“Blind Dating”
Hottie Chris Pine plays Danny, who has never had a serious girlfriend. His annoying but well-meaning brother Larry (Eddie Kaye Thomas) is intent on helping Danny lose his virginity by hooking him up with several inappropriate women.
Category: Film
“Blue State”
“Blue State” looks at just how far one young man will go to prove his point that the wrong candidate won the 2004 presidential elections. When John Kerry loses to George W. Bush, one of Kerry’s campaign workers makes good on his promise to move to Canada if Bush is elected president.
“Definitely, Maybe”
A romantic comedy that begins with a discussion about sex education and ends with a bit of an unexpected twist, “Definitely, Maybe” focuses on an engaging father and his 10-year-old daughter. Ryan Reynolds is a genial but bland leading man, but the women–including young Breslin–more than hold their own in this fun film.
“All Roads Lead Home”
“All Roads Lead Home” does not fall in the same category as a classic like “Old Yeller.” But it does tell a heartwarming tale that features some super cute animals, including an adorable, scene-stealing puppy. At times a tad too earnest, the movie (which is inspired by a true story) makes for pleasant viewing that could open up some nice dialogue between parents and children about how compassion comes in many different forms.
“The Last Legion”
By Jae-Ha Kim Amazon.com January 18, 2008 Swordfights, battles, and betrayal fuel The Last Legion, which tells the story of the last emperor of Rome: a slight 12-year-old boy who is a descendent of Julius […]
“Mad Money”
Ironically, “Mad Money” was directed by Callie Khouri, who wrote “Thelma & Louise” and “Something to Talk About”–movies that had all the key components (compelling storyline and characters worth cheering on) that “Mad Money” is lacking.
“Saving Sarah Cain”
Directed by Michael Landon, Jr., “Saving Sarah Cain” is a sweet film with an Afterschool Special vibe about a family thrown together by unfortunate circumstances.
Marlee Matlin: ‘A Chicago girl, inside and out’
Since winning the Academy Award for her breakthrough performance in “Children of a Lesser God,” Marlee Matlin has been renowned for her acting. But Matlin also is an accomplished author of children’s books.
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium
Equal parts whimsical and bittersweet, “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” is a family-friendly movie that will charm youngsters. Dustin Hoffman stars in the titular role of an eccentric 243-year-old owner of a magical toy store.
“Oasis: Lord Don’t Slow Me Down”
For all intents and purposes, Noel and Liam Gallagher are Oasis. So in Oasis: Lord Don’t Slow Me Down, it doesn’t really matter that the rest of the band (which includes Ringo Starr’s son Zak Starkey on drums) wasn’t in the lineup when the group made it big in 1995 with songs such as “Wonderwall.” The two-disc DVD offers a documentary as well as a concert filmed in the group’s native Manchester, England, in 2005. In its heyday, Oasis was at the top of its game.
“Why Did I Get Married?”
With his film adaptation of his play of the same name, Tyler Perry asks the question, “Why did I get married?” The answer is different for each of the four couples featured in this relationship comedy, which includes Janet Jackson as a psychologist whose own marriage is on shaky ground. Not known for subtlety, Perry hammers in the point that no marriage is perfect–just as no one is completely blameless.
“Shanghai Kiss”
Set in two dichotomous worlds, “Shanghai Kiss” tells the story of a Chinese-American actor who doesn’t quite fit in anywhere. In his hometown, he’s considered a foreigner even though he’s American. And in his family’s native China, his mannerisms make him stick out in sea of familiar faces.
“Feel The Noise”
Set against a backbeat of reggaeton music (which combines elements of reggae, hip-hop, and salsa), the film has its work cut out. The genre is little known to much of the film’s demographics (teenagers), and Grandberry is likeable, but he’s not a convincing leading man. His role requires simmering sexuality; he provides adorableness, but the moviegoer is never convinced that he is anything but a nice boy.
“The Kingdom”
Set in Saudi Arabia, “The Kingdom” is a political action thriller with good acting and wonderful visuals. Its so-so script, though, at times meanders aimlessly until a good explosion jolts the viewer’s attention back to the screen. Jamie Foxx stars as FBI special agent Ronald Fleury, who leads an elite team into Saudi Arabia to find the terrorists who attacked American employees working in the Middle East.
“Good Luck Chuck”
In a perfect world, “Good Luck Chuck” would’ve captured the humor of “Superbad” and the raunch of the “American Pie” films. But what we’re left with, instead, is a raunchy film with an anemic storyline. Cursed as a child with a hex that prevents him from finding true love, Charlie “Chuck” Logan (Dane Cook) finds that the women he dates find the men of their dreams immediately after they’ve dumped him.
“The Nanny Diaries”
Based on the best-selling book of the same name, the film version of The Nanny Diaries is a cute chick flick, but it lacks the witty tone of the novel, which took time to flesh out the characters. The tone is set early on when the narrator notes, “In Africa they have the saying: ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ But for the tribe of the Upper Eastside of Manhattan, it takes just one person: the nanny.”
“Absolute Garbage”
Released in conjunction with a CD of the same name, Absolute Garbage is a collection of 15 music videos from the rock band Garbage. Fronted by Shirley Manson, whose smooth and distinctive voice is equally adept at purring as it is growling, the group also includes drummer Butch Vig, guitarist Steve Marker, and bassist Duke Erikson. But make no mistake about it: The visuals are all about the photogenic Manson.
“Wedding Wars”
Capitalizing on the charisma of John Stamos and Eric Dane, “Wedding Wars” is a romantic comedy with a political agenda–gay marriage. No, Stamos and Dane don’t play lovers, but rather estranged siblings.
“Two Weeks” by Jae-Ha Kim
When it seems inevitable that Anita (Sally Field) will succumb to cancer, her grown children return home to help prepare her funeral arrangements in the dramedy “Two Weeks.”
“Reel Talent: First Films by Legendary Directors”
If you’ve ever wondered if your favorite filmmakers were geniuses (or mere hacks) back in their youth, “Reel Talent: First Films by Legendary Directors” will help clue you in.