can’t help but admire its audacity and outlandishness.

The situations are outrageous and some of the stories are just “sooooo wrong,” but in a movie like this…. “sooooo wrong” is more than right! Sometimes, “sooooo wrong” is exactly what you need to realize your mind isn’t the only one disturbed. =p Others have even more nefarious ideas than you! Or me.

See this movie not knowing quite what to expect…specifically. Even with all I’ve said, you have no idea this movie’s madness until you’ve seen it! Your mind will reel in wonder at the creative genius of it all!

Thank You for Smoking 

2.5 Licks

2005

Rated R

Aaron Eckhart, William H. Macy, Katie Holmes, Sam Elliott, Rob Lowe, Cameron Bright.

Thank You for Smoking. No, really. Thank You for Smoking! Better you than me!

But seriously…this is a good tongue-in-cheek comedy that will keep you alternately smiling and laughing throughout the movie – especially if you’re a smoker! The more you know about smoking and/or smokers, the more you’ll laugh along with them.

However, there are a few scenarios or set-ups that seem so morally or ethically wrong, I felt I couldn’t rate this higher than 2.5 Licks. That doesn’t mean I didn’t laugh at those, too, just that I felt a momentary need to go to confessional for finding the humor in them…and I’m not even catholic!

Earnote: With my sense of humor, I should probably have a confessional with 24/7 access on the premises.

There's Something About Mary 

4 Licks

1998

Rated R

Ben Stiller, Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Chris Elliott, Jeffrey Tambor, Markie Post.

This movie was hilarious for its time and is still quite comical today. It really helped launch Cameron Diaz – as Mary – into the big time. This catapulted Ben Stiller’s career as well.

Though Stiller plays much the same character in future roles, even with all the practice and experience he may have in later roles, it’s hard to beat how well that character works in this movie. The characters, situations and lines here are hilarious!

Stiller plays the grown-up, awkward geek boy from high school, and Diaz is that high school dream girl he (and so many others) still can’t get out of his mind, despite how awfully things turned out from a prom date that never made it to prom. There’s one flashback scene that could make a guy wince in pain, even if he can’t help but laugh. If you’re a guy, and this ever happened to you, hopefully it wasn’t on as special a night as prom night…and hopefully, there were no witnesses!

Still today, I think of this movie and chuckle anytime I hear someone mention franks and beans.

Thumbsucker

0.25 Licks

2005

Rated R

Lou Pucci, Tilda Swinton, Keanu Reeves, Vincent D’Onofrio, Vince Vaughn, Benjamin Bratt.

Teen boy with a serious thumb-sucking habit tries to break the habit and move on with life. Pure genius for a plot! A definite Oscar award-worthy film! Not!!!

If you watch this movie, keep your expectations low so you won’t be disappointed too much. And if you can, try sucking your thumb during the movie. You may find that your own thumb is actually more interesting and serves a greater purpose than the wasted time and space of Thumbsucker.

Thumbsucker couldn’t convince me to suck my thumb, nor even to give it (or the movie) more than one-fourth of a lick. And that quarter-of-a-lick is only for the odd, new-age / hippie dentist character portrayed by Keanu Reeves. The character was quirky enough to deserve at least some praise even if the rest of the movie’s elements deserved none.

Wedding Crashers

3 Licks

2005

Rated R

Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Christopher Walken, Jane Seymour, Rachel McAdams, Rebecca De Mornay.

Light-hearted, easy humor that doesn’t make you think too hard. Wedding Crashers is a great comedy to watch when you just want to escape for awhile, forgetting the worries and cares of everyday life. After a rough day at work, it’s a movie like this one that you’re really craving to see!

All of us, at some point or other, have likely wanted to “crash” a wedding, so this is a great movie concept. Vaughn and Wilson are perfect casting as the wedding crashing duo!

If you’re thinking of crashing a wedding or two, consider Wedding Crashers to be vital training in your “crash” course. You just might learn a few tricks of the trade – or even a few wedding toasts – from Wilson and Vaughn’s escapades.

Wild Hogs

2.5 Licks

2007

Rated PG-13

Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy, Ray Liotta, Marisa Tomei.

Four guys try to spice up their lives by road-tripping on hogs (motorcycles…not pigs or cops =p) together across the country. If ever a chick-flick could be made a guy-flick, this is the recipe: Random average middle-aged guys longing for their glory days ride off into the sunset (think of the sun as beer) on hogs…leaving their cares and lives behind for awhile, if only for a road-trip of open space, beer, camaraderie, the adrenaline of unexpected trouble and memories that will stay with them forever upon their return.

The concept behind this movie is attractive and enticing. We all wish we could just get up and go without a care in the world at some point in our lives, so it’s nice to see a film that shows others doing exactly that…even if we feel we often can’t do that ourselves.

This story demonstrates that sometimes in order to truly find yourself, you have to take that chance or that risk and do what’s normally against your nature to do. Sometimes, you have to become that wild hog reality has you holding back in order to know you…become you.  But how many of us ever do even when the opportunity and means are readily available?

Wild Hogs is an enjoyable movie that’s easy to watch. In fact, one might say it looks and seems too easy and that the actors had too much fun in making this movie. It’s hard to get past how much fun they seemed to have together. Maybe that’s a sign of great casting or great male-bonding. Either way (and oddly enough), it all seems too effortless and too fun, so that actually lowers my rating on this film.

I guess in some ways that effortless ease seems unnatural! Males bond?! In what universe?! Okay, so they do, but usually, they try to keep that secret from us females…or they’d be dragged to far more chick-flicks than they get away with now! Remember that guys…it’s all that’s saving you from more chick-flicks!

You, Me and Dupree 

2.5 Licks

2006

Rated PG-13

Owen Wilson, Kate Hudson, Michael Douglas, Matt Dillon.

What newlywed couple wouldn’t want to have their home and privacy invaded by one of their best friends? Okay, so the answer is probably none.

However, when a best friend, such as Dupree, is going through rough times, it’s hard not to offer him help, even if it means he’s sleeping on your couch for awhile. It’ll only be for a matter of days, right? He’ll get back on his feet in no time. He’ll be an immaculate and wonderful house guest, dedicated job hunter and won’t just take you and your new spouse’s hospitality for granted, right?

Dupree may be a fun guy to have around, especially being such a close friend, but it puts an extra strain on a fresh marriage that isn’t ready for raising kids, let alone “raising” a fully grown friend who still acts much the carefree, irresponsible child many over-stressed adults wish they could be at times.

Owen Wilson as Dupree is Owen playing his typical role or character, but he does it so well that it’s hard to fault him for it. He may not be all that diverse, but with Wilson, you always know he’ll provide the easy, carefree laughter you may need after a stressful week in reality.