Ted

Ted is the feature film debut of Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane and it revels in the same low humor and 1980s film references that the cartoon show does. It is a high-concept romantic comedy about John Bennett, a thirtysomething guy trapped in an extended adolescence, his best friend Ted, a foul-mouthed stuffed bear who came to life as a result of a childhood wish, and his girlfriend Lori, who wishes John would grow up and marry her.  Predictable tensions and a by-the-numbers plot ensue, but the jokes in the film are funny, and MacFarlane makes Ted a believable character, not just a one-note digital joke.  The film also succeeds because Wahlberg is just so damn good at playing the simple, likable everyman; he’s played this part in movie after movie and it always works for me. Mila Kunis is strong as the girlfriend, a role that had a bit more nuance than I expected.  These actors make Ted a surprisingly good date movie that both genders should enjoy; it's crass and crude, but also heartfelt and sweet. I may be giving this film too much credit for being halfway decent in an age when most rom-coms suck, but I enjoyed it.