One Day

I was unpleasantly surprised with the direction that this movie took. I mean, after watching the preview I would have thought I was in for a formulaic romantic comedy where the sexual tension builds until the point of bursting and then there is a passionate sex scene and everyone lives happily ever after. That's not quite the case. Anne Hathaway is semi-charming with her fake British accent as she goes from frumpy to feminine chic and her friendship with Jim Sturgess teases the audience by presenting an attraction between them and taking years for either of them to act on it. By the time the two finally do get together, there is a sense of relief and a warm fuzzy feeling that everyone gets at that "happily ever after" moment, BUT in this film that feeling is ripped abruptly away from the spectator by overwhelming disappointment as the movie ends in tragedy rather than happiness. I don't want to give away the ending, but since your probably more curious than ever because of my previous statement I'll tell you...She dies...Yeah, it takes them forever to get together and bring out the best in each other and all that crap and then she gets hit by a bus. I think I've made my point.

Midnight in Paris

The most recent film by Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris is an adventurous film that deals with the idea of people always feeling like they belong in another decade. I am always skeptical of Allen's films because they are usually drawn out with too much dialog that over-analyzes situations, but I always watch his movies because he's Woody Allen. I did enjoy this film, but I found the main character, played by Owen Wilson to be the neurotic, worrier that Allen usually plays in his films. Wilson plays a writer visiting Paris with his fiance, Rachael McAdams and decides to walk around Paris alone one evening. When the clock strikes midnight, a 1920's era car appears and Wilson is ushered in by several people in the trends of that era. Wilson is then introduced to famous writers of that time such as, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein(Kathy Bates), Pablo Picasso, etc. After visiting for several nights Wilson realizes that no matter what time period a person exists in, there is always a longing to exist in another.

Flipped

The newest movie directed by Rob Reiner is based on the novel "Flipped" by Wendelin Van Draanen. The point of view constantly switches from Bryce to Julie; two children living in a suburban neighborhood in the 1950's. The switching POV illustrates two perspectives of the same events. As the story unfolds, the two characters relationship develops and the two fall in love even though there are periods when the two think negatively of each other. There aren't a lot of films shot like this, but I very much enjoyed getting both sides of the story in every instance. A good watch for the family

The Romantics

I just watched the Romantics, starring Katie Holmes Josh Duhamel, Anna Paquin, Malin Akerman, Elijah Wood, Candice Bergen, and Adam Brody. It was written/directed by Galt Neiderhoffer and based on a novel she wrote. It's categorized as a Romantic Comedy, but it's really more of a drama. It was good to see Katie Holmes out from under Tom Cruise's thumb for once. She was actually very good in the role and the most likable character in the film. So the basic gist of the movie is seven people who were best friends in college reunite for the wedding of two of those friends. The two getting married are Josh Duhamel and Anna Paquin. However, Josh Duhamel's character still has feelings for Katie Holmes' character whom he had a four year relationship with and who happens to be the Maid of Honor at his wedding. It is revealed that this group of friends gained the name, "The Romantics" in college for dating each other repeatedly. And it seems that even after growing up and leaving college they still can't get enough of each other. The mention of John Keats' poetry also adds to the meaning of the title. For a movie with so many notable actors, it was lacking plot and any sort of resolution. Its portrayal of human desire and selfishness is slightly depressing as well. I probably wouldn't watch it a second time, but it definitely had its moments.