THE DILEMMA: NO CHOICE HERE, PASS

It's the Vince Vaughn show! This may be my new worst movie of the year. If you recall, this film got a lot of bad press due to its misuse of the word "gay".Well, I've got news for you. That wasn't the worst of it. This was the first movie that I saw where the gag reel isn't even funny. The characters in this were mean and did cruel things to each other. Note to Mr. Vaughn: you are no longer a young man and can no longer play stupid young man roles. Please stop. This movie was tedious, painful, and boring. I didn't like anybody. To make matters worse it was one of the longer films that I have seen. I'm sorry Ron Howard, but this one didn't cut it for me. What a total embarrassment of a film.   

HALL PASS: FROM THE FARRELLY BROTHERS... WATCH OUT

This movie, brought to you by the Farrelly Brothers,joins their latest body of work which begs the question, is it funny or is it just plain gross? We need a group of married guys who take their wives for granted. Knowing that these men are pretty much all talk, the wives agree to give them a hall pass.This past gives them one week off of being married, so they can do what ever they want and not worry about the consequences. And as the movie goes, yes, they pretty much are all talk, however the twists comes when the wives find themselves starting to stray. I liked how they used the Law and Order sound bite when counting off the days. It is however, typical Farrelly Brother's gross out scenes including, full frontal shots and the most graphic sneeze I have ever seen. All I can say is, these guys are in a class all by themselves. Should you see this movie, consider yourself warned.  

RABBIT HOLE: WHOLE HEARTED

They say (who ever "they" are) that the worst possible loss is that of a child. Not only is it tragic when such a young life is lost, but it is out of the order of things when a child dies before their parents. This film is about a young couple, Becca and Howie (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) who are struggling to put their lives and marriage back together after their son is hit by a young driver; truly an accident. While the storyline is not new, it is done carefully and with refreshing honesty; grief is messy and unkind. Becca wants to resume life as usual and tries so hard to get back in to the rhythm of life without realizing she is trying to skip over her grief. Howie is the opposite, finding it hard to let go and swimming in a sea of memories. Both actors do tremendous jobs in this film. For the first time in a while, I felt like I was watching a character, rather than Kidman acting. In a film like this it could easily slide into a movie-of-the-week drama, but it stays grounded and truthful. There is no right way to grieve; no time deadlines; no rules. I really appreciated how they ended the film. No one ever lives happily ever after. In this film, however, they do continue to live.

BLUE VALENTINE: PLEASE BE MINE

Dean: In my experience, the prettier a girl is, the more nuts she is... which makes you insane. You're probably nutty coo coo crazy.

This is not your typical love story. It's a crazy roller coaster ride where there is mad crazy passionate love, mad crazy scary vulnerability;love lost and love found. This film follows this crazy dysfunctional passionate relationship between married couple Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) as they struggle to remember what brought them together in the first place and what keeps them together now. Undoubtedly, there is a ton of chemistry between Gosling and Williams. This story is that they moved into this house together and lived for a month before shooting the film. In addition, a great deal of the script was improvised which made it obvious how connected these two people were. The movie flashbacks to when the couple first met and the crazy things they did in the name of love and contrasts that with their routine married life,which didn't turn out exactly how either of them had planned. Gosling is magical. He shows both a vulnerability and assured bravado. Williams, is both alluring and tired of having to be the adult in the relationship. I guess that's why they say for better or for worse. Overall, a well done film. 

THE ACCIDENTAL HUSBAND: A BRIDE OF A DIFFERENT SORT

My favorite sort of films are usually dark, psychologically prompted thrillers. However, that's not to say there is never any room for brain candy, which is exactly what this film is. Uma Thurman is Dr. Emma Lloyd, a radio talk show guru who pontificates about the ways of love and relationships with a loyal following. Emma herself is on the brink of marrying her successful boyfriend (Colin Firth) when they discover she is already married (gasp!). She finds her "husband" Patrick Sullivan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) a handsome and sexy firefighter who set this whole plan in motion as his way to seek revenge on the person who advised his once fiancee not to go ahead with the wedding. He is rough and tumble and has his fun with her, abusing her manners and good breeding. It comes down to real love versus romantic love, passion versus safety. Uma is a good comedian. She literally kicks ass as the bride in Kill Bill, and now she figuratively kicks ass as a well meaning, confused, woman who just wants to find love and live happily ever after. Morgan is the reason I would set fire to my house knowing he would come to the rescue. He is funny and very desirable. As for the cheese ball ending? I loved it! 

Big bite: Underrated movie, enjoyable and fun, romantic and gushy.

IT'S COMPLICATED: AND THAT'S AN UNDERSTATEMENT

Jake: I'm sorry.

Jane: How far back does that 'sorry' go?

Jake: How far back do you need it to go?

Jane: Wa-ay back.

Once again Nancy Meyers brings us a light romp in a complicated situation. During their son's graduation and other family events related to their adult children, now divorced Jake (Alec Baldwin) and Jane (Meryl Streep) discover they still have an attraction to the other. Even though Jake has remarried, he cheats on his wife with his ex-wife and they find a whole new life blown back into their affair. Adding to the chaos is the arrival of Adam (Steve Martin) who is helping Jane with renovating the house but begins to develop feelings for her. The best part is to watch Streep juggle them both. It is complicated, but it is also funny.

SERIOUS MOONLIGHT: LAUGHABLE MOVIE

After the War of the Roses, this idea pales by comparison. Meg Ryan (Louise) has discovered her husband Ian (Timothy Hutton) has been cheating on her with Sara (Kristen Bell) and plans on leaving for Paris with her. To stop him from doing so, she uses the magic of duct tape and begins her last seduction of her captive audience. However, they are interrupted by Sara and then later Todd (Justin Long) a criminal intent on robbing the house. Seemingly meant to be a dark comedy, this film comes off as pathetic and desperate and just plain sad. The comedy wasn't laughable and at times it felt like a rerun of Three's Company. I did not see the ending coming and that did turn out to be a humorous touch like the cherry on top a sundae. It wasn't a terrible film, but not a fabulous one either.
No bite: Not terribly funny but okay to watch if there is nothing else on.

THE HANGOVER

THE HANGOVER PRESENTS A GOOD REASON TO DRINK

So first we had 'chick flicks'. Now we have 'bromances'. Judd Apatow has owned the market with 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, but now it has spread. The Hangover is the latest in this vein brought to us by Todd Phillips (Old School). Four friends (three friends and a soon to be brother in law) head out for a blowout party before one of them gets married. In an interesting twist, we wake up with them the next morning and very much like them, we want to know what happened. The twist is that no one remembers and the groom to be is missing. It is a perfect set up for a caper comedy.

THE SECRET

THE SECRET IS A GOOD ONE TO SHARE

Almost all ages can remember one version or the other of Freaky Friday, the story of a woman and daughter who "switch" bodies and have to literally walk in the other's shoes. Here we have another Freaky Friday of sorts. This one is a dramatic one. Hannah Marris (Lili Taylor) and her daughter Samantha (Olivia Thrilby) have hit the normal progression in time when a teenager doesn't want her mother (or father) so close anymore. It's not cool to love your parents, so 'Sam' acts accordingly. They end up in a serious car accident; enter Dr. Benjamin Marris (David Duchovny) who finds himself standing between the two hospital beds containing his wife and daughter. His wife dies. It gets 'freaky' when his daughter regains consciousness and seems possessed by the spirit of Hannah. This could have gone so many different bad ways, but it didn't. Like the similar movie of years back, Birth staring Nicole Kidman, the implications hang above our heads waiting to "go there" but this one doesn't. It is amazing to be put in this sort of situation, for the most part, Dr. Marris. How do you treat your 'wife' when she is inhabiting the body of your daughter. Hello, Dr. Freud?! They cover a normal range of emotions and limitations in this situation for which there is no president, but they are covered well and believably. A very odd film, but oh, so well done. Trilby inhabits Taylor which in her first role, is awesome.

PICK: Different situation makes for an interesting film.

AWAY FROM HER

AWAY FROM HER "THE ULTIMATE LOVE STORY"
In Hollywood, older actors get about the same treatment older people get... we make them disappear. We have nursing homes and retirement "villas" where we leave them lined up against the corridors looking for a familiar face every other week unless the kids have soccer practise. Not that it's easy to care for them at home. Especially when Alzheimer's hits. And our unlikely hero of a husband, Grant (Gordon Pinsent) fights all the way. However, it is not he who suffers, but his wife of 44 years, Fiona, played with grace and depth by Julie Christie. They have a wonderful marriage and a comfortable routine in rhythm with each other. She is well aware that she is slowly "beginning to disappear" and her behaviors worsen. She is "going, but not gone." Fiona is the one who reads up on what the caregiver (usually the spouse) should expect. She is the one who picks the time and the place. (Note: This is a Canadian film and their system works differently from ours as I doubt anyone here chooses to enter a home unless in dire straights.) Due to policy, he can not see her for 30 days so she can acclimate. The time feels like years not days, and when it is permissible to visit, he has a difficult time making his adjustment. How do you grieve the loss of a person when their heart still beats, and they talk to you in that familiar voice, but it just isn't the same? Then we toss in new attachments and it gets more and more painful and conflicted. Christie does an eloquent job in her role, bringing tenderness and substance to a woman who is not dumb or crazy, she has Alzheimer's. Pinsent also gives us a clear picture that we oddly feel not in our heads, but in our hearts on how difficult it is to let go, to regain your life as if you were widowed. In every subsequent shot, he looks more and more disheveled and less hopeful. Sarah Polley, gifted actress, wrote and directed this film which is stunning. (I want to say 'for her age' but for anyone it would still be stunning.) This movie is a rarity where not only do these older adults have healthy and active lives, they also have sex. On the most part, I think our society doesn't want to see that, but here it is handled gently; and yes, Julie Christie is still one beautiful, sexy woman. Alzheimer's may be easier to recognise now, but it doesn't make it any less heartbreaking for those who are near and dear to those afflicted.

Big Pick: Absolutely a must see; Compassionate, excellent, touching and brave.

THE HEARTBREAK KID

THE HEARTBREAK KID HEARTBREAKINGLY UNFUNNY

The Farrelly brothers have previously brought us many films that were soooo either politically incorrect or gross-reality that were far more entertaining than 98% of this film would hope to be. There were a few, very, very few scenes that borderline on humorous in this film. For the most part, this film was long, boring and lifeless. Ben Stiller plays a man who weds too quickly and then discovers the "real" woman he married has many flaws. So, while ON HIS HONEYMOON he bumps into a bland, I mean, brunette, Michelle Monaghan, and falls in love with her. The plot is weak, the jokes are either predictable or flat dumb and it is way too long. We get the gag, and then get it again and again and again as if we didn't get it the first time. Stiller dozed off through the film where everyone else took full on naps. The only thing that broke my heart was having to sit through the whole thing. Note to self, write to Farrelly brothers and ask for rebate on rental fee.

NOT a Pick: Too long, not funny, not worth the time or money.

KNOCKED UP

KNOCKED UP A KNOCK OUT (Don't tell me you didn't see that coming?!)
By now, thanks to SUPER BAD, I am getting used to this juvenile, crude and raunchy sense of comedy. I spent the whole first part of this movie hating it. Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) is who would happen if the guys in SUPER BAD grew up. You will see a lot of familiar faces from that one in KNOCKED UP. Out with his buddies one night he meets Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) and as both are in a celebratory mood, there is much drinking and dancing and at the end of the evening... well, consider the title. I liked the characters in this movie; his pot head, video game playings burnout friends and her sister and brother-in-law and their "perfect" family. My personal favorite is her sister's misunderstood husband Pete (Paul Rudd). As I was writing my notes for this, pretty sure I hated it, out comes the sun and flowers and we find a heart in this movie. It presents marriage in a real way with the real arguments and misunderstandings as well as relationships in general. Again, a real surprise to me, but this was a funny comedy, although not for the delicate watcher.
Rating: Raunchy and crude can still produce a sweet story about real love and relationships