Fracture

Two big name actors carried this whole picture, and it was perfectly cast! Anthony Hopkins plays an excellent psychopath and Ryan Gosling is always likable and somewhat vulnerable. This was my second thriller film of the weekend and I must say, I miss this genre. I have been so set on romantic comedies that I have been remiss in really entertaining myself! I like the suspense, twist and turns and puzzling themes. This is a crime thriller and Gosling needs to find a way to unravel a case as a prosecutor against Anthony Hopkins' character. The story surrounds a murder and adultery. I did, however, detest the end of this film. Like I said before, great endings are hard.. as a writer you have the momentum through the entire screen play and then BAM!! against the wall.. trying to conceive of a great ending.. doesn't always work. This ending seemed abrupt after all the purposefully slow mystery solving.. it came too easily, Anthony Hopkins' character was much to intelligent to walk right into the trap which befell him... doesn't make sense that he would confess so readily to the crime, finally... Up to the end, I liked it...

I give it a 6 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qacXgLYhi0

Taking Lives

Interesting how a couple of bigger name actors had such bit parts, such as Paul Dano, Oliver Martinez, and Kiefer Sutherland in exchange for Ethan Hawke to be the lead male character. This film was shot in scenic Montreal which looks very old school Euro. A serial killer is on the loose and Angelina's character, an FBI agent, has been brought in to use her sixth sense in conjunction with the Montreal police force. The tone of the film was interesting and hip, I liked the direction very much. However, I kept focusing on the big line in Angelina's lower lip each time she was on screen! What is that?! I liked the thriller aspect of the story and appreciated the twists and turns. It was an entertaining story and had me surprised a few times. This sort of story has to be harder to write because one must be clever and cunning. The chemistry between the actors was compelling; particularly between Jolie, Martinez and Hawke! I would think that in the real world Martinez and Jolie would be an interesting match! I recommend this film for a great escape.

I give it a 6 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScBYUVk83oU

Over Her Dead Body

This is a typical, and predictable comedy featuring Paul Rudd as Henry, a widower, whose fiancee dies on his wedding day and Eva Longoria Parker, as the dead fiancee, Kate. I did, however, enjoy Lake Bell, a beautiful and interesting looking actress who plays the foil for Kate's plan to keep Henry single from the after-life. I kept wondering if I should dye my hair red because her hair was to die for, no pun intended. I like Paul Rudd, he is dorky, familiar and is great in comedic roles due to some sort of self deprecation, which seeps through in every role. He is not threatening, handsome and seems totally attainable. He is the Jennifer Anniston of guys! The story centers around Henry and Ashley's, played by Lake Bell, inability to get it together romantically due to unforeseeable and outside forces. Of course, since I revealed it is predictable, we all know what happens in the end! The direction is too contrived, but that could have been the intention. Simple and trite and we all know that in American Cinema there is definitely a place for that, just like there is a place for Elvis!

I give it a 3 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCE24UP6srU

I Love You, Man

This was a good, clean PG comedy, which is hard to find these days. Most are raunchy R's. I liked it, didn't love it.. but found it to be light-hearted, silly and Paul Rudd as Peter Klaven was great. He was a clumsy, lovable male who put everything into his romantic relationships at the expense of developing male friendships. He and Jason Segel as his best friend were hilarious together when jamming and playing Rush songs. There were great and ridiculous scenes! I liked how the story portrayed Jason's character, Sidney as this loafing good for nothing. The end was cute and Rashida Jones is a great leading lady! She is comedic, yet not over the top and pleasant to look at. I hope I see her in more films! Paul Rudd is quite popular these days! Andy Samberg was funny as Paul's gay brother...

I give it a 6 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRLf04gH7mc

Good Dick

What a strange premise for a film! I thought the male lead resembled someone, Jack Ritter, I imagine Jason Ritter is his son. The story centers around a video clerk who falls for a quiet and withdrawn female customer. The woman signs out porn videos and this creates an interest in the video clerk. Not because she is outrageously provocative, but because she seems so odd, tired and quiet. Needless to say, the two strike up quite a unique relationship where the guy is constantly trying to fool around with the girl as he sleeps in her apartment each night. She rejects his advances and we find out why at the end of the film. It was rather hard to get through this film. I like to finish films even if they are terrible. I guess the name is exactly what it means. That the male lead is a good guy, if that makes sense...

I give it a 1 out of 10 because Martin Starr is in it, I loved him in Freaks and Geeks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH8TdstZDV4

Saved

I was surprised that this wasn't your regular garden variety pg comedy. Michael Stipe is attached to this, and I didn't know that until the credits rolled. I actually enjoyed this comedic romp. Mandy Moore played a bible thumping villain who had a great haircut! I kept looking at the color and the cut and wondered if I might be able to pull it off even though it was sort of Pinky Tuscadero! It was just enough cut to be definable, but not enough to be corny and a real "hairstyle" which can be sort of awful unless you go extreme with short pin up bangs and some cool color.. ok, back to the film.. The story line was realistic yet campy and illustrated how even though one may have a fanatical religious convictions, humanness always creeps in and ruins your efforts all the time! The story line was ironic, funny and somewhat witty at times because there is a character named Mary in which a tragedy befalls! Think Juno but less hip. It was light, airy, easy and entertaining.. sometimes we all need that. Good characters, including Macauley Culkin who plays a quadriplegic and a edgy Jewish girl who attends a Christian School! The story has all the classic elements for a complete and full circle story. If you are in the mood for fun, and escape, this is your film. It has a surprisingly good cast as well.. including Patrick Fugit, I like him, and Mary-Louise Parker!

I give it a 6 out of 10!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RoRLORP9U