Anne-Nother One

Two weeks and two Anne Hathaway films. Isn't the title of this post oh so clever? This time we find Hathaway as a doctor specializing in patients that have experienced extreme trauma. In Passengers she's counseling the survivors of a plane crash, but she soon realizes that their stories don't add up and discovers a possible corporate cover up. One of her patients, the ever handsome Patrick Wilson, is the saving grace of the film. This film really balances on the chemistry of Hathaway and Wilson; and there is some nice chemistry. Wilson's character is full of Tony Stark level charm and his charisma just makes you smile. I personally have not seen a single preview for this film, so I have no idea of how it's being marketed. It's not a thriller. Don't go see the film hoping to be scared, because you'll be disappointed. But it's a fine drama, if only a little unoriginal.

Well it's October. You know what that means: time for another gritty New York cop drama. Unfortunately, this is one of the weaker cop dramas in recent memory; very disappointing considering the cast, but fitting considering how long ago this film was shot. It's not that Pride and Glory is awful, it's just that it's kinda blah. I wasn't bored during the film, instead I found myself to be frustrated - frustrated that not one of these tough guys could grow a pair and just do the right thing already!

Bees And Rehab

Traveling back to 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning), a 14 year old who runs away from home in an effort to find answers about her late mother. With only pictures to guide her, Lily follows clues that lead her to Tiburon, South Carolina and the bee farm owned by the Boatwright sisters. This is really the first time we've seen Fanning on the big screen since 2006 (I haven't seen Hounddog) and I think she chose a good role to help with the awkward journey from child star to adult actor. She's really good here and holds her own with a great cast. Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo and an almost unrecognizable Paul Bettany round out the cast. Okonedo is especially heartbreaking. My only real complaint is Jennifer Hudson. I've seen Dreamgirls and how she won an Oscar I'll never understand. John Malkovich doesn't have an oscar. Kate Winslet doesn't have an Oscar. Peter freaking O'Toole doesn't have an Oscar! After nearly ruining Sex & the City, Hudson doesn't add a whole lot to Bees either.

Released from rehab on the eve of her sister's wedding Kym (Anne Hathaway) comes home for a weekend of pain, laughter and tears - all the usual family offerings. Rachel Getting Married is a good film, not the great film that I was hoping for, but still very good. What I liked about the film was that it seemed like I was eavesdropping on a real family. The effortless acting and dialogue made me feel like I was watching regular people, not performing actors. But speaking of performances, Hathaway, Rosemarie Dewitt (Rachel) and they're divorced parents Bill Irwin (Paul) and Debra Winger (Abby) were all exceptional. They were all brimming with so much emotion and realism and passion that it spilled out of the screen in every scene. The family struggles to balance Kym's selfish needs with Rachel's understandable desire that for just once, on her wedding day no less, she could have the spotlight. Not only does the family struggle with this, but I think the film does also. The action seems to be pulling in two directions for most of the film, which makes for great drama, but I think it also caused the film to be a little unfocused. Another minor criticism I have is the amount of excess in the film. A couple of scenes were unnecessarily long and they began to drag and feel tiresome. And finally, this has got to be the most eclectic wedding celebration that I've ever seen and there was just too much going on. But these are just minor criticisms in an otherwise fully engaging film. And a shout out to a funny cameo by Annaleigh Ashford!

A Lot of Men, Renee Zellweger and Rabies

First up this week is the new Ridley Scott film Body of Lies. This film I liked a lot better than Scott's last outing, American Gangster. That one was a little underwhelming. I thought Lies would be a bit too confusing to follow, but it really wasn't. The story's good and pretty simple, but it's the action and the performances that really stand out. There's some great action, reminiscent of Scott's 2001 film Black Hawk Down. And both Crowe and DiCaprio deliver solid performances. Especially DiCaprio. This is a good movie I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I did.

Appaloosa. Gosh, there seems to be a hundred things wrong with this film, but despite all of those I still really enjoyed it. Seriously! The movie seems weirdly modern for being set in 1882, it's oddly funny, the story kind of unravels in the last act, it's kind of uneven and I just didn't get the Renee Zellweger character. But it's Ed Harris and Viggo Mortenson that really hold this movie together. Their characters are so likable and they just play off of each other so well. Without Harris and Mortenson this film really would have suffered.


Scary movies are difficult to review like a normal film. By definition they're a little hokey. Hokey but fun is pretty much what every scary film boils down to. Quarantine isn't any different. When a news crew shadows firefighters for the evening they get called to a creepy L.A. apartment building where something terrible has happened. Of course. One by one each tenant and visitor is picked off by some sort of rabid zombie monster. We're not splitting atoms here, but it's a pretty enjoyable ride. Too bad they showed the ending in the trailer. Don't do that!

Another Three

The chores of life have all collided and need my immediate attention this weekend, so just a few short reviews this time.

Flash of Genius tells the story of Bob Kearns (Greg Kinnear), a Detroit man who invents the intermittent windshield wiper only to have his invention stolen from him by the Ford motor company. What follows is the breakdown of Kearns and his family as he desperately tries to seek justice from the big bad auto maker. Genius is perfectly fine. There's nothing really wrong with the picture, but it's missing something. I don't know if there's not enough heart or passion or what, but there's just something missing. But it is a good picture and I enjoyed it. Kinnear was good. I only wish Lauren Graham would get a movie role in which she gets to do more than just be the one note dutiful wife and mother. Have to check out Birds of America, I guess.

This film I really liked quite a lot. Blindness is about an outbreak in a no name big city that, for reasons unexplained, leaves its citizens unable to see. I could go on for pages here about the sybolism, about what social commentary this movie is making and a lot more, but I won't bore you with that. I'll just say that I was glued to my seat for the entire film.

Michael Cera is the sweetest, cutest thing ever. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is a very charming movie in which friends, both new and old, come together for an all night quest to find their favorite band who's playing a secret show in NYC. Romance, chaos, humor, honesty and vulernability ensue and it's great fun. The music is also awesome.