What's New in Blu? (Week of Aug. 10)

“Date Night” (PG-13)
Starring Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Taraji P. Henson, Common and Mark Wahlberg
Directed by Shawn Levy
While this frantic, fast-paced comedy doesn’t have much originality on its side, it does have two of TV’s most popular comic actors headlining the proceedings. That helps immeasurably, as much of the remainder of the cast is largely wasted. But Carell and Fey have good chemistry on screen, portraying Phil and Claire Foster, a longtime married couple hoping a date night in New York City will provide them with a brief romantic getaway. But a case of mistaken identity finds the pair dealing with much more than they anticipated, as their lives become endangered. Surprises are few in “Date Night,” but the film moves quickly (clocking in at just under 90 minutes) and the trailer actually doesn’t spoil all the jokes.
Grade: B

Other releases:
“Death at a Funeral” (R)
Starring Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Zoe Saldana, Regina Hall, Tracy Morgan, Peter Dinklage, Danny Glover, James Marsden, Luke Wilson
Directed by Neil LaBute

“The Joneses” (R)
Starring David Duchovny, Demi Moore, Amber Heard, Gary Cole, Glenne Headly, Ben Hollingsworth
Directed by Derrick Borte