Recently in Romance pg.3 Category

LABOR PAINS (2009)

By Colon on November 12, 2009 1:40 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Directed by Lara Shapiro. Starring Lindsay Lohan, Luke Kirby, Nick Parnell, Aaron Yoo, Cheryl Hines, Tracee Ellis Ross, Janeane Garofolo. Comedy.Synopsis: A secretary at a publishing company who is in danger of losing her job pretend to be pregnant in order to avoid getting fired.

I have not had the chance to look at a lot of Lohan's work, though like anyone else, I know she is a pretty prolific tabloid gal. I say that to say that I was pleasantly surprised when I looked at this flick and determined that she has a good bit of talent, especially comedic talent.
I know that may sound a little condescending, but I'm of the opinion that being a star and being a talented actor is not necessarily one in the same, in fact, in some cases they are mutually exclusive.

The story is a cute premise. Thea (Lohan) is a secretary at a publishing company who is trying to take care of her teen age sister (Bridget Mendler) and muddle through her job, at which she is less than spectacular. She does have a difficult and arrogant boss (Nick Parnell) who is always on her case. One time, when commiserating with work pal Lisa (Cheryl Hines) on an unauthorized smoke break about her dislike for her boss and his unusual attachment to his dog, she is overheard by him and subsequently fired. Thea is a quick thinker and she immediately comes up with her pregnancy as an excuse not to be fired.

Good excuse, and it works, but the hard truth is she is not pregnant. Well, now the fun begins as Thea needs to cover up the lie and tell more lies to do so. (Doesn't it always happen that way? I mean, I wouldn't know, I'm just asking...) The funny situations that will present themselves are obvious and the flick takes pretty good advantage of the situation.

The thing is, the fake isn't all bad, due to her boss being out of the office for a while, Thea soon finds herself with more responsibility and promotion to boot. Things are looking up, there is a little more money and prestige, and she is working on a promising book project. On top of that, she feels good enough to kick her immature boyfriend (Aaron Yoo) to the curb and start checking out someone in the office, Nick (Luke Kirby), who she really likes and seems similarly smitten with her.

Of course, this is all predicated on people thinking she is with child and, wouldn't you know it, over time Thea seems to act as if she really is as well. Take it from a survivor of 1980's cinema, pregnancy/baby movies were all the rage at the time and I thought I'd had my fill of the cutesy baby movie thing. But, Labor Pains is a little different in that it doesn't try to over the top with the cutesy stuff, in fact, it elicits some laughs out of the less glamorous but all too real uncomfortable and aggravating aspects of carrying a child in the belly. I kind of liked it. Mostly because I thought the actors did well.

As I said, Lohan herself surprised me with her performance, and she especially has some talent in physical and reactive comedy. But, she is not alone, Cheryl Hines in particular is very effective, not to mention funny, in the "best gal pal" role and Luke Kirby does well as the leading man. Almost all of the other supporting characters have their moment or moments that will make you chuckle and Janeane Garafolo's brief scenes bring some comedic heft to the flick.

Like I said, I liked it and I didn't necessarily expect to, so if you give my review any weight at all, factor that in when making your decision on this flick.

NEW IN TOWN (2009)

By Colon on November 8, 2009 9:41 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Directed by Jonas Elmer. Starring Renee Zellweger, Harry Connick Jr., Siobahn Fallon, J.K. Simmons. Romantic Comedy. Synopsis: A corporate manager from Miama with dreams of being a CEO accepts an assignment to travel to a small production plant in Minnesota to evaluate it for potential downsizing. There she slowly becomes attached to the town folk in general and one brash gou in particular, who also happens to be the union representative she will have to face in business negotiations.

I really liked this one. No kidding. I know I've blogged before about how I'm not too big a fan of this genre, but New In Town, in my opinion, far outdoes the standard formulaic outlines of most of the movies in this genre which tend to be: 1) boy meets girl/boy loses girl/boy gets girl back or 2) girl meets boy/girl can't stand boy/girl falls madly in love with boy.

I'm not going to fib to you and tell you there aren't elements of both of those familiar themes in this flick but, in my opinion, the movie is also telling a very real story and telling it very well.

Lucy Hill (Renee Zellweger Chicago) is an upwardly mobile executive who is looking to distringuish herself in her company that specializes in corporate acquisitions. She lives a comfortable and corporate south Florida lifestyle.Lucy volunteers for an assignment to go evaluate on her company's holdings in Minnesota, specifically to assess it for downsizing.

As you might guess, a south Florida executive setting up shop in rural Northern Minnesota is a recipe for some laugbhs just based on the cultural shock alone, and the flick delivers these well, which is not as easy as you might think because, hell, we know what's coming.

The people of New Ulm, Minnesota seem different and a little strange to Lucy at first, even though her new secretary, Blanche (Siobahn Fallon Men In Black) is nothing if not unfailingly friendly. The same can't be said for the plant manager, Stu (J.K. Simmons Burn After Reading) who is upfront and open with his suspicions of Lucy and her true motives and ends up quickly on the top of her termination list. Also not in the Lucy Fan Club at the beginning is one of the more elgible bachelors in town, Ted (Harry Connick, Jr. Independence Day) who Blanche tries to hook up Lucy with from the beginning. Let's just say the sparks don't fly initially and two different worlds clash...which wouldn't be a big deal except for Ted is also the union rep. Lucy will have to "dialogue" with (when you see the flick, or if you have seen it, you'll know why I use quotes on that word).

Now, we all know Ted and Lucy are going to hook up, but the way they do is interesting and not too hokey. Most impressive for me, is that, while delievering up some real laughs, is that the all too real story of a small working class town whose main industry/employer is slowly but surely dying is woven into the story seamlessly and, to me, very effectively.

So, those of you who like to have your heart strings pulled and your tears jerked just might get what you want here, those of you who like to laugh will get multiples on that front, my personal favorite being Lucy not realizing why everyone at the dinner party is really wondering if her top is insufficient to keep her warm in the frigid Minnesota winter until she goes into the bathroom to freshen up a little...the premise is funny and well done and Lucy's attempts to "warm up" a little had me roaring.

The acting is well done, if the Minnesota accents were a little over done. Accurate, for those of us who have heard the tone, just a little bit over done. Zellweger is good, as usual and Connick showed me some depth and talent as an actor I didn't know he had, quite frankly. Simmons is in a familiar role as the irascible guy you kind of like nevertheless, but my vote for the outstanding performance goes to Fallon, whose performance as Blanche is just wonderful; delivering the comedic punch in limited dialogue but also great depth to the pathos of her character. I know comedic movies and the actors in them are persona non grata with the Academy in most years, but I would think Fallon should at least get consideration for a Best Supporting Actress nomination.

New In Town is going to give you what you expect, but what makes it one I'm going to say you should check out is that it also gives you a little more.

FIGHTING (2009)

By Colon on November 7, 2009 9:39 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Directed by Dito Montiel. Starring: Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Zulay Henao, Luis Guzman, Roger Guenveur Smith, Brian White.Action/Drama.Synopsis: A young man from Alabama lands in New York City looking to make money any way he can and gets into the underworld of bare knuckle fighting though the urging of a struggling street hustler.

This one wasn't too bad. I don't know that its marketing is exactly spot on because I think the average person sizing this one up would expect to get something really graphic and cutting edge when it comes to the violence and fisticuffs ww will see onscreen and, while there is plenty of fighting action, its not particularly cutting edge or brutally violent by today's standards.

But, I would call Fighting a decent flick if one goes into it with realistic expectations. Sean MacArthur (Channing Tatum) is a young man with a bit of a past up in NYC from Birmingham, AL. He's determined to make some money, and starts out being a street vendor. As these things will, his occupation soon finds him in fisticuffs in the streets and he acquits himself well, catching the eye of Harvey (Terrence Howard Hustle & Flow) who recruits Sean into the world of bare kncukle fighting which, apparently, pays big money.

Of course, we need an ogre to be the antagonist to our protagonist and he comes in the form of Evan (Brian White) a legitimate fighter who has no use for Harvey or Sean, as it seems they have somewhat of a history with each other back in Birmigham...as luck would have it.

The love interest is Zulay (Zulay Henao), whom Sean meets both in his short attempt at street sales and again when he embarks on his fighting career. She is a waitress in a club who also has a history with...Harvey. Of course, the sparks begin to fly and the relationship heats up, leading to Sean's ultimate bout with Evan.

Look, a lot about the premise of this flick is a little hard to buy, not least of which is the amount of money a fighter can make duking it out bare knuckle in clubs with 50 people watching. We really have to suspend disbelief a little too much to buy how quickly and neatly the plot comes together, not to mention guys with ties to one another who just happen to meet up in a city of 8 million people.

But, I said it wasn't too bad and I meant it, the acting is pretty good, especially given the lack of depth given to the characters by the script. Some may think Tatum is trying to hard to be Brando with his slow, low toned delivery of his lines, but I liked him in the role, I did believe him as the Alabama boy in NYC, even if the premise was a little far fetched.Howard is a talented actor and really uplifts the story with his performance as Harvey.

Zulay Henao, in addition to being incredibly beautiful, jumps off the screen and really gives a good performance, there is definite chemistry between her and Tatum. When you have supporting actors like Guzman (Traffic) and Smith (Malcom X) its going to raise your flick up a notch and that is what happens here as well.

I don't think there is anything special about thias flick, but I do think those who watch it will probably be entertained for a couple of hours, as well as enjou some pretty good acting performances. Not the best thing you can contemplate, but not too bad, either, so why not watch it and form your own opinion?

That's what I did.

SUSPECT ZERO (2004)

By Colon on November 3, 2009 9:29 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Directed by E. Elias Merhige. Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley, Carrie-Ann Moss, Harry Lennix, Kevin Chamberlin.Drama/Sci-Fi. Synopsis: A federal agent recently demoted to an office in New Mexico believes that a series of murders are actually a roving serial killer who is targeting serial killers.

This one was pretty good, but could have been better, in my opinion. The premise is pretty complex. A federal agent who has previously had issues (Aaron Eckhart Thank You For Smoking) lands in an office in the back water of New Mexico and and immediately gets involved in the investigation into the murder of a traveling salesman (Kevin Chamberlin Lucky Slevin). He also has to deal with the fact that one of the agents he will be working is a woman (Carrie Anne-Moss) he had a relationship with at his previous assignment when he engaged in conduct that put his career in jeopardy.

He soon lears that the victim in the crime he is investigating was himself a serial killer and comes to believe that he is chasing "Suspect Zero", a theoretical serial killer who targets serial killers. Now, that is quite a theory and quite an interesting plot, especially since his boss (Harry Lennix Chrystal) thinks his theory is crazy. It turns out that Suspect Zero is real, in the form of a former government agent named O'Ryan (Ben Kingsley Blood Rayne Lucky Number Slevin) , who was part of a top secret project, called remote viewing, which allowed agents to "view" remote locations and events without actually being present.

O.k., that is a little hard to buy but, apparently, it is/was an actual military project, according to the special features on the DVD. And, in the flick, O'Ryan uses his "ability" to target and then kill...serial killers.

Its the combination of these two potentially interesting stories that I don't think works well cinematically.I guess you need a reason why someone can track and kill serial killers, all of who are depicted as being active serial killers who are not under suspicion for their deeds. But, as far as the flick is concerned, I just don't thnk it worked as well as it could have if the movie has stayed with the premise of a serial killer killing serial killers, which is an extrememly interesting story, or even the remote viewing angle.

The movie does not suffer due to any fault of the actors, Kingsley is simmering evil in his portrayal of O'Ryan and, in my opinion, with a better story, this could have been a flick for the ages. The way its set up, however, O'Ryan is to loosely portrayed as villian, hero, and victim. I think the film needed to pick one. Further, not enough was done in the flick to really develop or provide depth to the "remote viewing" angle, which I think tended to move this movie-undeservedly so-into the campy sci-fi area.

The acting is to good for that area but, I'm sorry, if you're going to make a movie where someone has the ability to see things happening hundreds of miles away, you've got to really provide a solid back story and I don't think the film did that, hence my suggestion that it should have stuck with one of its major themes. Even if you buy the remote viewing theme as told, it still does not explain O'Ryan's detailed knowledge of the people he stalks...its not like he has remote hearing as well.

Like I said, the acting is good, Eckhart is certainly a quality lead and Moss does fine, too, I did buy the chemistry between them though I felt the romance angle was unnecessary as far as the story line.

But, that is just my opinion.

ITS ALL ABOUT LOVE (2003)

By Colon on October 26, 2009 6:34 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Directed by Thomas Vinterberg. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Clair Danes, Sean Penn. Romance/Drama Synopsis: A unique story of a rekindled romance between two Polish born Americans on the eve of the finalization of their divorce. Set in the future, the Earth of 2021 is radically different in the area of weather and culture.

This is a very interesting film, one that will strike different people in different ways. I happened to like it, the person I viewed it with hated it, and I must say that it is hard to describe, made in a way as to be heavy on symbolism and ambiguity, but not in an obvious way.

Its set in the future, but only in the summer of the year 2021, only twelve years (eighteen from the time of the making of the movie) into the future, so do not expect to see depictions of technology that is unknown to us at this point in time. What is radically different (or maybe not, depending on your world view) is the culture of the world, in addition to drastically different weather.

The story starts with John (Phoenix The Village) arriving on a flight to New York, where he is to have a brief stopover to meet with his wife, Elena (Danes) to sign their divorce papers. Phoenix, in voice over, tells us that he will tell us "....what happened in the last seven days of his life...", itself an ambiguous reference open to interpretation, particularly at the end of the film.

John is met at the airport by two representatives of Elena, a world famous figure skater, who tell him that he will have to go to her apartment in NYC to meet with her and will also have to reschedule his connecting flight to Calgary. Right away, in this initial scene, we get a taste of the surreal, David Lynch film-like quality of this picture as John and his contacts at the airport view a dead person at the bottom of the escalator. John seems surprised by this and is told by Elena's representatives just to "step over him" and that is was probably something to do with his "heart" and, finally, that this is not an uncommon occurrence in NYC these days. The unattended, ignored corpse theme is one that will recur throughout the film.

Upon meeting with Elena, it is apparent that two things are true: 1) there is still love between John and Elena, who is particularly reluctant to finalize the divorce 2) Elena is unhappy in her present occupation as a world famous figure skater and, in fact, believes that she is in some kind of imminent danger.

The interesting backdrop of this film removes it from the familiar "rekindling love before its too late" theme that we've all seen dozens of times. Elena has an entourage the size of a Presidential candidate and they, obviously, feed off of her earnings in way that will remind boxing fans of the clingers who follow around the heavyweight champion. Further, there is the growing suspicion on the part of John, with good reason, that Elena really is in danger from her friends and he sets his mind to freeing her from this increasingly dire situation.

One thing I like about this movie is that the backdrop of the story is flavored with commentaries on the society in the form of newscasts that are, almost constantly, playing in the background. (kind of reminiscent of Robocop ) We learn that it snows frequently in the summer of 2021, and NYC itself is blanketed by the white powder. Additionally, there is the recurring background news of mysterious flying Ugandans, people from that country who, for no apparent reason, have the ability to fly and not come down. There is one brief scene that depicts this, with the Ugandans in the air and tethered from the ground. Also, there is the phenomena of fresh water freezing, instantly and without known cause, for a couple of minutes every so often. We learn of this from a newscast in the background, warning citizens of the fresh water freeze in the same serious, yet casual tone, that weathermen warn people to stay indoors on hot humid days or to drive carefully on snowy days.

What does all this mean? I'm not sure, but it certainly is meant to be part of the fabric of the story, and one can take its symbolism for what one wants, I guess. I haven't even mentioned that you will see the reality of cloning in this movie, and the effect of this on both the clones as well as the clonee. (is that a word?)

I'm sure you're sitting there thinking, "O.k., this movie has one of the best actors of the last twenty years in it, and this dork hasn't even mentioned him, yet." Well, you're right. (Not about the dork part, though) Sean Penn plays Marciello, the brother of John who is on an airplane that, apparently, cannot land and does not through the course of the film. Marciello is leaving messages for John intermittently throughout the course of the film on his view of the world, love, and other broad topics, though the two never actually converse, nor does Penn interact with any of the other major or minor characters in the movie. Strange.

To me, this is a movie that is just a love story, and talks about love being the strongest force amidst anything else, whether its natural phenomena, deceit, betrayal, or even violence. There are quite a few layers to the film, and you'll have to see it more than once to pick up what it all means...which might be something totally different from anyone else you know who has also seen it.

Fans of Phoenix, Danes, and surrealistic movies of the Lynch variety or art type films will want to give this a shot. If you are a fan of Sean Penn, like me, and only want to see it because of him, I urge caution. Not because he is bad or anything, it's just that his character is so on the periphery that it is impossible for him to carry the film or totally reinvent himself as he always seems to in his movies.

Just know what you are getting into with this film. It's not a popcorn, pass the time without thinking kind of flick. There is not much action and don't let its future setting lull you into thinking its even partially sci-fi. Its a good movie about a love story, made and told in a very unusual way. Some will like it, many won't. I did, but that's just me.

YOU, ME, & DUPREE (2006)

By Colon on October 24, 2009 11:03 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. Starring: Matt Dillon, Owen Wilson, Kate Hudson, Michael Douglas, Seth Rogen. Comedy/Romance. Synopsis: A newly married businessman deals with his new marriage, disapproving father in law who is also his boss at the same time he invites his immature lifelong buddy into his home.

You just look the cast for this one and know it should be good. Good actors, funny actors, and a story line with plots and subplots that almost anyone can identify with...if we haven't been there ourselves, we probably know someone who has.

The setup for the story line is fairly simple but brilliant in the way its used for our story. Owen Wilson and Matt Dillon (Crash) are life long best friends who know each other about as well as they know themselves. But, they are not two peas in a pod. No, sir. Matt Dillon's character is driven, serious, and moderately successful in his career. Most importantly, he is about to be married to the love of his life, Molly( Kate Hudson, The Skeleton Key) And, it just so happens that his boss (Michael Douglass) is her father.

Owen Wilson (Dupree, as you might guess) is a thirty-something going on 16 who places nothing above having a good time. After making his belated appearance in Hawaii for the wedding as his friend's best man, we soon find out that Dupree has been a little down on his luck. "Down on his luck" to the tune of being homeless, unemployed, and having no money. Not that this seems to worry him as much it would-say, me or you-but it is a slight issue for him.

Well, his best friend gets wind of this and tells his slightly surprised new wife that Dupree will be staying with them...just for a while. Well, as you might guess, the idea of a guy so dedicated to the bachelor lifestyle moving in with his best friend and his new bride gives us plenty of opportunity for laughs. The good thing is that, even though we have seen some of this and/or no what's coming, its still plays as funny and fresh and does not lapse into comedy cliche.

There is another layer in the film, too, and that is the growing tension between Matt Dillon and his father-in-law, Michael Douglass. Douglass is hilarious, one of those actors who can be very funny in his "straight" roles without overtly trying to be (see Al Pacino, Burt Reynolds). He is the super successful, wealthy businessman who just does not want to completely let go of his little girl....especially when he is not too particular about her choice of a man. In fact, it kind of seems that, believe it or not, he actually kind of likes Dupree (whose stay, as you knew from the minute he moved in, lasts more than a few days) a lot better.

And, of course, Dupree's lovable shenanigans coupled with his friend's growing paranoia lead to a kind of role reversal towards the end of the story. Nice touch. For a film like this to work, there needs to be a connection between the two best friends, and Dillon and Wilson do it well. You really like and empathize with both of them, because we all have a best friend. And, for us guys anyway, its likely that we have had at least one friend like Dupree...you know, the kind of buddy your mom or girlfriend or wife wasn't to happy to have around. Not because she didn't like him, but because he always has a way of dragging you into something.

Kate Hudson has the toughest job here. You know, the one staple character in any good comedy that is chock full of other zany and over the top characters while she seems to be the only one who has it all together. What makes this character tough is to do it and still add to the comedy and she does. Seth Rogen is a significant minor character, basically reprising a more economically viable version of his oversexed and hilarious character in the 40 Year Old Virgin.

You, Me, & Dupree is one you won't want to miss if you are a fan of any of the four main actors or if you just want to laugh. So, I'd say give it a shot.

But that's your call.

AN UNFINISHED LIFE (2005)

By Colon on October 3, 2009 12:13 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Directed by Lasse Hallstrom. Starring Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Lopez, Camryn Manheim, Josh Lucas, Becca Gardner, Damian Lewis. Drama. Synopsis: A young woman flees her abusive boyfriend with her daughter and goes to rural Wyoming, where she asks to be taken in by her former father-in-law and his disabled friend, knowing that her deceased husband's father still blames her for the death of his son.

An Unfinished Life is an excellent story that is parts drama, romance, and western. The story is good and real, there is something there for almost anyone to relate to in experience or circumstances that we have thought about.

Jean (Jennifer Lopez) is a young mother who is in a terribly abusive situation, and our story starts with her just having received a beating from her boyfriend, Gary (Damian Lewis Band of Brothers). There is a poignant scene where her daughter, Griff (Becca Gardner) pleads with her that she promised they would leave if it happened once more. So, off they go, but to where?

Well, they leave Iowa with an unformed plan but, not having many options, head to Wyoming, where we learn, along with Griff, that she has a grandfather named Einar (Robert Redford The Sting, Sneakers). Jean was married to Griff's father who was killed in an auto accident before Griff was born...and Jean was driving. Making it even more interesting is the fact that Einar does not even know about Griff and is pretty up front in his desire that Jean not stay with them...the "them" being Einar and his best friend Mitch (Morgan Freeman Glory, Lucky Seven), who is disabled after being mauled by a bear.

The other important characters in this story are Nina (Camryn Manheim Sudden Impact The L Word) who Jean befriends at her waitressing job and the local Sheriff (Josh Lucas Glory Road) who might just become the new man in Jean's life.

You would predict that a significant subplot would be the pursuit of Jean by Gary and you're right, but the story is much richer than that. The relationships of Einar: with his daughter-in-law who he refuses to forgive; his new found granddaughter, and his friend who he primarily takes care of carry the film. Redford is amazing here and a much more gruff character than he usually plays. Morgan Freeman is in a characteristic role: wise and commanding of respect.

I must say that I have never been a big fan of Lopez, never really into the whole "J-Lo" thing. But, I have to admit that she is a very good actress...at least in this film. And you've got to respect her willingness to go for it here in a role that is as far from glamorous as you can get.

There is something here for everyone, we all have unfinished business, regrets, and possibly relationships out there that we know need to be mended. This flick does a nice job of telling a story of people with all of those things and more.

Excellent movie.

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