Penguins of Madagascar (2014)

After three "Madagascar" films, and having their own show on Nickelodeon (which I will admit I haven't seen), the four super spy Penguins have received their very own silver screen feature. Thankfully, it was pretty fantastic. It starts with an origin of sorts, and picks up in the middle of "Madagascar 3", where we find our polar protagonists planning a heist on Fort Knox. From there we meet a host of new characters including Dave (Darren?) the super villain octopus, who was constantly passed over in zoos for penguins, and the North Wind spy team, who are sent to help animals in trouble (Wonder Pets?), and constantly end up in our heroes' way.

The Penguins were always the best part of the "Madagascar" series, so it isn't any wonder that they have continuously risen in popularity. The writing is better than any of the previous films, and they top the laughs from scene to scene with increasing absurdity, and crisp humor that are often surprising. A particular running joke involving Nicholas Cage comes to mind. There are a lot of jokes that flop, but the fact that they land a lot more than fail is impressive. John Malkovich is especially wonderful as Dave, and Benedict Cumberbatch (who is in everything this year) lends a wonderful straight man quality to Classified, the leader of the north wind, but they never distract from the main four, who carry the film wonderfully. Oh, and a Werner Herzog cameo never hurt anybody either!

Grade: B
3D: Not necessary
Easter Egg: Early credits sequence.

Starring: Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights
Director: Eric Darnell and Simon J. Smith
Writer(s): John Aboud, Michael Colton, Bradon Sawyer
RT: 92 min
Rating: PG for mild action and some rude humor

Two Sentences:

To Be Takei: Jennifer M. Kroot documents her subject, Asian-American actor, and gay icon, George Takei, with great respect, and complete depth. Never does the film fell like hero worship, though it delves into the topic, but instead she allows those who know him best to discuss the flaws that they love him in spite of, or because of.

Grade: B+

Horrible Bosses 2: I am almost ashamed at how much I laughed at this movie (almost), because it doesn't tend to be very smart, and it retreads a lot of the same jokes that the first covered. Nonetheless, there is a lot of energy, and the cast seems to be having a lot of fun in spite of some of the stupid situations they have been put in by the writers.

Grade: B-

White Bird in a Blizzard: There are some really strong performances in this film: Shailene Woodley as a young girl dealing with the disappearance of her mother, Eva Green as her mother, slowly losing her mind, and Christopher Meloni as her spineless father coping with his own crippling loneliness. That aside, some of the dialogue is poor, and the characters are unlikeable, and yet, it somehow remains intriguing long after you think you found out what has actually happened.

Grade: C+