BAD TEACHER 2.0****
“Bad Teacher” is not a bad movie but is certainly is not a good one either. It scores just high enough for you to rent and watch it on your home TV provided you have a six-pack or big bottle of wine to help get you through the weak spots and there are plenty of those. In fact, you probably should have a couple of beers or a full glass of wine before you start watching to mellow you out.
Elizabeth Hasley (Cameron Diaz) is a foul-mouthed, bitter, and quite nasty teacher that is keeping the job only to pay the bills after her rich fiancée
dumps her. Facing debt, aging, and loneliness, Elizabeth starts setting her sights on a boob job and on a new (rich) teacher (Justin Timberlake), who has
also captured the attention of a manipulative rival teacher (Lucy Punch).
Despite the writing being a fickle mess, the cast is good. Cameron Diaz is one of those underrated talents in Hollywood, because she rarely ever delivers a mediocre or weak performance. She is also quite good here because she isn't afraid to actually look old, spent and wrinkled (but never unfoxy) And in this film, despite her role as a smoking/drinking/vulgar/manipulative/cynical/cruel and superficial person, you still secretly root for her to succeed.
Bad Teacher is a good idea but is poorly executed, yet even then is nearly saved by the energetic cast. The first half has some laughs, but is far too convoluted. The movie definitely picks up later, but by then its too late, the potential was wasted.
Rated “R” for some sexual content and nudity but mainly for the vulgar/crude language language and some drug use .
Clark
Friday, July 29, 2011
BAD TEACHER 2.0****
“Bad Teacher” is not a bad movie but is certainly is not a good one either. It scores just high enough for you to rent and watch it on your home TV provided you have a six-pack or big bottle of wine to help get you through the weak spots and there are plenty of those. In fact, you probably should have a couple of beers or a full glass of wine before you start watching to mellow you out.
Elizabeth Hasley (Cameron Diaz) is a foul-mouthed, bitter, and quite nasty teacher that is keeping the job only to pay the bills after her rich fiancée
dumps her. Facing debt, aging, and loneliness, Elizabeth starts setting her sights on a boob job and on a new (rich) teacher (Justin Timberlake), who has
also captured the attention of a manipulative rival teacher (Lucy Punch).
Despite the writing being a fickle mess, the cast is good. Cameron Diaz is one of those underrated talents in Hollywood, because she rarely ever delivers a mediocre or weak performance. She is also quite good here because she isn't afraid to actually look old, spent and wrinkled (but never unfoxy) And in this film, despite her role as a smoking/drinking/vulgar/manipulative/cynical/cruel and superficial person, you still secretly root for her to succeed.
Bad Teacher is a good idea but is poorly executed, yet even then is nearly saved by the energetic cast. The first half has some laughs, but is far too convoluted. The movie definitely picks up later, but by then its too late, the potential was wasted.
Rated “R” for some sexual content and nudity but mainly for the vulgar/crude language language and some drug use .
Clark
“Bad Teacher” is not a bad movie but is certainly is not a good one either. It scores just high enough for you to rent and watch it on your home TV provided you have a six-pack or big bottle of wine to help get you through the weak spots and there are plenty of those. In fact, you probably should have a couple of beers or a full glass of wine before you start watching to mellow you out.
Elizabeth Hasley (Cameron Diaz) is a foul-mouthed, bitter, and quite nasty teacher that is keeping the job only to pay the bills after her rich fiancée
dumps her. Facing debt, aging, and loneliness, Elizabeth starts setting her sights on a boob job and on a new (rich) teacher (Justin Timberlake), who has
also captured the attention of a manipulative rival teacher (Lucy Punch).
Despite the writing being a fickle mess, the cast is good. Cameron Diaz is one of those underrated talents in Hollywood, because she rarely ever delivers a mediocre or weak performance. She is also quite good here because she isn't afraid to actually look old, spent and wrinkled (but never unfoxy) And in this film, despite her role as a smoking/drinking/vulgar/manipulative/cynical/cruel and superficial person, you still secretly root for her to succeed.
Bad Teacher is a good idea but is poorly executed, yet even then is nearly saved by the energetic cast. The first half has some laughs, but is far too convoluted. The movie definitely picks up later, but by then its too late, the potential was wasted.
Rated “R” for some sexual content and nudity but mainly for the vulgar/crude language language and some drug use .
Clark
BAD TEACHER 2.0****
“Bad Teacher” is not a bad movie but is certainly is not a good one either. It scores just high enough for you to rent and watch it on your home TV provided you have a six-pack or big bottle of wine to help get you through the weak spots and there are plenty of those. In fact, you probably should have a couple of beers or a full glass of wine before you start watching to mellow you out.
Elizabeth Hasley (Cameron Diaz) is a foul-mouthed, bitter, and quite nasty teacher that is keeping the job only to pay the bills after her rich fiancée
dumps her. Facing debt, aging, and loneliness, Elizabeth starts setting her sights on a boob job and on a new (rich) teacher (Justin Timberlake), who has
also captured the attention of a manipulative rival teacher (Lucy Punch).
Despite the writing being a fickle mess, the cast is good. Cameron Diaz is one of those underrated talents in Hollywood, because she rarely ever delivers a mediocre or weak performance. She is also quite good here because she isn't afraid to actually look old, spent and wrinkled (but never unfoxy) And in this film, despite her role as a smoking/drinking/vulgar/manipulative/cynical/cruel and superficial person, you still secretly root for her to succeed.
Bad Teacher is a good idea but is poorly executed, yet even then is nearly saved by the energetic cast. The first half has some laughs, but is far too convoluted. The movie definitely picks up later, but by then its too late, the potential was wasted.
Rated “R” for some sexual content and nudity but mainly for the vulgar/crude language language and some drug use .
Clark
“Bad Teacher” is not a bad movie but is certainly is not a good one either. It scores just high enough for you to rent and watch it on your home TV provided you have a six-pack or big bottle of wine to help get you through the weak spots and there are plenty of those. In fact, you probably should have a couple of beers or a full glass of wine before you start watching to mellow you out.
Elizabeth Hasley (Cameron Diaz) is a foul-mouthed, bitter, and quite nasty teacher that is keeping the job only to pay the bills after her rich fiancée
dumps her. Facing debt, aging, and loneliness, Elizabeth starts setting her sights on a boob job and on a new (rich) teacher (Justin Timberlake), who has
also captured the attention of a manipulative rival teacher (Lucy Punch).
Despite the writing being a fickle mess, the cast is good. Cameron Diaz is one of those underrated talents in Hollywood, because she rarely ever delivers a mediocre or weak performance. She is also quite good here because she isn't afraid to actually look old, spent and wrinkled (but never unfoxy) And in this film, despite her role as a smoking/drinking/vulgar/manipulative/cynical/cruel and superficial person, you still secretly root for her to succeed.
Bad Teacher is a good idea but is poorly executed, yet even then is nearly saved by the energetic cast. The first half has some laughs, but is far too convoluted. The movie definitely picks up later, but by then its too late, the potential was wasted.
Rated “R” for some sexual content and nudity but mainly for the vulgar/crude language language and some drug use .
Clark
Monday, July 18, 2011
INSIDIOUS 3.0****
It starts with the title..”Insidious”... what does it mean? It rings through your head. Insidious... insidious... it's a fascinating word. It means "Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects”. After you see it, you’ll understand why it aptly called Insidious?"
This film will grab you right from the opening shots and its opening titles. The Director, James Wan ( he started the “Saw” films) knows, how to set the mood for an experience that will fill you with fear and dread, The cinematography is excellent and atmospheric... boasting a mostly muted and gray look. Wan's visual style sure is eye-catching and creepy.
The film's plot revolves around a family of five- A married couple, Josh and Renai, a teacher and musician and their 3 children. Having just moved into a new home, they seem to have a perfect sense of belonging. However, one night, the eldest child, Dalton, bumps his head after falling off the ladder in the extra spooky attic and the next day is in a comatose state. The many doctors who examine have no explanation for the coma. Three months later with Dalton still in a coma, creepy stuff begins to happen. Ghosts and Horrible Creatures pop out of nowhere and scare the heck out of the characters and the audience as well !!.. Break-ins occur, objects move around and awful sounds come from throughout the house.. Terrified, they move to Josh's mother's place, but even that doesn't help. Soon, they find out it's Dalton that's haunted- not the house, as his soul is stuck in a realm called “The Further”!!!
. Wan brings back what horror is about- being SCARED. To feel fear... to dread what's coming next. And this is what makes the movie so good. It's actually pretty damn scary. While it doesn't contain the slow-burn creeps and chills of 'Paranormal Activity', it does contain some of the most well executed and well timed scares in a long time. The movie also does something different than other ghost/horror stories: It's funny. While it doesn't go over-the-top, it does blend enough laughs throughout to greatly enhance the entertainment value of the overall film.
Rated PG-13 for violence, terror and frightening images, and brief strong language.
Clark
It starts with the title..”Insidious”... what does it mean? It rings through your head. Insidious... insidious... it's a fascinating word. It means "Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects”. After you see it, you’ll understand why it aptly called Insidious?"
This film will grab you right from the opening shots and its opening titles. The Director, James Wan ( he started the “Saw” films) knows, how to set the mood for an experience that will fill you with fear and dread, The cinematography is excellent and atmospheric... boasting a mostly muted and gray look. Wan's visual style sure is eye-catching and creepy.
The film's plot revolves around a family of five- A married couple, Josh and Renai, a teacher and musician and their 3 children. Having just moved into a new home, they seem to have a perfect sense of belonging. However, one night, the eldest child, Dalton, bumps his head after falling off the ladder in the extra spooky attic and the next day is in a comatose state. The many doctors who examine have no explanation for the coma. Three months later with Dalton still in a coma, creepy stuff begins to happen. Ghosts and Horrible Creatures pop out of nowhere and scare the heck out of the characters and the audience as well !!.. Break-ins occur, objects move around and awful sounds come from throughout the house.. Terrified, they move to Josh's mother's place, but even that doesn't help. Soon, they find out it's Dalton that's haunted- not the house, as his soul is stuck in a realm called “The Further”!!!
. Wan brings back what horror is about- being SCARED. To feel fear... to dread what's coming next. And this is what makes the movie so good. It's actually pretty damn scary. While it doesn't contain the slow-burn creeps and chills of 'Paranormal Activity', it does contain some of the most well executed and well timed scares in a long time. The movie also does something different than other ghost/horror stories: It's funny. While it doesn't go over-the-top, it does blend enough laughs throughout to greatly enhance the entertainment value of the overall film.
Rated PG-13 for violence, terror and frightening images, and brief strong language.
Clark
INSIDIOUS 3.0****
It starts with the title..”Insidious”... what does it mean? It rings through your head. Insidious... insidious... it's a fascinating word. It means "Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects”. After you see it, you’ll understand why it aptly called Insidious?"
This film will grab you right from the opening shots and its opening titles. The Director, James Wan ( he started the “Saw” films) knows, how to set the mood for an experience that will fill you with fear and dread, The cinematography is excellent and atmospheric... boasting a mostly muted and gray look. Wan's visual style sure is eye-catching and creepy.
The film's plot revolves around a family of five- A married couple, Josh and Renai, a teacher and musician and their 3 children. Having just moved into a new home, they seem to have a perfect sense of belonging. However, one night, the eldest child, Dalton, bumps his head after falling off the ladder in the extra spooky attic and the next day is in a comatose state. The many doctors who examine have no explanation for the coma. Three months later with Dalton still in a coma, creepy stuff begins to happen. Ghosts and Horrible Creatures pop out of nowhere and scare the heck out of the characters and the audience as well !!.. Break-ins occur, objects move around and awful sounds come from throughout the house.. Terrified, they move to Josh's mother's place, but even that doesn't help. Soon, they find out it's Dalton that's haunted- not the house, as his soul is stuck in a realm called “The Further”!!!
. Wan brings back what horror is about- being SCARED. To feel fear... to dread what's coming next. And this is what makes the movie so good. It's actually pretty damn scary. While it doesn't contain the slow-burn creeps and chills of 'Paranormal Activity', it does contain some of the most well executed and well timed scares in a long time. The movie also does something different than other ghost/horror stories: It's funny. While it doesn't go over-the-top, it does blend enough laughs throughout to greatly enhance the entertainment value of the overall film.
Rated PG-13 for violence, terror and frightening images, and brief strong language.
Clark
It starts with the title..”Insidious”... what does it mean? It rings through your head. Insidious... insidious... it's a fascinating word. It means "Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects”. After you see it, you’ll understand why it aptly called Insidious?"
This film will grab you right from the opening shots and its opening titles. The Director, James Wan ( he started the “Saw” films) knows, how to set the mood for an experience that will fill you with fear and dread, The cinematography is excellent and atmospheric... boasting a mostly muted and gray look. Wan's visual style sure is eye-catching and creepy.
The film's plot revolves around a family of five- A married couple, Josh and Renai, a teacher and musician and their 3 children. Having just moved into a new home, they seem to have a perfect sense of belonging. However, one night, the eldest child, Dalton, bumps his head after falling off the ladder in the extra spooky attic and the next day is in a comatose state. The many doctors who examine have no explanation for the coma. Three months later with Dalton still in a coma, creepy stuff begins to happen. Ghosts and Horrible Creatures pop out of nowhere and scare the heck out of the characters and the audience as well !!.. Break-ins occur, objects move around and awful sounds come from throughout the house.. Terrified, they move to Josh's mother's place, but even that doesn't help. Soon, they find out it's Dalton that's haunted- not the house, as his soul is stuck in a realm called “The Further”!!!
. Wan brings back what horror is about- being SCARED. To feel fear... to dread what's coming next. And this is what makes the movie so good. It's actually pretty damn scary. While it doesn't contain the slow-burn creeps and chills of 'Paranormal Activity', it does contain some of the most well executed and well timed scares in a long time. The movie also does something different than other ghost/horror stories: It's funny. While it doesn't go over-the-top, it does blend enough laughs throughout to greatly enhance the entertainment value of the overall film.
Rated PG-13 for violence, terror and frightening images, and brief strong language.
Clark
Sunday, July 17, 2011
INSIDIOUS 3.0****
It starts with the title..”Insidious”... what does it mean? It rings through your head. Insidious... insidious... it's a fascinating word. It means "Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects”. After you see it, you’ll understand why it aptly called Insidious?"
This film will grab you right from the opening shots and its opening titles. The Director, James Wan ( he started the “Saw” films) knows, how to set the mood for an experience that will fill you with fear and dread, The cinematography is excellent and atmospheric... boasting a mostly muted and gray look. Wan's visual style sure is eye-catching and creepy.
The film's plot revolves around a family of five- A married couple, Josh and Renai, a teacher and musician and their 3 children. Having just moved into a new home, they seem to have a perfect sense of belonging. However, one night, the eldest child, Dalton, bumps his head after falling off the ladder in the extra spooky attic and the next day is in a comatose state. The many doctors who examine have no explanation for the coma. Three months later with Dalton still in a coma, creepy stuff begins to happen. Ghosts and Horrible Creatures pop out of nowhere and scare the heck out of the characters and the audience as well !!.. Break-ins occur, objects move around and awful sounds come from throughout the house.. Terrified, they move to Josh's mother's place, but even that doesn't help. Soon, they find out it's Dalton that's haunted- not the house, as his soul is stuck in a realm called “The Further”!!!
. Wan brings back what horror is about- being SCARED. To feel fear... to dread what's coming next. And this is what makes the movie so good. It's actually pretty damn scary. While it doesn't contain the slow-burn creeps and chills of 'Paranormal Activity', it does contain some of the most well executed and well timed scares in a long time. The movie also does something different than other ghost/horror stories: It's funny. While it doesn't go over-the-top, it does blend enough laughs throughout to greatly enhance the entertainment value of the overall film.
Rated PG-13 for violence, terror and frightening images, and brief strong language.
Clark
It starts with the title..”Insidious”... what does it mean? It rings through your head. Insidious... insidious... it's a fascinating word. It means "Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects”. After you see it, you’ll understand why it aptly called Insidious?"
This film will grab you right from the opening shots and its opening titles. The Director, James Wan ( he started the “Saw” films) knows, how to set the mood for an experience that will fill you with fear and dread, The cinematography is excellent and atmospheric... boasting a mostly muted and gray look. Wan's visual style sure is eye-catching and creepy.
The film's plot revolves around a family of five- A married couple, Josh and Renai, a teacher and musician and their 3 children. Having just moved into a new home, they seem to have a perfect sense of belonging. However, one night, the eldest child, Dalton, bumps his head after falling off the ladder in the extra spooky attic and the next day is in a comatose state. The many doctors who examine have no explanation for the coma. Three months later with Dalton still in a coma, creepy stuff begins to happen. Ghosts and Horrible Creatures pop out of nowhere and scare the heck out of the characters and the audience as well !!.. Break-ins occur, objects move around and awful sounds come from throughout the house.. Terrified, they move to Josh's mother's place, but even that doesn't help. Soon, they find out it's Dalton that's haunted- not the house, as his soul is stuck in a realm called “The Further”!!!
. Wan brings back what horror is about- being SCARED. To feel fear... to dread what's coming next. And this is what makes the movie so good. It's actually pretty damn scary. While it doesn't contain the slow-burn creeps and chills of 'Paranormal Activity', it does contain some of the most well executed and well timed scares in a long time. The movie also does something different than other ghost/horror stories: It's funny. While it doesn't go over-the-top, it does blend enough laughs throughout to greatly enhance the entertainment value of the overall film.
Rated PG-13 for violence, terror and frightening images, and brief strong language.
Clark
Saturday, July 16, 2011
HORRIBLE BOSSES 3.2****
Horrible Bosses is a well done comedy that blends a plot full of fun twists with standout comedic performances, plenty of surprises, and the inability to ever become predictable. Unlike most recent R-rated comedies, this film is raunchy without truly crossing the line, profane without becoming redundant and outrageous without becoming tedious. Don't look now but this movie is legitimately funny, and among the better comedies released this year.
The cast is hands-down the reason why this movie works. Our three leading actors Bateman, Day, and Sudeikis were solid with their performances but not ready to promote them as the exemplary comedic performances of 2011. However, their evil counterparts were bad to the bone! Kevin Spacey is vintage villainous Kevin Spacey as the profoundly horrible Harken. Colin Farrell is the scene-stealer of all the with his spectacular work as the despicable Pellitt; I am just Pellitting as it is. And my friends, I guarantee you have never seen this side of Jennifer Aniston with her hands-on deadpan performance as the Sexual Dentist the Menace Dr. Harris. Since the film gives the audience plenty of good reasons to hate these bosses, this helps to relate to the three friends' plan to murder them. What follows is their hilarious efforts to find a way to get it done without getting caught. The premise is promising and thanks to a good script, the potential is indeed delivered—although not in the ways you'd expect.
If you've enjoyed movies like “The Hangover” or “Bridesmaids”, you'll love “Horrible Bosses”. It is simply the best comedy so far this summer, and deserves to be seen in theaters. . It is a not to be missed this summer film.
Rated “R’ for being crude and raunchy, for its sexual content, pervasive language and some drug material.
Clark
Horrible Bosses is a well done comedy that blends a plot full of fun twists with standout comedic performances, plenty of surprises, and the inability to ever become predictable. Unlike most recent R-rated comedies, this film is raunchy without truly crossing the line, profane without becoming redundant and outrageous without becoming tedious. Don't look now but this movie is legitimately funny, and among the better comedies released this year.
The cast is hands-down the reason why this movie works. Our three leading actors Bateman, Day, and Sudeikis were solid with their performances but not ready to promote them as the exemplary comedic performances of 2011. However, their evil counterparts were bad to the bone! Kevin Spacey is vintage villainous Kevin Spacey as the profoundly horrible Harken. Colin Farrell is the scene-stealer of all the with his spectacular work as the despicable Pellitt; I am just Pellitting as it is. And my friends, I guarantee you have never seen this side of Jennifer Aniston with her hands-on deadpan performance as the Sexual Dentist the Menace Dr. Harris. Since the film gives the audience plenty of good reasons to hate these bosses, this helps to relate to the three friends' plan to murder them. What follows is their hilarious efforts to find a way to get it done without getting caught. The premise is promising and thanks to a good script, the potential is indeed delivered—although not in the ways you'd expect.
If you've enjoyed movies like “The Hangover” or “Bridesmaids”, you'll love “Horrible Bosses”. It is simply the best comedy so far this summer, and deserves to be seen in theaters. . It is a not to be missed this summer film.
Rated “R’ for being crude and raunchy, for its sexual content, pervasive language and some drug material.
Clark
Friday, July 8, 2011
HOW DO YOU KNOW 2.3***
Somewhere hidden in this 2010 comedy is a small independent film about flawed characters trying to take charge of their lives when they really never had the control to begin with. That more intimate movie is the one I wanted to see, but veteran director/screenwriter James L. Brooks missed the boat on this one… not by much but enough for it to be a lost opportunity. That's not to say the movie isn't smart, insightful, and funny in its scattershot way, but it's just too unwieldy and too long .
The story focuses on 31-year-old Lisa Jorgenson(Reese Witherspoon), a popular career softball player who suddenly gets cut from the Team USA roster. Cast adrift from her one passion in life, she starts dating Matty Reynolds(Owen Wilson), a self-indulgent, womanizing pro baseball player. In this tenuous situation comes George Madison,(Paul Rudd) a financial executive whose world comes crashing down when he becomes the target of a criminal investigation for corporate malfeasance at a company run by his conniving tycoon father Charles Madison(Jack Niholson). George's shallow girlfriend dumps him, so he calls Lisa(a mutual friend of both puts him on to her) for what turns out to be a disastrous blind date. At the same time, they haphazardly bond over their respective misfortunes just as Matty tries to acquit himself of his selfish, womanizing ways. This romantic triangle is set up for further complications and an interesting ending.
The stars perform admirably under the circumstances but it is as if each actor is working alone and never talked to the others. Much worse, Director Brooks( also the director of classic films: “Broadcast News” and “Terms of Endearment”) seems to have no control over the cast and fails to bring any has coherence to the story. Too cute, too star-studded and entirely too long, “How Do You Know” is a jocks’ Rom-Com that offers proof that Brooks has lost his fastball .
Clark
Somewhere hidden in this 2010 comedy is a small independent film about flawed characters trying to take charge of their lives when they really never had the control to begin with. That more intimate movie is the one I wanted to see, but veteran director/screenwriter James L. Brooks missed the boat on this one… not by much but enough for it to be a lost opportunity. That's not to say the movie isn't smart, insightful, and funny in its scattershot way, but it's just too unwieldy and too long .
The story focuses on 31-year-old Lisa Jorgenson(Reese Witherspoon), a popular career softball player who suddenly gets cut from the Team USA roster. Cast adrift from her one passion in life, she starts dating Matty Reynolds(Owen Wilson), a self-indulgent, womanizing pro baseball player. In this tenuous situation comes George Madison,(Paul Rudd) a financial executive whose world comes crashing down when he becomes the target of a criminal investigation for corporate malfeasance at a company run by his conniving tycoon father Charles Madison(Jack Niholson). George's shallow girlfriend dumps him, so he calls Lisa(a mutual friend of both puts him on to her) for what turns out to be a disastrous blind date. At the same time, they haphazardly bond over their respective misfortunes just as Matty tries to acquit himself of his selfish, womanizing ways. This romantic triangle is set up for further complications and an interesting ending.
The stars perform admirably under the circumstances but it is as if each actor is working alone and never talked to the others. Much worse, Director Brooks( also the director of classic films: “Broadcast News” and “Terms of Endearment”) seems to have no control over the cast and fails to bring any has coherence to the story. Too cute, too star-studded and entirely too long, “How Do You Know” is a jocks’ Rom-Com that offers proof that Brooks has lost his fastball .
Clark
HOW DO YOU KNOW 2.3***
Somewhere hidden in this 2010 comedy is a small independent film about flawed characters trying to take charge of their lives when they really never had the control to begin with. That more intimate movie is the one I wanted to see, but veteran director/screenwriter James L. Brooks missed the boat on this one… not by much but enough for it to be a lost opportunity. That's not to say the movie isn't smart, insightful, and funny in its scattershot way, but it's just too unwieldy and too long .
The story focuses on 31-year-old Lisa Jorgenson(Reese Witherspoon), a popular career softball player who suddenly gets cut from the Team USA roster. Cast adrift from her one passion in life, she starts dating Matty Reynolds(Owen Wilson), a self-indulgent, womanizing pro baseball player. In this tenuous situation comes George Madison,(Paul Rudd) a financial executive whose world comes crashing down when he becomes the target of a criminal investigation for corporate malfeasance at a company run by his conniving tycoon father Charles Madison(Jack Niholson). George's shallow girlfriend dumps him, so he calls Lisa(a mutual friend of both puts him on to her) for what turns out to be a disastrous blind date. At the same time, they haphazardly bond over their respective misfortunes just as Matty tries to acquit himself of his selfish, womanizing ways. This romantic triangle is set up for further complications and an interesting ending.
The stars perform admirably under the circumstances but it is as if each actor is working alone and never talked to the others. Much worse, Director Brooks( also the director of classic films: “Broadcast News” and “Terms of Endearment”) seems to have no control over the cast and fails to bring any has coherence to the story. Too cute, too star-studded and entirely too long, “How Do You Know” is a jocks’ Rom-Com that offers proof that Brooks has lost his fastball .
Clark
Somewhere hidden in this 2010 comedy is a small independent film about flawed characters trying to take charge of their lives when they really never had the control to begin with. That more intimate movie is the one I wanted to see, but veteran director/screenwriter James L. Brooks missed the boat on this one… not by much but enough for it to be a lost opportunity. That's not to say the movie isn't smart, insightful, and funny in its scattershot way, but it's just too unwieldy and too long .
The story focuses on 31-year-old Lisa Jorgenson(Reese Witherspoon), a popular career softball player who suddenly gets cut from the Team USA roster. Cast adrift from her one passion in life, she starts dating Matty Reynolds(Owen Wilson), a self-indulgent, womanizing pro baseball player. In this tenuous situation comes George Madison,(Paul Rudd) a financial executive whose world comes crashing down when he becomes the target of a criminal investigation for corporate malfeasance at a company run by his conniving tycoon father Charles Madison(Jack Niholson). George's shallow girlfriend dumps him, so he calls Lisa(a mutual friend of both puts him on to her) for what turns out to be a disastrous blind date. At the same time, they haphazardly bond over their respective misfortunes just as Matty tries to acquit himself of his selfish, womanizing ways. This romantic triangle is set up for further complications and an interesting ending.
The stars perform admirably under the circumstances but it is as if each actor is working alone and never talked to the others. Much worse, Director Brooks( also the director of classic films: “Broadcast News” and “Terms of Endearment”) seems to have no control over the cast and fails to bring any has coherence to the story. Too cute, too star-studded and entirely too long, “How Do You Know” is a jocks’ Rom-Com that offers proof that Brooks has lost his fastball .
Clark
Sunday, July 3, 2011
SUPER 8 3.0***
First off, “Super 8” is a celebration of some of Steven Spielberg’s great 70’s/80”s: movies: “The Goonies”, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “E.T.” along with Director J.J. Abrams' two big monster creations: “Cloverfield” and TV’s “Lost”. This combination ultimately makes for a unique blend of childhood misfortune and scary monster action, which is a great mixture and works very well.
Super 8’ is one of those “films-within-a –film”. It’s about a young group of kids 13 t0 15 who are trying to make a zombie movie in the summer of 1979. While they're filming a scene at the train station late at night they witness a terrible train wreck that causes their small town to become the hot spot of an Air Force Military Investigation. It quickly becomes clear that the military is attempting to keep a horrible secret from everyone else and when people and mechanical items begin mystreiously disappearing things get even more scary and foreboding.
“Super 8 captures the nostalgia of the 70’s/80’s perfectly; from the sets, the attitudes, the costumes, the language – everything flows perfectly. In keeping with the theme with the era, the story had an innocence about it, and even through there is a lot of mayhem and destruction all round, the sweetness is never lost between the characters. Making it even better is a cast of wonderful child actors which is the main reason you’ll be reminded of “The Goonies”. Especially note worthy are Joel Courtney, as the lead teen ager who has the sweetness that Henry Thomas brought to “E.T.” ; and Elle Fanning who is so natural in her role and, amazingly ,she’s only 13? The Fannings must be breeding with child actor genes or something. She was fantastic. Not only does the cast display strong acting chops, they capture the essence of the era brilliantly. If you grew up during that time, it will bring you back to your own childhood which for most of us is a pleasant remembrance.
Rated PG-13, it is not that violent, a little scary but most kids can handle if.
Clark
First off, “Super 8” is a celebration of some of Steven Spielberg’s great 70’s/80”s: movies: “The Goonies”, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “E.T.” along with Director J.J. Abrams' two big monster creations: “Cloverfield” and TV’s “Lost”. This combination ultimately makes for a unique blend of childhood misfortune and scary monster action, which is a great mixture and works very well.
Super 8’ is one of those “films-within-a –film”. It’s about a young group of kids 13 t0 15 who are trying to make a zombie movie in the summer of 1979. While they're filming a scene at the train station late at night they witness a terrible train wreck that causes their small town to become the hot spot of an Air Force Military Investigation. It quickly becomes clear that the military is attempting to keep a horrible secret from everyone else and when people and mechanical items begin mystreiously disappearing things get even more scary and foreboding.
“Super 8 captures the nostalgia of the 70’s/80’s perfectly; from the sets, the attitudes, the costumes, the language – everything flows perfectly. In keeping with the theme with the era, the story had an innocence about it, and even through there is a lot of mayhem and destruction all round, the sweetness is never lost between the characters. Making it even better is a cast of wonderful child actors which is the main reason you’ll be reminded of “The Goonies”. Especially note worthy are Joel Courtney, as the lead teen ager who has the sweetness that Henry Thomas brought to “E.T.” ; and Elle Fanning who is so natural in her role and, amazingly ,she’s only 13? The Fannings must be breeding with child actor genes or something. She was fantastic. Not only does the cast display strong acting chops, they capture the essence of the era brilliantly. If you grew up during that time, it will bring you back to your own childhood which for most of us is a pleasant remembrance.
Rated PG-13, it is not that violent, a little scary but most kids can handle if.
Clark
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