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Widescreen

Entertainment
By Paul Hall
Source: Fairfax County Times
TUESDAY, JULY 29 2008
UPDATED TUESDAY, JULY 29 2008


B

'Step Brothers'

Columbia Pictures

Director: Adam McKay

Cast: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Mary Steenburgen, Richard Jenkins

Rating: R for crude and sexual content, and pervasive language

Runtime: 95 minutes



I wanted to believe, but …


Let me start with some full disclosure. I’m a total X-Files nerd.

The new film, "The X-Files: I Want to Believe," brings back our two favorite FBI agents, Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). They are called back into service by Agent Dakota Whitney (Amanda Peet) during an investigation into a missing FBI agent being driven by an alleged “psychic.”

Duchovny is the always nonchalant yet obsessed Mulder and he will have you seeing that he still “wants to believe.” Anderson remains the stoic nonbeliever who sees things that even Mulder misses in the investigation and is still passionate about medicine.

The problem for me was the story – it wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted more conspiracy, more cover-ups and more supernatural.

I really wanted to believe that the magic that was "The X-Files" could be recreated. Unfortunately, the sighting of "The X-Files: I Want to Believe" was more hoax than I expected to find.


C+

'The X-Files: I Want to Believe'

20th Century Fox Pictures

Director: Chris Carter

Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly, Alvin “Xzibit” Joiner

Rating: PG-13 for violent and disturbing content and thematic material

Runtime: 105 minutes

 'Step Brothers' offends but brings laughter: Years ago "The Brady Bunch" showed that a family of “steps” could come together to grow and succeed.

"Step Brothers" features Will Ferrell as Brennan, a 40-year-old living at home with his mom, Nancy (Mary Steenburgen). When Nancy falls in love and marries a special man, Dr. Robert Doback (Richard Jenkins), she inherits his 39-year-old son, Dale (John C. Reilly), also living at home.

This film is so wrong in many ways, but I still laughed. For those who thought Ferrell was nearing the end of his relevance, think again. He uses a number of the aspects that have endeared him to countless fans, and then takes those a step further.

John C. Reilly is still one of the most underrated actors working, especially on the comedic side of things. He works so well with Ferrell in all aspects of the film, especially in pushing the envelope of good taste.

This is a film that not only gives the headliners meaty dialogue, but Steenburgen and Jenkins get great, extremely funny roles as the parents who are trying to bring the new family together.

The movie will offend many at times, but if you don’t at least crack a smile, you aren’t letting yourself go. It’s R-rated, so leave the kids at home. "Step Brothers" wrestled its way into my heart.



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