Harold and Kumar 2, Baby Mama, Deception

Saw three films over the weekend: Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, Baby Mama, and Deception.

Some quick thoughts:

HK2 was sufficiently entertaining. Once again, Kal Penn (Kumar) and John Cho (Harold) have great chemistry together, which goes a long way towards making the film work. Even when the material around them is less than inspired (A George W. Bush parody scene just does not work in any way) they make it work with their interaction with one another. The film is even raunchier than the original film with nudity and bodily fluids flowing with abandon.

Baby Mama suffers from multiple personality disorder. The film simply does not know what it wants to be as it has at least four storylines competing for attention and, not surprisingly, none of them work all that well as a result. Usually reliable actors Greg Kinnear, Steve Martin, and Sigourney Weaver flail about, not sure what to do with their supporting characters who aren't given more than a single defining character trait. Martin in particular, struggles because his health food/spiritual guru character is a mess on the page and it is only through the considerable talents of the actor that any of the material works as well as it does.

Deception is a stellar entry into the increasingly shrinking thriller market. The film plays like an old-fashioned erotic thriller that once upon a time would have been directed by Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction, Nine 1/2 Weeks, Unfaithful). Exquisite performances by Ewan McGregor, Hugh Jackman, and especially Michelle Williams make it work. Jackman really seems to be enjoying himself as the diabolical Wyatt Bose. Jackman's involvement is what got the project started as he serves as one of the film's producers and brought it to Fox as a pet project. The studio reportedly agreed to release it as a favor to the actor who has brought in lots of money for the studio playing Wolverine in the X-Men franchise (along with the upcoming self-titled spin-off).