Think Like a Man

Think Like a Man (Rated PG-13)

Starring Kevin Hart, Steve Harvey, Gabrielle Union, Michael Ealy, Jerry Ferrara, Meagan Good, Regina Hall

Directed by Tim Story

Plot: When their women start using Steve Harvey’s book as a romance guide, they try to use it against them.

“Think Like a Man” has its flaws.  At a little over two hours, the movie is too long for a rom-com.  The story is fairly uninspired and entirely predictable.  The actors range from decent to over-the-top.  There is also little-to-no character development.  Yet, despite these flaws, the movie ultimately works and is a decent night out at the movies.

Four friends in various stages of relationships find the women they are dating are using a book by Steve Harvey to manipulate them into becoming the men they want them to be.  At first they are outraged and set out to use the book to manipulate them back.  Seems like a good idea right?  Only until the whole thing blows up in their faces, and they have to decide if it’s time to change their ways for real.

As I stated above the acting is hit or miss.  Kevin Hart plays Kevin Hart.  He’s a great stand-up comedian, but he tends to play the same type of character no matter what role he’s playing.  Gabrielle Union is very good here, just as she was earlier this year in “Good Deeds.”  In spite of some uneven performances, the actors all have decent enough chemistry, it works.

The story could have used some work.  There is nothing original here, and let’s face it, at 122 minutes, there should have been time for some character development instead of sticking us with about every male and female cliché the writers could imagine.

While it’s a decent enough movie, I’d probably recommend waiting until it comes out on DVD to watch it.

The film is rated PG-13 for brief drug use, some (mild) crude humor, and sexual content.  Since most of this film is about the guys getting laid, that should be expected.

The Lucky One

The Lucky One (Rated PG-13)

• Starring Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Blythe Danner, Riley Thomas Stewart, Jay R. Ferguson
• Directed by Scott Hicks
• Plot: After finding a picture of an unknown woman that he credits with saving his life, a soldier travels to Louisiana to find her and thank her.

I’m the first to admit that I am not the target audience for this film, even though if you ram a bamboo shoot up my fingernail, I’ll admit I cried at “The Notebook.”  This is another sappy romance by Nicholas Sparks who has turned his already successful writing career into a teen girl movie factory.  Insert shirtless hunky guy and maybe a little rain.  Presto!

Zac Efron plays Logan Thibault, a Marine serving his third tour of duty in Iraq.  After he finds a photo of a mysterious young woman (Schilling), he makes it his good luck charm.  After he gets home, he finds out her name and ends up on the door step of her family-run dog kennel in Louisiana.  It turns out her name is Beth.  She’s a single mom, and the picture belonged to her brother who was killed in action.  Unable to find the words to thank her, he ends up working there and romance soon follows.

All of the actors do a decent enough job with their performances.  Efron and Schilling have good chemistry.  Unfortunately, the story doesn’t ever raise the characters beyond the cliché level, particularly Ferguson’s role as Beth’s ex and the local sheriff.

The storyline never really rises above that of your typical daytime melodrama, but I’ve sat through worse movies. 

In the end, it’s your typical formulaic Nicholas Sparks film.  If that’s your cup of tea, then “The Lucky One” shouldn’t disappoint.

Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee (Rated G)

• Narrated by Tim Allen
• Directed by Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield
• Plot: A documentary about a young chimpanzee who is orphaned and then taken in by an adult male in his troop.

Made in coordination with the Jane Goodall Institute, “Chimpanzee” is a beautiful ode to the animals most closely related to humans. The movie gives its audience an in depth look into the lives of a troop of chimpanzees. Both beautiful and savage (not too savage though as the film is Rated G), we see them interact as a group and battle an encroaching troop.

The primary focus of the movie, though, is Oscar. An infant chimp who is lovingly cared for by his mother, until she is killed and leaves him an orphan. Oscar's life is forever changed. He seeks care from the other females of the troop, but they deny him. Oscar is left to die, until something unusual happens. He is taken in and cared for by the male leader of the troop, and they develop a bond as close as Oscar had with him mom.

The movie isn't without its flaws. The chimps are overly anthropomorphized in order to weave the story Disney wants to tell. This is made worse by their choice of narrator. Don't get me wrong. I like Tim Allen, but he is just a poor choice for the narration. He makes the whole thing seem a little cheesy. I would have much rather have seen Morgan Freeman or Sir Richard Attenborough narrate and give the movie its appropriate gravitas. Besides, the film would have stood on its own without the narrative.

The captured footage is astounding. Directors Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfielddeserve to be kudized for what they accomplished with Chimpanzee and their other nature endeavors. Make sure you stay through the credits to see how they captured some of it. This is a sweet addition to the DisneyNature film series and should appeal to young and old alike.