Reel News: Week of June 24 — White House Down, The Heat, Burt Wonderstone, No

Upcoming Theatrical Releases

White House Down
Director: Roland Emmerich
PG-13; 137 mins.
Trailer

While on a tour of the White House with his young daughter, a Capitol policeman springs into action to save his child and protect the president from a heavily armed group of paramilitary invaders. (Synopsis by IMBD)

No, you are not experiencing déjà vu-this is not a re-release of the recent “Olympus Has Fallen.” It is, however, just as forgettable and pointless. Save your money and watch the White House explode on your DVD of “Independence Day.”

The Heat
Director: Paul Feig
R; 117 mins.
Trailer

Uptight FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) and foul-mouthed Boston cop Shannon Mullins (Melissa McCarthy) couldn’t be more incompatible. But when they join forces to bring down a ruthless drug lord, they become the last thing anyone expected: buddies. From Paul Feig, director of “Bridesmaids.” (Synopsis by Fox)

Yet another terrib…. wait. This is actually pretty funny. While it might not be as good as “Bridesmaids,” it certainly is a strong second showing by Feig. A solid throwback to buddy cop comedies, led impressively by the ladies.

Upcoming DVD Releases

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
Director: Don Scardino
PG-13; 100 mins.
Trailer

Superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) have ruled the Las Vegas strip for years, raking in millions with illusions as big as Burt’s growing ego. But lately the duo’s greatest deception is their public friendship, while secretly they’ve grown to loathe each other. Facing cutthroat competition from guerilla street magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey), whose cult following surges with each outrageous stunt, even their show looks stale. But there’s still a chance Burt and Anton can save the act-both onstage and off-if Burt can get back in touch with what made him love magic in the first place. (Synopsis by Warner Bros.)

A generic genre piece that robs its stars of their comedy claws. What might have worked as a sketch on SNL goes on too long in this format. The only thing that saves it from complete mediocrity is Carrey’s overblown performance.

No
Director: Pablo Larrain
R; 117 mins.
Trailer

In 1988, Chilean military dictator Augusto Pinochet, due to international pressure, is forced to call a plebiscite on his presidency. The country will vote YES or NO to Pinochet extending his rule for another eight years. Opposition leaders for the NO persuade a brash young advertising executive, Rene Saavedra (Gael Garcia Bernal), to spearhead their campaign. Against all odds, with scant resources and under scrutiny by the despot’s minions, Saavedra and his team devise an audacious plan to win the election and set Chile free. (Synopsis by Sony Classics)

This brilliant piece of drama and satire celebrates filmmaking. The attention to period details is on the order of “Mad Men.” The careful culling of political facts and mass marketing is genius. A must see.