Real Movie Review-Movie Reviews, Movie Quotes, Movie Trivia

Director: Kevin Lima

Starring: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Rachel Covey, Susan Sarandon, Idina Menzel.

Director Kevin Lima, who started out as an animator, takes this clever, entertaining but ultimately formula Bill Kelly script and does a good job of keeping it light-hearted and upbeat, while providing plenty of smiles and ironic humor, that has entertainment value for the whole family. The performers are integral to the success of this feature and they deliver. There are some catchy and corny little tunes and some little twists along the way, plus some cute jokes for all ages.

We start out with an almost painfully animated and clichéd fairy tale that has Amy Adams as Giselle, a beautiful, cheery and song-filled forest maiden who enjoys a close friendship with all the birds and animals. Her life is great but becomes perfect when she meets and falls in love with Prince Edward (James Marsden, best known as Cyclops from X-Men). They plan their wedding, but the Prince’s evil step-mother, Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon, looking like the Emperor from Star Wars) wants to prevent it and sends poor Giselle to NYC, where we turn to live action. Here, she finds things a little different from her fairy tale world. Things seem a little rough until she meets Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and his daughter, Morgan (Rachel Covey). Soon, however, several others from her animated Utopia, are coming to New York to find her.

This is a warm and entertaining cross between Nancy Drew and a Disney cartoon and is a good family movie choice.

Director: Shekhar Kapur

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Clive Owen, Geoffrey Rush, Abbie Cornish

This is a sequel to the 1998 critically acclaimed project, Elizabeth, which garnered seven academy award nominations, though it only won one (best make-up). Writer Michael Hirst, director Shekhar Kapur, and performers Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush all return to make this visually impressive drama that boasts resplendent costumes and strong imagery in the language. Blanchett is outstanding in the title role, but it is really a one woman show. Owen does an adequate job in the supporting role, but Rush has been reduced to a piece of furniture and has next to no strong scenes. The result is a beautiful film that needed more meat in the story to reach the next level.

Cate Blanchett is back as Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen. The first film told of Elizabeth’s adjustment to becoming Queen, while she is a seasoned ruler in this feature. She finds herself attracted to the dashing privateer, Walter Raleigh, played by Clive Owen. This complicated relationship is distracting to Elizabeth, who is also dealing with Spain, whose King, played by Jordi Molla, wants to crush Elizabeth’s protestant kingdom.

Fans of the first film will be happy with this sequel, and I would expect to see its name when the Oscar nominations come out, particularly in the visual and costume categories. Blanchett, as well, may be on the short list for best actress. Action fans, don’t be fooled by the battle scenes in the preview, this is a character-driven period piece.

Movie Quotes: Elizabeth: The Golden Age
“We mortals have many weaknesses; we feel too much, hurt too much or too soon we die, but we do have the chance of love.”
“I, too, can command the wind, sir! I have a hurricane in me that will strip Spain bare when you dare to try me!”

Director: Julian Jarrold

Starring: Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, Julie Walters, James Cromwell, Maggie Smith, Joe Anderson, Laurence Fox, Anna Maxwell Martin

This 1800s period piece started out with the light, subtly humorous tone of a Jane Austen novel, which I’m sure was director, Julian Jarrold’s intention. Unfortunately, Anne Hathaway’s Jane comes off as slightly arrogant and quite judgmental, while her love interest, Mr. Lefroy, is first introduced as a jackass, but seems to magically and suddenly transform (I know, I know…this is common in Movieland). The result is that neither character is all that likable. In a romantic drama, this is a problem. This is a disappointment both from Hathaway (I loved The Devil Wears Prada) and Jarrold, whose first feature, Kinky Boots, was surprisingly appealing to me.

The story here, which is supposed to be biographical, but doesn’t really fit the facts, is about Jane, a beautiful woman in stifling Victorian society, who fights against the idea of marrying without love and the assumption that women have to marry at all. She meets a man (Wow, there’s a twist) and they want to marry, but seem to be prevented by the external factors of society.

Admittedly, this chick flick is not in my favorite genre, but I am quite capable of appreciating various kinds of films, but this one offered up little of interest and suffers in comparison with the other 1800s authoress romance from this years releases, Mrs. Potter. While not a bad movie, I really can’t think of any reason to see it, so unless you and your gal pal are hard up for an estrogen-based experience, I would pass on this one.

Director: Brett Ratner

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Tea Leoni, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Piven, Saul Rubinek, Josef Sommer, Makenzie Vega,

Family Man is a touching romantic comedy with a slightly Christmas setting. The story is cliched, but warm and thought provoking, as it looks at life from the perspective of the road not taken. The acting is very natural and the characters are endearing. The ending is good and helps to make this a strong feature, overall.

Nicholas Cage is Jack Campbell, a happy, hotshot, Wall Street, yuppie with a Ferrari and no shortage of beauties looking to spend time with him. One Christmas Eve, while on the way home to his swinging bachelor pad, he has a strange encounter with an apparent street tough, named Cash (Don Cheadle), who tells him he will be rewarded with a glimpse. Jack has no idea what that means until he suddenly finds his privileged life ripped away and replaced with an ordinary life as husband to his college sweetheart, Kate (Tea Leoni), and father to their two kids.

This is a predictable, Christmas romantic comedy about the choices we make and the choices we don’t, as well as the things in life that have real value. There are a few laughs and some very good performances, but mostly, this is a smiling-on-the-inside kind of film, that will probably make you want to go give your loved ones a hug. Go ahead. It’s ok. Give them a hug.

Starring: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell, Eddie Marsan

Director: Neil Burger

A wonderful movie that features first rate acting by all of the principals and a smooth story that finds the right blend of complexity and watchability. Ed Norton seems to have an almost magical ability of his own to find the right scripts and then flawlessly execute his role. This is no exception. Newcomer writer/director Neil Burger did a fine job here and Jessica Biel continues to develop her acting skill, but Giamatti’s role and performance stole the show here. There is a slightly sanitary lack of emotion from the characters, but this is subtle and a minor quibble with a wonderful film.

Edward Norton is an Austrian magician of almost supernatural ability (or is it?), named Eisenheim, who re-discovers his young love (Jessica Biel) in the arms of the crown prince played by Sewell. This leads to a mounting conflict between the two men with the prince using his Inspector Uhl (Giamatti) to make life difficult for the stubborn magician, much to the consternation of Eisenheim’s manager. The story moves forward smoothly at an unhurried pace that never gets boring, much like the main character who likewise moves steadily toward his goal without any fear or panic.

This film came out just ahead of simiarly magician-themed ‘The Prestige’. Studios often have same year releases about about similar (or the exact same) topics in the same year. I often wonder how this happens, but guess it has to do with simply stealing ideas from a script that was missed or passed on. At any rate, in this case, Prestige was a decent film, but just one of Norton’s tricks in the Illusionist was to make its competitor vanish from our memories. Bravo!

Director: Ken Kwapis

Starring:

In a lot of jobs, people get a gold watch after 25 years of service. Apparently, in the TV industry, after 25 years of work as a director, you finally get to make a feature film. I can’t think of any other reason that Ken Kwapis was allowed to make such a Kwappy movie, and that stupid ass pun is as about as funny as anything in this movie. Robin Williams, as talented as he is, is as hit and miss as a slot machine. There is a big payoff once in awhile, like Good Morning Vietnam or Mrs. Doubtfire, but as often as not we get Toys or Father’s Day. The story is weak, even for a comedy, and Mandy Moore and John Krasinski must have thought they were in for solid sailing, rather than an unbailable sinking wreck when they signed up to do a movie with Robin Williams. Oh well, the pay was probably good.

Robin Williams is Reverend Frank, most assuredly the creepiest man of the cloth since Robert De Niro played an escaped con posing as a priest in We’re No Angels. His congregation, which includes the rich, snob family of Sadie Jones (Mandy Moore). The young and bland Miss Jones has become engaged to an equally bland young man named something or rather, played by John Krasinsky. Miss Jones feels she can only be married in his church, but can only obtain a suitable date by agreeing to a binding pass/fail church course to assure their compatibility, or not allow them to wed. Problems predictably begin as the groom-to-be is unimpressed with Reverend Frank’s invasive counselling style.

License To Wed is a mix of Meet The Parents and Anger Management, but is not even as funny as either of those dubious projects. If you are lifting your head and making a face at my knock against your two favorite movies, then this one is for you. If you think that ‘dubious’ is too kind a label for them, then buy a copy of this DVD and run it over with your car as a public service.

Director: Chris Noonan

Starring: Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson, Barbara Flynn, Bill Paterson, Matyelok Gibbs, Lloyd Owen.

Miss Potter is a period romance with Zellweger again playing a woman who believes that love and marriage have passed her by. The acting is strong and the characters are engaging. The story starts out light, but the mood takes a surprising swing into some dark territory for awhile, which is a little unusual for a Zellweger choice, but it does land in more familiar territory soon enough.

Renee Zellweger is Beatrix Potter, the author of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”. Her preference for drawing and writing, over the usual distractions of upper class ladies of the 19th century marks her as different. The movie begins with Miss Potter searching for a publisher for her children’s story. She finds a publisher and Norman Warne (Ewan McGregor), also somewhat socially awkward, becomes her editor. Their relationship grows, as does her success. This was extremely rare for a woman in the restrictive male-dominated society of Victorian England.

Beatrix Potter fans, period piece purveyors and Jane Austen fans will find this drama to be enjoyable. The historical aspects add to the story. The quirky Potter’s relationship with her own created characters adds an unusual element to the story that some will appreciate and others will tolerate. Overall, it is an average effort.

Starring: Hugh Grant, Drew Barrymore, Brad Garrett, Kristen Johnston,

Director: Marc Lawrence

It’s true. I have an undiagnosed eighties addiction which this movie masterfully played upon in its first few minutes, putting me into a favorable state of mind. How diabolically clever of them! This was a surprisingly, charming film with some clever dialogue and a pretty decent story helped out by Hugh Grant’s easy charm and Drew Barrymore’s girl-next-door appeal.

Hugh Grant is Alex Fletcher, a key member of an 80’s pop group living in the shadows of his past when an opportunity to reclaim some lost glory arrives. The only hitch is that he has five days to write a new hit song, and has no one to take up his former partner’s task of writing the lyrics. Enter a mysterious plant caretaker named Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore) with a hidden, natural talent as a lyricist. This movie is full of Grant’s usual snappy one-liners and is a charming romantic comedy that even offers some insight into songwriting. You guys know my weakness for writing-related things. Anyway, I digress; back to the review.

This was an satisfying film with enough giggles to entertain and a comfortable enough story to hold my interest and, yes, I’ll admit it; I really like the original songs written for the film. If you are a Hugh Grant fan there is yet another funny fight scene for you. If you are an 80’s fan, you get a retro ride and those just looking for light, romantic comedy will find this one pleasant enough. If its not your thing, then you will likely find it insipid and sugary sweet to the point of vomit inducement.

Director: Susannah Grant

Starring: Jennifer Garner, Timothy Olyphant, Sam Jaeger, Kevin Smith, Juliette Lewis

I am going to nominate Catch and Release as the movie least likely to be remembered by anyone at this time next year. The entire effort is mediocre with some decent acting built on top of a story that should be dark, but isn’t and tries to be funny but isn’t very good at that either. It’s not like it’s a bad movie. It isn’t. They just couldn’t find a way to step out from the pack.

Jennifer Garner is Gray Wheeler and the movie begins at the funeral of her fiancé. The film manages to keep a fairly light tone as she tries to adjust to her loss with the help of his three best friends, Fritz (Olyphant), Dennis (Jaeger) and Sam, who is played by Kevin Smith in a rare acting role in a movie that he didn’t direct and he provides a lot of the comic relief, here. The story really gets going when Gray discovers that she didn’t know her lost loved one as well as she thought and that his friends have a few things to share with her, as well.

Nothing special here. Jennifer Garner is cute and Juliette Lewis plays the same character as always. They manage to keep pulling surprises out of the story, but it’s not enough. If the previews appealed to you, or if you are a Jennifer Garner groupie then this one will be to your taste. If you are a Kevin Smith fanatic, this is a safe one to miss. If you do see it, I’m guessing that you will have forgotten the title by Monday.

Starring: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Thomas Gibson, Robert Prosky, Colm Meaney

Director: Ron Howard

When it tries to be funny, it ain’t. When it tries to be an interesting historical epic, it ain’t. When it tries to be too long and feel like it goes on for a week? Well, one out of three means a failure. Tom Cruise has made lots of good movies. Ron Howard has made lots of good movies. For both of them, this is a bloody disgrace. It seems like Cruise wanted to make a movie with Nicole and couldn’t be bothered to wait for a decent project. Maybe Ron owed him a favor or something. The script is a mess and Howard even shares writing blame with Bob Dolman. Be warned, it is my plan to tell the whole story to save you the pain of watching all of it to see how it ends (exactly like you think it will).
Cruise is Joseph Donnelly, a hard-working, ambitious young Irish lad (with a patchy accent, but what the hell) who plans to take revenge on his cruel landlord. The revenge thing doesn’t work out, and he somehow ends up going to America with the landlord’s daughter, Shannon Christie, played by Kidman. This is the opening act of this movie and it is wayyyyy too long, and nowhere near as funny or as interesting as they intended it to be.
In America, Donnelly, who is right handy with his fists, ends up being an underground prizefighter, while living in the same boarding house as Christie. Both deny the obvious romantic attraction and have decent lives, until everything is suddenly ripped from them and they soon they are penniless on the street, pursued by Christie’s family. I fell asleep then, but couldn’t bring myself to go back and watch what I missed. There is only so much I’ll do for you people. Sorry. When I jerked awake and wiped the drool off my chin, we were finally in the third act with Donnelly, Christie (now with a romantic rival) and Christie’s family all getting ready to grab land in the Oklahoma land rush. I did kinda like this scene, but I’m not sure why so many horses were falling and why so many wagons were falling apart, so this scene soon got stupid, too. It ends with Cruise and Kidman together with their own land and in love, of course.
The acting was weak, the story was worse. The pacing was awful and the editor should have been dragged behind one of those crashing wagons. The idea of comedy mixed with a historical epic is risky and the jokes weren’t funny anyway. If you want to see Cruise with his shirt off, there is a lot of that. If it has something else to offer, I guess it happened when I dozed off.