Arthur (2011)
April 5, 2011 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2011 Releases
Brand stars as Arthur Bach, a man who has always relied on two things to get by: his limitless fortune and the good sense of lifelong nanny Hobson (Mirren) to keep him out of trouble. Now he faces his biggest challenge, choosing between an arranged marriage that will ensure his lavish lifestyle or an uncertain future with the one thing money can’t buy—Naomi (Gerwig), the only woman he has ever loved. With Naomi’s inspiration and some unconventional help from Hobson, Arthur will take the most expensive risk of his life and finally learn what it means to become a man, in this re-imagining of the 1981 classic.
Opens April 8.
Valentine’s Day
January 10, 2010 by Maura Reilly
Filed under 2010 Releases
An all-star ensemble cast comes together in VALENTINE’S DAY, following the intertwining storylines of a group of Los Angelinos as they find their way through romance over the course of one Valentine’s Day.
Directed by veteran director Garry Marshall, the film stars Jessica Alba(FANTASTIC FOUR), Academy Award winner Kathy Bates (MISERY), Jessica Biel (I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY), Bradley Cooper (THE HANGOVER), Eric Dane (TV’s GREY’S ANATOMY), Patrick Dempsey (ENCHANTED), Hector Elizondo (the PRINCESS DIARIES movies, Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx (RAY), Jennifer Garner (JUNO), Topher Grace (Spiderman 3), Academy Award nominee Anna Hathaway (RACHEL GETTING MARRIED), Ashton Kutcher (WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS), Academy Award nominee Queen Latifah (CHICAGO), Taylor Lautner (THE TWILIGHT SERIES: NEW MOON), George Lopez (BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA), Academy Award Winner Shirley MacLaine (TERMS OF ENDEARMENTS), Emma Roberts (HOTEL FOR DOGS), Academy Award Winner Julia Roberts (ERIN BROCKOVITCH) and award-winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.
Opens February 12th.
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
I have a confession, I have always had a soft spot for Matthew McConaughey films. A Time to Kill, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Sahara, Reign of Fire, and even The Wedding Planner. Well, I think this film just broke my infatuation.
Matthew is still Matthew and maybe that was the problem, along with the entirely too predictable story. That, of course, should be expected since it is a new take on the old theme of A Christmas Carol, with none of the charm.
The disillusion began with the sun dried tan that showed every wrinkle on the poor man’s face, something that wasn’t seen as he did the talk show circuit last week. Maybe it was by design, as the character would have a fondness for tanning booths as he worked the serial sleaze circuit. It was just enormously distracting. Maybe it was the character himself, that not even MM could rescue and redeem. A cad is a cad, but even some cads can become endearing, unfortunately, it didn’t happen here.
I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised to see Michael Douglas finally looking his age. Michael, stop fighting it! You looked great as the Hugh Hefner of the movie.
Another week spot were the women of the film. Jennifer Garner really needs to go back to kicking some ass. That’s when she shines. All the bridesmaid and the conquests of the leads just faded one into the other. The only standout was Noureen DeWulf as the abused assistant who hooks up with Jennifer’s designated wedding sex (the very handsome Daniel Sunjata [James Holt, from The Devil Wears Prada]) once all is said and done.
The only redeeming quality of the film, was the soundtrack. If you are in my age group, these songs will take you back to the days of old. REO Speedwagon, Simply Red, Cindy Lauper, KC & The Sunshine Band, Kool & The Gang and more, all make you forget the film and bring you back to the movie in your own mind of your own past.
I can’t even classify this as a good “girls night out” film or NetFlix queue addition. Wait till it shows up on cable for free. Then it may be worth the price.
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