tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9603598225553900092024-02-07T12:11:08.530-08:00The Common CriticA variety of film reviews and pop culture commentary, pure and simple.The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-45356724913210324972011-10-12T08:03:00.000-07:002011-10-12T08:05:03.045-07:00Abduction**<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Abduction” is what you would expect from an action film
starring a young heartthrob and his sexy female sidekick.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s heavy on explosions, big guns, intense
fighting sequences, and light on a solid script and acting skills.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What saves it from being a dud is Taylor Lautner’s
swift martial art and stunt skills and an oddball selection of supporting
actors.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The necessary shirt-less scene comes about 15 minutes into
the film. After a night of partying, the
camera opens on Nathan (Lautner) sprawled on the hostess’ front lawn, having
conveniently lost his shirt. Herein lies
his biggest hurdle: to be taken seriously as an actor for his skills, not just
his looks. In “Abduction” Lautner has some
versatility and proves he won’t be "Twilight's" Jacob Black in all of his roles. Yet he tends to deadpan certain lines and his
voice can come off a bit whiney. Despite
this, he has charisma and he’s young, so there’s room to grow. With a little (ok, maybe a lot of) polishing, Lautner has the power to be more than just a pretty face. His youthful, endearing demeanor gives way to
the sort of innocence that is rarely found in young Hollywood. He is the perfect action star though,
flipping and whipping his body into high kicks, sliding down glass rooftops and
nimbly jumping over obstacles in a chase scene.
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lily Collins is his on-screen love interest (and until about a month ago, his real-life girlfriend) Karen.
The two have a sticky-sweet, awkward kind of chemistry. The daughter of Phil Collins, she already has
a background in modeling and acting (“The Blind Side”). Both seem to earnestly want to make an impact
in the acting world. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lautner has producing credits for “Abduction” and Collins
has several films hitting theatres in the next few months. Unfortunately this probably isn’t the film
that will set them on the map as serious actors.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The supporting cast includes Maria Bello, Sigourney Weaver,
Jason Isaacs, Alfred Molina and a flash of Dermot Mulroney. Most of these characters have such minor
roles, but it’s enough to lay a solid foundation for the film.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Abduction” closes with some loose ends, making room for a
sequel (or two). Let’s hope Lautner’s
acting chops improve, because his time in the spotlight is far from being over!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Starring Taylor Lautner, Lily Collins, Sigourney Weaver,
Maria Bello, Jason Isaacs, Alfred Molina, Michael Nyqvist<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Rated PG-13 for "sequences of intense violence and action, brief language, some sexual content and teen partying"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Directed by John Singleton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Written by Shawn Christensen</span><o:p></o:p></div>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-55413884030832566712011-09-21T19:51:00.000-07:002011-09-21T19:51:11.011-07:00"Ringer:" Hip Thriller or Mediocre Mystery?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpRzHDBOJ5F08Qr52GKsJumbjcpzTVaucxhZnFGwInZ-FIqtd8_0eXlqLnophCjnSuWPjukmf4K9MmA0_6v93hKilZCYxeBlWR94YykD1pLXM-VCFYLF3pAc8iknu5re29zsecZcSkp4/s1600/smgringer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpRzHDBOJ5F08Qr52GKsJumbjcpzTVaucxhZnFGwInZ-FIqtd8_0eXlqLnophCjnSuWPjukmf4K9MmA0_6v93hKilZCYxeBlWR94YykD1pLXM-VCFYLF3pAc8iknu5re29zsecZcSkp4/s320/smgringer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Does "Ringer" Have What it Takes?</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You could easily say that Sarah Michelle Gellar’s return to
prime-time television is the most highly-anticipated of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although her film career has been lukewarm at
best, her seven-season run as Buffy Summers in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
earned her a huge cult following.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In “Ringer,” Gellar plays twins Bridget and Siobhan. The sisters reunite when Bridget flees to
New York to stay with Siobhan after witnessing a deadly crime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just when it seems like their relationship is back on track, Siobhan
disappears, leaving Bridget the chance to hide her identity and pose as her
Manhattan socialite doppelgänger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second episode of “Ringer” aired last night and it gave
more clues, not only into the storyline of Siobhan and Bridget, but the staying
power of the show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let’s break it down:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Characters:<span> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bridget is the “black sheep” twin, unmarried, has worked as a stripper and struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. Despite this, she seems more grounded and genuine than her sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Siobhan appears to have the ideal life: a beautiful apartment with her rich British husband, an even bigger loft that they just purchased and a baby on the way.<span> </span>But things are never what they seem.<span> </span>Her history might just be darker than her twin’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Andrew, played by Ioan Gruffudd (you may recognize him from the “Fantastic Four” movies), is Siobhan’s cold, detached husband.<span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unaware that Siobhan even has a sister, he is intrigued by this kinder, more down-to-earth side his wife has suddenly revealed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wardrobe:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gellar is smothered in a high-fashion gleam when she plays
Siobhan and (stay with me) plays Bridget playing Siobhan (pronounced “Sha-vahn”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times it’s fashion overkill: enormous
oval sunglasses, shiny leather coats and a red evening dress accented with a
huge bow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a way to look like an
upper-east side socialite wife without being over-the-top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or perhaps that’s the point?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The character of Bridget looks washed out and five years
younger than her twin when they are (eerily) standing side by side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her “Bridget” wardrobe consists of plaid
button-down shirts and bomber jackets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The crew and costume department are also trying to hide
Gellar’s very pregnant frame. While her outfits and the camera shot angles attempt to divert
attention from her middle, something about her silhouette just isn't right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Frames are mostly shot from chest level and above. T</span>he clothing she wears consists mostly of bulky coats and dresses
with tons of extra material, giving her waist no definition and drowning Gellar’s
tiny frame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Scenery:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The New York City background is unoriginal, but it fits
seamlessly in with the storyline and takes just that, a soundly background role.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not a show about
New York City, but a show about two sisters and the secrets they are concealing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Storyline:</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spooky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mysterious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just enough is left
unexplained to leave you wanting more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With endearing characters, a provocative plot and new twists
revealed in each episode, “Ringer” seems to have the right ingredients to pull
through the season.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><b><br /></b></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Are you planning on giving "Ringer" a shot?</i></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>What did YOU think of the first two episodes? </i></span></o:p></div>
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The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-25851914602925923242011-09-12T20:12:00.000-07:002011-09-12T20:14:34.845-07:00"Contagion" Review ****<div style="text-align: center;"><u>"Contagion"</u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">****</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NpBZ_xM_Px0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best horror films don’t need a ton of gore or a knife-wielding psychopath to invoke bone-chilling terror. Case in point: “Contagion,” which was number one at the box office this weekend. “Contagion” is unique in that, like the box-office juggernaut “Jaws,” it taps into our deepest fears in a subtle but highly effective way. The plot is plausible, the storyline absolutely compelling and the actors are Academy Award winners and nominees. It doesn’t get much better than that. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></o:p></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Contagion,” is the story of a quickly evolving virus (we’re never really told what kind it is) that kills millions of people. Anyone who comes into contact with the “index” patient, whether it be through a hand shake or by touching a martini glass, a cell phone, or a door handle, can spread this deadly virus. “Contagion” will bring out the germaphobe in even the most stubborn critics. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kate Winslet stars along with Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard and Gwyneth Paltrow. Damon is intense and stoic, a man who fiercely protects the family he has, despite his incredible losses. Winslet, an official from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is the image of an overworked, run-down woman. She has a very difficult job, as she wades into the web of victims, trying to keep the virus from spreading. Law is a freelance journalist, desperate for the truth or maybe just for millions of hits on his blog. Grim and commanding in his role, Fishburne works with doctors at the CDC to find a cure and Cotillard, polished and romantic, is a part of the World Health Organization, aiding those who suffer in other parts of the world. As for Paltrow, her performance is truly haunting.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The few “flaws” in the film aren’t necessarily the worst kind. There are parts of the story that are ambiguous, which I think lend to the story, not take away from it (what the virus is, for example.) Oddly, of all of the places the virus touches across the world, from Chicago to Hong Kong, one major city is never mentioned: New York. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the hands of different actors and another director, the film wouldn’t shine so brightly in its sickly way. Scenes are played out with depth and humility, nothing too saccharine or overacted, as is the case with many a disaster flick. "Contagion" is a masterful blend of disaster film and horror film. It hits all the right cords, perhaps a little too well. It will surely cause you to think twice before your next handshake.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">****</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starring Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Laurence Fishburne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Marion Cotillard, John Hawkes, Jennifer Ehle</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rated PG-13 for "disturbing content and some language"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Directed by Steven Soderbergh</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Scott Z. Burns</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">________________________________________________________________________</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**What effect did this movie have on you?</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Which part upset you or moved you the most?</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(If you've received this in email, click on "TheCommonCritic" link below to respond!)</span></span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-58774342211823921942011-08-31T06:25:00.000-07:002011-08-31T06:25:13.576-07:00Music Review: Mat Kearney's "Young Love"<div style="text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get Swept Up in "Young Love"</span></u><br />
<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="324" width="575"><param name="movie" value="http://www.vevo.com/VideoPlayer/Embedded?videoId=USUV71100754&playlist=false&autoplay=0&playerId=62FF0A5C-0D9E-4AC1-AF04-1D9E97EE3961&playerType=embedded&env=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.vevo.com/VideoPlayer/Embedded?videoId=USUV71100754&playlist=false&autoplay=0&playerId=62FF0A5C-0D9E-4AC1-AF04-1D9E97EE3961&playerType=embedded&env=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="575" height="324" bgcolor="#000000" wmode="transparent"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mat Kearney's fourth album debuted earlier this month as number one on iTunes, entitled "Young Love." The mellow singer/songwriter from Oregon just got married (you can see their ethereal wedding photos <a href="http://www.oncewed.com/31123/real-weddings/elegant/mat-annie/">here</a>) and the first single on the album, "Hey Mama," tells the tale of how he met his wife Annie. To get an idea of what Kearney sounds like, take a smidgen of the playful singsong lyrics of Jason Mraz and mix with a healthy dose of the resounding croon of Coldplay's Chris Martin. Throw in that Kearney can softly rap like nobody's business and you have a soulful singer who can capture the ear (and hearts) of a wide variety of listeners.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether clap-happy or echoing of loss and loneliness, there is a common thread that carries his songs: hope. This is very important. It keeps the slower songs from becoming too heavy. They have just the right amount of weight to take your breath away and leave you lost in thought.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On iTunes, Kearney's music is categorized as "pop" and "religious." A sense of spirituality comes through in his music, but it's never overpowering. He is a storyteller, and he uses his music to pass on messages of encouragement and love.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kearney is wonderful live. His voice is as full and sensational as it is on his albums. He is detached a bit, deep in his performance on stage, but likely to suddenly throw himself into the crowd, singing his heart out at the end of his performance.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2YZ-8M415U8" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want more? You can listen to his tunes and check out tour dates <a href="http://www.matkearney.com/default.aspx">here</a>. Let me know what you think of M.K.!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Songs Not to Miss: </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Ships in the Night</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Learning to Love Again</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Count on Me</span></div>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-74788404956640565782011-08-24T06:59:00.000-07:002011-08-24T07:01:09.305-07:00The Top Five Reasons to See "The Help"<div style="text-align: center;"><u>The Jackson Five</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br />
</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br />
</u></div>“The Help” combines strong characters with warmth and hard edges and a story that makes you think. It is a special kind of a movie that is satisfying without needing to tie every loose end or close with a fairy-tale ending. “The Help” is a wunderkind. Below are the top five reasons why this film, based in Jackson, Mississippi, is a must-see.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><span style="font-size: 20pt;">5. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bryce Dallas Howard</b> (who happens to be Ron Howard’s daughter) plays the “villain” of the film, Hilly Holbrook. Her portrayal of an uptight, unabashedly racist housewife of the 60s is one of her best roles to date. Her antics drive everyone around her mad, but karma comes around to bite her in a most disgusting way. Watch and you won’t be disappointed!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 20pt;">4.</span> The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">wardrobe</b> of the housewives in “The Help” is absolutely delightful, except for that of Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, Emma Stone’s character. She is unlike her peers, who only focus on playing the part of the superficially perfect housewife. Skeeter wants to be a serious journalist. She could care less about acting like a floozy to draw in a suitable husband. Therefore, her wardrobe is not eye-catching or well-tailored. This is a mystery to me, since most of the other characters in the film, like Bryce Dallas Howard and Jessica Chastain (a fresh face, who acts wonderfully) playing Celia Foote, all sport the most beautifully fitted clothes and shoes. Hilly wears cerulean blue high-waisted slacks with tiny oxford flats in one scene, a simple, elegant combination. Celia, as the “white trash” of the era, wears what today is the norm: body-hugging skirts, a nipped in waist defined by a wide belt, and candy-colored, sky-high heels.<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 20pt;">3.</span> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Emma Stone</b> has proved her quirkiness and on-target comedic skills in past exploits like “Superbad,” “Easy A” and “Crazy Stupid Love.” She takes the center stage in “The Help,” along with Viola Clark and Octavia Spencer. She absolutely shines, in a most understated way that only Stone can. There is something most intriguing about many of her expressions. They often border on being funny. Curiously, it doesn’t take away from her role, but rather adds a sort of authenticity to her character.<br />
<br />
She has one scene in “The Help” that isn’t funny at all though. I was floored, in fact, at the depth of sadness she portrays after hearing some news from her on-screen mother, played by Allison Janney. What really got me was a tiny detail: her chin wobbles. As far as I know, chin wobbling is no easy feat. Stone must have reached deeply into her character, or perhaps her own life, to produce such a perfect display of sorrow.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 20pt;">2. </span>Aibileen Clark, played by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Viola Davis</b>, is the hero of “The Help.” While Skeeter is a hero for writing the story of the women who live behind the scenes, Aibileen is the first to take the terrifying leap, to defy the law, to tell her story. She convinces her best friend Minny Jackson, played by Spencer, to join her. Soon the tales come pouring out from women all over Jackson. Davis holds the spotlight in her scenes. She is a beautiful woman, but it is downplayed and subdued in her role as Aibileen. Her character is easily the heart and soul of the film. Aibileen may appear to lead a simple, solitary life, but she is not oblivious to the conversations of the white women she works for. They speak about her like she is invisible. She has no way out, no serious realization that things can change, until Skeeter asks to interview her. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If Aibileen is the heart and soul, then Minny is easily the spirit of the film. She takes some especially hard breaks, but her keen observations of the family she helps and her sense of humor will keep you in stitches. She is Aibileen’s partner in crime, the one that keeps her going and makes sure she gets the credit she deserves within their community. Spencer plays Minny with great skill. She can be incredibly funny in one scene and broken down in another, both equally believable.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 20pt;">1.</span> The relationship between Aibileen and the child that she cares for, Mae Mobley, is absolutely heartwarming. Mae is the fourteenth child she has brought up. Aibileen plays mother for each of these children, loving them as her own, doing all of the hard work behind the scenes, while their mothers flit around worrying about dresses and entertaining company. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Aibileen impresses upon Mae one of the sweetest and most touching sentiments. She tells Mae that she is kind, she is smart, and she is important. Mae, with her blonde curls and chubby cheeks, recites it back to her with aplomb, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I am kind, I am smart and I am important</b>.” It is so ironic and moving that a woman who struggles with invisibility and is rarely appreciated at her job, can still pass on such a wonderful notion to a child. Mae is not necessarily made to feel smart, kind or important by her own mother, but more of a burden. It is inspiring that Aibileen is able to hold onto these values herself, despite the oppression she deals with every day.<o:p></o:p></div>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-5306696456249139942011-08-15T11:39:00.000-07:002011-08-15T11:48:34.261-07:00The Battle of the Ryans<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Comic Hits and Misses With Reynolds and Gosling</span></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Many are stumped and befuddled as to the truth. Who is the hotter, oops, I mean stronger actor, Ryan Gosling or Ryan Reynolds? Just like it’s cats vs. dogs and Mets vs. Yankees, you are either Team Gosling or Team Reynolds. There is no in-between!</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">What better time to compare their abs, er, talents, then a time like this when both Canadian leading men star in comedies that came out this summer: “Crazy Stupid Love” for Gosling and “The Change Up” for Reynolds. After the jump: a quick review and conclusion as to which Ryan truly rules.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><a name='more'></a><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <u>“Crazy, Stupid, Love”</u> </span> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 26pt;">* * *</span></b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><br />
</div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starring Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon, Analeigh Tipton and Jonah Bobo.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rated PG-13 (for coarse humor, sexual content and language.)<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Directed by Glen Ficarra and John Requa<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Dan Fogelman<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In “Crazy Stupid Love,” Cal (Carell) is down on his luck when his wife Emily (Moore) confesses that she has had an affair and wants a divorce. Drowning himself in numerous vodka-cranberries at a local swanky bar, he bumps into the ultimate ladies’ man, Jacob (Gosling, but of course). </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Here is where the Ryan comparison game comes into play: both men portray playboys in their films, but Gosling’s Jacob is a unique breed. He has his pick-up lines, his dress, his behavior down to a fine science. He dresses exceptionally well and when he picks up a woman, focuses the conversation entirely on her, smoothly avoiding questions directed at his own life. Hook, line and sink her, he goes home with a different beauty every night. He coaches hapless Cal on the rules of his lavish single life. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">There are entertaining twists and turns and some very funny scenes which make this a decent film. Not one to run to theatres for, but perfect for Netflixing on a night in.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Gosling fits into his playboy role with total ease. His appealing looks, knowing smirk and comic skills make this a fine segue into more comedic roles for the actor.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>“The Change-Up”</u> </span> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 26pt;">*</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starring Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Mann and Olivia Wilde<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rated R (for pervasive strong crude sexual content and language, some graphic nudity and drug use.)<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Directed by David Dobkin<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This film proves the point, in too many ways to count, that Hollywood really has no qualms about crossing the line when it comes to lewd humor. “The Change-Up” has more gross images and fake breasts than actual funny scenes. (It is marketed as a comedy, not a horror film, right?) </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">I could go on and on about how un-necessary films like “The Change-Up” are, but I digress. The premise is that family-man Dave (Jason Bateman) and die-hard single guy Mitch (Reynolds) switch bodies in a bizarre peeing-in-a-fountain incident. (Need I say more?) Suddenly, things get pretty complicated as the two men try to switch back while juggling their new lives. There are glimpses of what could be an engaging storyline (Leslie Mann has a few compelling scenes as Dave’s wife Jamie), but it is quickly drowned out by lurid attempts at a cheap laugh.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Reynolds plays a character who is neither likeable nor multi-dimensional. It’s one thing to play a miserable character, it’s another for there to be no purpose or deeper meaning behind this character. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Conclusion: The craft that goes into his scenes and his general choice of films make Gosling the better actor. He has been nominated for an academy award for “Half Nelson” and two Golden Globes, for “Blue Valentine” and “Lars and the Real Girl.” Still, Reynolds has some serious, not just funny-man, acting chops beneath his bulging biceps and six-pack. Let’s hope he chooses to showcase them sooner rather than later!</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-33853264260541715662011-06-07T06:23:00.000-07:002011-06-07T06:23:43.847-07:00X-Men: First Class ***1/2<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starring</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Bacon, Rose Byrne, January Jones, Zoë Kravitz, Nicholas Hoult, Lucas Till, Edi Gathegi, Caleb Landry Jones</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rated</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> PG-13 (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for intense sequences of action and violence, some sexual content including brief partial nudity and language</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Directed by</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Matthew Vaughn</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* * * 1/2</span></span></span></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A new layer of the X-men saga is revealed in “X-men: First Class” and with a host of fresh faces and familiar characters. The story is set mainly in the 1960s, right in the midst of the reign of JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The evil plot of Sebastian Shaw, played by Kevin Bacon, sets the foundation for the first wave of X-men characters to come together.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cast is lead by many talented actors; it is no mere action flick. James McAvoy (think “Atonement” with Keira Knightley), playing Professor X, always brings a quiet dignity to his roles and 2010 Academy Award-nominee Jennifer Lawrence is a fierce Mystique with her real-girl figure and cherubic face. Michael Fassbender (recognize him from this year’s “Jane Eyre” or 2009’s “Inglourious Basterds”?) is wonderful as Erik. With his sculpted, moving performance, he practically dominates every scene he’s in.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The film stands out as one of the best in the X-Men series. The script is solid and there are cameos from Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Romijn. “X-Men: First Class” is a fun, entertaining and mildly provocative kickoff to the summer blockbuster season. </span><o:p></o:p></div>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-9303427376170691912011-05-14T09:25:00.000-07:002011-05-14T11:59:59.678-07:00Bridesmaids * * * *<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Starring</i> Kristin Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd, Jon Hamm, Jill Clayburgh</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Rated</i> R (for some strong sexuality and language throughout)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Directed by</i> Paul Feig</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Written by</i> Kristin Wiig and Annie Mumolo<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> * * * *</span></b></span> </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="300" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://bridesmaidsmovie.com/bridesmaids_share2.swf" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><embed src="http://bridesmaidsmovie.com/bridesmaids_share2.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The topic of weddings, bridezillas and bridesmaids is common fodder for reality tv, film and books today. “Bridesmaids” is one of the best things to hit the genre in a long time. </span></span><br />
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The comic genius comes through in every line of the film, in the writing, the dialogue, and the irresistible quirkiness of the characters. </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kristin Wiig stars as Annie, in her 30s, still driving a crappy car and sharing an apartment with two appallingly bizzare roomates. She lost her bakery shop in the recession and the guy she’s sleeping with tells her the morning after that the moment is too “awkward” and she has to leave now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To top things off, Annie’s best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) gets engaged and appoints her maid of honor, in charge of a group of unique women whom Lillian has collected to be in her wedding party. The hijinks and mishaps that follow are uproariously funny. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The relationship between Lillian and Annie is tangible and real, like you are watching two friends banter at a table next to yours at a restaurant. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rose Byrne is Annie’s competition, the beautiful, rich friend of Lillian’s who is jostling for her spot as maid of honor and best friend. Byrne’s Aussie accent is perfectly concealed as she plays the yin to Annie’s yang. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Underneath her impeccable clothing and pretentious attitude is a woman desperately in need of good girl friends. Melissa McCarthy is Megan, the groom’s sister, uncouth, tough and completely unafraid to be herself. Annie's mother is played by the late Jill Clayburgh, who is the spitting image of an older, more self-assured (and sort of nutty) version of her daughter.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Bridesmaids” is not a chick flick, not a romantic comedy. It’s part drama, part comedy. A dramedy. It’s kooky and sweet and very nasty in parts, with some over-the-top bathroom humor. (Let’s just say most of the theatre had their eyes and ears closed during one certain scene.) But somehow it all works together, in a well-calculated mixture that breaks the mold of the typical movie directed at women everywhere. Run, don’t walk to the theatre to see this unforgettable film. Let’s hope it’s the first of many to come from Kristin Wiig!</span><o:p></o:p></div>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-42067409095011393132011-05-07T12:20:00.000-07:002011-05-07T12:48:01.176-07:00Mother's Day Mix ("Something Borrowed," "Water for Elephants," "African Cats")<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Heading to the movies with Mom this weekend?</b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">Here are the top mom-friendly picks. (Psst! You don’t have to be a mother to enjoy them!)</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something Borrowed</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The It’s More Than Just a Rom-Com Flick"<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Something Borrowed" is just the right recipe for a romantic comedy: a plotline that has fresh twists, some </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">really</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> funny scenes, and a relatable heroine.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s based on the book written by Emily Giffin, an author who is ahead of the pack in women’s literature (chick lit if you must). The movie does stray from the book in several parts, but overall it follows the plot of Rachel and the love triangle with her old law school crush Dex, who is now engaged to her best friend, Darcy. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John Krasinski, as Ethan, brings the funny in every scene he’s in. He has perfect comedic timing and a genuine acting style that makes him endearing and sexy all at the same time. Ginnifer Goodwin is good-girl-gone-bad Rachel, a seemingly easy fit for Goodwin and Kate Hudson plays Darcy. This may be the first (and only) time we see Hudson go beyond playing the silly/confident party girl character she usually plays in films. Can she pull off the angry scene at the end? That’s for you to see and determine! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mom-worthy?</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Yep! It has a total mom stamp of approval, with a great mix of comedy and drama.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Water For Elephants</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The Tragically Enchanting Circus Drama”</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another film adapted from a novel (they’re everywhere these days!), this time it’s the gritty, depression-era story by Sara Gruen, which unfolds the demise of a fictional circus, The Benzini Brothers.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Money is scarce, workers are overworked and underpaid and animal abuse is rampant. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Robert Pattinson (looking gloriously tanned and with a crew cut) plays Jacob Jankowski, the story’s narrator and star. If there was any doubt that Pattinson could be believable as someone other than Edward Cullen, it’s been squashed. He <i>is</i> Jacob, solidly hitting his highs and lows. He comes across as downright giddy at times, smiling (!) and laughing with almost child-like glee, especially when he’s around the true star of the film, Rosie the elephant. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reese Witherspoon is Marlena, the mesmerizing golden-haired beauty married to the cruel, emotionally unstable ringleader August, played by Christoph Waltz with effortless intensity. At times, the chemistry between Witherspoon and Pattinson seems a bit off, but the characters do fit together in an offbeat way.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mom-worthy</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">? Please, it’s RPatz! In all seriousness, it’s a thrilling, at times disturbing story, infused with glamour (Witherspoon’s wardrobe is brilliant), humour and a delightful narrator.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">African Cats</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The Animal Lover’s Choice”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the perfect mother’s day movie. It is based on the love two very different mothers, one a cheetah and the other a lion, have for their cubs. Get lost in the amazing landscape of the African savanna and take in the up-close-and-personal view of these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a name='more'></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The film is so clean and crisp, down to the tiniest detail of the thick fur of the lions and cheetahs. It’s a great film for adults and children alike, with a compelling story and a look at life in a faraway land where majestic cats rule.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mom-worthy?</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It’s got drama, intrigue and breathtaking scenery. This is my number one recommendation!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-37735921483079652332011-04-10T10:58:00.000-07:002011-04-11T16:02:44.448-07:00Soul Surfer * * * *<object data="http://serve.a-widget.com/service/getWidgetSwf.kickAction" height="339" id="kickWidget_190205_472014" name="kickWidget_190205_472014" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="578"> <!-- Firefox uses the 'data' attribute above, IE/Safari uses the param below --> <param name="movie" value="http://serve.a-widget.com/service/getWidgetSwf.kickAction"></param><param name="FlashVars" value="affiliateSiteId=190205&widgetId=472014&width=578&height=339&playOnLoad=0&autoPlay=0&revision=8" ></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent" ></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" ></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" ></param></object><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Starring </i>AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Lorraine Nicholson, Carrie Underwood, Kevin Sorbo</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Rated</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> PG (for an intense accident sequence and some thematic material)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Written by </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sean McNamara, Debra Schwartz (based on the book "Soul Surfer" by Bethany Hamilton, Sheryl Berk, and Rick Bundschuh)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Directed by</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Sean McNamara</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">* * * *</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>"Surfer Soul"</u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Picture this: You live in Hawaii with your hippie-cool surfer family.</span> At 13, you're already a surfing champion in your own right, on the way to becoming a professional surfer. Then, on Halloween morning, as you lay on your surfboard, your hand dangling in the cool waters, a shark attacks...and your arm is gone. What would you do? This is Bethany Hamilton's story in "Soul Surfer." Here's the real shocker: she was back on her board a month later.</div><a name='more'></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bethany's story is terrifying and moving all in one fell swoop. Instead of allowing this awful event to take hold of her life, she was determined to surf again as soon as possible, despite losing her left arm. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AnnaSophia Robb plays Bethany and worked side-by-side with her for three weeks, learning how to surf and asking her all she could to better understand Bethany and how she copes every day without her arm. Lorraine Nicholson (Jack Nicholson's daughter) plays Alana Blanchard, Bethany's childhood best friend, who is also a professional surfer today.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Helen Hunt is picture-perfect as Bethany's laid-back surfer mom: beautiful, blonde, lithe and looking better than ever. Dennis Quaid is her dad, also a passionate surfer, who in the film coaches Bethany to regain her strength and balance on her board. Both Hunt and Quaid slip easily into their roles, delivering their lines with smooth precision. Carrie Underwood plays Sarah Hill, Bethany's religion group leader, sugary sweet, overacting at times, but believable in the part of the down-to-earth missionary leader. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the most moving parts of the film is when Bethany travels to Thailand to provide relief to natives after a tsunami hits. She makes a connection with a little boy whose family is missing. The scene is filled with such sweet innocence. Bethany comes to grips with her own suffering while in the midst of people who have lost their families, homes and entire villages.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To say this is the feel-good, family-friendly movie of the year doesn't quite justify "Soul Surfer." It's target audience may be young girls and the faith-based community, but it's really a story for everyone, young and old, because we all suffer at times, especially in a declining economy, with natural disasters and wars threatening the world from all corners. Bethany Hamilton is so special because she has recognized and grabbed hold of her greater purpose. She is able to reach out to young people everywhere with her story. It is people like her that help us to believe and to have faith; that with love and unfailing dedication, anything is possible.</span></div>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-40869076349501879812011-01-23T18:09:00.000-08:002011-01-23T18:59:34.130-08:00No Strings Attached **<span style="font-style: italic;">Starring</span> Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Kline, Greta Gerwig, Lake Bell, Olivia Thirlby, Cary Elwes, Ludacris and Jake M. Johnson<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Rated</span> R (for sexual content, language and some drug material)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Directed by</span> Ivan Reitman<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Screenplay/Story by</span> Elizabeth Meriwether and Michael Samonek<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span>* * </span> </span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">"No Strings Attached:" Dignity Hangs by a Thread</span></span><br /><br /></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:20pt;" >If you can’t get enough </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">of Natalie Portman this season, then by all means, rush to see “No Strings Attached.”<span style=""> </span>Soak up the gorgeous pint-sized actress’s offbeat, quirky humor.<span style=""> </span>Otherwise, this film is one to Netflix.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">It’s not that Kutcher and Portman don’t have chemistry, they surely do.<span style=""> </span>Nor is it that they aren’t believable in their roles: Portman is Emma, a brilliant commitment-phobe doctor and Kutcher is Adam, a wannabe writer with a big heart.<span style=""> </span>Even the script and storyline aren’t bad; it’s Hollywood’s effort to appeal to both sexes watching the film that baffles me.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Instead of smart humor that tickles the funnybone, there are endless penis and vagina jokes.<span style=""> </span>The writers rely on a lot of raucous humor and drug references to draw laughs, which has become all too predictable in this new generation of rom-coms.<span style=""> </span>While “No Strings Attached” isn’t as horribly off-target (and offensive to both sexes) as 2009’s “The Ugly Truth” with Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler, it comes in as a distant second. <span style=""> </span>Its saving grace is the quality of the acting and the story.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Despite all of this, there are several winning supporting actors that bring humor to the film on a much simpler level.<span style=""> </span>Kevin Kline is Kutcher’s horrible father and young talent Olivia Thirlby plays Portman’s younger sister.<span style=""> </span>Other appearances, unfortunately few and far between are from Cary Elwes and “The Office’s” Mindy Kaling.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Amusing throughout, with some sweetly romantic moments, “No Strings Attached” misses the mark on being truly entertaining to both men and women.<span style=""> </span>Instead it relies on dumbing down its audience with base humor for a quick laugh.<span style=""> </span>I have high hopes that audiences are looking for more than that.</span></p>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-80110461793826843402010-12-11T18:53:00.000-08:002011-01-16T12:26:56.477-08:00Due Date **1/2<span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >Starring Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Jamie Foxx and Michelle Monaghan</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >Rated R (for language, drug use and sexual content)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >Directed by Todd Phillips</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >Screenplay by Alan R. Cohen, Alan Freedland, Adam Sztykiel and Todd Phillips</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" ><span style="font-size:180%;">* * 1/2</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:180%;">A Wild Ride</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="float: left; font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/due-date-film-premiere/image/10124714?term=Robert+Downey+Jr" target="_blank"><img style="width: 200px; height: 310px;" src="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/10124714/due-date-film-premiere/due-date-film-premiere.jpg?size=380&imageId=10124714" title="Due Date - UK Film Premiere Outside Arrivals" oncontextmenu="return false;" ondrag="return false;" onmousedown="return false;" alt="LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Actor Robert Downey Jr and Zach Galifianakis attend the 'Due Date' Premiere at The Empire Cinema, Leicester Square on November 3, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)" border="0" /></a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.js"></script><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >With any comedy where the main character is shadowed by a wildly annoying person, there is a fine line between irritating moviegoers and making them laugh.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >“Due Date” walks the line alright.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >It has its wobbly moments, but overall accomplishes the feat of balancing the crazy with the funny.</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />This is mostly due to Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">They are compelling separately, but together create such an odd couple, hard to look away from.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">When the storyline is based almost solely on two characters, they’d better be compelling!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Downey is Peter Highman, a straight-laced businessman with a temper and Galifianakis is Ethan Tremblay/Chase, a wanna-be actor, whose idiosyncrasies keep him from fitting into any one mold.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">From the moment Ethan crashes into his life, he causes Peter nothing but trouble upon trouble upon trouble.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">All Peter cares about is getting home to LA in time to see his wife give birth to their first child.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">An unfortunate turn of events (i.e. Ethan) leaves him without any transportation across the country.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ethan and his dog Sonny are Peter's only hope to get back to his wife.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ethan’s wackiness, plus his childish and at times, uncouth behavior, would drive any person out of their right mind.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Despite this, he does have a heart and the “serious” moments of the film are carried off as well as they are because of the dead-on acting skills of Downey and Galifianakis.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" ><br /><br />Watch it for a good laugh.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >Watch it to see an unlikely pair mix together rather well.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >Just don’t expect anything less than total insanity and ridiculousness!</span><span style=""> </span>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-65296429458204456382010-12-02T17:23:00.000-08:002010-12-05T17:16:59.994-08:00“Yeah 3x:” Chris Brown’s Ticket Back to the Top?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> Chris Brown released his catchy radio single “Yeah 3x” about a month ago from his album “F.A.M.E.” and it just might be his comeback after TRI (The Rihanna Incident).<span style=""> </span>It’s your generic shake-it-on-the-dance-floor hit, with a pumping electro beat and lyrics that tell you to “put your hands in the air.”<span style=""> </span>It may not be too different from the other club hits on the radio, but maybe fitting in is just what he needs.<br /><br />The music video is squeaky clean. Not only does the opening include little kids, one actually announces his arrival, “Hey, it’s Chris Brown!” followed by cheers from all the surrounding children; a bit unrealistic.<span style=""> </span>I don’t think many six-year-olds would cheer at the sound of Brown’s name (if they even know who he is.)<br /><br />On the plus side, the video features 30 seconds of some amazing female dancers.<span style=""> </span>Shockingly, unlike so many videos today, the girls aren’t wearing next to nothing and dancing suggestively. They have on black trousers, white tank tops and suspenders, and their moves are a mix of modern dance and hip hop; the focus is on technique, not on showing skin.<span style=""> </span>Brown unleashes his thrilling, gravity-defying dance moves while keeping the whole video PG.<span style=""> </span>The video is blessedly free of a lot of grinding and gyrating and the scenes are pretty innocent. Brown’s wardrobe is preppy and clean-cut to the max. He’s on his best behavior, no doubt!<br /><br />This leads me to wonder, is it ok to like Chris Brown again after what conspired on that fateful night with Rihanna? Can you separate the music from the musician?<span style=""> </span>Is it a crime to be a huge Rihanna fan...but also groove along to Brown's tunes? His talent was obvious, in both singing and dancing, from the moment he swept onto the scene in 2005. Do we look at him as a person who has hopefully learned from his mistakes? Or continue to banish his songs from our iPods? It remains to be seen whether fans will forgive and forget or if this very public incident will <i style="">forever</i> tarnish his name.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3mC2ixOAivA?fs=1" width="480" frameborder="0" height="295"></iframe>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-17055164261844897222010-11-11T21:31:00.000-08:002010-12-05T17:21:14.827-08:00Morning Glory ***1/2<span style="font-family:arial;">Starring Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Jeff Goldblum, Patrick Wilson</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Rated PG-13 for some sexual content including dialogue, language and brief drug references</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Directed by Roger Michell</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Written by Aline Brosh McKenna</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:180%;" >* * * 1/2</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Morning Glory<br /><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 5px;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/morning-glory-new-york/image/10143015?term=rachel+mcadams" target="_blank"><img src="http://view3.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/10143015/morning-glory-new-york/morning-glory-new-york.jpg?size=380&imageId=10143015" title="Morning Glory New York Premiere" oncontextmenu="return false;" ondrag="return false;" onmousedown="return false;" alt="NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 07: Actress Rachel McAdams attends the New York Premiere of 'Morning Glory' at Ziegfeld Theatre on November 7, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)" border="0" width="380" height="253" /></a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.js"></script></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-family:arial;">"Morning Glory" has a relatively simple story line, setting and script, but the strength of the characters and actors are what bring it to vivid life.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Becky Fuller is your typical girl with a dream, completely devoted to her job as producer of a morning news show.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">There are thousands of real-life Becky’s crowding up every major city across the country.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">She is a pro at what she does and is on the cusp of a huge promotion when she is instead canned in a major way.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Cue the laborious and incredibly persistent job search.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Rachel McAdams brings such frenetic energy to the character of Becky.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">She’s pretty but not glamorous, confident in her job but a total klutz anywhere else, always fumbling with her phone and banging into furniture. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">She manages to get a job on a network morning show that is in a bad state.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">She is hired by Jerry Barnes, played with understated humor by Jeff Goldblum, to be executive producer of “Daybreak,” which has less viewers than staff members.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">The magic that follows must be watched to experience the full effect of the trifecta of Diane Keaton, Harrison Ford and McAdams.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">All three bring such class and seriousness to the story that viewers can feel their every up and down. </span><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Keating is Colleen Peck, the bitter but spunky long-time morning co-anchor.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Ford is the weathered, gruff hard news anchor who has won every journalism award under the sun and now finds himself down on his luck.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">He is cornered into a co-anchor position opposite Colleen and he fights it with every fiber, refusing to budge and lower his high journalistic standards.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">McAdams is the ringleader, youngest and freshest face among the whole bunch, trying to manage the many egos and maybe just keep the show afloat before the network shuts them down for good. </span><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Ford and Keating look and sound better than ever and together they are unexpectedly comical.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">The story isn’t a romance or a drama or a comedy, it’s a melody of classic characters polished and put together with a sweet twist.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">“Morning Glory” accomplishes everything a film like “Post Grad” failed miserably at: the romantic drama is light, the storyline is strong, the characters are multi-layered and even endearing, never cringe-worthy.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">It’s the kind of film that might slip under the radar, pegged as fluff, rather than substance.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">In fact it’s the perfect balance between the two, substance with a dollop of fluff on the side.</span><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 5px;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/morning-glory-new-york/image/10143038?term=rachel+mcadams" target="_blank"><br /></a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.js"></script>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-47742501166029759122010-09-26T19:44:00.001-07:002010-12-05T17:27:22.309-08:00Easy A ***1/2<span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >Starring Emma Stone, Thomas Haden Church, Lisa Kudrow, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci, Amanda Bynes, Alyson Michalka and Penn Badgley</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" ><br /><br />Rated PG-13 </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >(for mature thematic elements involving teen sexuality, language and some drug material)</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" ><br /><br />Directed by Will Gluck</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" ><br /><br />Written by Bert V. Royal</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br />* * * 1/2</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center"><u>A Red-Letter Flick</u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" align="center"><u><br /></u></p> <div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px; font-family: arial;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/emma-stone-arrives-the/image/9766573?term=Emma+Stone" target="_blank"><img src="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9766573/emma-stone-arrives-the/emma-stone-arrives-the.jpg?size=380&imageId=9766573" title="Emma Stone arrives at the Easy A premiere in Los Angeles" oncontextmenu="return false;" ondrag="return false;" onmousedown="return false;" alt="Cast Member Emma Stone attends the premiere of the motion picture romantic comedy Easy A , at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on September 13, 2010. UPI/Jim Ruymen Photo via Newscom" border="0" width="380" height="377" /></a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.js"></script> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal">Emma Stone is on her way to being a bona fide star.<span style=""> </span>Vogue magazine has dubbed her the next Sandra Bullock.<span style=""> </span>She has perfect comedic timing and is totally believable as both the invisible nerd and the salacious school harlot.<span style=""> </span>“Easy A” manages to be smart without trying too hard and it’s laugh-out-loud funny thanks to Stone’s slapstick humor and some quirky, spicy writing.</p><p style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal">Stone plays Olive, a quick-witted teen who doesn’t always make the best social decisions.<span style=""> </span>While recanting her first sexual experience to her obnoxious best friend Rhiannon (Alyson Michalka), the school’s deeply religious abstinence-promoter Marianne overhears and promptly spreads it throughout the school.<span style=""> </span>The twist: Olive is lying to Rhiannon. Her virginity is still very much intact.<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" face="arial" class="MsoNormal">What unfolds next is silly, yes, but incredibly entertaining.<span style=""> </span>As Olive herself fuels the fire of her reputation, she goes from being the invisible girl to the ostracized, infamous school whore. <span style=""> </span>She likens her situation to the character Hester Prynn in “The Scarlet Letter,” which her English class is reading.<span style=""> </span>A nasty rumor often spreads at the speed of light. The film is a study on how quick people are to believe it and demonize the subject, before ever determining if it is based in truth.</p><p style="font-family: arial;" face="arial" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" face="arial" class="MsoNormal">Stone is an absolute joy to watch, whether she is parading around the school hallways in Ray Bans, her corset-top emblazoned with a bright red A or singing at the top of her lungs to Natasha Bedingfield’s “Pocketful of Sunshine.”</p><p style="font-family: arial;" face="arial" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" face="arial" class="MsoNormal">The supporting cast features a variety of comedic gems including Lisa Kudrow, Thomas Haden Church, Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci.<span style=""> </span>Kudrow and Church play teachers and Clarkson and Tucci are Olive’s laid back, super cool parents.<span style=""> </span>Amanda Bynes is deliciously funny as Marianne and Penn Badgley is also delicious as Woodchuck Todd, the only student who is indifferent to the rumors.</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Keep an eye on Miss Stone. <span style=""> </span>Her turn as leading lady proves she has the raw talent to stake her claim in Hollywood. </p>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-8804546092542317492010-07-29T07:04:00.000-07:002010-07-29T07:12:55.301-07:00Inception*****<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CHEATHE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard, Tom Hardy, Ken Wantanabe, Dileep Rao, Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Rated PG-13 (for sequences of violence and action throughout)
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Directed by Christopher Nolan</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Written by Christopher Nolan
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style=";font-size:20pt;color:red;" >* * * * *<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Famous poet Edgar Allan Poe once wrote, “All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.”<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>“Inception” explores this idea with heart-pounding, mind-blowing vigor, literally turning our idea of reality upside down.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cobb (DiCaprio) is a master extractor.<span style=""> </span>He implants ideas in people’s minds by reaching them in their dreams.<span style=""> </span>One idea, say placed in the mind of a dictator or business mogul, can set in motion actions that change the whole world. Cobb is a man who can essentially control anyone around him, should he choose to.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But he is unhappy with his work, which keeps him away from his two children.<span style=""> </span>Suddenly a powerful client lays down an offer he can’t refuse: if he completes the mission, he can return home to his family in peace, with no strings attached.<span style=""> </span>This job just happens to be his grandest undertaking yet.<span style=""> </span>Cobb puts together a dream team including architect student-genius Ariadne (Page), “thief” Eames (Hardy), and the guy who holds the whole dream sequence together, Arthur, played by Joseph Gordon Levitt.<span style=""> </span>The target is young heir Robert Fisher, Jr. (Murphy).</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">To plant this idea in Fisher, Cobb and his crew must construct a dream so detailed and complex, that there is quite literally a dream within a dream within a dream within a dream.<span style=""> </span>As the team goes deeper into each dream level, the harder it is to get back. The lines between reality and dream blur until one is undistinguishable from the other.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Page is perfect as Ariadne, the newest recruit, quickly drawn to this alternate reality where she can create the scenery.<span style=""> </span>DiCaprio is completely compelling, a man full of inner torment after the death of his wife, Mal, played by the superior Cotillard.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The film will keep you in a leaning-forward-in-your-seat-and-clutching-the-hand rests kind of suspense.<span style=""> </span>Guessing and analyzing until the very last minute, it’s the kind of film you have to see twice just to understand each incredible layer.<span style=""> </span>The final <i style="">kick</i> will reach out and grab you.<span style=""> </span>A masterpiece, a breathtaking look at the frontier of film to come, and in the midst of so many stale, brainless and boring films,<span style=""> </span>“Inception” gives viewers a fresh take on reality, dreams, and the weight one person’s idea can have on the world.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-style: italic;">* Question:* From the final scene, do you think it stops spinning?</span>
<br /></o:p></p> The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-82714654111680971232010-07-24T10:08:00.000-07:002010-07-29T07:17:16.917-07:00Salt* *Starring Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreibner, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Daniel Olbrychski<br /><br />Rated PG-13 (for intense sequences of violence and action)<br /><br />Directed by Phillip Noyce<br /><br />Written by Kurt Wimmer<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >* *</span><br /><br />"Salt" is an action film, a spy thriller, and not much more.<br /><br />Jolie plays CIA agent Evelyn Salt, a relatively cold, aggressive character that was originally written for a male role. As she runs from the government, accused of being a Russian spy, the audience is left wondering whether or not she is as innocent as she claims. While Jolie looks a bit out of place as CIA agent-Salt, all blonde bob and boxy suit, she is completely convincing as on-the-run Salt. Her hair is jet black, she kills quickly and without any emotion, and dons all black.<br /><br />Liev Schriebner is Ted Winter, her closest friend in the CIA and the only one who seems to think she may be innocent. As bodies pile up in her wake, backed by a bleak setting and bleaker characters, Salt seems less a hero or desperate woman on the run trying to prove said innocence, but rather a reckless killer hard to root for.<br /><br />The film is excessively violent, with a murky plot and Salt completes one unbelievable death defying stunt after another. In one scene, she sits in a cop SUV, knocks out the two officers on either side of her and grabs one of their taser guns to stun the driver. She then repeatedly shocks the driver until he accelerates at top speed smashing several police cars ahead. Then she tasers him to speed in reverse, slamming into more cars behind. Finally, she drives off a bridge into the traffic below. Salt simply climbs out of the totaled SUV and walks away, barely a hair out of place - she is also handcuffed the entire time.<br /><br />"Salt" may be a wild ride, but it doesn’t live up to its name – it’s neither pungent nor witty. Instead it’s bland and unremarkable.The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-46529644399495996142010-03-23T18:14:00.000-07:002010-03-24T19:47:24.790-07:00The Ghost Writer * * * *<span style="font-family:georgia;">Starring Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Williams, Kim Cattrall</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Rated PG-13</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Directed by Roman Polanski</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Written by Robert Harris (novel and adaption)</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> and Roman Polanski (screenplay)</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >* * * *</span>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link style="font-family: georgia;" rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CHEATHE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: georgia;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: georgia;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"> <st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on">
<br /></st1:state></st1:place></p><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px; font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=" the="" ghost="" writer="" iid="7896856"" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/5/8/f/c/60th_Berlin_International_c5de.jpg?adImageId=11608136&imageId=7896856" alt="60th Berlin International Film Festival - The Ghost Writer Premiere" width="380" border="0" height="539" /></a></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;">On an island off of <st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on">Massachusetts</st1:state></st1:place>, cloaked with heavy mists and driving rain, a British ghost writer, played by the quietly commanding Ewan McGregor, takes on his most lucrative book deal yet.<span style=""> </span>He is aware the book’s subject, former British prime minister James Lang (Pierce Brosnan), is under investigation from the government.<span style=""> </span>The Ghost Writer (his character is never named) also knows he is filling the shoes of the previous ghost writer, who died suddenly, laying the groundwork for all he is about to uncover.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;">
<br /><span style=""></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">While working with Lang, The Ghost Writer meets his personal assistant/mistress (Kim Cattrall) and his miserable, dark, political genius of a wife, Ruth Lang (Olivia Williams), who all live and work together in a bleak, solitary house by the beach.<span style=""> </span>Beneath the surface of the uncomfortable household, with security officers at every corner, always watching, a storm is brewing.<span style=""> </span>The Ghost tries to keep a professional distance from Lang and his crew, but he realizes there is something bigger at work behind the politician’s facade.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p face="georgia" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">When Lang is accused outright of committing war crimes by the British government, The Ghost starts to delve deeper into his past, his political connections and whether the previous ghost writer’s death was really a suicide.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Brosnan is sleek and slimy as the former prime minister and Williams is brilliant as Mrs. Lang, a woman who appears deeply unhappy, trapped in a life she did not plan for.<span style=""> </span>Cattrall is one of the few non-British leading actors and while she struggles, sounding a bit like Samantha Jones with a fake English accent, she certainly looks the part of Lang’s sexy, composed assistant.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">With an Alfred Hitchcock-like theme and slow purposeful scenes, Roman Polanski’s “The Ghost Writer” is a deeply refreshing take on the mystery/thriller.<span style=""> </span>Blissfully free of huge explosions, bad one-liners and a rushed plotline, the film will thrill fans of the old-Hollywood style mystery.</p>
<br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-76046777808981346732010-03-15T07:37:00.000-07:002010-03-15T18:17:20.166-07:00Remember Me * * *<div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=remember%20me&iid=8147236" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/9/8/b/1/Remember_Me_New_3103.jpg?adImageId=11291498&imageId=8147236" alt="'Remember Me' New York Premiere" width="234" border="0" height="307" /></a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >Starring Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Pierce Brosnan, Chris Cooper, Tate Ellington, Ruby Jerins</span><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Rated PG-13</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">Directed by Allen Coulter</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">Written by Will Fetters</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">*<span style=""> </span>*<span style=""> </span>*</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">“Remember Me” opens on a <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">New York City</st1:place></st1:city> subway in 1991 and continues ten years later with two young 21-year-olds, Ally Craig and Tyler Hawkins.<span style=""> </span>Both have suffered through the tragic death of family members and after meeting, it doesn’t take long for them to tumble headlong into a heated romance.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">Robert Pattinson is dark and brooding (something new and different) as <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tyler</st1:place></st1:city>, struggling with the death of his brother and the disconnect that exists within his family.<span style=""> </span>Ally (Emilie de Ravin) is a breath of fresh air in the stale and meaningless life that he seems headed for.<span style=""> </span>Chemistry between the tiny de Ravin and scruffy Pattinson is sexy and sweet.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">Even though disaster darkens the past for both Ally and Tyler, it also looms ahead, completely unbeknownst to them.<span style=""> </span>But living in the moment and feeling the pain as well as the pleasure makes them feel more alive than ever before.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Pattinson easily slips into the roll of grungy <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tyler</st1:place></st1:city>; it’s questionable whether he washes his hair throughout the filming of the entire movie.<span style=""> </span>Despite <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tyler</st1:place></st1:city>’s filthy college apartment, rumpled wardrobe and questionable hygiene, Pattinson still oozes an irrepressible charm.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Pierce Brosnan is perfectly horrible as <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Tyler</st1:city></st1:place>’s dirty rich lawyer father.<span style=""> </span>He’s a man who hides behind his grand office and job title and who seems to care little for his brilliant daughter and drowning son.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Besides his dim-witted roommate Aidan, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tyler</st1:place></st1:city>’s 11-year-old sister is his one beacon of happiness before meeting Ally.<span style=""> </span>Caroline (Ruby Jerins) is an outcast in her own upper east side school, a freak for her dreamy personality and advanced drawing skills.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">The ending of “Remember Me” is staggering and shockingly unexpected.<span style=""> </span>The smaller picture of two families coping through grief suddenly explodes, bringing the tragedy they endure to a larger scale than anyone could have imagined.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">“Remember Me” isn’t just a story about falling in love or dealing with grief or hating your family. It sends the message that, although we may be one small person in a vast world, our imprint will still be left behind; albeit a small one, but an impossibly important one.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-75928097068977474392010-02-18T06:36:00.000-08:002010-03-24T19:49:25.375-07:00Valentine's Day * *Starring Julia Roberts, Ashton Kutcher, Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner, Shirley MacLaine, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Patrick Dempsey, Jessica Alba, Queen Latifah, Bradley Cooper, Emma Roberts, Jamie Foxx<br /><br />Rated PG-13<br /><br />Directed By Gary Marshall<br /><br />Written by Katherine Fugate<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:180%;"> * *<br /></span></div><br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=valentine%27s%20day%20movie&iid=7852472" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/6/b/f/1/VALENTINES_DAY_MOVIE_f350.JPG?adImageId=10515590&imageId=7852472" alt="VALENTINE'S DAY MOVIE PREMIERE AT THE GRAUMAN'S CHINESE THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD. LOS ANGELES" width="234" border="0" height="319" /></a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script>For a film that will attract audiences solely with its A-list cast, “Valentine’s Day” delivers easy-to-follow plotlines and even a few twists at the end. The remainder is fairly predictable and sweet, but without much depth.<br /><br />The cast includes everyone from Shirley MacLaine to McDreamy to Julia Roberts to Taylor Lautner, and that may be where “Valentine’s Day” hits the jackpot: with stars of all ages. Audiences young and old can find a plotline to relate to, as well as some silly and wacky ones to make them laugh.<br /><br />The best storylines involve demure Julia Roberts and beguiling Bradley Cooper, plane passengers each heading for someone special. The younger actors, Emma Roberts, Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner, as well as Carter Jenkins, play two high school couples whose Valentine’s Day mishaps and banter provide for the funniest scenes. Ashton Kutcher is quite believable as an endearing, sometimes sickeningly romantic florist shop owner.<br /><br />Director Gary Marshall is no rookie to the genre of feel-good romantic comedies. He also directed films such as “Pretty Woman,” “The Princess Diaries,” and “The Other Sister.” While the film has a happy ending,it doesn’t leave the audience with any great revelations or Valentine’s Day quandaries. Almost every character finds love, except for two. Neither seem incredibly happy. Where are the single girls and guys living it up and content with being alone on Valentine’s Day?<br /><br />“Valentine’s Day” is like a box of chocolates, pretty to look at, delicious at first bite (and second and third), but what’s left behind is a belly-ache and an unsatisfied feeling that's hard to place.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >* *</span><br /></div>The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-13912230343360902442010-02-14T17:47:00.000-08:002010-02-14T20:45:22.392-08:00Avatar * * * * *<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/340480126" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="videoId=50602256001&playerId=340480126&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swliveconnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" width="300" height="225"></embed><span style="font-family:georgia;">
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Michelle Rodriguez, Joel Moore</span></span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rated PG-13</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Directed by James Cameron</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Written by James Cameron</span>
<br />
<br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px; font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=avatar%20saldana&iid=7401542" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/d/b/6/a/Premiere_Of_20th_6b83.jpg?adImageId=10303865&imageId=7401542" alt="Premiere Of 20th Century Fox's "Avatar" - Arrivals" width="234" border="0" height="309" /></a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script>
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link style="font-family: georgia;" rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CHEATHE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Escape to Pandora, where wondrous creatures and lush plant life exist, all lit from within by the web of energy that unites each organism. The Na‘vi people of planet Pandora have a profound connection to nature, worlds apart from the futuristic technology and weaponry of Earthlings.<span style=""> </span>The Na‘vi way of life is simpler and yet more complex biologically than humans can imagine.<span style=""> </span>James Cameron’s masterpiece is as captivating as it is immensely creative.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" >
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal">U.S. Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is sent to take on the job his dead twin brother was trained to fulfill: direct the body of an “avatar” modeled after the Na‘vi peoples.<span style=""> </span>Unlike his brother though, Sully is confined to a wheelchair and he relishes the freedom of his avatar body immediately. At first his mission is to learn the secrets of the “savages,” and convince them to leave their land.<span style=""> </span>The military corporation based in Pandora plans to tear apart that land, for directly beneath it lies a mineral worth millions of dollars.<span style=""> </span>As Sully adjusts to his avatar body, he comes to understand the nature of the Na'vi way of life.<span style=""> </span>He falls in love with their world, with their spirituality, with their connection to all living things…and with Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), the daughter of the tribe leader.<span style=""> </span>Sully questions his own reality as his purpose in life takes on new meaning.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal" face="georgia">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Stepping into the world of <i style="">Avatar</i> is equivocal to bathing in cool waters on a hot day.<span style=""> </span>Experiencing the connection, love and strength within the Na‘vi people is a balm to the raw monotony of everyday life, where commercialism rules and spiritually and a deeper connection to nature often seem all but lost.<span style=""> </span>A kind of virtual reality with the most engaging characters and an incandescent backdrop, “Avatar” is an astounding peek into the nature of <i style="">our</i> ways and the future of film.</p>
<br />The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-21849223687619978952010-01-03T10:09:00.000-08:002010-02-07T20:10:51.151-08:00The Blind Side***<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Starring Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, Ray McKinnon, Jae Head, Lily Collins and Kathy Bates.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Rated PG-13</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Directed by John Lee Hancock</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Screenplay by John Lee Hancock</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Based on the book written by Michael Lewis</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:72pt;"><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">*</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">*</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">*</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Blind Side is a peek into the true story of NFL offensive linebacker Michael Oher and the woman who changed his life. Based in Mississippi, Oher, or "Big Mike," is a lost, homeless teenager who finds home sweet home in a rather unlikely place. Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock), an elite southerner with a big heart takes Oher (Quinton Aaron) under her wing and pushes him to do his best in school and on the football field. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bullock fills the shoes of Leigh Anne Tuohy flawlessly.<span style=""> Just as she shows viewers her serious side in 2004's Crash, The Blind Side is a soulful, deep story of a mother who reaches across the boundaries of race and class to rescue a forlorn child and love him as one of her own. Bullock actually shadowed the real-life Leigh Anne Tuohy and her family, so</span> she could portray her perfectly polished, blonde-coifed, pearl-sporting, uppercrust character as closely as possible.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Tim McGraw plays Mr. Tuohy, the supportive husband who seems content to let his wife wear the pants, and who supports all of her decisions, no matter how crazy they seem. Both McGraw and Bullock come from the south, so playing southern-bred characters isn't such a stretch.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The relatively unknown Quinton Aaron, who stars as Michael Oher, has a quiet role. Oher is portrayed as a gentle bear of a boy who, despite learning disabilities is intelligent and incredibly protective of his family. Kathy Bates is Miss Sue, Oher's tutor, who not only helps him in high school, but also follows him to college! </p><p class="MsoNormal">The film is sweet, endearing and inspiring. It focuses not just on football, but on the unique relationship between Mrs. Tuohy and Oher.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <!--EndFragment-->The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-14842892447783481692009-11-29T15:15:00.000-08:002009-12-08T07:16:09.408-08:00New Moon***Starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke, Ashley Greene, Michael Sheen, Dakota Fanning.<br /><br />Rated PG-13<br /><p>Directed by Chris Weitz</p><p>Screenplay written by Melissa Rosenberg (based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer)</p><p><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><em><strong>* * *</strong></em></span></p><br />Bravo to the film crew of New Moon for once again sticking very close to the storyline of Stephenie Meyer's novel New Moon, the second installment in the Twilight series.<br /><br />Despite having fewer lines than in the first film, Robert Pattinson still pulls ahead of the pack as the premiere acting talent. There is a sort of beautiful, old-school aura that surrounds him. He has palpable talent and fits seamlessly into his role as Edward Cullen.<br /><br />Kristen Stewart earns some kudos for a slight development in her acting skills since the first film, although she still comes aross as stiff and unfeeling while running most of her lines. Even though Bella Swan is meant to be emotionless and empty, there doesn't seem to be a huge amount of depth to Stewart as an actor at any point in the film. Somehow though it works, since arguably, there isn't a whole lot of depth to the character Bella anyway. It would be a challenge for any actor to wail away laboriously, portraying the misery Bella experiences in the film. Stewart's moans and screams are akin to fingernails scratching across a blackboard: unnecessary, strained, and uncomfortable. Billy Burke,who plays Charlie Swan, Bella's dad, provides the only real comic relief in the film.<br /><br />Taylor Lautner is the brightest star of New Moon (or maybe it's just his rock-hard abs!) His sweet, unassuming character and honest, straight-forward acting are incredibly endearing. Lautner had to fight to keep his role as Jacob Black in New Moon, packing on 30 pounds of pure muscle. He flawlessly steps up to the plate and slams the ball out of the park. Twilight fans won't be disappointed in his portrayal of Jacob Black. He is equal competition for vampire Edward Cullen, brown and warm to Edward's pale and cold.<br /><br />The CGI wolves in the film are impressibly life-like and the Volturi are delightfully terrifying with the help of Michael Sheen as the cunning Aro and Dakota Fanning as tiny but deadly Jane. The cast and crew came together with great respect for Meyer's storyline and work to make the best adaption of the book they can. It's a movie that is pleasing to the eye, the mind and the heart all together. The wrath and all-consuming power of the Twilight series is only just beginning.The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-64889060848553621462009-11-19T19:22:00.000-08:002010-02-07T20:16:32.334-08:002012***<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:100%;" >Starring John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chiwetal Ejiofor, Woody Harrelson, Danny Glover, Oliver Platt, Thandie Newton and Thomas McCarthy.</span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:100%;" >
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<br />Rated PG-13.</span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:100%;" >
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<br />Directed by Roland Emmerich.</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:100%;" >
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<br />Written by Roland Emmerich and Harald Kloser</span> <span style="font-size:180%;">
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<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >* * *</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" > </span>
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CHEATHE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">2012 is a blank canvas which German director Roland Emmerich has splattered with a thick, brilliant assortment of colors, exploding like fireworks in great disarray.<span style=""> </span>He has thrown everything onto the canvas but the kitchen sink.<span style=""> </span>For his viewers, he holds nothing back.<span style=""> </span>Disasters of every kind burst onto the screen, from crushing tidal waves that swallow cities whole, to volcanic eruptions the size of mushroom clouds and earthquakes that split highways in two and bring sky scrapers crashing to the ground.<span style=""> </span>There’s no real order or finesse to the art of the film, but it’s great fun to watch the plot of 2012 unfold.</p><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">The lives of a smattering of characters, including author Jackson Curtis (John Cusack), the president of the United States, Thomas Wilson (Danny Glover), top geologist Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor), White House Chief of Staff Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt), and the president’s daughter, Laura Wilson (Thandie Newton), are irrevocably changed when they learn the end of the world is within arm’s reach.<span style=""> </span>All characters battle the elements, but only a few reach <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>, where their sole chance for survival exists in the form of massive arks, constructed to sustain the wrath of Mother Nature.<span style=""> </span>But seats on the arks have been pre-sold to the highest bidders, leaving thousands upon thousands of people to perish around the earth.
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<br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p face="trebuchet ms" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The characters and acting skills aren’t very intriguing throughout the film, but fantastic special effects and dramatic events pop up around every corner.</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The actors aren’t the stars of the film; it’s the great tidal waves and earthquakes that bring that brilliant color to the canvas.</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The power of Mother Nature is terrifying because it can’t be stopped. As far-fetched as the basis of 2012 may seem, the truth of the matter is,</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > the</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > story is not impossible.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">That’s where Emmerich grabs the audience, taunts their fears and delights their senses with the sounds and images of unstoppable disaster.</span>
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<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The film is rather lengthy, and some of the characters can be a bit grating, but it’s a dazzling escape from reality for 158 minutes. 2012 is a (really long) roller coaster ride that leaves you dizzy, but ultimately riding high on the pulsating thrill of “What if?”</span> </p>
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<br />The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-960359822555390009.post-48655438058261889202009-10-10T07:00:00.000-07:002009-10-10T07:31:29.514-07:00Whip It ****<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CHEATHE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Starring Ellen Page, Drew Barrymore, Alia Shawkat, Marcia Gay Harden, Daniel Stern, Kristen Wiig, Juliette Lewis, Landon Pigg, Jimmy Fallon and Andrew Wilson.</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Rated PG-13.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Directed by Drew Barrymore.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Screenplay and novel written by Shauna Cross (a former roller derby girl herself!)</span>
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<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >* * * *</span>
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<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Whip It is a completely brilliant, exciting ride not to miss.<span style=""> </span>The characters are fresh and totally loveable and the story is hip and chock full of understated girl power.</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Bliss (Ellen Page) lives in the tiny <st1:state st="on">Texas</st1:state> town of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bodeen</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>She’s alternative by nature, waitresses at the local burger diner, the Oink Joint, and her best friend, Pash (Alia Shawkat), is her partner in crime: all attitude and major curves to Bliss’s willowy, awkward frame.<span style=""> </span>The film is set in modern time but has a retro charm to it that one only experiences when stepping far away from the major metropolises of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>There are two style themes within the film: a free and bohemian, groovy 70s vibe found at the concerts and roller derbies the two girls attend.<span style=""> </span>The other is reflected in the beauty pageants Bliss’s mother (Marcia Gay Harden) forces her to partake in. They are reminiscent of the prim and proper women’s world of the 50s.<span style=""> </span>Bliss goes along with her mother’s $600 dresses and pageant primping, but her grungy 80s rocker style speaks for the rebel in her.</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">She finds her true calling in a roller skating team full of confident, vivacious chicks who unleash the tough, hardcore feminine side of Bliss. </p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">She also finds love with a musician, Oliver,<span style=""> </span>whose style mirrors her own, played by singer/songwriter Landon Pigg.<span style=""> </span>Their sweet romance is palpable and lovely to watch.<span style=""> </span>The love scene they share beneath the clear blue waters of the community pool is one of the coolest, plainly sexy ever.</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">The roller skating chicks are made up of stars like Eve, Kristin Wiig, Juliette Lewis, and the director herself, Drew Barrymore.<span style=""> </span>Jimmy Fallon, Andrew Wilson and Daniel Stern add some Y chromosome to the mix as the roller derby announcer, head coach, and Bliss’s father, respectively.</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Amusing to the nth degree, laugh-out-loud funny, edgy and charming, Whip It could be one of the most satisfying films of the fall.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: courier new;" class="MsoNormal">This is the kind of film you walk out of with a smile on your face and a rush of empowerment flowing through your veins.</p> The Common Critichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690768725785029152noreply@blogger.com0