Jun 17, 2011
Based on the 1966 classic with a “What’s It All About?” updated soundtrack, Jude Law steps into Michael Caine’s shoes without a problem. The problem is another story… The story. Alfie is a cockney cutey, the king of all cads, who relocates to Manhattan where he ‘rarely spends a night in his own flat’. By daytime he’s a limo driver, by day and nighttime he’s a total playboy. He’s every woman’s cheating, obnoxious, nightmare, especially his steady girlfriend (Marisa Tomei) yet he’s so cute, he manages to get away with it. That’s until something happens that stops him dead in his tracks. Susan Sarandon plays the female version of Alfie deserving of a standing ovation and a credit to women over 50. You go girlfriend! But the only thing likeable about Alfie is the charm Law infuses into the role. While he’s sexy, and his character does indeed transition smoothly from stud to guy-with-a-heart, overall there is no story to really sink our teeth into. And like Alfie, the story lacks any substance unless you’re into total womanizing. The only upside is the irony that Alfie does find a real life love (Jude Law ends up falling for Sienna Miller, one of his girly-girls in the movie).
Jun 17, 2011
(Rated R, 91 mins.) Opens various dates before Dec. 31
Academy Award-winning actress Anjelica Huston makes a return to the director’s chair, identifying and illuminating universal truths about love, life and family. As actress and the movie’s lead, Huston incarnates a unique and inspiring character in Agnes Brown, a wife and mother of seven suddenly faced with coming of age. She resolves to take a second chance at love, while able to keep her twin senses of humor and resilience during 1967 Dublin, before the calamitous outbreak of bloody violence in Northern Ireland. Huston manages to capture the quintessential closeness that the Irish share without the small town blarney past movies use as a sugar coating. Adapted from the best-selling novel “The Mammy” by Brendan O’Carroll.
Jun 17, 2011
(rated PG, 95 mins.) Cody Banks (Frank Muniz) seems like a typical skateboard loving, music obsessed teenager. Especially since he’s an idiot around girls. But he has a secret: He’s actually an undercover agent for the CIA. He can drive like a stuntman, has the coolest gadgets, and his boss is a hottie (Angie Harmon). A fun Bond 007 kid movie scaled down with a “Malcolm In the Middle” meets “Spy Kids” feeling. Muniz is right-on with his charming yet nerdy oh-shucks appeal. And, even with its retread of spy games, it will serve bored winter kids with some amusing childproof Austin Power’s moments.
Jun 17, 2011
(rated R) After a few jewelry heists and con jobs under their belts, Pierce Brosnan and Selma Hayek head to the land of pink paradise, for a life of tropical drinks and seaweed wraps. No sooner they arrive when the ultimate diamond opportunity arrives on a cruise ship just sailed into their port. The two lovers must decide if they are here for retirement or for the next setup. And that question’s answer doesn’t come easy with FBI agent (Woody Harrelson) spying their every move. While Brosnan has no business taking his shirt off these days, Hayek isn’t just sexy, she smolders in every scene. The story has even pacing and Harrelson makes a fabulous career comeback, yet there are too many loose ends in the plot. That said, despite the fact it’s not necessarily smart, it is senseless fun. And afterall, isn’t that all we ask from a movie? Entertainment?
Jun 17, 2011
(rated PG 89 mins) When Fearless Leader (Robert DeNiro) decides he will take over the world of television by hypnotizing his viewers to RBTV (Really Bad T.V.), Rocky and Bullwinkle are brought out of reruns to save the day. On a live action landscape, the cartoon characters, through the wizardry of industrial light and magic, stay true to character. They make cute comments like “time for a commercial break” but when nothing happens, Bullwinkle says “are we on PBS?” Lots of inside television industry humor. Boris and Natasha are portrayed in real life by Jason Alexander and Renee Russo, almost seeming like cartoon characters themselves. Despite having some amusing moments the movie is too goofy, too fast, too many puns and seems that what is supposed to ‘work’ in the plot movement, actually works against it. Lots of cameos. Carl Reiner, John Goodman as a sheriff, Whoopi Goldberg as a judge, to name a few. Given a toss up, “Inspector Gadget” was better, and that was the worst movie of last summer. So, I guess you know which is this summer’s worse thus far.
