THE PROMOTION

THE PROMOTION DOESN'T COME SO EASY
This isn't a particular kind of movie. Sure, it's classified in under comedy, and some of it was funny (not enough though) but then they toss a few drama lines that don't make sense. Seann Scott and John C. Reilly are two men in the grocery business and there is only room for one at the top. As witnessed in Election, this film has the dark humor/comedy borderlining on politically incorrect stuff that dreams are made of. I wasn't compelled to the characters, their sub-plots or most anything in this farce. Stay in your place worker bees!
NOT a pick: Go clip coupons and watch Election again.

PAUL NEWMAN: RIP 9/26/2008

WESTPORT, Conn. (AP) -- Paul Newman, the Oscar-winning superstar who personified cool as the anti-hero of such films as "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Color of Money" — followed by a second act as an activist, race car driver and popcorn impresario — has died. He was 83.

Newman died Friday at his farmhouse near Westport following a long battle with cancer, publicist Jeff Sanderson said. He was surrounded by his family and close friends.

MARRIED LIFE

MARRIED LIFE NEEDS A DIVORCE
All dolled up and no place to go. The mere power of the names acting in this film is enough to dazzle and entice, but that's it. It ends with the rental check out. A film-noir-ish style and great period costumes and props garner this film with much ado about nothing. Who's cheating on whom? Who knows they are cheating on the other's spouse? Who cares? Chris Cooper sleep walks through his role as the divided husband who wants to spare his wife (a wasted Patricia Clarkson) the news that he is divorcing her by killing her. And Pierce Brosnan is in it and Rachel McAdams tries really hard to look like Kim Novak. Did I leave anything out? It was entertaining, even in a mediocre, I've got nothing better to do on a rainy afternoon kind of way. The bad news is the ending. When a film comes with alternate endings it is a red flag that their work was not executed well enough to stay with just one. But in most all their alternates (and yes, there were several) the film flip-flopped from a lukewarm thriller to a hardcore drama. It just didn't work in ANY of those endings.
NOT a pick: Everything was set out to make the sandwich but someone had soup instead.

SON OF RAMBOW

SON OF RAMBOW "Make Believe. Not War."

I suppose it's not considered a good review when the first sentence contains the words, 'I wanted to like this film...'
This film is a story about friendships and the imaginable forces that lurk from behind a young boys wide eyes. I wanted it to make me feel something; something other than bored. There were several spots here and there where it was cute or heartwarming, but not enough from start to finish. My biggest compliment is to the film's musical content; a huge bonus for us 80-somethings. Aside from not meeting my high expectations, this is a friendly film with moments of poignancy and wonder.

PICK: Although not a great film, it is entertaining and worth the time.

THEN SHE FOUND ME

THEN SHE FOUND ME AND THEN SHE LOST ME AND THEN I FOUND HER AND THEN...
My first impression upon watching this much hyped film is that Helen Hunt looks like crap. I wondered if she did that on purpose so it really shows us her struggle, so she can look really good at the end of the film or maybe it's to prove her transition into directing, but no, she just looks like crap. This is an attempt at a story about motherhood and what it takes to be one. April (Hunt) hears her biological clock going off like a police car siren. Her adoptive mother dies and suddenly, the biological mother pops up out of nowhere and voila, instant mom. When dealing with men, clocks and mothers, the rest is not easy to summarize. It wasn't a great film, but it did hold my attention and the subtle nuances slipped in between the obvious biological clock/baby/mother and relationship jokes. I'm not sure I liked the ending, but you be the judge.
PICK: Not an obvious film, but provides a new insight into an age old tradition.