I know!  I know!  I've been slacking on movie reviewing lately.  That's why I decided to catch up on four newer releases that I've went out to see during the past two weeks.  I am hoping to get back on the horse and shell out weekly reviews like I did in the past.  Since it's been getting colder now and I'm usually in the house during that kind of weather, I really have no excuse anymore. 

ZOMBIELAND  B+

This movie was alot of fun!!  Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin are the perfect four some to battle a zombie attack and they work very well together.  Lots of great tongue-in-cheek humor, zombie action, and interesting characters. 
There are also some clever things about the movie.  Like Eisenberg's character with his many rules of how to survive a zombie invasion and Harrelson's quest to find a box of twinkie.  There's also a wonderful cameo by a certain movie star that I won't give away even though I'm sure everyone know who it is by now.  I found it to be the highlight of the picture.
It's definitely hard to dislike a movie like Zombieland unless you have lack of a sense of humor.  It's not really scary but I don't think it was meant to be.  It's mostly played for laughs and it does not disappoint.  There were a few things I was annoyed by during the last half hour during a climatic showdown in an amusement park.  Frankly, I thought what the female characters got dumbed down, which really bothered me after seeing them being such smart con artists during most of the film.  But it's just mostly nit picking on my part. 
Go see Zombieland!  It's not as original as Shaun of the Dead but it's definitely the best film in theaters right now!

THE INVENTION OF LYING  B
Ricky Gervais co-directs with Matthew Robinson in this very funny and sweet comedy about a man who lives in a world where everyone tells the truth no matter what.  Well. Gervais becomes the first man to tell a lie and realizes how much power he has.
Gervais has always been an underrated comedian in the United States and he really shines in this role in the comedy and drama aspect.  Louis C.K has a funny supporting role as does Jennifer Garner who plays Gervais' super cute love interest.  You also get some great cameos by certain actors who, again, I won't reveal.
The movie does die down a little bit from its original premise to a romantic comedy and even though some of the religious crack were funny at first, they do overstay its welcome. However, it's still a fine, enjoyable comedy.  Not as great as Ghost Town, but definitely worth a look.

WHIP IT  B-
Drew Barrymore makes her directorial debut with this small chick comedy about a girl who decides to try a career in roller derby.  And what do you know?  She becomes a hit with it.
Ellen Page plays the opposite of Juno as a shy nerdy teenager but she does a very good job in the role.  There's definitely a reason why this girl got nominated once already.  You also get fun performances by Kristen Wiig, Juliette Lewis, Daniel Stern, Marcia Gay Harden, and Andrew Wilson.  Of course, Drew Barrymore plays a small role and you get a few laughs out of Jimmy Fallon, who appears in a few scenes.
Even though I didn't find the movie great, but I did have a good enough time.  The female friend I was with enjoyed this film alot more than I did but that's mostly because this film is aimed more to the female audience.  Having said that, I've seen a hell of a lot worst chick flicks than this one. 
Barrymore does a wonderful job in the director's chair and should definitely direct again. 

COUPLES RETREAT  C+
This film has been getting trashed by critics left and right and I can't say I don't understand because this is definitely not the hilarious comedy that we all were hoping.  But it did have some nice touches where it didn't seem like a complete waste of time.  
You would think with a script co-written by Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn that this would be knee-slapping comedy but it really never became that.
All the actors work well together and you do have some nice conversations about relationships between the actors, which is actually one of the things I did like about the movie.  But the funny parts are mostly from the trailer.
I was never really bored by the film but it did leave me wishing there's was more to it.  Better luck next time, I guess.