Editor's Note — Dinner and a Movie gives you a quick review of a new movie, where and when it plays and a dinner idea to go along with it.
Dinner: Since our movie critic said "Ted" is a "guy movie," we suggest you head to for some dinner and drinks before the film. California Burgers serves up delicious Angus beef burgers raised without hormones or antibiotics, along with sides like sweet potato fries.
Showtimes: "Ted" is playing at West Wind 6 Drive-In on 9616 Oates Drive at 8:55 p.m. and 1:15 a.m.; the film is also showing at UA Market Square at Arden Fair at 11:30 a.m., 2:15 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 7:45 p.m., and 10:20 p.m.
Review: One way to beat the heat is to go to the movies.
A little boy gets a cuddly teddy bear for Christmas and, after making a wish, the bear begins to talk; 20 years later Johnny (Mark Wahlberg) and his teddy bear (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) live together as roomies, who smoke pot, watch cartoons, and avoid growing up in TED.
John's longtime girlfriend, Lori (Mila Kunis), waits patiently for a proposal but something has to be done about his fowl mouthed furry sidekick. John seems genuinely torn between them, making two humans and one bear a pretty convincing dramatic triangle.
The storyline is a bit weak even though it is funny to see a sweet-looking stuffed animal sucking down bong hits, drinking, swearing, and making vulgar gyrations when he spots an attractive woman he wants to date. The movie, however, has heart and any comedy that makes you actually feel something for a bear with a hooker habit has something going for it.
Ted is directed, written, and co-starred by Seth MacFarlane, creator of "Family Guy." This is guy movie with a pile of filthy, ethnically offensive jokes, scatological humor, tacky pop culture references and random cameos, and it begins to wear thin.
The flick-o-meter gives Ted 3 out of five. The film does have some heart but the ending seemed a bit contrived. Wait, it is about a talking teddy bear, so never mind about that. It is a bit raunchy and over the top. “Ted” may be best enjoyed while enjoying the same mind-altering substances ingested in the movie. After the novelty of a cussing vulgar bear wears off, though, so does the buzz.
—Roseville and Rosemont Patch staff contributed to this story.
Film critic Brett Martin gives his take on a new release. See all Brett's reviews at www.flickedup.com. Follow Brett Martin in Facebook at TheBrettSide.
