Today's movie is America's Sweethearts. Directed by Les Mayfield and starring Catherine Zeta-Jones (Traffic), Julia Roberts (Erin Brochovich), John Cusack (High Fidelity) and Billy Crystal (Analyze This), this movie is about a feuding Hollywood separated couple who are brought together by a press junket to publicize their new movie, until the starlet's sister falls for the male lead. Right off the bat, we are introduced to Kiki (Roberts) and her sister Gwen (Zeta-Jones). This has to be some of the worst casting I've ever seen. A prime example of casting done based on previous box office success. I haven't seen more unlikely siblings since the movie 'Twins' with Danny Devito and Arnold Schwartzenegger. The two actresses did work well together, and any scene with Cusack was pretty good. I must say however, that Billy Crystal was the best I've seen him in a long time. Crystal plays Lee, the publicist who will stop at nothing to promote his movie. I did laugh out loud at quite a few moments, despite the unlikely cast ensemble. Its also nice to see actors making fun of the whole Hollywood system, especially Zeta-Jones who plays a demanding, spoiled and overbearing 'princess'.

Rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

posted by Lisa at 8:07 p.m. |

 
The movie of the day is...dum da da dum... The New Guy.

The New Guy is about a geek, who after being thrown in jail for being disorderly, decides to change his life. With the help of a funky inmate, he re-invents himself, goes to a new school, and becomes the most popular guy there. Starring DJ Qualls (Road Trip) as the geek, Eliza Dushku (Bring It On), Eddie Griffin (Double Take) and, you're not going to believe me, Lyle Lovett. Sorry, I can't find who directed it, but whoever it was, did a great job! ;-) I actually really enjoyed "The New Guy". I hadn't expected to but it was just plain funny. Maybe I'm an easy laugh, but it was a fun movie. Plus I'm also a fan of Eliza Dushku, who earned my respect on Buffy. (Don't say it, I know!)
Griffin did a great job as the prison bully who takes on the challenge of making Dizzy (Qualls) a super cool stud. The chemistry between the two actors was great, each playing off of the other for some truely funny moments. Although, I think my favorite part was when the re-made Dizzy arrives at his new school. A prision transport vehicle pulls up and four guards get out, armed to the teeth. They open up the back to reveal Qualls chained in a chair, with a Hannibal Lector style mask on. They bring him out, unlock him and then yell "Run!" Needless to say, this gets the attention of all of his new fellow students.

Rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

posted by Lisa at 12:14 p.m. |

 
I've decided to review a second movie today, just because I don't have a book to review just yet. (I'm still reading it!) The movie in question is "The Hole" starring Thora Birch, of "American Beauty" fame, Desmond Harrinton, David Brocklebank, Laurence Fox, and a blond that nobody seems to feel is important because I can't find her name anywhere, directed by Nick Hamm. Set in England, four private school teenagers decide to bail on a class trip to spend the weekend in an old bomb shelter. They have a great time, under during an arguement two decide to leave and discover that they are locked in. "The Hole" is very well done, and is definately not your typical teen movie. It begins with Birch's character, Liz, dirty and disheveled picking up a pay phone, dialing 911 and screaming into the phone. From there on, the story of what happened to the teens in the bomb shelter is told in a series of flashbacks by Liz. The tale is dark and disturbing, a frightening look at how thirst and starvation can drive people to madness. The performances are fantastic, Thora Birch showing yet another range of her talent, while Desmond Harrinton proves himself equal to the task of acting alongside the Oscar nominated actress.

Rating: 4.5 (out of 5)

posted by Lisa at 11:57 a.m. |

 
The movie I am going to review today is Pootie Tang. Yes, I've actually watched it, and yes, I am still alive to tell the tale. Pootie Tang "is the ultimate sly super hero who must come face to face with his arch enemy who is out to destroy him and his moral ideas". Starring Lance Crouther, Robert Vaughn (Baseketball), Jennifer Coolidge (Legally Blonde), Wanda Sykes and Chris Rock (Down to Earth), among others. Directed by Louis C.K., this movie is funny in a god-awful, dumber than dirt, kind of way. Pootie speaks in a language that nobody understands, but he is still a role-model superstar in this alternate universe. He beats up the bad guys with his magic belt, yes a magic belt, that only works if you have 'good on your side'. You want more? Characters have names like Pootie, Ireenie, Biggie Shorty and Truckie. Chris Rock plays young Pootie's father, grown up Pootie's friend and a DJ for a radio station. It was ridiculous, made absolutely no sense, seemed to lack any purpose or plot. It just jumped from one thing to another without any real rhyme or reason. All in all, it was pretty awful!

Rating: 1 (out of 5)


posted by Lisa at 10:41 a.m. |

 
The book under review today is "Wicked Widow" by Amanda Quick that I just finished reading yesterday. "Scandal is afoot and seduction is in the air in this, Amanda Quick's sixteenth and most deliciously entertaining novel. Now the mistress of Regency-period romantic suspense brings us a notorious widow and a man of mystery as they flirt with danger, fight temptation, and fall into the snare of desire and intrigue..." This is actually a pretty accurate description of the book. It starts off dramatically and continues to remain so throughout. I will admit, that it is something of a 'girly' novel, as there is a romantic undercurrent that may not appeal to men, but there are a number of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages. There are a number of things in the story that are very formula and you have to groan wryly, but for the most part there are a number of original ideas.

Rating: 3.75 (out of 5)

posted by Lisa at 9:55 a.m. |

 
100 Girls
I just caught the end of this movie, but as I had seen it before, I thought I'd give it a quick mention. 100 Girls stars Jonathan Tucker as a college freshman who meets his dream girl in an elevator during a blackout, then sets out to find her. It also features some of Hollywood's prettiest up and comers, like Katherine Heigl (Roswell) and Larisa Oleynik (10 Things I hate About You), to name a few. To make a long story short, it is a feel good kind of movie. One has kind of a silly grin throughout despite the rather cliched storyline and silly jokes concerning the differences between men and women. It certainly beats some of the latest teen movies I've seen.

Rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

posted by Lisa at 8:42 p.m. |

 
Hello again,
I watched "Evolution" this afternoon with David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Orlando Jones and Sean William Scott, not to mention Dan Aykroyd. It started off slow. Very slow, and then it got a little better. The two redeeming moments were, in my eyes, Moore's character saying "I'm a humorless ice maiden in desperate need of a good humping.", and David Duchovny yelling at a giant alien "Let go of my friend, you big sphincter!". The second one made the movie! Considering the plot was virtually non-existent, the director, Ivan Reitman did what he could be hiring as many names as possible. I was very disappointed to see Julianne Moore attach herself to such drivel as she is such a high caliber actress. There were a few funny parts, but not enough to make it worth the effort of just watching.

Rating: 2.5 (out of 5)

posted by Lisa at 3:23 p.m. |

 
Welcome!
Two things come under my scrutiny today. First is "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels", a film by Guy Ritchie. I don't know the date this movie was originally released, but I watched it for the first time last night. I really enjoyed it. It is, however, very 'british' so some of the lingo makes it almost a foreign language, and some of the accents are hard to understand. Once you get the hang of it, not unlike when one watches a period piece, it's a very interesting look at the British crime scene. There are lots of twists and turns, and the story connects all the characters beautifully while still staying darkly comedic. For those of you who have seen this film, I recommend "Snatch", Ritchie's non-sequel sequel. And vice versa.

Rating: 4 (out of 5)

Second is a fantasy fiction series I recently read called "The Death Gate Cycle" by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. "Ages ago, sorcerers of unmatched power sundered a world into four realms - sky, stone, fire and water - then vanished. Over time, magicians learned to work spells only in their own realms and forgot the others. Now only the few who have survived the Labyrinth and crossed the Death Gate know of the presence of all four realms - and even they have yet to unravel the mysteries of their severed world..."
It is a seven book series, yes seven, but the first four books are all vastly different, each being set in one of the four realms, while the last three tie the stories together. The different worlds are each beautifully rendered, while each of the tales are vastly different while still maintaining the thread of the series. Each have likeable characters, complex and most importantly, individual. The only exception, in my opinion, is book three, Fire Sea, which is mildly disturbing. I have read the series three times in the last five years, and I feel that other fans of fantasty fiction would equally enjoy them.

Ratings: Book 1, "Dragon Wing": 4, Book 2, "Elven Star": 3.5, Book 3, "Fire Sea": 2.5, Book 4, "Serpent Mage" 3.5, Book 5, "Hand of Chaos": 4, Book 6, "Into the Labyrinth": 4 and Book 7, "The Seventh Gate":4. Overall rating: 4 (out of 5)

posted by Lisa at 10:02 a.m. |