Cinemavenger

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Game Night

Before we dive into the Dixie cup that is Game Night, has anyone else noticed that the MPAA's ratings justifications have gotten fucklandishly specific?  Not long ago, you pretty much only saw "violence," "language" or "nudity/sexuality."  Now those MPAAssholes are calling out things like "historical smoking" and "partying."  What's next, "jaywalking" and "spirited debate?"

Game Night is an R-rated comedy/action flick, and it's nothing but trouble.  Blending comedy and action into an R-rated hit has a checkered history at best.  Other than the first Hangover and Deadpool, you couldn't connect four other successful attempts during the past decade.

In this sorry attempt, Jason "The Guy Who Puts Worms On Hooks" Bateman and Rachel "Roxxx" McAdams star as Max and Annie, the couple who usually have the monopoly on hosting game night for their friends:  Kevin (Lamorne "New Guy" Morris, his wife Michelle (Kylie "Minogue" Bunbury), and single doofus Ryan (Billy "Goat" Magnussen).  Tired of losing, Ryan brings along a brainy ringer, Sarah (Sharon "Hulk" Horgan), to this extra special game night where instead of Battleship, Pictionary or Candy Land, the game is "save Max's kidnapped brother," Brooks (Kyle "Raymond" Chandler).

Trying to successfully meld action and comedy is a risk Game Night should never have taken.  The entire operation is balderdash!  From the word "go," every decision the characters make boggles the mind.  These are supposed to be smarter-than-average people, but they don't have a clue.  Like when Max gets shot in the arm and Annie goes digging for the bullet like some hungry, hungry hippo before either of them notices that it was a through-and-through.  Figuring shit like that out isn't exactly a trivial pursuit under the circumstances.

The logic-twister that is Game Night may have swearing and violence, but I guess nudity was too taboo given that there isn't a single titty on view.  That's life, I guess.

Yahtzee!

February 23, 2018