It seems like every day, there’s another warning about the ills of a too-connected digital world. “We spend too much time on social media” … “There’s not enough face to face connections in the world” … “You have to be careful what you put on the Internet.” It’s that lesson director Jake Kasdan aims to lampoon in Sex Tape.

Cameron Diaz and Jason Segal play Annie and Jay, a couple who has found their post-children sex lives a little lacking compared to the halcyon days of their youth. After they experience several false starts during a night of special-private-time, the dangerous mixture of The Joy of Sex, an iPad and a bottle of tequila lead to the creation of a (3-hour!!) sex tape. But the “fun” doesn’t stop there … a fairly unrealistic plot contrivance finds that video uploaded to iPads that Jay has given everyone from his in-laws to the mailman. Shenanigans ensue as the couple try to track down each and every copy before anyone watches.

Sex Tape has its moments, but those moments are few and far between. Segal is credited as a writer, and you can almost hear a difference in the dialogue that you can assume he wrote. Kasdan comes from that Judd Apatow tree, having worked with him and Segal on Freaks and Geeks. There are bits that rise to the bar that Apatow has set, but mostly he fails.

Despite the film’s subject material, I was a little surprised that the rest of the movie was as risqué as it turned out to be. The language was coarse and the leads showed a little more skin than I expected (though Segal didn’t bare it all as he did in Forgetting Sarah Marshall). This is not a bad thing; while the film does deserve its R-rating, I had expected them to pull some punches. (Spoiler Alert: we got to see more of the titular tape than I expected, but don’t expect Zach & Miri Make a Porno levels of skin).

The flicks’ secondary cast does stand out. The Office’s Ellie Kemper and Children’s Hospital’s Nathan Corddry play Annie and Jay’s best friends, and they shine throughout. Rob Lowe’s character is a major departure from characters I’m used to seeing him play (and be sure not to miss his artwork). One of my favorite moments was supplied by Silicon Valley’s Kumail Nanjiani, who is just one of several surprise cameos.

While I didn’t particularly love Sex Tape, I suspect it’s going to find its audience. The crowd at my screening was mostly into the goings on, and the critics I discussed the film with after enjoyed it more than I. I suspect that those who will seek out Sex Tape knowing it will be up their alley will find it largely entertaining. Unfortunately I couldn’t get past the repetitive jokes and obvious plot twists.

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CliqueClack has partnered with Sony Pictures to offer readers in Baltimore, DC and Virginia Beach an opportunity to attend an advance screening of the new comedy Sex Tape starring Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Rob Corddry, Ellie Kemper and Rob Lowe.

Jay (Segel) and Annie (Diaz) are a married couple still very much in love, but ten years and two kids have cooled the passion. To get it back, they decide – why not? – to make a video of themselves trying out every position in THE JOY OF SEX in one marathon three-hour session. It seems like a great idea, until they discover that their most private video has gone public. In a panic, they begin a wild night of adventure – tracking down leads, roping in friends, duping Annie’s boss – all to reclaim their video, their reputation, their sanity, and, most importantly, their marriage.

The screenings will take place at the times and locations as listed:

• Wednesday, July 16th at 7:00 PM at AMC Lynnhaven, Virginia Beach, VA ALL PASSES HAVE BEEN CLAIMED
• Wednesday July 16th at 7:00 PM at Regal Gallery Place, Washington, DC
• Thursday, July 17th at 7:00 PM at AMC White March, Baltimore, MD ALL PASSES HAVE BEEN CLAIMED

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY! THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS!

To get your free pair of passes, copy and paste one of the following locations into the comment box:

• LYNNHAVEN
• GALLERY PLACE
• WHITE MARSH

Do not enter anything else in the comment box or your entry will be rejected!

Enter your full name (first and last) and correct email address in the appropriate spaces on the submission form. Do not include this information in the comment box! Please make sure you have entered your email address correctly! As passes are limited, we will accept one comment per person/per email address. CliqueClack reserves the right to discard any duplicates or comments that appear to be duplicates. Multiple comments from a single person will result in complete disqualification. Please keep these offers fair for everyone.

Winners will receive one Admit Two pass by email. This pass will contain a unique code that will be scanned at the door. Duplicates will not be accepted. Passes will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. This is not a random drawing, so only one person per couple needs to comment! Passes do not guarantee seats at the screening. Seating is first come, first served so plan to arrive early. CliqueClack has no control over the total number of passes distributed, and is not responsible for seating arrangements at the theater.

Have a look at the trailer below and then tell us where you want to see the movie! Sex Tape opens July 18th.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxl4aOyHSwo