steve carell

REVIEW: The Big Short 

/ Chris Luckett / Leave a comment
Photo: Paramount Pictures

Photo: Paramount Pictures

Chris Luckett

Many of the characters in The Big Short are hotshot brokers and bankers who trade in millions daily (before the financial crisis of 2008). Two, though, are younger guys who’ve never had the chance to land a big deal and just want a shot at the grown-ups table.

Adam MacKay is a talented director who’s always been held back a bit by the comedies he’s made: Step Brothers, The Other Guys, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and both Anchormans. He wasn’t the logical choice to direct a movie that has no shrieking, streaking, or Will Ferrell. The Big Short is his big shot. Continue reading →

REVIEW: Despicable Me 2

/ Chris Luckett / Leave a comment
Artwork: Universal Pictures

Artwork: Universal Pictures

Chris Luckett

A charmingly hilarious animated movie came out in 2010 about a villain, voiced by a popular comedian, who learned how much more satisfying life is when you choose love over world domination.

That movie was Megamind.

Despicable Me was also good, but traded sharp comedy and classic timing for toothless action and overly cute children. (It was the Monsters, Inc. to Megamind’s Shrek, if you will.) Even so, it made over $250 million, so audiences are now treated to Despicable Me 2. Continue reading →