Tag Archives: Melissa McCarthy

‘Spy’ snapshot review

Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) and her fellow CIA operative Rick Ford (Jason Statham) pose as a “happy” couple as they go deep undercover to stop an arms dealer.

Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) and her fellow CIA operative Rick Ford (Jason Statham) pose as a “happy” couple as they go deep undercover to stop an arms dealer.
Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

SPY

Critical rating: 3 stars out of four

Directed by: Paul Feig (“The Heat,” “Bridesmaids”)

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Jude Law and Rose Byrne

Rated: R for language throughout, violence, and some sexual content including brief graphic nudity

The story: “Spy” is centered on a CIA analyst (Melissa McCarthy) who is promoted from her long-time desk job to an undercover assignment where she must try to stop a nuclear weapon from falling into the wrong hands.

The scoop: Writer-director Paul Feig becomes one of the industry’s most reliable comedy directors with a film that’s set to become a mainstream hit. “Spy” isn’t the most original picture to hit theaters in 2015, but it is a consistently funny Hollywood concoction that entertains while poking good-natured fun at the espionage genre. Melissa McCarthy does most of the heavy lifting, but the excellent supporting cast – particularly Jason Statham in a rare comedic role – is likable as well.

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Video Verdict: Reviews of ‘Jersey Boys,’ ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ and ‘Tammy’

John Lloyd Young plays crooner Frankie Valli in the Clint Eastwood musical “Jersey Boys.”

John Lloyd Young plays crooner Frankie Valli in the Clint Eastwood musical “Jersey Boys.”

This week’s major home video releases include the sequel to a popular animated film, the latest comedy from Melissa McCarthy and a musical drama by director Clint Eastwood.

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Video Verdict: ‘Pacific Rim,’ ‘The Heat’

The fighting machines Gipsy Danger, front, and Striker Eureka prepare for combat in the science-fiction adventure “Pacific Rim.”

The fighting machines Gipsy Danger, front, and Striker Eureka prepare for combat in the science-fiction adventure “Pacific Rim.”

This week’s major home video releases include a buddy-cop drama with Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock and a science-fiction spectacle directed by Guillermo del Toro.

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Video Verdict: ‘A Good Day to Die Hard,’ ‘Identity Thief,’ ‘Warm Bodies’

Melissa McCarthy (front) and Jason Bateman star in “Identity Thief.”

Melissa McCarthy (front) and Jason Bateman star in “Identity Thief.”

This week’s home video releases include an R-rated comedy starring Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman, a new entry in the “Die Hard” franchise, and a charming zombie romance.

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Video Verdict: ‘Bridesmaids’

Left to right, Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper, Rose Byrne, Wendi McClendon-Covey, Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig star in “Bridesmaids.”

We’ve entered a slow period for home video because, for the second week in a row, only one major theatrical release is making its way to the small screen. The good news? That one release was a huge hit in theaters.

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