The world is divided into two different kinds of people: those that love Will Ferrell, and those that despise him. While I fall under the first category (that's not to say he hasn't had his share of flops), haters of the over-the-top, brazen comic can rejoice in this: there's still a chance that you'll laugh your ass of during The Other Guys, as anti-Ferrell you may be.
Will Ferrell plays Alan Gamble, a straight-laced, bespectacled forensic accountant. Mark Wahlberg is Terry Hoitz, a detective who's been demoted to a desk job after he accidentally shot Derek Jeter before game 7 of the World Series, causing him to be stuck with Gamble as his new partner. The plot is standard of any buddy-cop movie. But what really sets this film apart is this: its making fun of all those movies, and all action movies in general. You've all seen the trailer. Wahlberg and Ferrell are walking towards a building when it suddenly explodes, sending them flying backwards and onto the floor writhing in pain. "How do people always walk away from that in movies?! I call BULLSHIT on that!" screams Ferrell. The satirical elements of the film are golden, as is any part where Gamble and Hoitz get on a roll with their arguments and banter (my favorite scene involves a debate over who would be the winner in a lion vs tuna battle...Ferrell, obviously, being the tuna). 
This isn't the Will Ferrell you're entirely used to. He starts out subdued. Stupid? Yes. But not in the over exaggerated manner of say, Ron Burgundy. He slowly builds up to the craziness that's always dying to be unleashed from Will Ferrell, but trust me, he is a huge part of what makes the movie work so well. Wahlberg's wide-eyed, mean glares are just the topping on the cake. The film, much to my dismay, suffers in its second half, dragging out and losing its humor as it scrambles to tie up all the loose ends and bring us to the conclusion. If it weren't for this and its weak ending, I might have been writing a review for an "A" movie here. Nevertheless, the first half of the movie had me laughing so hard that I think it would be a disservice to do anything but recommend The Other Guys.
Rating: B
When I found out that Charlie St.Cloud opened at the 5th spot at the box office this weekend I was unsurprised. I mean lets face it, how many people are rushing to the theater to see a boy play catch with his dead brother? Zac Efron plays Charlie, who after witnessing his little brother Sam die in a car accident (Charlie was driving), is still able to see and interact with him every day for an hour before sundown, keeping the promise he made days before his death to play catch with him every night. Then Tess (Amanda Crew) comes into his life, and Charlie must choose between keeping his promise to Sam and going after the girl he's quickly falling in love with. 
Yes, I know that every guy (and probably a good amount of girls) are rolling their eyes while reading this. The plot may seem endlessly cheesy, but really, its not the plot that needed altering, its the way the movie handled it. An adaptation of the Ben Sherwood novel "The Death and Life of Charlie St.Cloud", I can tell you that the novel is a beautiful, life-affirming story, one in which the movie desperately tried to portray. It was a solid effort, but for some reason, whether it was because of the overly dramatic music, the constant use of bursts of light on the screen (yeah we get it, we're dealing with the afterlife here) or the lack of development of Sam's character, the supernatural aspect of the story felt shmaltzy and forced. People like me who cry at sappy commercials will be bawling throughout, but not because of the competency of the film, but more because of the subject matter, and what may be a surprise to some, Zac Efron's wonderful performance. I'm tired of hearing critics rag on him because of his "pretty boy looks"...he's a great looking guy, and destined to be a heartthrob because of those eyes, but he also has the acting chops to back it up. He is no longer just that guy singing and dancing in High School Musical, and we should embrace that. 
Charlie St.Cloud has its good points worth mentioning; a very picturesque setting and a small but powerful appearance from Ray Liotta complement Zac Efron. However those that have a sensitive gag reflex and who don't like heavily emotional subject matter will find things to laugh about throughout. Either way, Charlie St.Cloud is no Ghost, though it sincerely tries its very best to reach that caliber.
Rating: C