Jun 17, 2011
(rated PG-13, 105 mins.) If you ever wondered what chaos could result from web dating, this is the story of Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin), divorced, straight-laced, uptight attorney who still loves his ex-wife (Jean Smart). Charlene (Queen Latifah) is a prison escapee from the hood, betting on Sanderson to clear her name by dating him. Of course he doesn’t know all this from a b/w computer screen. From the moment Latifah shows up in his life she’s an unwelcome guest, although the kids, and his business partner (Eugene Levy) take a liking to this “sista” with “da-big bootie”. It’s cute and charming but highly unbelievable. Latifah turns instantly from finger-snapping, head-bopping ghetto girl to reserved and almost dignified without much practice. Yet, despite its silly premise, Latifah is entertaining as this generations’ Whoopi “Ghost” Goldberg, The culture clash of WASPS meet ghetto “home-y” makes for the first movie that is right-on without avoiding the obvious. Martin is still “The Jerk” (set in a rap age instead of the deep south) with his Satuday Night Live roots. Joan Plowright steals a scene when she breaks her grand dame heiress façade to hang with the hood, but it’s Levy with his usual “Best In Show” and “Waiting for Guffman” dry humor, who makes the movie a scream.
Jun 17, 2011
(rated PG 13) This fluff of a flick follows a suburban cheerleading squad that is defending its national title. Trouble starts when the night before the defense, the team (San Diego Toros), learn that their rival school (the Clovers) has stolen their dance routines. And, they aren’t your typical white bread world team. The Clovers are inner-city hip hop style. This winning teen comedy/drama that feels like “Rocky” meets “Election” and collides with “Fame” in short skirts and pom poms. Starring Kristen Dunst who is everywhere lately, in another exceptional lead role (Team Captain) almost as convincing as her “Virgin Suicides”character. This story requires more pep and she’s got it. It’s cheerleading afterall. Supporting cast Gabrielle Union and Eliza Dushku, are part of the group that do an impressive, jaw-dropping competition sequence to wrap it up. Teens will love this feel good movie and learn about frustrating attractions, competition, lying, back stabbing and loyalties. All the stuff kids experience in High school on a big screen.
Jun 17, 2011
Stephen Fry writes/directs (based on Evelyn Waugh’s classic comic novel “Vile Bodies”) – a dramedy set in 1930s London that satires culture long before studio 54 or Page Six made it hip to cover the social scene. The story opens “Moulin Rouge’ style telling the story of Adam (Stephen Campbell Moore – a half Jude Law, half Ewan McGregor look alike – whose manuscript is confiscated by a Customs Officer. Adam then has to explain his predicament to Lord Monomark (Dan Ackroyd) the very newspaper tycoon who hired him to write it, and whose advance from the book, would have allowed him to marry Nina (Emily Mortimer) an aloof, high society beauty whose life revolves around “Where’s the next party?” In addition, there’s a sentimental cast of characters that include Stockard Channing and even Peter O’Toole, all flitting about in a who’s who, but who cares mode, never coming together long enough for screen time. Inevitably Fry delivers a non-cohesive (although amusing) story of nothing but simply tabloid lies “what sells is trash, not history” reminiscent of old survivors of high society. “Bright Young Things” lacks the panache of his “Gosford Park” but manages some of the style and antics that were found in his previous work on Oscar Wilde – “Wilde.”
Jun 17, 2011
It’s London, 1818, with its bonnets, tea and biscuits. Beautifully shot, always contained and extremely sophisticated with it’s proper English greetings -“Hall-o” – don’t expect Seth Rogen to walk out onto this set. Written and directed by Jane Campion of New Zealand and best known for “The Piano” this time she tells the story of the gifted but penniless poet – John Keats (Ben Whishaw). Keats was yet another writer (think Sylvia Plath) not publicly recognized until after his death. Enter Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish) a self-made seamstress who lives in the picturesque English countryside, able to afford her mortgage and her sewing materials, but incapable of convincing her family to let her marry the very broke Mr. Keats. So typical of its time, a woman would never think about ditching her parents, taking off with the lover and shacking up. Though never quite sure of her family’s connection to his we soon learn that Fanny’s life allows her the luxuries of society balls, and that her nemesis is a writer named Brown (Paul Schneider) who wants Keats all to himself. There is a holiness to the heart’s affections, but like all these Period pieces where a telegraph arrives via messenger announcing they’ve either fallen in love with another, or taken ill with consumption, this too has a sad but true ending. (It should be said that Keats best writing was during the time he courted Fanny Brawne.) The dialog is always magical and unexpected, and the acting is as flawless as Fanny’s complexion. In one scene of a lesson on “tea party 101” the women are taught to stir their spoons two to the right, two to the left, tap-tap on the rim and then blow on the tea before sipping. I’ll drink to that. Three tiaras
Jun 17, 2011
(rated R) The movie opens where Bridget’s happily- -ever-after, left off: Bridget (Renee Zellweger) and Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) – together at last. Now sixty-one days after sailing into the sunset, she begins to ponder just how happy they really are. Sabotaging her own inner securities, Bridget manages to botch things up, suddenly finding herself in Thailand, with of all people, that formidable Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) who’s now found a career as a smooth talking, travel guide host, to a television show. If possible, Bridget Jones is better the second time around, thanks to a great script that combines the right amount of underdog clumsiness and wishful-fantasy narration. The only real question is would the handsome, sexy and sophisticated Darcy, continue to tolerate Bridget Jones and her silliness? Yet somehow, like him, we believe in the chubby lovable girl, thanks to great acting, in a role made for Zellweger. Be prepared for Bridget Jones a third time and more of those fountain toss brawls between Grant and Firth.
