FILM REVIEW: Robert Luketic’s The Ugly Truth

For those of you, who lacked any faith in Katherine Heigl’s comedic potential, please stop worrying right…about…now. She is hilarious in “The Ugly Truth” (2009), along with Gerard Butler. The romantic comedy will bring tears to your eyes from laughing so hard. You may even gasp for breath.

The movie is daring with many of its scenes. No spoilers here, but expect your jaw to drop. Heigl gets herself into some funny and “oh-no” situations. Besides the comedic aspects, the romance does not get overlooked by the jokes. In fact, it is the meat of the story. Finding the perfect man, women obsessed with controlling love, men who fall below expectations, and the confusing dynamics in the man-woman relationship are running elements in the film. Writers Nicole Eastman, Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith do not treat the heavy topics with the seriousness that is usually dedicated to such matters. Instead, they treat the problems faced when dating with a light-hearted and raunchy perspective.

And let’s not forget the over-whelming sex appeal Gerard Butler exudes. Maybe it is the Scottish accent or the devilish smile or it could be the manly man appeal. Whichever the reason, the female audience can not help but to swoon. Butler works really well with Heigl. The chemistry is present, and it is evident in their performance.

Take your boyfriend/girlfriend to see “The Ugly Truth.” It makes for a great date movie. Entertaining for both parties. The movie is also the perfect summer chick flick.

Rating: 4 Obnoxious Laughs out of 5

FILM REVIEW: Robert Luketic’s The Ugly Truth

BOX OFFICE SLAM! Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince

The movie community predicted the major turnouts for all the Harry Potter movies across the globe. It seemed logical with the overwhelming popularity of J.K. Rowling’s famed magical books. But, ::omg:: the “Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince” movie is breaking the Gringotts Wizarding bank and Avada Kedavra any competitors!

HP raked in $22.2 million from Wednesday's midnight showings alone. An estimated $79.5 million for its opening weekend at the box office. And overseas, the blockbuster movie made $396.7 million, making it the biggest international debut ever. Accio movie fame.

Slowly, the hype is dying down along with the shattering box office records. But, I predict “Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince” (2009) will rise back to headlines praising its blockbuster luster once the movie is released in IMAX theaters on July 29^th. And, believe you me, the movie is worth the extra two or four dollars to see Harry, Hermione and Ron on the big screen. Did I happen to mention the opening scene is amazing and awe-inspiring in 3D?!? Trust me, those die-hard Harry Potter fans and movie enthusiasts will stampede to enjoy the Harry Potter 3D IMAX experience!

Lucky for me, I was able to attend one of four early releases of the 6^th installment in IMAX. But, that does not mean I will not see it again. I have an unwavering crush on Ron Weasley (played by Rupert Grint) ::sigh::

BOX OFFICE SLAM! Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince

MOVIE-INSPIRED DINNER: Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

“The worst pies in London...

Even that's polite! The worst pies in London!

If you doubt it take a bite!”

Grab or rent “Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (2007) starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, and be inspired to re-create a more delicious version of Mrs. Lovett’s (Carter) pies. Try the Chicken Pot Pie recipe below courtesy of pillsbury.com

Classic Chicken Pot Pie

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Total Time 1 hr 5 minutes

Makes 6 Servings

Ingredients:

• Crust –
• 1 box (15 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
• Filling –
• 1/3 cup butter or margarine
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 ¾ cups Progresso® chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 ½ cups shredded cooked chicken or turkey
• 2 cups Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers™ frozen mix ed vegetables, thawed

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 425°F. Make pie crusts as directed on box for Two-Crust Pie using 9-inch glass pie pan.

2. In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender.

3. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until well blended.

4. Gradually stir in broth and milk, cooking and stirring until bubbly and thickened.

5. Stir in chicken and mixed vegetables.

6. Remove from heat.

7. Spoon chicken mixture into crust-lined pan.

8. Top with second crust; seal edge and flute. Cut slits in several places in top crust.

9. Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

*Note: During last 15 to 20 minutes of baking, cover crust edge with strips of foil to prevent excessive browning.

10. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Feel free to tweak where you want. And, I suggest starting this recipe 1 hour before you begin the movie. You do not want to spend your entire viewing experience over the stove! Nor do you want to be eating during the more bloody, gruesome and murderous scenes. That is, if you suffer from a weak stomach.

Besides all this lovely advice, relish every morsel of Mrs. Lovett’s Re-Created Worst Pies in London also known as Chicken Pot Pie. If you are not up to cooking, there is always the Chicken Pot Pies found in your local supermarket’s frozen aisle.

Enjoy your dinner with a movie. If not, Sweeny Todd may come seeking revenge on you. “He never forgets and he never forgives.”

MOVIE-INSPIRED DINNER: Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

LIMELIGHT: Hayao Miyazaki

Nicknamed, “the Japanese Walt Disney,” Hayao Miyazaki is a talented animation director from Japan. Though, I have yet to have the pleasure of travelling to his distant homeland, I feel each of his movies bring me closer. It is one of the reasons why he is praised. His films are magical.

Miyazaki’s new film “Ponyo” hits limited theaters on August 14^th, although the movie released in Japan over a year ago. The tag line, “Welcome to a World Where Anything Is Possible,” hints at the similarities between Hayao Miyazaki’s work and Walt Disney’s dreams.

Take a break from whatever it is you may possibly be doing, and go rent one of Hayao Miyazaki’s films. You will then witness his unmistakable talent for creating compelling characters, captivating stories, and stunning animation. Call it “moving artwork” if you like. Below is a list of his movies (I personally like) I’ve compiled just for you.

Your Personal Hayao Miyazaki Movie Guide:

• Ponyo (August 14^th release, check your local theater for showtimes)
• Howl's Moving Castle (novel by Diana Wynne Jones, I suggest you read the book as well)
• Spirited Away
• Princess Mononoke
• Kiki's Delivery Service

LIMELIGHT: Hayao Miyazaki

2009 SUMMER MOVIE GUIDE

With the weather in the fritz, I myself endured a freak hail/snow storm this past week, the clichéd summer activities are at an abnormal standstill. However, our most tried-and-true pastime is still dependable, the summer movie.

If you have not already started checking movies off your “To See” list or if you have yet to create one, well, I am here to help you. Take a peak below at the movies set to release this summer.

JUNE 5th
Land of the Lost – See Will Ferrell in an alternate universe where dinosaurs rule again
Away We Go (limited release) - Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski trek across the U.S. in search of the perfect place to raise their first child.
The Hangover – Bachelor Party in Vegas = alcohol, a tiger, Mike Tyson and a baby [See Mrs. Robinson, You’re Trying to Seduce Me’s movie review)
My Life in Ruins – My Big Fat Greek Wedding in Greece

JUNE 12th
The Taking of Pelham 123 – Villain, John Travolta hijacks train. Hero, Denzel Washington attempts to save the day.
Imagine That – Eddie Murphy looks to his daughter’s imaginary friends for financial advice

JUNE 19th
Year One – Comedians Jack Black and Michael Cera go primitive, cave man primitive.
The Proposal – Love at the office and sexual harassment meet Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds

JUNE 24th
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – Robot aliens from space, hot bodies from Earth (Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox), and explosions

JUNE 26th
My Sister's Keeper - Anna Fitzgerald (Abigail Breslin) was born to save her sister’s life
Chéri - Michelle Pfeiffer is a Parisian cougar in the 1920s Paris

JULY 1st
Public Enemies - Christian Bale is a Top FBI agent and Johnny Depp is a notorious gangster.
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs – Same old friends (Sid, Manny, Ellie and Diego) in a new adventure minus the ice.

JULY 10th
Brüno – a flamboyant version of Borat (Sasha Baron Cohen), only this time he is an Austrian fashion reporter
I Love You, Beth Cooper – Love the cheerleader (Hayden Panettiere) and get best night of your geeky life.

JULY 15th
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – The boy-who-lived delves deeper into the past of He-who-must-not-be-named and befriends the unknown Half-Blood Prince. (Bias Opinion Alert: Your jaw will drop in the end, and you will grasp at the edge of your seat.)

JULY 17th
(500) Days of Summer (limited release) – An offbeat, indie summer romance between a romantic and a non-believer.

JULY 24th
G-Force – Talking guinea pigs with attitudes and a license to kick a$$
Orphan (limited release) – A couple picks the wrong little girl to adopt. Her arrival is plagued with strange events.
The Ugly Truth - Gerard Butler helps Katherine Heigl with her love life, but will they fall for each other during the coaching?

JULY 31st
Funny People - Adam Sandler is a dying comedian, and Seth Rogen plays his protégé
Aliens in the Attic - Can the Pearson kids save the family from an alien invasion?

AUGUST 7th
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra - Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity vs. Cobra
Julie & Julia - Secretary Julie Powell attempts to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking

AUGUST 14th
District 9 – Aliens are refugees in South Africa.
Bandslam - Vanessa Hudgens adapts her H.S. Musical pipes for a H.S. battle of the bands competition
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard – The Piv (Jeremy Piven) goes from selling actors in Entourage to selling cars in this summer comedy

AUGUST 21st
Inglourious Basterds - Quentin Tarantino brings us Jewish-American soldiers who scalp and brutally kill Nazis
Post Grad – A recent college grad (Alexis Bledel) can't land a good job, because the economy is crap. The punishment, she moves back in with her oddball family. (Bias Opinion Alert: This is my current situation. How quick Hollywood makes a movie out of it haha)

AUGUST 28th
H2: Halloween 2 – A gruesome and modern remake of the classic horror flick
The Final Destination – The fourth installment in the series, and this time it’s in 3D. (Note: Each Final Destination movie is released three years a part)

2009 SUMMER MOVIE GUIDE

IN REMEMBRANCE: Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009)

Mrs. Robinson, You’re Trying to Seduce Me celebrates Michael Jackson’s contributions to the entertainment world. He changed the face of music, and was an innovative artist. He found a way to blend the allure of movies with the sounds of music. And I am not referencing musicals.

In fact, I am talking about Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking music videos. He took them to a whole new level. “Thriller” (1983), “Bad” (1987), “Smooth Criminal/Moonwalker” (1988), and “Ghosts” (1997) burst onto the television screen and awed audiences. It was nothing they ever saw before, and surely something they would never forget.

"I'm alive and I'm here forever" - Michael Jackson

RIP

Michael Jackson

1958 - 2009

IN REMEMBRANCE: Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009)

RETAKE: Nicolas Cage’s Career

I recently watched the commercial for the dvd release of Nicolas Cage’s movie “Knowing” (2009), and it made me start to think about his career. Cage has gone forgotten for some time now. His movies are not big blockbusters anymore. He is not appearing in magazine and tabloid celebrity sightseeings, in photoshoots or for any endorsement deals. When was the last time he had a major hit or was even a part of a “good” movie?

It seems, many of Cage’s movies are mediocre, not deserving of much praise or accolades. He is just riding on the steam of his “National Treasure” movies lately. Surely, we can all admit that his performance in the remake of “The Wicker Man” (2006) was abysmal. I think we are all just waiting for Nicolas Cage to rise up again, and to stick with action/adventure movies (it suits him).


What’s your opinion on Nicolas Cage? Am I alone with his retake?

RETAKE: Nicolas Cage’s Career