Reel News: Week of April 18 — Chimpanzee, The Lucky Ones, Think Like a Man, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Shame

Theatrical Releases This Week

Chimpanzee
Director: Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield
G; 82 mins
Trailer

In theaters Earth Day 2012, Disneynature’s newest True Life Adventure introduces Oscar, a baby chimp whose playful curiosity and zest for discovery light up the African forest until a twist of fate leaves Oscar to fend for himself with a little help from an unexpected ally. (Synopsis by Disneynature)

The latest of Disneynature’s films does not disappoint in the delivery of a “Disnified” tale of an orphaned ape as presented in a documentary style. However, the choice of Tim Allen to narrate is highly questionable. Perhaps Ricky Gervais was right for once.

The Lucky Ones
Director: Neil Burger
PG-13; 101 mins
Trailer

Director Neil Burger’s road movie The Lucky Ones stars Tim Robbins, Rachel McAdams, and Michael Peña as three Iraq War veterans who take a road trip together. The trio meet on their way home from overseas with Fred Cheaver (Robbins) finishing his service once and for all, while the other two — Colee Dunn (McAdams) and TK Poole (Peña) — are about to enjoy 30 days of R and R. A blackout leads to the three renting a car together after their flight is indefinitely delayed, and driving from New York to Cheaver’s home in St. Louis. Upon arrival, Cheaver learns that his wife wants a divorce, and his son needs 20,000 dollars in order to attend Stanford. Emotionally shaken, Cheaver tries to drop the other two off at the airport, but they refuse to go until they can help him through his troubles. The two of them, however, are going through their own issues. Poole suffered an injury while on duty that he worries will end his relationship with his girlfriend, and Dunn is trying to deliver a guitar to the parents of her deceased boyfriend, a fellow soldier who died overseas. (Synopsis by Perry Seibert, Rovi)

For every powerful documentary that has been born of the Iraq war, there is a terrible dramatic adaptation. This is yet another in the long line of failed dramatizations. What ends up being little more than a made-for-TV flick has plenty of heart, but no real punch to make it interesting. Watch “Restrepo” or “The Hurt Locker” instead of this condescending trite.

Think Like A Man
Director: Tim Story
PG-13; 120 mins
Trailer

Based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling book, Think Like a Man follows four interconnected and diverse men whose love lives are shaken up after the ladies they are pursuing buy Harvey’s book and start taking his advice to heart. When the band of brothers realize they have been betrayed by one of their own, they conspire using the book’s insider information to turn the tables and teach the women a lesson of their own. (Synopsis by the Official Site)

Credit should be given to the cast, which manages to save this from the many overlapping and ridiculous storylines. This easily could have been a complete disaster, but manages to be a mostly enjoyable date movie.

DVD Releases This Week

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
Director: Brad Bird
PG-13; 2 hr. 13 min.
Trailer

This is not just another mission. The IMF is shut down when it’s implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Ghost Protocol is initiated and Ethan Hunt and his rogue new team must go undercover to clear their organization’s name. No help, no contact, off the grid. You have never seen a mission grittier and more intense than this. (Synopsis by Paramount)

One of the most enjoyable action films of last year. Keeping the plot simple and focusing on the action is a formula that works. Cruise shows that he still has the ability to pull off this incredibly physical role. Did you forget he did all his own stunts?

Shame
Director: Steve McQueen (III)
NC-17, 1 hr. 39 min.
Trailer

Brandon (Michael Fassbender) is a New Yorker who shuns intimacy with women but feeds his desires with a compulsive addiction to sex. When his wayward younger sister (Carey Mulligan) moves into his apartment stirring memories of their shared painful past, Brandon’s insular life spirals out of control. (Synopsis by the Official Site)

Previously reviewed by The Dagger.