Review of Hall Pass (2011) by Alan C — 29 Oct 2013

This isn't a bad movie, but it's incredibly forgettable, which in some senses is an even bigger sin. I love bad movies. Sometimes the filmmakers will stumble in such incredible fashion that I can't help but laugh my way through the unintentional humor. But if a movie occupies the sorry grey area between praiseworthy cinema and schlock, it has less value than either side of the spectrum. In that sense, "Hall Pass" is an awful movie. It merely exists without humor or reason, needlessly taking up space in ever expanding world of cinema. It isn't particularly funny, the story isn't outrageous enough to be interesting, and the actors seem to coast, making it clear that they're only in it for the paycheck.

That said, it is the perfect movie to play in the background while multitasking. You get the full experience by dedicating a mere 10% of your attention, leaving you open to cook, clean, redecorate or take up a new hobby. That's sometimes how I best enjoy my movies.