Showing posts with label chick flick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chick flick. Show all posts

The Notebook (2004) Review

The Notebook (2004)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
THE NOTEBOOK has long been my favorite of Nicholas Sparks' many books, so it is a happy surprise to me that the wonderful story transferred to the big screen with all the sweetness, warmth, and tenderness that made the book a runaway best seller.
The best part of this movie was the incredible chemistry between Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling as the young lovers Allie and Noah. Their story was told by an elderly couple in a nursing home. James Garner and Gena Rowlands were outstanding as the devoted "Duke" and the woman with irreversible dementia. As Duke recounted the story of Allie and Noah from the notebook he carried with him, the lady's memory began to come back and she could remember.
The movie always changes the book but the one major change (the ending) which had the audience letting out a collective gasp and reaching for the nearest tissue was, in my opinion, really good even if it was pure Hollywood melodrama.
Why does a movie like THE NOTEBOOK appeal to so many? Is it that every woman longs for a man who loves as deeply as Noah? Is it that every one wants a love that transcends all problems---those of class, education, family objection----and lasts forever? Or just maybe in a world of high-tech gizmos and high security alerts, it's nice to get back to basics with a really good love story....and this is definitely that.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Notebook (2004)



Buy Now

Click here for more information about The Notebook (2004)

Read More...

The Bodyguard (Full Screen Edition) (1992) Review

The Bodyguard (Full Screen Edition) (1992)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
When this movie first came out the critics panned it mercilessly and frankly I just can't understand why. I thought it was fabulous. Kevin Costner plays an ex-Secret Service agent hired to protect a spoiled, difficult to get along with diva receiving death threats. Whitney Houston portrays the spoiled starlet to perfection. The chemistry and interplay between Houston and Costner was electric. The music in the movie was also great.
There are really some key elements that made this movie extremely good. First, I thought the acting was top notch by all involved. The supporting cast really played their characters well, as did the stars. Secondly, the editing was outstanding. The movie and plot move along at a fast pace. There is not a dull moment in the entire movie. And finally, the plot was plausible (for the most part) and the mystery - who is the hit man - slowly reveals itself. Having watched the movie several times, there a several foreshadowings.
Overall I found it a most entertaining movie both as a mystery, a thriller, and love story.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Bodyguard (Full Screen Edition) (1992)

She's safe now. Safe from hordes of screaming, grasping fans. Safe from demanding kooks who pop up unexpectedly. Safe from the unknown killer stalking her every move. She's in the arms of The Bodyguard. Starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston and featuring songs from the #1 soundtrack album (including Houton's hits "I Will Always Love You" and "I Have Nothing"), The Bodyguard has it all: Suspense. Thrills. Romance. Peril. Passion. And the shining brilliance of two great stars. In her spectacular film debut, Houston plays Rachel Marron, a music/movie superstar at her peak. Fans want to see her, hear her, touch her. But one wants to kill her - and that's where security expert Frank Farmer(Costner) comes in. Farmer is a professional who never lets his guard down. Rachel's glamorous life often puts her at risk. Each expects to be in charge. What they don't expect is to fall in loveDVD Features:Production NotesTheatrical Trailer


Buy Now

Click here for more information about The Bodyguard (Full Screen Edition) (1992)

Read More...

True Women (1997) Review

True Women  (1997)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Hallmark Entertainment offers a sweeping drama about the three women living in the South, from the time of "Alamo" to the Civil War. I am afraid that your teacher of history cannot allow you to use this TV series as a text for American history, and that is simply because it is too melodramatic, in the fashion of that famous Margaret Michell's book. The story is too fast; the characters are too many; but the film never stops, and something happens every ten minutes -- war, lynch, dead bodies (including children), commentary about slavery, rights for women to vote, human rights for native Americans. In a sense, this is a modern version of "Gone with the Wind" with smaller scale.
Georgia and Euphemia are good friends, but the latter is forced to leave her in order to go to Texas (until then, it takes only ten minutes). The film traces the life of the two women separately until their reunion of many years later. Now Georgia and Euphemia (with her independent sister) are both grown up, after the happy and sad times, and as you will expect, their environments changed what they once were; though they know they are no longer the best friends who played together by the peaceful riverside, they come to understand each other after the many plights of life in time of war.
There are so many events that happen every five minutes (as the editorial review say rightly) that it is impossible for me to summerize the whole story. The film goes just like turning pages of paperbacks: now you see delightful scenes, and suddenly, a war or epidemic breaks out. Now you see Georgia meets a man, and next, you see their pledge of love. The film gives no time to think. But that is probably the point.
So, it would be best for us to see the actors. Angelina Jolie and Anabeth Gish are both good, and it is a bit surprise that their characters in childhood are played respectively by lovely Rachel Leigh Cook and Tina Majorino (who stole every scene from Kevin Costenr in "Waterworld." Male character players like Powers Boothe and Tony Todd appear, alongside with Micheal York, but their roles are smaller they should be. But it is a film about women, and female players all shine, of course, with Dana Delaney.
So, see this one as such, as a melodramatic rendition of the Southern history. It is a laudable attempt to spotlight the women's roles in the Western genre, but perhaps the film gives you an impression that there is another way of describing it. My honest feeling is that "True Women" works as a melodrama, and women's life of this time, which deserve our attention more, should be treated with deeper characters and a slower story. Still intriguing.

Click Here to see more reviews about: True Women (1997)



Buy Now

Click here for more information about True Women (1997)

Read More...

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Widescreen Edition) (2005) Review

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Widescreen Edition) (2005)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is a truly amazing film brought to life by four truly amazing girls-- Alexis Bledel as shy Lena, Amber Tamblyn as rebel Tibby, Blake Lively as fun-loving Bridget, and America Ferrera as writer Carmen. Each girl has a different story to deliver from different parts of the world. Lena's in Greece with her grandparents, Tibby's at home working a dull job at Wallman's, Bridget is at soccer camp in Mexico, and Carmen is visiting her father in South Carolina.
Together, they form the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants after discovering that a hot pair of Levi's fits each of their different body types perfectly. They decide that the best thing to do is to share the jeans since they'll be spending the summer apart, wearing them for one week and then mailing them to the next person. Lena gets them first, almost drowning the first day she wears them, only to be rescued by a cute Greek boy, who will no doubt get her out of her shell. Tibby gets them next, who is staying home to work to get money for more camera equipment to make her "suckumentary." She meets a vivacious 12 year old named Bailey, a girl who loves life as opposed to Tibby's "life sucks" attitude. Carmen then gets the jeans-- she learns that her father (who left her when she was young) is remarrying a woman with two children. She feels like an outcast in a see of blonde Brady Bunchers. Then the jeans head to Bridget. She's still coping with her mother's suicide, and flirts with the off limits soccer coach because it gives her something to do other than be sad.
So the jeans travel between each girl throughout the movie, each time getting a new story and opening up new chapters in these girls' lives. This is a wonderful movie. Very well played out and extremely well written, surprisingly so for a film about girl power... it stacks up much better than films like Sleepover or New York Minute, which absolutely stink compared to this rare summer jewel. RECOMMENDED!!


Click Here to see more reviews about: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Widescreen Edition) (2005)

Coming of Age Adventure based on Ann Brashares' best-selling novel about a special 16th summer in the lives of four lifelong friends who are separated for the first time. On a shopping trip, the girls find a pair of thrift-shop jeans that fits each of them perfectly and they decide to use these "magic" pants as a way of keeping in touch over the months ahead, each girl wearing the jeans for a week to see what luck they bring her before sending them on to the next. Though miles apart, the four friends still experience life, love and loss together in a summer they'll never forget.DVD Features:Deleted ScenesDocumentary:Suckumentary: A rough cut of the documentary Tibby and Bailey filmed over the summer. Featurette:Fun on the Set: Behind the scenes look into the gags and laughs that the girls had on the set.Interviews:A Conversation with Ann Brashares.Other:Sisters, Secrets, and the Traveling Pants: A Video Commentary.


Buy NowGet 42% OFF

Click here for more information about The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Widescreen Edition) (2005)

Read More...

What a Girl Wants (Widescreen Edition) (Snap Case) (2003) Review

What a Girl Wants (Widescreen Edition) (Snap Case) (2003)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
My friends saw the coming attractions for this movie a number of months ago. When they saw that it starred Colin Firth, they all shouted at the screen, "What Peggy Wants." I'm a confirmed firth-a-holic. But, I thought this movie might be another "Thousand Acres" and so waited til it came out on DVD to see it.
This is not great art or even great cinema. But, hell, it's a lot of fun! And many times that's what I crave from a movie.
The true acting comes from Mr. Firth who is perfectly cast as the English gentleman who would be PM -- and looks a bit like Tony Blair to boot.
His wild past with an American rock singer comes to an end that is full of deception. And 17 years later his daughter from that past comes to find her dad.
Amanda Bynes is cute. She doesn't really need to act. Still, the on screen chemistry between she and Firth brings out some potentially amazing talent in this adorable young lady.
There's a lot of good humor and the music ain't bad either.
The scene where Firth dons leather pants and dances in front of the mirror is imspired.
For trivia buffs -- Anna Chancelor plays Mr. Firth's fiancee who is in it for the political prestige. Some may recognize her as the unmarried Miss Bingley from the A&E/BBC Pride and Prejudice. She's a great character actress. She doesn't get him in this story, either.
And -- was it my imagination that her stuck up daughter (Clarissa) bears such a striking resemblance to Reese Witherspoon? Reese played Firth's ward in The Importance of Being Earnest.
Ok. Final thoughts. It's a fun movie. As with Bridget Jones's Diary -- it's also a feel good movie -- and those are the ones I tend to watch again and again. Granted: Bridget Jones is an example of great film as well as a fun movie. Still, with Colin Firth in What a Girl Wants -- so much the better.

Click Here to see more reviews about: What a Girl Wants (Widescreen Edition) (Snap Case) (2003)

Coming-of-Age Comedy. Daphne (Amanda Bynes), a spirited young American girl, travels to London in search of her long-lost father (Colin Firth), an influential aristocratic politician. As Daphne attempts to prove that love can conquer all, her impulsive behavior creates an uproar in high society, where her unique style threatens to undermine the relationship she has waited her whole life to experience.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about What a Girl Wants (Widescreen Edition) (Snap Case) (2003)

Read More...

Something to Talk About (1995) Review

Something to Talk About (1995)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
There isn't anything in this that was earth shattering or incredible performances. It was just a good Sunday Afternoon flick, I own this one and forgot how much I enjoyed it until my Daughter and I pulled it off the shelf.
Julia Roberts does a believable job as a woman who has found out that her husband has screwed around on her. What I liked most about this movie was allll of the secondary characters... Kyra was the PERFECT Older sister looking out for her younger one, Gena was Great as the Southern Belle Mama, the Aunt (don't know this woman's name)was HILARIOUS as the "little" crazy Aunt that would/could go there. You really have to pay attention to this movie there are so many innuendos and funny moments that I truly can recommend this one. The actress that played the daughter was wonderful and last but not least Dennis Quaid did quite a convincing job as a contrite husband (once he was caught).
If you want something along this plot line I would also suggest "Hope Floats" which also stars Gena Rowlands and has pretty much the same subject matter but not the same movie. Enjoy.
Respectfully Reviewed

Click Here to see more reviews about: Something to Talk About (1995)

Grace has a picture-perfect life. And it goes dizzyingly out of focus the day she discovers her husband Eddie has been unfaithful. Julia Roberts headlines this acclaimed movie that aims for the heart and funnybone - and scores a bull's eye. In her best screen role yet, Roberts is Grace, whose reaction to the infidelities of Eddie (Dennis Quaid) turns the lives and loves of the people around her into something like falling dominoes. Robert Duvall, Gena Rowlands, Kyra Sedgwick and others in "the years best ensemble of characters" (Jack Matthews, Newsday) join Roberts for this juicy, truthful story written by Callie Khouri (Thelma and Louise) and directed by Lasse Hallstrom (What's Eating Gilbert Grape?). Folks are talking about Grace. You owe it to yourself to see why.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Something to Talk About (1995)

Read More...

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (Widescreen Edition) (2008) Review

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (Widescreen Edition) (2008)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The impression that "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" gives is that it's a bubbly, bright, and--for all intents and purposes--meaningless sequel to the first film. To my relief, it follows the example set by its predecessor, a surprisingly levelheaded friendship story. Four years after discovering a magically fitting pair of jeans, best friends Tibby Tomko-Rollins (Amber Tamblyn), Carmen Lowell (America Ferrera), Lena Kaligaris (Alexis Bledel), and Bridget Vreeland (Blake Lively) have returned for a second chapter that remains on perfectly equal ground with the first, focusing on coming-of-age issues like maturity, self-discovery, family, and love. Unoriginal ideas? Maybe so, but that doesn't mean they're any less effective. If anything, they make the film's message that much clearer. It helps that many of the girls' problems are based in reality--high school issues, like being pretty and popular, are pushed aside in favor of adult issues, like pregnancy scares and family crises.
If there's anything we learned from the first film, it's that the magic of the titular jeans was symbolic; by in large, the girls worked through their own ups and downs on their own, with no miraculous intervention other than their friendship with one another. We learn pretty much the same thing in this film, which sees each character facing new, more mature challenges. Let's begin with Carmen, who doubles as the film's bookend narrator. She now attends Yale, working as a stagehand for the theatre department. Her mother (Rachel Ticotin) has since remarried and is now pregnant with her second child. When Carmen's hopes of spending the summer with her friends are dashed, she decides to join a Shakespearian theater company in Vermont with a prima donna named Julia (Rachel Nichols). Once there, a British actor named Ian (Tom Wisdom) coaxes Carmen into auditioning for "A Winter's Tale"; to her shock--and to Julia's horror--she's cast as Perdita. As rehearsals continue, she begins to fall in love with Ian.
Next, there's Bridget, who plays Soccer at Brown University. Lately, her interests have shifted to archeology. While on an expedition in Turkey, her instructor, Professor Nasrin Mehani (Shohreh Aghdashloo), opens her eyes to the fact that she's only running away from her past. Bridget, it seems, is still haunted by the suicide of her mother. And her relationship with her father (Ernie Lively) is worse than ever; before leaving for Turkey, she discovered a box full of letters her grandmother had written her, letters her father wanted to keep hidden. Returning to the United States, Bridget takes a bus to Alabama and finally meets her grandmother, Greta (Blythe Danner), an accommodating woman with a matter-of-fact outlook on everything, including her daughter's mental illness.
The next in line is Tibby, who continues to pursue her filmmaking dreams at NYU. Forced to stay in New York for the summer to rewrite her screenplay, she gets a job at a local video store. She's now dating Brian McBrian (Leonardo Nam), who was introduced in the first film as the "Dragon's Lair" champion. When their relationship is threatened (for reasons I won't reveal), Tibby begins to wonder if she was meant for happiness. She does put up a wall every time she gets close to someone, and that's because, deep down, she believes that those you love the most will eventually abandon you. Her attempts to get sympathy from Carmen are flatly rejected; she doesn't appreciate how uncommunicative Tibby has been all summer.
Finally, there's Lena, who attends an art college in Rhode Island on a scholarship. Heartbroken after breaking up with her Greek boyfriend, Kostos (Michael Rady), she reverts to her old timid ways. She then meets Leo (Jesse Williams), the male model hired to pose nude in her art classes. It isn't long before they fall in love, although we suspect it's for all the wrong reasons. All she really knows about Leo is that he's a nice guy, and he's incredibly handsome. But does she know what she wants out of life? Does she even know who she is? How can know she when she's torn between two men?
Naturally, the pants themselves have to play a part in this story, and indeed, they're continually FedEx-ed from friend to friend. The question is: Do any of them need the pants anymore? You'd think that, at this point, a pair of old jeans traveling the world would reveal itself as a big metaphor. They may realize that by the time the film ends. I'm not entirely sure, though.
Moments of this movie are perhaps a little too sentimental, and the general plot may be a little too formulaic. At times, the dialogue is a bit contrived. Consider this conversation: When Tibby says drearily, "I suck at relationships. I should have been a guy," Lena calmly responds, "A guy wouldn't care about sucking at relationships." Only best friends in a coming-of-age story could get away with lines like that. Then again, I never expected a reinvention of the wheel. Movies like "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2"--and its predecessor--are aimed at a very specific audience, namely teenage girls; if they can get something out of it other than the sight of four young women looking pretty, if they can leave the theater understanding the more complex aspects of the story, then the filmmakers can include all the predictable dialogue they want. I think this movie will get the job done, not merely for teenage girls, but for anyone open to the idea.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (Widescreen Edition) (2008)

Join the four best friends as they finish their first year of college and dive into a summer of excitement. Bridget (Blake Lively) journeys to Turkey on an archeological dig. Carmen (America Ferrera) plunges into the hectic, creative world of summer theater in Vermont. Lena (Alexis Bledel) discovers new love and old heartbreak at the Rhode Island School of Design. And in the Big Apple, Tibby (Amber Tamblyn) takes a big step in her relationship with Brian. Romance, laughs, tears and that magical pair of jeans that keeps the girls together even when theyre far apart all here in a heart-lifting second film based on Ann Brashares bestsellers. Its a perfect fit.

Buy NowGet 54% OFF

Click here for more information about The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (Widescreen Edition) (2008)

Read More...

Message in a Bottle (Snap Case) (1999) Review

Message in a Bottle (Snap Case) (1999)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I found this movie absolutely fascinating;the story was a typical romance. It explored the human emotion and curiosity that we all feel when we find an insight into another person's relationship. Kevin Costner was your typical man of the sea and portrayed a man not ready to move on with his life after the tragic loss of his partner. It took someone like Robyn Penn Wright to stir the deeply hidden emotions but even then she could not compare to his lost love. She gave him inspiration and made him dig deep to find his true self. Paul Newman was superb as the crusty kindly father and without his inclusion in the film, be it as a supporting role, a lot of the emotion would hasve been lost. The pain suffered by the inlaws at the loss of their daughter was so true to life when someone they love dies so tragically. All in all the scenery was superb and the DVD is recommended

Click Here to see more reviews about: Message in a Bottle (Snap Case) (1999)

A TALE OF A ROMANCE SPARKED BY A WOMAN'S ATTEMPT TO DISCOVER THE WRITER OF A HEARTFELT MESSAGE SHE FOUND IN A BOTTLE WASHED UP ON A CPAE COD BEACH. SPECIAL FEATURES: INTERACTIVE MENUS, SCENE ACCESS, FILMOGRAPHIES, AND THEATRICAL TRAILER. THREE OTHER BONUSES: AUDIO COMMENTARY BY THE DIRECTOR & PRODUCER AND MORE.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Message in a Bottle (Snap Case) (1999)

Read More...

Home Fries (1998) Review

Home Fries (1998)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This movie is very funny. Appreciating it's dry, intelligent humor you will like it more every time you watch it. The characters portray a range of human traits that are humorous because we all know people representative of those traits. The acting was especially good on the part of Luke Wilson and Drew Barrymore. Wilson is so natural at it. His facial expressions are hilarious when his character is uncomfortable. His body language reminds me of what Jimmy Stewart does in some of his comedies. And Drew acts with charm and believability. Try watching the movie in closed-captioned you may notice more of the mumbled language that makes the movie funnier.
There are a lot of funny things but you have to pay attention to catch them. There is a scene where the sheriff and his deputy are walking away from a dead person in an old drive-in movie theater and they walk zig zag around the benches to get back to their car instead of climbling over them. One scene show Luke's character, Dorian, thinking of hamburger assembly while at a funeral.
Enjoy all the little subtle things: the trailing off conversations, the facial expressions, the body language. It's funny in real life so it's funny here too.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Home Fries (1998)

Dorian Lever wants to romance unwed mother-to-be Sally Jackons but his brother Angus wants to kill her. Sally, the local drive-thru order taker, is caught up in the darkly funny family brouhaha that is largely orchestrated by the Levers' manipulative mother.er.Genre: Feature Film-ComedyRating: PG13Release Date: 1-JUN-2004Media Type: DVD

Buy NowGet 20% OFF

Click here for more information about Home Fries (1998)

Read More...

Mickey Blue Eyes (1999) Review

Mickey Blue Eyes (1999)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
To tell you the truth, I wasn't really expecting too much from this movie, it IS a romantic comedy, but not expecting too much is the best way to not be dissapointed.
Hugh Grant plays an auctioneer who wants to marry his girlfriend played by Jeanne Tripplehorn. The only problem is she wants to protect him from her family, who happen to be mobsters, most notable James Caan.
Hugh Grant's clumsy, stuttering style serves him well here because he is faced with a number of uncomfortable situations. He and Caan do fine work in the movie although Caan's character becomes weaker towards the second half of the movie. Tripplehorn is ok, in a role that only required her to be ok.
The rest of the mobster cliches, I mean cast, are made up of people who at one time or another have been or will be on The Sopranos.
The movie does have some funny moments, like when Caan teaches Grant to talk like a wiseguy, although that wears thin soon. But in the end the movies uneven tone between lighthearted romantic comedy and some violence ultimately keep it from being too memorable

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mickey Blue Eyes (1999)

ABOUT A DAPPER ART AUCTIONEER WHOSE ROMANCE WITH A SCHOOLTEACHERENTANGLES HIM IN THE WORKINGS OF HER MOB FAMILY. SPECIALFEATURES: FILMOGRAPHIES AND THEATRICAL TRAILER. SUBITLES IN ENGLISH.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Mickey Blue Eyes (1999)

Read More...

Sweet November (2001) Review

Sweet November (2001)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Charlize Theron brings on her charm, and Keanu Reeves turns in a surprisingly worthy performance in "Sweet November," a movie that's as light as a fall breeze. Slammed by most critics as a soggy romance with no star chemistry, the movie's premise centers around two people who, through an unlikely series of events, fall in love, though not without hardship.
Let it be known, the movie is not that bad. In fact, when put in comparison with movies like "Bounce" and "The Wedding Planner," "Sweet November" is actually kind of refreshing in it's own little way. Yes, the way in which the two develop their romance is a bit tough to swallow at first, but if you can ignore that and allow their growing relationship to touch your heart, then the movie succeeds on those terms.
Keanu Reeves plays Nelson Moss, a man who is all work and no play (when leaving for work one morning, he tells his girlfriend, "I have a life, and I'm late for it") as a big ad executive. While taking a test at the DMV, he runs into Sara Deever, played by Charlize Theron, who gives him an answer and gets caught cheating. What does Sara do? She milks the situation for everything she can in order to get Nelson to her home.
Her offer? To allow him to live in her house for a month, no more, no less, in order to help him get rid of all of his life's stresses and restrictions. She takes it to the extreme, too, giving his clothes to a homeless man, telling him he cannot go to work (he got fired, anyway), and taking him out into the town to show him the ways in which life can be fun.
Like any movie relationship, there are complications. Sara is reluctant to reveal anything about her past or her family, or her reasons for taking in a new man each month. All she will reveal is what she does to help each one of them. Near the end, there will come a revelation that will put the stability of their bond in jeopardy.
It seems preposterous, but with a movie like this, the events come in such an order that you can forgive these little pitfalls. Their budding romance really does have a kick to it, and despite the outside criticism, Theron and Reeves do have some good onscreen chemistry that lights up the screen in moments and provides for some very touching moments.
The film also has a lot of warm-hearted laughs. A scene in which Sara stands outside Nelson's apartment and begins shouting risque comments at people in order to gain his attention will have you chuckling, while her neighbors, two homosexuals who host a dinner party for the four of them in drag, are a riot. And the overall sweet nature of the relationship between the two is something to smile about, as well as shed a few tears over.
In one of his better roles, Keanu Reeves is convincingly emotional as Nelson. In the beginning, her perfectly portrays the egotistical attitude and outlook of his character, and then makes a very believable segue to someone who is so in love he is willing to change his whole life. Charlize Theron is, as always, a gem, bringing a touch of warmth and cheerfulness to her role as Sara. Her acting embodies her character with the zest for life needed to sell us on Sara's motives, and Theron captures that completely.
While it's not on par with many other romances on the market, "Sweet November" is nowhere near as bad as critics have made it out to be. In fact, it's a charming movie that is very uplifting, due in part to the moving relationship that Reeves and Theron bring to their characters. It met all of my expectations, which were few, but the fact that it met them is enough to recommend the film.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sweet November (2001)

HE'S A POWER-SUITED, PLUGGED-IN AD EXECUTIVE SPEED-DIALING THROUGH LIFE. SHE'S A BOHEMIAN, FREE-SPIRITED PET GROOMER TAKING LIFE AS IT COMES. YOU MAY NOT EXPECT THEM TO SHARE A LIFE-ALTERING ROMANCE TOGETHER. SPECIAL FEATURES: ORIGINAL THEATRICAL TRAILER: CAST/FILMMAKER CAREER HIGHLIGHTS & MORE.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Sweet November (2001)

Read More...

Angel Eyes (2001) Review

Angel Eyes (2001)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
In the lifetime of every individual, there are defining moments which, when added together, equal the sum total of all the good times and bad that person has ever known. And from that whole list, there is probably one that stands out-- that one "special” moment, or the most significant-- one that was so good you’d like to relive it over and over again, or so bad that you’d like to erase it from your memory forever. In "Angel Eyes,” starring Jennifer Lopez and James Caviezel, director Luis Mandoki takes a look at the effects of such a moment in the life of Chicago Police Officer Sharon Pogue (Lopez), and again with a man who calls himself "Catch” (Caviezel); unrelated moments from their past, that are destined to play an even more significant role in their future, when circumstances bring them together on the streets of Chicago. ...
The mystery surrounding Catch is what drives this film, and Mandoki does an excellent job of presenting it. He creates an atmosphere that cloaks Catch in shadows, yet keeps him elusive, rather than sinister. Catch seems to float through life, calm and strangely prepossessing, yet detached and ambiguous. ...
As Sharon, Jennifer Lopez gives arguably her best performance since 1998’s "Out Of Sight,” in which she also played a cop. After her turn in "The Cell,” which wasn’t bad, and the forgettable fluff of "The Wedding Planner,” it’s good to see her in a challenging role, something she can really sink her teeth into. Which she does, and beautifully. It’s tough for an actress to make a character like this believable (Tyne Daly came close in "The Enforcer,” Jamie Lee Curtis was a disaster in "Blue Steel”), but Lopez pulls it off and proves that there’s more to her than just a pretty face. She makes Sharon a very real person, entirely three dimensional, emotionally complex and a woman who seems very capable of doing what she does for a living. She’s beautiful and tough, but sensitive as well, and most importantly, Lopez makes it convincing.
As Catch, Caviezel gives a memorable performance that really captures the essence of who this guy is. And his success with this character lies in the fact that he plays him straight, making him exactly who he is supposed to be rather than trying to shade him with some kind of "dark side” to enhance the mystery ensconcing him. He makes Catch a person you can readily embrace, who though perceived by others as enigmatic, is really only a man coping with a terrible secret and living his life as best he can. Catch is a unique character, in that he is cryptic and accessible at the same time; and Caviezel captures his spirit with astounding acuity and nuance. It’s an honest portrayal, devoid of any pretentiousness or falseness-- quite simply an excellent piece of acting.
The supporting cast includes Sonia Braga, Terrence Dashon Howard, Daniel Magder, Jeremy Sisto, J.J. Evans, Alfonso Arau, Victor Argo, Monet Mazur and Shirley Knight. Extremely well developed and delivered, "Angel Eyes” is a story of loss and love, and redemption; but more than that, it’s about "Time”-- how much we’re given and how we use what we have. Call it a reflection on mortality; it’s a film that will make you stop, think and consider-- about the way things are, and perhaps how they could be-- if you’d only take the time to make one of those "special” moments that last forever.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Angel Eyes (2001)

After meeting under extraordinary life-and-death circumstances, a Chicago police officer (Lopez) and a lost soul named Catch (Caviezel) fall in love. While uncovering the truth about Catch, she is forced to deal with the secrets of her own past.

Buy NowGet 36% OFF

Click here for more information about Angel Eyes (2001)

Read More...

Rumor Has It... (Widescreen Edition) (2005) Review

Rumor Has It... (Widescreen Edition) (2005)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The Graduate is a classic cult film, and since this movie was based on it, I was hoping for the best, but not expecting much. I was never more wrong! Jennifer Aniston was refreshing, but I had dry heaves when she slept with a man her mother and grandmother did especially when she thought at first he could be her father. That is just not entertaining in any situation. Kevin Costner was good in his role, but the ewwww factor was too much. Mark Ruffalo gave probably his best performance to date. The most surprising performance was from Shirley MacLaine, and she was absolutely fabulous. She held her own in every scene. It didn't matter who she shared screen time with, she stole the limelight.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Rumor Has It... (Widescreen Edition) (2005)

Jennifer Aniston portrays Sarah Huttinger, whose return home with her fiance convinces her that the sedate, proper, country-club lifestyle of her family isn't for her, and that maybe the Huttinger family isn't even hers. Join Sarah as she uncovers secrets that suggest the Huttingers are neither sedate nor proper - and as Kevin Costner, Shirley MacLaine and Mark Ruffalo join the fun. The story is rumor. The laughs are real!

Buy NowGet 26% OFF

Click here for more information about Rumor Has It... (Widescreen Edition) (2005)

Read More...

City of Angels (Snap Case) (1998) Review

City of Angels (Snap Case) (1998)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Nicolas Cage gives a wonderful performance as Seth, an Angel who falls in love and begins to long for the ability to express that love, in a film that in some respects resembles the 1930's film "Death Takes a Holiday" with Fredric March and Evelyn Veneble. Seth's assignment as an angel is to help the dead cross over in this quasi remake of the Wim Wenders foreign film, "Wings of Desire." Few films since the glory days of Hollywood and the old studio system have been given the romantic glow of this film.
Meg Ryan is Maggie, the heart surgeon who is the object of Seth's affection. He is stunned when she somehow senses his prescence when trying to save one of her patients, and is touched and bewildered by her. Andre Braugher steals every scene he is in as Seth's fellow Angel and friend. They all hang out at the library and gather every morning at the beach to see the sunrise and hear the singing of heaven.
Dennis Franz has a fine turn as a patient in Maggie's hospital who knows Seth is there because he too was once an Angel. As Seth and he become friends, Seth contemplates how wonderful it would be to truly love Maggie, and searches for the courage to leave heaven behind and, simply fall.
This is one of the most romantic movies to come out of Hollywood in decades and has a message about the wonderful things we all take for granted. More than that, it is a story about the importance of love, even one felt for only a moment, for it is that experience which makes us special among all creation. To love is all, and to be loved in return is truly divine.
There are some memorable scenes in this romantic and haunting film. One involves the simple act of shopping for fruit at a farmer's market. Another involves Maggie being able to feel Seth in her room but unable to see him. Even Hemingway's Moveable Feast plays a part in this magical throwback film to a bygone era. This is very much a film which could just as easily have been made in the 1930's.
I will not ruin the last portion of this film if you have not seen it, but as we all know there is a price we pay for being human. This film is for anyone who has ever loved someone as Seth does, who would trade all eternity for just one breath of her hair. If you have ever loved someone so much your heart ached when they were not with you, then you will be deeply moved by this film. It is painted in broad romantic brushstrokes and colored in rich oils not easily removed from our hearts. This is a truly memorable film you will watch over and over.
Films like this are rarely made anymore and this is one to cherish. You will never forget the line: "When they ask me what I liked best...I'll say it was You."

Click Here to see more reviews about: City of Angels (Snap Case) (1998)

Seth, an angel watching over Los Angeles, begins finding his job difficult as he falls in love with Maggie, a beautiful heart surgeon.Genre: Feature Film-DramaRating: PG13Release Date: 14-SEP-2004Media Type: DVD

Buy NowGet 10% OFF

Click here for more information about City of Angels (Snap Case) (1998)

Read More...

The Notebook (Limited Edition Gift Set) (2008) Review

The Notebook (Limited Edition Gift Set) (2008)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
THE NOTEBOOK has long been my favorite of Nicholas Sparks' many books, so it is a happy surprise to me that the wonderful story transferred to the big screen with all the sweetness, warmth, and tenderness that made the book a runaway best seller.
The best part of this movie was the incredible chemistry between Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling as the young lovers Allie and Noah. Their story was told by an elderly couple in a nursing home. James Garner and Gena Rowlands were outstanding as the devoted "Duke" and the woman with irreversible dementia. As Duke recounted the story of Allie and Noah from the notebook he carried with him, the lady's memory began to come back and she could remember.
The movie always changes the book but the one major change (the ending) which had the audience letting out a collective gasp and reaching for the nearest tissue was, in my opinion, really good even if it was pure Hollywood melodrama.
Why does a movie like THE NOTEBOOK appeal to so many? Is it that every woman longs for a man who loves as deeply as Noah? Is it that every one wants a love that transcends all problems---those of class, education, family objection----and lasts forever? Or just maybe in a world of high-tech gizmos and high security alerts, it's nice to get back to basics with a really good love story....and this is definitely that.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Notebook (Limited Edition Gift Set) (2008)

Behind every great love is a great story. As teenagers, Allie (Rachel McAdams) and Noah (Ryan Gosling) begin a whirlwind courtship that soon blossoms into tender intimacy. The young couple is quickly separated by Allies upper-class parents who insist that Noah isn't right for her. Several years pass, and when they meet again, their passion is rekindled, forcing Allie to choose between her soulmate and class order. This beautiful tale has a particularly special meaning to an older gentleman (James Garner) who regularly reads the timeless love story to his aging companion (Gena Rowlands). Based on the best-selling novel by Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook is at once heartwarming and heartbreaking and will capture you in its sweeping and emotional force. Special Collectibles Included in this Giftset: Exquisite 46-Page Photo and Scrapbook Album That Highlights the Movies' Storyline and Provides Bonus Pages for Creating Your Own Personalized Memories Decorative Stickers and Photo Corners to Add Your Own Photos 2 Themed Bookmarks Set of 16 Notecards and Envelopes

Buy NowGet 14% OFF

Click here for more information about The Notebook (Limited Edition Gift Set) (2008)

Read More...

Up Close & Personal (1996) Review

Up Close and Personal (1996)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Up Close and Personal does the impossible: it manages to jump from different settings within two hours and shift its plot while keeping the audience wanting more and more. Pfeiffer stars as a reporter, Tally, who has always aspired to make it to the top in television news. Along the way, she meets a veteran newsman, Warren Justice (Robert Redford), who gives her a chance at a reporter. As she begins to mature in her stories and her thirst for knowledge heightens, she begins to turn heads in the news business, and ends up moving from a station in Miami to a station in Philadelphia. All the while, Tally and Warren struggle to keep alive a relationship that both know is inevitable. Performances from all actors are very original and heartfelt, under Jon Avnet's wonderful direction. Thomas Newman's score is brilliant, and fits in at every moment to add to the emotional appeal of the movie. A storyline that never stops moving at times keeps the energy alive, which makes this movie one that will please most people.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Up Close & Personal (1996)

Hollywood favorites Robert Redford (SPY GAME) and Michelle Pfeiffer (I AM SAM) sizzle together in this acclaimed story of heated passion and burning ambition! When aspiring news reporter Tally Atwater (Pfeiffer) tries to break into television, only veteran newsman Warren Justice (Redford) will give her a shot. In time, he teaches her everything she knows about news ... and she teaches him how to love again! But with her rise from local TV weather girl to network anchor, Tally and Warren must balance the dream of success ... with their desire for each other. Also featuring Celine Dion's #1 hit single "Because You Loved Me" -- you'll find this entertaining motion picture an absolute must-see!

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Up Close & Personal (1996)

Read More...

Music and Lyrics (Widescreen Edition) (2007) Review

Music and Lyrics (Widescreen Edition) (2007)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Sure. Why not? The first question in assessing a movie's merit is does it do as intended?
With "Music and Lyrics," what it intends is nothing extraordinary. It aims to be a fun, romantic, sweet comedy of a man meeting a woman and falling in love, with a poke at pop culture. It accomplishes this. I saw this on February 14, Valentine's Day, and wanted exactly as delivered.
Paul McCartney asked in the 1970s what the world needs with another silly love song. "Music and Lyrics" is, in film, a silly love song.
Hugh Grant plays Alex Fletcher, a has-been pop singer from a defunct duo similar to Wham!, struggles to find his way as his audience stops caring. Realistic, he knows what he is capable of, but is unsure what his next step should be.
When Cora, a pretentious form of Britney Spears-Shakira-Christina Aguilera of sex-pop, offers him an opportunity to write a song, he runs into trouble. He is a melody man, not a lyricist. His lyricist from his old band, Pop!, is long gone.
In walks Sophie Fisher, played with charm by the ever-sweet Drew Barrymore. She's Alex's temporary plant watering person (and not a very good one), with a penchant for delivering peppy lyrics under her breath. Despite the scorn of fill-in wordsmith Greg Antonsky, Alex takes a liking to her style. Greg's angst-style, hopeless lyrics seem off kilter with Alex's personality.
Embittered from a broken affair with an engaged man, Sophie is uninterested. It is one thing to hum a tune, and it is another to commit to writing a song. However, Alex only has a few days and pressures (begs, really), Sophie to help.
She acquiesces, and tries to write. Alex and Sophie clash, as he understands the profession of music, and is desperate, and she is still stuck on the failed affair.
Both are living in the past, and both need to move up into 2007 to survive and thrive.
Finally, lyrics are written, and Cora loves them -- with a few changes. Cora's version is laced with faux spirituality and tramped-up seduction. Sophie's artistic sensibilities are insulted, and pulls the song much to Alex's chagrin. They argue, break-up, and now, Alex is stuck trying to fix a song.
Can he fix the song on time? Will they figure out how to live in the present day? What about love (this is a romantic comedy, remember?).
A fine self-mocking performance is put on by Kristen Johnston as Sophie's older sister Rhonda, making jabs at her own weight-loss campaign. Brad Garrett as Alex's agent Chris Riley is right on the money, as he is both a manager and friend.
Drew Barrymore shows she's more than the girl next door, but has a kind of Lucille Ball, Jenna Elfman, Meg Ryan mix going on.
Hugh Grant is perfectly cast, and is the better side of himself. He never overplays the role, and yet, does not fall into the 'stupid Englishman' persona he occasionally does.
I fully recommend "Music and Lyrics."
Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

Click Here to see more reviews about: Music and Lyrics (Widescreen Edition) (2007)

First you're hot, then you're not...and then you're Alex Fletcher (HUGH GRANT). So when the sizzlingest tween-queen on the charts asks the has-been '80s pop sensation to write her a song, he grabs for another chance at stardom. Problem: Alex can say it with music, but he sure can't say it with words. Enter Sophie Fisher (DREW BARRYMORE), his beguiling if quirky plant lady, who has a green thumb for lyrics. Together, they go after songwriting success -- and discover that if you want to write the perfect love song, it helps to fall in love. With Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore at the keyboard and Marc Lawrence (Two Weeks Notice) directing, Music and Lyrics is a witty, wacky romantic comedy that faces the music...and laughs!

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Music and Lyrics (Widescreen Edition) (2007)

Read More...