'The Naked Gun' Review

Liam Neeson is no Leslie Nielsen. But I found the new Naked Gun to be pretty darn enjoyable. My review is up at Screen International. 

'A Million Ways to Die in the West' Review

I want to put this on the record: I don't like Seth MacFarlane's comedies, but I can't deny that they give me an odd little buzz. Whether it's Family Guy or Ted or his latest, A Million Ways to Die in the West, MacFarlane has such an unpredictable, explosively abrasive comedic style that I'm never bored. (I don't often like what I see, but I'm never bored.) But his considerable talent remains secondary to his sizable weaknesses. I reviewed A Million Ways for Screen International.

So, Was Seth MacFarlane a Terrible Oscar Host?

To my shock, I have to answer "no." (I say shocked because my feelings about this man are well-documented.) Granted, he wasn't good, either. But I do give an Academy Awards points for at least injecting a little energy and new ideas into the show. Of course, I do think MacFarlane was helped by the fact that he hosted one of the more unpredictable Oscars in terms of the winners -- that always helps. My review of the show is up at Deadspin.

Back Stage: A Great Movie Weekend Awaits You

Sometimes with my Back Stage Screen Grab column, the pickings can be extremely thin. Not this week: There are several strong films opening this weekend, whether wide (Magic Mike) or in limited release. With that said, I do want to take a moment to say how much I enjoyed the French film Unforgivable, which I describe as not quite a thriller and not exactly a drama. However you define the film, it's good stuff. Take a peek at the whole column for my complete rundown of seven new releases.

'Ted' Review

Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane makes his feature debut with Ted. My prediction: Your feelings about Family Guy will be just about exactly your feelings on Ted. (You know how I feel about that particular show.) My Ted review is up at Screen International.

Brian Lowry on 'Sit Down, Shut Up'

My tastes tend to line up with Variety's Brian Lowry's quite often. So his take-down of Sit Down, Shut Up is a real bummer:

"Sit Down, Shut Up” is an odd hybrid, and not just because the series places animated characters against photographed backdrops. Mixing social satire with a relentless array of kinky sex jokes, the early episodes limbo beneath the bar of bad taste set by Seth MacFarlane’s animated fare, feeling more suited -- mostly for ill -- to Comedy Central or Adult Swim’s latenight menu than primetime on Fox. Despite a pedigree that includes “Arrested Development” creator Mitch Hurwitz and many of that program’s stars, “Sit Down” seldom rises above sniggering double entendre. Seemingly preoccupied with impressing teenage boys, the show should possess scant appeal outside that demo.

For the record, put me down as someone who's not clamoring for the much-discussed Arrested Development movie. But I'd rather have that than what it sounds like we're going to be getting on Sunday with this.