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Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

The To Do List
Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Connie Britton, Clark Gregg, Rachel Bilson, Bill Hader, Sarah Steele, Alia Shawkat, and Scott Porter
About: “The To Do List” comes from Maggie Carey, who is no stranger to offbeat comedy. She previously worked on the TV show “In The Motherhood” and “Funny Or Die Presents,” and is married to former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Bill Hader, who co-stars in this film. “The To Do List” is about what you’d expect from a raunchy summer comedy. The film is set in Boise, Idaho in 1993, which adds some fun nostalgia to the film. Carey does a good job of capturing that little slice of life, which will probably be a fun trip down memory lane for those that were teenagers in the early 1990s. Plaza — who shines on the small screen as part of the “Parks and Recreation” ensemble — does a good job in the lead role. She plays Brandy as stiff and clinical in many respects, which only adds to the humor of the production. There are a number of actors in supporting roles that add to the humor. Hader provides a lot of the comic relief and has great timing. As Brandy’s parents, Connie Britton and Clark Gregg are also hilarious, providing some of the most memorable moments of the production. This isn’t a great film, but it’s a fun summer film. Though not for younger audiences, this film has plenty of laughs as it depicts an awkward time of life for a very socially awkward girl.
Rating: R for pervasive strong crude and sexual content including graphic dialogue, drug and alcohol use, and language - all involving teens. Enter with caution.
Verdict: Three stars out of four

The Way Way Back
Starring: Liam James, Sam Rockwell, Steve Carrell, Toni Collette, AnnaSophia Robb, Allison Janney, Nat Faxon, Maya Rudolph, Jim Rash, Amanda Peet, and Rob Corddry
About: “The Way Way Back” was written and directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, who crafted the screenplay for Best Picture nominee “The Descendants.” The film is a sweet dramedy. It mixes light-hearted moments with more dramatic moments, crafting a beautiful little slice of life. In addition to writing and directing the film, Faxon and Rash appear as supporting players in the movie. Both play wildly different parts — with Faxon taking on the easy going part of Roddy and Rash the more uptight Lewis. Both add tremendously to the comedy in their roles. One fascinating aspect of the film is that both Carrell and Rockwell play against standard type. Carrell often plays the gentle mentor type, but here is a cad. Rockwell often plays characters with rougher edges, but here is the gentle mentor. And both do well in the reversal. The inter-play between Rockwell and James is the highlight of the film. Rockwell is great in this role. Whether he’s having fun with fellow water park employees and patrons, attempting to woo his co-worker, played by Maya Rudolph, or offering sage advice and a shoulder to lean on, he provides both heavy doses of comedy and emotional heft to the film. “The Way Way Back” isn’t your typical summer film. There aren’t any special effects, superheroes, monsters or robots. It’s about people trying to live their lives the best way they know how. There’s humor, drama and some tears. And it’s a refreshing change of pace from the last three months of blockbusters.
Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, language, some sexual content and brief drug material.
Verdict: Four stars out of four

Upcoming Releases:
Friday, August 2 — "Two Guns," "The Spectacular Now"
Wednesday, August 7 — "We're The Millers," "Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters"
Friday, August 9 — "Planes," "Elysium"
Friday, August 16 — "The Butler," "Jobs," "Paranoia," "Kick-Ass 2"
Friday, August 23 — "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones," "The World's End," "You're Next," "Grandmaster"
Wednesday, August 28 — "Closed Circuit"
Friday, August 30 — "Getaway," "One Direction: This Is Us," "Random"