BC-NXT-FLICKIT:MCT – lifestyle, entertainment (450 words)
Flick it: Observe and Report,’ Hannah Montana: The Movie,’ Dragonball Evolution’
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(PHOTO)
By Ethan Alter
(MCT)
“Observe and Report”
Audiences that go into Seth Rogen’s new comedy expecting to see the same lovable lug from “Knocked Up” and “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” are in for a big shock. Written and directed by Jody Hill, “Observe and Report” casts Rogen as an emotionally-stunted, violence-prone mall cop who is closer to Robert De Niro’s Travis Bickle than Kevin James’ Paul Blart. Unapologetically rude, lewd and crude, the film goes out of its way to shock, even at the expense of laughs. Fortunately, much of the film is wickedly funny, including a final chase sequence that has to be seen to be believed. But make no mistake – this is one comedy that earns its R-rating.
1 hr. 30 mins.
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“Hannah Montana: The Movie”
The tween pop sensation returns to the big screen after last year’s wildly successful 3D concert extravaganza in what could potentially be the series finale of the Disney Channel’s long-running show. After getting into a tabloid-friendly scuffle at a high-end boutique, Miley Stewart (played by Miley Cyrus) is informed by her father (Billy Ray Cyrus) she will be officially retiring her Hannah Montana alter ego for two weeks while they head home to their remote Tennessee ranch, far from the temptations of Hollywood. Furious at first, Miley quickly adapts to life outside of the spotlight and stars to wonder whether it’s time to bid her pop star days goodbye for good.
1 hr. 43 mins.
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“Dragonball Evolution”
I’m not sure anyone was really crying out to see the popular anime series “Dragonball” turned into a live-action feature film, but someone went and did it anyway. Teen actor Justin Chatwin plays the show’s hero Goku, a warrior tasked with collecting seven magical “Dragonballs” before the evil Lord Piccolo (James Marsters, late of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) finds them. Chow Yun-Fat and Emmy Rossum are among the other stars picking up an easy paycheck for a movie that most likely should have gone directly to DVD.
1 hr. 25 mins.
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Ethan Alter is a New York-based film critic and journalist. He can be reached at nycfilmcriticgmail.com.
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(c) 2009, Ethan Alter.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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PHOTO (from MCT Photo Service, 202-383-6099).
AP-NY-04-07-09 1500EDT
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