THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson,

Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy,

Celia Imrie, Dev Patel

Star Movies

A group of British pensioners (who do not know each other except for the married couple) decide to enjoy their retirement years in India. The online advertisement for the "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" in Jaipur states it is a resort for the elderly and beautiful.  Enticed by a life of leisure in a serene environment, not to mention cheaper lifestyle, they all arrive together to discover the hotel isn't exactly paradise!

The film basically follows the adventures as well as the mishaps they experience individually and as a group during their stay in India.  Everything from cramped transportation, flavorful yet very spicy nourishment to the warm hospitality of the locals. 

The ensemble cast led by revered British actors like Maggie Smith and Judi Dench is the main draw of this charming yet predictable film.  They each portray well developed characters with ease.  Even though some of them aren't exactly likeable ones.  Typical wry British humor abound as well as light fare dramatic moments.  

I, for one who lived in New Delhi for 4 years (during my childhood) cannot imagine spending the rest of my twilight years in a place with a completely different culture.  Lest you get me wrong, I am in no way disparaging India.   It does have its own exotic charms.  So even if I don't understand their choice, I figure they were probably attracted to the word 'exotic'!

THE IRON LADY

Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent

"Never Compromise"

HBO

With the recent passing of Lady Margaret Thatcher, her controversial biopic is being shown repeatedly on HBO.  It was controversial as her family and some friends of the late Prime Minister view the film as an insult to her legacy.   

Although she is portrayed brilliantly by Meryl Streep, the movie presents Thatcher in her older years as suffering from dementia. She often talks to the spirit of her beloved husband, Sir Denis who died several years ago.  Their conversations recall her political years through burst of flashbacks, from her first entry into a political party to her rise as Britain's first woman Prime Minister.

This biopic also explores her personal struggle as she ventures into an arena which was mostly dominated by men. She also had a difficult time balancing her life as a mother/wife and her role as the first and so far only woman UK Prime Minister.   Governing during a period of great turmoil both locally (mining incident and the IRA) and internationally (the Cold War and the Falkland War), her decisions and her policies were not always welcomed by her countrymen.   

Yet she thrived mainly due to her strong willed and principled personality and never compromise once she made up her mind.  She is quoted as saying: "One of the great problems of our age is that we are governed by people who care more about feelings than they do about thoughts and ideas."  She was a thinker, lacking what we now call the EQ (emotional quotient) factor, and her 11 year tenure as Prime Minister survived because of that trait.

It is quite hard to make a biopic about an iconic yet controversial figure who made great strides in the world of politics as well as an individual.  But Meryl Streep succeeded in humanizing a much lionized figure. She was Margaret Thatcher in every sense of the word and she deserves praise for her performance.  

Despite its failings, (one should have a fair knowledge about the important events which shaped the history of Britain during her reign), The Iron Lady remains an interesting biopic about an extraordinary woman and offers an excellent showcase of Meryl Streep’s astonishing abilities as a top notch actress.

THE LADY

Michelle Yeoh, David Thewlis

"Wife. Mother. Prisoner. Hero"

HBO

Luc Besson would probably be the last director on earth you would associate with directing a biopic. The French director is more renowned for high octane filled action movies.   

Yet with "The Lady" he presents a poignant look at the story of an iconic figure, Aung San Suu Kyi.  The Burmese leader who spent 15 years under house arrest for opposing the military junta in her country.

It begins in Rangoon, 1947 with the assassination of her father, a popular leader who was killed on the eve of his assumption of the presidency.  Almost 40 years later, Aung San Suu Kyi returns from London where she has been living with her British husband, a Professor at Oxford and her two sons.   In 1998, she returns to Myanmar to be with her mother who is gravely ill,  she then decides to stay in order to restore democracy.

The government puts her under house arrest for inciting people to fight against the junta. For most of her long confinement, Aung San Suu Kyi’s husband and sons remained in England although they were allowed to visit during school holidays.

Besson focused more attention on the much tested but enduring marriage between Aung San Suu Kyi and her husband, Professor Michael Aris  It may be a good way to personalize a political story, but it also derailed the movie’s pursuit of larger and perhaps more significant purposes.   

For instance, it didn't feature how she became a political figure.  Yes, granted that she is the daughter of a politician so naturally it is in her genes.  But it would also be interesting to know her views when she was still a student in London. Was she influenced by her studies in a Western society?  What made her believe that democracy was the only form of government which was help the Burmese people?

The film is well crafted and told with a well researched narrative.  It certainly shows that behind every great woman is a greater man who is secure and quite aware of his role in the equation.  Michael Aris was a man who stayed in the background by supporting his wife's noble intentions.  But he wasn't a silent partner as he did extensive propaganda and raised funds as well as worldwide political support for the Burmese people.  

The most intense moment remains that scene where he was already stricken with prostate cancer yet he refused to let his wife come visit him in London.  The couple’s decision for her to stay in Burma during her husband’s terminal illness, because they know the generals wouldn’t let her return, is played up as a more tragic personal sacrifice than anything else. 

Overall, the film comes across more as a vivid human drama than a political story. It doesn't really reveal much about the iconic figure's life before she became the definitive symbol against the oppressive regime in Myanmar.  For a news junkie like myself, it just played out events I was already quite familiar with.

But Michelle Yeoh as Aung San Suu Kyi was perfect for the role.  From her physical appearance to her manner of walking and speaking, she captured the essence of The Lady with the flower in her hair.

SUPER 8

Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney, Kyle Chandler

"It arrives"

HBO

Sunday evening, "Harriet" threw a tantrum so I found myself pressing the TV remote control for any suitable movie to watch. By the way, for the uninitiated, "Harriet" refers to my today.it.is.working.tomorrow.it.doesn't.work desktop PC.

Perfect timing, as the film written and directed by J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias) just commenced on HBO. It is set in 1979 and focuses on 4 young boys whose friendship is based on their common interest - to shoot movies. They are in the process of shooting their zombie romance using a Super 8 camera. One night while filming on location, they witness a horrible train crash. A tragedy that is the catalyst for some sci-fi/military project that goes terribly wrong. Soon enough the little town in Ohio serves as a battleground between the military and some monster/alien that looks like a hideously menacing giant spider.

This film is J.J. Abrams's fitting tribute to the old Steven Spielberg (co-producer of Super 8) movies. Most of Spielberg's previous films were usually set in some small Midwest American town that undergoes a major upheaval as it experiences some inexplicable event that would alter their lives, forever. So "Super 8" is a sort of "Stand by Me" (although this was never directed by Spielberg) meets "E.T" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" popcorn entertainment.

But amidst the loud explosive scenes of train crashes and military gun fires is a story about friendship as well as a budding love story that develops between the 2 main characters in the film. The cast of young actors are mostly credible although there were certain scenes where they were annoying and for lack of a better word, childish.

My only issue is the too much sci fi and the military is hiding something from the people premise. It feeds into the conspiracy theory aspect of many sarcastic folks out there. Good thing I was able to briefly change the channel every time the big bad nasty monster/alien got any screen time. That's because I'm not a fan of sci-fi themed films. But on the other hand, I'd admit it would be like watching a poorer rehash version of "Stand by Me", if it weren't for the sci-fi element.

"Super 8" is an old-fashioned, feel good movie spectacle that doesn't rely on big stars to tell its narrative. It is simply a good story with humor, enough thrills and enveloped with an sense of wonder that brings us back to our childhood. An era with no digital gadgets to complicate our lives which sadly is now fueled by our need to be always connected to the Internet.

THE LINCOLN LAWYER

Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Philippe
William H. Macy, Josh Lucas

Star Movies

TV channel surfing can often lead to finding a film that can grab one's attention. "The Lincoln Lawyer" was a legal thriller I wanted to watch when it was shown at the cinemas but as usual I either didn't have the time or simply was too lazy to go out.

So Matthew McConaughey portrays Mick Haller a sleazy yet charismatic defense attorny who suddenly develops a conscience when he takes up a new case. His wealthy client Louis Roulet (Ryan Philippe) is accused of beating and raping a call girl. Haller begins to question whether his rich bratty client is indeed innocent. In the course of his current case, Haller finds clues that might be related to his former case. Things aren't as simple as they seem. Haller needs to work doubly hard to solve his case despite the danger he may have put himself in as a consequence.

Oh and the title comes from the fact that Michael Haller works out from the back of his old Lincoln car. He even has a chauffeur but you have to watch the film to find out the details about his driver. I ain't giving away spoilers.

I was quite impressed with the solid supporting cast who turned up to give this somewhat predictable thriller much needed depth. Marisa Tomei, Ryan Philippe, Josh Lucas and despite his short role William H. Macy all contributed their vast talent to deliver credible performances.

Of course, the main star is Matthew McConaughey who is believable in a role which doesn't require him to take his shirt off. His portrayal of a slick defense attorney fit him like a glove. Coincidentally, I think Matthew McConaughey should stick to playing lawyers. Some years ago, he was quite effective in John Grisham adaptation "A Time To Kill". Now he essays Mike Haller in the film adaptation of Michael Connelly's best selling novel.

The film offers a nice mix of character introduction/development with an intriguing yet somewhat predictable plot complete with twists which you didn't quite see coming your way. Or perhaps I was just distracted by sleep slowly creeping up on me.

LIMITLESS

Bradley Cooper, Robert de Niro, Abbie Cornish

"What if a pill could make you rich and powerful?"

Star Movies

Finally, I was able to see this film in its entirety on Star Movies. When it was shown in the cinemas, I had second thoughts about spending so much on a movie ticket. Sci-fi thriller isn't a genre, I appreciate. But. 2 words. Bradley Cooper. Enough said.

"Limitless" focuses on Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) a writer who is taking forever to finish his novel. His girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) is walking out on him, he looks awful, physically and mentally. In short, his life is one big mess. Until, he runs into the brother of an ex girlfriend who tells him about this experimental pill called NZT. A powerful drug that can tap your mind into its full potential.

With NZT in his system, Eddie is on a roll. He completes his book instantly, he can read and absorb data within seconds, he can speak foreign languages, he can manipulate the stock market for his investments. His life changes completely for the better. Or so it seems. But soon enough as with most 'scams' that are too good to be true, the pill turns into one huge liability instead of an asset.

Despite some good camera angles with blurry montage scenes, the film is quite limited in scope. It is a standard rise and fall tale, the extended version for it seemed like it would never finish and then concludes with a vaguely intriguing ending. So was it a cautionary tale about drug addiction? Or a story on how greed and power can corrupt one's soul? Either way, the your choices are quite limited, despite what the title suggests.

CASE 39

Renee Zellweger, Jodelle Ferland, Ian McShane, Bradley Cooper

"Some cases should never be opened."

HBO

Last night, an irritating case of insomnia prompted me to flip through TV channels. I came across this psychological thriller on HBO and decided to watch it. Never mind that it was a horror film, a genre I try to avoid because I scare easily. Well you might blame it on the insomnia but interestingly enough I finished it in its entirety.

The film follows social worker Emily Jenkins (Renee Zellweger) as she takes on the case of a young girl named Lilith (Jodelle Ferland) who's being abused by her parents. Emily takes pity on the 10 year old so she adopts her temporarily while she is put on the adoption list. But soon enough, problems crop us as it becomes clear that little Lilith isn't quite as wholesome and innocent as she appears.

The horrific nature of the film's plot doesn't make itself completely evident until around the halfway mark with a handful of gory thriller elements. Its slow pace becomes more and more problematic though as time progresses. Loopholes in the plot abound as predictability sets in.

Yet the truth is that as demonic children movies go, it's really not bad in the creepiness factor. The believable acting of the cast makes it seem a little better than your average creepy kid possessed by the devil films. Not much, but a little. Plus, Jodelle Ferland's Lilith is perhaps the creepiest demon child ever to grace the screen and if she’s not, she’s certainly in the running.

Still, "Case 39" despite all its flaws is still a perfectly watchable kid-from-hell chiller. My interest was piqued with the film which is as much as you can reasonably expect from this kind of picture. It was certainly more than I expected. It kept me on the edge of my bed but it certainly didn't relieve me of my insomnia! How can you sleep after watching so much evil emanate from a young child? Geez!

YOU AGAIN

Kristen Bell, Odette Yustman, Jaime Lee Curtis
Sigourney Weaver, Betty White, Kristin Chenoweth

"What doesn't kill you ... is going to marry your brother"

Star Movies

Anyone who has been bullied/maligned during their high school days, please nod your head and say 'aye'. Surely, we all could identify with the main character of this chick flick. Marni (Kristen Bell) comes home from her high paying job in New York to attend her brother's wedding. Much to her dismay, she discovers her brother is marrying Joanna (Odette Yustman) the cheerleader who incessantly tormented Marni in high school.

The rest of the film focuses on Marni desperate attempts to expose Joanna's true 'evil' self to her family who have grown quite fond of their future daughter in law. The silly wedding preparations complete with an over the top wedding planner portrayed by the miscast yet very talented Kristin Chenoweth. It also presents the rivalry between Joanna's aunt Ramona (Sigourney Weaver) and Marni's mom Gail (Jamie Lee Curtis). They used to be best friends during their high school days but arguably had some falling out with each other.

It started out with a good premise - the story about the enduring horrors of high school and learning to move on from your past. Then unfortunately it spirals into something completely senseless. It tries too hard to draw in laughs and there is not much logic to the characters' behavior.

The presence of two acting powerhouses does nothing to redeem this dismal comedy. Yet their perky performances were quite infectious. Weaver’s timing and deadpan delivery is spot-on, while Curtis has an engaging twinkle in her eye, even when she has to act like a fool.

The happy ending was very forced. It seems like the script writers simply gave up trying to piece all the loopholes in the side plots into one coherent structure. Although I have to admit there were (very few) instances which made me laugh and chuckle. But, I for one would know that there is simply nothing FUNNY about being tormented in high school. Gosh!

GENOVA

Colin Firth, Catherine Keener, Hope Davis
Willa Holland, Perla Haney-Jardine

Star Movies

Michael Winterbottom the director of "A Mighty Heart" aka the Daniel Pearl story regales us once again with a haunting tale set in Italy. Joe (Colin Firth) a professor and his two daughters move to Genoa after a car accident which claimed his wife's life. He believes the change in location will help them cope with their grief. Barbara (Catherine Keener) a friend and co-faculty member now based in Genoa help the family adjust to their new surroundings by finding them an apartment and touring them around the historical city. Ten year old Mary (Perla Haney-Jardine) and 16 year old Kelly (Willa Holland) adapt fairly well or do they?.

Little Mary who is still quite traumatized begins to see the apparition of her dead mother. While Kelly spends most of her time with her friends at the beach and at parties. She tends to neglect her sisterly duties. Joe, on the other hand simply strides along and he seems oblivious or probably in denial over the disturbing behavior of his children.

I was shocked with Joe's parenting style. He seemed really indifferent and didn't react more as his younger daughter was slowly losing her senses. And his older daughter was turning into a rebellious teenager. But perhaps, he himself was pretty despondent and he didn't know how to deal with his numbing loss. Heck even his friend Barbara noticed how he didn't do more to reach out to his kids.

The narrow alleys, beautiful churches and cavernous mountains of this Italian city provide an excellent backdrop to the subtle unfolding of the low key dramatic moments. The pacing of the plot is pretty slow as summer is in full bloom with the heat blistering away, the characters seem pretty languid and carefree. I believe that convincing acting from the entire cast and the gorgeous cinematography saves this film from complete doom.

LEAP YEAR

Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, Adam Scott

"Anna planned to propose to her boyfriend on February 29th.
This is not her boyfriend."

HBO

Much to her chagrin, Anna (Amy Adams) doesn't get a much expected marriage proposal from Jeremy (Adam Scott) on the eve of his trip to Ireland to attend a medical conference. She is encouraged to follow an Irish tradition that unfolds on February 29. On that date, a woman can propose to her boyfriend known as the leap year proposals. She packs her bags and heads to Ireland to achieve her plan.

Unfortunately, bad weather intervenes and she is forced to land in Wales and must find a way to make it to Dublin. Stuck in a bleak Scottish town, she hires an inn owner, Declan (Matthew Goode) to drive her to the Irish capital. The movie focuses on their journey which is fraught with numerous obstacles.

Amy Adams is a delight to watch as she is determined to make it to Dublin. Her encounters with unfriendly locals, missed trains and the Irish countryside doesn't deter her plan. She had a convincing rapport with Matthew Goode but half of the time I admit I couldn't understand his accent. I did admire the setting which consisted of ruins of castles and vast mountains surrounded by the ocean. Never mind that it was morosely bleak due to the incessant rains.

The story itself has been done many times in other films like "French Kiss" so the ending was predictable. But I was too sick to watch anything else on the telly. I'm just surprised I didn't doze off while viewing it.

"May you never steal, lie, or cheat, but if you must steal, then steal away my sorrows, and if you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life, and if you must cheat, then please cheat death because I couldn't live a day without you."

The above lovely yet somehow cheesy quote was (for me) the best part of the film. But strangely enough it wasn't uttered by any of the main characters.

THE MESSENGER

Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster, Samantha Morton

HBO

The US Army's Casualty Notification Service is in charge of informing the next of kin that their relatives have died while serving her/his country in Iraq. The bearer of this extremely sad news has strict instructions on how to deliver this unfortunate information as well as how to handle the grieving relatives.

In this poignant film, this task falls squarely on the shoulders of Capt. Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson) a seasoned 'messenger'. Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) a young soldier who was wounded in Iraq and sent home has now been assigned to this Service. Sort of an apprentice to Capt. Stone, Will soon finds out first hand about profound grief and anguish as expressed by the relatives who are told the bad news. After informing Olivia (Samantha Morton) of her husband's death, Will finds himself attracted to her. And as Olivia, Will and Tony pick their way through the delicate situation, all three are forced to deal with emotions they had become used to hiding.

Woody Harrelson who was nominated for this role delivers a subtle yet very effective performance. His characterization of Capt. Stone is a mixed ball of emotions. Stoic as he bears the news yet he also has quite a temper. A recovering alcoholic, it was probably his coping mechanism to escape from the stress of delivering bad news.

But kudos must also be given to Ben Foster. This young actor who I first saw in the TV series "Six Feet Under" has always been impressive in most of his subsequent roles. Here, you must not be deceived by his boyish looks as Staff Sgt. Will has been through a very harsh tour of duty in Iraq. He is scarred and his spirit is broken as most of the young soldiers who experience battle in conflicted areas are wont to be.

The film is a moving and human reflection on the costs of war, and a deeply respectful look at the work done by the armed forces, both overseas and at home. It isn't a political film nor is it necessarily an anti-war film. It's just about the legacy left behind, for those that fight it, and those who patiently wait for their return. Unfortunately, loss is inevitable in both cases.

SHANGHAI

John Cusack, Gong Li, Ken Watanabe, Chow Yun Fat,
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, David Morse

"In a world filled with secrets, solving a mystery can be murder."

Star Movies

This ambitiously cast film was mesmerizing because it was able to recreate the feel of the city of Shanghai in the 1940s. It had all the key ingredients of a film noir reminiscent of past classics from Bogart and Bacall. There were voice over narration, an intriguing plot, authentic costume design of classic cuts and tailor made suits, the clever use of flashbacks (in sepia and black and white tones) and vivid cinematography.

The story revolves around Paul Soames (John Cusack), a naval intelligence officer (aka a spy) under the disguise of a journalist who investigates the murder of his colleague/friend Conner. Conner (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) was able to unmask the eerie plan of the Japanese empire in China. In his quest to find out the truth about the murder, Soames meets some interesting characters who may or may not be involved in the sinister crime. You have Anna Tan-Ling (Gong Li) who is the mysterious wife of the local gang lord Anthony Tan-Ling (Chow Yun Fat). The Triad boss has political and mafia connections with Capt. Tanaka (Ken Watanabe), the head of Japanese intelligence in Shanghai.

The multinational cast totally contributed in ensuring this grandiose production was a success. John Cusack as the protagonist exuded a Bogart vibe with his subtle and calm performance. The attractive Gong Li, as the femme fatale was sultry and mysterious. Chow Yun-Fat's portrayal of the mob boss was charming in a secretive sort of way. And of course, my favorite Asian actor Ken Watanabe as Capt. Tanaka was eerie and sinister yet quite eloquent and elegant as well. They were also finely supported by talented actors such as David Morse, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Franka Potente in brief yet significant roles.

Overall, "Shanghai" was engaging in its presentation of a complex storyline of espionage, political intrigue with some tinge of romance. It was also straightforward and easily understandable due to the talented ensemble cast.

WHITEOUT

Kate Beckinsale, Tom Skerritt, Gabriel Macht,
Columbus Short, Alex O'Loughlin

"See your last breath"

HBO

In this icy thriller drama, Kate Beckinsale is a U.S. marshal racing to solve a series of murders in Antarctica before research facilities are locked down for six months due to the fierce polar winter. The crimes have something to do with a downed Soviet cargo plane which crashed in 1957 and is now buried under the massive ice slopes.

Whiteout's opening scene where a plane plummets towards its doom on crusted ice shelves might deceive you into thinking that you are in for a whodunit suspenseful thriller. So you will only get disappointed if that is what you expect.

Then it flashes forward to current times, where U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko (Beckinsale) has taken the worst assignment possible to banish memories of a bust gone bad in Miami. A dead body is discovered by Stetko and she suddenly has to solve the murder (which has links to the earlier plane crash) before they should leave in order to escape from the harsh 6 months when the sun decides not to show up and bitter winds and snowstorms blast you beyond freezing point.

The movie seems to strive on bad dialogue, the presentation of a myriad of characters (who could all be the suspects) and staging action sequences during blinding blizzards. This makes it doubly hard since you can hardly recognize the characters since they are all covered up in thick hooded parkas.

As a U.S Marshall, Beckinsale doesn't seem particularly tough, authoritative or knowledgeable. She also has a pathetically blank slate throughout the film. Maybe the extreme cold weather affected her acting skills. Equally, the supporting cast led by Tom Skerritt could only do so much to give some warmth to a film that is as barren as its setting. Then Whiteout's hack-and-slash sensibility just turns it into a CSI: Antarctica Edition with the anticlimactic ending thrown in just for the heck of finally finishing the film.

I'd say it is just another 96 minutes to waste on a Saturday evening parked in front of the telly!

THE YOUNG VICTORIA

Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany,
MIranda Richardson, Mark Strong

"Her Country. Her Heart. Her Majesty."

Star Movies

This period piece looks at the early days of Queen Victoria. As portrayed by Emily Blunt, the film presents her life from a pampered princess, to her romance with her first cousin, Prince Albert (Rupert Friend) to her eventual ascension to the throne upon the death of her uncle, King William.

Amidst the various royal intrigue and political machinations reminiscent of those turbulent years in England's rich history, the film also gives way to a sweet romantic tale between Victoria and her suitor the German Prince Albert.

Blunt’s performance is restrained and fiery, yet her character doesn't really evolve much. She goes from a strong, determined young woman to a strong, determined young queen, but she undergoes little significant growth.

Having said done, I also believe her portrayal of the young Queen Victoria propels her to a new level. Emily Blunt proves herself versatile and capable of carrying an entire film by transforming a beloved monarch from a page in history to someone who is, well, human just like the rest of us.

The rest of the cast is ably supported by talented British actors like Jim Broadbent, Mark Strong and Paul Bettany as the scheming Lord Melbourne - they all give convincing performances.

The storyline is strong and I like how it didn't delve too much into the intriguing political machinations which can be a tad boring, if you ask me. The costumes were spectacularly authentic and the cinematography was vibrant.

Oh I also like to give praise to Star Movies for including subtitles to some of their main features. It does help a lot for us viewers to have a firmer grasp on the dialogue. Well done!

LOVE HAPPENS

Jennifer Aniston, Aaron Eckhart
Judy Greer, Dan Fogler

"Sometimes when you least expect it"

HBO

Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart) is a widower on a seminar tour of his best selling self help book called "A-Okay". It is a program which helps people cope with the loss of loved ones. His workshop brings him to Seattle where he is billeted at the Hyatt hotel. In the city of the Space Needle, he literally bumps into Eloise (Jennifer Aniston) a local florist who does flower arrangements for the hotel.

Then boy tries to woo girl but it seems that girl is a bit eccentric so his pursuit of her initially meets with resistance. Although the film is categorized as a romantic comedy, I'd say there is nothing funny about the grief and anguish people experience after losing a loved one. So in that sense, the film did tread carefully and didn't trivialize the sensitive matter. As for the romantic aspect well there were no visible sparks between Burke and Eloise from the get go. Yet somehow love does happen even if it unravels some bumps along the way.

Aniston’s performance is unremarkable while Eckhart as Burke is still an intriguing enough character vis a vis on how he deals with his success in the wake of his wife’s death. I believe that Aaron Eckhard despite lacking your average heartthrob looks is very charismatic in a non intrusive way. This works to his advantage as he projects well on screen.

The good thing about the movie despite its predictable plot is its setting. It highlighted some spots and made Seattle seem like an appealing city to visit. Plus I learned what the words "quidnunc" and "poppysimc" means. Thanks to Eloise who does quirky things like write random words on the walls behind paintings.

NEW IN TOWN

Renee Zellweger, Harry Connick, Jr, Siobhan Fallon, Frances McConroy

"She's an executive on the move.
But her career is taking her a little bit farther than she expected."

Star Movies

I was just thinking that it has been a while since I saw Renee Zellweger in a film and lo and behold I chance upon "New in Town" on Star Movies.

Here she portrays Lucy, an ambitious executive who is assigned to restructure a manufacturing plant in a small town. A sleepy lil town in Minnesota where temperatures are below zero, folks are simple minded and life moves at a slower and dare I say boring pace.

A perfect contrast to Lucy's technology laden, fast paced lifestyle in sunny Miami. Eventually, the outsider meets local union rep, Ted (Harry Connick, Jr) and they have a i.cant.stand.you relationship going from the get go. The film highlights the Minnesota lifestyle. From the town folks' accents to its small town customs and traditions all amidst a wintry wonderland setting.

In my opinion, Renee's face seemed a bit off. I don't know if it was the harsh winter weather effect or she was too botox-ed to convey natural face expressions. She had a convincing chemistry with Harry Connick, Jr who I admit was the only warm thing in the movie. There is a certain warm and fuzzy vibe that seems to emit from the noted jazz crooner.

But as predictable romantic comedies go, happy ending(s) abound. Boy and girl fall in love, girl saves plant from closing down and the entire town reaps the abundant rewards from the launch of a new product. So blah!

OBSESSED

Beyonce Knowles, Idris Elba, Ali Larter

"All's fair when love is war"

HBO

I figure the producers of this dismal film were banking on Beyonce to be the main draw. But as it turns out her character was just as annoying as the protagonist.

Beyonce plays Sharon who accidentally finds out that Derek, (Idris Elba) her husband has been lying about a woman stalker. The stalker is Lisa (Ali Larter) a temp who develops a huge crush on Derek. At first, I figured that Lisa must have misinterpreted his kind gestures (he was giving her some advice about relationships) and nuances as affection. Then eventually as the film progresses we bear witness to her stalker tendencies and she becomes quite a menace to the picture perfect marriage of Sharon and Derek.

Then you have a complete turn around for the Sharon character as portrayed by Beyonce. From a sweet, gentle wife from the upper class spectrum of society, she turns into a fierce lady from the ghetto with a foul mouth. Probably for Beyonce, she found the role challenging. A deviation from her flawless reputation as a diva. But for me it wasn't really a good role for her to play. Alright given that she portrays an aggrieved wife trying to ward off the insane stalker but still I have issues with her character development.

So this trying hard to be like Fatal Attraction but fails epically movie rates pretty low in my books. I should have just tuned in to the World Cup match instead of enduring this miserable film. Heh!

CHAOS THEORY

Ryan Reynolds, Emily Mortimer, Stuart Townsend

"This man will bring Order to the Universe ... or not"

Star Movies

I was surprised at the first scene of this film where a bearded Ryan Reynolds appears as the father of the bride. I said to myself but he is too young to be the father of a 20 something. Then the film goes into flashback mode as Frank Allen (Ryan Reynolds) narrates to his future son in law how his somewhat 'perfect' life started to unravel beyond his control. So it somehow made some sense.

You see Frank Allen is the author of a bestseller "The Five Minute Efficiency Trainer" . A man known for playing it safe, he doesn’t believe in spontaneity. Every choice he makes is deliberate and designed to contribute to a well-ordered, predictable life. But life, as he soon learns, never adheres to a strict schedule.
And it is in the unraveling where the plot takes on a chaotic turn. Frank Allen finds himself involved in a series of mishaps that turn his meticulously ordered life upside down.

But I like to think that when he starts living in the moment that is when his life gets more meaning. That no amount of index cards, endless 'to do lists' or an efficient system could make up for the bonding nature of love, family, friendship. Throw in the noble art of forgiveness too!

"Chaos Theory" may have a murky plot with little twists. But the good solid cast (Ryan Reynolds, Emily Mortimer and Stuart Townsend), makes it a heart-warming and refreshing romantic comedy that tells us that family truly matters!

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates, Michael Shannon

HBO

This well crafted movie under the direction of Sam Mendes is not easy to watch. We witness the slow and painful self destruction of a marriage. April (Kate Winslet) and Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) Wheeler are a young married couple living in the suburbs during the mid 1950s. They live in a modest house on Revolutionary Road. On the surface, their marriage seems perfect yet deep inside there is a seething dark revolution slowly sweeping through the cracks.

Kate is restless and feels that there is more to life than simply being a housewife living in suburban America. She wants to fulfill their lifelong dream of living in Paris. At first, Frank is receptive to the idea and their plan adds a much need sparkle in their routinary marriage. Yet hurdles and obstacles crop up and soon their plans are rudely interrupted, much to their chagrin.

The film itself is well edited and beautifully directed by the same director who gave us "American Beauty". The cinematography is brilliant. The costumes and the set designs are authentic for the era it represents. I also liked the the music and the original score as it was quite reflective for every scene.

Leonardo DiCarpio is amazing in his role as Frank. He is intense and passionate and knows how to convey his emotions through various facial expressions. Kate Winslet as usual is brilliant. Her steely cold portrayal of April Wheeler sent chills down my spine. It is almost like she had multiple personalities as her in depth characterization was cleverly executed.

Like all good movies, "Revolutionary Road" doesn't offer easy answers and indeed sometimes offers no answers at all. Rather it probes and questions. It delivers its portrait of flawed characters through revelatory incidents. It's the kind of film that makes you realize what truly and really matters in life.

THE INTERNATIONAL

Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen

"They control your money. They control your government.
They control your life. And everybody pays."

HBO

In this espionage thriller, the two main characters are Interpol Agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts). They are investigating BCCI which is one of the most powerful banks. It is involved in illegal activities like money laundering, arms trading and the destabilization of governments.

The pursuit of their campaign takes them to exotic locations like Berlin, Milan, New York and Istanbul. They also encounter various "shady" characters like a weapons manufacturer, a consultant for the bank and the head of the bank. Violence and murder also mar their desperate chase to stop the bank from financing terrorism, war and the instability of poor nations.

This slick and suspenseful spy thriller had a rather implausible plot and thrives on the conspiracy theory genre. There are a bit too many characters to muddle the already murky plot. After a while you give up trying to figure out who works for whom. The cast headed by Clive Owen and Naomi Watts try their best to essay out this complicated story with their subtle acting. There were a few scenes where the dialogue was in a foreign language but they didn't provide English subtitles. Strange!

But I'd say ... the gorgeous locations more than make up for the flaws of the film. There is even a spectacular scene of shooting mayhem at the Guggenheim Museum. That scene alone makes this film worth enduring.