Marley & Me

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A couple of newlyweds (Owen Wilson & Jennifer Aniston) buy a puppy who grows up to be completely out of control, and in so being, ends up controlling the lives of his "masters."

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane, Alan Arkin, Kathleen Turner, Hayley Bennett, Nathan Gamble, Clarke Peters, Finley Jacobsen, Lucy Merriam

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. This movie is a thrill ride for eXtreme dog lovers. It has an unspoken message about taking responsibility for your dog, even when you're dying to give him away to the pound. If you don't relate to that from the bottom of your soul, then this story will not likely resonate with you.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Don't go expecting an Owen Wilson brand comedy... Or even a Jennifer Aniston brand comedy, for that matter.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you are that aforementioned eXtreme dog lover, you will not escape it.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I'm sure PETA will think of some award to give it. They're always looking to jump on everyone else's publicity bandwagon.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Owen Wilson gives one of the most convincing dramatic performances of his career. Jennifer Aniston shows an emotional variation that if performed by Kate Winslet would be garnering her award nominations. And I have the rare opportunity to predict that a new star is born: 6-year-old, Lucy Merriam, in only a very small part, is reminiscent of a young Drew Barrymore in both looks and natural on-screen presence.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: They move from Miami to rural Philadelphia, and through all the seasons of the year, and all of it is shot like a travel magazine, making you want to uproot your life and go there immediately. And let's not forget the dog's performance, whose endearing facial expressions and obnoxious physicality are most likely due to good direction of seamless special effects.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The depiction of marriage and having kids is incredibly realistic. Unfortunately, realism and entertainment value can often be diametrically opposed, especially since the true story of marriage and kids is grueling and exhausting.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/marley-and-me/25073/trailers

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Gran Torino

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: After his wife dies, Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is totally alone, with only his memories of the Korean War to keep him warm. Now he sits on his porch, disdainfully watching his all-White neighborhood get taken over by Asians, until one day, he intervenes in one of his neighbor's conflicts and ends up getting caught up in their personal lives.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Christopher Carley, Doua Moua, Geraldine Hughes, Brian Haley, John Carroll Lynch, Brian Howe, Chee Thao

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. At first the film is slow and boring, and you can take a nap. Then it gets really funny, in an inside-humor kind of way, and then it gets really dramatic, building to a moment which is not nearly as important as they hoped it would be. And that's followed up with an ending that's predictable. I enjoyed it. Mostly for the funny parts.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: If Clint Eastwood tried to have Will Ferrell's career, this is what it would look like.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: The dog has something of a tear-jerking moment. But in order to be susceptible to it, you have to be the kind of person who can't handle puppy-dog eyes.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It's Clint Eastwood, so it's guaranteed to be nominated.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Clint Eastwood huffs and he puffs and he over-acts the house down. Everyone else in the film is much worse.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: It reminded me of the work of a really promising first time independent filmmaker. Not necessarily a compliment to a man who's directed 29 films and won 2 Oscars for it. Warner Brothers might consider averting its eyes in shame, too.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Tonally it's all over the place. Thematically, it feels like a vanity project in which Clint Eastwood can revisit his Dirty Harry character in a "Where Are They Now" kind of way. And the story itself? It's there...

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/gran-torino/33336/trailers

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