Trailer Talk: This Week in Movies - 'Dinner for Schmucks,' 'Charlie St. Cloud,' & More

The action thriller “Salt” turned out to be more complex than I initially thought.  Promotional material made the film seem like it would be a run-of-the-mill rogue spy on the run story.  Without spoiling the details, there is additional intrigue surrounding CIA agent Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie), and the accusation that she’s a Russian mole.  Thankfully the filmmakers don’t reveal her motivations too early on, keeping them close to the chest until the final act.

Jolie convincingly plays a strong female heroine, however as an actress I don’t feel like she adds much flavor to the role itself.  Her character does not have enough personality to make her sympathetic to audiences.  While her stunts are entertaining, some of them border on unbelievable feats of strength even for a trained operative.  My Grade: B 
This week in theaters we have the Paul Rudd/Steve Carell film “Dinner for Schmucks,” the family adventure “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore,” the romantic drama “Charlie St. Cloud,” the wacky comedy “The Extra Man,” and the unconventional period piece “Get Low.”

DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS

Tim (Paul Rudd) seeks out the perfect guest to bring to his boss’s monthly event, a “dinner for idiots,” where the executives mock people with weird talents.  A chance encounter with the IRS agent Barry (Steve Carell) provides Tim the ideal opportunity to secure his company for the event.  Tim fails to realize that instead of getting a dinner guest though, he has just earned a clingy new friend. 
Jay Roach, the man behind franchises like “Austin Powers” and “Meet the Parents,” directs this raunchy comedy.  The writing team David Guion and Michael Handelman adapts the French film “Le Diner de Cons,” for American audiences with their screenplay.   
WHO SHOULD SEE IT:  Fans of Paul Rudd and Steve Carell from previous collaborations like “Anchorman” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” should be the first in line for this movie.  If you appreciate Jay Roach’s style in other awkward comedies like “Meet the Parents,” then you should check out “Dinner for Schmucks.”