Horrible Bosses (2011)

Charlie Day screams a lot -- just like Charlie Day always does -- and Jason Bateman is an understated everyman -- just like Jason Bateman always is. They try to do a three-way Strangers on a Train (Jason Sudeikis rounds out the trio) to get rid of the titular pains.

Everything about this movie is both ridiculous and not quite ridiculous enough. It reminded me a lot of the safe outrageousness of Date Night.

Apparently, big-screen attempts at funny by TV personalities = not all that great.

C

Young Adult (2011)

Charlize Theron plays a woman who's living a workaday life in the city while allowing those she left behind in her hometown to believe she's more important than she is. When she receives a "new baby" announcement from her former high school flame, she decides to go get him back.

Her character is wholly unlikable, not self-aware in the least, and unique (as a movie heroine...not as a person because I know several versions of her personally). Patton Oswalt, as a former "loser" classmate, does a wonderful job of speaking truth to her and helping to bring her down to earth. That she forgets what she's learned almost immediately felt almost profound in its truth.

I'm not really sure how I feel about it as I found it more horrifying than funny, but I definitely admire the performances and decision to not tie it up nicely. Precious few of these types of people have epiphanies and become better just because someone was honest with them.

B