Romance

Just Skip It

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Just Go With It
  • IMDB: link

As a critic I’ve seen my fair share of romantic comedies over the years. Some are cute, some are sweet, some are funny, and far too many that are dumber than the celluloid on which they’ve been shot.

Fans who feel Adam Sandler has gotten too far away from his roots (where he made ridiculous comedies without a semblance of reason) are in for a treat. Sadly the rest of us will have to struggle through the painful cinematic misfire that is Just Go With It.

Sandler stars as Danny, a plastic surgeon who, on his wedding day, learns his wife-to-be has been cheating on him. He takes his sorrows to the local bar where his wedding ring and white lies about his long-suffering dysfunctional marriage turn into years of bedding a number of young hotties that rivals Wilt Chamberlain.

Everything in Just Go With It is based on lies, and not even good ones. The main plot begins when Danny sleeps with a beautiful woman on the beach (played by Brooklyn Decker, whose bikini gives the film’s only good performance).

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Win a Date with Tad Hamilton

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Win a Date with Tad Hamilton
  • IMDB: link

“Sometimes Goliath kicks the shit out of David.  It’s just nobody bothers to tell that story.”

win-a-date-with-tad-hamilton-posterYeah, it’s a simple love story.  Boy loves girl.  Girl falls for more accomplished boy.  A more modern take on the Bye, Bye Birdie story is so delightful that I actually prefer it to the original play and its other film versions.  In the hands of director Robert Luketic and screenwriter Victor Levin such a predictable story is given class and charm up the whazoo.  And so what we get is a well told and engaging story about great love that changes your life.

Sweet down home Rosalee Futch (Kate Bosworth) works at the Piggy Wiggly with her “Pete friend” (Topher Grace) and her “Cathy friend” (Ginnifer Goodwin).  The three musketeers work together and hang out at the local pub where the bartender (Kathryn Hahn) has made her feelings about Pete a little too clear.  Pete however has been harboring feelings for Rosalee for years and thinks he is finally ready to admit his love.  In a comedy this is where something usually goes amiss.

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Definitely, Maybe

/ / Movie Reviews, Theme Week
  • Title: Definitely, Maybe
  • IMDB: link

“I’m going to tell you the story and I’m changing all the names, and I’m not telling you who your Mom is.”
“I like it; it’s like a love story mystery”

definitely-maybe-posterOkay, here’s where I usually blast contrived romantic comedies like this one.  And although Definitely, Maybe does fall into that category the level of talent involved and the sheer joy of the tale make it a far more enjoyable experience than it has any right to be.

On the eve of his divorce Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) tries to explain love and relationships to his precocious daughter Maya (Abigail Breslin).

Will recounts a bedtime story of his relationships with three women (Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz), one of which is Maya’s mother.  Changing names and small facts Maya analyzes her father’s romantic history and tries to guess the identity of her mother, and try to figure out just what’s wrong with her father.

With a premise like that I thought I might be pulling my hair out by the time the film moved into the second act, but although the story is a tad contrived (and at times just too cute for words) it’s balanced by a darn good cast and Reynolds’ ability to find chemistry with each of his leading ladies.

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“Lake” Love Story Satisfies

/ / Movie Reviews, Theme Week
  • Title: The Lake House
  • IMDB: link

the-lake-house-posterI’m not sure if America needed to revisit the casting of Speed in the form of a romance-heavy romantic comedy, but nevertheless The Lake House is at your local cineplex.  And even though the commercials showcase a plot so ridiculous only Uwe Boll wouldn’t question it, the film is able to win over the female demographic with ease.  Even if they have a hard time admitting enjoying a chick flick, the guys just might find themselves rooting for a final scene shows Neo and Ms. Congeniality locking lips.

As the film begins, we meet Sandra Bullock moving out into the city, lonely with no one to talk to except her dog.  She might be cute if she weren’t dull, depressing, dead inside . . . but enough with the alliteration.

We also see Keanu Reeves moving into the same lake house Bullock just left, carrying baggage like clothes, furniture and a complicated relationship with his father (Christopher Plummer) that will eventually flesh itself out.

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Independently In Love

/ / Theme Week, Top Tens & Lists

Independent films shows the nitty gritty of love, life and sorrow, sometimes they add a bit of happiness. No camouflage here, just cold hard facts, bad hair, no make-up, sweat and dirt. Love making looks real not all pretty and fluffy like you can hit the hole every time, nope with Indie Films there are as many misses as hits. If you are on a neurotic sad Valentine’s night trip, be sure to buy extra ice cream and bring a spoon with these little gems.

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