A Lot Like Love

-Directed by: Nigel Cole

Starring:
Ashton Kutcher - Oliver
Amanda Peet - Emily


One of my main complaints about this film is that it's been done before. Of course, when it comes to romantic comedies that statement can be used a lot. This film's saving grace is that it's stars keep a formulaic script from ruining a movie going experience. It stars Ashton Kutcher as Oliver who meets a recently dumped Emily on a plane where they have sex, and begin a seven year off and on relationship. I'd be ok with them meeting, and re-meeting. It's happened before, but where I have the problem is that them having sex seems awfully pointless. Is sex the new conversation in movies these days? I feel like it forces the viewers to lose a certain sense of intelligence about this film, and doesn't really give a solid sense of connection to it's main characters.

Again though, I have to return to the fact that Kutcher and Peet give a certain light heartedness to the script that its awfully fun to watch. You can tell that these two got along by the easy byplay they have in scene after scene. With Kutcher's years in TV comedy, as well as other comedic film roles he is a good choice for something like this. You get to see him as more than just the bumbling buffoon. He shows that he's advanced far beyond that to the point where star vehicles should rise to meet his talent. For her part, Amanda Peet has stepped outside of just being the second fiddle in movies. She can carry the role of leading lady with a lightheartedness that's appealing. Like I said, I see her doing the same things Sandra Bullock has done with great success.

You need to know though that there's some pretty strong language in this film which is pushing the PG-13 rating a bit, as well as casual sex and drinking and smoking. That, coupled with the fact that this movie really isn't all that great, leads me not to recommend it. Just be patient, the really GOOD movies are coming soon.

-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn@earthlink.net
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The Interpreter

-Directed by: Sydney Pollack

Starring:
Nicole Kidman - Silvia Broome
Sean Penn - Tobin Keller


When I first started seeing this movie advertised in trailers, I have to admit I was curious. I'm a fan of the always watchable Nicole Kidman, but Sean Penn has been known to irritate me so badly that it's almost painful. I'm not sure what it is about him. He's just not one of my favorites. I'd like to apologize to Mr. Penn for that: I may have underestimated you. This movie is one good reason why. Directed by Sydney Pollack, who is a hands down master of intrigue, this movie is just amazing for more than a few reasons. One of the first is the location. Shot inside the United Nations, you get a real sense of the power held in one building. Pollack is quick to give the audience a real feel for the scope of it, and how one person can almost get lost in the shuffle of it all. Add to that the smart casting of Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn, and you've got yourself a movie.

The movie focuses on Silvia Broome, who is an African born interpreter at the U.N. When she hears a death threat to one of the leaders of her native continent, that brings her in contact with Penn's character Tobin Keller. Both view the world completely differently, and part of the real intelligence of this film is how they interact. You're not shortchanged in dialogue thanks to the direction of Pollack, and Penn and Kidman are such electric presences on the screen that you are captivated. What I liked the best about this film is that it's really not an easy film. You don't get to sit back and tell yourself you know what's coming. Pollack doesn't let his viewers down like that, which is the mark of a master.

The movie does have some strong language, but it's about on par with most recent action films. There's obviously some action to it as well which is shot in such a way that you might feel your heart begin to race in a few parts. Trust me, if you're looking to be sitting just a bit closer to the edge of your seat...look no further than this film.

-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn@earthlink.net
Is there a movie you'd like me to review? Let me know!

Movie Preview: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

-Directed by: Garth Jennings
-Opening: April 29th


Based on a classic, and admittedly weird, science fiction book, this movie promises to be worth the time. Having read the book myself, I was just amazed to see this story and the comedy that goes with it translated so well onto the movie screen. It tells the story of Arthur Dent who is, by all accounts, having the worst day in the history of bad days. The really rotten part though? Earth is going to be demolished to make room for a hyperspace bypass. Arthur's only escape is to hitch a ride on a passing spaceship. Lucky for him, all the answers can be found in one place. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn@earthlink.net
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Fever Pitch

-Directed by: Bobby and Peter Farrelly

Starring:
Drew Barrymore- Lindsay
Jimmy Fallon- Ben


Right so, you go to see a Farrelly brothers movie and you expect a certain set of things. You expect it to be crass. You expect it to be kind of weird. And, you expect it to be so grossly inappropriate that this reviewer couldn't come near it with a ten foot pole and military backup. Imagine my surprise when I saw this film. I checked the poster on the way out to make sure I hadn't been fooled in fact. (Even I, your intrepid movie reviewer, has goofed up on this stuff sometimes.) To my surprise, I was right and apparently the Farrelly's have changed their tune...at least for this film.

You've probably seen both Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon all over the morning and late night talk shows talking about this film and with good reason. It's an awfully cute film. Fairly predictable, but cute. Based on the book by Nick Hornby, this is the story of Ben Wrightman who became a member of the Red Sox faithful so early in life he probably forgot exactly when the term fanatic started to apply to him. He attends spring training. He doesn't miss a game and he's under the assumption that his team needs him. Let's be honest, we can probably all see someone we know in this role. You know the one. The person who just knows that without them the team, or athelete, would just be lost and OH wouldn't that be a tragedy! Fallon plays Ben with a lot softer hand than his days on Saturday Night Live and shows a lot of comic grace that makes him fun to watch.

Ah, but there's a twist and it comes in the form of Lindsay Meeks. Lindsay is committed to her job, and wonders why finding that "right" guy is just so darn hard. Enter Ben, during the off season of course, who sweeps her off her feet when he takes care of her after she gets food poisoning. The problem? What does a baseball fanatic do when he meets a really special girl? This is where it kind of gets predictable but you don't mind a lot. It's a very heartwarming movie that doesn't get too involved with its own sweetness. You like these characters and you want them to be together. Barrymore and Fallon clearly enjoyed each other's company which translated to a really nice onscreen chemistry.

Now for the really amazing part which no one saw coming. This film was made last year. Remember who won the Series last year? That's right. The Boston Red Sox. The film's ending had to be rewritten at light speed to make up for this amazing change of events which had both Fallon and Barrymore at the final game of the series. If you were watching carefully enough, you even saw some of the movie being filmed on field during the celebrations. How's that for a true Hollywood ending?

What I will warn you about is this movie does have something of the Farrelly's crass comedy to it. There are some sexual jokes and some drinking along with some crude humor but honestly, it's not bad. The movie itself sticks to a pretty standard formula of other romantic comedies but thanks to some fun performances by Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon, you wind up not really minding.

-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn@earthlink.net
Is there a movie you'd like me to review? Let me know!

CLICK HERE for Production Photos from Yahoo! Movies