Reel News: Week of Sept. 25 — Hotel Transylvania 2, The Intern, Pitch Perfect 2

Upcoming Theatrical Releases

Hotel Transylvania 2
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
PG; 1 hr. 29 min.
Trailer

Dracula and his friends try to bring out the monster in his half human, half vampire grandson in order to keep Mavis from leaving the hotel. (Synopsis by Sony)

As Adam Sandler was the primary writer, it was unsurprising that the previous “Hotel Transylvania” was pretty bad. This shapes up to be equally forgettable. The fact that this “Halloween” movie that is opening a month before Halloween should tell you everything you need to know. Skip it.

The Intern
Director: Nancy Meyers
PG-13; 2 hr. 1 min.
Trailer

70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin. (Synopsis by Warner Bros.)

De Niro and Hathaway are solely responsible for this being halfway watchable. The premise is about as “soft touch” as you can get, replete with great insights such as “old and young people can learn they have things in common… if they only try!” It’s tripe, but it’s an easy meal if that’s your thing. Skip it.

Upcoming DVD Releases

Pitch Perfect 2
Director: Elizabeth Banks
PG-13; 1 hr. 54 min.
Trailer

After a humiliating command performance at Lincoln Center, the Barden Bellas enter an international competition that no American group has ever won in order to regain their status and right to perform. (Synopsis by Universal)

Though stretching the definition of what makes quality entertainment, there is certainly a market for this sort of thing. At times it borders on a parody of itself in its absurdity. But then again, when you are only checking plot boxes between (bad) musical numbers, who cares, right? Rent it.