I Melt With You

Q: What’s the movie about?

A:  4 44-year-old guys (Thomas Jane, Jeremy Piven, Rob Lowe, & Christian McKay) reunite every year for one of their birthdays and take more drugs than seems humanly possible, as they work out their lives.  Let me tell you something about the number 4, in China, it's considered such bad luck, that the elevators don't have any floors with the number 4 in them.  Yes, this does mean that if you live on the 50th floor of a building, your direct downstairs neighbors live on the 39th floor.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A:  Thomas Jane, Jeremy Piven, Rob Lowe, Christian McKay, Carla Gugino, Tom Bower, Arielle Kebbel, Zander Eckhouse, Abhi Sinha, Sasha Grey, Joe Reegan, August Emerson, Rebecca Creskoff, Melora Hardin, Shane Roney

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A:  Proceed wit Caution.  This movie is love it or hate it.  Personally, I did both.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A:  If you are paying very close attention.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: There is a butt-load of crying in it, but will you relate?  That depends on how much you hate yourself and why.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A:  Surprisingly it's not yet.  And oddly, this is one overly-arty and borderline boring indy film that I would've voted for in a few categories-- particularly directing.

Q: How is the Acting?

A:  Christian McKay often seems to be in a much more melodramatic film than the others.  Jeremy Piven has moments where you begin to see his range, and others where you wonder if he'll ever be anyone besides Ari Gold again.  And Rob Lowe... Is it just me, or is he getting hotter with age.  I never went for him as a kid (I was a rebel), but now, his face is practically inhuman.

Q: How is the Directing?

A:  Mark Pellington directs this film as an independent film should be directed.  He shows individuality and a style all his own, without  coming off deliberately pretentious.  His shots are unpredictable and often have you wondering why he chose to shoot from a certain angle, but strangely, this time the thought is never accompanied by a feeling of anger.

Q: How is the story/script?

A:  I knew where this film was going to go about 30 minutes in, but it is such a strange place to go that I remained intrigued about how it would manage to go there.  Ultimately the characters' actions as a group are completely unjustifiable, despite the fact that their actions as indivuals make perfect sense.  I have you intrigued, don't I?

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

A:  The soundtrack wants me to comment about it, but I'm not going to.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: I Melt With You

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The Skin I Live In

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A plastic surgeon (Antonio Banderas) holds a beautiful woman captive in his house, and by the end of the film, we will know why-- Duhn-duhn-duhn!

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Marisa Paredes, Jan Cornet, Bianca Suarez, Barbara Lennie, Roberto Alamo, Susi Sanchez, Eduard Fernandez, Jose Luis Gomez, Fernando Cayo

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A:Proceed with Caution. This one is for the hardest of hard core Almadovar fans only. Right when you thought he couldn't get any crazier, he completely loses his mind.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: If you have very dark and demented sensibilities.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: I feel like crying when I look at Elena Anaya flawless skin, and remember that all youthful skin ever gave me was pimples.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: While we're on the topic of Elena Anaya, let's just give this film the ever-coveted award of Miss Universe. I can't imagine any contestant in the world pretty enough to beat her.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Speaking of beauty, Antonio Banderas at age 51 hasn't lost an ounce of it. Also, it's nice to see him still getting a chance to do a serious role once in a while, since he can really only be taken seriously in Spanish. And after Puss in Boots comes out, our ability to not laugh when he speaks English will only get worse.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Almadovar stays true to his personal style, which combines simplicity with total oddness.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It's based on book, and you can't help but wonder if the book pulls off this bizarre non-linear tale of a convoluted insane family any more logically or believably than its surreal film counterpart does.

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

A: Balloons and Steamers! This is our 500th review!!!

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: The Skin I Live In Trailer

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The Beaver

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A suicidally depressed man (Mel Gibson) figures out that he can feel instantly strong and powerful again by communicating all of his thoughts and feelings through a beaver hand puppet.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, Anton Yelchin, Jennifer Lawrence, Riley Thomas Stewart, Cherry Jones

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. This film is different. The way a tuna sandwich served on cinnamon raisin bread is different. You think you might like it, but you're pretty sure your friends will think it's just not right.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: It's extremely dark comedy, so whether or not you laugh is really gonna depend on how you feel about cinnamon-raisin tuna sandwiches.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It is almost impossible to cry for Mel Gibson, because no matter how bad this movie makes you feel for the guy, it's hard to forget that he's a big jerk who really could use a few lonely hours, days, or years, sitting alone with his own self-hating thoughts.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Biggest Casting Risk. After taking several years off from work, it's hard to believe that Jodie Foster would think a Mel Gibson movie is a good way for her to announce her return to the scene.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Anton Yelchin is pretty amazing... But if I'm being honest, Mel Gibson is also really great. I guess there's no denying that he's good at playing crazy, because he is crazy.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Aside from the opening shot, the directing doesn't have much of a voice.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: This script was on the Black List of best scripts in Hollywood a couple of years ago. Development executives spend their days, night, and weekends reading sequels, prequels, remakes and bad rehashings of every other film ever made, where only the character names and situations have changed. So I can see how they would get excited about a script that in no way resembles any previous commercial success. The question remains, though, whether or not that means this script can ever be a commercial success.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: The Beaver Trailer

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Barney's Version

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Based on a book by Mordecai Richler, Barney's Version is the story of some guy named Barney (Paul Giamatti), as he partakes in life, loves, and possibly the murder of his best friend. It's a character piece.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike, Dustin Hoffman, Scott Speedman, Minnie Driver, Bruce Greenwood, Rachelle Lefevre, Saul Rubinek, Mark Addy, Jake Hoffman, Anna Hopkins, Macha Grenon

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. The first two hours are very compelling, even though the final extraneous 20 minutes, meanders around until it became clear that the rest of the movie isn't really about anything either.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Paul Giamatti plays his usual slightly lovable curmudgeon, so there are a fair number of laughs from that, but my favorite humor comes simply from the names of the places. You see, he works at Totally Unnecessary Productions, and drinks at Grumpy's bar. And you even believe these locations are real, because the movie takes place in Canada... Oh, those silly Canadians!

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: The extraneous 20 minutes at the end are pretty sad, but I would've rather just cut that part altogether. Why? Because it's extraneous.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It's currently in a one week Oscar qualifying release in Los Angeles, so that it can be considered for Academy Awards even though it's really coming out in a month, after it's too late to be considered for 2010. So obviously they think they have something.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Dustin Hoffman is fantabulous. His son, Jake, while much better looking than his father, seems poised to follow in the footsteps of John Ritter's and Tom Hanks' sons, by not even deserving to carry the same last name as a man whose shoes he will never come close to filling. Minnie Driver plays the most annoying character in the world, and yet, this may be the most attractive she's ever looked on screen. (Kristen Bell may want to take some pointers from her.) And Rosamund Pike, when her hair is dyed brown, looks indisputably half-Asian.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Most of the time it is fast-paced and engaging, and then suddenly, in just one or two places, it slips into photographic montages that don't match the style of the rest, and therefore come off like fixes to parts of the film that probably weren't working.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: If you've been reading along with me, you already know my feelings about why biopics rarely work. So what kind of person makes a biopic about a made-up person who's not even real or famous?

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OBd5jPBzOI

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All Good Things

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Inspired by the true story of the wealthy Durst New York real estate family, and using the fictional Marks family to stand-in, All Good Things speculates about the unsolved 1982 missing persons case of Katie Marks (Kristen Dunst), wife of heir David Marks (Ryan Gosling).

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Ryan Gosling, Kristen Dunst, Frank Langella, Philip Baker Hall, Lily Rabe, Kristen Wiig, Nick Offerman, Diane Venora, Liz Stauber, Maggie Kiley, David Margulies, Trini Alvarado, Michael Esper

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. While it's well acted, interestingly structured, and compelling, it may be too dark for some audience members who are seeking escapism in these trying times.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Yes, but don't go to this if you're looking for a funny time.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you were any number of characters in the movie it should have, but seeing as how cold, self-centered, and entitled most of the members of this wealthy family are, I'm not sure they would even know how.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I'd like to nominate the make-up... I know, it's a totally boring award and it shouldn't even be in the televised show, no less my blog.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Frank Langella is a complex and versatile actor who has continually proven that he can be frightening. Kristen Dunst is a complex and versatile actor who has continually proven that she can be romantic. And Ryan Gosling is a complex and versatile actor who has continually proven that he can be both frightening and romantic, which is the worst kind of romance a man can provide.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Andrew Jarecki, who brought us the most disturbing documentary I have ever seen, Capturing the Friedmans, tries to disturb us some more. This time with murder rather than pedophilia. But I don't know, as far as disturbingness goes, I'm slightly more partial to pedophilia.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The story cuts back and forth between a murder trial that took place in the 2000s and the story of love and loss that took place in the 70s and 80s, focusing primarily on the later. While it's not hard to follow, I can tell from some of the momentarily confusing directing choices that some of the transitions could have been written more smoothly. On the other hand, trying to span three decades-- that aren't even next to each other-- is a huge challenge for any screenwriter, and at no point does the passage of time make the movie feel too long.

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

A: While the title's implication that all good things come to an end is somewhat clever, I have found this title impossible to remember. So, if you're interested in seeing it, you should write the title on your kid's hand, or some other place where it's equally unlikely to ever get washed off.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/all-good-things/36342/trailers

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Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: In 2008, a young, up and coming Wall Street trader (Shia LaBeouf) loses his mentor (Frank Langella) and then gets taken for a ride by competing would-be replacements (Michael Douglas, Josh Brolin).

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin, Carey Mulligan, Eli Wallach, Susan Sarandon, Frank Langella, Austin Pendleton, John Bedford Lloyd, Vanessa Ferlito, John Buffalo Mailer

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. I almost loved this movie, but the ending didn't make sense, and then I realized that if I hadn't seen the documentary Inside Job two days before, many parts of the middle wouldn't have made sense either.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Surprisingly, not at all.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Surprisingly, but not at the end.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Carey Mulligan gives us a plethora of Oscar worthy moments.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: I was so glad they figured out how to fit in a cameo by Charlie Sheen. The Oliver Stone cameo, on the other hand, jolted my concentration right out of the movie. I don't even think I could tell you what that scene was about. All I know is there was supposed to be a sex joke in it. I didn't laugh. I was too busy getting over the fact that Stone favored himself over the lead character in the shot. Clearly, he finds himself exceedingly attractive.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The slickest thing about this movie is Gordon Gekko's hair. And for as much as Oliver Stone's random psychedelic cutaways added to the look and feel of Natural Born Killers, that's how much they distract from the look and feel of Wall Street. I would even go so far as to say that some of his choices look remarkably amateurish.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: This script would have been so much more insightful if it had been written before the crash of 2008. As it is now, characters go around acting like they're so smart for telling us what's going to happen in the future, when their future is already in our past. I could've predicted the crash under those circumstances, too.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/wall-street-money-never-sleeps/38914/trailers

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Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: An unflinching look at Joan Rivers' rise to fame, and her desperate attempt to stay there until the day she kicks the bucket.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers, Larry A. Thompson, Bari Pearlman, Edgar Rosenberg, Kathy Griffin, Don Rickles, Johnny Carson, Ed Sullivan, Donald Trump,

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Joan Rivers clearly did this movie to prove that she's still funny, and guess what? She is.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: It's possibly the most genuinely funny movie I've seen this year... but you have to be up for a crass old lady making anal sex jokes.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: She is so damn insecure!.... But as we funny people know, that's where comedy comes from... Pain.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: No, because the Best Old Lady Comeback of the year has already gone to Betty White.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: I learned from this movie that Joan Rivers will say yes to any offer.... I also learned that despite the ugly stigma she comes with, she really can act. So, Quentin Tarantino, we're counting on you to bring her back and legitimize her.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: For a documentary, there are a lot of seemingly candid shots with soft, flattering lighting.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The footage is seamlessly edited, flowing between the present day story of Joan trying to stay relevant, and the history of her sordid past. What I can't help but wonder is, where is that old senile, spacey and incoherent Joan who used to ask crazy and embarrassingly irrelevant questions on the red carpet, not 5 years ago? This version of her is not only coherent, she's got enough brains and quick wit for everyone in the room.

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

A: It turns out that Johnny Carson was as much of a douchebag as Jay Leno... so maybe he is the right host to carry on the legacy of the Tonight Show.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/joan-rivers-a-piece-of-work/10024268/trailers

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The Bounty Hunter

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: An ex-cop (Gerard Butler) who is now a bounty hunter is assigned to pick up and turn in his ex-wife (Jennifer Aniston).

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Jennifer Aniston, Gerard Butler, Jason Sudeikis, Jeff Garlin, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Peter Greene, Joel Garland, Dorian Missick, Cathy Moriarty, Adam Rose, Christine Baranski, Carol Kane, Adam LeFevre, Ritchie Coster

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. With the right execution this could have been a decent concept, but the two leads hate each other so much that it's hard to care for either of them.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Not really. But you know what would've made this movie funny? Casting Brad Pitt as Jennifer Aniston's ex-husband. Now that would've been an interesting twist!

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: You know how Gerard Butler's character makes a big deal in the trailer about how he can tell the difference between when Jennifer Aniston's crying is real or fake? Well I couldn't. They both looked fake to me.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I'll tell you what it won't be up for: Best Costume Design. I'm sorry, but if your characters are only going to wear one outfit for the entire movie, I'd think you'd have time to come up with something a little more original and character defining than a black tank top with a black skirt and pumps. I could come up with that outfit since I was 15, without any of your formal training or your five figure salary.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Has anyone besides me noticed that Gerard Butler talks out of the side of his mouth when he does romantic comedies? I can't tell if it's because that's how he does his American accent, or if that's just his signal that he's about to say something that's meant to be taken as a sarcasm joke. What do you think?

Q: How is the Directing?

A: As soon as Andy Tennant's credit came up on the screen, I couldn't stop thinking, "Oh no! He's the guy who gave up Fool's Gold." And as I continued to indulge his generic directing style, I started to realize that this is a remake of Fool's Gold, only set it in a new location, and with two lead actors who are slightly less attractive, charming, and likeable, than Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: This is for all you screenwriters out there: what's missing from this script is the "Save the Cat" moment. For the rest of you, that is an expression which comes from the title of my all time favorite screenwriting book, "Save the Cat" by Blake Snyder. Snyder explains, that to make a character likeable, there needs to be a moment, somewhere close to the beginning, where we see him or her do something selfless and kind, like save a cat from a tree, because once it's been established that this person is generally good on the inside, we, the audience, are much more forgiving of their flaws and mistakes. The characters in this film do a lot of mean things to each other, and without a "Save the Cat" moment for each of them, we quickly become as unforgiving of them as they are of each other.

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

A: Ke$ha introduces her new single during the credits, so prepare to hear that song on the radio whenever Lady Gaga isn't playing.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-bounty-hunter/50263/trailers

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The White Ribbon

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Pre-World War I Germany, in a small town made up of self-righteous a-holes, strange accidents start to occur on a regular basis, and nobody knows why or who.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Christian Friedel, Ernst Jacobi, Leonie Benesch, Ulrich Tukur, Ursina Lardi, Burghart Klaussner, Steffi Kuhnert, Josef Bierbichler, Gabriela Maria Schmeide, Rainer Bock, Susanne Lothar

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. It’s in black and white. It’s in German. It’s got subtitles. It’s a period piece. And it’s over 2 hours long. But if you enjoy not having a story spoon fed to you as to the why’s, how’s, and what for’s, this dark story could be your favorite film of the year.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: If the depraved nature of heartless humans humors you, you will. My audience certainly discovered their dark side.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Especially if you’re Jewish, because it’s hard to look at all those Aryans and listen to the harsh German accents they are not using in jest… Although this movie certainly explains the type of cultural background it would take to lead so many people to think that joining the SS is cool.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It won the Palme D’Or at Cannes. Which says more about the French than it does about this movie.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Even the smallest of children were able to cry on cue.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: About as deliberate as it gets. You get the impression that Michael Haneke gets everything he wants on the set, and there’s nothing accidental anywhere.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Pay very close attention to the narration in the first 2 minutes. Write it down if you have to. It’s the only clue you will get as to what this movie was about, and when the story ends, it will all seem much more relevant.

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

A: Regardless of your intellectual prowess, I suggest you bring the smartest person you know. You’re going to need someone to piece it together with you when it’s over, and you won’t know where to start.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-white-ribbon/38469/trailers

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The Private Lives of Pippa Lee

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A woman (Robin Wright Penn) struggles with her identity when her older-man husband is forced to move into a retirement community... and also when she thinks back on how different she is from the person she has forced herself to be.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Robin Wright Penn, Alan Arkin, Maria Bello, Blake Lively, Mike Binder, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Ryan McDonald, Monica Bellucci, Zoe Kazan, Julianne Moore, Shirley Knight, Robin Weigert, Tim Guinee

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! It's an interesting examination one's ability to reinvent oneself-- at least on the outside.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: There aren't that many laughs, but of the ones that are there, at least two will be forever etched in my mind as moments I can mentally call upon whenever I need a good laugh about a private joke.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: There's a lot worth crying over, but it most likely won't move you to tears, because you'll be too busy gloating over the fact that all that bad stuff is happening to them, and not you.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I would definitely consider this for some nominations. In particular I think it's got a chance in the acting and directing departments. But realistically, only in the Independent Spirit Awards.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Amazing. First of all, Robin Wright Penn and Maria Bello are two of the best actresses working today, despite the fact that many people still don't know who either of them are, or that they should be first on everyone's casting lists. Robin Wright Penn's pseudo-anonymity is because during her years married to Sean, she only did one movie a year, so as to spend the rest of the time with the kids. Either her kids have grown or the divorce has freed up her schedule, but she seems to be available for a lot more parts lately, which I think we can all be thankful for. As for Maria Bello the only reason I can think of that she's not more well known is that she molds herself so deeply into each role that she plays, that you forget she was in the film by the time you leave, because you're only thinking of the character she played. Also worth mentioning are Blake Lively, who busts free of her Gossip Girl persona, to prove that she's an actress of much greater depth than most of her fans might realize, and Winona Ryder, who put me in the mood for a major comeback. You go, girls!

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Rebecca Miller's earlier film, Personal Velocity, made me wonder why this woman was getting a break at all, which led me to do some research on her background, which led to the discovery that she's Daniel Day-Lewis's wife and Arthur Miller's daughter, which led me to understand why she got a break. Now, I've got nothing against nepotism when the receiver can prove that there is a gift beneath the bloodline that's worthy of receiving a chance. And in this film, Miller-Day-Lewis finally proves that she deserves the chances she's gotten, and has at last honed a craft in her own right that's worthy of paying attention to.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It's structured unlike any movie you've seen before, and deals with original themes and settings, so even if it's not the feel good movie of the year, it will give you something to think about that can't be easily tied up in a bow, but will likely relate in some way to your own life, or the people in it.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-private-lives-of-pippa-lee/31793/trailers

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Whatever Works

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A self proclaimed genius (Larry David), who hates everything about other human beings, meets a young, naive, God-fearing, Southern girl (Evan Rachel Wood), who for some unexplainable reason wants to spend all her time with him

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr., Henry Cavill, Conleth Hill, Michael McKean, Olek Krupa, Jessica Hecht, Christopher Evan Welch, John Gallagher Jr., Samantha Bee

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. I always enjoy a good cynical comedy about how life sucks and God is hooey. But at least 80% of you inchworms will be offended by the film's abrasiveness.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: It takes Larry David saying his lines to truly see how much more angry and offensive Woody Allen is than Larry David.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you have strong religious beliefs, this one will probably send you crying to Lord Jesus for the simple sin of having exposed your delicate mind to the heresy in this movie.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: The French will think of something to give it. They'll do anything to get Woody Allen to visit their country.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Larry David constantly looks like he's thinking, "I can't believe somebody cast me in a movie!" And Evan Rachel Wood can not do comedy. In fact, she reminded me so much of a girl in a bad acting class, that I spent the first 15 minutes of the movie wondering if it was actually her.  

Q: How is the Directing?

A: There are certain things about Woody Allen that never seem to change. One is his simplistic, underachiever directing style, and the other is his not-so-subtle belief that every beautiful girl who's almost reached drinking age wants to date a guy as old as her grandpa.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The first 30 to 40 minutes require a lot of suspension of disbelief. The way the characters meet is ridiculous, but not in a good way, and that's only one of the problems with the set up. But if you can make it until Patricia Clarkson shows up, you'll be rewarded with a film that's intelligent, daring and ridiculous-- but this time in a good way. And you're not gonna believe this but the ending to this piece about how humans are selfish, greedy, cretins who can't help themselves is actually uplifting.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/whatever%20works/trailers

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Sunshine Cleaning

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A dark comedy about a couple of struggling sisters (Amy Adams & Emily Blunt) who try to make ends meet by starting up a business that involves cleaning up after people's bloody deaths.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Jason Spevack, Steve Zahn, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Clifton Collins Jr., Eric Christian Olsen, Paul Dooley, Kevin Chapman, Judith Jones

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. In this time of recession, it's interesting to think about the different odd jobs out there that might be lucrative, but it's depressing to think about how easily your whole plan can get ruined, ruining you in return for your efforts.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: It's from the producers of Little Miss Sunshine and the darkness of the humor is similar, but the laughs in this one aren't as frequent or as plentiful.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Some people cry at the sight of blood and death. Personally, I'm just thankful that they never perfected smell-o-vision.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: They really teach you everything you need to know about starting this kind of a business, so I'm thinking it'll probably be the movie most likely to inspire people to get over their fear of death and get a job cleaning up after it.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Amy Adams is her regular delightful self. Emily Blunt is a pleasure that I look forward to watching more of as soon as possible. Alan Arkin is exactly the same as he was in Little Miss Sunshine, but with less funny lines to say. And Steve Zahn is desperately underused in this and the rest of the movies getting made around Hollywood, in particular, the ones he's not cast in.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The only moment in which the directing really draws attention to itself is when we see the mom, and then dissolve from one sister's face to the other, instantly realizing how incredibly well cast it is, as the mom has the exact facial features necessary to link the two actresses faces, and create the illusion that they're really related. Separately, you should know that considering all the blood involved in death, the director has intelligently shot this such that the gore-level isn't too high.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It's definitely a story that's never been done before, so there's that. The question remains: is this a story that needed to be done? And that's where I'm on the fence.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/sunshine%20cleaning/trailers

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Two Lovers

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: After a broken-off engagement, a suicidal man (Joaquin Phoenix) suddenly finds himself choosing between two beautiful women (Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw).

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Moni Moshonov, Isabella Rossellini, Elias Koteas, Jay O. Sanders, Bob Ari, Julie Budd

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. Despite the high profile cast, this plays like another depressing indy movie that some people will call a beautiful portrait of love and its effect on the human condition, and which I will call a downer that was hardly worth the zero dollars I paid to see it.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The scene that introduces Gwyneth Paltrow is pretty funny. But that's about it.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: While the experience of unrequited love will always summon tears in real life, this film doesn't transmit the experience beyond the actors' own sense memory exercises.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It was nominated for a Golden Palm at Cannes, which some of my friends who saw The Class (the winner of the Golden Palm), will tell you doesn't mean squat! Not my words, theirs... They know who they are.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Joaquin Phoenix gives the type of performance that often gets lauded. Personally, I found him to be totally creepy. Gwyneth Paltrow, on the other hand, who I haven't been much of a fan of in the past, gives a vibrant performance that jumps off the screen. Apparently, the role was written with her in mind. Meanwhile, Vinessa Shaw gives a performance that explains why she's been in a fair amount of high profile movies for the past ten years, and people are still asking "Who's this Vinessa Shaw person?" In other words, she'd be awesome as the lead in a procedural TV series.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: James Gray clearly makes an effort to step away from the standard angles and coverage for this imitation art film, and for that I give him credit. I know that sounded like half an insult, but it's just hard to give the director of We Own the Night the same "indy film" pass that I might give to a first time director who has no money, no stars, and no resources.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It introduces some interesting characters and an interesting dynamic between them, but I'm not sure what enjoyment or insight the writer was hoping to give the audience with this story, besides that some forms of entertainment just aren't very uplifting.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/two%20lovers/trailers

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Yes Man

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A depressed man (Jim Carrey), who hates life and everything in it, is able to turn things around simply by saying "yes" to offers, instead of "no."

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, John Michael Higgins, Rhys Darby, Danny Masterson, Molly Sims, Sean O'Bryan, Fionnula Flanagan, Terrence Stamp, Sasha Alexander, Brent Briscoe, Luiz Guzman, Vivian Bang, Aaron Takahashi

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! This inspirational comedy reminds us that when we take life by the cohones, we do a great service, not only to ourselves, but to all those around us. Happiness is contagious. And here's a newspaper article to prove it: Happiness is Contagious, research finds

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: During Zooey Deschanel's musical performance, you may even squeal a little. Especially if you're a girl who's ever been with a guy.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Tears of joy and positivity... No, not really. You probably won't cry.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Best lyrics EVER!

Q: How is the Acting?

A: No one in this film is really pushing the limits of their acting tool, here. In fact, pretty much all of them are playing characters we've seen them play in other movies before. Hey, stick to what you're good at, right?

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Peyton Reed always manages to infuse an energy into his films that causes you to leave the theater wanting to dance in the streets.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The set up and the conclusion are kind of easy, but I love when a script brings back even the most innocuous and seemingly irrelevant moments for a big pay off. And for doing that, I love these writers, and I'm gonna go ahead and say that this is a very well crafted screenplay.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/yes%20man/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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Milk

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: The true story of the first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk (Sean Penn), and how he pioneered the gay civil rights movement in San Francisco in the 70s.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Sean Penn, James Franco, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna, Alison Pill, Lucas Grabeel, Victor Garber, Denis O'Hare, Joseph Cross, Howard Rosenman, Brandon Boyce, Kelvin Yu, Stephen Spinella, Anita Bryant

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! This movie about political actions which took place 30 years ago couldn't be more timely today, as we juxtapose the election of our first Black president with the overturning of the ruling that gays have the right to marry. The parallels between that time and this one make you question how much progress we've really made, all while feeling inspired about how far we've come. I'm so confused...

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Put a bunch of gay guys in a room together for two hours, and something is bound to make you laugh.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you don't know how this story goes, your chance of tears is high. Likewise, if you're a bigot, a Nazi, a skinhead, a member of the KKK, or any other organization based on hate and segregation (yes, I'm talking about right-wing fundamentalist Christians), you may also cry, but for a whole different set of reasons.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Sean Penn's portrayal of the gay supervisor makes you want to look for him in the race for Oscar-- or even in a gay bar near you.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Playing gay seems to come a little too naturally to most of these actors. It's almost like they've waited their whole lives for a chance to come out of the closet for these roles. I'd especially like to congratulate Lucas Grabeel of High School Musical fame, who without changing his performance from one movie to the next, fits right into this group of men coming up and coming out in the Castro... Which brings me back to my long standing theory, that fans shouldn't be so surprised when they find out that their favorite actors are secretly gay. Most of our biggest celebrities started out doing theater in high school. And everyone remembers the nickname male theater geeks were donned with in high school. So why do they think that just because they grew up and became sexy and famous that would change? Now, I'm not saying all actors are gay... Just most of them.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Ah, Gus Van Sant, we have such a tumultuous relationship, you and I. While I don't hate your work on the movies you don't write (like this one), I can't help but still get annoyed at all the gratuitous male bodies that are featured so deliberately in your films, as if their sole purpose is so you can ask hot young men to take off their clothes, without having to seem like the pervert that I'm starting to think you are. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a nice bit of eye candy in my films, and in this film about the gay 70s, it's actually quite appropriate.   But I can't help but be reminded of the similar images from your past films (like Paranoid Park, Last Days, and Elephant), where the shirtlessness of some 16-year-old unknown actor seemed pre-meditavely orchestrated  for the sole purpose of exploitation by a man in a position of power.  Like the boy who cried wolf, it now lessens my ability to enjoy the perfect curves of a James Franco or Diego Luna, but especially of Josh Brolin, for whom the shirtless scene seems totally out of character-- he is, after all, the voice of conservatism in the film-- and his shirtlessness took me out of it.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The writer manages to circumvent many of the usual trappings of a biopic, by encasing the narrative in a narration that is delivered by Harvey Milk into a Dictaphone, and also by focusing only on the parts of the story that need to be told to move the plot along and get the political points across.

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

A: I don't often get a chance to share anything personal about myself in this blog, but in this case I must. I was raised in the Castro, and Harvey Milk ran my district. I was very young, and Milk's campaign signs in all the neighborhood windows formed my first recollection of what it meant to vote and have elections. Milk shopped at our supermarket, and we bought film at his camera store, and when I saw him, I told him that my Daddy voted for him. As a young child, I was very proud that my Daddy would vote for a man with such a cool name. I could only have been prouder if his name had been Chocolate Milk.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/milk/32261/trailers

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The Secret Life of Bees

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: In 1964, a teenage girl (Dakota Fanning) runs away from home with her Black nanny (Jennifer Hudson), to follow a path that she hopes will lead to learning more about her dead mother. During these racially charged times, these interracial friends are taken in by a family of Black women who make and sell honey.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, Paul Bettany, Tristan Wilds, Hilarie Burton, Nate Parker

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! If you like culturally relevant dramas that explore the many shades of what it is to give and receive love, this is the one for you.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Here and there, it's very rare. Dramas just don't care. Laughter is meant to be shared.
(If you noticed that was a Haiku, You Are Smarter Than a Fifth Grader, and you should audition here: http://www.fox.com/areyousmarter/showinfo/)

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Well, first off, there's a montage to a song called, "Beautiful," by India.Arie that always makes me cry-- so that's cheating. But before all is said and done, the film itself also manages to earn a few of your tears.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Sophie Okonedo has a good chance of getting a nod for Best Supporting Actress, because she plays a somewhat mentally handicapped person. In fact, she has just the right amount of mental handicap to win an Oscar, if you follow the lore explained in Tropic Thunder-- which I do.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: How is Dakota Fanning a child actress? She's such a consummate professional that it's hard to imagine she's only 14. And watch-out world, she's growing up fast now, kissing boys on screen, and as soon as she starts wearing make-up, she's going to be as much of a knockout as Heather Locklear in the 80s. Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys are passable, but they don't quite hold their own next to Queen Latifah's strength and charisma, or Sophie Okonedo's conviction and depth of character.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Aside from a few pacing problems where things could've been tightened up, there's nothing particularly wrong with the directing, but at times it is all too clear how often the director has worked in television.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Spike Lee could take some lessons from Gina Prince-Bythewood on how to confront racism in a manner that's relevant and compelling.

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

A: You should know going in that Queen Latifah's character is supposed to be in her upper forties or lower fifties. Without that information, certain scenes may be confusing.

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Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Two American girls, best-friends Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), go to Barcelona for the summer, where they are seduced by and fall for the same Latin Lover (Javier Bardem).

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Patricia Clarkson, Kevin Dunn, Chris Messina, Christopher Evan Welch, Pablo Schreiber, Zak Orth, Carrie Preston

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! With the Dollar so low, and the Euro so high, this may be the only affordable way to visit Spain anymore. But economics notwithstanding, the film also has going for it that it's a passionate exploration of how relationships are ultimately nothing more-- or less-- than a choose your own adventure story.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Woody's still got a few tricks up his sleeve.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No, but it could get your sexy juices flowing.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Penelope Cruz, Penelope Cruz, everyone's talking about Penelope Cruz. I spent the first half of the movie wondering if she was even in this film... But boy was she ever! Without seeing any of the other performances to come, I'm going to go big, and put in my prediction now: she will win (yes, I said "win") the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Rebecca Hall is incredible in the "Woody Allen role," which leads me to wonder, does he give them stuttering, hemming, and hawing lessons on set? Or do they just instinctively know that when you work with Woody Allen, every word should come from your most neurotic place?

Also, after only having seen him play a psychopath, an invalid, and a gay revolutionary, I was surprised to see how much sexiness and charisma Javier Bardem was able to bring to what may be the closest he's yet come to playing an average guy. Okay, so a Spanish master of seduction isn't that average-- but still, compared to his previous roles, this is just a regular guy. And he still comes off like an acting genius.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: I've always thought of Woody Allen as a simple director, who doesn't do much more than the bare minimum to tell the story. After all, he's known for letting his scripts do the talking. But in this film, his camera is dynamic, constantly moving, and often at a faster pace than I would associate with his work. For once, his directing actually stands out, and it turns out, he's quite talented.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Woody Allen has written and directed a movie a year for as long as I can remember, so sometimes the quality gets compromised in the rush. That is not the case with Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

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