RIP IT UP MOVIE CLUB: Abduction, The Zoo Keeper, What’s Your Number?

Hey film buffs,

This week the Rip It Up Movie Club takes a look at three movies which will be released over the next few weeks, offering sanctuary for those of you who will be looking for somewhere to escape the Rugby World Cup for a few hours. First up, it’s all aboard the latest Taylor Lautner vanity-vehicle, then we stop off to check out Kevin James in his latest profession, before finishing off with Chris Evans showing off his comedic chops alongside Anna Faris.

Enjoy!    

Abduction

With the first instalment of Twilight: Breaking Dawn still a few months away, this thriller starring tween heart-throb Taylor Lautner appears to be aimed at all those Twi-hards out there who are in need of an emergency Team Jacob fix.

Playing a teen who discovers his face on a missing persons site, the ever-stoic Lautner sets out to discover the truth about his identity. Directed by John Singleton, who gave us 2Fast2Furious, you can’t help but get the feeling that the narrative is going to be secondary to plenty of action scenes, ab shots and enough pouting to make Kristen Stewart proud.

If you weren’t entertained by the flash cars and flashier action scenes from the underwhelming sequel to The Fast and the Furious, and/or you don’t know who Edward Cullen is, then you might want to think twice before spending your hard earned cash on this one.

It might be a good night to start off that book you’ve been meaning to read.

Abduction is out on September 29th.

The Zoo Keeper

One thing with Kevin James comedies (see Paul Blart: Mall Cop, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry et al) is you always know what to expect. Much like fellow comedian Adam Sandler, you either love him or hate him, which ultimately decides whether you’re going to enjoy his movies.

In his latest outing, James steps into familiar territory, playing a guy who is struggling to find love and seeks mentoring. Only this time, instead of the suave Will Smith showing him the romantic route he is instead guided by talking zoo animals (Hitch meets Doctor Dolittle if you will).

With director Frank Coraci’s previous work including Click, The Waterboy and The Wedding Singer, there is evidence that the guy does know how to get the best out of storylines that don’t exactly sizzle on paper (a retarded waterboy anyone? How about a wedding singer from the ‘80s?).

Thus, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise that this seemingly simple comedy has been able to gain access to a rather impressive cast to give voice to the critter cupids.
Alongside James are the voices of Sylvestor Stallone (The Expendables), Adam Sandler (Just Go With It), Nick Nolte (Tropic Thunder), Judd Apatow (Funny People), Cher (Burlesque), Jon Favreau (Couples Retreat) and Maya Rudolph (Bridesmaids).

While I’m sure expectations won’t be too high for this one, it might just provide a pleasant surprise.

The Zoo Keeper is out on September 29th.

What’s Your Number?

Another week, another romcom. Luckily for fans of the genre (or those who get dragged along), that isn’t such a bad thing in 2011. While the “romcom” tag has instilled dread in previous years (Valentines Day, All About Steve, any Katherine Heigl movie), this year has actually provided a decent batch of fodder for the movie date.

With films such as No Strings Attached and Crazy, Stupid, Love setting the benchmark, this latest offering from the relatively new film director Mike Mylod (despite directing acclaimed television series Entourage, he has only directed two movies prior) looks likely to continue the golden run.

Starring Anna Faris (The House Bunny)and Chris Evans (Captain America), the film follows Ally Darling (Faris) who hears that women who have had over 20 partners never find true love. Having already reached that milestone, Darling enlists the help of neighbour Colin (Evans) who helps track down her past boyfriends so she can see if one of them really was “the one”.

With some great cameos showing up as Ally’s exes (enter Martin Freeman, Andy Samberg, Joel McHale) and two great leads, What’s Your Number? looks like it has that one factor that helps elevate romcoms to the next level… chemistry. Fans of Faris and Evans shouldn’t be disappointed.

This might just make missing the game to take the missus out that much more tolerable.

What’s Your Number? is out on September 29th 

By Shane Drought