REVIEW DATE: 03/10/06

Theatre Release: 11/23/05
DVD Release: 03/07/06

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YES, Ryan Reynolds has yet again proven to be a guilty pleasure I cannot help but enjoy in spite of how bad a film may be without him in it.  I am certain it is my comedic man-crush on him that has blinded me to this movie clearly panned and destroyed by all critics, but it wormed its way into not on my heart, but my wife's as well.  We couldn't stop laughing at the slapstick, sophomoric, and ridiculously silly sketch comedy situations and exaggerations of Just Friends.  Chris Brander (Ryan Reynolds, Waiting...) is the fat, seemingly everlasting virgin co-cheer leader and VBF! (very best friend) of the school's hottest cheerleader, Jamie Palamino (Amy Smart), who, during the high school graduation part in 1995, was unable to profess his love to her in order to breach the "friend zone" and fulfill his dream of bliss and happiness with the hot girl.  Eleven years later, 150 pounds lighter, millions of dollars richer due to his success in the Hollywood music business, and a conqueror of hundreds of hot, shallow, industrial whorish women he once again comes face to face with the girl-next-door and realizes he is still in love with her.  But, regardless of all the changes in his life, and regardless of who he has become outside of his New Jersey hometown, he is nothing but that same awkward, fat kid when he's anywhere near Palamino.  Other characters such as a fellow high school dork turned hot guy, Dusty (Chris Klein), Brander's brother, Mike (Chris Marquette), Brander's mother (Julie Haggerty), and Brander's business focus, Samantha James (Anna Faris), all provide enough stereotypical and original concepts to round out the movie on all sides.  This film definitely has its moments, and it turns into quite a warm-hearted film.

REVIEW DATE: 03/10/06

Theatre Release: 10/28/05
DVD Release: 03/07/06

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I must admit, Uma Thurman is one of those actresses I cannot take my eyes off of, and there is nothing in this film that could possibly alter that quality she possesses.  In fact, I would say that quality is illuminated by fully embracing the month of May in this off-beat, touching, and unusual May-December romance.  And while the film is far from perfect, it is quirky, refreshing, and unusual enough to enjoy the sometimes bumpy, sometimes boring, but all the while plot-intriguing ride.  Rafi Gardet (Uma Thurman) is a 37-year-old divorced Manhattanite who, against her better judgment, but with the prodding, consent and applause of her Psychologist, Lisa Metzger (Meryl Streep), falls in love with a dear and kind 23-year-old Jewish struggling artist, David Bloomberg (Bryan Greenberg).  There is an interesting twist, which I will not give away (even though it was given away in the advertising of the film!), that sets a tension between the patient, doctor, and lover.  Bloomberg is not your stereotypical, bumbling, awkward New York Jew as portrayed by Woody Allen, and neither is Rafi some ditzy, glamorous, Sex and the City caricature who is out getting her thrills on blueberry hill with the latest supermodel/actor to come along.  Rather, Bloomberg is a sophisticated, smart, and endearing man who could win the heart of any woman.  And Rafi is a sincere, loving, caring woman who simply wants to love and be loved.  Both of these people are in their Prime.  The only weakness in the film, surprisingly, comes from either Streep's character or her performance.  What I really enjoyed about this film, and what made me give it as high rating as I did, is the refreshing and realistic conclusion to the story.  There are some moments and mini-plots which may deem this a less than 4 Dynamite movie, but it won me over in the end.

REVIEW DATE: 03/01/06

Theatre Release: 11/11/05
DVD Release: 02/28/06

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REMAKING Pride and Prejudice and following the definitive 1995 BBC adaptation would be a difficult task for any producers.  Unfortunately for this film, it is an undertaking the producers ultimately should have resisted.  It is true some characters were a bit more genuine than the original, particularly Mary Bennet (Talulah Riley) and the other sisters, but the linchpin for the movie, Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen), was a pale shadow in comparison with the man who is Mr. Darcy, Colin Firth.  Keria Knightley (Elizabeth Bennet, Domino) performed wonderfully, but without the tension between Elizabeth and Darcy, the film falls short.  Donald Southerland (Mr. Bennet) did a fine job.  Mrs. Bennet (Brenda Blethyn) was adequate, though not as charmingly dingy as the BBC production.  And the performance by Tom Hollander (Mr. Collins) was very well done.  But unfortunately Dame Judi Dench (Lady Catherine de Bourg) simply recapitulated her character from The Importance of Being Earnest, which is a great film.  The problem with reviewing this film is allegiance to the BBC production.  On its own it may have received more favor, but when comparing it to a standard of what it should be makes the review less than it may deserve.  However, it is a decent rental the whole family can enjoy, but I would strongly recommend one rent or buy the BBC version.

REVIEW DATE: 02/16/06

Theatre Release: 10/14/05
DVD Release: 02/07/06

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ONE of the greatest romantic tragedies of the twentieth century, The English Patient is definitely a classic that withstands the test of time.  This film aired on HBO recently and I was lucky enough to catch it and sit down and relive the painful and glorious emotions of such a masterpiece yet again, which is some eight or nine years removed from my original viewing of it.  Again, if not more potently, I was moved and grieved by witnessing the pain and joy of a forbidden, secretive, fateful, true love.  The story of Count Laszlo de Almasy (Ralph Fiennes, The Constant Gardener, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) and Katharien Clifton (Kristin Scott Thomas) is told through the memories of a dying lover, Almasy, reliving the joy and pain of love gained and lost.  Hana (Juiliette Binoche), a nurse who is in love with ghosts of love, or the idea of love, lovingly cares for Almasy, who is badly burned from a plane crash, during his last days in a small, rural Italian home at the close of World War II.  Through Almasy Hana witnesses and learns what true love is, the importance of love, and the wisdom of the follies of others in such a tale.  Though he is in excruciating physical pain as a slowly dying man, Almasy's greatest pain and joy is simultaneously one single thought: the love of and for a woman.  The acting from every single player--Fiennes, Thomas, Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Naveen Andrews, Colin Firth, etc.--is beyond comparison.  Cinematically, the deserts of Africa are some of the most beautiful settings captured on film.  There is also a great story of intrigue as the lives of those remembered by Almasy are shrouded in mystery.  The unfolding of their lives and events keeps one's attention in an amazing manner.  I cannot say enough about this film.

REVIEW DATE: 02/08/06

Theatre Release: 10/14/05
DVD Release: 02/07/06

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ORLANDO Bloom has finally found a role in which his presence as the leading role and character shine with as much promise as I knew he would eventually find.  While his supporting role in the Pirates of the Caribbean films and Lord of the Rings trilogy were strong, his miserable attempt at the leading role in Kingdom of Heaven has been redeemed with the perfect little film.  Everything from the story, the writing, the directing, the acting, the casting, and the soundtrack made Elizabethtown an absolutely fabulous and heart-touching romantic-dramedy.  When Drew (Bloom) flies to his father's hometown in order to represent the family, bury the father, and make all preparations for his mother and sister, who are estranged from the down-home, southern family roots, he meets the the woman of his dreams in disguise, Claire (Kirsten Dunst).  The love story between the two is subtle and genuine, and it is ensconced in the midst of a young man at the end of his rope in every way possible coming to terms with the loss of his father, whom he really only gets to know after his death.  Along the way Drew learns about himself, his family, his life, and what really matters: love.  This tale began a bit slowly through means of narration, but it slowly made sense and I came to appreciate it greatly when the movie wrapped up all the loose ends perfectly.  And while the film is set in the south (as a fish-out-of-water scenario), it does not play that hand, which is to its benefit.  In a way, this romantic-comedy is more suitable for men, focusing upon the man's relationship with the world, his family, and his love interest.  Regardless, it's a great film for all 'mature' audiences.

REVIEW DATE: 02/07/06

Theatre Release: 09/16/05
DVD Release: 02/07/06

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I hate to sink to the depths of the dimwitted, stereotypical pithiness of Gene Shallot, but watching Just Like Heaven is just like hell!  Reese Witherspoon (Elizabeth) and Mark Ruffalo (David) combined to make a bomb in the fashion of The Wedding Date and Must Love Dogs.  While both actors are accomplished and talented, not even their mighty acting abilities could rescue the script from its damnation.  In fact, this movie's writing even makes these two actors look really bad.  I cannot imagine what drew either of these actors to this project, even if they were paid twenty-million a piece.  This film was as insincere, intolerable, unmoving, unfunny, and unbearable as any movie with such big stars can be.  The romance misses.  You could care less about the characters.  None of the jokes are funny.  None of the epiphanies are intriguing.  The characters are all idiots and one-dimensional.  Nobody in their right mind should rent this movie.  Please, heed my warning, do not rent this movie.  If someone gives it to you as a gift, do the world a favor and burn it so no one else has to suffer through it.  The fewer copies there are of this movie in the world, the better place this world will be.  This movie is ninety-five minutes of your life that you will never get back.