'Date Night' is laugh out loud funny

By Abby Callaghan

Synopsis: When date night comes around, Phil and Claire Foster decide to do something different. While trying to get into a popular restaurant downtown, Phil takes the reservation of a couple who didn’t show up, which leads to a case of mistaken identity. Turns out, the reservation belonged to a couple of thieves and now Phil and Claire must survive a crazy life-threatening night filled with thugs, cops and a shirtless ex-military man.

Cast: Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, Taraji P. Henson, Jimmi Simpson, Common, James Franco, Mila Kunis and Leighton Meester.

Written by: Josh Klausner. Directed by: Shawn Levy

Thoughts: Despite what you may have heard about it, "Date Night" is probably one of the funniest movies I’ve seen in a long time. I was constantly laughing out loud. It’s a very straightforward movie, keeping things simple and to the point, and with enough ad-libbing from Carell and Fey to keep things moving at a great pace. Also, I’d just like to say that if you’re like me, then you’re probably a bit worried that you’ve seen all the funny parts in the previews. But believe me, those scenes are outshined by everything else in this movie. I honestly have nothing bad to say about it. The jokes were great, the cast was well picked, even the action scenes were entertaining. It’s been 10days since I’ve seen this movie, and I’m still quoting it. So all in all, I’d say, see it. Go out and have a laugh. This comedy is worth seeing.

Rated PG-13 for sexual and crude content throughout, language, some violence and a drug reference.

                         Tina Fey and Steve Carell star in "Date Night."

Kick-Ass delivers knock out punch

By Abby Callaghan

Synopsis: Comic book geek Dave Lizewski has no coordination and no super powers but that doesn’t stop him from becoming a vigilante superhero, calling himself Kick-Ass. Before long, Kick-Ass becomes a sensation and others start to follow his lead. One by one, the world is introduced to Hit-Girl, Big Daddy, and Red Mist.

Cast: Aaron Johnson, Clark Duke, Evan Peters, Chloe Moretz, Nicolas Cage, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Mark Strong.

Written by: Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn

Directed by: Matthew Vaughn

Thoughts: I had high hopes for "Kick-Ass" and I was worried it’d let me down, but it did no such thing. The movie covers absolutely insane action sequences, smart superhero parodies, heart-pounding dramatic turns and a witty script making "Kick-Ass" a great movie. The cast is absolutely ideal, but it’s Chloe Moretz who steals the show here. Even the film itself resembles a comic book, with all of its outrageous colors. Every shot was beautiful and the soundtrack was perfect. There’s no time for you to be bored with this film, it’s constantly moving and it’s constantly entertaining, whether you’re laughing or you’re sitting on the edge of your seat. "Kick-Ass," I welcome you into the world of comic book movies. I’d say, I really hope you see this one, I know you won’t regret it.

Rated R for strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use -- some involving children.

Derby Day still brings out fans of the Sport of Kings

Although not as popular as it once was, horse racing still draws a big crowd the first Saturday in May when Churchill Downs is home to the Kentucky Derby.

The Run for the Roses is American racing’s premier event. The race draws thousands to the track. The men wear suits. The women wear fancy dresses and derby bonnets. Everyone drinks mint juleps. Some people win a bundle, most walk away losers.

This year’s 136th running is no exception. The local OTB at Stoney Point Grill in Mokena is planning a big party complete with a tent for the bettors who don’t want to shell out $35 for a seat inside the restaurant. Charley Horse restaurants in Tinley Park, New Lenox and Munster, Ind., are offering free meals to ladies who wear derby bonnets into the eateries from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The race starts at 5:24 p.m. CST.

Big crowds are also expected at Balmoral in Crete and Hawthorne in Cicero. Both tracks will simulcast the race on big screen TVs.

Horse racing may not be the sport it once was, when thousands would pack the grandstands at famous tracks such as Santa Anita in California, Hialeah in Florida and Saratoga in New York. Local venues including Sportsman’s Park in Cicero and Washington Park in Homewood would also pack them in.

Hollywood has had an affinity for racing movies. Films were made about real-life champion horses such as “Phar Lap” about a champion horse from Australia and “Dreamer” about Breeder’s Cup winner Sonador. “Casey’s Shadow” is about a reel-life champion.

“Champions” is about British steeple chase jockey Bob Champion and his battle with cancer.

Tracks have been the setting in movies such as “Little Miss Marker” and “My Brother Talks to Horses.”

“Guys & Dolls” is a musical about New York gangsters dabbling in horseracing among other ventures.

Here are six movies available on video and DVD that look at the Sport of Kings, in one way or another.

“Let It Ride” (1989) – Richard Dreyfuss gets wind of a fixed race and wins a bundle. He then has in his words “a very good day” at the track. Along the way we get to see a variety of characters ranging from his wife (Teri Garr), unlucky best friend (David Johansen) and an oversexed mistress (Jennifer Tilly).

“Seabiscuit” (2003) – Tobey Maguire is the broken-down jockey, Chris Cooper is the discredited trainer and Jeff Bridges is the misguided owner who all believe in the special powers of an undersized, hurt horse named Seabiscuit who captivated Depression-era America.

“A Day at the Races” (1937) – Groucho, Chico and Harpo run amok at a racetrack while trying to win enough money to save a sanitarium run by a friend of theirs in this classic Marx Brothers comedy. Other stars include Maureen O’Sullivan and Margaret Dumont.

“Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair” (1952) – Pa (Percy Kilbride) buys a broken-down trotter hoping to win the race at the county fair so he can send one of his daughters to college in this entry in the “Ma and Pa Kettle” series of comedies. Other stars include Marjorie Main as Ma, Lori Nelson and James Best.

“The Derby Stallion” (2005) – An alcoholic former trainer (Bill Cobbs) sobers up long enough to help a 15-year-old boy (Zac Efron) pursue his dream of turning his horse into a champion. Also stars William R. Moses.

“The Great Dan Patch” (1949) – This is the biopic of legendary trotter Dan Patch and the man who might have loved him more than his wife and girlfriend. Stars include Dennis O’Keefe, Gail Russell, Henry Hull and Ruth Warrick.