Robert_Scott

It's hard to believe 24 years have gone by already since the Powerslave tour which also happens to have been my first concert and one of the most positive memories of my misspent youth. The excitement was overwhelming during that summer back in 1985 as I finally witnessed my favorite band of all time after first being exposed to them in 1982 when a Number of the Beast album caught my eye. Not a knock on the band but a lot of the band's success can be attributed to Derek Riggs who of course is the mastermind behind the artwork that is responsible for converting most fans as mentioned in the film. Ultimately, it is the music that keeps us coming back for more and as far as I'm concerned, the classic era in focus is what Iron Maiden is all about.

For those who don't know, it's called Flight 666 because this is the first time any band has taken a tour by air in their own private jet (suitably named "Ed Force One" and designed accordingly) which includes entire road and camera crew and several tons of stage equipment. The best part is, the plane is piloted by someone who to me resembles Daniel Craig with some crazy old school sideburns whose identity I will not reveal as not to ruin one of the film's many interesting surprises. So yeah, this film documents the cities traveled on their record breaking adventure providing further insight and retrospect to this great band's legacy as their way of saying thanks to all their fans that needs to be seen for yourself. I also heard the DVD will feature complete versions of the concert footage of songs like Revelations, Run to the Hills, Wrath Child and Iron Maiden so no need to pirate this with those annoying cell phones. Aside from that rude distraction and lack of the powerful atmosphere present in a live Maiden show, this film was without a doubt, aces high!

To be fair, I should explain right away I had no intention of seeing this movie at all not to mention Vince Vaughn hasn't done anything very good like Swingers and Made in some time (to me, Wedding Crashers and The Break Up were just O.K.). In fact, the bitter taste from last year's disappointing Fred Claus was still present when my girlfriend said she wanted to see this movie tonight. Of course, I cringed at the idea while mildly protesting but eventually gave in with the prospect of secretly indulging in an unspoken "I told you so". Only kidding, that thought never crossed my mind...

Anyways, I didn't even really know what this was about before seeing it but it didn't take long for the plot to be outlined after a pretty funny scene at the airport. Basically, after 3 years of avoiding spending time with their families on Christmas (remember, you can't spell families without "lies"), Kate and Brad find themselves in an unfortunate situation this year that forces them to spend Christmas with their divorced parents and very dysfunctional siblings. This concept could go either way for me because I really liked Christmas Vacation but disliked The Family Stone. Fortunately, just as it started out great this continued to be more like Christmas Vacation all the way through with several laugh out loud funny dialog and various slapstick that had the whole theater roaring with laughter. One of my favorite parts was a Nativity play where Vince Vaughn effectively delivers some hilarious over the top scenery chewing that had everybody in stitches... well, except Kate.

As funny as I thought this was, it wouldn't be a real Christmas movie without delivering some sort of constructive message among all the chaos. Since I can empathize with Vaughn in his situation with Kate, the film's resolution probably had more personal impact for me. I can also understand the criticism that most of the talented cast was wasted in comparison because the family situations were not addressed equally. What I liked the most about the film's brief serious turn is it wasn't syrupy while providing some genuine touching moments thanks to the believable acting skills of Reese Witherspoon, Vince Vaughn and of course the two screen legends, Bobby DuVall and Jon Voight. Best Christmas movie I've seen since Bad Santa and yes, I will listen to my girlfriend's suggestions without being such a Scrooge from now on:)

I remember way back in 2004 getting pretty stoked for Harold and Kumar go to The White Castle (as eloquently put by the great Fred Willard) because this was something I certainly could relate to after a great night of partyin' like a rock star.However, after watching the movie with such high expectations I honestly came out a little unsatisfied. As Simon Cowell once said, "It was like ordering a burger without getting the meat". Don't get me wrong, I still liked it to a degree but it seemed to try too hard with both the comedy and social commentary leaving a lingering stench of onion breath when it was all said and done (hey, it could have been worse if you pick up what I'm laying down).

Well, enough about that, because four years later, the boys are back right where they left off on a mutual quest to Amsterdam for their own reasons. Of course,the most crucial motivator of all, to smoke plenty of the finest weed in the world - legally (woot!). After a funny altercation with security at the airport (despite being diluted by being featured in the preview) the adventure fires back up as the overanxious Kumar has managed to cause a scenario that in the eyes of narrow minded yet hilariously idiotic Homeland Security Agent, Ron Fox (Rob Corddry who effectively channels a reminiscent Stanley Kowalski), is grounds for a hospitable vacation in G Bay instead- where the cock meat sandwiches are the featured everyday menu special. Yeah, it's exactly what you think it is.

Now here's where I think the movie somewhat changes direction to maybe aggravate or confuse a few viewers that I feel should be established right here and now. Instead of this being a movie mostly set in prison with a dramatic escape finale, the boys actually escape rather quickly turning it into another road movie in the spirit of the original and kinda like Eurotrip except it didn't suck. In the remarkably deft hands of writer/director team Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg backing this latest production, the delicate craft of separating the various adventures from potentially dismal absurdity into genuine comedy was so successful that I confidently say this has been one of the most improved sequels I've seen in some time. Not to mention, the real magic of this film doesn't end with consecutively funny scenes either. The heart and soul of this film is contained within the incorporation of a satirical and pertinent take on society's existing misconceptions as well as inversely examining solutions with a naturally realistic look at friendships and even romance...there was a bottomless party too.