Sweethearts Cinema Countdown #8

Good morning again everyone.  I hope your weekend is off to a great start today.  As I type this up, I'm checking the calendar, noting that as of next Tuesday, we'll be only a week from Valentines Day.  For those who are looking for a movie to perhaps set the mood for that evening, the Sweethearts Cinema Countdown has another pick this morning.  Number eight on the list is another recent movie.  Fret not classic movie lovers.  I've got plenty of classics on the list.  But for today, number eight on the list comes from 2010.  Starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey, number eight on the Sweethearts Cinema Countdown is Date Night. 

The number one sign that any movie is a sucess is when the entire audience is showing enjoyment from beginning of the movie to its end. Considering that,  'Date Night' is a success.  This laugh-a-minute farce of so many action movies also has enough heart to keep the audience's attention for the entire roughly 90-minute run time.  Other than one particular scene--which is anything but suitable for teen audiences--the only other real downside to 'Date Night' was that it felt longer than it really was at times.  It felt, at times, as if it dragged along.

The rare slower moments, and the strip club scene--this scene in particular was anything but suitable for younger viewers--were the only factors that dragged the story down.  The rest of movie was a wonderfully, rare, original movie.  The originality of the story is a major selling point.  In an era when so many movies are nothing but re-makes and sequels, this movie stands alone as a diamond in the rough.  And the chemistry between the cast makes for a fully believeable story.  The jokes and the physical comedy add even more to that chemistry.

Director Shawn Levy (Night at The Museum 1 & 2), and writer Josh Klausner have crafted a story that stands successfully on its own merits.  The story itself is hilarious.  It's similar to the likes of the 'Naked Gun' movies because of its brand of comedy.  And while it's no 'Naked Gun', it has a similar enjoyment thanks to that comedy.  Both Carell and Fey have done themselves a service with this movie.  Carell had already made a real name for himself in movies and his hit tv show, 'The Office.'  'Date Night' has only cemented his reputation that much more.  For Tina Fey, this movie will hopefully help her move way past her noteability as a Sarah Palin impersonator and 'Saturday Night Live' alum.  She has proven that she is that versatile an actress.  Together, with director Shawn Levy and writer Josh Klausner, they have made a movie that if it becomes forgotten, it won't be for lack of talent or substance.  It will only be because of the juggernaut of terrible, unncessesary remakes and sequels polluting theaters.

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Philip Sayblack can be contacted at psayblack@wnct.com