Sir Critic on Cinema

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Sir Critic, alias Eric Robinette, reviews movies — both blockbusters and arty stuff — comments on theaters and opines about everything else cinematic.

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February 2009

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Home > Blogs > Sir Critic on Cinema > Archives > 2009 > February > 03 > Entry

Today’s DVDs: Madagascar 2, and 2 romances

By Eric Robinette | Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 10:14 AM

After a few moribund weeks, the DVD slate rebounds a bit this week by offering two unusual romances and … well, I really don’t consider the Madagascar sequel a rebound, but what can you do?

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa: I wasn’t a fan of the original Madagascar, which I thought was exhibit A as to why DreamWorks’ animated films don’t endure: It emphasized a string of pop culture gags over a story. But at least the penguins were funny. So it was all the more disappointing when the sequel got off to a very promising start, and then descended into the same old lame gags. And sadly, the penguins aren’t funny this time. Full review GRADE: C (Note: For reasons unknown, this is coming out Friday instead of Tuesday.)

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist: This didn’t make much of a splash last fall, considering the strong buzz that was behind it. Maybe that’s because the movie’s not really as edgy as it wants to be. It keeps diffusing its own energy with uninteresting subplots. That said, the movie delivers for the same reason any romance delivers: I really liked the lead couple, in this case winningly played by Michael Cera and Kat Dennings. Full review GRADE: B

Zack and Miri Make a Porno: I perhaps foolishly thought that this movie about a platonic couple that decides to (see title) would be a breakout hit for writer-director Kevin Smith, but it ended up being a steady but unspectacular performer, like most of his movies. It deserved better. Although Smith’s ribald humor doesn’t always mesh well with the sweetness of the romance, the best gags are hysterical, and Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks make an ideal couple - even though their characters take a long time to realize that. Full review GRADE: A-

Also out today

The Secret Life of Bees: This adaptation of the Sue Monk Kidd novel turned out to be a solid little sleeper hit. And in the department of weird coincidences, how strange is it that this movie starring Dakota Fanning comes out on the same day as her notorious Hounddog (AKA the rape movie), and in the same week that her sci-fi thriller Push lands in theaters?

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