Opening Everywhere: Anchorman: The Legend Continues, American Hustle, Walking With Dinosaurs, Her
FilmDrunk Suggests: Obviously, you should go see Anchorman because otherwise you won’t qualify for Obamacare and you’ll have to gay marry the Duck Dynasty guys. At least that’s what my Facebook feed tells me.
Anchorman: The Legend Continues
Rotten Tomatoes Scores: 75% critics, 76% audience
Gratuitous Review Quotes:
The whole thing goes down like a second, giant tumbler of scotchy scotch scotch: familiar, comforting and, ultimately, numbing. – Christy Lemire
This is the kind of movie where most people know what they want and are pretty sure what they will get, that being “more of the same, please.” – Andrew O’Hehir, Salon
Armchair Analysis: I don’t know what’s more surprising about those scores, that so many critics like it or so many moviegoers dislike it. Either way, I read a few reviews that shared the same notion of “There wasn’t anything special about the first Anchorman” and those people need to be pushed into a bear pit at the zoo. All of the bitching about promotional material and marketing aside, Anchorman is a national treasure and we’re lucky to be alive for this sequel.
American Hustle
Rotten Tomatoes Scores: 95% critics, 87% audience
Gratuitous Review Quotes:
Ambitious even as it studies, exploits and explodes ambition, “American Hustle” is as good as any American film this year. It’s also a lot of fun. Don’t miss it. – Tom Long, Detroit News
American Hustle is a movie built on that cornerstone of the American Dream, reinvention. If you’re not happy with who you are, or who people think you are, then go ahead and become somebody else. Anything to survive – and thrive. – Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Armchair Analysis: I imagine the only complaint about this film is “Not enough Jennifer Lawrence.”
Walking With Dinosaurs
Rotten Tomatoes Scores: 24% critics, 61% audience
Gratuitous Review Quotes:
You could write “Walking With Dinosaurs” off as harmless filler for the under-5 set, except that the only female dinosaur, Juniper, exists solely to moon over Patchi, who as a hatchling lost part of an ear to a winged predator. – Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Collee piles on references to such distinctly human concepts as ninjas and ballet, while 21st-century expressions (“Worst migration ever!”) and a forgettable selection of pop tunes feel instantly biodegradable. – Peter Debruge, Variety
Armchair Analysis: I don’t know why this movie is being so poorly reviewed, so I’ll just assume it’s because Justin Long is involved.
Her
Rotten Tomatoes Scores: 92% critics, 90% audience
Gratuitous Review Quotes:
It’s hard to imagine any actor of his generation who could have carried off the lead role in Her other than Joaquin Phoenix. – Dana Stevens, Slate
What gives the film a significant upgrade is Mr. Jonze’s gift for understated poetry, with intimations of philosophy. Lyrical flashbacks illuminate the love its hero once had, and lost. – Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal
Armchair Analysis: I normally can’t stand Joaquin Phoenix, but this looks like a fun movie. Maybe he’s benefiting from Shia LaBeouf out-Joaquinning him.