Friday Flix: July 6

“Amazing Spider-Man” and “Ted” reviews, Oliver Stone’s “Savages,” and a throwback rental.

Garfield Spins a Good Peter Parker in the “Amazing Spider-Man”

After all my skepticism, I loved the “Amazing Spider-Man.” Was it perfect? No. A movie seldom is. But, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, it was better than Sam Raimi’s 2002 version, even though the 2012 version followed the same “coming of age” tale as its predecessor.

What stood out this time around for me was the chemistry of the cast. I believed the Peter Parker-Gwen Stacy relationship, so Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker/Spider-Man) and Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy) should be applauded. Also, the casting of Sally Field as Aunt May and Martin Sheen as Ben Parker worked well and I bought them as a family.

The difference in the “Amazing Spider-Man” were evident right from the start when they showed Peter’s mom and dad in a haste to drop him off on his Uncle Ben and Aunt May because they were running from something or someone and were apparently killed in a car crash shortly thereafter, only through the film it plays out more like a murder mystery which is a good dynamic going forward in the series.

My favorite part to watch was Garfield’s interpretation of Peter Parker. I thought he played it well; perfectly nerdy/awkward/funny with an interest in science and sometimes bullied. His interest in science and curiosity about his parents led him to Dr. Curt Connors, who worked with his dad at Oscorp. Connors is testing out animals, namely lizards, and their ability to regenerate body parts (Connors himself is missing an arm). His goal, to get humans to be able to regenerate. Peter, wandering around the lab is bitten by a genetically engineered spider and the Spidey story begins.

I won’t give away much more except that Connors eventually turns into The Lizard after human testing, Peter discovers his superpowers, and the reason why he dons the suit is revealed. Although, if you’re a real fan, you know all this. Oh yeah, and the web cartridges are back!

Final Take: Loved it! Can’t wait to see where the series goes. Would see it again in theatres. You should at least go once.

Grade: A-

Is “Ted” the Funniest Movie to Come Out in a While?

Yes!

Mark Wahlberg stars in “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane’s first feature film as a boy with no friends who wishes for his teddy bear to come to life. That wish comes true. Ted essentially becomes the boy’s best friend and stays with him through adulthood. The bear matures just like a person and picks up bad habits along the way like drug and alcohol use, excessive partying, and affection for hookers. The conflict is when Wahlberg’s character, John, has a long-term girlfriend, Lori, played by Mila Kunis. John and Lori want to be together, and get married someday but Ted and John’s friendship may mean more. It’s fun to watch John and Ted (voiced by MacFarlane) slack off, have conversations, and get into lots of trouble together.

I’ll keep this one short since you just need to see “Ted.” This film is consistently funny and made me laugh so hard I cried. Be on the lookout for cameos by Ryan Reynolds, Norah Jones, and Flash Gordon himself, Sam Jones! And pay attention during this one! There are plenty of sexual, racial, and celebrity jabs and references thrown in.

Also, I can’t believe I’m saying this about a cast including a CGI bear but you actually gave a damn about the characters and stayed invested in them throughout the film.

Final Take: Be ready to laugh! I cannot wait to buy this on DVD. But…you might want to leave the kids at home for “Ted.” This is an adult comedy.

Grade: A!

Throwback Rentals: The First Three “Spider-Man” Films!

Since the “Amazing Spider-Man” is out, why not watch the first three films starring Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker? If you like lighter films with good action scenes and a lot more bad guys, check it out! Or watch them all again.

New in Theatres this Week: “Savages”

Director Oliver Stone (Platoon, JFK, Natural Born Killers) is back on the scene with “Savages,” a film about an odd relationship with two marijuana growers (Ben Johnson and Taylor Kitsch) who share a girlfriend (Blake Lively). The synapsis, she gets kidnapped by a major drug cartel and they have to get her back. “Savages” looks violent, in a good way, and the previews on TV have me curious. I’m thinking it will at least be entertaining and that Oliver Stone will deliver some good thrills. The cast also features Salma Hayek, Benicio del Toro, and John Travolta. So far “Savages” holds a decent rating on Rotten Tomatoes at 66 percent.