RV (2006)

My Rating: 2/5 STARS
MovieStudio Quote >> “Robin Williams movies are funny, but as years go by they are getting dumb!”

A family film for the Instant Messenger age, RV takes a humorous look at a mostly functional suburban family’s attempt to get away from it all on a rare vacation. The always hilarious Robin Williams plays Bob Munro, a beaten-down middle manager who feels alienated from the family he works so hard to keep comfortable. Upon his insistence, the Munro family rents an RV and embarks on a search for quality time in the land of Manifest Destiny. With his frustrated wife Jamie (the always stellar Cheryl Hines of TV’s CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM), rapper-wannabe son Carl (Josh Hutcherson), and angsty daughter Cassie (Joanna Levesque, best known as a tween pop singer), la famiglia Munro is Westward Ho.

However, white-collar Bob’s lack of adeptness at handling the monstrous vehicle causes plenty of amusing chaos. Thank God for the kindness of strangers–in this case, a couple of endearing oddballs played by Jeff Daniels (who proved his comedic chops in the DUMB AND DUMBER films) and Kristin Chenoweth. As Travis and Mary Jo, two obsessive RV-ers with a penchant for barbecues, beer, and yodeling, they serve as the Middle-American heart and soul of the film, much smarter and savvier than cultural stereotypes write them off as being. Seasoned comedy director Barry Sonnenfield (MEN IN BLACK, WILD, WILD WEST) proves that he has mastered the intelligent comedy, and Williams, particularly in moments that are improvised, proves his brilliance once again. But it is the uniformly excellent supporting cast, in particular a knee-slapping turn by Will Arnett (Gob on TV’s ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT), that makes RV so memorable.

The Night Listener (2006)

My Rating: 2.5/5 STARS
MovieStudio Quote >> “Everything started off well, and then went blur!”

A popular radio show host who, while trying to cope with a splintering romance, strikes up a telephone relationship with his biggest fan.

When disturbing questions arise regarding the boy’s identity, his life spins out of control.

Old Dogs (2009)

My Rating: 3/5 STARS
MovieStudio Quote >> “Hilarious, but totally predictive and some sequences were utterly useless!”

Two best friends — one unlucky-in-love divorcee (ROBIN WILLIAMS) and the other a fun-loving bachelor (JOHN TRAVOLTA) — have their lives turned upside down when they’re unexpectedly charged with the care of six-year-old twins while on the verge of the biggest business deal of their lives.

The not-so-kid-savvy bachelors stumble in their efforts to take care of the twins (newcomers ELLA BLEU TRAVOLTA and CONNER RAYBURN), leading to one debacle after another, and perhaps to a new-found understanding of what’s really important in life.