The cure for the common man

I'll be reviewing one of the best 'date' movies I've ever seen, Andy Tennant's (Sweet Home Alabama)Hitch. Alex 'Hitch' Hitchens (Will Smith-Shark Tale, I-Robot) is a 'date doctor'. He helps the nice guys finish first by helping them get the women of their dreams. When Hitch is hired by Alfred (Kevin James-King of Queens) to woo the beautiful, and famous, Allegra (Amber Valletta-Raising Helen), he meets gossip columnist Sarah (Eva Mendes-Stuck on You) and is intrigued.

I went into this film with absolutely no expectations. I didn't know what the story was about, or even who was in it, besides Will Smith. I tend to avoid the 'romantic comedies', but it was Valentine's Day. I was pleasantly surprised.

The story is sweet, quirky and original, with the exception of the a-typical Hollywood ending. I laughed out loud quite a few times, and I wasn't alone. The audience really connects with the character of Alfred, seeing a lot of their own dating fears and insecurities in him. Because we always want the nice guy to get the girl, we really root for him, and as a result, like Hitch and what he does.

Smith portrays Hitch as both confident and vulnerable. Playing a burned romantic is a fine line that often slides into that sappy pathetic zone, but Smith was very enjoyable. Mendes, who I haven't particularly liked in the past, was very good, playing opposite the more accomplished Smith with flare.

The highlight of this film is by far Kevin James. My biggest laughs and favorite moments all involved him. He stole every scene he was in with his excellent comedic timing. His portrayal of the sweet, but not-so-suave Alfred is to be commended, because you really want him to get the girl in the end. His triumphs and losses become yours. Comedies rarely produce characters that you really like, and this was only achieved by James's phenominal performance.

This is a great date movie; it's a chick flick that men enjoy too. What could be better? If you've ever wanted romance, if you've ever been in love, if you've ever had your heart broken or if you've ever just lived, you'll enjoy this movie.

Rating: 4.5 (out of 5)

Labels: Comedy, Romance

posted by Lisa at 9:27 a.m. |

 
Shi mian mai fu

I'm reviewing Yimou Zhang's (Hero) House of Flying Daggers, as it is known here in Canada. This story follows a young police deputy by the name of Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro-The Returner) who becomes involved with a beautiful blind dancer by the name of Mei (Ziyi Zhang-Hero). His captain, Leo (Andy Lau-Yesterday Once More), suspects the woman to be associated with the House of Flying Daggers, a revolutionary faction of assassins.

While I enjoyed this film, I found that it was lacking in the beautiful stylistic use of color that I had come to expect from Zhang. There were a few moments where Zhang utilized the vibrant colors and scenery that so captured me during 'Hero', but in all, it seem flat, drab and disappointing. I also found the sword fights to be lacking something in originality and grace, each seemed to bleed into the next without anything special to distinguish each.

The performances were wonderful as usual, easily breaking through the language barrier. There were times that I knew what the subtitles were going to say just from a expression or a gesture. Lau demostrated great range as his character was not only a police captain, but a love sick man and jealous lover. At one point, his mad expression gave me chills. I enjoyed Kaneshiro's performance, but not as much as I have in past films. I had expected more from him. Ziyi Zhang, who is surely one of the most beautiful women to grace the big screen, was exceptional as always. Depicting blindness is never easy, and I thought she did so admirably.

My biggest complaint would have to be with the story itself. It starts out so strong and promising. I was immediately captured by the tale. Even the few bizarre idiosyncrasities failed to detract from my enjoyment of what I was watching. It was only at the end that it fell apart. The ending seemed tacked on, and almost detached from the rest of the film. I felt let down, like I had missed something crucial.

Without the amazing feats of acrobatics and martial arts skill, and the gorgeous cinematography that one associates with the large budget Hong Kong films, "House of the Flying Daggers" is like a poor cousin coming to beg. Wait for the dvd, you didn't miss that much.

Rating: 2.5 (out of 5)

Labels: Action

posted by Lisa at 9:18 a.m. |

 
In search of wine. In search of women. In search of themselves.

Today I'll be reviewing Alexander Payne's (About Schmidt) touching dramedy Sideways. Two friends, Miles (Paul Giamatti-Paycheck) and Jack (Thomas Haden Church-Spanglish), embark on a week long trip to wine country to celebrate Jack's impending nuptuals. They hook up with a waitress named Maya (Virginia Madsen-American Gun), and a winery clerk named Stephanie (Sandra Oh-Wilby Wonderful). While Jack is just looking for one last fling before his wedding, sensative Miles, who hasn't dated since his divorce, finds something in Maya he hadn't realized he was looking for.

First, I have to say that I loved this film. I had few expectations because I didn't know much about the film besides the fact that critics loved it. It ended up being more than a pleasant surprise. As the film progressed, I was moved to laughter and tears. Few films can make that claim.

I was especially pleased by Payne's decision not to cast so-called 'A-List' actors as Giamatti and Church fit their roles so perfectly. Their performances were real, and I can give no greater compliment than that. By the end, I felt as though I knew each of them, and I appreciated their defects as much as their good qualities. There is one moment in particular where Miles is telling Maya why he loves 'Pinot Nior' wines so much. He proceeds to tell her how fragile pinot grapes are and that only the most nurturing of growers while get the most out of them. My heart broke for this character, this person, who was opening his heart to someone else. I really don't think anyone else could have done justice to the articulate and beautiful dialoge this film features.

Kudos goes out to Madsen and Oh for holding their own when confronted with the powerful performances dealt by their leading men. Madsen brought a sweetness that countered Giamatti's vulnerablity effectively, creating believable chemistry between them. Canadian actress Sandra Oh was flirty and tough without being brash. You liked both women.

Payne went with a simple directorial style. There was nothing stylistic or artsy about Sideways. It simply is what it is. Two men trying to find themselves. I left the theatre feeling as though I had witnessed someone else's piece of life. One feels as though you know these people, or someone like them. You can compare the situations, for the most part, to events in your own life.

This is a smart film. As a result, most of the general public won't get it. They won't understand the subleties of humour, or the humour one finds in every day life. I left the theatre feeling as though I had witnessed someone else's piece of life. One of the year's best by far.

Rating: 5 (out of 5)

Labels: Drama

posted by Lisa at 9:32 a.m. |