Lightning Review: The Benchwarmers

Synopsis
Tired of watching kids get bullied, Gus (Rob Schneider), Richie (David Spade), and Clark (Jon Heder) form a baseball team. They enter a round robin tournament, created by Mel (Jon Lovitz), and compete against youth baseball teams as representatives for those who get picked on.

Review
The Benchwarmers is an entertaining movie, but it doesn’t do anything to stand out among similar comedies. Schneider is good, but the role is what I have come to expect from him and wasn’t anything special. Spade and Heder were excellent and had some good jokes, but I was surprisingly drawn to Lovitz character. His gags, pop culture references, comedic timing was spot on. The humor is very similar to other Schneider movies. So If you like those, or Adam Sandler’s movies, then you’ll find this movie enjoyable. There isn’t anything that separates The Benchwarmers from similar movies, but funny characters and a feel good story make it a fun ride.

Rating
3/5

Grammer is Officially Expendable

It has been floating around that Kelsey Grammer was in talks to join the already large cast of The Expendables 3.  Recently, Yahoo movies has confirmed that audiences will get to see Grammer in the upcoming installment of the action franchise.

He will play Bonaparete, a retired mercenary recruited by the Expendables.  Originally Nicolas Cage was up for the role, but for whatever reason, that didn’t pan out.  Grammer is an interesting casting choice because he hasn’t had many action roles (I can’t think of any besides X3: The Last Stand).  But I think he will play the part well.  He has many years of experience from sitcoms that will offer much comedic relief.

The Expendables 3 is set for release on August 15, 2014 with Patrick Hughes in the director’s chair. Grammer will join Expendables veterans Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, and Jet Li, as well as fellow newcomers Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Antonio Banderas, Milla Jovovich, and Wesley Snipes.