Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

(Guest Review by Jack)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: If you don’t know what Harry Potter is about by now (part 6 out of 8 in the series), you should probably skip to the next review. Or better yet, try leaving your houses once in a while.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Same people as the last one – with the addition of Jim Broadbent as a new professor.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. As a big fan of the books, it’s always cool to see the characters and places come to life. But I have only liked one of the HP movies as a movie (Order of the Phoenix). While this is the same exact production crew as that one, this one falls well short of the book’s potential for drama and excitement.

Concurrently, if you're a big fan of not reading the books, my wife says, "Stay away," after being so bored that she almost fell asleep. But to be fair to HP fans, she hasn’t enjoyed any of the movies. And to be fair to my wife, I’d like to thank her for continuing to join me at them.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: There are a few teenage moments that are amusing. But they also make the tone of the movie too light– much to my chagrin. Teenage love was a side note in the book – the gravy, so to speak. By turning the gravy into the meal, they watered down the crucial relationship between Harry and Dumbledore and their ongoing quest which actually drove the book, and made it great.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No, but it should have. In this book, Harry and Dumbledore build upon their already special relationship, become allies in a quest, and strengthen their bond to a new level. And what happens at the end should elicit tears – or at least some real emotion. But it did nothing for me (or my wife), because it was horribly executed, and overshadowed by the teen romance stuff.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: As usual, the tech credits are all top notch, but I’ll reserve award consideration for Effects and Sound.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The best thing about the series is the casting. They have done a great job overall with nailing the characters.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: I was really let down. I had high expectations after the last movie, but I felt that the choices David Yates made in this one were often way off base to anyone who read the books (Geeky Example: Felix Felicis should not make you drunk).

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The book was great. This movie, like most of its predecessors, feels like really bad Cliff’s Notes. GEEK ALERT: They actually let Dumbledore and Harry disapperate (like teleporting) from Hogwarts??!!?? This breaks a major ongoing story point – especially in this particular book as Malfoy spends the entire book fixing a magical cabinet in order to get the death eaters in the castle – precisely because disapperating is not possible there. And don’t get me started on the ending! Mostly, I don’t wanna get started because I don’t want to give anything away. But I will say this: It should’ve left you guessing about the characters’ true intentions, because that’s what made for such a great ending to the book.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: Happy Birthday J.K. Rowling.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince/27063/trailers

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G-Force 3D

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: After finding out that their covert branch of the FBI is being shut down, a group of special agent guinea pigs must escape the FBI agents who want to exterminate them, while preventing a plot to destroy the world.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Sam Rockwell, Nicolas Cage, Penelope Cruz, Tracy Morgan, Jon Favreau, Steve Buscemi, Zach Galifianakis, Will Arnett, Bill Nighy, Kelli Garner, Niecy Nash, Justin Mentell, Jack Conley, Gabriel Casseus

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. While the plot is multi-faceted and the guinea pig point of view is original, the cheesy one-liners-- all of which have been used in at least 6 different movies before this-- are enough to snap you right out of the miniature action.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: When the characters aren't spouting out cliches like, "If you mess with the bull, you're gonna get the horns," (in the complete absence of anything resembling a bull, I might add), there are a few opportunities for jokes you haven't heard before, some of which are even funny.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Its efforts at sentimentality are valiant, but they never reach through your thick skin to where your heart is.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Last weekend it won the number one spot at the box office... Well, my friends, after paying to see it in 3D, I understand why. There is a $4 surcharge for 3D, which is a $2 increase since the last time I saw a 3D movie, only a few short months ago, and which shot my $11.50 ticket up to $15.50 in seconds flat. At that rate of inflation, even a Japanese language film about gay lovers committing harakiri could get to number one. And let me tell you something about the 3D. It wasn't worth it.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The voice actors are pretty wonderful. Penelope Cruz and Tracy Morgan are a great team. And I didn't even recognize Nicholas Cage's voice, from the weird affectation he was doing with it.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The action is all pretty easy to follow, which is nice, but there are a few moments, I would've liked to indulge in a little longer. Like when they set off all the fireworks in a fireworks show at once. I've always wondered why they don't do that on the 4th of July. It would be so much cooler, than the slow build up of crappy explosives that lead to the non-spectacular ending that we usually get. Just blow 'em all up at once! That's what I'd suggest.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Aside from the dialogue sucking, there is a fair amount of action, and some interesting allusions to what life must be like for guinea pigs-- or at least the ones that have the brains of a human. There is one plot turn that seems out of place in a similar way that the conclusion of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull seemed like it didn't belong in that movie, but because this is an offbeat animation about guinea pigs that talk and fight crime, I'm more likely to accept that sort of non sequitur here.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/g-force/31271/trailers

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Humpday

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Two old friends, one happily married (Mark Duplass) and the other a vagabond (Joshua Leonard), challenge themselves to make an art project for a contest... it will be a porn about two straight men having gay sex. And they will play the straight men.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Mark Duplass, Joshua Leonard, Alycia Delmore, Lynn Shelton, Trina Willard

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. If you weren't automatically turned off by what the film is about, you should absolutely see this movie. It's brilliant on all the levels that a true film lover should appreciate. It takes risk after risk and succeeds at all of them. No-name actors, bizarre topic, improvised dialogue, and a low budget look, do not stop this story from being everything an independent film is supposed to be. If you liked Chuck & Buck, Happiness, or Kissing Jessica Stein, you must see this movie. If you've never heard of any of those films, this one's probably not for you either.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Doesn't everyone laugh when they're uncomfortably squirming inside?

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: What happens after the movie is over might, but thankfully, we don't have to watch that part.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It won the Special Jury Prize at Sundance, and if the Spirit Awards don't follow suit they'd be-- well, they'd be the Spirit Awards...

Q: How is the Acting?

A: If you're not familiar with the Mumblecore movement yet, what's taking you so long? The actors speak casually and talk over each other, making you feel as if you were eavesdropping on their lives, as they unfold. In other words, it's like a film version of TV's The Hills, but with a plot and a point.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Lynn Shelton uses the hand-held shaky cam in almost every scene to intensify the feelings of awkwardness and discomfort that arise around two men trying to force themselves to sleep together, despite their complete lack of desire for each other, and the married guy's wife. Shelton's directing is deceptively simple, and without any missteps.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Brilliant. Raw. Never forced. What makes this a great independent film is the writers take a risky topic and tell a story that the studios would be afraid of, but that is still completely (and this is the important part for all you indy filmmakers out there) WORTH TELLING. But ultimately, the movie isn't even about what the premise is about. The premise is just an interesting way for the characters to discover what's really going on in their lives under the surface appearances that they put out to the world.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/humpday/trailers

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In the Loop

(Guest Review by Russ)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Lower-level government officials in England and the U.S. decide war would be a good idea and then go about trying to make it happen. (Not against each other, of course.)

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander, Gina McKee, James Gandolfini, Chris Addison, Anna Chlumsky, Enzo Cilenti, Paul Higgins, Mimi Kennedy, David Rasche, Steve Coogan

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. This British comedy (with a few American actors thrown in for good measure) worms its way into the back-channels of government to display the idiocy, ego and hidden agenda of government bureaucracy. Smart, funny, satirical and scathing, it’s sort of a West Wing for cynics who like their comedy dark and British. To sum it up, if you loved Catch 22 and Dr. Strangelove, you’ll probably enjoy this film as well.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The lines come smart, witty and even raunchy from every single character – so this would be a big ‘ol yes. But pay attention to keep up.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Only if you’re already predisposed to the insanity and horrors of government bureaucracy. In that case this movie might send you over the edge into a puddle of tears.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Probably not in America, but only because it’s too British. Which of course means it’ll be showered with BAFTAs.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The film is perfectly cast, from Hollander’s dippy British Secretary of State, Peter Capaldi’s expletive-spewing Communications Director, Mimi Kennedy’s U.S. Deputy Sec. of State to Gandolfini’s egotistical U.S. General. Combined with the way this film is shot and the ad-lib style of dialogue, you will pretty much forget these are actors and think you are watching a documentary that has spun hopelessly out of control.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The genius of In the Loop is that director Amando Ianucci has shot it as if it were a documentary, and it completely feels like that on one level. But the comedy and situations are so absurd, that you can’t help but realize it’s a piece of fiction. Or is it? Every single performance, set, action and snippet of dialogue feels authentic which lends the entire enterprise a feeling of real-world doom that might have been a lot funnier if it were not for the reality of the war in Iraq. Where a show like The West Wing reveled in showing us the people at the very top levels of government, In the Loop takes us one level down where all the real decisions are made. And it’s about a trillion times scarier for that reason alone.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: According to the director at a Q&A after the film, the committee of writers (there were five total credited) did a ton of research hanging out in both the British and U.S. governments to get every detail as authentic as could be. They did a great job because even in its heightened state of dark comedy, In the Loop feels scarily authentic in pulling back the curtain on the people who make decisions that affect millions of lives. Be prepared for a dose of harsh reality – even if you’re laughing all the way through.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: Directly below is a link to view the trailer for In the Loop. Regardless if you ever see the movie, do yourself a favor and watch the trailer, because it’s a marvel of editing and probably the best trailer of the year so far.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/in%20the%20loop/trailers

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The Ugly Truth

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A TV morning show producer (Katherine Heigl) is forced unwillingly to work with a man (Gerard Butler) whose views about love and relationships are diametrically opposed to hers, so he bets her his job that he's right and she's out of her mind.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, Bree Turner, Eric Winter, Nick Searcy, Jesse D. Goins, Cheryl Hines, John Michael Higgins, Noah Matthews, Kevin Connolly, Bonnie Somerville, Yvette Nicole Brown, Nate Corddry, Craig Ferguson, Rocco DiSpirito, Valente Rodriguez

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. Unless you're a woman, in which case there's no reason you shouldn't go. As far as I'm concerned, this movie gives chick-flicks a good name. But as much as it tries to reach across the gender aisle with sex jokes and casting the hero of 300 in the romantic lead, this film is still too true to the romantic-comedy genre to attract any of the "typical men" it depicts so vividly.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Not a ton, but no one expects to laugh a lot at comedies that have the term "romantic" in front of them, any more.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Only if you've never seen a romantic comedy before, and you don't know that after the sad part where they are separated forever, something happy happens... I'm sorry, should I have said, spoiler alert? Well if I ruined anything for you, I'd like to put forth my deepest apologies, and wish you a happy 8th birthday.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Well for Katherine Heigl, this rom-com marks her third big one in as many years, so I think it's fair to predict that she will have the Lifetime Achievement of being looked back on as an era in romantic comedy, much like Julia Roberts and Andie MacDowell.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Gerard Butler is incredibly charismatic. The proof is that you want Heigl to be with him despite the fact that the other guy has nothing whatsoever wrong with him, except the fact that he's hot, tan, and chiseled to perfection.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Robert Luketic did a good job directing poker drama, 21, but I'm just happy to see him back where he belongs, right here directing cute little movies for the ladies.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: I love Kristen Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz, who brought us The House Bunny, 10 Things I Hate About You, and one of my all time faves, Legally Blonde. They have a way of keeping the predictable fare they write light, fun, and sometimes even original. At some point, they came on board first-time writer, Nicole Eastman's script. And the only complaint I have for the three of them is that the female supporting character, Joy (Bree Turner), clearly has more interest in dating and sex than the boss she is advising, so at a certain point I start to wonder why she's not the one partaking in it. Everyone knows the confidante's only role is to give the main character someone to express her feelings to out loud. But you can't have the confident saying things like, (paraphrasing) "I want to have sex, so I'm going to live vicariously through you." That doesn't make any logical sense. Even when it comes from one of us crazy, irrational women.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-ugly-truth/33124/trailers

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(500) Days of Summer

(Guest Review by Russ)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: An offbeat comedy about a young man (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who is sure he’s found the woman of his dreams (Zooey Deschanel) and the five-hundred days that follow in which his expectations meet reality.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel, Geoffrey Arend, Clark Gregg, Matthew Gray Gubler, Chloe Moretz, Minka Kelly

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Even the filmmakers at a Q&A following the screening were having a hard time defining the genre of this movie because it is not a typical ‘Hollywood’ romantic comedy. One fan proposed: “Emotional Action Film.” I’m not sure that description fits best either. Maybe we just skip genre and call (500) Days of Summer a classic, because it might very well turn out to be one. Only time will tell of course, but this movie is a rare gem in that it treats the viewer to relatable emotions, laughter, cinematic creativity and humanity. Regardless of its bittersweet ending, you will leave feeling great and your faith in movies will be completely, 100% restored. Not every movie needs to be as great as this one is; they just need to come along once in a while to remind us how transcendent cinema can be.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Yes, often and throughout. Both Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel inhabit their characters so fully that you will be laughing along with them as if they are two of your best friends.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It very well might. This is no cliché-ridden romance; what this couple goes through is inherently relatable and it’ll surely hit close to home more often than not. How you feel about that one special ‘ex’ may dictate how sad – or angry – you become.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I believe it will be eligible for all the Spirit Awards and I can see it handily winning many of them. But with the Academy recently announcing expansion of the Best Picture category to ten nominees (instead of the usual five), there is pretty much zero doubt this movie will score a Best Picture nomination. It also deserves nominations for acting, direction, production design, music, costumes, editing and writing, we’ll see if it gets them.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Much like The Hangover is refreshing in that it presents us with four new comedy stars, this movie puts two fine actors front-and-center who aren’t typically known for starring in romantic-type films. At the Q&A someone asked Joseph Gordon-Levitt if there was anything he couldn’t do? He answered by performing a back-flip, so I guess that answers that question. The two leads are so good together they’ll leave you begging for more, yet at the same time they manage to accomplish the rare feat of making their non-chemistry just as believable as the chemistry that draws them together. In the context of this movie, that’s a good thing and you’ll understand why after seeing it.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Marc Webb makes his debut with this film after a career in music videos. This is a home run on par with Sam Mendes’ and Rob Marshall’s film debuts (and note they both won academy awards for directing for their first films, American Beauty and Chicago respectively). Yes it’s absolutely that good and visually creative and forward thinking. Set in downtown Los Angeles, it is as much a love letter to the city and its architecture as the film itself is a love letter to its audience. (500) Days of Summer is such a rare thing; not easily definable, which has as much to do with its direction as the writing and acting. What could have become a little too cutesy and precious manages instead to strike a perfect tone between that feeling of being head-over-heels in love and the total despair of depression when it’s gone. The musical numbers are great too. Oh wait, did I not mention the musical numbers? Don’t worry, you will love them.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: This movie is so well written I have to mention the screenwriters by name: Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber. The five hundred days that are covered (and don’t worry, we don’t see every one of them) are told out of order but it’s easy to keep up thanks to a handy (and clever) on-screen counter that tells us exactly which day it is. But what sounds like a gimmick is actually a masterstroke of storytelling because it not only allows the audience to breathe, but to also better relate to the rollercoaster ride of Tom’s emotional journey. (500) Days is the best, most emotionally authentic portrayal of the crystallization of the ups and downs of falling in and out of love since Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but spares us the head-trippiness of that movie. The word ‘summer’ in the title actually refers to the name of the character Zooey Deschanel plays, but do yourself a favor and put this winner on your summer-viewing schedule. You won’t regret it and you don’t want to be left out of all the conversations everyone will inevitably be having about it.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/500-days-of-summer/33968/trailers

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Bruno

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Gay fashionista, Bruno (Sacha Baron Cohen), experiences a public fashion faux-pas, and suddenly goes from hot to not in his home country of Austria. Solution? Go to America to try to rebuild and contrive his celebrity anew.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Sacha Baron Cohen, Gustaf Hammarsten, Clifford Banagale, and cutie pies Chibundu and Chigozie Orukwowu, with cameos by Bono, Sting, Snoop Dog, Chris Martin, Elton John, Slash, Paula Abdul, Harrison Ford, Ron Paul, and a bunch of randoms.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. It's a bit much. And by "a bit much," I mean, totally hard to stomach and offensive in ways that make you want to shower until you run out of soap.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: You'll spend more time saying, "Eew," than "ha ha ha," but I know that for some of you freaks those emotions are pretty interchangeable.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you go in expecting the brilliance and depth of Borat, you will at least be sadly disappointed.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Larry Charles and Sacha Baron Cohen should consider their R rating to be the highest of awards, because the MPAA I know would've given any other filmmakers a minimum of NC17 for this raunch-fest.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Nobody can deny that this man has balls. It's only too bad we had to spend so much time looking at them.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: What worked about Borat was that the situation and the people felt real and authentic. I'm sure I won't be the first or the last to say that despite its authenticity, this pseudo-documentary feels totally staged.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: What worked about Borat was that the character was an innocent, trying to be sympathetic to his new world, and approaching it with very humble goals. Bruno is the opposite of that, and borders on unlikeable. Also in Borat the brilliance came from the real people, who showed their ugly true colors to the foreigner. Whereas in this film, it's the main character, Bruno, whose colors are ugly, and the real people who end up seeming fake.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/bruno/34365/trailers

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I Love You, Beth Cooper

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: The nerdy high school Valedictorian (Paul Rust) professes his love to the head cheerleader (Hayden Panettiere) during his commencement speech, and before he knows it, they are spending their celebratory graduation night getting to know each other.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Paul Rust, Hayden Panettiere, Jack T. Carpenter, Lauren London, Lauren Storm, Shawn Roberts, Alan Ruck, Cynthia Stevenson, Andrea Savage,

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Stop! This is the kind of movie that's only enjoyable when you accidentally catch it on cable television sometime between 2 and 4 in the morning, because it's light, cheesy, and unoriginal, and if you fall asleep watching it, you won't wake up wondering what you've missed.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Yes, but not because it's funny. More because you're uncomfortable with how bad it is.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you paid full price for it at the movie theater, like I did, it might. After all, we are in a recession, and money is not to be wasted.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Unfortunately, it's not quite high profile enough to be noticed by the Razzies.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Some of the worst I've seen in a professional movie since the 80s. The actors, in particular Panettiere and her supposed boyfriend, played by Shawn Roberts, glare, and they stare, and they blow the house down. And I mean: blow! You actually feel bad for Cynthia Stevenson and Alan Ruck, who are quite good in their small roles, as the parents. Paul Rust does a decent job, too, in a role that was obviously written for Michael Cera, but he is no Michael Cera, and you leave the theater wishing he had been, because Michael Cera is magic. And he would've been the only chance this movie had of coming out from under this red light.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Certainly nowhere near the best work of Chris Columbus, especially when you consider Mrs. Doubtfire, Home Alone, and discovering America.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: I spent most of the movie wondering how this script got greenlit. Was I just being bitter, because this same studio had passed on a script of mine, in the same genre, that was clearly funnier, more inventive, and better constructed? In my effort not to play the part of the ugly, angry screenwriter who's been scorned, I chose not to say anything out loud. So I was relieved and vindicated when we left the theater, and my friend, Ondrea, who is not even in show business, asked me "How can a movie like that get financed, when people like you are writing stuff that's so much better?" It was completely unsolicited. I swear to God. So I guess you really don't need over 10 years of experience in this business to know how messed up it is.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/i-love-you-beth-cooper/32640/trailers

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Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: World renowned, Senegalese pop sensation, Youssou Ndour, decides to make a religious album about his Muslim faith.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Youssou Ndour, his family, Peter Gabriel, Bono, the President of Senegal, and the Egyptian Orchestra

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. This concert film tries to take on the humanitarian and religious issues that Youssou speaks on behalf of, but the storytelling fails, so the primary reason to go see this film is because you're a pre-existing fan of Youssou Ndour. If that describes you, you will not be disappointed by the wall to wall coverage of his music and performances throughout.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: If you've ever been to Africa, you will enjoy a few cultural displays of things that could only ever happen there.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: For the true music aficionado, there is always a chance that his beautiful voice will induce tears.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Most likely not, but the high point of the film revolves around a very big award that Youssou may or may not get.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Youssou acts like a man of great integrity and strength... and I actually believe that he is. I only wish more American celebrities would follow his lead when it comes to displaying humility and dignity.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: They shot this documentary for two years and captured 450 hours of footage, which supposedly contained many great stories that they had a hard time cutting out... but from what they chose to keep in, I think they may have left some of the best stuff on the cutting room floor.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: This film only scratches the surface of what is compelling about his story and his humanitarian efforts, so you can't help but feel that something important is missing. Despite the fact that they think they made an important film (which a more sophisticated storyteller could have), this ultimately isn't much more than a series of snippets from concerts, where you will have a chance to see entire songs performed, and read subtitles as to what the lyrics mean. Feel free to derive the meaning yourself. Oh, and the last 15 minutes are great-- a little late for my taste.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: Even though you think you don't know who this guy is, you do. He's the African singer on Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes," and he sings "7 seconds" with Neneh Cherry.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/youssou%20ndour%20i%20bring%20what%20i%20love/trailers

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Public Enemies

(Guest Review by Annette)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A true story about Depression-era American gangsters John Dillinger (Johnny Depp), Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham), and Pretty Boy Floyd (Channing Tatum), fighting to continue their shenanigans while on the run from the FBI's top agent, Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale).

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Billy Crudup, Marion Cotillard, Tatum Channing, Stephen Graham, Leelee Sobieski, Stephen Dorff, Giovanni Ribisi, Diana Krall, John Ortiz, Shawn Hatosy, Lili Taylor, David Wenham, Emilie de Ravin

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. If you like drawn-out submachine gun shootouts and/or gazing adoringly at Johnny Depp, then this is your movie.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Depp delivers a few deadpan lines that elicit a chuckle. Beyond that, you may as well tickle yourself.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Mostly when you think about how it wasted your time and the talent of Johnny Depp.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: If IHOP offered an award for the flattest characters, this movie would win the Golden Pancake Award.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Johnny Depp’s performance is understated and he makes his bank-robbing character likable. Marion Cotillard does a good job as a sassy, independent woman who falls for Depp. Christian Bale stares stone-faced into the camera for extended periods of time, trying to look intense—that’s about it. The rest of the cast is forgettable.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Michael Mann spends too much time dragging out too many shootout scenes. Before long, they feel repetitive with only a change of scenery to differentiate. Many of his interior scenes are under lit. And the foot chase scenes are shot with a jumpy handheld, so bring your Dramamine.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The script is weak. Far more sizzle than steak. There is no arc. No back-story. One dimensional/underdeveloped characters. No obvious character motivation. No emotional pull. Overall, apathy reigns. The final scene is trite with painfully clichéd dialogue. Depp is a great actor, but he’d also be a great magician if he could turn this turd of a script into box office gold.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/public-enemies/32262/trailers

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Adam

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A romance develops between a man with Asperger's Syndrome (Hugh Dancy) and his beautiful neighbor (Rose Byrne).

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Peter Gallagher, Amy Irving, Frankie Faison

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. While the movie clearly tries to shed light on what it is to live with Asperger's Syndrome, it's unclear if the filmmaker is trying to create sympathy for the bearers of this mental condition, or if this is a cautionary tale warning the rest of us to stay away from them.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: If you see any blurbs describing this film as a "romantic-comedy" (as I did), I would advise you never to read the trash-rags on which that was printed again, as a film is required to have jokes, in order to qualify for that label.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It makes me sad to think that if this film's depiction of Asperger's is correct, no one should ever date a person who has it... On the bright side, since one of the key elements of Asperger's is that you can't tell how other people are feeling, at least you would never have to know that you are not loved.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Not to go back to the whole "Half-retard" thing (see Tropic Thunder), but clearly Hugh Dancy took this role in the hopes that he would get recognized by award-givers everywhere. Unfortunately, his forced performance is one of the things that worked against the movie's success.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Not only is Hugh Dancy's performance uneven, and way too autistic to represent the true functionality of a person with Asperger's, but he's also not nearly as attractive when he doesn't use his English accent. Rose Byrne proves to be a TV actress, at best... Although, I've never seen her on TV, and guest reviewer Russ says she's no good at that either.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Since the director is also the writer, I have to blame him for the bad performances, as he had to have known the right way to deliver the lines, and wasn't able to get the actors to do it. If Hugh Dancy, for example, had simply trusted the words in the script, and said them like a normal person, instead of adding so many actorish mannerisms to them, the words alone could've gotten his social awkwardness across in a much more believable way. It's called trusting the script.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: For once, the script was better than the movie. Not by much, mind you, but with stronger actors, it could have been ever so slightly more compelling. And perhaps I would've understood what the author was trying to tell his audience about people who have Asperger's. Because I find it hard to believe that he went to the trouble of writing a film, raising money for it, going through an arduous production and post-production process, doing the festival circuit, and finding a distributor, just so that I could take away the message, "Don't bother with these people, they're not worth the effort."

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/adam/trailers

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