Review of Be Kind Rewind (2008) by Robert R — 21 May 2010

A goofball movie with lots of heart. It will ring nostalgic for anybody who was an amateur filmmaker in their youth. I would fall into that category, so I found myself rooting for this movie as soon as Mos Def and Jack Black busted out the camcorder.

There's a lot to like in those absurd remake segments--especially Jack Black's version of the 'Ghostbusters' theme. However, the storyline is staid and tired: quirky locals rally around an old community stalwart to save it from the bulldozer.

Let's be honest, we've seen that movie before and it doesn't beg to get the Mos Def and Jack Black treatment. But their renditions of contemporary popcorn pics like 'Men in Black' and 'Rush Hour 2' draw some good laughs.

In many ways director Michel Gondry tries to craft his movie into a hipster 'Cinema Paradiso'; except his is less timeless and palpable.