Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: When a man's (Steve Carell) wife (Julianne Moore) asks for a divorce, he goes to a bar where he meets a womanizer (Ryan Gosling), who teaches him to get his manhood back.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Analeigh Tipton, Jonah Bobo, Joey King, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Spacey, John Carroll Lynch, Beth Littleford, Liza Lapira, Josh Groban

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! It's sweet and romantic, and Steve Carell will charm the pants off you -- quite literally if you're a woman who frequents that one bar he goes to.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Sure, there are some jokes, but it's also funny to think that Ryan Gosling's pickup lines could work on anyone, no less everyone. Film's Message #1: Women love to have one night stands with complete tools.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: What's depressing is Film's Message #2: You only have one true soul mate in life. Don't worry, if you lose that person, fate will eventually bring you back together. But if it doesn't, because you live in the real world and not fantasy land, you can always kill yourself, because what are you living for anyway, now that you will never love again? (Can you tell that I hate the theory of "The One," or am I being too subtle?)

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: From the opening shot on a pair of shoes that I absolutely must have, to the most beautiful men's wear line I have ever seen, this film absolutely must win a costume design award. More likely though, it won't be nominated, because it's not a period piece, and most voters are too dense to recognize that copying old designs from pictures of the past is way easier than creating a beautiful and original style within modern men's wear.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: While Steve Carell and Julianne Moore find the line between heightened reality and comic timing pitch perfectly, Ryan Gosling has some challenging character and dialogue improbabilities to overcome. Meanwhile, Emma Stone mugs a lot more than I would expect from an actress of her caliber, making this her first performance that I haven't enjoyed (not counting her cameo in Friends with Benefits, which exposed a similar problem). And Analeigh Tipton, in the role of the babysitter, has a nice awkward quality, but to quote the teenage girls I encountered in the bathroom, "Her acting is really weird."

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The vibrant color scheme is pleasant, but my problem with the directing is that I could tell it was shot in L.A., and the amount of coincidences in the story just isn't realistic in a city that big. They never show any landmarks or mention what city it is, so maybe they were hoping it would look like some non-descript small town where everyone has a plausible chance of running into each other all the time, and there's only one bar that anyone ever goes to, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who recognized the Century City shopping mall, or the smog covered Santa Monica Mountains... I'm just sayin', this is what Canada is for!

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Within the world of being a romantic comedy, it feels original because it revolves around a family, rather than young, unattached star-crossed lovers falling in love for the first time. But the coincidences get a little out of control. And if Ryan Gosling's character does exist, he's been cast on the Jersey Shore, and he's not falling in love ever -- not in that faithful way, anyhow.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: Crazy, Stupid, Love. Trailer

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Red Riding Hood

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Very loosely based on the fairy tale of the same name, this story of werewolves living amongst us seems to exist almost solely for the purpose of capitalizing on the Twilight phenomenon.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Billy Burke, Shiloh Fernandez, Max Irons, Virginia Madsen, Lukas Haas, Julie Christie, Shauna Kain, Michael Hogan, Adrian Holmes, Cole Heppell, Christine Willes, Michael Shanks, Kacey Rohl

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. What the imitators of Twilight never seem to be able to capture is the one thing that makes the little girls scream: the squirm-inducing sexual tension between the heroes that comes from the fact that they can't have each other, and being teenagers with raging hormones, this means that they will absolutely die if they can't have what they want.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The part where she says, "Grandmother, what big eyes you have" is kind of funny, but not intentionally.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: A lot of people die, so-- no.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Red Riding Hood gets the award for being the first of a slew of lame fairy-tale re-tellings aimed at adults that have become the latest trend in Hollywood. Here's how Hollywood thinks, "What can we make into a movie that has a built in brand, that we don't have to spend money on?" And that's why there is now a Jack in the Beanstalk project in the works, two competing Snow White projects coming your way, and three Peter Pan movies racing to get to the big screen first. And all of them are action adventure films aimed at grown ups, because everyone knows that's who the fairy-tale brand speaks to the loudest... Think about it, Hollywood!

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Shiloh Fernandez is a pleasure to look at, but he lacks the charisma of a Robert Pattinson. I want to give director Hardwicke props for casting her own Twilight discovery, Billy Burke, thus expanding his career, but unfortunately, Burke suffers from the same problem as Fernandez in this piece. Amanda Seyfried, though, pops off the screen effortlessly.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Catherine Hardwicke comes from a background as a set designer, so it comes as no surprise that the art direction in this film is beautiful. She also directed the first Twilight, so it comes as a great surprise that one of the shots in the film looks like it was literally poached from her vampire flick. I know I've seen that shot before, and while it's pretty, I'm not sure you're allowed to reuse your old shots from other movies unless it's part of an inside joke-- which this is clearly not. But, recycled shots or not, the look of this film is definitely its most compelling aspect.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: All of the interesting choices for who the werewolf might turn out to be are too obvious, so the writers are left with the choice to pick someone obvious, or pick someone more random, and either way we're going to be a little disappointed.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: Red Riding Hood Trailer

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The Adjustment Bureau

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: When a politician (Matt Damon) finds out about a secret society that keeps everyone's destiny on track, he is forced to choose between a successful career and true love.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie, Terence Stamp, John Slattery, Michael Kelly, Anthony Ruivivar

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Not since Titanic has a film so successfully merged high action for the dudes with high romance for the ladies. And just for good measure, The Adjustment Bureau also throws in religious innuendo, to make sure there is no demographic left behind.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The humor is quirky and unexpected, and exists primarily to demonstrate why these two people are so strangely perfect for each other.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If the premise of this movie is true, and we really have no say over the direction of our lives, that would be enough to throw even the strongest of us into a good cry. Thankfully, we humans are too willful to ever choose to believe in the lack of free will. So who cares if we have it or not!

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It's a good thing that Woody Allen has quit filming in New York, because this year would have been a big loss for him in the "I ♥ NY" category.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: I would be curious to know if Emily Blunt does her own dancing, because if she does, I'm very impressed. And if she doesn't, I'm still impressed by the seamless special effects that would've had to have been used to make it look so convincingly like she's doing it all herself in the full body shots.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: First time director, George Nolfi, shot 90 locations around New York in 60 days. If you know anything about film-making, you too are inwardly saying, "Wow."

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It all holds together, except for one annoyingly unexplained Hollywood moment in the end. It's slight, and can be easily over-looked, if you accept what comes immediately after it.

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

A: This is the kind of film that will be remade in 20 years. See it now, so that when the new version comes out, staring some "it" kid who's not even born yet, you can talk about how great the original was, and how they shouldn't even try to live up to it.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: The Adjustment Bureau Trailer

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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

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Shrek Forever After 3D

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: In the fourth installment of this animated children's franchise, Shrek gets tired of his perfect life, and wishes he could go back to being a real, scary, independent ogre for just one day. Unfortunately, to make his wish come true, he makes a deal with the devil (Rumpelstiltskin), and enters an alternate universe where nobody knows who Shrek is, and the day he saved the princess and fell in love never happened. Basically, It's a Shrekiful Life!

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Walt Dohrn, Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Jon Hamm, Craig Robinson, Jane Lynch, Lake Bell, Kathy Griffin, Mary Kay Place, Kristen Schaal, Meredith Vieira, Ryan Seacrest, Larry King, Regis Philbin

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! While doing a take on It's a Wonderful Life isn't the most original idea anybody has ever had, it comes off as incredibly original for this franchise, which is in the habit of parodying every fairy tale it can get its hands on. It's also a clever way to reinvigorate a franchise in its fourth installment, by telling an original origin story about Shrek and Fiona, in an alternate Universe.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: If you compare it to how funny the 1st Shrek was, you will remember to be disappointed by the level of humor.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you compare it to how touching and romantic the 1st Shrek was, you will remember to be disappointed by the level of emotion... But, hey, maybe that'll make you cry!

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: An Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature is standard operating procedure for Shrek, so now all they need to do is find some way to prevent Pixar from releasing Toy Story 3 this year. Better luck next time!

Q: How is the Acting?

A: There are some nice additions to the cast in this installment, most notably Walt Dohrn as the complex but totally transparent baddie, Rumpelstiltskin, and Craig Robinson as a lovable ogre obsessed with chimichangas.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: I tried to find the movie playing in 2D so I could enjoy the complexities of the beautiful fantasy world created by the director and the animators, but it was only playing in 3D, which I'm totally over. My eyes already see things in 3D, and after the initial 5 seconds of getting used to the effect, I tend to forget that the effect is even there... Oh, and guess what, they jacked up the surcharge again.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: I wish it were as funny and touching as it used to be, but as a screenwriter, I am inspired by the device the story department came up with to make the story feel fresh so late in the game. Unfortunately, there is a misstep where the story should have ended, but Shrek makes a somewhat illogical choice in order to prolong the story, and give us what will ultimately be a more satisfying ending. The direction they go in is more fun, but it's hard to believe that he would make that choice over the one that gets him right back to his original life.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/shrek-forever-after/30186/trailers

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Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Structured like Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, but having nothing to do with Christmas, this is the story of a man who is visited by 3 ghosts, who take him on a journey to his past, his present, and his future, so that he can discover that he's a total douche.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Michael Douglas, Breckin Meyer, Lacey Chabert, Robert Forster, Anne Archer, Emma Stone, Daniel Sunjata, Noureen DeWulf, Rachel Boston, Camille Guaty, Amanda Walsh, Logan Miller, Christa B. Allen, and Christina Milian

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. It's not deep or anything, but it's a really good take on A Christmas Carol. When you go see a romantic comedy, you know who's going to end up together before the movie ever begins. So what makes one good isn't so much the "What?" as the "How?" When you genuinely wonder how one of the characters is going to get past the other one's irredeemable flaws, and the filmmakers find a way to convince you that they actually could overcome all the obstacles that have been keeping them apart, that's when a rom-com is worth watching. This one manages to do all that, within the predictable construct of being visited by 3 familiar ghosts, who usually only show themselves at Christmas time.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The biggest laugh was during the preview trailer for the Wayans Brothers' Dance Flick, but that certainly wasn't the only laugh this film had to offer.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: I've seen 5 versions of A Christmas Carol in the last 6 months, but this one had the only "Christmas Present"scene that almost got me crying. When the nephew defends the "scrooge"-- in this case the younger brother defends his older brother-- behind his back, it usually seems like he's doing it out of obligation, but in this version, you can really feel the sincerity of his love.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I think it'll win Biggest Box office for a movie based on A Christmas Carol, that was released before July. It could even take home Only movie based on A Christmas Carol released before July.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Matthew McConaughey plays the same guy he always plays, only this time with playboy dialogue. But I happen to have met this particular playboy before, and McConaughey's portrayal is realistic enough to serve as a poignant reminder to always run away from him, as fast as you can. Lacey Chabert turns in more of those magnificent freak-outs, she gave us a small taste of in Mean Girls. And if you haven't had a chance to fall in love with Emma Stone yet, you obviously haven't seen all her movies, like I have.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Mark Waters has a way of shooting comedies that keeps them feeling fun, upbeat and grounded in reality, without ever looking cheezy or too broad. He manages to keep an even tone, even when the script tries to get wacky. If you don't believe me, watch Mean Girls again.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Surprisingly unpredictable for a story we know by heart. Good concept, good gimmick, good title, and good resolution. You can almost hear screenwriters around the world pulling out their hair as they scream, "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, why didn't I think of that?"

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/ghosts-of-girlfriends-past/26716/trailers

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Twilight

(Guest Review by Russ)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A teenage girl moves from her Phoenix home to the small town of Forks in the Pacific Northwest where she meets and falls in love with a vampire. Problems ensue.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Ashley Greene, Nikki Reed, Michael Welch, Jackson Rathbone, Kellan Lutz, Peter Facinelli, Cam Giganet, Taylor Lautner, Anna Kendrick, Justin Chon, Elizabeth Reaser, Rachelle Lefevre, Edi Gathegi

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! I know what you're thinking, "Isn’t this that cheesy vampire movie based on that cheesy teen girl book? You’re telling me to go? Really?" Yeah, really, especially since the film is better than the book and it’s an all-around entertaining night at the movies whether you’re a teen girl or not (I am not).

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Everyone knows there’s nothing funnier than deadpan vampire-humor. Plus, Robert Pattinson (as Edward) displays uncanny comic timing as he gets off some good lines that are (purposely) funny in their absurdity.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Probably not. Unless you’re a girl. And 15. And in love with the hottie at school who may or may not be a vampire but nevertheless is very cool.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It'll sweep MTV and the Teen Choice Awards, but do those buy it any credibility?

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Anyone who has read the bestselling book knows it’s all about the teenage protagonists Bella and Edward, and boy do Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson deliver on these characters. They are one of the primary reasons the film surpasses the book, as both take material that could have been 100% camp and 100% crap and make it all work beautifully. Pattinson brings out all facets of the angsty and menacing sides of his 80 year-old vampire and Stewart deftly keeps her Bella from becoming a trite and shallow teen girl by conveying intelligence and grace. Their chemistry together works on every level and that is everything for a film like this. If you want to see a great example of two young, gifted actors raising the level of the material they’re in, then Twilight is worth seeing for that reason alone.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: It all works and moves along at a brisk pace and Catherine Hardwicke shows off the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with plenty of stunning panoramic helicopter shots that keep the film grounded in a strong sense of place. She also gets credit for finding just the right overall tone for the film that gives it the gravity it should have, yet retains a sly sense of humor about it. One only wishes she had been given a bigger budget to make some of the effects and Spider-Man like climbing scenes look better and more believable. (Edward’s skin in sunlight = cheesy sparkling effect,) After this film makes a gazillion dollars, I’m sure Hardwicke will have that budget for the sequel.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Melissa Rosenberg does a great job adapting Stephanie Meyer’s much-beloved book. Having read the novel recently, I can say that she collapses and condenses much of the repetitive dialogue down to its essence which makes for a more tolerable story that plays better to a wider audience. And judging from the 200 or so screaming teen girls that were in the theater when I saw it, she was also able to satisfy their demand for staying true to the plot and characters of the book. Good work Melissa, here’s hoping you’re hired to write the coming sequels! (There are 4 books in the series.)

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