The Littlest Winslow

Despite a semi-quiet release and meager 48% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, I must admit: last year’s Hit & Run was highly entertaining. Dax Shepard (yeah, yeah…I know) deserves some cred for wearing the hat of writer, co-director and star, and alongside his fellow cast members, baby mama Kristen Bell, Bradley Cooper and Tom Arnold, the movie flows well and has plenty of laughs along the way.

Shepard plays Charlie Bronson, a former getaway driver now in the witness protection program after testifying against some of his partners-in-crime. When his girlfriend Annie gets an interview for an opportunity in L.A., Charlie decides to drive her there despite what his supervising U.S. Marshall (Arnold) has to say. Thanks to the douchebaggery of Annie’s ex-boyfriend Gil, Alexander Dmitri (Cooper), one the guys Charlie put away, is soon hot on their trail. Then the funny happens.

The movie has a great mix of comedy and action with a dash of drama thrown in as well. The chase scenes are surprisingly decent and the set-up and flow make you feel attached enough to the characters by film’s end. The cast is really the shining light here. Cooper, dreadlocked and gangster’ed up, is hilarious as the white wannabe Alex, and Arnold plays a perfect bumbling watchdog. And when is Kristen Bell not absolutely delightful? The answer is never.

The guest stars and cameos are aplenty – Kristin Chenoweth, Ryan Hansen, Joy Bryant (Parenthood shoutout!), David Koechner, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes all pop in and out throughout all the chasing, and it’s enjoyable to see all of the likable, familiar faces. The film didn’t need them, but hey, bonus.

Considering that Shepard got his start out with Ashton Kutcher on Punk’d, liking the former prankster has been a tough pill for me to swallow (not even mentioning the list of stinkers he has on his resume). But hey, props are due. Shepard can definitely handle drama, as evidenced week after week on NBC’s Parenthood. His stint in the incredible familial drama has really transformed him into an actor as opposed to just a here-and-there support guy. Having said that, with Hit & Run under his belt it seems he’s got some life in him after all. If you like any of these actors, are a Parenthood fan, or dig the general premise, Hit & Run will satisfy and be worthy of a Netflix or Red Box rental.

Did I mention Kristen Bell is in it? No brainer, people.

Grade: B 

The mighty have spoken and so it shall be!

The Big Four networks have started to release fall schedules, and along with the new line-ups come a slew of cancellations (wa-waaaah).  Check it:

ABC
“Better With You”
“Brothers & Sisters”
“Detroit 1-8-7″
“Mr. Sunshine”
“No Ordinary Family”
“Off the Map”
“V”

NBC
America’s Next Great Restaurant
Chase
The Event
Law & Order: LA
Outsourced
The Paul Reiser Show
Perfect Couples

FOX
The Chicago Code
Human Target
Lie to Me
Traffic Light

CBS
The Defenders
Mad Love
$#*! My Dad Says

Luckily, I’m OK with most of these. Fringe, Cougar Town and Parenthood have all survived! Huzzah! Rejoice! And other celebratory goodness, too!

Perfect Couples and Mad Love weren’t terrible shows, per se, but they weren’t unique enough to really stand out. And did we ever need another Law & Order, let alone a William Shatner show based on a Twitter account? Isn’t that common sense? (I guess things aren’t looking too good for my treatment about my buddy, the Bronx Zoo Cobra! That was a terrible joke.)

Whatever. Who cares.  See you in the Fall, Fringe!