"Office Christmas Party" Review by Tim Hellman

'OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY': Four Stars (Out of Five)

A Christmas comedy film about a group of desperate employees, that are trying to save their company's branch (from being closed) by throwing an awesome office Christmas party (to attract a potential big client). It was directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon; and it was written by Justin Malen, Laura Solon, Dan Mazer, Jon Lucas, Scott Moore and Timothy Dowling. The film stars Jason Bateman, T.J. Miller, Olivia Munn, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney B. Vance, Kate McKinnan, Jillian Bell, Rob Corddry, Vanessa Bayer, Karan Soni and Randall Park (Bateman and Aniston also starred in Speck and Gordon's last movie 'THE SWITCH'). It received mostly negative reviews from critics, but it has done well at the Box Office (so far). I enjoyed it.

Clay Vanstone (Miller) is the branch manager of Zenotek's Chicago branch. His sister Carol (Aniston) is the company's intermediate CEO. She also resents Clay, because Clay was always their father's favorite (who recently passed away). Carol is threatening to make huge cuts, to the business, and possibly shut down Clay's branch; unless they can meet her new quarterly quota. One way, they could possibly do this, is by partnering with Walter Davis (Vance). Clay thinks the best way to impress him is to throw an awesome office Christmas party; which he, and his technical officers (Bateman and Munn), invite him to.

The movie is pretty funny (in places) and the cast is all awesome in it (especially Miller). I wouldn't call it a Christmas classic though; only time will tell I guess, but I seriously doubt it. It is well made though, it has a great premise and it's very humorous (from time to time). None of the jokes are that bad either (and it's never painful to sit though), that's a big positive in my opinion.

"Zootopia" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'ZOOTOPIA': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

The 55th feature film from Walt Disney Animation Studios. This one revolves around a world of anthropomorphic animals; where a cop bunny teams with a con artist fox, to solve a missing animal case. It was directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, and co-directed by Jared Bush (the trio also co-wrote the movie, with 5 other writers). The film stars the voice talents of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Jenny Slate, Nate Torrence, Octavia Spencer and Tommy Chong. It's received nearly unanimous rave reviews from critics, and I have to agree; it's one of the best films of the year (so far)!

Judy Hopps (Goodwin) had always dreamed of becoming the first rabbit police officer (since childhood). When her dreams finally come true, she's assigned to work at the Zootopia police department. Zootopia is a large metropolis; of all kinds of different mammals. Judy is (of course) initially met with a lot of skepticism (and prejudice). She tries to prove herself, by solving a missing otter case. She teams up with a clever con artist fox, named Nick Wilde (Bateman), in order to do so.

The film is beautifully animated, and full of colorful (likable) characters. It's both funny and surprisingly touching; but what's most beautiful about the movie, is it's insightful message about bigotry. You can never judge anyone by their appearance, or social background, and what better way to illustrate that message to kids; than with a world full of various types of animals. I love this movie, because of that message (it's one that means a lot to me), and I don't usually love Disney animated films. This one is pretty important.

Official Trailer for Joel Edgerton's "The Gift"

STX Entertainment recently released the official trailer for Joel Edgerton's directorial debut "The Gift". The film stars Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall and Joel Edgerton.
 
"The Gift" is slated to hit theaters on July 31st.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at  http://giftmovie.com/

Plot Synopsis:

Can you really go through life having never wronged anyone? Even if you are unaware of how, or when, and even who you may have wronged...chances are there is someone out there who won't ever forget it...or you.

Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) are a young married couple whose life is going just as planned until a chance encounter with an acquaintance from Simon's high school sends their world into a harrowing tailspin. Simon doesn't recognize Gordo (Joel Edgerton) at first, but after a seemingly coincidental series of encounters proves troubling, a horrifying secret from their past is uncovered after nearly 20 years. As Robyn learns the unsettling truth about what happened between Simon and Gordo, she starts to question: how well do we really know the people closest to us, and are past bygones ever really bygones?

"The Gift": Official Trailer

Joel Edgerton's Directorial Debut is Titled "The Gift"

STX Entertainment and Blumhouse Productions recently released information they've titled Joel Edgerton's directorial debut "The Gift". The film stars Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall and Edgerton.
 
"The Gift" is slated to hit theaters on July 31st.

Press Release:

Motion picture and television studio STX Entertainment and Blumhouse Productions have officially titled their Joel Edgerton-helmed film The Gift, it was announced today by Adam Fogelson, Chairman of STX Entertainment's Motion Picture Group.

Set to debut on July 31, 2015, this chilling, contemporary psychological thriller marks the writing and directorial debut of acclaimed actor Joel Edgerton (The Great Gatsby, Zero Dark Thirty, Warrior), and stars Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall and Edgerton. The film is produced by Rebecca Yeldham (On the Road, The Kite Runner) and Jason Blum (Whiplash, The Purge).

Can you really go through life having never wronged anyone? Even if you are unaware of how, or when, and even who you may have wronged...chances are there is someone out there who won't ever forget it...or you.

Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) are a young married couple whose life is going just as planned until a chance encounter with an acquaintance from Simon's high school sends their world into a harrowing tailspin. Simon doesn't recognize Gordo (Joel Edgerton) at first, but after a seemingly coincidental series of encounters proves troubling, a horrifying secret from their past is uncovered after nearly 20 years. As Robyn learns the unsettling truth about what happened between Simon and Gordo, she starts to question: how well do we really know the people closest to us, and are past bygones ever really bygones?

"Horrible Bosses 2" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'HORRIBLE BOSSES 2': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Sequel to the 2011 hit comedy flick 'HORRIBLE BOSSES', which was about three friends who team together to try to murder their bosses. This time the buddies plot to kidnap the adult son of a rich businessman, who conned them out of their own business dreams. All of the main cast, of the original film, is back for this installment (except Colin Farrell, who's character died in the first movie); including Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey and Lindsay Sloane. They're joined this time around by Chris Pine and Christoph Waltz. It was directed by Sean Anders and written by Anders and John Morris (along with John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein). Anders and Morris are the same team that wrote other popular comedy flicks like 'SEX DRIVE' (which Anders also directed) and 'SHE'S OUT OF MY LEAGUE'; they also co-wrote 'HOT TUB TIME MACHINE', 'WE'RE THE MILLERS' and 'DUMB AND DUMBER TO' (I'm a big fan of theirs). I wasn't a fan of the original 'HORRIBLE BOSSES' but I absolutely love this sequel!

Nick Hendricks (Bateman), Dale Arbus (Day), and Kurt Buckman (Sudeikis) have decided to start their own business together; instead of having to continue to answer to the horrible bosses of other companies. They've come up with a unique shower head invention, they call 'Shower Buddy', and think they've attracted the interest of a rich investor and his son, named Bert (Waltz) and Rex Hanson (Pine). Bert promises the trio that he'll buy 100,000 units from them but after they take out a $500,000 loan, and make the product, he backs out of the deal; he then plans to buy all their shower heads, at a discounted foreclosure price, to sell himself. In order to get their money back Nick, Dale and Kurt decide they're going to kidnap Rex and ask Bert for the $500.000, they lost, in ransom. Things, of course, don't go as they planned.

I liked the idea of the original movie but just didn't find it to be that funny; I thought a lot of the jokes fell flat (despite an awesome cast) and didn't think it seemed very inspired (especially considering the great premise and great cast). This installment gets everything right that the first film got wrong. First of all it's hilarious, from beginning to end, thanks in large part to the directing of Anders and the clever writing team of Anders and Morris. The jokes rarely miss this time around and it's got a pretty clever caper storyline, and an awesome car chase climax, to boot! The film's success is also thanks largely to the outstanding cast, that seems like they're having a lot more fun this time; you can see it in the bloopers (in the end credits) and you can also just feel it in the movie (the whole way through). This is comedy done right; much better than the original!

Official Red Band Trailer for the Upcoming Jason Bateman Comedy "Bad Words"

Focus Features recently released the official trailer for the upcoming Jason Bateman film "Bad Word". Jason Bateman directs and stars in the film along with Alison Janney, Kathryn Hahn and Phillip Baker Hall. "Bad Words" hits theaters in limited release in March.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: BadWordsMovie.com


Plot Synopsis:

Jason Bateman makes his directorial debut with the subversive comedy, BAD WORDS.

Bateman stars as Guy Trilby, a 40-year old who finds a loophole in the rules of the National Quill Spelling Bee and decides to cause trouble by hijacking the competition. Contest officials, outraged parents, and overly ambitious 8th graders are no match for Guy, as he ruthlessly crushes their dreams of victory and fame.

As a reporter attempts to discover his true motivation, Guy finds himself forging an unlikely alliance with a competitor: awkward 10-year old Chaitanya (Rohan Chand of ‘Homeland’), who is completely unfazed by Guy’s take-no-prisoners approach to life.

"Bad Word": Official Trailer