Bridesmaids

I was sure I'd give this movie a PURR after watching the first hour. Then things started to falter, and doubts crept in. Eventually, the story rallied, and enough laughs came in the final half-hour or so to hold the whole enterprise up in positive territory. But the unevenness is there, and worth noting, meaning this flick is not quite the perfect piece of work it is often made out to be. Still, this one is probably the best work from at least some of the principals involved, particularly Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and (maybe) Melissa McCarthy. It's definitely worth watching--I'm just saying maybe don't marry it.

Ghostbusters (2016)

If. That is the essence of everything with this movie: if. If this were an original idea; if there were not a classic movie that preceded and inspired this version; if this movie did not employ the gender-shift gimmick...If not for any of those aspects, then perhaps it could have earned more respect upon release. Judged on its own merits, the film certainly is worthy of respect; it's funny, engaging, and about as clever as one could expect given how high the bar was previously set. And the "controversial" casting is really not an issue; the ladies do a fine job, though only Kate McKinnon actually takes her role and runs with it, create something wholly fresh in this context. All in all, this is a good time at the movies, and--given the not so subtle hint of a sequel--worthy of attention now and in the presumed future.

St. Vincent

Everything in this film is telegraphed, fairly obvious, and not especially original. The thing that saves it--indeed, almost raises it above the ordinary--is the fact that much of the humor here is funny in its own right (not just derivative of earlier curmudgeon stories), along with the quality of the performances. It's hardly a perfect movie, but it provides enough entertainment to make it worth it.