Movie Review Monday

Hello darlings.  I've seen several great summer movies recently, so I thought I'd share some insight.  Hopefully they will aide in your cinematic choices this week. :-) 


Crazy, Stupid, Love

Synopsis from rottentomatoes.com: At 40-something, straight-laced Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) is living the dream-good job, nice house, great kids and marriage to his high school sweetheart. But when Cal learns that his wife, Emily (Julianne Moore), has cheated on him and wants a divorce, his "perfect" life quickly unravels. Worse, in today's single world, Cal, who hasn't dated in decades, stands out as the epitome of un-smooth. Now spending his evenings sulking alone at a local bar, the hapless Cal is taken on as wingman and protégé to handsome, 30-something player Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling).
My thoughts: I've already seen this movie 3 times, and I would gladly see it again.  It is by far the best movie I've seen this year.  It's hilarious and touching and smart and I think it's safe to say that Ryan Gosling is the hottest guy on the planet.  You should absolutely go see this one.  For suuure.


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Synopsis from rottentomatoes.com (on which it has an almost unheard of 97% rating): Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. The much-anticipated motion picture event is the second of two full-length parts. In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.
My thoughts: I'm definitely what you would call a "casual fan" of Harry Potter.  I haven't read any of the books, and I only watched the movies for the first time after I started at Warner Bros (since I kind of needed to know what I was marketing). ;-) That said, I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this grand finale of the epic franchise. There's a clear reason it's broken practically every box office record ever. (And I personally think it fully deserves a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars this year). Do not miss this one.  


Midnight in Paris

Synopsis from rottentomatoes.com: This is a romantic comedy set in Paris about a family that goes there because of business, and two young people who are engaged to be married in the fall have experiences there that change their lives. It's about a young man's great love for a city, Paris, and the illusion people have that a life different from theirs would be much better. 
My thoughts: Quaint. Creative. Beautiful. (Although Rachel McAdams, whom I love, plays kind of a biatch). It made me want to go to Europe again so badly. :-) If it's unfortunately not playing at a theater near you, this has adorable movie night date written all over it. 


Another Earth

Synopsis from rottentomatoes.com: Rhoda Williams, a bright young woman accepted into MIT's astrophysics program, aspires to explore the cosmos. A brilliant composer, John Burroughs, has just reached the pinnacle of his profession and is about to have a second child with his loving wife. On the eve of the discovery of a duplicate Earth, tragedy strikes and the lives of these strangers become irrevocably intertwined. Estranged from the world and the selves they once knew, the two outsiders begin an unlikely love affair and reawaken to life. But when one is presented with the chance of a lifetime opportunity to travel to the other Earth and embrace an alternative reality, which new life will they choose?
My thoughts: I feel like this movie is completely under the radar, which is a shame because it's really great!  The way it's shot kind of feels like a student film at times, but overall, it's a really original, compelling story  that's well-written and well-acted. I definitely recommend this one as well. 


Horrible Bosses

Synopsis from rottentomatoes.com: For Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day), the only thing that would make the daily grind more tolerable would be to grind their intolerable bosses (Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, Jennifer Aniston) into dust. Quitting is not an option, so, with the benefit of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con (Jamie Foxx), the three friends devise a convoluted and seemingly foolproof plan to rid themselves of their respective employers... permanently. There's only one problem: even the best laid plans are only as foolproof as the brains behind them. 
My thoughts: This movie is HILARIOUS.  I laughed out loud many times. (After watching the trailer just now, I really want to see it again actually... ha).  If you like to laugh, you will like this movie. 


Friends With Benefits

Synopsis from rottentomatoes.com: Dylan (Justin Timberlake) and Jamie (Mila Kunis) think it's going to be easy to add the simple act of sex to their friendship, despite what Hollywood romantic comedies would have them believe. They soon discover however that getting physical really does always lead to complications.
My thoughts: I was excited to see this movie because I wrote coverage on the script when I interned at Sony 4 years ago (ha!).  It's predictable and very similar to "No Strings Attached"which came out earlier this year, but if you're looking for a mindless, funny-at-times, R-rated rom com, here ya go.


In other news, it's my birthday week! I'm very excited about the wonderful things that will happen this week including MARY COMING TO VISIT!!  cha chiiiing.  She gets in Wednesday (just in time for my birthday party that night!) and then we're road-tripping up the coast to the Outside Lands music festival in San Francisco. Can. Not. Wait. :-)

xoxo, 

Annie.