Double Bill Mini Reviews: Bosses and Fighters...

Horrible Bosses 2:
What's it about?
Nick, Kurt, and Dale - the bumbling trio of boss-hating worker drones from the first movie - have all quit their jobs and set out on their own, establishing a business making 'Shower Buddys'. Naturally, they get screwed over by a horrible boss and things quickly spiral out of control as they seek to get their own back.
Who would I recognise in it?
Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Chris Pine, Christoph Waltz, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey, Jonathan Banks, Keegan-Michael Key.
Great/Good/Alright/Shite?
Fairly solid plotting (relatively speaking) is left swinging in the wind thanks to a lack of jokes. After a slow start a few chuckles creep in, but all-too-often they rely on the 'bumbling and shouty trio' schtick that worked well in a lesser dose in the first movie. Here the same buffoonery takes centre stage at the expense of more interesting gags and starts to become grating at worst, and at best the dim-witted actions of Dale and Kurt in particular display chronic stupidity that's too stupid even for this movie's sense of logic. Jason Bateman was refreshingly candid about the film on a recent appearance on Marc Maron's WTF Podcast - everybody got paid, they had a good time, and they tried to improve upon a dodgy script. It's not a total disaster - there is an amount of fun to be had - but after the enjoyable silliness of the first movie, this sequel comes as a general disappointment. Alright.

Click "READ MORE" below for a rockin' rockumentary...

Foo Fighters: Back and Forth:
What's it about?
An intimate and candid journey through the life and times of Foo Fighters - the world-conquering rock band and all-round musical legends - from their inception in the wake of tragedy, through very public teething problems, all the way to the development of their 2011 'analogue album' "Wasting Light".
Who would I recognise in it?
Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear, Butch Vig, and more.
Great/Good/Alright/Shite?
James Moll's documentary is a must-see for any Foo fan. Digging deep into the archives, and starting out at the height of Nirvana's worldwide domination, we are guided through Kurt Cobain's death towards Grohl's self-recorded debut: the self-titled Foo Fighters first album. Members current and past don't shy away from the teething troubles the band experienced - finding the right combination of musicians, endless touring etc - and yet, despite drunken escapades and a close call with an overdose, there is a heart-warming sense of family at the very centre of the band's dynamic. Crammed with behind-the-scenes glimpses, engaging interviews, and cute little moments (e.g. Grohl's daughter pestering her father to take her swimming as he records a guitar part for a new song), "Back and Forth" is a superbly balanced and well-rounded rockumentary. The DVD also includes a handful of genuinely interesting interview snippets and deleted scenes (many of which delve deeper into the making of "Wasting Light"). Great.