"Couples Retreat" and "Away We Go"

IN THEATERS

Out today is the vacation comedy, “Couples Retreat.” Vince Vaughn and Malin Akerman star as two of four couples who vacation together to a tropical island resort. Little do they know, the location is not so much there for relaxation purposes, but is merely a backdrop to serve as the resort’s therapy sessions that are not quite optional. It’s then the couples realize that group-rate vacations always come with a price.

Along with Vaughn and Akerman come more familiar faces such as Jason Bateman, Kristen Bell, Jon Favreau and Kristin Davis rounding out the other couples who travel to an exotic location for an unbeatable vacation deal that turns out to have a few catches.

With a multitude of promo spots on TV and the all-star cast, this movie is sure to bring in audiences, especially with the re-teaming of Vaughn and Favreau. The question though is, “Is it funny and/or good?” Well that’s yet to be seen. Early reviews are a little rough with some of the critics not thinking it’s all that great and saying it doesn’t provide the escapist fun that many might expect to get.

It does have to be mentioned that the film does look a little bit like all these movie stars traveled to this great location where they partied and had an awesome time and then made the movie as an afterthought. Whether that stands to be true or not, well, we’ll soon find out.

There’s not much else out right now, so as far as competition, well there might not be much. Vaughn and his past movies have always managed to do well, so even though it might turn out to be an average comedy that relies too heavily on gross-out humor and lame jokes, it still might be enough for a good box office.

ON DVD

Out this week on DVD, is the comedy/drama “Away We Go.” John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph star as Burt and Verona, a couple who are on the verge of having a baby and are at a crossroads on where to start their new life.

Upon discovering that Burt’s parents will soon be moving away, the decision is made that there is no reason to stay in their small town. So off the couple goes as they travel around the U.S. visiting old friends and family members to find the spot where their new life will begin. What ensues is an eye-opening adventure as the two come to terms with their families while figuring out their own dreams and fears along the way.

Let’s just say that the two leads here were cast well and successfully portrayed a young couple struggling to find their place in the world all the while preparing for their first baby. Krasinski himself really is quite the actor and seeing his work in “The Office” you are surprised to see that he has no problem with roles that run deeper than the quiet, nice guy at work. His character here is somewhat similar, but definitely with more depth and range than a sitcom allows. And Maya Rudolph, while usually seen in the comedy light on “Saturday Night Live,” is also impressive showing that she has no problem with the dramatic roles.

It’s an entertaining and refreshing movie among a lot of just so-so movies as of late. It’s always funny to see the small, independent movies be the ones that make the biggest impression while so many of these blockbusters so quickly fall by the wayside. These smaller movies might not have big budgets and or audiences, but they seem to put more time and thought into their projects which results in higher quality movies. I think Paramount, 20th Century Fox, and Universal should tear a page out of the smaller studios’ books.

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