"We're The Millers"

I've seen this movie twice in the past month--by choice! This film has more laugh-out-loud moments than I've had in a while.
When I picked this up at the video store (yes, they still have those...), I wasn't expecting much. I hadn't heard a lot of buzz about it. I really just got it because I have this fierce loyalty to anyone who was in "Friends", and Jennifer Aniston is my girl. She's let me down a few times, but she redeemed herself with this flick.
The main cast is made up of Ms. Aniston, Jason Sudeikus, Emma Roberts, and this really wonderful young actor, Will Poulter. I am loath to give away the plot or storyline, so suffice it to say these actors make a convincing family unit.
Along with the four main characters, you get "Bonus Day" with Nick Offerman from "Parks and Rec", and Kathryn Hahn from, well, everywhere. Do yourself a favor, and hang in there for the outtakes at the end. It will show you how the director just trusted his cast to be their funny-assed selves. It completely works.
Another actor I hope to see more of is Mark L. Young. He played "Scottie P.", and reminded me of way too many people I am acquainted with. Wow.
Keep this film for the adults. No one under the age of thirteen needs to see this. Everyone over the age of thirteen definitely should.

"American Hustle"

This was a wicked awesome way to spend Christmas day. I think that my husband and I enjoyed it a lot more than my 24-year-old son, but it was a nice way to spend the afternoon.
As usual in a strong ensemble piece, it was difficult to pick out a special performance. If I had a gun to my head, I'd have to pick Amy Adams. The camera just loves this chick (yes, I said "chick", this film was set in the 1970's). She has at least five Oscar clips in this, and she deserves to have a golden statue, (finally).
Of course, when you have Christian Bale inhabiting a role like he does,  you have something amazing to play with. I know the guy is a dick in real life, but he takes the term "commitment" to a whole new level.
The weak link in this caper was Bradley Cooper. Let's just say it was no "Silver Linings Playbook" for him. The role wasn't much of a stretch for him (not that he could have stretched in that polyester suit anyway), and it was nothing you haven't seen from him before. It was predictable competence.
Can we all just bow down to Jennifer Lawrence now? Man, that girl can peel the layers off a role like no one I've ever seen. I could watch her all day, all day.
Jeremy Renner was worth all the hairspray they used to keep his hair-do in place. He found different levels in a character that could easily have been very one-dimensional.
The cameos in this movie were worth the price of the ticket. Louis C.K. as Bradley Cooper's boss was just incredible. No one else can make me laugh, by just sitting there, quite the way that he does. Robert De Niro also makes an appearance. He, of course, is just De Niro.
I also have to say that the main character that wasn't in the credits were the costumes. I had so much fun with the fashion!
Go see this in the theatre if you can, but if you miss it there it will translate to DVD very well.