'Cars 2' starts its engines

By Sarah Sluis

Pixar's summer animated movies have become draws for kids and adults alike, but adults won't find a crowd-pleaser like Up in Cars 2 (4,115 theatres). The sequel to the 2006 hit is more of a kids' movie, centering on talking cars with stereotypical characters (redneck, arrogant Italian, British spy, sultry secret agent). "That's not the Pixar adults know and cherish," critic Kevin Lally notes, but the visuals remain on the cutting edge, especially "the travelogue aspects," which Lally dubbed a "knockout, from the blazing neon colors of its Tokyo, to a Les Halles spare-parts bazaar in Paris, to an eye-poppingly beautiful Italian Mediterranean city called Porto Corsa."

Cars 2, made post-Disney/Pixar merger, also shows what happens once a movie becomes just a launching pad for everything else. Advertisements (Mater sings the State Farm jingle, a paid endorsement), both in the film and out, will make a lot of money for Disney/Pixar. In fact, the first film generated $10 billion in merchandise sales. Disney will also use its expertise to create a straight-to-video spinoff "Planes," and an attraction at its California theme park. The international locales, besides just being a story element, will also help market these films to worldwide audiences. Is it a coincidence that the blandest Pixar movie is also the best platform for tie-ins and spin-offs? Tracking suggests the animated film will bring in $50-60 million, less than the original. With 3D suffering, many eyes will be trained on the performance of 3D and IMAX screens.

R-rated counterprogramming comes in the form of Cameron Diaz as a Bad Teacher (3,049 theatres). I thought the comedy was hilarious, though not everyone warmed to the "foul-mouthed, intemperate, conniving babe," as Diaz's character was described by critic Rex Roberts. He dismisses the comedy as a "series of skits hung on an implausible plotline," but isn't that the basis of most comedies that aim for more than a laugh a minute? I found the eye-rolling stupidity of Diaz's plot to be part of the fun, but if you're not laughing in the first fifteen minutes, it might be a good time to walk out.

If late-night TV lovers can wrest themselves off the couch, they can catch stand-up comedy documentary Conan O'Brien Can't Stop (25 theatres), which has been receiving mainly positive reviews but did not find a fan with critic David Noh. He wasn't that sympathetic for the whining millionaire, concluding that "Behind the scenes, a lot of comics ain't that comic." Paul Weitz directs a pet project about the struggles of illegal immigrants in A Better Life (4 theatres). The overwrought title of Turtle: The Incredible Journey (20 theatres) says it all in this nature documentary, which somehow manages to turn the plight of turtles into an "intrusive melodrama," according to Noh.

On Monday, we'll post the rank of Cars 2 after its first lap, and see if audiences sparked to the misdeeds of Bad Teacher.

'Bad Teacher' vs. 'Bridesmaids'

By Sarah Sluis

Bridesmaids and Bad Teacher have a few things in common. They both star females, and their main focus is comedy, not romance. But while Bridesmaids was a runaway success, I have more modest expectations for Bad Teacher. I think the movie has more obvious appeal for men, but Cameron Diaz's comically unlikeable character could alienate some viewers, depending on their sense of humor. What follows is a rundown of the two movies' takes on the genre.

Precursor of
Bridesmaids: The Hangover
Bad Teacher: Bad Santa

Leading Lady
Bridesmaids: Relatable loser.
Bad Teacher: That girl you hate.

Is the overweight sidekick one of the best characters?
Bridesmaids: Yes. Melissa McCarthy owns as a fierce tomboy.
Bad Teacher: Yes. Phyllis Smith plays an endearing teacher who wants to be friends with Diaz, but not if she has to break--oh no--rules.

Most awkward coupling
Bridesmaids: Unclothed.
Bad Teacher: Clothed.

Does the woman ditch the loser and end up with Mr. Right (now)?
Bridesmaids: Yes, a too-nice police officer who puts up with her bad behavior and initial lack of interest.
Bad Teacher: Yes, a too-nice gym teacher who puts up with her bad behavior and initial lack of interest.

Police are called when�
Bridesmaids: You do drugs on a plane
Bad Teacher: You hide drugs in a false bottom of your desk

Most "guy" movie moment
Bridesmaids: Food poisoning at a bridal shop.
Bad Teacher: Daisy Duke outfit at the car wash.

Most "girl" movie moment
Bridesmaids: Pretty much all the one-on-one dialogue between Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph.
Bad Teacher: Seeing Diaz's red-soled Christian Louboutins scoured off due to wear. A fashion tragedy for the "Sex and the City" set.

Bridesmaids opened to $26 million and currently has over $140 million in the bank. Bad Teacher, which opens tomorrow, is aiming for a similar debut, though I doubt it will have the legs of Bridesmaids. At least from where I was sitting, both movies provided plenty of laughs for their running time, one of the most important tests for a comedy.