O An excellent must-see
O Good video rental
X Mediocre
O Rent something else
Review by Jason Pyles / May 8, 2007
“Music and Lyrics” has potential, but Drew Barrymore assassinates it with her portrayal of a ditzy, innocent, little girl persona that’s prevalent in her latest roles.
Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) was a pop icon during the ‘80s. His group, Pop!, had a hit song called “Pop Goes My Heart.” We get to see the music video. It’s scarily accurate in every way and quite funny. In present day, however, Fletcher is a has-been who struggles to even get gigs at state fairs and amusement parks.
Luckily, the current pop diva, Cora Corman, commissions Fletcher to write a duet for them to sing at an upcoming concert. And, she offers to include it on her new album. The problem is, Fletcher is a composer, not a lyricist. But when he meets Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), he learns that she has a gift for writing.
The movie has funny parts, but 98 percent of them are thanks to Hugh Grant’s keen delivery. The love story between the collaborators is more annoying than cute. And the pop diva (who’s obviously based on Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera) wears costumes and performs dance moves that easily keep this edited version’s rating at PG-13.
Directed by Marc Lawrence
Hugh Grant / Drew Barrymore / Brad Garrett
96 min. Comedy / Romance
(Original MPAA rating: PG-13)
Edited version age recommendation: 17 and up
DVD release date: May 8, 2007
Copyright 2007.
JP0107 : 199
Catch and Release (2006)
O An excellent must-see
X Good video rental
O Mediocre
O Rent something else
Review by Jason Pyles / May 8, 2007
Many love stories highlight the problems of an old relationship while investigating the difficulties of a new one. But “Catch and Release” does this in a fascinating way: The man of the old relationship is deceased; and the man of the new relationship is the deceased’s best friend.
Gray Wheeler (Jennifer Garner) was about to be married when her fiancé died on a fishing trip. Again, this happened right before their wedding. But it’s not the new love story that makes this romantic comedy so interesting, it is the old one. (That’s not to say that we don’t cheer for the new guy, however.)
Gray begins to discover that she didn’t know her fiancé very well at all. In the days following his death, she stumbles upon some startling revelations. This is the primary appeal of “Catch and Release”: waiting to see what she’ll discover next.
Most of the humor comes from the dead guy’s pals, particularly Sam (Kevin Smith). I recommend “Catch and Release.” It still follows the romantic comedy formula, but it does it with originality.
Directed by Susannah Grant
Jennifer Garner / Timothy Olyphant / Kevin Smith
124 min. Romance / Comedy
(Original MPAA rating: PG-13)
Edited version age recommendation: 10 and up
DVD release date: May 8, 2007
Copyright 2007.
JP0106 : 178
X Good video rental
O Mediocre
O Rent something else
Review by Jason Pyles / May 8, 2007
Many love stories highlight the problems of an old relationship while investigating the difficulties of a new one. But “Catch and Release” does this in a fascinating way: The man of the old relationship is deceased; and the man of the new relationship is the deceased’s best friend.
Gray Wheeler (Jennifer Garner) was about to be married when her fiancé died on a fishing trip. Again, this happened right before their wedding. But it’s not the new love story that makes this romantic comedy so interesting, it is the old one. (That’s not to say that we don’t cheer for the new guy, however.)
Gray begins to discover that she didn’t know her fiancé very well at all. In the days following his death, she stumbles upon some startling revelations. This is the primary appeal of “Catch and Release”: waiting to see what she’ll discover next.
Most of the humor comes from the dead guy’s pals, particularly Sam (Kevin Smith). I recommend “Catch and Release.” It still follows the romantic comedy formula, but it does it with originality.
Directed by Susannah Grant
Jennifer Garner / Timothy Olyphant / Kevin Smith
124 min. Romance / Comedy
(Original MPAA rating: PG-13)
Edited version age recommendation: 10 and up
DVD release date: May 8, 2007
Copyright 2007.
JP0106 : 178
Little Children (2006)
X An excellent must-see
O Good video rental
O Mediocre
O Rent something else
Review by Jason Pyles / May 1, 2007
“Little Children” is about people who live lives of desperation. Some are selfish. Some feel helpless. All are unhappy.
A 48-year-old, convicted sex offender named Ronnie McGorvey (Jackie Earle Haley) has just moved into small town with his elderly mother. She encourages him to place dating ads in the newspaper. A woman in his life might help him fight his “urges.”
The community of parents is uneasy about Ronnie’s presence, especially a retired cop named Larry (Noah Emmerich) who feels it’s his personal mission to continually remind Ronnie (and the neighborhood) that Ronnie is a child predator. But Ronnie is just a side plot.
“Little Children” shows how to fall into an extra-marital affair. Or, it shows how and why not to commit adultery. Sarah (Kate Winslet) and Brad (Patrick Wilson) meet in a park with their children and begin a romantic relationship after rendezvousing at the public pool with their kids on a daily basis. Both are unhappily married.
A fascinating element to “Little Children” is how few of the main characters are innocent: the children and perhaps Ronnie’s mother. An occasional, omniscient narrator (Will Lyman) gives us special insights.
“Little Children” is an uncommonly excellent, involving drama.
Directed by Todd Field
Kate Winslet / Patrick Wilson / Jackie Earle Haley
130 min. Drama
(Original MPAA rating: R)
Edited version age recommendation: 17 and up
DVD release date: May 1, 2007
Copyright 2007.
JP00103 : 199
O Good video rental
O Mediocre
O Rent something else
Review by Jason Pyles / May 1, 2007
“Little Children” is about people who live lives of desperation. Some are selfish. Some feel helpless. All are unhappy.
A 48-year-old, convicted sex offender named Ronnie McGorvey (Jackie Earle Haley) has just moved into small town with his elderly mother. She encourages him to place dating ads in the newspaper. A woman in his life might help him fight his “urges.”
The community of parents is uneasy about Ronnie’s presence, especially a retired cop named Larry (Noah Emmerich) who feels it’s his personal mission to continually remind Ronnie (and the neighborhood) that Ronnie is a child predator. But Ronnie is just a side plot.
“Little Children” shows how to fall into an extra-marital affair. Or, it shows how and why not to commit adultery. Sarah (Kate Winslet) and Brad (Patrick Wilson) meet in a park with their children and begin a romantic relationship after rendezvousing at the public pool with their kids on a daily basis. Both are unhappily married.
A fascinating element to “Little Children” is how few of the main characters are innocent: the children and perhaps Ronnie’s mother. An occasional, omniscient narrator (Will Lyman) gives us special insights.
“Little Children” is an uncommonly excellent, involving drama.
Directed by Todd Field
Kate Winslet / Patrick Wilson / Jackie Earle Haley
130 min. Drama
(Original MPAA rating: R)
Edited version age recommendation: 17 and up
DVD release date: May 1, 2007
Copyright 2007.
JP00103 : 199
Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock (2006)
O An excellent must-see
X Good video rental
O Mediocre
O Rent something else
Review by Jason Pyles / May 1, 2007
“Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock?” is a documentary. But it’s just as much a mystery. This movie is filled with unlikely characters and even unlikelier circumstances, insomuch that it could not possibly be fictitious; it has to be true to be this bizarre.
Teri Horton is an older lady who is a truck driver. (Think “Large Marge” from “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985), but not large.) One day Teri wanted to cheer up her friend, so she bought a big painting from a thrift store for five bucks. At a garage sale, a local art teacher told her that the artwork looked like a Jackson Pollock painting. The film’s title came from Teri’s reaction, “except she didn’t say ‘fudge.’”
It turns out that Jackson Pollock is considered by many to be one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. And consequently, her five-dollar painting may be worth more than $50 million. This documentary follows Teri’s battle with “the art world” to try to prove this painting’s authenticity.
“Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock?” is worth renting strictly to watch interviews with Thomas Hoving, art expert, and John Myatt, art impersonator. I recommend this to documentary fans.
Directed by Harry Moses
Teri Horton / Thomas Hoving / John Myatt
74 min. Documentary
(Original MPAA rating: PG-13)
Edited version age recommendation: 8 and up
DVD release date: May 1, 2007
Copyright 2007.
JP0099 : 197
X Good video rental
O Mediocre
O Rent something else
Review by Jason Pyles / May 1, 2007
“Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock?” is a documentary. But it’s just as much a mystery. This movie is filled with unlikely characters and even unlikelier circumstances, insomuch that it could not possibly be fictitious; it has to be true to be this bizarre.
Teri Horton is an older lady who is a truck driver. (Think “Large Marge” from “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985), but not large.) One day Teri wanted to cheer up her friend, so she bought a big painting from a thrift store for five bucks. At a garage sale, a local art teacher told her that the artwork looked like a Jackson Pollock painting. The film’s title came from Teri’s reaction, “except she didn’t say ‘fudge.’”
It turns out that Jackson Pollock is considered by many to be one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. And consequently, her five-dollar painting may be worth more than $50 million. This documentary follows Teri’s battle with “the art world” to try to prove this painting’s authenticity.
“Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock?” is worth renting strictly to watch interviews with Thomas Hoving, art expert, and John Myatt, art impersonator. I recommend this to documentary fans.
Directed by Harry Moses
Teri Horton / Thomas Hoving / John Myatt
74 min. Documentary
(Original MPAA rating: PG-13)
Edited version age recommendation: 8 and up
DVD release date: May 1, 2007
Copyright 2007.
JP0099 : 197
Dreamgirls (2006)
O An excellent must-see
O Good video rental
X Mediocre
O Rent something else
Review by Jason Pyles / May 1, 2007
“Dreamgirls” is a musical (and a drama) that is based on a group of black, R&B entertainers during the 1960s and 1970s.
To be fair, I’m not fond of musicals or R&B, particularly when female vocalists (so-called “divas”) are given free reign to bellow on and on, continually traversing musical scales with increasing volume. (We often hear such embellishments of our national anthem.) But if you enjoy musicals and deafening divas, “Dreamgirls” is probably for you.
Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose play a trio who is trying to break into show business. They get their first gigs as the back-up singers for Jimmy “Thunder” Early (Eddie Murphy). Murphy plays his typical Eddie Murphy part — minus the humor. (So, basically, he plays Chris Tucker.)
We see all of these performers struggle to cross over to the pop music scene, as well as the typical pitfalls associated with stardom and the music business.
The movie’s greatest strength is the discreet emergence of its true villain. The costumes are impressive, as well.
This edited version of “Dreamgirls” has mild, brief scenes of sensuality and drug use. I cannot recommend it; but if you do watch “Dreamgirls,” I recommend Tylenol.
Directed by Bill Condon
Eddie Murphy / Jamie Foxx / Beyonce Knowles
131 min. Drama / Musical
(Original MPAA rating: PG-13)
Edited version age recommendation: 14 and up
DVD release date: May 1, 2007
Copyright 2007.
JP00102 : 199
O Good video rental
X Mediocre
O Rent something else
Review by Jason Pyles / May 1, 2007
“Dreamgirls” is a musical (and a drama) that is based on a group of black, R&B entertainers during the 1960s and 1970s.
To be fair, I’m not fond of musicals or R&B, particularly when female vocalists (so-called “divas”) are given free reign to bellow on and on, continually traversing musical scales with increasing volume. (We often hear such embellishments of our national anthem.) But if you enjoy musicals and deafening divas, “Dreamgirls” is probably for you.
Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose play a trio who is trying to break into show business. They get their first gigs as the back-up singers for Jimmy “Thunder” Early (Eddie Murphy). Murphy plays his typical Eddie Murphy part — minus the humor. (So, basically, he plays Chris Tucker.)
We see all of these performers struggle to cross over to the pop music scene, as well as the typical pitfalls associated with stardom and the music business.
The movie’s greatest strength is the discreet emergence of its true villain. The costumes are impressive, as well.
This edited version of “Dreamgirls” has mild, brief scenes of sensuality and drug use. I cannot recommend it; but if you do watch “Dreamgirls,” I recommend Tylenol.
Directed by Bill Condon
Eddie Murphy / Jamie Foxx / Beyonce Knowles
131 min. Drama / Musical
(Original MPAA rating: PG-13)
Edited version age recommendation: 14 and up
DVD release date: May 1, 2007
Copyright 2007.
JP00102 : 199
The Science of Sleep (2006)
O An excellent must-see
O Good video rental
X Mediocre
O Rent something else
Review by Jason Pyles / May 3, 2007
Many people, if not most, would probably hate “The Science of Sleep,” dismissing it as weird, abstract and bizarre. This artsy movie is indeed whimsical and wacky, but that’s because it has more to do with dreams than science.
As near as I can tell, “The Science of Sleep” is about a delusional young artist named Stephane (Gael Garcia Bernal) who has trouble separating his dream states from reality. He falls in love with his next-door neighbor, Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg). His friendship and aspiring romance with her is endearing, heartwarming and creepy — all at the same time.
We see daily dreamscapes and the real-world wrestles of Stephane, including the job he despises and his love for Stephanie. And like all love stories, we think the two should be together, but they can’t communicate well enough to make that happen.
I liked this film, but it’s definitely an acquired taste. It features three languages: English, French, and some Spanish, and is subtitled accordingly.
“The Science of Sleep” leaves you with the same kind of aftertaste as “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004). It’s a movie that’s like eggnog: sweet, unusual and a little bit goes a long way.
Directed by Michel Gondry
Gael Garcia Bernal / Charlotte Gainsbourg / Alain Chabat
105 min. Fantasy / Drama
(Original MPAA rating: R)
Edited version age recommendation: 9 and up
DVD release date: February 6, 2007
Copyright 2007.
JP0097 : 198
O Good video rental
X Mediocre
O Rent something else
Review by Jason Pyles / May 3, 2007
Many people, if not most, would probably hate “The Science of Sleep,” dismissing it as weird, abstract and bizarre. This artsy movie is indeed whimsical and wacky, but that’s because it has more to do with dreams than science.
As near as I can tell, “The Science of Sleep” is about a delusional young artist named Stephane (Gael Garcia Bernal) who has trouble separating his dream states from reality. He falls in love with his next-door neighbor, Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg). His friendship and aspiring romance with her is endearing, heartwarming and creepy — all at the same time.
We see daily dreamscapes and the real-world wrestles of Stephane, including the job he despises and his love for Stephanie. And like all love stories, we think the two should be together, but they can’t communicate well enough to make that happen.
I liked this film, but it’s definitely an acquired taste. It features three languages: English, French, and some Spanish, and is subtitled accordingly.
“The Science of Sleep” leaves you with the same kind of aftertaste as “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004). It’s a movie that’s like eggnog: sweet, unusual and a little bit goes a long way.
Directed by Michel Gondry
Gael Garcia Bernal / Charlotte Gainsbourg / Alain Chabat
105 min. Fantasy / Drama
(Original MPAA rating: R)
Edited version age recommendation: 9 and up
DVD release date: February 6, 2007
Copyright 2007.
JP0097 : 198
The Black Dahlia (2006)
O An excellent must-see
O Good video rental
X Mediocre
O Rent something else
Review by Jason Pyles / May 2, 2007
There is a critical, invisible element to filmmaking called “pacing,” which simply means the speed at which the story unfolds and the significant sequences occur. “The Black Dahlia” isn’t a tortoise or molasses; it is a three-toed sloth, stuck behind a tortoise traffic jam on a road of molasses.
And this is more of an observation than a criticism: Some period pieces look authentic; others, like this one, have an artificiality to them. Since “The Black Dahlia” is “inspired by the most notorious, unsolved murder in California history,” it should have been more realistic.
“The Black Dahlia” is an adaptation of the James Ellroy novel about a 1940s movie star who is gruesomely murdered and disemboweled. It follows the investigation of two cops who both become emotionally (and otherwise) involved.
Josh Hartnett, Aaron Eckhart, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank and Mia Kirshner (who plays Elizabeth Short) are all entertaining to watch. There are also interesting developments, but they’re few and far between.
This edited version deletes the murder gore, but there are still scenes of violence and some blood.
It’s a shame that Elizabeth Short became more famous after she was dead. Painters tend to have that problem, too.
Directed by Brian De Palma
Josh Hartnett / Aaron Eckhart / Scarlett Johansson
121 min. Crime / Mystery
(Original MPAA rating: R)
Edited version age recommendation: 16 and up
DVD release date: December 26, 2006
Copyright 2007.
JP0095 : 198
O Good video rental
X Mediocre
O Rent something else
Review by Jason Pyles / May 2, 2007
There is a critical, invisible element to filmmaking called “pacing,” which simply means the speed at which the story unfolds and the significant sequences occur. “The Black Dahlia” isn’t a tortoise or molasses; it is a three-toed sloth, stuck behind a tortoise traffic jam on a road of molasses.
And this is more of an observation than a criticism: Some period pieces look authentic; others, like this one, have an artificiality to them. Since “The Black Dahlia” is “inspired by the most notorious, unsolved murder in California history,” it should have been more realistic.
“The Black Dahlia” is an adaptation of the James Ellroy novel about a 1940s movie star who is gruesomely murdered and disemboweled. It follows the investigation of two cops who both become emotionally (and otherwise) involved.
Josh Hartnett, Aaron Eckhart, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank and Mia Kirshner (who plays Elizabeth Short) are all entertaining to watch. There are also interesting developments, but they’re few and far between.
This edited version deletes the murder gore, but there are still scenes of violence and some blood.
It’s a shame that Elizabeth Short became more famous after she was dead. Painters tend to have that problem, too.
Directed by Brian De Palma
Josh Hartnett / Aaron Eckhart / Scarlett Johansson
121 min. Crime / Mystery
(Original MPAA rating: R)
Edited version age recommendation: 16 and up
DVD release date: December 26, 2006
Copyright 2007.
JP0095 : 198
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