Random Ranting: PG-13

I'm not a big fan of the PG-13 rating.  (WARNING: uncontrollable ranting ahead)  While it originally was actually useful (and didn't cheapen the PG rating), it eventually became too "tame."  Like the PG rating, you could initially have multiple instances of "f--k," nudity (including breasts), and graphic violence (after 1984, a few PG-rated films were released with nudity or f-words, but this quickly stopped).  Now, most summer blockbusters are rated PG-13, and are very watered-down, with the PG rating almost being decried as too juvenile.  Thankfully, the PG rating is getting fixed so as to be less childish (you can now show boobies in an educational context, and you can even say "s--t" again [but nothing stronger]), and there is the occasional PG-13 film that will contain content that actually justifies the rating.  So, maybe there is hope for the ratings board.

Our Idiot Brother

"Nothing like two dudes and a dog making candles."  It's a shame that Paul Rudd isn't a star on the level of Jonah Hill or Seth Rogen - he's a really great actor, as this film clearly points out.  Funny, fresh, and - most importantly - extremely upbeat, Our Idiot Brother is one of those films that keeps you smiling throughout, without being enormously cliched or heavy-handed.  You find yourself rooting for the main character right away, since he's just an awesome guy who's in some not-so-awesome situations.  For God's sake, he gets thrown in jail because he sells pot to a police officer.  And he knows the guy is a cop - he's in full uniform!  And then he gets released from jail early because he was such a swell guy.  That's the kind of movie this is - a really sweet film.  Rudd means well, and he helps his sisters in his own special way - even if they don't know that he's really helping.

Rating: 92/100

Kill Bill

Undoubtedly Quentin Tarantino's most action-packed film, Kill Bill retains the director's unmistakable dialogue-heavy, heavily homaged style that is seen in his other films.  Perhaps Tarantino's most "conventional" film, Kill Bill is a two-part story dealing with the revenge of a bride who lost her groom to her former boss.  Armed with a samurai sword, she goes on a roaring rampage of revenge, taking down the people who killed her groom and family, one by one, until she reaches the head honcho: the titular Bill.  A love letter to action films (especially martial arts films), Kill Bill works on two levels (as do most of Tarantino's other films): on one level, it is a conventional action film, while on the other hand, it is artistic in a way (thanks to its heavy use of homage).
Split into two parts (Volumes 1 and 2) because of its length, Tarantino hopes to make a complete version by re-combining both parts with some additional footage.  It should be noted that the American release of Volume 1 features the climatic fight scene in black and white; this was done to avoid an NC-17 rating, as the scene is extremely violent and gory.
Pulp Fiction it ain't, but there is really no way that ANYONE can really make a better movie than that one; still, Kill Bill comes pretty damn close.  It should also be noted (as my father reminded me) that both Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction are told in a non-linear style (the former features a number of flashbacks, while the latter simply shows events out of order).

Rating: 90/100

We Bought a Zoo

I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!!!  Not many good, flat-out family movies get released anymore.  Most "family" movies today are either really, really juvenile or seem to be aimed more at adults (the latter of which, thankfully, is more common).  We Bought a Zoo harkens back to the days when family movies were for the WHOLE family.  There's no sneaky adult content (most of the "offensive" content is just a few stronger profanities), it's an inspiring story, and everyone can enjoy it.  Oh, and it is based on a true story.  We need more movies like this.

Rating: 85/100

Battleship

There are movies based on books.  There are movies based on comics.  There are movies based on television shows.  There are movies based on action figures.  And now... there's this: a movie based on a board game.  Yeah...  Somehow, it's not as bad as one would think.  It's not a very good movie, but it's okay.  Good action scenes, great special effects, and "stupid aliens" (my father's words) make for a reasonable way to spend two hours.  The movie remains sort of faithful to the board game, but does its own thing.  Also, it shows just how badass military veterans can be (even if they're old enough to have served in World War II), especially in the face of an alien invasion.  Also also, it's nice to see a movie where the aliens aren't immune to conventional weaponry (even a couple of cruise missiles or some five inch cannon rounds can take down a massive alien ship, and 20 mm rounds can shoot down smaller projectiles).  For a summer blockbuster, this one is just like the majority: dumb fun.

Rating: 70/100

Youth in Revolt

"In the movies the good guy gets the girl.  In real life it's usually the prick."  Are you a nice guy, who has always dreamed of just being a complete asshole sometimes?  That's the whole point of this movie: Michael Cera gets to play the nice guy AND the dick that is somehow irresistible to women.  And it's the same character, but they're different characters!  It's a little confusing, but very funny.  The most notable feature is the excellent cast, which includes Cera, Steve Buscemi, Zach Galifianakis, and Fred Willard.  A great little gem, this is actually based on a book of the same name by C.D. Payne.

Rating: 91/100

Team America: World Police

"Remember, there is no 'I' in Team America."  "Yes, there is."  From the creators of South Park, we get... this.  It's a puppet movie... for adults.  And the puppets all have deliberately crappy motion (because, y'know, they're freakin' puppets) and little puppet clothes and weapons and everything.  And they have to stop a puppet of Kim Jong-il (R.I.P., little one) from doing... something terrible to the puppet world (which in this case is the real world, just with puppets).  Do you think I'm overdoing the whole puppet thing?  Anyways, it's rude, it's crude, but it's hilarious.  EVERYTHING is hilarious.  And, much like South Park, there is a valuable lesson to be learned (which conservatives seem to really like).  Not for the faint of heart.

Rating: 76/100