The Soloist

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Based on a book, that's based on newspaper articles, that are based on a true story, this movie explores the relationship that is formed between a homeless musical prodigy and the L.A. Times reporter who befriends him in the hopes of writing about his story.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx, Catherine Keener, Justin, Martin, Stephen Root, Rachael Harris, Tom Hollander, Lisagay Hamilton, Marcos De Silvas, Esa-Pekka Salonen

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. On every level this film tries too hard to be important, and it would have been more so, if we didn't see everyone working so hard to matter.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: I thought Jamie Foxx's hairstyle was funny.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Not even close. Which is probably its biggest failing.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: They thought about it last year, when they started showing previews at just the right time for awards consideration, but then they pulled the release from last year's required deadline, and released it now, at a time that is no less defeatist than waiving the white flag.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Robert Downey Jr. is his usual perfect self. Jamie Foxx has the bigger challenge of playing a character with a mental disorder, without coming off like he's acting. Does he succeed? I don't know enough schizophrenic people to say for sure, but his performance may be a good argument for casting unknowns as characters who have mental disorders, so at least you don't spend the whole time knowing that the guy isn't really schizophrenic.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Not one to experiment with naturalism, or the theory that the director should be invisible, Joe Wright likes to remind the audience at every turn that THIS FILM HAS A DIRECTOR. (Also see Atonement.) Some audience members may fall for his "look at me" style, but I find his over the top visual aides distracting and pretentious.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The true story and the book likely both had a stronger emotional impact than the movie does. The pace is slow, and by the end you feel neither inspired nor moved. That said, it's in no way hateable.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-soloist/30936/main

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Lymelife

(Guest Review by Russ)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Set during the late 70s, a fifteen-year-old boy grapples with first love while dealing with a chaotic home life involving his constantly quarreling parents.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Rory Culkin, Emma Roberts, Alec Baldwin, Timothy Hutton, Jill Hennessy, Kieran Culkin, Cynthia Nixon

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. This is a paint-by-numbers ‘indie’ developed through the Sundance Institute which helps explain its pedigree both in front of and behind the cameras (e.g. Martin Scorsese is a producer on it). You’ve seen variations on it before many times, and since this film is dated, I'm going to allow myself to use a dated joke: I liked this movie the first time I saw it, when it was called The Ice Storm.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The other reviewers make it sound like a yuck-fest from beginning to end-- don’t believe them! It's not a comedy, which isn't to say that you won't chuckle here and there-- if you’re paying attention.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Only if you’re intimate with the horror that is lyme disease.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Coming out in April…? Despite fine performances, I would guess that the distributors of this film have written off major award consideration.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: It’s a terrific cast and they all give terrific performances. Rory Culkin is in just about every scene – it’s very much his film – and his angular, oddly handsome face perfectly expresses the confusion, anger and bemusement of a 15 year-old boy going through major life-changes. The revelation is Emma Roberts (Julia’s niece) as the precocious love object of Rory’s affections. She goes from sexy to vulnerable – and everything in between – within the heartbeat of a single scene (multiple times) breaking down every stereotype of a 16 year-old teenager that ever existed. The adults are all good too – even Timothy Hutton in a pointless and thankless supporting role.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Apparently this is a pretty low-budget film, but it looks really good – getting the Long Island setting period detail (late 70s) just right. The film is small and intimate, and the direction is given over to letting the performances shine and in that regard it’s more than competent. The tone is also consistent but it’s not as ‘quirky funny’ as the filmmakers probably think it is.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: So about a half-hour into this you start to realize there’s no plot and maybe – unlike myself – you are fine with that because you rarely expect indie films to have plots because supposedly a plot would not make it very ‘indie.’ I miss having plots when they aren’t there regardless of what kind of movie it is. This movie would have been better with a plot, but as ‘coming-of-age’/'slice-of-life’ films go, it’s fine and will most likely hold your interest thanks to Rory Culkin and Emma Robert’s performances.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/lymelife/trailers

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17 Again

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: If you don't know what this movie is about from looking at the title, you're an idiot.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Matthew Perry, Sterling Knight, Michelle Tractenberg, Hunter Parrish, Melora Hardin, Jim Gaffigan, Brian Doyle-Murray, Nicole Sullivan

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! It's been done before, it'll be done again, but I don't think it will ever stop being a good time for all. Anyway, you can't really go wrong with a premise about suddenly changing ages, and getting mixed up in weird sexual situations like having to avoid your daughter's come-ons and resist your own attraction to your currently age-inappropriate wife.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Not guaranteed, but it will definitely make you smile.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Zac Efron is like porn for the 16 and under crowd. And since the movie opens on shots of his shirtless 6 pack abs, some girls will be screaming and crying by the end of the first scene.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I'll bet Matthew Perry would give it an award for Movie I Most Wish Were My Real Life and Not some Made-up Story. Can you imagine if every time his life fell apart, he got to turn into a mature version of Zac Efron? Those hard times he fell on during the height of Friends never would've happened.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: All Zac Efron has to do to get the ladies screaming is walk to the beat of the soundtrack, looking cool. It's a good thing for him, too, cuz that's kind of what he does best. And I'm so glad that Leslie Mann married Judd Apatow, so that he could put her in his movies, so that Hollywood could get a chance to recognize how funny she is, and let her be a star in her own right.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: You can tell this director comes from an indy background, because he takes a story that is an otherwise standard example of what comes out of the studio machine, and tries to add some art to it. Sure it draws attention to itself as being totally on the nose, but if you didn't know from the actor's expression that he was going through a difficult time, at least the blatant lighting shift from bright and cheery to dark and dismal telegraphs that for you at every phase. The good news is, it's no longer important for an actor to convey his own feelings, when the dramatic shift in lighting and music can do most of it for him. And that means we can cast more really good-looking, totally talentless people in stuff!

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The set up is really heavy handed, with lines like, "You're my best friend"-- as if we couldn't tell. And, "If your wife hadn't kicked you out and your kids didn't hate you, etc."-- in case we weren't going to catch on to the family dynamic depicted in the very next scene... But once Matthew Perry turns into Zac Efron the fun begins, and the clunky exposition takes a rest.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/17-again/33126/trailers

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State of Play

(Guest Review by Jack)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: After the brutal murder of the assistant/mistress of a junior U.S. Congressman (Ben Affleck), who serves as the chairman of a committee overseeing defense spending– an obvious Blackwater stand in--, buried secrets come tumbling out, inciting a reporter (Russell Crowe) and a political blogger (Rachel McAdams) to begin their quest for the truth.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels, Viola Davis, Michael Weston, Harry Lennix

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! This is a movie genre that they just aren’t making enough of anymore – adult thrillers. Psychological thrillers are hard to sell in a trailer, because they can't instantly knock your socks off without giving everything away, but ultimately, this is two hours of solid entertainment.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Ben Affleck's attempt at acting might. But that's not special, since the same could be said for any Ben Affleck movie.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Only when you think about what this movie could have been with a real actor instead of Ben Affleck.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Two words as to why it won't: Ben Affleck.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Have I mentioned Ben Affleck? Oh, I have? Then let's move on... Russell Crowe is always good and this is no exception. Rachel McAdams starts out well as the doe-eyed starter reporter, but kind of drops the ball in the one emotional scene she has.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Outside of some casting issues (I know I said we'd move on, but you have to admit, Ben Affleck is in the movie), Kevin MacDonald does a good job at keeping what could have been a tirelessly meandering plot within the confines of a tightly knit thriller.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Based on a UK miniseries, it wants to be today’s All the President’s Men. But because it is not a true story, it starts out at a disadvantage. The entire movie takes place over maybe three days, not the multiple-months of Watergate, so the investigation is not quite as buried at ATPM, but there are a few twists and turns that should keep you guessing ‘til the end. And the basic “Blackwater” conspiracy is eerily plausible. Also keep an eye out for a great scene in a parking garage.

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

A: An interesting thru-line concerns the state of newspapers in this country. The digital age has not been kind to them, but you have to admit that there is something about seeing a newspaper headline that makes an event more real than seeing a computer browser headline. Maybe that is my age talking (and the fact that I am one of the dwindling numbers of daily newspaper readers), but I think that the makers of State of Play are as curious as I am to see what investigative journalism looks like in 10 years. I do not think it will be the same if it is exclusively online…

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/state-of-play/27010/video/state-of-play-trailer-no-1/2372618

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Hannah Montana: The Movie

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: When Hollywood starlet, Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus), gets too big for her britches, her dad (Billy Ray Cyrus) hijacks her back to Tennessee, to reconnect her with her roots, and Miley bitches.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lucas Till, Melora Hardin, Emily Osment, Vanessa Williams, Peter Gunn, Margo Martindale, Jason Earles, Michael Musso, Moises Arias, Barry Bostwick

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. If you are or ever have been a pre-teen girl, there is no good reason not to set aside your pretension and indulge in this festival of corniness.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Mostly at how excited all the screaming, pubescent girls in the audience get every time Miley's love interest, Travis, smiles at her. You can feel their hormones raging through you as if they were your own... And that alone is reason enough to see this one in the theaters.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: I'm really too embarrassed to talk about that right now... Please don't lose respect for me.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: At this year's Academy Awards, Miley Cyrus humiliated herself on the red carpet by saying that she hoped to be back next year as a nominee for this movie... But considering that every song in the movie is a number one hit waiting to happen, I think her crazy prediction could actually come true. I even found myself dancing in my chair to some of the country ditties.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Who is Lucas Till?... You won't even need to ask that question in about one week. As Miley's charming, emotionally open, and thoughtful love interest, Lucas Till has just been positioned to compete for a spot on the list of young America's biggest heart throbs. Robert Pattinson watch your back!

Q: How is the Directing?

A: I'm not one to notice "goofs" in a movie, (i.e. continuity mistakes), but in this one I saw several without even trying. Including things like people on stage in one shot, who weren't on stage in the next, and clocks on the wall whose time did not match the lighting or time of day being described in the dialogue.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It stays true to the TV show it's based on, in both wacky tone and ridiculous premise. If you like the silly plots on the Disney Channel show, you will appreciate how the writer built on it to tell the only storyline that justifies a feature length movie. And how could you not like the silly plots on the Disney Channel show? She puts on a blond wig! There's no way anybody could recognize that she's a famous pop star in that disguise!

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

A: Right when you thought line dancing was dead, Miley unleashes her new electric slide on the world. Since this girl is an instant trend factory, second only to Dora the Explorer, I'm just going to throw caution to the wind and accept the fact that we'll all be doing this synchronized dance together the next time we see each other at a wedding, Bar Mitzvah, or other dance-oriented function. See you on the dance floor!

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/hannah-montana-the-movie/33072/trailers

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Sleep Dealer

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Set in the near future, a young man (Luis Fernando Pena) moves to the booming city of Tijuana, Mexico to become a “node worker,” which is the Mexican migrant worker of the future. In this version of the future, migrant workers perform their hard labor tasks in virtual reality, and therefore never have to physically cross the border in order to send money home to their families.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Luis Fernando Pena, Leonor Verala, Jacob Vargas

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! It’s been a long time since there was an organic sci-fi film, not based on a comic book or a video game. In the vein of Blade Runner, this highly inventive and intellectual film takes the genre back to its roots to explore what becomes of humanity and society in the near future if we continue on the path that we’re on. And as sci-fi purists will tell you, it works because it’s all very plausible.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The visual effects might. But if you remember that this is a small independent film out of Mexico, the visual effects will actually blow your mind. And then you’ll laugh at yourself for laughing in the first place.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It’s more of a thinking man’s movie. But if you are that sci-fi geek, or that deep college student, or that bio-engineer, you will find a story rich with ideas.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It was up for an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature, and as someone who watched most of the nominated films, I can tell you that this was one of only very few that weren’t too long, incredibly boring, completely pointless, or topped off with an ending that makes you want to kill yourself. Honestly, I’m surprised this little gem got nominated at all. It’s far too interesting to fit in with the rest.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: There weren’t any challenging acting moments in the script, but the main characters are attractive and the chemistry in the love story is strong, especially in the scene where they make love in a futuristic way you’ve never seen before.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: This Alex Rivera guy is going places. He tells a visual story that manages to be showy without showing off. The stylization is as organic to the story as the ideas about globalization and human disconnection through technology. I rarely understand why big studios pluck little indy and documentary directors out of oblivion and entrust them with multi-million dollar effects films, but in this case I really would get it.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The story is easy to follow, and the timely themes, including lacking water supply, technology going too far, and immigration, will stimulate your mind.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/sleep%20dealer/trailers

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Anvil! The Story of Anvil

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: This documentary about 1980s heavy metal band, Anvil, shows us where they are now. And to our surprise, this band never broke up, they just faded away.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Anvil, their families, and the five people who drunkenly stumbled into the bar they happened to be playing at.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. Depending on what kind of person you are, this band’s never say die attitude toward reclaiming the fame they had back in the early 80s will either inspire you, or make you wonder how people can never say die when they’re already dead and buried.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: They do have a volume knob that goes to 11.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: As these talented musicians pursue their lofty dreams, one thing that’s sadly evident is how incredibly out-dated their music is.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: To predict the future I will look into the past, and after seeing that it has already won several festival awards for Best Documentary, I can predict with assurance that it will.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The guys in this band are best friends, so that’s sweet. They’re also 50-year-old musicians who are trying to make it, so that’s crazy.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The director, Sacha Gervasi, used to tour with the band when he was a teenager and a fan, so he knows these guys pretty intimately. And while we can feel just how wacky his characters could be, with their reckless drive to be somebody, and their complete disregard for the fact that they already once were, somehow we feel like the best of the insanity may have been left on the cutting room floor. Perhaps Gervasi was too close to his subjects, and hoped to protect their image just enough to stop this film from having the raw, squirmy moments that would have put it over the top.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The story’s arc is standard and predictable, without quite enough surprise twists to make it feel completely original. Ironically, the most interesting part of the movie’s conclusion is likely to happen after the film gets some notoriety, as that will likely lead to the band’s newfound glory, even more so than recording a 13th and 14th album which nobody is going to hear.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/anvil-the-story-of-anvil/32510/trailers

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Observe and Report

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A mall cop (Seth Rogen) is totally f'd in the head.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Seth Rogen, Ray Liotta, Anna Faris, Michael Pena, Dan Bakkedahl, Jesse Piemons, John Yuan, Matt Yuan, Celia Weston, Collette Wolfe, Randy Gambill, Alston Brown, Danny McBride, Ben Best, Aziz Ansari, Patton Oswalt

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. This comedy is so dark, it may actually cause you to long for Paul Blart.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The jokes are mean and ugly, and some of them even make you laugh.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: I cried a little inside when I realized that I enjoyed watching Paul Blart: Mall Cop slightly more than Ronnie Barnhardt: Go "f" yourself if you think I'm not a good enough cop... Did it write that out loud? It's okay. I'll be right back. I'm just gonna go kill myself now...

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: ... Not to cry wolf, but I decided to put of my imminent pending suicide on hold so I could give this movie the award for Best Use of Totally Unknown, Chubby, Asian Twins. They're adorable, and they're not even babies!

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Rarely have I seen so much believable drunkenness as in this movie. Anna Faris' eyes actually get glossy, making her look wasted, tired and haggered, like only a drunk slut can. And Celia Weston, best known as that actress you've seen a million times in a million movies, but couldn't possibly name any of them, even for a million dollars, is incredible as Seth Rogen's alcoholic, slurring-her-words, insensitively-brutally-honest mom.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The budget has gone up exponentially from Jody Hill's first film, The Foot Fist Way, but the production quality hasn't gone up proportionally.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Many admirable risks are taken in this attempt to be something different. Most are cringe-worthy disasters, but a few teeter on the edge of genius. Thanks, at least, for trying to do something original.

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

A: Male frontal nudity. Lots of it. And not the pretty kind.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/observe%20and%20report/trailers

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Adventureland

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: After graduating from college, James Bennan (Jesse Eisenberg) discovers that his parents can no longer afford to send him on vacation to Europe, and instead he’s going to have to get a summer job at Adventureland, running games and giving out stuffed toys to the winners.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Martin Starr, Matt Bush, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Paige Howard, Dan Bittner, Margarita Levieva, Wendie Malick, Jack Gilpin, Michael Zegen, Mary Birdsong, Josh Pais

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. What they’re selling as a comedy from the director of Superbad is actually a coming of age drama about a boy falling in love and smoking dope at work—but not in a funny way, like on That 70’s Show. It takes place in 1987, and is obviously a semi-autobiographical trip down memory lane for writer-director Greg Mattola, but the angst that he must have felt that summer, does not translate in a visceral way to the audience, so aside from the soundtrack—which includes everything 1987, from David Bowie to The Cure to Husker Du—this film won’t feel nearly as nostalgic for anyone who wasn’t actually one of Mattola’s co-workers that fateful—or maybe average-- summer.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Not nearly as much as you expect it to. But then again, Kristen Wiig has about 3 good minutes of screen time, so that at least guarantees 2 ½ minutes of laughter. What I’m saying is that everything she does is funny.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: More like, wanna eat a pot cookie and then a huge plate of pasta, while discussing your future with your parents.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: : I’m gonna give Kristen Stewart the award for Most Interchangeable Performance by an Actress. If she had shot her pouty and brooding performance up against a blue screen, they could easily use it for the sequel to Twilight.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig are hardly in it enough. But Martin Starr (who played the guy growing out his beard in Knocked Up) is a good character with an original voice.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: There are some parts where the movie drags and it could’ve been paced up in editing, because as you can tell from this sentence, a thing can get boring very fast, even when it’s only dragging on for a minute here or there, and it feels like too much because it’s still going, and you don’t really care anymore, because you’ve checked out and you’re thinking about something else now, like your high school sweetheart, or what you’d like to eat as soon as you’re not reading this sentence, or something that you like, or maybe that you don’t like, wow, I could do this forever, but I think you would all stop reading my reviews if I don’t just stop now.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The biggest problem is that there is no driving force pulling you through the movie. You only casually know what the main characters want, in the big picture. They have personal problems they’re all dealing with, none of which are truly dealt with or resolved, and yet the story has very little conflict, and hardly any obstacles standing in anyone’s way. But again, on a nostalgia level, it’s vaguely satisfying.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/adventureland/30988/trailers

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Monsters vs. Aliens 3D

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A young woman (Reese Witherspoon) gets hit by a meteor on her wedding day, and suddenly becomes the 50 foot woman. Now she must save the world from an alien attack.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Who isn't? Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Kiefer Sutherland, Rainn Wilson, Stephen Colbert, Paul Rudd, Julie White, Jeffrey Tambor, Amy Poehler, Ed Helms, plus Renee Zellweger and John Krasinski in parts so small, I don't even remember who they were! Can anyone tell me who the characters named Katie and Cuthbert were?

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. Although it is entertaining and without flaws, this alien invasion will not blow you away.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Seth Rogen is in it.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Before the wedding there's a touching moment where the main character's father cries a little at the thought of having to give her away. It reminds me that this is the perfect opportunity to say, "I love you, Dad!"

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Well it's not Pixar, which naturally reduces its chances of winning an Oscar in the animation category to zero, but considering it made almost $60 million on its opening weekend, it's certainly good for a nomination.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: I was impressed at how many of the actors managed to make their voices unrecognizable by using unlikely accents to portray their characters. Among them, Rainn Wilson doing an evil British accent, Kiefer Sutherland doing a militant southern accent, and Amy Poehler doing a computer.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: I sprung for the 3D version, and I have to say there aren't nearly enough 3D effects to justify the extra $3.50. I counted only 5 moments where they really took advantage of the medium, and 2 of them were in the first minute of the movie.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The story is fine, but I think it's high time we get clear on what officially qualifies as a "Monster." Because while they are certainly freaks of nature, from what I can see each of them is a person or thing that got in a freak accident that caused them a mutation, which gave them superhuman powers, thereby propelling them into a life of fighting crime. And in our culture, that's the definition of a "Superhero."

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/monsters-vs-aliens/28117/trailers

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Sugar

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Miguel “Sugar” Santos, an aspiring professional baseball player from the Dominican Republic tries his hand at making it to the American Major Leagues.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Algenis Perez Soto, Rayniel Rufino, Andre Holland, Michael Gaston, Ellen Porterfield, Richard Bull, Ann Whitney, Jaime Tirelli

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. It’s an interesting perspective on one particular type of immigration, but the story takes an unexpected left turn, which on a positive note makes it less predictable, but on a negative note makes it less gratifying. None the less, there’s some fun to be had in the efforts of a foreigner trying to acclimate himself to certain strange American customs, like eating French toast covered in sugar sauce, and the concept that just because an American girl dances with you, it doesn’t mean she wants anything else.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: One thing I thought was funny, was that the kid from the Dominican Republic was so impressed with the size of his Minor League paycheck, that he went ahead and sent most of it home. (For those of you not familiar with how badly Minor League players are paid, his proud smile came from a paycheck just slightly over $500.)

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It’s sad to be reminded that no matter how fun your hobby is, when you make it your job it starts to feel like a tedious chore. No matter if it’s baseball, painting, or writing movie reviews.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance last year, and a Best Screenplay at the Independent Spirit Awards this year, but that was probably only because it's by the writer-directors of the previous years' winners for Half-Nelson.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The directors found the main cast by going around to the different baseball academies in the Dominican Republic asking players if they wanted to try out for a movie. So it’s no wonder the guy they cast in the lead was the 429th person they saw. That said, their patience paid off, because his performance is very strong. The down side is now this poor Dominican kid is determined to pursue an acting career. Hopefully, he'll get as excited about a $500 paycheck as his character does, because he's likely to be able to make at least that much as a busboy.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: : In a continued effort to make their work look “indy,” Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden avoided showing any close ups of balls hitting bats and gloves. This unfortunately makes it difficult to follow the majority of the baseball plays, and you are forced to find out how the plays are going by watching the expressions on the actors' faces.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The filmmakers, who were already baseball fanatics, were inspired to tell this story when they found out that most of the teams in the MLB have Academies in the Dominican Republic, because most of the kids in the Dominican Republic have dreams of becoming baseball players. And hey, their system isn’t half stupid considering this is how they found David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez, and Sammy Sosa.

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

A: Did you know that there are families that host these players, giving them free room and board in their homes when they come to play in the US? It goes to show that our love of our National pastime supersedes our hatred of foreigners crossing our borders.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/sugar/trailers

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Race to Witch Mountain

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A skeptical cab driver (Dwayne Johnson) picks up a pair of child aliens (AnnaSophia Robb & Alexander Ludwig), and they all run from the government, an alien monster, and some mafia thugs, as they attempt to save their planet and ours from imminent destruction.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig, Carla Gugino, Ciaran Hinds, Tom Everett Scott, Chris Marquette, Billy Brown, Garry Marshall, and from the original, Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. If I were Simon Cowell, I might say, "You didn't make it your own." If I were Randy Jackson, I would add a "Dawg" to that. And if I were Paula Abdul I would say, "I like cake." But what they all mean is, it's all there, except for the charm.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Only once, thanks to the well written dialogue of a non-speaking dog named, Junkyard.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: I cried when I found out that there were no witches on the mountain, or anywhere else in the film. Maybe they meant to spell it "Which" mountain. That would've made more sense, in the context of a film that asks the question, "Hey, which mountain is our space craft hidden on?"

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Well, it is the Best Movie I've seen this year for boys 7 to 11 years old. And since it's made by Disney, I can't imagine it'll get a Nickelodeon award... unless the lesson of the day at Nickelodeon is "share-nice."

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The kids' speech patterns are purposely stilted, for the purpose of proving to the audience that they're aliens. So when you cast The Rock next to that, who delivers every line with his signature stiffness, it's sometimes hard to decipher who is supposed to be human. But when it comes to the physicality of being an action hero, Dwayne Johnson is the most believable one they've got. With his gargantuan biceps, you actually believe he could knock an alien-created, robot-soldier off his feet with a single punch.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The directing captures all the action appropriately, I only wish some of it didn't contain the types of hokey effects you would find on a ride at Disneyland. But it is a recession, so maybe Disney is cutting back by creating the ride first, and then shooting the movie on it.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It is choreographed like an old standard: And 1) and present the skeptic, and 2) and introduce him to aliens, and 3) have them running from everyone until he believes they exist, and kick-ball-change, chassé, and spin!

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/race-to-witch-mountain/33071/trailers

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Knowing

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A scientist (Nicolas Cage) gets his hands on a series of numbers that has been buried underground for the last 50 years, and realizes that it is a pattern predicting all the major death inducing accidents that have happened since then... Only the list isn't done yet, and the next major disaster is coming tomorrow.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Nicolas Cage, Chandler Canterbury, Rose Byrne, D.G. Maloney, Lara Robinson, Nadia Townsend, Ben Mendelsohn

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. What a great premise! What would you do if you knew in advance that something bad would happen? Could you find a way to stop it? Would knowing make you feel more relaxed, or more stressed out? Would you take full advantage of your last hours on Earth if you knew the end was near? These are all interesting questions, most of which are not addressed in the film... And then the aliens come.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: By the end, I was laughing a lot inside my head.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: And crying inside my head, too, about how they took such an interesting opportunity to explore the hypothetical questions that have been on all of our minds since we developed analytical thinking skills in the second grade, and instead of mining it for gold, they mined it for human manure.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Let's start with the Most Illogical Character Choices Ever! Award. Everything that a normal, logical person would do if faced with these circumstances, Nicolas Cage does the opposite of... But at least his character is consistent.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: I always enjoy Nicolas Cage when he plays off-beat characters like in Adaptation, Raising Arizona and Valley Girl. Likewise I regularly find him over the top and annoying in this schmaltzy stuff where he tries to be an action hero. Rose Byrne looks a lot like Jennifer Connelly, so that was confusing me. But the kids are pretty good.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The directing is the primary reason why this movie stays exciting, even during the scenes that defy all reason. The musical score and the sweeping shots of Cage running add a level of thrill-ride that clearly rises above anything that would have been described on the written page.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It seems to be going for some sort of faith-based message, but I couldn't tell which faith it was attempting to kowtow to. First, it leans toward preaching that there is a Heaven... And then the aliens come.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/knowing/32271/trailers

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I Love You, Man

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: After getting engaged, a mature, grown up man (Paul Rudd) realizes that he has no close friends to call, "Best Man." So he seeks out his perfect mate by going on "man dates," and soon finds himself deeply entrenched in a Bromance with a guy who is his polar opposite, a commitment-phobe with a Peter Pan complex (Jason Segel).

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Sarah Burns, Jamie Pressly, Jon Favreau, Jane Curtin, J.K. Simmons, Andy Sandberg, Thomas Lennon, Rob Huebel, Mather Zickel, Josh Cooke, Joe Lo Tuglio, and Lou Ferrigno as Himself.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! While the premise is outlandish, this character driven comedy remains grounded in reality, as it explores how hard it is to make new male friends once you're past the age of 30. And also, it's hilarious.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The regularly scheduled awkward moments have the audience laughing so hard that you might miss some of the dialogue.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: One thing that's sad is that in real life this love affair could never be because, as an Angeleno, I promise you that a guy who lives in Silverlake would never purposely become friends with anyone who lives in Venice. Likewise, most Venice inhabitants are proud to be AWOL-- Always West Of Lincoln. And they usually own at least one T-shirt that says so. (But if you come for a visit, slap that insider lingo on a Westsider, and I guarantee they'll be impressed.)

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It's hard to escape a nomination for Best Kiss at the MTV Awards when you've got man on man action. What? You didn't know this is a movie about gay love? Did you not read the title?

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Paul Rudd is an understated master of something intangible. It's awkward. It's real. And sometimes it breaks out into song-- or dance. Who is this man? Is he a straight arrow? Or is he a total freak? Only those who have seen him behind closed doors can know for sure. But the biggest laughs for me come from that hot new director, Jon Favreau, who goes back to his acting roots, to play an a-hole of unmatched proportions. I love him more with every role, Man.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: There are some shots that are genius, like one at the engagement party, where Jon Favreau walks into the center of a frame to insult the restaurant they're at, right in front of the owner. And there are some sequences, like the first fencing and locker room scenes, where you can't tell where you are in the scene, or where any of the characters are standing in relation to each other, because the director 'crosses the line'-- there's more insider lingo for you, but if you're going to see this movie, you're going to have to get used to that.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The scenes from the previews are all much funnier in the context of the actual film, where they are often grounded in something bigger and more important than a fart. This movie has all the requisite set ups and pay offs, and some of them, you won't even see coming. The ending is a little abrupt, but if you stay tuned for the credits, you'll enjoy a nice little tag that wraps up the hanging threads nicely, and contains my personal favorite laugh in the whole film.

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

A: Rare shout out to the costume designer who clothed Jason Segel. His casual outfits are ridiculous and familiar-- as he nonchalantly sports Ugg boots with shorts, like a true Venice local. But his formal-wear is where the costume designer, Leesa Evans, shows true insight, fitting all his suits a size too small, as if he has recently grown outward of them and not yet noticed that he needs to go shopping... Or to the gym.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/i-love-you-man/32120/trailers

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The Great Buck Howard

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A law school drop out (Colin Hanks) takes a job as a personal assistant to a mentalist (John Malkovich) who is past his prime, and in complete denial of the fact that he no longer matters. Basically, it's The Wrestler with a magician, minus the depressing tone and the naked stripper.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Colin Hanks, John Malkovich, Emily Blunt, Ricky Jay, Steve Zahn, Adam Scott, Griffin Dunne, Patrick Fischler, Wallace Langham, Tom Hanks (uncredited), and 90% of the talk show hosts you can think of.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. Yet another movie that makes you ask "why?" Why bother? Why not? Why ask why, drink Bud Dry. I miss Bud Dry. And if I had asked "why," I might never have learned that it was my favorite American beer in America. But some prefer Sam Adams. Do you get the metaphor?

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: A little. But some of the laughs feel like they belong in a different movie.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It tries to be moving, but you won't be connected enough to cry.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: This is the most 'based on a true story' movie that's NOT being billed or marketed as a true story. It turns out that these characters are loosely based on the magician, The Amazing Kreskin, and Sean McGinly, the writer-director of this film, who served as his road manager, much like the main character, Troy Gabel... So at least now I know why he wanted to write and direct this. Although I'm still not sure why everyone else got involved.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: John Malkovich is magic. The best thing about Colin Hanks is his dad.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: If I disregard the boom mic I saw drop into one shot, the directing is pretty good, as Sean McGinly does manage to create the requisite tension in the moments when we don't know whether a magic trick will be successful or not. But the lighting is a little slapped together, landing the film's look somewhere between a glossy studio film and a trying-to-look-realistic independent, which subsequently doesn't help give the movie a clear cut tone. The cinematographer, Tak Fujimoto, has done a lot of great work in the past, though, so I tend to blame the script for the confused tone.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It's hard to tell what this script wants to be. Is it a comedy? A cautionary tale about making it big? Or just a slice of life about a boy who doesn't know what he wants, except that it's not law school? While the script does have a clear cut beginning, middle, and end, as well as an enjoyable enough running voice over, you may leave wondering what you were meant to learn or gain from watching it.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/the%20great%20buck%20howard/trailers

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