Special Review: "A Lot Like Love"

There are some movies that make you laugh out loud and other movies that just make you smile the entire time. Neither is particularly better, though. Nothing is more satisfying than a good, hearty laugh and nothing warms your spirit like grinning for nearly two hours. A Lot Like Love (PG-13) is a film in the latter category as it is impossible to stop smiling for more than a minute throughout the flick.

A Lot Like Love stars Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet as Oliver and Emily, two people that meet each other on a flight from Los Angeles to New York. There is an immediate attraction, but each go their separate ways. Once in New York, they cross paths once again. They spend a little time getting to know each other and Oliver gives Emily his parents’ phone number to check on his measure of success in the future.

As the movie progresses, we catch back up on the two of them once every few years. They have a little fun and then part ways again, each time. There are hints at a blooming romance, but they find that they are doing very different things in their lives. The timing just isn’t with them. However, at some point, both Oliver and Emily realize that the chemistry between them is absolutely perfect.

The same can be said for the chemistry between these two actors. I usually find Kutcher excruciatingly annoying and Peet is one of my least favorite actresses ever. Yet, I loved this movie! The actors seem to be a perfect match and the screenplay prevents Kutcher from getting annoying and actually makes Peet likeable.

The plot is a little too close to When Harry Met Sally with hints of Serendipity and Before Sunset, so it is not the most original film in theatres, but that does not take away from its charm. A Lot Like Love is one of the cutest romantic comedies in recent years. You know that these two people are meant for each other and you really want them to realize that, too.

Rather than arguing, as many couples in movies do, Oliver and Emily talk, flirt, and enjoy each other’s company. It sounds like this would make the film boring, but it in fact makes it unconventionally sweet. Of course, there are many other obstacles that get in the way of their relationship to keep the flick interesting. Most of the obstacles avoid cliché moments (aside from the somewhat-predictable but still-satisfying finale) and instead rely on more realistic incidents.

Full of sweet charm and natural charisma, the movie will keep a smile on your face for the entire running time and long after you leave the theatre. A Lot Like Love is my favorite movie of the year so far.

Review: "NBT: Never Been Thawed"

I would like to give due-mention to NBT: Never Been Thawed (U). The film, which was produced locally in Arizona, is now playing in select theatres. It is basically a mockumentary about a group of frozen entrée collectors and is filled with offbeat and offensive humor. The first half of the film is absolutely hysterical. It looses its steam somewhere, though, and the acting isn’t really great. However, it is comically original throughout. It is definitely worth seeing.

Review: "The Amityville Horror"

Ryan Reynolds, the usually comedic actor, takes a turn toward evil in The Amityville Horror (R). The film is a remake of the wildly popular 1979 haunted house flick based on a bestselling book based on real events. In it, Reynolds plays George, who moves into a new estate with his new family. The family is well aware of the fact that the place they call home once was a murderous crime scene. They ignore that fact and try their best to settle in together. George begins hearing voices, his stepdaughter begins talking to dead girls, and many other creepy things start happening. While interesting, the fun doesn't take full force until the second act, when George's eyes become bloodshot everytime he spends time in the house. The finale is absolutely terrifying and packed with horrific energy. It is not the best movie out there and it isn't the scariest I've seen, but Reynolds' riviting performance deserves to be seen. At one point, the bloodshot contacts seem to take control of his entire essence as he truely becomes monstorous. It is simply a lot of fun to get scared in Amityville.

Review: "Fever Pitch"

The best thing about the new Jimmy Fallon / Drew Barrymore romantic comedy Fever Pitch (PG-13) is the animated American Dad short showing before the film. The movie focuses on the decision one Boston Red Sox fan has to make between the love of his life and a girl. I do not find Fallon funny enough to pull off the comedy part of this flick and Barrymore has gone downhill in looks and acting skills in the past few years. The film has some sweet moments but some scenes are far too annoying and dull for me to seriously recommend this feature. It isn't the worst romantic comedy we've seen this year so far (Hitch), but it certainly isn't the best (The Wedding Date), either. All in all, the very cliche Fever Pitch is a decent motion pitcure if you really want to see it.

Review: "Sahara"

Matthew McConaughey, Penelope Cruz, and Steve Zahn star in the action/adventure flick, Sahara (PG-13), which opened Friday. Featuring a plot about a missing battle ship and a plague, it plays like a cross between National Treasure and an Indiana Jones sequel. It drags throughout the first half, but once the action starts, it is relentless. It is fun enough for me to reccomend. You can already guess by the previews that logic and intelligence doesn't have any role in this one. All of this added together leave Sahara stuck between too bland to be considered good and too fun to be considered bad. The cherry on top is the excrutiating Cruz who is in dire need of acting lessons, grace lessons, and English lessons. However, it is not bad for popcorn fare.

Review: "Sin City"

"Sin City" (R) is a lot like "Robots" for adults. It looks great and the actors are absolutely stunning, but underneath it lacks the essential part of a movie -- a story. Granted, "Sin City" in fact has three stories, told in three seperate but connected vignettes. However, it takes a while to settle into the storytelling method, which consists of quite a bit of narration. This can be explained by the movie's roots, a comic book by Frank Miller. Robert Rodriguiz gathered actors like Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, and Clive Owen (along with countless other talented folks with recognizeable names) and converted the medium. Presented in glorious black and white with splashes of extreme color, the comic is turned into a visually thrilling experience. After I got into the storytelling method, I actually liked the film. There are some snappy one-liners and (maybe too much) violent killing and it is a must see for adults. While it is sure to be studied with great detail by many filmmakers, it is a far cry from the perfect "Kill Bill." As with "Closer," Clive Owen steals the show.

Review: "The Upside Of Anger"

I checked out the new romantic comedy for adults this weekend. "The Upside Of Anger" (R) stars Joan Allen as a woman who is abandoned by her husband. Kevin Costner steps in and makes her feel uncomfortable and wanted at the same time. Allen's daughters, played by Erika Christensen, Alicia Witt, Keri Russell, and Evan Rachel Wood, are all along for the ride. I liked this movie for the first half hour or so. It was downhill from there. The key problem with the flick is that each character does something so repulsive, you end up hating them. Costner is the most redeeming of the bunch, but the woman are all hateful. It is a decent movie with decent acting and an alright screenplay, but I cannot reccomend it. If it were up to me, Allen would never act in a movie ever again. She adds nothing and takes away everything.