1. Did I enjoy it? YES
It seems that I've been watching a lot of heavy movies lately. Perhaps it's making up for the lighter fair and escapist action movies that were coming out earlier this year. When I say I enjoyed this film, it does not mean I had a smile on my face and felt wonderful butterflies after it was finished. The Hurt Locker is a tough film, but very well made as it depicts several characters' experiences serving together as an American bomb squad unit in Iraq. While it's a little too slow-paced for my taste, there are nevertheless some great moments of tension in the movie that had me metaphorically biting my nails waiting to see what would happen next. Jeremy Renner does a fine job as Sgt. William James, a man who is willing to take a few more risks on his missions than his comrades are comfortable with. But his job in Iraq is what he's devoted his life to, and he's great at it. Plenty of familiar faces in this war thriller, including Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes and David Morse.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
Not a film I would watch repeatedly, but a good film nonetheless. This movie did not get much publicity, but watch for possible Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for Renner's work in this film. Definitely worth a look if you haven't seen this one.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Crossing Over (Bob says 1 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy the film? YES
This film was actually made in 2007, but didn't get a limited release in theaters until earlier this year. Harrison Ford leads an all-star cast about various stories dealing with immigrants in the United States. Some are legal, some are illegal. Ford plays Max Brogan, an immigration officer who, along with the rest of his team, breaks into a warehouse with plenty of illegals. Brogan feels compassion, however, for a Mexican woman who will now be separated from her young son after being deported. Brogan finds her son and tries desperately to locate her. That's just one plotline. There's another story about an illegal Australian immigrant who will do anything for a green card approval supervisor to let her stay in the country. Another story involves a student who reads a paper in her class stating that she understands how the 9/11 hijackers must have felt. The school wrongly assumes she agrees with the hijackers' actions, and soon her own family is in danger of being deported. There are more stories than just these three. All of them are compelling and well acted. The problem is the film tries to tell too many for one film. Crash and Magnolia both did a good job weaving multiple characters' stories into one movie, but this one spreads it just a little too thin. Nevertheless, the movie is not boring and done as best as it can given its flaw.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
If this film was split in two, with half the stories told in part one, the other half in part two, this would be a 2 point review. But it's still a good film, and great to watch along with Sin Nombre.
This film was actually made in 2007, but didn't get a limited release in theaters until earlier this year. Harrison Ford leads an all-star cast about various stories dealing with immigrants in the United States. Some are legal, some are illegal. Ford plays Max Brogan, an immigration officer who, along with the rest of his team, breaks into a warehouse with plenty of illegals. Brogan feels compassion, however, for a Mexican woman who will now be separated from her young son after being deported. Brogan finds her son and tries desperately to locate her. That's just one plotline. There's another story about an illegal Australian immigrant who will do anything for a green card approval supervisor to let her stay in the country. Another story involves a student who reads a paper in her class stating that she understands how the 9/11 hijackers must have felt. The school wrongly assumes she agrees with the hijackers' actions, and soon her own family is in danger of being deported. There are more stories than just these three. All of them are compelling and well acted. The problem is the film tries to tell too many for one film. Crash and Magnolia both did a good job weaving multiple characters' stories into one movie, but this one spreads it just a little too thin. Nevertheless, the movie is not boring and done as best as it can given its flaw.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
If this film was split in two, with half the stories told in part one, the other half in part two, this would be a 2 point review. But it's still a good film, and great to watch along with Sin Nombre.
Sin Nombre (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
The next two films I write about both deal with immigrants, this one about the dangerous journey to cross the border (illegally) and the second about the hardships immigrants face once they get inside the United States. Both films are worth your time, but this one is the best. Sin Nombre deals with two stories, one about Willy aka El Casper, a teenager running away from his gang after avenging the death of his girlfriend. Only problem is the person he killed was the gang leader, so he decides to stow away on a train that his leader originally intended to rob. The other story is about a family determined to cross the border with hundreds of other illegal immigrants on the top of a train. This is the same train Willy and his gang attempt to hijack. This is an excellent film, though not a feel good movie. It was especially difficult to watch the violence the two leading girls in the film experience, although I think a main point of the film besides the immigration aspect is the great danger of the gang culture. And this is a nasty gang. To enter, you have to kill a member of the rival gang. Casper's young friend, El Smiley, has to do just such a thing. Gangs seem to take the place of a family for those who don't have one or do not like their own. Smiley is uneasy about killing at first, but the young kid gets used to it quickly because he wants to belong.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
Someone in this film does make it to the United States. It is heartbreaking when we discover the main characters who don't. I've never put too much thought into the immigration issue, although even after seeing this film, I still think immigrants need to enter this country through legal means. But that does not take away from the great sacrifices so many people experience trying to get to the land of opportunity.
The next two films I write about both deal with immigrants, this one about the dangerous journey to cross the border (illegally) and the second about the hardships immigrants face once they get inside the United States. Both films are worth your time, but this one is the best. Sin Nombre deals with two stories, one about Willy aka El Casper, a teenager running away from his gang after avenging the death of his girlfriend. Only problem is the person he killed was the gang leader, so he decides to stow away on a train that his leader originally intended to rob. The other story is about a family determined to cross the border with hundreds of other illegal immigrants on the top of a train. This is the same train Willy and his gang attempt to hijack. This is an excellent film, though not a feel good movie. It was especially difficult to watch the violence the two leading girls in the film experience, although I think a main point of the film besides the immigration aspect is the great danger of the gang culture. And this is a nasty gang. To enter, you have to kill a member of the rival gang. Casper's young friend, El Smiley, has to do just such a thing. Gangs seem to take the place of a family for those who don't have one or do not like their own. Smiley is uneasy about killing at first, but the young kid gets used to it quickly because he wants to belong.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
Someone in this film does make it to the United States. It is heartbreaking when we discover the main characters who don't. I've never put too much thought into the immigration issue, although even after seeing this film, I still think immigrants need to enter this country through legal means. But that does not take away from the great sacrifices so many people experience trying to get to the land of opportunity.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Sita Sings The Blues (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
What an original film this is! Put together mostly by one woman on her computer, the film tells two parallel stories. The first is a retelling of the Indian epic tale The Ramayana, about a Hindu goddess who accompanies her husband Lord Rama on fourteen year exile in the forest. Rama treats her very poorly, more concerned about his image than his own wife. When the exile is finished, Rama takes his place at the throne but kicks her out for reasons we learn are again more about appearances than anything his devoted wife has really done. Throughout this story, Sita sings some great jazz numbers, which are actually from 1920's artist Annette Hanshaw. The songs fit so well to the plot, which I have always said is how songs should be used in musicals and film in general. The second story is a modern day story of a woman living in California with her boyfriend. The boyfriend gets a six month position working in India, and when he is offered to stay longer, his girlfriend moves there with him. However, he has grown tired of this relationship, and when she gets a brief job in New York, he tells her not to come back. Depressed, she finds a book called the Ramayana, and begins writing the tale we have just seen about Sita. What I found so cool is the modern tale is the actual story of what happened to the writer and director of this movie. Who knew that a breakup could produce such great rewards as this movie? Sita Sings The Blues is very colorful and imaginitive in its animation, as simple as the movements for many of the characters appear. This is turning out to be a great year for animated films, Sita being right up there with great films such as Up.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
This movie unfortunately did not make it to mainstream theaters due to legal issues involving the music, but it found an audience online and was given a lot of attention at Ebertfest this past April. Along with Julia, Sita Sings the Blues is a film that passed under the radar of most viewers but is well worth your time.
What an original film this is! Put together mostly by one woman on her computer, the film tells two parallel stories. The first is a retelling of the Indian epic tale The Ramayana, about a Hindu goddess who accompanies her husband Lord Rama on fourteen year exile in the forest. Rama treats her very poorly, more concerned about his image than his own wife. When the exile is finished, Rama takes his place at the throne but kicks her out for reasons we learn are again more about appearances than anything his devoted wife has really done. Throughout this story, Sita sings some great jazz numbers, which are actually from 1920's artist Annette Hanshaw. The songs fit so well to the plot, which I have always said is how songs should be used in musicals and film in general. The second story is a modern day story of a woman living in California with her boyfriend. The boyfriend gets a six month position working in India, and when he is offered to stay longer, his girlfriend moves there with him. However, he has grown tired of this relationship, and when she gets a brief job in New York, he tells her not to come back. Depressed, she finds a book called the Ramayana, and begins writing the tale we have just seen about Sita. What I found so cool is the modern tale is the actual story of what happened to the writer and director of this movie. Who knew that a breakup could produce such great rewards as this movie? Sita Sings The Blues is very colorful and imaginitive in its animation, as simple as the movements for many of the characters appear. This is turning out to be a great year for animated films, Sita being right up there with great films such as Up.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
This movie unfortunately did not make it to mainstream theaters due to legal issues involving the music, but it found an audience online and was given a lot of attention at Ebertfest this past April. Along with Julia, Sita Sings the Blues is a film that passed under the radar of most viewers but is well worth your time.
Goodbye Solo (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
I've only seen one bad "Taxi movie", appropriately titled Taxi starring Queen Latifah. Other than that, my luck has been pretty good. In Goodbye Solo, a taxi driver named Solo, with ambitions to be a pilot someday, picks up William, an older man who offers to pay him if he will take him to Blowing Rock. Since Blowing Rock has a peak with updrafts that cause objects dropped from it to fly upwards, Solo is genuinely concerned that William only wants one way transportation to the location and seems quite depressed. Throughout the film, Solo does his best to develop a relationship with this man and help him see the joys of life. But William seems determined to go to this peak, regardless of his fondness for Solo and his daughter. I really admire characters like Solo who try to reach out to someone, not by lecturing them on the bad choice he's about to make, but by simply befriending the man and showing him the joys of relationships that life has to offer.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
I have to admit I wanted a traditional Hollywood ending to this film, but it seems the writer and director are telling us that the central part of this movie is the unlikely bond these two men develop, not the outcome of the very compelling plot. And because that aspect is done so well, I commend it and encourage viewers who did not see this film in theaters to rent it at the first opportunity.
I've only seen one bad "Taxi movie", appropriately titled Taxi starring Queen Latifah. Other than that, my luck has been pretty good. In Goodbye Solo, a taxi driver named Solo, with ambitions to be a pilot someday, picks up William, an older man who offers to pay him if he will take him to Blowing Rock. Since Blowing Rock has a peak with updrafts that cause objects dropped from it to fly upwards, Solo is genuinely concerned that William only wants one way transportation to the location and seems quite depressed. Throughout the film, Solo does his best to develop a relationship with this man and help him see the joys of life. But William seems determined to go to this peak, regardless of his fondness for Solo and his daughter. I really admire characters like Solo who try to reach out to someone, not by lecturing them on the bad choice he's about to make, but by simply befriending the man and showing him the joys of relationships that life has to offer.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
I have to admit I wanted a traditional Hollywood ending to this film, but it seems the writer and director are telling us that the central part of this movie is the unlikely bond these two men develop, not the outcome of the very compelling plot. And because that aspect is done so well, I commend it and encourage viewers who did not see this film in theaters to rent it at the first opportunity.
Julia (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
Here's a movie you may not have heard of. It's called Julia, and only got a limited release in theaters this past May. Tilda Swinton stars as a middle aged alcoholic still enjoying the late night party life. Despite being fired from her job, Julia only goes to few AA meetings at the insistence of her friend Mitch. Then one day she runs into a Mexican woman at a meeting who asks for a very unorthodox favor. If Julia will help kidnap her son from the boy's grandfather, Julia will get a large cash reward. Julia eventually agrees, but she's got a plan of her own. Swinton has never played a role like this and does a great job playing all the various emotions her character goes through during the film. There's also plenty of suspense, drama and some black comedy thrown in for good measure.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
What a shame this movie never got a wider release. It would have been well deserved. If you're a fan of Swinton or just want to see a unique movie that never has a dull moment, put this one on your Netflix or rent it at your local video store.
Here's a movie you may not have heard of. It's called Julia, and only got a limited release in theaters this past May. Tilda Swinton stars as a middle aged alcoholic still enjoying the late night party life. Despite being fired from her job, Julia only goes to few AA meetings at the insistence of her friend Mitch. Then one day she runs into a Mexican woman at a meeting who asks for a very unorthodox favor. If Julia will help kidnap her son from the boy's grandfather, Julia will get a large cash reward. Julia eventually agrees, but she's got a plan of her own. Swinton has never played a role like this and does a great job playing all the various emotions her character goes through during the film. There's also plenty of suspense, drama and some black comedy thrown in for good measure.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
What a shame this movie never got a wider release. It would have been well deserved. If you're a fan of Swinton or just want to see a unique movie that never has a dull moment, put this one on your Netflix or rent it at your local video store.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tyson (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy this film? YES
"If he wasn't here, I probably wouldn't be alive today. The fact that he's doing so well gives me the motivation to stay alive." That's a line right out of Rocky V that Rocky Balboa's manager, Mickey Goldmill, says to him in a flashback sequence. What I didn't know was that most of that speech was not written by Sylvester Stallone at all, but from an interview by Cus D'Amato, Mike Tyson's trainer, mentor and father figure. Tyson gives a lot of credit to D'Amato for his success, taking a young kid going down the wrong path and teaching him to respect himself and learn the art of boxing. When I was a kid, I had a favorite player for every sport: Andre Dawson for baseball, William "The Refrigerator" Perry for football, Michael Jordan for basketball and Mike Tyson for boxing. The man showed an intensity and a fearless attitude that made me admire him greatly. After D'Amato's death, however, it seems that Tyson was never the same. Although he did gain the heavyweight championship of the world, Tyson freely admits he became sexually promiscuous (hurting both of his marriages) and very fearful of everyone around him. Then came the rape charges, which he spent several years in prison for. The life and career of Mike Tyson is nothing short of one of the greatest tragedies in the modern sports world. By 2005, Tyson's final fight, it's clear that his fire and love for boxing is gone. What's so compelling is how honest Tyson is about his mistakes and how emotional he becomes when talking about D'Amato. What will become of Tyson's future? Even the man himself isn't sure what direction he's headed. Maybe watching a few Rocky movies is just the therapy he needs.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
This film is compelling from start to finish. I actually felt sorry for Tyson watching this movie and hope there will be a Tyson II in another ten years that shows how he turned his life around for the better.
"If he wasn't here, I probably wouldn't be alive today. The fact that he's doing so well gives me the motivation to stay alive." That's a line right out of Rocky V that Rocky Balboa's manager, Mickey Goldmill, says to him in a flashback sequence. What I didn't know was that most of that speech was not written by Sylvester Stallone at all, but from an interview by Cus D'Amato, Mike Tyson's trainer, mentor and father figure. Tyson gives a lot of credit to D'Amato for his success, taking a young kid going down the wrong path and teaching him to respect himself and learn the art of boxing. When I was a kid, I had a favorite player for every sport: Andre Dawson for baseball, William "The Refrigerator" Perry for football, Michael Jordan for basketball and Mike Tyson for boxing. The man showed an intensity and a fearless attitude that made me admire him greatly. After D'Amato's death, however, it seems that Tyson was never the same. Although he did gain the heavyweight championship of the world, Tyson freely admits he became sexually promiscuous (hurting both of his marriages) and very fearful of everyone around him. Then came the rape charges, which he spent several years in prison for. The life and career of Mike Tyson is nothing short of one of the greatest tragedies in the modern sports world. By 2005, Tyson's final fight, it's clear that his fire and love for boxing is gone. What's so compelling is how honest Tyson is about his mistakes and how emotional he becomes when talking about D'Amato. What will become of Tyson's future? Even the man himself isn't sure what direction he's headed. Maybe watching a few Rocky movies is just the therapy he needs.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
This film is compelling from start to finish. I actually felt sorry for Tyson watching this movie and hope there will be a Tyson II in another ten years that shows how he turned his life around for the better.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Bruno (Bob says 0 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy this film? NO
There is a scene which I found amusing in this film. Bruno is trying to get two Middle Eastern leaders to make peace. He takes both of their hands and begins singing a song. Now that is funny. A few parts I let out some laughs due to embarrassment rather than really enjoying what I saw. However, 95% of the film I found so offensive, so inappropriate, that for me it has to go down as one of the worst films I have ever seen. There is one movie, Silent Night Deadly Night, which I despised more. Barely. That was because there is a scene with a man dressed in a Santa Claus suit who pulls a car over, kills the driver, then takes the driver's wife, strips her, rapes her and stabs her brutally in front of the woman's children. Absolute crap. This film has a scene just as bothersome to me. Bruno has decided to become a heterosexual and decides to go see a minister who specializes in counseling men who struggle with same sex attractions. At one point, the minister gives a straight forward invitation for Bruno to accept Jesus as his personal Savior. Bruno responds by saying the minister's lips would be great for giving a man oral sex. What a slap in the face to myself, Christians around the world, and ultimately to God. As I was sitting in the theatre, I was reminded of Ephesians 5:3-4, which says, "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." Writer and actor Sacha Baron Cohen creates material intended to generate laughs through offensiveness with his body of work. With this film, all does is offend.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
It was even a mistake not to walk out the first time when I knew the line had been crossed. This film is the leading candidate for the worst film of 2009.
There is a scene which I found amusing in this film. Bruno is trying to get two Middle Eastern leaders to make peace. He takes both of their hands and begins singing a song. Now that is funny. A few parts I let out some laughs due to embarrassment rather than really enjoying what I saw. However, 95% of the film I found so offensive, so inappropriate, that for me it has to go down as one of the worst films I have ever seen. There is one movie, Silent Night Deadly Night, which I despised more. Barely. That was because there is a scene with a man dressed in a Santa Claus suit who pulls a car over, kills the driver, then takes the driver's wife, strips her, rapes her and stabs her brutally in front of the woman's children. Absolute crap. This film has a scene just as bothersome to me. Bruno has decided to become a heterosexual and decides to go see a minister who specializes in counseling men who struggle with same sex attractions. At one point, the minister gives a straight forward invitation for Bruno to accept Jesus as his personal Savior. Bruno responds by saying the minister's lips would be great for giving a man oral sex. What a slap in the face to myself, Christians around the world, and ultimately to God. As I was sitting in the theatre, I was reminded of Ephesians 5:3-4, which says, "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." Writer and actor Sacha Baron Cohen creates material intended to generate laughs through offensiveness with his body of work. With this film, all does is offend.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
It was even a mistake not to walk out the first time when I knew the line had been crossed. This film is the leading candidate for the worst film of 2009.
Public Enemies (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
A lot of people I spoke with said this film was too slow for them to enjoy. If they think this movie's slow, they would think the film Last Year at Marienbad never started its engine. I didn't feel the same way about Enemies, however. There are slower moments, yes, but I was never bored and was fully engaged in this great period piece starring Johnny Depp as the infamous gangster John Dillinger. I suspect people who didn't like this film were expecting a tense action film. But that's not what director Michael Mann had in mind here. Instead, he gives a snapshot about the life of Dillinger, his girlfriend, his partners in crime and the men who tried to bring them down. A great finale includes Dillinger watching a Clark Gable film which forshadows exactly what will happen to him. John knows he will be killed and refuses to spend the rest of his life locked up in a cell.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
Johnny Depp has never compromised with his work, always taking interesting outsider roles instead of conventional ones that might make more box office profit. I applaud Depp for sticking to his guns and I applaud this movie. A good trip to the theater and a good rental as well.
A lot of people I spoke with said this film was too slow for them to enjoy. If they think this movie's slow, they would think the film Last Year at Marienbad never started its engine. I didn't feel the same way about Enemies, however. There are slower moments, yes, but I was never bored and was fully engaged in this great period piece starring Johnny Depp as the infamous gangster John Dillinger. I suspect people who didn't like this film were expecting a tense action film. But that's not what director Michael Mann had in mind here. Instead, he gives a snapshot about the life of Dillinger, his girlfriend, his partners in crime and the men who tried to bring them down. A great finale includes Dillinger watching a Clark Gable film which forshadows exactly what will happen to him. John knows he will be killed and refuses to spend the rest of his life locked up in a cell.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
Johnny Depp has never compromised with his work, always taking interesting outsider roles instead of conventional ones that might make more box office profit. I applaud Depp for sticking to his guns and I applaud this movie. A good trip to the theater and a good rental as well.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (Bob says 0 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? NO
BORING BORING BORING. Way too many sequels and remakes are made these days. You wonder if writers are running out of original ideas. Even more likely, studios simply care more about making a profit at the box office than coming up with good films. Audiences don't seem to care either, as evidenced by Transformers and this film doing quite well at the box office. In my opinion, moms and dads need to spend more time interacting and playing with their kids than shutting them up with clunkers for preschoolers like this. And people wonder why the SAT scores continue to decline...
2. Would I watch it again? NO
I actually fell asleep for about 10 minutes of the film while sitting in the theater. If I'm having a restless night and can't get any shut eye, I know now what will do the trick.
BORING BORING BORING. Way too many sequels and remakes are made these days. You wonder if writers are running out of original ideas. Even more likely, studios simply care more about making a profit at the box office than coming up with good films. Audiences don't seem to care either, as evidenced by Transformers and this film doing quite well at the box office. In my opinion, moms and dads need to spend more time interacting and playing with their kids than shutting them up with clunkers for preschoolers like this. And people wonder why the SAT scores continue to decline...
2. Would I watch it again? NO
I actually fell asleep for about 10 minutes of the film while sitting in the theater. If I'm having a restless night and can't get any shut eye, I know now what will do the trick.
The Taking of Pelham 123 (Bob says 1 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
Denzel Washington and John Travolta give adequate performances in this thriller about a terrorist who hijacks a train and will only talk to Washington's character. This film felt a lot like 24 lite, having the quick pacing of the hit TV show without as much excitement. Still, the leads do well enough to carry us through for one viewing, and the audience could do much worse.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
Ultimately, the film is pretty forgettable and is just another day at the office for its stars. For fans of this genre, I would recommend they follow the 24 TV show if they don't already.
Denzel Washington and John Travolta give adequate performances in this thriller about a terrorist who hijacks a train and will only talk to Washington's character. This film felt a lot like 24 lite, having the quick pacing of the hit TV show without as much excitement. Still, the leads do well enough to carry us through for one viewing, and the audience could do much worse.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
Ultimately, the film is pretty forgettable and is just another day at the office for its stars. For fans of this genre, I would recommend they follow the 24 TV show if they don't already.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Proposal (Bob says 0 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? NO
So someone came up with this oh so original story idea of a guy and a girl who can't stand each other as the story begins, but by the end of the movie fall in love. Oh and they have to pretend they're married so she can stay in the country by marrying an American citizen. The problem with so many chick flicks is they are unbelievably predictable, which is what a chick flick audience wants apparently. Now, a lack of originality can be forgiven if there are enough believable dramatic touches or perhaps great comedic ones. For the most part, this film doesn't have either. Oscar Nunez, known for his role in the TV series The Office, plays a very different role here, but I don't think it worked. The one person who had a number of funny moments that did pay off was Betty White. I would have liked to have seen a film based on her character, the crazy but lovable grandmother celebrating her 90th birthday. But, the focus is on the two leads, and aside from a chance to see a scene with Sandra Bullock in nothing but a bath towel, you're not missing much.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
Guys, only go to this if you're with a date who loves these kind of films. Girls, if your man is the one paying for it, knock yourself out.
So someone came up with this oh so original story idea of a guy and a girl who can't stand each other as the story begins, but by the end of the movie fall in love. Oh and they have to pretend they're married so she can stay in the country by marrying an American citizen. The problem with so many chick flicks is they are unbelievably predictable, which is what a chick flick audience wants apparently. Now, a lack of originality can be forgiven if there are enough believable dramatic touches or perhaps great comedic ones. For the most part, this film doesn't have either. Oscar Nunez, known for his role in the TV series The Office, plays a very different role here, but I don't think it worked. The one person who had a number of funny moments that did pay off was Betty White. I would have liked to have seen a film based on her character, the crazy but lovable grandmother celebrating her 90th birthday. But, the focus is on the two leads, and aside from a chance to see a scene with Sandra Bullock in nothing but a bath towel, you're not missing much.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
Guys, only go to this if you're with a date who loves these kind of films. Girls, if your man is the one paying for it, knock yourself out.
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