The Last Song

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A rebellious teen (Miley Cyrus) is forced to spend the summer at the beach with her dad (Greg Kinnear), where she meets a boy (Liam Hemsworth) and falls in love. Whoa, tough life.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Miley Cyrus, Greg Kinnear, Bobby Coleman, Liam Hemsworth, Hallock Beals, Kelly Preston, Nick Lashaway, Carly Chaikin, Kate Vernon, Melissa Ordway

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Stop! This ain't no Hannah Montana. And whatever you may think about the double-life-living Disney character, at least her stories don't make you regret having wasted your time watching them.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Miley's turn as a serious actress might.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: I want to say no, but for saps like me, there is a ray of light that could move you to the point of having to be embarrassed about it. (Sometimes I wonder if I have any standards at all...)

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: If Miley Cyrus wants to win awards, I'm gonna highly recommend that she stick with Hannah Montana, and continue aiming for Kid's Choice.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: When I was a teenager I believed deeply in love at first sight. But this movie helped me realize that it's a concept that can only exist when all parties involved are drop dead gorgeous, since naturally, "first sight" implies that nobody cares about the other's personality. I wasn't particularly sold on Liam Hemsworth's acting, but I have to give him credit for trying to sell the idea that he could instantly be attracted to Miley, despite the fact that she's acting like a rude, angry, little female dog. Unfortunately for her, this kind of selfish, bitter character makes her look both ugly and dumb. Bring back the blond wig and the fake teeth!

Q: How is the Directing?

A: My first directing teacher once said, "Directors are judged on their taste in material." So while Julie Anne Robinson's directing is perfectly passable, I'm still giving her an F for the day.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The drama manages to be both superficial and contrived. Shame on you Nicholas Sparks, for not taking your name off this unoriginal story, which was obviously written by a ghost apprentice, who was trying unsuccessfully to imitate your work in Dear John.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-last-song/37683/trailers

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Dear John

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A soldier (Channing Tatum) falls in love with a girl (Amanda Seyfried) on his two week leave from the Army, and promises to come back for her in a year, when his service is up. But then 9/11 happens and he feels pressured to stay loyal to his troop and re-up, forcing his love to do what she has to do.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Richard Jenkins, Henry Thomas, D.J. Cotrona, Scott Cullen, Keith Robinson, Braeden Reed

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. If it's romance you want, you'll definitely get what you're looking for. Just try not to imagine what these two people will have in common once they're no longer young, beautiful, hard bodied kids who only need to smile at each other to feel everything the Earth offers to excite your insides.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The first monologue might have you laughing from its cheesiness, but it ends up having a nice twist to it.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Actually, the above mentioned twist could make you cry.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Aside from the early-year timing of the release, I wouldn't be surprised if Richard Jenkins got some recognition in the Best Supporting Actor category.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: This is nothing against their acting, but Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried sure are easy on the eyes.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Lasse Holstrom is known for these kinds of schmaltzy romances (see Chocolat and Cider House Rules), but sometimes there's a time to pull back on the musical montages. Like, for example I could have done without the 7 minute interlude of letters being shown and opened but not read to the audience. The whole sequence only ends up making the film feel a lot longer than it is.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: There is more than one surprise twist in this story, which makes you feel like the writer knows what he's doing, but the dialogue-- especially whatever it is that's supposed to convince us that these two people have enough in common to fall in love for forever-- is lacking. And by "lacking," I mean, there's not enough of it. I have no idea what these people talk about together.

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

A: Did you know that Amanda Seyfried can sing? Yeah, that's a little tidbit I learned from watching this movie, and you can, too!

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/dear-john/37012/trailers

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Seven Pounds

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: After killing 7 people in a car accident, Ben Thomas (Will Smith), decides to find 7 deserving people whose lives he can save.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Michael Ealy, Barry Pepper, Elpidia Carrillo, Robinne Lee, Joe Nunes, Bill Smitrovich, Tim Kelleher, Gina Hecht, Judyann Elder, Madison Pettis, Fiona Hale

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Much like practicing yoga, the process of doing it isn't all that enjoyable, but you feel really good once it's over.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: About as much as yoga does.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Yoga can be very cathartic.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I'm inventing the Eleanor Rigby Award, and giving out the first annual one to this movie because none of the characters in it seem to have any friends. Ahhh, look at all the lonely people. But that's L.A. for ya'. People would rather be totally alone than have to get in their cars and drive anywhere.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The acting is fine, but Will Smith's character lies and sneaks around so much that he starts to come off like a sociopath. Which in turn makes it hard to understand why Rosario Dawson is so into him. Maybe because she doesn't have any friends.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: There are a surprising number of shots that aren't in focus, and I can't think of any artistic reason for that to be the case, so I don't think it was a choice. Also in the beginning of the film the lighting is often too dark or too bright, causing your pupils difficulty adjusting. And in my case, even causing my eyelids to have to close a little bit.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It starts out really slow and confusing (especially if you don't know what it's about), but soon builds to a bittersweet, yet inspiring tale of romance and redemption. Does it have a million holes? Sure it does. But if you go along with the good feelings it imparts, you might not care.

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

A: The score combines melodrama with a lullaby, which rocks you to sleep. Probably not the best choice, since I doubt the filmmakers want the audience sleeping. This is yet another similarity with yoga, because sometimes I find it hard to stay awake when I'm lying in Savasana,  too.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/seven%20pounds/trailers

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