Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

★★★★☆

Austin Powers, 60’s swinger and secret agent who was cryogenically frozen in the 60’s, is awakened in the 90’s to fight his sworn enemy Dr. Evil. However, in addition to trying to stop Dr. Evil, Austin must realize that it’s no longer the 60’s and times/attitudes have changed from what he knew. Now, like a fish out of water, he must learn to fit in if he wants to stop Dr. Evil. This brilliant and hysterical parody of the James Blond flicks is a winner. Austin is absolutely clueless about his new surroundings (as well as Dr. Evil who was also frozen in the 60’s) and that’s why it’s so funny. Meyers created a lovable goofball who we can point and laugh wit.

Machete (2010)

★★★★☆ (Grindhouse scale)

After witnessing his wife and daughter killed by a Mexican drug lord, ex-Federale Machete wants a peaceful life. That is until he is hired to assassinate a U.S. Senator. But when the people who hired him betray him he launched a campaign of brutality and slaughter. However, and INS agent is hot on his trail trying to figure out what it going on. She discovers that the Senator may be working with a group of psychotic vigilantes and perhaps even the Mexican drug cartels. This homage to classic grindhouse trash is gooey in all the right parts. It has gore, lots of violence, one-liners, ridiculous killings and a general tone of over-the-top. It’s not meant to be taken seriously but it’s a fun cheesy ride back to the golden days of trash cinema.

The Other Guys (2010)

★★★☆☆

Allen and Terry are the other guys, the desk jockeys, not your typical action heroes. But when the two best policemen on the force kill themselves (for some reason), it’s there time to shine. The problem is, they are given a case that involves suspicious scaffolding permits. However, during their investigation they soon realize that the case goes much deeper than that… and now they are the only thing that stands in the way between a massive heist and death. This screwball comedy was funnier the second time around. Ferrell is perfect as the nerdy Det. Allen and it was refreshing to see Wahlberg play and idiot cop. There are lots of tongue-in-cheek moments and that type of hyperbole humor that was previously seen in Anchorman. I didn’t like it too much when I first saw it, but now it’s growing on me.