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It’s Complicated starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin and John Krasinski

Posted on June 8, 2010 Written by ripitup

It' s Complicated starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin and John Karasinski — It's Complicated starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin and John Krasinski. Written and directed by Nancy Meyers. Nominated for Best Actress and Best Screenplay Golden Globes. Image from: http://api.ning.com/

Jane Adler (Meryl Streep) is a successful restaurant owner. She lives in a beautiful house, has three grown children (played by Zoe Kazan, Caitlin Fitzgerald, Hunter Parrish) great girl friends and a future son-in-love, Harley (John Karasinski) who is already a part of the family. It has taken 10 years but her life is in total balance and comfort. However when she goes to New York for her son Luke’s (Hunter Parrish)’s college graduation, she ends up running into her ex-husband/ the children’s father Jake (Alec Baldwin).

Their twenty-something-year-old marriage has ended when Jake cheated on her with the younger Agness (Lake Bell) and then married her. His relationship with Agness is complicated to say the least: she has a young son from another man and now she is trying to conceive with the 58-year-old Jake. The New York encounter leads to a fun night, followed by sex. Jane is totally freaked out. Her simple life has turned upside down. However, Jake is having the time of his life. Second-time around with Jane is easy-going and a lot of fun. Plus, Jane gets to take revenge: she is now the other woman, just as Agness once has been. However her conscience isn’t that clear. And as if things aren’t weird enough, she realizes she is also attracted to her architect- Adam (Steve Martin) who is building her dream house. Adam is nice, fun and good-looking. Not the mention, he is also divorced and has no problem dating women his age.

So who do you pick? Do you even want to pick? What happens when the kids find out?

This movie is top-notch entertainment. It is a wonderful romantic comedy. It has many emotional moments and more often than not, they are presented in a realistic but funny way. It is not always laugh-out-loud. You will find yourself smiling more often than laughing but it is not to say some scenes won’t bring (laughter) tears to your eyes. Meryl Streep is very likeable and she is at her most beautiful in her 60s. Steve Martin never really had a problem entertaining the movie-goers and while his character is charming and enjoyable, the real comedy was mostly on Alec Baldwin’s character. His Jake is downright hilarious. From his shameless admissions to his faults and flaws, from his acting like a total baby and jealousy crisis, he makes you laugh. It is funny to remember that Alex used to be considered a heartthrob in the 90s. He was fit, looked good and he was married to Kim Basinger. Remember those days? But I think while his looks deteriorated, his acting just got better. My second favorite is Harley- John Karasinski’s loveable son-in-law. He is really nice and he loves the Adler family. But his life gets really complicated as well when he becomes the first to know about the affair. I hadn’t been impressed by him when I watched him in the disaster of a romcom Licence to Wed (also starring Mandy Moore and Robin Williams). However, as he becomes co-pilot to Streep, Baldwin and Martin, he does shine through in his own way.

This movie was made in 2009, another romcom hit by writer/director Nancy Meyers. This is my fourth Nancy Meyers movie and I am one of her biggest fans. Do you recall The Holiday starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black and Rufus Swell? Or What Women Want starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt? Or Something’s Got to Give starring Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson and Keanu Reeves? All these movies have a pattern: They have an original, different and good screenplays, a spot-on direction and an impressive cast. They all balance romance with comedy well and leave you wanting more.I am positively biased when it comes to writer/directors as opposed to writers and directors alone.

6.7 on imdb. 7 from me. And if we compare it to romantic comedies alone, it is easily an 8 or 9.

Favorite scenes:

– Alec Baldwin gets caught naked to Steve Martin’s webcam.It’s in the trailer

– Jake, Jane and Harley- smoking pot together in the bathroom

*Fun note: Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin must have loved working together as they presented the 2010’s Academy Awards together. Although, their combined performances in the movie are much funnier.

Other Posts feat. Alec Baldwin

17 Changes in the Entertainment World: Featuring Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Megan Fox and More

My Sister’s Keeper starring Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Jason Patric and Alec Baldwin

The Good Shepherd starring Matt Damon, Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie and Alec Baldwin

Here are some other romcoms you might enjoy:

It’s a boy/girl thing

He’s just not that into you

When in Rome starring Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel

Posted on June 5, 2010 Written by ripitup

When In Rome starring Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel. Image from: http://www.torrentavi.com

Beth (Kristen Bell) is a young and successful curator in New York. She’s had terrible luck with love, having been dumped by Brady (a cameo by Lee Pace) and all. So she is skeptical when her sister Joan (Alexis Dziena) tells her that she is marrying an Italian guy called Umberto (Luca Calvani), whom she practically just met. But of course in the name of being a supportive sister, she persuades her tough boss (Anjelica Huston) that she will be to and back from the wedding (in Rome) in 48 hours.

But at the wedding, she meets the handsome best man Nick (Josh Duhamel). He is handsome, sweet,funny and just as work-oriented. She thinks she might have some luck after all but after she ends up being disappointed, she gets drunk and does something weird. She picks up 5 coins from the fountain of love. And the moment she does, 5 men- 1 Italian painter and 4 Americans: a magician, a much older businessman, a model in love with himself and Nick are smitten with her. But then again,Nick was already smitten.

So the rest of the story takes us back to New York, where Beth tries to continues to resume her life. But while Nick pursues her like a normal boy with a crush, the other 4 are acting like deranged and love-struck stalkers. Soon Beth finds out that something “supernatural” is at work. The hard thing is, when will she have the time to sort it? She’s too busy with her work, falling in love with Nick and trying to escape from the mad quadruplet…

The “Italian” painter is played by Will Arnett. Jon Heder (played the “righteous” psychic in Just Like Heaven) plays the weird magician, Danny De Vito plays the sausage king and Dax Shepard plays the model. Now, the cast is fine. I mean even Beth’s father is someone you might know: Don Johnson. Lee Pace makes a cameo…The premise is OK. It’s just that the story and the situations and most interactions are too silly for their own good. When the men are under the spell, they act like a combination of Jeff from The Coupling (Coupling UK) and Jim Carrey’s Cable- that nutty, that challenged yet not funny. Yes, Jeff was hilarious in Coupling. But here are we have 4 worse-than-Jeff suitors and one really clumsy hunk.

The movie is not bad. It is just not really good either. It is completely harmless. It will generate some laughs and will entertain most of the time. But something is missing. Sometimes it makes you laugh and sometimes it just makes you cringe. But I am not saying you should absolutely stay away from it. It is very light. I like Kristen Bell . By now, I think people mostly heard of Josh Duhamel. He starred in the tv show Las Vegas, appeared in The Transformers movies and got married to Fergie. I don’t think any movie will hurt his celebrity status now…

5.1 on IMDB. I do have to agree. I expected something better. I wish Lee Pace appeared more than just for a couple of minutes. Seriously. Someone really should find another agent for this guy. So, see to watch a great wedding place, Rome and New York all in one. My favorite part of the movie is the dancing sequence at the end credits.

Other Posts feat. Kristen Bell

Couples Retreat starring Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis, Malin Akerman and Jason Bateman

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Serious Moonlight starring Meg Ryan, Timothy Hutton, Kristen Bell and Justin Long

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Regarding Henry starring Harrison Ford and Annette Bening

Posted on June 3, 2010 Written by ripitup

Regarding Henry starring Harrison Ford and Annette Bening. Image from http://www.landrethonline.com/Gerry%27s%20Movies/images/4499f.jpg

Henry Turner (Harrison Ford) is a successful and ambitious lawyer who doesn’t really care much about right or wrong. He is not exactly an affectionate man and although he seems to be getting along OK with his wife Sarah (Annette Bening), he is stern and not really loving towards his 12-year-old daughter Rachel.

One day things change completely when Henry gets shot in the head during a robbery. He doesn’t remember who he is. Moreover, he can’t (remember how to) walk or talk. Sarah does his best to help him out. Henry’s best friend becomes Bradley (Bill Nunn)- the physical therapist who is literally teaching how to get back on his feet. When Henry recovers, his speech and walking go back to normal while he still doesn’t remember who he is. He goes back to live with his family. He tries to figure out who he is and he gets to know more and more about his old self, he doesn’t really like what he finds out. As he reconstructs his life, he is a loving and modest fan. And although his family adores the new Henry, his boss, friends and colleagues aren’t all that thrilled and more complications will get in Henry’s way.

Regarding Henry is a wonderful emotional journey with touching performances from all of the cast, especially Ford, Bening and Mikki Allen who plays the daughter. The story is wonderfully humane. For the first time in my movie-watching years, this is the movie that made me a true admirer for Harrison Ford’s talent as an actor. Sure, he is a great action hero and I was pleasantly surprised by him in Six Days Seven Nights, where he showed more comedic talent. But here Ford shows an entirely different side. His role starts as arrogant, cold, charismatic and confident. He then goes through a bewildered adjusting process where his character gains innocence. Later he is eager to learn and love and makes for a great transition. It is always a pleasure to watch Bening on screen and Mikki Allen is really good as Rachel. It is a film by Mike Nichols who loves directing different genres. Remember his Wolf? Or Closer? The fact that this story is written by J.J Abrams (creator of shows Lost and Alias) may be a surprise for Lost fans. After all, this story has no mystery, suspense or action. It is all about life, feelings, family and love. But for those of you who have seen 1992’s Forever Young (starring Mel Gibson, Elijah Wood and Jamie Lee Curtis) will make perfect sense- as that timeless romance/comedy/sci-fi as it was also written by J.J. Abrams certainly can create and write great stories, regardless of the genre.

Regarding Henry is a 1991 movie, rated 6.5 on IMDB- voted by over 12.600 people. I will admit that it is not one of the most impressive or original scripts ever written but this doesn’t change the fact that this is one solid and heart-warming film. I think it deserves a 7, at the very least. Oh, obviously, do stay away if you don’t enjoy drama.

Harrison Ford Movie Reviews:

Six Days Seven Nights

Firewall

Air Force One

The Three Musketeers starring Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen and Chris O’ Donnell

Posted on June 2, 2010 Written by ripitup

D’Artagnan (Chris O’ Donnell) is a young man whose father was one of musketeers protecting the king. Now he wants the honor of being a musketeer is well. Trying to shake off an idiotic guy and his brothers at his tail, D’Artagnan sets out to join the musketeers. What he doesn’t know is that the cardinal (Tim Curry) and his right arm Rochefort (Michael Wincott) have let all of them go as a war with England is approaching and they are all needed in the field to fight for France. Of course in reality, what the cardinal and Rochefort just intend to get rid of the king easily so that cardinal can take his place. What better way to leave the king unprotected? Of course not all Musketeers are that easily persuaded. The famous trio of Porthos (Oliver Platt), Athos (Kiefer Sutherland) and Aramis (Charlie Sheen) will do what it takes it protect the king, even if it means they are declared outlaws. When D’Artagnan finally gets to his destination, he finds the musketeers gone and he doesn’t start off on good terms with the trio. But common purpose brings them together and a marvelously entertaining journey of love, friendship, comedy and adventure gets a kick start. Mind you, the movie gives us plenty of action and comedy from the very start, even before the trio becomes a quadruplet.

Now, I didn’t read the book. So I have no way of comparing the two. But I saw the movie and I loved it. It is one of the best period movies I have seen: It is a lot of fun with lots of action, comedy and just the necessary touch of romance. The setting and costumes look really good and all that sword-fighting and horse-back chasing show us a good time. Of course the fighting and chasing includes comedy as well as action. The musketeers all have distinct characters that make you either smile, grin or laugh.

The Musketeers

Porthos (Platt) loves a good time with drinks, women and fighting. He also has a good sense of humor.

Aramis (Sheen): He is a little religious- he does pray after the people who he kills. As Athos puts it: “Aramis takes that very seriously”. But religion doesn’t stand in his way when he wants to kick some serious butt, seduce women and/or get laid.

Athos (Sutherland): Athos comes with a complicated past. Although he loves a good laugh, duels and butt-kicking, he is emotionally scarred. And this scar adds a nice little touch and complication to the movie.

The Women

You might recognize the young queen (Gabrielle Anwar) from Things to do in Denver When You are dead (where the leading role was Andy Garcia’s) and For Love or Money (where she starred with Michael J. Fox). Julie Delpy is best remembered for her role as Celine in the lovely Before Sunrise and its sequel Before Sunset. They are both beautiful and although Gabrielle has a little more screen time, the girls are not seen that often. I had to pick, I’d have loved to play Rebecca De Mornay’s character Countess D’ Winter. After all as her character puts it, “she is dangerous”. De Mornay is a beautiful actress who was especially popular in the 90s. She definitely doesn’t mind playing the villain either. You might recall her thrillers The Hand That Rocks The Cradle or Never Talk to Strangers.

The Baddies

English Tim Curry makes a good villain and well, he is never boring. His most famous movie is probably the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He didn’t exactly play a sweetheart in 2001’s Attila either. But of course if there is a guy who competes with Kevin Bacon in the number of playing villains, it is Michael Wincott. I would probably be shocked to see him playing nice. Do you remember what he was up to in The Crow? Or Robin Hood: The Prince of Thieves? Strange Days? Seraphim Falls? Exactly.

So we have a great cast in a lovely period film with just the right ingredients. It is fun to see all these actors when they are so young. After all, it was 1993. And if you grow up in the 90s- I did- you might get the nostalgia you need.

Directed by Stephen Herek. Based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas père and written for the
screen by David Loughery. Rated 6.1 on IMDB by over 16,600 votes. Well, it might be a 6-7 movie but speaking in the entertainment level, it is a 10. Even the soundtrack rocks. After all the theme song All for Love is a duet performed by rocker musketeers: Bryan Adams, Sting and Rod Stewart.

Some Favorite Quotes/Moments:

Athos: (sees the cardinal’s men approaching) Only a fool will try to arrest us twice in one day.

Cardinal’s man: You are under arrest.

Aramis: Fool.

*********************

(Athos gets the brandy from Porthos for distraction. )

Porthos: What a waste!

**********************

One of the cardinal’s men says that they will arrest them but it will be peacefull if they won’t resist.

Porthos: Oh, don’t be so stupid. Of course we intend to resist! Give us a moment, alright?

On Chris O’Donnell:

NCIS Los Angeles

Mad Love

The Bachelor

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