Brokeback Mountain - 1 star out of 10

Brokeback Mountain - 1 star out of 10

Unfortunately, "Brokeback Mountain" was exactly what I expected... I found the entire "gay cowboys doing it in a tent on the side of a mountain" plot to be awkward.  It's hard to believe that Ang Lee could direct a film with such controversial content... then direct the family-friendly "Life of Pi" several years later.  Though I knew what I was getting into, I decided to give it a shot anyways since everybody raved about how great the acting was.  Honestly, it did not live up to the hype.  The best acting in the movie comes during the Thanksgiving dinner scene when Jake Gyllenhaal stands up for himself, but the acting throughout the rest of the movie was just average.  Heath Ledger transforms himself into something far from who he is (especially his accent), but what he becomes isn't the greatest character in movie history.  If all of that wasn't enough, it's annoying that they don't age at all!  Someone needs to tell the make-up artists that a cheesy mustache does not properly show 20 years of aging...  I know that a lot of people really liked this movie, but I wouldn't recommend it.

This Is Spinal Tap - 8 stars out of 10

This Is Spinal Tap - 8 stars out of 10

Christopher Guest's comic genius is at it again in "This Is Spinal Tap," a mockumentary that makes light of every stereotype of the rock and roll industry.  The movie is non-stop laughter as these British bimbos go from epic rock stars to forgotten side-show act.  The amazing thing about this film is that the music is really good.  Several of their songs could be legitimate 80's heavy metal music, especially "Stonehenge," and their legitimacy gives the film a sense of authenticity.  Spinal Tap basks in absurdity, from their list of drummers that all died under mysterious circumstances (including spontaneous combustion and a bizarre gardening accident) to their amplifiers that go up to 11 instead of 10, and receiving second billing to a puppet show at an amusement park.  I love Guest's description of a classical piano composition that he wrote which is a hybrid between Mozart and Bach (a "Mach" piece), after which he reveals the name to be "Lick My Love Pump."  Perhaps no moment is better than when the tiny Stonehenge set pieces descend from the sky onto the stage.  The film is filled with unforgettable moments and the heavily improvised script keeps the story unpredictable.  The entire cast plays into the absurdity, including Michael McKean in the lead role, a cameo appearance by Billy Crystal as a mime, and a small part for a very young Fran Drescher.  Although I like "Best in Show" and "Waiting for Guffman" better, I still find this to be one of the finest mockumentaries out there.  The film is just crude enough to be funny but never resorts to shock value humor.  If you love rock 'n roll, comedies, absurd characters, mockumentaries, or improvisatory humor, you are sure to love "This Is Spinal Tap."

He's Just Not That Into You - 2 stars out of 10

He's Just Not That Into You - 2 stars out of 10

Great cast, horrible disappointment.  With the exception of a few very romantic moments (I won't give those away because they're the only good part of this atrocity in case you see it anyway), this movie was just annoying.  I HATE the games that people play in relationships - why do I want to watch a movie all about those games?  Drew Barrymore's picture is pasted all over this movie, and yet she was barely in it and her subplot was perhaps the worst of them all.  Scarlett Johansson was hott but how can you enjoy it when she's involved with cheating?  And Ginnifer Goodwin was really cute, perhaps the only redeeming quality.  But don't expect a chick flick with this one - just be prepared to watch people play games and cheat on those that they "care about."

Ruby Sparks - 8 stars out of 10

Ruby Sparks - 8 stars out of 10

“Ruby Sparks” is the last movie that I expected to teach me so much about myself.  This twist on the classic “Be careful what you wish for” series of events creates a deep representation of the dangers of trying to change someone who is already everything that you ever wanted.  It is amazing how quickly love can become miserable when contentment gives way to selfishness and insecurity, and this concept is so vivid that these writers must have experienced it.   This clever script is filled with simple, perfect dialogue.  The only shame is that this dialogue is generally followed by one form of profanity or another.  I really wish that there was a PG version of this film because the story and beautiful dialogue are cheapened by all of the f-words.  I am so happy that Paul Dano’s career has not been defined by his role in “The Girl Next Door.”  He shows a lot of finesse in his acting and possesses a very likeable persona.  Zoe Kazan is perfect as Ruby, radiant with an inexplicable charm that draws your attention just as much as it draws the main character.  Also, props to Elliott Gould in the role of the therapist.  This film is not the cutesy love story that it appears to be on the surface; rather, it presents strong thematic statements about the dangers of manipulation and total reliance on one person.  It seems that “Ruby Sparks” was swept under the rug after its trailer came out (I didn’t even know that it had been in theaters or came out on DVD) but you will be missing out if you don’t make a point to experience the beautiful romantic dialogue and unpredictable story contained within.

The Seven Year Itch - 5 stars out of 10

The Seven Year Itch - 5 stars out of 10

To me, "The Seven Year Itch" is the epitome of average.  It has a cute script and several clever plot devices, but it just sort of comes and goes without leaving much of an impression.  The largest impression is left by Marilyn Monroe, who tends to be unforgettable no matter what the circumstance.  This film contains her most iconic moment as the air from a subway grate blows her dress up as she holds it down.  Other than that scene and Monroe's lovably air-headed dialogue, the rest seemed to drag on as I just wasn't charmed by Tom Ewell's nervous actions and fantasy scenes; in fact, I spent most of the movie waiting for Monroe to reappear.  I did love the incorporation of Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto into the plot, as I can relate to being moved by the beauty of this piece while others just don't seem to get it.  I think that "The Seven Year Itch" is one of those films that every film fan has to see because of Monroe's iconic moment, but outside of that you shouldn't have a very high expectation.

Paul - 4 stars out of 10

Paul - 4 stars out of 10

“Paul” started with so much potential... and did not get much farther than that.  While it cleverly pays homage to many of the great alien movies (the “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” music, giving advice to Steven Spielberg on the phone), it fails to establish itself as an alien movie in its own rite.  In fact, each f-word diminished my desire to continue watching.  I love Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz,” but this movie sacrificed smart humor for crude language.  Just because the alien uses the f-word over and over again, he does not become more likeable.  Outside of the unnecessary language, Seth Rogan was a great pick for the voice of Paul.  I also enjoyed Jason Bateman in this small role (particularly because his character name is Lorenzo Zoil, hilarious).  The story is actually rather clever but again, so much unnecessary language and strong atheistic themes.  The CGI is darn impressive as Paul interacts with all of the characters on screen and I love the seemingly endless barrage of sci-fi references (Sigourney Weaver even makes an appearance!), but this film simply is not worth enduring the constant flow of profanity.

Moonrise Kingdom - 7 stars out of 10

Moonrise Kingdom - 7 stars out of 10

"Moonrise Kingdom" is a fun lesson in absurdity and a reminder that films sometimes take themselves too seriously.  Wes Anderson's script places several of Hollywood's greatest actors into an over-the-top comedic world.  It is so much fun to watch all of these serious actors portray such ridiculous roles, particularly Ed Norton.  Other big names include Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Harvey Keitel.  The 1965 setting has a unique fantasy atmosphere to it, almost like "Leave It To Beaver meets Alice In Wonderland."  The film is filled with fun details, from the raccoons on the boat and camping uniform to the use of colors throughout the film.  I loved the use of Benjamin Britten's "Young Musician's Guide to the Orchestra" during the opening credits and then Alexandre Desplat's incredibly clever imitation during the closing credits to highlight his own orchestration of the film.  I have never been so fascinated by the music during the closing credits.  Desplat's entire score is wonderful, fun and whimsical, and he still manages to play homage to several other important historical musical pieces (such as Saint-Saens' "Carnival of the Animals").  "Moonrise Kingdom" isn't a life-changing film but it's a nice vacation from critically-acclaimed dramas and bonehead comedies that dominate the theater line-up.