dibot Blog

Under discussion:

Sleeping with the Enemy  (1991)

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past  (2009)

The Spiderwick Chronicles  (2008)

Terminator Salvation  (2009)

The Reader  (2008)

The Reader was my pick for Best Picture last year. I loved the style and the stillness. Kate Winslet ("Revolutionary Road"), David Kross ("Krabat") and Ralph Fiennes ("The Duchess") broke my heart. I had read the book on which this film is based years ago, but can't remember enough to compare. The story follows a young teen who begins an affair with an older woman. Years later, he sees her on trail as a Nazi war criminal. It's thought provoking and thoroughly depressing. I loved it.

Sleeping with the Enemy is one of those quick 90s thrillers we don't see much of now. Julia Roberts ("Duplicity") escapes from an abusive marriage by faking her own death. But then the husband discovers the ruse and comes looking for her. Entertaining but forgettable.

My love for Jennifer Garner ("Juno") and the little bit of charm left to Matthew McConaughey ("Tropic Thunder") after learning he doesn't wear deodorant got me through the mostly routine romantic comedy, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. As my coworker said, it was nice to see the three ghosts used in a non-Christmas fashion. But, though this role calls for that age, McConaughey is getting a little to old to play this romantic comedy role over and over. McConaughey is the consummate bachelor attending his younger brother's wedding where he starts to ruin everything. Garner is the one who got away. Wait to watch this on cable.

I freaking love Christian Bale ("The Dark Knight"). I don't care how many people he cusses out. Terminator Salvation is really more of a platform for Sam Worthington ("Rogue") than Bale, but Bale's still there trying to bring some seriousness to the ridiculous story. Of course, the effects are top notch and the machines look great, but the plot is so thin. And poor Bryce Dallas Howard ("The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond") just spends the whole time staring wide-eyed at the camera, barely speaking. A bit of a waste really. My husband disliked this more than I. He said this film killed the series.

The Spiderwick Chronicles is based on a series of children's books about a family who finds a portal to a magical world. When they move into a new house, Freddie Highmore ("The Golden Compass") finds a book that, when read, opens the gate. Then he must convince his family it's really happening. I got sucking into this film, even while fighting against it. The family tension is believable and the creature effects turn out pretty fantastic. By the end, I couldn't look away. It is a little dark for the PG rating though, so beware of that.

Under discussion:

Fido  (2007)

The Duchess  (2008)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine  (2009)

Obsessed  (2009)

Role Models  (2008)

I got into The Duchess mostly because it looks so beautiful. Kiera Knightly ("Silk") stars as another quirky period heroine. Ralph Fiennes ("The Reader") is cold and serious and just wants a son. The costumes are gorgeous and the landscapes are breathtaking so much so they overshadow the story and characters. Kind of sad really.

Role Models = hilarious. Paul Rudd ("I Love You Man") and Seann William Scott ("The Promotion") are almost outshined by their younger costars - Christopher Mintz-Plasse ("Superbad") and Bobb'e J. Thompson ("Columbus Day") - as they try to bond and put in their community service so as to avoid jail. Of course, they learn and grow along the way. But each step is more amusing than the next. See it.

I was quickly drawn into the colorful quirkiness of Fido. In a future where the dead won't stay dead, a collar has been invented to tame the monsters so they become useful household servants. A long boy befriends his zombie and his entire neighborhood must deal with the consequences. Very entertaining.

If you saw the trailer for Obsessed, you've pretty much seen the whole film. It's average. There is only one mildy surprising event in the film, but I won't spoil that here. A man flirts with a temp at his office and then has to deal with the repercussions of his actions. It's not so bad that it shouldn't be seen. You just shouldn't pay for it. Cable. Wait for cable.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine kind of got a bad rap before it even entered theaters, but I found it thoroughly entertaining. Hugh Jackman ("Australia") gives himself over to the role, making even the cheesy lines work. The audience I saw it with loved him. The effects are good. The fights are good. I've been told the backstory follows the comics fairly well. Just a really fun summer film.

Under discussion:

Newsies  (1992)

Kurt & Courtney  (1998)

He's Just Not That Into You  (2009)

Rachel Getting Married  (2008)

I freaking love Newsies and I don't care who knows it. The love may stem from the fact that I saw it first when I was younger, but it may just be Christian Bale ("The Dark Knight") singing and dancing about. Inspired by actual events, the story follows a group of newsboys as they go on strike when Joseph Pulitzer raises the price of the newspaper. It's still a lot of fun, but some of the choreography is meh and the film is, of course, cheesy. It's Disney after all. But I still love it.

I just got bored watching He's Just Not That Into You. There's no reason for this thing to be 2 1/2 hours long, unless it's trying to live up to the length of the title. A bunch of lessons on relationships, which we should really know already. Though the cast is filled with big names, I enjoyed Justin Long ("Zack and Miri Make a Porno") the most. But he's kind of my favorite actor right now. Maybe watch this when it comes on cable.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona seems like a return to form for writer/director Woody Allen ("Cassandra's Dream"). Two Americans go to Barcelona and get involved with a painter. Then his ex-wife, Penelope Cruz ("Elegy"), turns up to add even more spice to the situation. Cruz just blows up the screen every time she's on, totally deserving her Oscar. She's the best part of the movie. The worst part is the voice-over. But all in all, enjoyable.

Anne Hathaway ("Get Smart") gives an Oscar nominated performance (I'm still catching up on my reviews) in Rachel Getting Married, and she's very impressive. Hathaway stars as a recovering drug addict home for her sister's wedding. The movie is funny, uncomfortable, loving and sometimes painful - just like a real family reunion.

Kurt & Courtney is the infamous documentary that pretty much blames Kurt Cobain's death on Courtney Love. It's a fairly interesting movie, but seems a bit one sided. Love would not be interviewed for the film. Director Nick Broomfield ("Battle for Haditha") has created the perfect film for conspiracy theorists. I enjoyed it, but it's not great.