KANSAS CITY, Mo —
1. LABOR DAY (PG-13)
Paramount Pictures
RUSS
The director of the smart comedies “Up in the Air” and “Juno” tries his hand at romantic drama and the results are a mixed bag. Kate Winslet plays a woman who falls in love with the escaped convict who invades her home, played by Josh Brolin.
SHAWN
“Labor Day” is too old fashioned for it’s own good. Most of it comes across as artificial. Josh Brolin and Kate Winslett are fine. But the story is just too Norman Rockwell.
RUSS
The cast is solid and the movie has successful moments that transcend the material. They make the movie work even when the premise is nearly impossible to buy into.
SHAWN
Realism is severely missing. Just wish “Labor Day” was more real.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
2. RIDE ALONG (PG-13)
Universal
SHAWN
“Ride Along”‘works and for one reason only. Kevin Hart is now officially the funniest dude on the planet. His in your face street style of comedy perfectly works for the premise of this movie. So what if I’ve Cube slept walked through this entire horrible and stale premise. Thankfully Kevin Hart is a joy to watch even if everything about “Ride Along”!is mediocre.
SHAWN: 2 Popcorn Bags
Click here to receive weekly emails full of FOX 4′s entertainment news!
What’s our criteria for reviewing a film and awarding the popcorn bag ratings? Click here: http://link.fox4kc.com/1fu5fMn
Follow on Twitter: @fox4kc @RussSimmons1 @sedwardskc
