Film Review: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Here’s a secret: Stiller’s adaptation not bad

Ben Stiller's Walter works up the nerve to have a conversation with Kristen Wiig's Cheryl in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
Ben Stiller’s Walter works up the nerve to have a conversation with Kristen Wiig’s Cheryl in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

Ben Stiller, directing his first feature since 2008’s very funny Tropic Thunder, hasn’t made a great film with The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, but it’s a very pleasant diversion with a few genuine laughs, a sweet storyline, and some spectacular cinematography. Stiller’s film is the first to try to adapt James Thurber’s classic 1939 New Yorker short story of the same name since the 1947 Danny Kaye version. Here, though, working from a script by Steve Conrad (who also wrote the generally well-received The Pursuit of Happyness), Stiller doesn’t try to faithfully adapt the story so much as use elements of it to create an updated, brand new version. Continue reading “Film Review: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”

Film Review: “Friends With Kids”

Chris O'Dowd, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Jon Hamm in FRIENDS WITH KIDS

starring: Jennifer Westfeldt, Adam Scott, Maya Rudolph, Chris O’Dowd, Kristen Wiig, Jon Hamm, Megan Fox, Edward Burns

written and directed by: Jennifer Westfeldt

MPAA: Rated R for sexual content and language

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Film Review: “Bridesmaids”

Ellie Kemper, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne, Maya Rudolph, and Wendi McLendon-Covey in BRIDESMAIDS

starring: Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne, Maya Rudolph, Ellie Kemper, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jon Hamm, Jill Clayburgh, Matt Lucas, Rebel Wilson, Chris O’Dowd

written by: Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumulo

directed by: Paul Feig

MPAA: Rated R for some strong sexuality, and language throughout.

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Film Review: “Paul”

Simon Pegg, Kristen Wiig, Nick Frost, and the voice of Seth Rogen in PAUL. Photo by Double Negative/Universal Pictures – © 2011 Universal Studios.

starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kristen Wiig, Jason Bateman, Jeffrey Tambor, Blythe Danner, Bill Hader, Joe Lo Truglio, Sigourney Weaver, Jane Lynch, David Koechler, Jesse Plemons, John Carroll Lynch, and the voice of Seth Rogen

directed by: Greg Mottola

written by: Nick Frost and Simon Pegg

MPAA: Rated R for language including sexual references, and some drug use.

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