[Kill The Critic] The Independent Entertainment Blog [Film-Theatre-Comedy]

Sweet Release Tuesday: From "The Babysitters" to "Young @ Heart"

They grow up so fast...

I missed all but one of the 5 "sweet release" movies on the big screen, and I'm really on disappointed about missing one. It's a mostly sour week for DVD releases,  but I'll do my best to be a sweetart about the update. And check out our new samurai sword ratings. Just like the KTC logo, they'll stay till QT gets hip.

The Babysitters  If you expect a wholesome movie about the lives of babysitters, kindly lower your expectations. This trifle released in 2007 and soon forgotten appears to borrow from hooker exploitation movies rather than "The Babysitters Club". According to my online movie bible, IMDB.com: "A teenager turns her babysitting service into a call-girl service for married guys after fooling around with one of her customers.". I can't recommend buying this one, unless you're an independent movie theatre programmer looking for bad cinema in the year 2038. I will recommend renting it, because the actors (John Leguizamo, Cynthia Nixon) are quality even if the writing and direction aren't. 

KTC Rating: 2 out of 5 stars (For making me chuckle and cringe at the same time.)
Avg. Critic/Audience Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

The Love Guru  "His Karma is Huge"?! I won't pretend to understand why Mike Myers (who co-wrote the script) made this movie. Myers portrays a fledgling self-help guru, and I can't help but wonder if he wants to be the next Peter Sellers. He's trying to hard for laughs - and it shows in the trailers and reviews. Sometimes the critics are right. I'm taking the the advice of one of them and buying the Austin Powers' movies. There's a cool deal on the series on VHS at the local Dollar General. I discovered it while looking for a board game I could play while babysitting. Last weekend we watched "Goldmember", and this weekend we're buying "The Spy Who Who Shagged Me".  The original Austin Powers can wait a while. Or I'll rent Casino Royale. 

KTC Rating: 1 out of 5 (Feeling little pity for Pitka.)
Avg. Rating:  2 out of 5 stars

Made of Honor  Who else remembers the '80s classic "Can't Buy Me Love"? Well, the premise of Patrick Dempsey's "My Best Friend's Wedding" rip-off makes me miss the good old days when he was charmingly goofy - and he still got the girl. In this romantic comedy, Dempsey is a player who pitches poo - I mean woo - to his best friend after she asks him to be his maid of honor. I don't know (or care) if he gets the girl in this one, but I do know it sems decent enough to recommend as a rental at the $1 kiosk at the Wal-Mart or McDonald's. 

KTC Rating: 2 out of 5  (I'd rather watch Dempsey for free on "Grey's Anatomy".)
Avg. Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Speed Racer - The Wachowski brothers visual candy was panned by many critics, but I didn't mind the over-the-top cinematography and when I caught this as a preview at the Alamo South. The nearly perfect casting of actors and adorable Chim-Chim (non-CGI, thank goodness) rekindled my fondness for the bizarre animated series. Christina Ricci nearly wore out my last cuteness nerve as Trixie, but I now have a crush on Emile Hersch (Speed), and more respect for Matthew Fox (Racer X) who isn't content just resting in the paradise of "Lost".   And the kid playing Young Speed is a scene stealer. The downside of watching this is the exact reason I can't recommend buying it - unless you have a jumbo flat screen or tricked out home theatre. The sights and sounds are best seen on the big screen, especially the unbelievable off-track sequences and wacky announcers. Rent it this week and enjoy. 

KTC Rating: 3 out of 5
Avg. Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Young at Heart  I'm imagining my beloved maternal grandmother singing covers of rock classics, and laughing. Not because it would be ridiculous, or adorable, but because she couldn't carry a tune with a handle. That expressed, I enjoyed watching the trailer of this movie at the Arbor, and wasn't happy about missing it in theatres. The independent documentary about senior citizens bringing the joy of living to others through the joy of music is inspiring as it is humorous. Or so I've read...Highly recommended to buy and add to your indie cred, or rent and rock out with the seniors thanks to Vulcan or I ♥ Video if the wait for Netflix is too long. 

KTC Rating: 4 out of 5
Avg. Rating: 4 out of 5

And that's it for sweet releases - until next week.

~ diy danna