Project Almanac, The Wedding Ringer

I'm not a huge fan of found footage films. The Blair Witch Project invented it with incredible skill, Chronicle perfected it in my opinion. Otherwise I enjoy picking them apart for logical inconsistencies than entertainment value. E.G. WHY ARE YOU STILL FILMING?! But I'm a sucker for time travel movies, especially those that aren't afraid to have fun with the paradox's that are inevitable. Project Almanac isn't perfect in it's found footage format but it almost works. The predictable hilarity that ensues when a bunch of teenagers get their hands on a time machine is perfect and entertaining. Who wouldn't go back and Ace that test or win the lottery or that time when you embarrassed yourself in front of that pretty girl? What if you could go back and sweep her off her feet? But these kids being kids don't fully realize or care about the consequences involved. It's not a groundbreaking film by any stretch...but it reminds me of the movie last year Now You See Me, you're having so much fun watching it you don't really care. B+

I love Kevin Hart. The energy alone he brings to every movie makes them watchable. Josh Gad is usually hilarious so you'd think the pairing of these two was a match made in Hollywood Heaven. And don't get me wrong, some of the jokes land, but often I was rolling my eyes in obvious pleas for laughter. My favorite part was the Usual Suspects tribute when their elaborate ruse is (or might not be [no spoilers]) discovered. So many other scenes felt redundant and just tired. Like an old school vs young boys football game that turns very physical or the dinner scene where poor grandma is accidentally set on fire. The Wedding Ringer is unfortunately a far cry from Harts last January release Ride Along. A for effort, C for execution.