Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Were John Hughes still alive, and had he figured out how to make movies starring grownups (stop cultivating the delusion that “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” was a good film), he would have made a movie like “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” (2016). Tina Fey stars as a frustrated journalist who tries her hand as a war correspondent. Afghani hijinks ensue. And people get blown up. And there’s a love interest. And the music comes in at all the right times. And it so patiently, deliberately tells its story, you remember what it was like back when comedies actually had plots. Thanks Tina.

 

This Is Where I Leave You

Some records will never be broken. I can’t think of one right now. I’m sure it involves Hank Aaron or Michael Jordan or somebody. Oh, wait, here’s one: Most Consecutive Movies Where You Play An Uptight White Guy. Jason Bateman has become the DiMaggio of WASPiness, even when he plays a Jewish dude, like in “This Is Where I Leave You” (2014). It’s a harmless little cliche about family dysfunction that plays like an episode of “Parenthood,” but with cussing, pot smoking and boob jokes (I’ve never actually watched “Parenthood,” maybe all that stuff is in the TV show, too).

Date Night

You’re a middle-aged couple with kids, circa 2010. Sleep deprived, overscheduled, striving, always striving, to keep up with whatever. You make time for each other because you know you’re supposed to. You drag your tired asses to T.G. O’Tuesday’s and pretend you’re having a date, but you’re really conducting a dinner meeting to plan the rest of your go-through-the-motions week/month/life. But then there are some funny, exciting, unexpected moments that make it all seem worthwhile. If that’s the case, you’re either the stars of the predictable-yet-entertaining “Date Night,” or you’re the people who are going to rent it this weekend.