What's Your Number?

Q: What’s the movie about?

A:  When a girl (Anna Faris) finds out that the number of men she's slept with is considered high, she decides to go back through her ex's and try to marry one of them rather than sleeping with yet another guy.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A:  Anna Faris, Chris Evans, Ari Graynor, Blythe Danner, Ed Begley Jr., Dave Annable, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Heather Burns, Eliza Coupe, Kate Simses, Tika Sumpter, Joel McHale, Jacquelyn Doucette, Chris Pratt, Denise Vasi, Zachary Quinto, Mike Vogel, Martin Freeman, Andy Samberg, Thomas Lennon, Anthony Mackie, Ivana Milicevic, Aziz Ansari

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A:  Proceed with Caution.  There are a lot of "cute" moments, but they are surrounded by lines that are too cheesy or plot points that are too unbelievable, so you never buy into the premise completely.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A:  Aside from a few shots of unnecessary nudity, you can't help but wonder why they decided to make this cutesy rom-com rated "R."  That said, the few truly funny jokes do fit into the "R" category, they just don't fit into the rest of the script.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: In regards to this, my number is zero.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A:  In this category it will also remain a virgin.

Q: How is the Acting?

A:  Anna Faris is at her best when she gets to do really broad, over the top comedy.  She doesn't get to do a lot of that here.

Q: How is the Directing?

A:  Anna Faris doesn't look pretty in 90% of the film.  Rather than blame the fact that she's not aging well, I'm gonna blame the director for not looking out.  But only because there were so many other things that bugged me about his work, like rack focus shots that forgot to rack, and other such instances of random blurriness.

Q: How is the story/script?

A:  The two writers Gabrielle Allan & Jennifer Crittenden come from the very top of TV...  Jennifer Crittenden has written for Arrested Development, The Simpsons, and Seinfeld (to name a few impressive shows), and Gabrielle Allan is a name I'm familiar with because, not only did she write for Scrubs, but she wrote pretty much every episode that was good enough to get me to look up who the writer was for that episode... But somehow, in this case, their talent doesn't translate all that strongly to film.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: What's Your Number? Trailer

Back To Top

Drive

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A driver for stunts, robberies, and racing (Ryan Gosling) meets a girl he likes (Carey Mulligan), but her husband (Oscar Issac) gets him into trouble with the mob.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Oscar Isaac, Ron Perlman, Christina Hendricks, Kaden Leos

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution.Personally, I hated this movie despite its handful of interesting moments and artistic choices. I struggled to stay awake for the first half--a romantic drama-- and then struggled to justify how the tone of the second half--a gory, B-movie-style, mob thriller-- had anything to do with the first half. But I'm still going to recommend it to anyone who enjoyed No Country for Old Men, because clearly you people find characters who can kill in cold blood without thinking twice charming.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Mostly at the positive buzz it's been getting.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Mostly at the positive buzz it's been getting.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Probably. Which will be followed closely by me swearing at my TV.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Ryan Gosling is an extremely interesting and complex actor, even in the role of an empty vessel who hardly says anything and has no definable character traits besides the fact that he is a great driver, and has virtually no friends, family or confidants of any kind in his life. Without his performance, which brings just enough texture to confuse you into thinking that there might be something to this guy, this movie would be nothing more than B-level thriller looking for foreign DVD distribution at the AFM. (Definition AFM: American Film Market-- notorious place for selling action-thrillers with big stars to foreign markets because American companies weren't stupid enough to pick them up for distribution.)

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Bordering on pretentious, Nicolas Winding Refn, who is currently the hottest thing going in Hollywood, forces you at every turn to notice his directing work, with his constant use of reflections, shadows, and extreme angles. In fact, you will be thinking more about his work than about the story-- which may be a good thing for the story.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Never before has a screenwriter set us up so perfectly for a prequel. Hossein Amini gives us so little about the main character's backstory that you leave the film wondering where he came from, how he was raised, and basically what in his life makes him someone who can kill another human being so effortlessly and accurately on the drop of a dime. There are enough questions about who this talented murderer with a heart of gold is to fill an entire movie setting this one up. And the lack of dialogue, which is obviously supposed to be artistic, is completely unrealistic-- especially when it comes to the woman character.

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

A: The blood looks like Karo syrup with red food coloring #3 in it. The kind used in amateur horror movies. Not the kind used in Ryan Gosling/Carey Mulligan films. Just embarrassing.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: Drive Trailer

Back To Top

One Day

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Based on the bestseller, this is the story of romance between two best friends (Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess) as told using only one day a year, July 15th, of their nearly 20 year courtship.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, Rafe Spall, Ken Stott, Patricia Clarkson, Romola Garai, Jodie Whittaker, Georgia King, Tom Mison

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Stop! The romance is depressing, although I have a sneaking suspicion it wasn't if you read the book.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The comedy doesn't make you laugh, although I have a sneaking suspicion it would if you read the book.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: The sad parts don't make you cry, although I have a sneaking suspicion they would if you read the book.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Most Pointless Ending Ever. When you have an inevitably predictable ending on your hands, what can an author do afterwards to give you a surprise you might not have seen coming? I'll give you one guess. And yes, it is what you're thinking. Yet another reason this movie feels pointless.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Without Jim Sturgess's charm his character would be despicable and bring Anne Hathaway's character down with him, for the mere fact that she loves him.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Lone Scherfig did what she could with a terrible script, but maybe if she wasn't such a Danish, middle-aged woman, she'd be getting offered better scripts to begin with. Work on that, Lone!

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Without having read the book, I can honestly say that this is a terrible adaptation. Whatever romance, comedy, and tragedy made this book a bestseller was left on the bookshelf.

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

A: In 20 years of hairstyles, Anne Hathaway's Emma clearly only had one good hair day.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: One Day Trailer

Back To Top

The Help

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: An aspiring journalist (Emma Stone) in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi interviews the town's Negro maids (Viola Davis & Octavia Spencer) and publishes their crazy stories in a tell-all book.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Ahna O'Reilly, Allison Janney, Anna Camp, Eleanor & Emma Henry, Chris Lowell, Cicely Tyson, Mike Vogel, Sissy Spacek, Brian Kerwin, Wes Chatham, Aunjanue Ellis, Ted Welch, Mary Steenburgen

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! It's an inspirational tale of courage and standing up for what's right, but it's not the best one you'll ever see, and it's waaaaaaay tooooo lonnnng.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain make for an unlikely comedy team, but after you see them in this film, you will never want to see them do a scene in which they are not together.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: The fact that it doesn't really, is one of my major gripes with it. This kind of movie should not be allowed into theaters until it has guaranteed tears built in.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer will likely duke it out for a nomination as Best Supporting Actress, even though they are clearly the leads. Then Viola will take the nom, because she's been nominated before, and because Octavia is too funny to get an Academy Award.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: This is the first time ever that I have enjoyed a performance by Bryce Dallas Howard. She is magical in this. And Sissy Spacek (in the tiny role) as her mom is the very best thing this movie has going.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Who is Tate Taylor? From what I can tell, he's made a few movies (mostly shorts) that I've never heard of, and acted in a few movies and TV shows in the role of "Nameless Friend or Passerby," so how did he get this gig?... Well, he's best friends with the author of the novel, Kathryn Stockett, and after her 60th rejection by a publisher, he decided to option the rights to her book, not knowing that it would one day become a best seller. To which I say, "Have any of y'all written a book I should read?"

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Civil rights stories about injustice, oppression and racism will always have a special place in my heart. But somehow, despite a multitude of spectacular performances, this one plays a bit like a movie of the week-- with less crying. I think the sense of danger is not built up enough in the script or the visuals, to make you feel it on a visceral or in an always present kind of way. Often, you completely forget that there is any danger in what these people are doing, because it's never taken quite far enough-- i.e. no one that we care about is ever physically threatened before our eyes.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: The Help Trailer

Back To Top

Mr. Popper's Penguins

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A high-powered, low-emotioned real estate tycoon (Jim Carrey) inherits 6 penguins from his now dead absentee dad, and right when he figures out how to get rid of them, his kids fall in love with them, forcing him to keep them in his exclusive Manhattan apartment.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino,Ophelia Lovibond, Madeline Carroll, Maxwell Perry Cotton, Clark Gregg, Angela Lansbury, Jeffrey Tambor, David Krumholtz, Philip Baker Hall, James Tupper, Dominic Chianese, William C. Mitchell

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. The penguins are cute, but the adult love story is uninteresting to adults because it's obvious, and uninteresting to kids because it's an adult love story.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: There are laughs for all ages... Although most ages won't remember any of them long enough to quote them to their friends later.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you're a kid, yabsolutely! Especially when you ask your parents to turn your living room into an ice rink and they say no. Your cry will probably go something like this, "But Mr. Popper got to do it!" To which your parents will say, "That was a movie. Mr. Popper isn't real." To which you will reply, "Sure it wasn't real. Next you'll probably try to convince me that Santa Claus doesn't exist!"

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Most winter-y movie to come out right in time for the 4th of July! Good job marketing team!

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Jim Carrey doesn't annoy his audience with his usual wacky shtick... Then again, when you take away his shtick, you're left without a reason to cast Jim Carrey. Catch 22.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Mark Waters has consistently made me happy with movies like Mean Girls and Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. Despite its triteness, this movie maintains that dreamy look, that makes you wanna buy into what's happening, no matter how preposterous.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Particularly peculiar, but pointing to proficient penning, the personage of Pippi, pontificates primarily in "p" words, which is pleasant, playful, and praiseworthy.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: Mr. Popper's Penguins Trailer

Back To Top

Something Borrowed

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A woman (Ginnifer Goodwin) is in love with the man (Colin Egglesfield), whom her best friend (Kate Hudson) is about to marry.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, Colin Egglesfield, John Krasinski, Steve Howey, Ashley Williams, Geoff Pierson, Jill Eikenberry

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! If you're in the market for a romantic comedy that has enough characters to make you wonder who’s good, who’s bad, and which way this is going to go, you will appreciate the tension in the dilemma this story-- so obviously based on a Chick-lit book-- has to offer.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: It’s more romance than comedy, but at least it's not unfunny.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Surprisingly, there isn’t even a point at which you would want to, because right when things get as bad as they can, something on the side always happens to go right.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Lamest Use of a Falsely Gay character. The set up is fine, where they take it is a missed opportunity.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: After hearing the premise, I was curious to know how they were going to make the main character likeable, with such a questionable motivation as wanting to steal your best friend’s man. The answer lies in the casting. Ginnifer Goodwin is the perfect noble victim, and Kate Hudson is the perfectly oblivious nuisance.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Luke Greenfield lets the story take the lead... But this isn't the first time he's made a "comedy" that isn't funny.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Not unfamiliar to either readers of chick-lit novels, or viewers of romantic-comedy films, but certainly at the top of both (naturally limited) genres, which I personally love so much, despite all the hateration.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: Something Borrowed Trailer

Back To Top

Limitless

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A loser writer (Bradley Cooper) discovers a drug that gives him heightened brain activity as well as the ability to recall any and all information he has ever been exposed to from his entire life. Unfortunately, once you take the drug, you can't stop taking it or your body will deteriorate and you will die. Oh, and there's an extremely limited amount of it going around.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Abbie Cornish, Andrew Howard, Anna Friel, Johnny Whitworth, Tomas Arana, Darren Goldstein, Ned Eisenberg

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Talk about life or death stakes...

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Cocky people are funny... so long as they aren't the star of your hit sitcom.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Cocky people are also sad, because what goes up must come down. But I don't like to think about that, because it defies my medication-induced optimism. And medications are too expensive to defy.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: This deserves an Academy Award for Directing, but will most certainly be overlooked. Why it will be overlooked? Because it's early in the year and at first glance it seems like standard Hollywood fare. Why it deserves it? Because a director's job is to get you inside the mind of the story, and by the time I walked out of the theater, I felt like I had taken NZT.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Like the directing, Bradley Cooper's performance seems straight forward enough, but in fact demonstrates incredible nuance, as he seamlessly switches between a dangerous, know-it-all, drug-induced pit bull and a weak, insecure, natural lamb. And it's not just the intensified lighting of his frighteningly blue eyes.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: At first all the special effects felt a little gimmicky, to me. But once I realized that I was completely riveted by a scene where Bradley Cooper cleans up his apartment, I knew that I had been a fool to mistrust this director's instincts. Team Neil Burger, all the way to the Oscars!

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Leslie Dixon presents interesting twists in such a way that you get to feel smart, because you know what's going on without being told. I love feeling smart. Which is why I've gotta get my hands on some of that NZT... And if that's not available, maybe I could get me a dose of that Charlie Sheen. From what I can tell, the effect of either drug is about the same.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: Limitless Trailer

Back To Top

From Prada to Nada

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: This aptly titled movie is about two rich sisters (Alexa Vega & Camilla Belle) of Mexican decent, who after their father dies, are forced to move from Beverly Hills to the barrio.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Camilla Belle, Alexa Vega, Wilmer Valderrama, Nicholas D'Agosto, Adriana Barraza, April Bowlby, Pablo Cruz, Kuno Becker, Karla Souza

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. Supposedly this is based on Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen, which maybe they shouldn't announce in the opening credits, because it gives away the whole story. And right when you think the movie couldn't get any more predictable, too.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Many of the jokes border on racism, despite the fact that they are being delivered by a character of Mexican decent.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Their dad dies to set the action in motion. Then they find out he was broke, and left them nothing but debt. And then they move to a neighborhood where they're pretty sure they're going to get killed. And after all that, you still won't feel like crying.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I'd give it a Razzie for Make-Up, with an assist going to the Casting Director. Camilla Belle is about as white as snow, and no matter how much orange pancake makeup you put on her, she is never going to pass for Mexican... She might be able to land herself a spot on the Jersey Shore, though.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: I'm gonna blame the director's editing choices for the unfortunate misses in the performance department. From the opening montage, you can tell that he has no sense of rhythm or comic timing, and the actors, though their performances could have been absolutely passable, fall victim to the off-pace of the cuts, which make them seem like they are performing for an audience of slower than average mind capacity.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Aside from ruining the actor's performances, there are several shots that are blurry because the focus is pulled to the person in the foreground, rather than the one your eyes are struggling to look at in the background. To make matters worse, this appeared to be a deliberate stylistic choice.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: For as low rent as this story is, the (small) audience I saw it with felt compelled to applaud at the end. So you can imagine my surprise when the lights came up and I found out that most of them were well over 50 years old. I was even more surprised to hear them in the bathroom, afterward, discussing how "cute" the movie was... And I thought old people were supposed to be wise?

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

A: Yes, I'm just as tired of giving out Yellow Lights, as you are of reading about them. But it's not my fault. Somebody make a great movie, already!

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: From Prada to Nada Trailer

Back To Top

True Grit

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A 14-year-old girl (Hailee Steinfeld) is determined to avenge the murder of her father, so she hires a ruthless Marshall (Jeff Bridges) and they accidentally team up with a cocky Texas Ranger (Matt Damon), on their hunt through the wild west, to find an inconsequential criminal (Josh Brolin).

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, Dakin Matthews, Jarlath Conroy, Paul Rae, Domhnall Gleeson, Elizabeth Marvel

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. Contrary to popular belief, this movie isn't for everyone. It's for people who love Westerns, and/or people who love the Coen Brothers. Note: I said "love," not "like."

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: I'm pretty sure Jeff Bridges said a lot of funny things, but he mumbles so much that without closed captioning, you won't understand any of them.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: The number one problem with this film is that you don't care about anybody. They're all cold hearted jerks, including the kid, so I dare you to find someone to cry for.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: The Cinematography is award-worthy. The remainder of the buzz is poppycock.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Hailee Steinfeld is good for a 14-year-old, but completely average for a person of normal-age. Let's not start giving out awards to people just for being young-- that would only aggravate the problem. Jeff Bridges is incomprehensible. And right when you think you've understood just about as little as you can understand, Matt Damon gets his tongue mangled, so that he can't articulate anymore either. Regardless of all that, the actors seem to struggle severely throughout due to the absence of their beloved contractions... Turns out, it's not so easy for even the most professional of them to sound natural when saying things like, "I will do it," when inside they're clearly dying to say, "I'll do it."

Q: How is the Directing?

A: I've never had anything bad to say about the Coens as directors, and I doubt I ever will, but this, their most profitable film ever, has much less of their signature style in it, and aside from the final shot of a woman in black walking away from us, none of the shots in this film stand out as particularly memorable.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Aside from making the lead character a smart-talking 14-year-old girl, the story line seems particularly unoriginal. And the fact that it's a remake makes the whole 14-year-old girl idea not so original either. The dialogue is clever, though, if you're able to understand it.

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

A: Sorry for my assessment on this one. Feel free to yell at me in the comments section about all the reasons this movie is brilliant.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: True Grit Trailer

Back To Top

Never Let Me Go

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Three kids (Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Keira Knightley) grow up together in an English boarding school, where their love triangle is confused by the fact that they are the only family the other two know... and they're clones whose sole purpose for existing is to donate organs.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Keira Knightley, Isobel Meikle-Small, Charlie Rowe, Ella Purnell, Charlotte Rampling, Sally Hawkins, Nathalie Richard, Andrew Riseborough, Domhnall Gleeson

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. There are many unanswered logic questions, which all turn out to make perfect sense if you get a chance to listen to a Q & A where the book's author, the filmmaker, the screenwriter, and the actors explain their intentions. I got that after my screening, so I know what they were trying to do, and it's quite deep. Unfortunately, most audiences won't have the cast and crew there to explain all the pitfalls in the logic, and in making up their own excuses, those who guess correctly will love it, and the rest will find it not to depict humanity very well. But the bottom line is, if the film requires a live person telling you answers, then they didn't communicate it on the screen.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Some of the hairstyles might... aside from that it's all pretty bleak.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: The friend I saw it with, who really loved it, says she was holding back tears. She was one of those who had guessed correctly, I imagine. I, on the other hand, felt detached from the characters, because they had too many passive reactions that made me write them off as clones who don't act like humans. By the end of the film I realized that was not what the filmmakers had hoped I would think.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It is certainly angling for that.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Carey Mulligan is not a one hit wonder. In fact she may be the next Meryl Streep. Isobel Meikle-Small, who plays her as a child, channels Mulligan perfectly, despite the fact that she has never been in front of a camera before. And Andrew Garfield is the next Spider-man, so you may want to catch him here, in an acting role, before he never gets to do a small independent movie again.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Coming from a music video background, Mark Romanek has a mastery of the technical aspects of shooting a film, and he uses color expertly, as he gradually desaturates the picture from the first section of the film, to the second, to the third, in an effort to depict the slow deterioration of the characters' life-spans.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: This script implies that the book it's based on is quite beautiful. What I'm saying is that the screenwriter fell in love with the book, and stayed too faithful to it, ultimately failing to translate the material cohesively to a medium that requires more direct explanations and less poetry. A film is not a book. In part because you can't hear the ramblings from inside the author's head, which normally fill the pages of a book, creating the tone and subtext. A film is a visual medium and is generally shorter than a book. To adapt it, you have to pick it apart and chop it up, which usually requires moving things around, and then you have to bring the important elements to life again in a clear, visual, and brief way, telling the same story differently, yet equally as beautifully.

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

A: The sci-fi twist seems like it wants to be the main thrust of the movie, and draws a conclusion about clones that feels trite and obvious. Surprisingly, in the Q & A, the book's author, Kazuo Ishiguro, explained that he only used the sci-fi twist as a device to show how short our time is, here on Earth. It will improve your viewing experience to know going in that the filmmakers are more interested in examining mortality and how quickly death approaches, than they are in examining the pros and cons of human cloning. Without knowing this, the cloning stuff will look like it's meant to be the main hook.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/never-let-me-go/1428581/trailers

Back To Top

Ramona and Beezus

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Based on the Beverly Cleary novels, Ramona is just about the most independent, unorthodox, original 9-year-old there is. Unfortunately, when a girl can't fit in, even when she tries to, it can make for some pretty embarrassing elementary school moments.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Joey King, Selena Gomez, John Corbett, Bridget Moynahan, Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Duhamel, Jason Spevack, Sierra McCormick, Sandra Oh, Hutch Dano

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. At first it's unclear what the story is about, but it maintains your interest because the main character is terrifical!

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The comedy is soft but delishus.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: The last 15 minutes will have you welling up over and over again for one reason and then the next... Hell, no! I didn't allow no tears to actually drop!

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Most Ineptly Titled film of the year. Why is it called Ramona and Beezus when it should simply be called This Movie is About Ramona, and Only Ramona, So Help Me God?

Q: How is the Acting?

A: What a star! Joey King as Ramona is extraordinary. Spelled E-X-T-R-A-O-R-D-I-N-A-R-Y. See I can use Ms. Meacham's words in a sentence, too... Okay, I admit, I looked it up on dictionary.com.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: There are some partially animated imagination sequences that bring the directing to a slightly higher level than one might expect from a movie targeting 8-year-old girls.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: I know I read some Ramona books, though I'm pretty certain that I didn't read this one, and I'm even more certain that it's been almost 30 years since the last time I picked one up (yes, I learned to read 5 years before I was conceived), so I can't say if it's true to the book or not. What I can say is that the last 20 minutes are good enough to make up for the lack of direction in the first hour and a half.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/ramona-and-beezus/31195/trailers

Back To Top

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Bella (Kristen Stewart) still wants to be a vampire. Edward (Robert Pattison) still wants her to marry him. Jacob (Taylor Lautner) still loves her. And Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) is coming to eat her.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke, Xavier Samuel, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Bryce Dallas Howard, Dakota Fanning, Anna Kendrick, Michael Welch, Christian Serratos, Justin Chon, Kiowa Gordon, Tyson Houseman, Bronson Pelletier, Alex Meraz, Julia Jones, Tinsel Korey, Chaske Spencer, Gil Birmingham, Alex Rice, BooBoo Stewart, Daniel Cudmore, Cameron Bright, Charlie Bewley, Catalina Sandino, Moreno

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! If you overlook the fact that Bella is basically choosing between bestiality and necrophilia, it's a fun, sexually-charged, tantric ride.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The threesome scene is pretty funny.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: For sure. But it's the kind of crying that only happens during moments of insane fandom, when you realize that your idol is right there in front of you in 70mm. Think Beatlemania with Twi-hards.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: There is something about the way Bella and Edward kiss that makes you wish it were you. I don't know how they do it, but they really do deserve a nomination for Best Kiss. (That's an actual award, Mom.)

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The acting is decent enough in this one, but the characters are really getting annoying. Jacob is a douche for continually trying to convince Bella to love him, right in front of her boyfriend. He comes off delusional and out of his league. Edward is a sap, all he can talk about is marriage and saving sex until after that's done. His love is so unconditional, you start to really wonder what it's based on. And Bella comes off like a whiny brat, always saying, "I don't want you guys putting your lives in danger over little ol' me... But don't let me die, okay?"

Q: How is the Directing?

A: More than one scene was blurry, and the filmic style has definitely gotten less gritty since Catherine Hardwicke left the picture. On the flip side, the latest director, David Slade, seems to have brought out a slightly deeper level of acting from his stars. Rumor has it, Billy Burke (the dad) and Peter Facinelli (the vampire dad) ended up having to take over the acting-coaching responsibilities before this director came along.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It's a nice touch that this episode gives us some of their origin stories. We learn about Rosalie's background and how she became a vampire and what era she lived in, as well as Jasper's history, era, and conversion days. Most interesting perhaps, though, is the brief history of the Indian tribe's bloody past, and how they came to hate vampires. In other scripting news, I still haven't figured out why Edward and Jacob are fighting over Bella. What's she got? I mean, aside from being a good kisser.

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

A: Rob Pattinson gets a pretty bad rap for constantly complaining about all the fanatical girls screaming in his presence. Well, I went to the Premiere last night, and I have to say, the insanity of the energy (and screaming and fainting) that occurred when he walked in, gave me a lot more sympathy for what he's dealing with on a daily basis. He could hardly get to his seat, despite more security than the Commander in Chief. His fans are not only crazy, they're animalistic. Then again, their presence in the screening added a wonderful je ne sais quoi to the whole viewing experience. Especially during the sexy scenes, when they literally freaked out screaming at the screen, as if Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart weren't in the room, too. It must have been very uncomfortable for them.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-twilight-saga-eclipse/36837/trailers

Back To Top

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

Back To Top

The Ghost Writer

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A man (Ewan McGregor) hired to ghost write a memoir for a controversial politician (Pierce Brosnan) gets caught up in a political plot that could potentially lead to his death.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Olivia Williams, Tom Wilkinson, Robert Pugh, Jon Bernthal, Timothy Hutton, James Belushi, Eli Wallach

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. This thriller doesn't genuinely scare you because you're never quite sure what's going on. My opinion is that-- at least by the time it's over-- a thriller should make you feel smart.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The humor is so subtle, that the wife of the politician had to point out that the ghost writer was funny, before I even noticed that he'd been cracking jokes.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: From the architecture to the weather, it's cold and emotionless.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Most exciting Behind the Scenes intrigue... you know what I'm talking about.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: You know that Ewan, Pierce, and Tom Wilkinson are always great so let's talk about Jon Bernthal, who stands out as someone to watch, even in this relatively small and standard role, as the writer's agent. James Belushi shows us that when you shave his head bald, he instantly transforms from comedic patriarch to serious dramatic actor. And Kim Cattrall, unfortunately, proves to have a limited range, both in acting and in accents.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Clearly comfortable in his skin, Roman Polanski doesn't showboat much in this piece, except for the last shot of the movie, which is the stuff that future film class history will be made of.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: You know something is wrong with the story when you notice the score building to something scary, and you find yourself looking around the screen wondering, "What am I supposed to be getting nervous about right now?" Ultimately, the political plot line is too complicated and hard to follow (especially in so much as people's motives are concerned), and the pay off doesn't make you feel like there was anything all that interesting to figure out in the first place.

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

A: Here are some questions for those of you who have seen it: What was the manuscript the lawyer gives Ewan at the beginning, and what was the significance of that in the movie? When he's at the Ferry motel, why does Ewan decide to trust Robert Rycart? Why does he write down the information he has figured out, and pass it in a note to the person it concerns? What was the very end conclusion trying to say? (I mean, beside the obvious action that occurs.) Why did that occur and what was the greater meaning of it?

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-ghost-writer/32030/trailers

Back To Top

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

Back To Top

Youth in Revolt

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A nerdy loser teenager (Michael Cera) gets an alter ego and becomes a juvenile delinquent to get a girl (Portia Doubleday). So what else is new?

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Jean Smart, Steve Buscemi, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Long, Mary Kay Place, M. Emmet Walsh, Erik Knudsen, Adhir Kalyan, Ari Graynor, Fred Willard, Ray Liotta, Rooney Mara, Jade Fusco, Jonathan Bradford Wright

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. It tries a little too hard to be charming and quirky, and the result is the story of a pretentious, creepy teen who somehow finds a girl who is equally as pretentious as him- only pretty(ish)--, who has a boyfriend so pretentious that even our pretentious hero thinks he's a prick. On the other hand, some of you might be charmed by this film's quirk. I'm not judging you.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: In all its efforts to be quirky and charming, it's only natural that it should have a few successes in the cleverness department.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you believe in making criminals pay for their crimes, you might be upset by how easy the law is on our little juvie friend.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Most big names with most small parts.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: You know how much I love Michael Cera, right?... Well he kind of creeped me out in this one. Although his alter ego- the very cool, very dangerous, and very French, Francois Dillinger-- was an unexpected stretch to see Cera pull off.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Miguel Arteta seems to be one of those directors who refuses to expand from the indie roots that got him where he is. So despite all the big name actors, this film looks like it was made by a no-name director on a microbudget. But at least this no-name director seems to have majored in animation, so there are some interesting animated interludes.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The precociousness of the teenagers' dialogue in this movie makes the dialogue in Juno look like Ebonics.

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

A: There's an animated epilogue that takes place during the credits, so don't leave your seat too fast.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/youth-in-revolt/30923/trailers

Back To Top

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A poor, obese, Black teen (Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe) tries to rise above her history of abuse and illiteracy.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Sherri Shepherd, Xosha Roquemore, Chyna Layne, Angelic Zambrana, Stephanie Andujar, Amina Robinson, Nia Fraser

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! It's hard to watch at times, because it shows some of the ugliest sides of humanity, but there are moments, scenes, and performances that can unequivocally be called brilliant. If you thought Mommy Dearest was harsh, that's only because you haven't seen the version where the mom is broke, on welfare, and incestuous.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Strangely enough, within these grim circumstances, there's a fair amount of humor.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: ...And gasp, and scream, and gag, and sigh.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It won the Audience Awards at Sundance, Toronto, and San Sebastian. But I'm also going to go all in and bet on Mo'Nique, for Best Supporting Actress at the big show-- and not just because she has a beautiful name.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The lead actress, Gabby, loses herself in the role of the abused, self-loathing, dreamer, and makes you forget she's never acted before. The rest is pretty spectacular, too. Mo'Nique will make you forget she ever did Phat Girlz, Mariah Carey will make you forget she ever did Glitter, and Lenny Kravitz will make you forget your name-- I mean, because he's so damn fine.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Producer Lee Daniels, makes a convincing turn as Director in what seems to be his first foray. The mood is captured perfectly. The necessary tension fills each uncomfortable scene. And some shots may even stay etched in your memory for the rest of you living days. Or at least until you develop early onset Alzheimer's... We all have it coming.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Not always easy to follow, and never spoon fed, the story unfolds in an unconventional structure, with little gifts and surprises along the way, giving you something to talk about when you leave.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/precious-based-on-a-novel-by-sapphire/31794/trailers

Back To Top