The Hangover Part III

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In 2009, Todd Phillips and co. had a surprise smash hit with “The Hangover”, a movie about three men who awaken from a night of blackout drinking to find they’ve lost one of their friends. They then have to recreate the events of the night before in order to retrace their steps and find their friend. In 2011, Todd Phillips and co. had another smash hit with “The Hangover Part II”, a movie about three men who awaken from a night of blackout drinking to find they’ve lost one of their friends. They then have to recreate the events of the night before in order to retrace their steps and find their friend.

“Part II” was widely criticized for being a regurgitation of the first film. It was nearly a note for note facsimile, and critics punished it accordingly. In response, Phillips and co. pledged “The Hangover Part III” would not be “the same old thing”. Instead, they made a movie that has little to do with anything fans love about the first two films.

No drunken debauchery, no blackout, no “Hangover”.

Worst of all, few to no laughs.

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Readers’ Recommendations: The 39 Steps

thirty_nine_stepsHey everyone, it’s Friday, time for another entry in the Reader Recommendations series!

The Reader Recommendation series is intended to help me formally pursue all the great films that commenters bring up each week in discussion which I’ve never seen. If there’s a movie that comes up that I haven’t seen, but you think I should, email me @ fogsmoviereviews@gmail.com or let me know in the comments that you’d like to participate!
 
PG Cooper 2This time up, our recommendation comes from PG Cooper of PG Cooper’s Movie Reviews! He’s recommended the Alfred Hitchcock film “The 39 Steps”. As a Hitchcock fan, I’m always up to check out a movie of his that I haven’t seen, so I’m psyched about this recommendation!
 
Click through to check out what we had to say!
 

Readers’ Recommendations: “Spirited Away”

spirited_awayHey everyone, it’s Friday, time for another entry in the Reader Recommendations series!

The Reader Recommendation series is intended to help me formally pursue all the great films that commenters bring up each week in discussion which I’ve never seen. If there’s a movie that comes up that I haven’t seen, but you think I should, email me @ fogsmoviereviews@gmail.com or let me know in the comments that you’d like to participate!
 
BruceThis time up, our recommendation comes from old friend and FMR commenter Bruce Hewes, who’s recommended Hayao Miyazaki’s ”Spirited Away”. I’ve loved all the Miyazaki movies I’ve seen so far, so I’m excited to check out another one!
 
Click through to see what we had to say!
 

Readers’ Recommendations: “Ghost in the Shell”

ghost-poster-835357967Hey everyone, it’s Friday, time for another entry in the Reader Recommendations series!

The Reader Recommendation series is intended to help me formally pursue all the great films that commenters bring up each week in discussion which I’ve never seen. If there’s a movie that comes up that I haven’t seen, but you think I should, email me @ fogsmoviereviews@gmail.com or let me know in the comments that you’d like to participate!
 
ErikThis time up, our recommendation comes from Erik Sebok of Erik’s Movie 140, who’s recommended “Ghost in the Shell”. Along with “Akira”, “Ghost in the Shell” is one of those anime titles that you can’t escape hearing about, so I’m excited to finally check it out!
 
Click through to see what we had to say!
 

Now Showing on Cable: “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”

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Making its debut this weekend on Showtime was last year’s “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”, starring Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt.

“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” tells the story of two people involved in trying to introduce salmon to the Yemen River, at the behest of a wealthy Sheikh in the region. McGregor plays a an expert who initially decries the effort as unfeasible, but who slowly comes around to the possibility. He and Blunt have to work through the difficulties of both the project and their romantic lives.

It’s a lightweight little movie that won’t ask much of you over its runtime, but its optimism, combined with the charm of the leads, make it an enjoyable watch.

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Movies That Everyone Should See: “Planet of the Apes”

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Beware the beast Man, for he is the Devil’s pawn. Alone among God’s primates, he kills for sport or lust or greed. Yea, he will murder his brother to possess his brother’s land. Let him not breed in great numbers, for he will make a desert of his home and yours. Shun him; drive him back into his jungle lair, for he is the harbinger of death.

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Iron Man 3

Iron Man 3

The third installments of superhero franchises are known for being let downs, and “Iron Man 3″ will do little to dispel that reputation.

I don’t mind shallow if a movie compensates with spectacle. The action here, though, wasn’t enough to save the day. I found “Iron Man 3″ to be at times silly, misguided, dull, and disappointing. It’s still a big budget summer superhero movie, and as such, carries an inherent entertainment value. But anything else above and beyond is squandered, sadly.

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