Opening Everywhere: The Bourne Legacy, The Campaign, Hope Springs
FilmDrunk Suggests: Vince hates the Bourne movies so he sent me this message to include in this edition of WMG: “Whatever you do, don’t see any Bourne movies because I don’t like them. Go see Hope Springs because old boners are awesome.” I like the Bourne movies, so go see Legacy. [Not true! I said go see my comedy show! Saturday night! Buy your tickets here! -Vince]
The Bourne Legacy
Rotten Tomatoes Scores: 54% critics, 75% audience
Gratuitous Review Quotes:
“And while the door has been left ajar for Jason to return, the franchise has found a compelling, new hero in Aaron Cross and a commanding performer in Jeremy Renner.” – Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
“But most importantly, Gilroy keeps the Bourne mythology firmly intact while moving it forward, and leaves the door open for just about anything in the future.” – Tom Long, Detroit News
Armchair Analysis: No matter which way you look at it, the door is open for something, apparently. Either way, as a big, big fan of the Matt Damon trilogy, I’m not excited that this franchise will continue, but I can certainly live with it. I’d rather see the films turn more to the source material and involve Carlos the Jackal, but I guess that’s something I’ll have to hold my breath for.
The Campaign
Rotten Tomatoes Scores: 66% critics, 74% audience
Gratuitous Review Quotes:
“…it’s disappointing that “The Campaign” doesn’t work better. It’s a Will Ferrell comedy about politics, with Ferrell in the overconfident imbecile role he plays so well.” – Adam Graham, Detroit News
“This big, broad, laugh-out-loud farce isn’t in the business of deep swipes or sharp insights. Its main message is that politics pretty much makes fun of itself.” – Rafer Guzman, Newsday
Armchair Analysis: As much as I love Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, the trailer and commercial spots for this movie have looked like hell to me. It doesn’t help that I can’t stand Zach’s “Seth” character and that seems to be who he’s playing in this film, but this film should be a surefire smash with these two great comedians involved. I’m nervous.
Hope Springs
Rotten Tomatoes Scores: 77% critics, 74% audience
Gratuitous Review Quotes:
“Director David Frankel, who guided Streep to bitchy comedic heights in The Devil Wears Prada, works resonant wonders with a script by Vanessa Taylor (Game of Thrones) that has all the earmarks of a mawkish Lifetime movie.” – Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
“The cast is excellent. Meryl Streep, and I know you’re tired of hearing this, is fabulous. She makes Kay a rich, multidimensional character, emblematic of women in many relationships, who ride along for years only to finally confront a great emptiness on the edge of their souls.” – Clint O’Connor, Cleveland Plain Dealer
Armchair Analysis: I think this looks pretty damn funny because Meryl Streep is all like, “I want to have old people sex” and Tommy Lee Jones is all, “Girl, you’re crazy” and Steve Carrell is all, “I’m smart.” WARNING: If you live with your parents, they’re going to be doing it after they see this.