New in Town

New in town is a cute, no frills movie. Do I think it is the best romantic comedy, no. Do I think it is the worst romantic comedy, absolutely not. It is a decent, entertaining comedy. Zellweger returns to comedy and does it well. She plays the role of Lucy Hill, a Miami executive forced to spend the winter in a Minnesota small town. Zelweger does this with great energy and comedic timing. After watching this movie, I think I enjoy Zellweger as a comedic actress more than a dramatic one.

Harry Connick Jr plays Ted Mitchell, a broken-hearted widower raising a teenage daughter. Lucy and Ted have decent on-screen chemistry. I found the Lucy's relationship with herself and the town was much more important to the storyline than her romance with Ted. This was the part of the movie that I found to be much more enjoyable, and actually realistic. The movie did not completely revolved around whether Ted and Lucy would end up together.

In reality, it was a spoof on Minnesotan stereotypes. Which I found funny and a bit endearing.

This movie is perfectly for a relaxing, feel-good night in!

Tron: Legacy

I am going to start of by admitting that I am a Tron virgin. I have never seen the original However, I do not think that effected my review of this movie at all.

I think there were elements of this movie that were amazing. The visual effects were stunning. This including the reincarnation of a young Jeff Bridges. Yes, Bridges reprises his role a Clu, a computer generated game piece, identical to Kevin Flynn's young character. Since the computer generated character does not age, neither could Bridges. Bridges does double time, playing Flynn and Clu; one old and one young. Excellent transition, I was stunned how how realistic the young Clu resembled a young Bridges.

The score was the second amazing element of Tron: Legacy. It was truly enjoyable and completely relevant to the story! Daft Punk, the French electronic duo, connects the music perfectly with the movie. In many movies, the score is a side note that really does not make or break a movie. In Tron: Legacy, the movie would be ridiculously lousy, the score completes the movie. I would be seriously surprised if Daft Punk does not get a Oscar nomination for this score. It is essential to the success of the movie.

Now for the downside of the movie. The story was weak and predictable. Even without prior knowledge of the

Tron story, I could almost predict the complete story as it unfolded. Not much in terms of anticipation or excitement. There are times, when a weak story can be saved by good acting. This is definitely not the case. Even a Oscar winner, such a Bridges, could not save the story. I felt the acting was weak and forced. Garrett Hedlund, who plays Sam, the mourning son of Bridge's character, never made me believe he missed his father at the beginning of the movie, or was happy to see him when the met.

Overall, this movie was just alright for me. It would be a good rental. I absolutely do not think it is worth the 15 dollar ticket price for 3D.

BURLESQUE

BURLESQUE

So, it is no big surprise that this was my most anticipated movie for the year. Cher, Xtina, glitter, glam and singing....what more could a boy want? Oh wait, there is also shirtless Cam Giga

ndet.

Overall, the movie was quiet entertaining. The writing was more on the campy side, then serious, but that is exactly was I expected from this movie. It allowed you to sit back, enjoy the music and laugh a little at the writing without getting to deep or tie you in too emotionally.

I did think that the movie tried a little too hard to copy recent successful movie musicals (i.e Moulin Rouge and Chicago). There is an instance where a Burlesque girl is singing "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend" and a star struck Ali (Christina Aguilera) longs on from the audience, and then

the next minute she was finishing the song on stage, but only through her imagination.

For a movie debut, Christina Aquiulera was excellent. Of course, the musical numbers were amazing. Her incomparable voice did not let us down here either. More importantly, she was able to deliver the

dialogue as well.

Cher was campy and wonderful. This performance will not earn her another Oscar, but I do not think that was the point of this movie. Her solo, while a

little forced in the story, was beautifully performe

d! One of Cher's best song

If you like Cher, Christiana or campy musicals this is a must see movie. If you dislike any of the three, I would recommend not seeing this movie!

All Quiet on the Western Front

Itwas 1930, World
WarIIhadnotstarted, and the Oscar goes to All Quiet on the Western Front. Lewis Milestone's adaption of Erich Maria Remarque's novel based on the trials and tribulationsa groupof naive German adolescents face during their tour in World War I. This is what all epics should aspire to. It was grandest of grandest and demonstrated over-top effects that had to be ground breaking for its time. The director created massive, life-like battle scenes with in-your-face explosions.

The basic story dealt with German high school students who enlisted in the military because the idea of war was romanticized by their teacher. Once in the midst of war (especially the losing side) and tragedy, they all, one by one, quickly come to realize that war is much more than theglorious rewards that were promised to themfrom their schoolyard. Their was hunger, and cold and the worst part - death.

The direction and cinematography were splendid. The acting, however, I found to be a little mediocre. There were some intense scenes that I felt were a little flat, maybe slightly bordering on funny. Overall, it was a very good film depicting a then recent moment in history with raw emotion and sincerity. I do seem some relation to modern times. There were so many young people who joined the military post 9/11 to avenge their country, only to lose their lives tragically.

Broadway Melody

Ok folks! Here comes my first review of a Best Picture Winner; Broadway Melody, the second recipient of the statuette and the first musical to receive the honor

I was extremely hesitant to watching this movie. Not because it was a musical, but because it was 1928. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the it quality. Don't get me wrong the black and white footage, was graining and the sound not as crisp as today's standards, but the story was interesting and acting was believable.

The story centered around the Mahoney sisters , Hank (Bessie Love) and Queenie (Anita Page) trying to make their break on Broadway. This made me wonder if Maurine Dallas Watkins was influenced at all by this movie when she wrote the original play version of Chicago.

Hank, the older sister is engaged to a broadway star, who happens to be in love with Queenie, the prettier younger sister. I know what you are thinking; seems like a classic Hollywood story line. Only it is not a cliche here, because this is an old Hollywood movie.

The settings and stage sequences were exceptional, very large and impressive. My one complaint would be regarding to the big musical number, "The Wedding of the Painted Doll". This was originally filmed in technicolor, but was replaced in black and white for the movie. I would have been really interested in seeing some color thrown into the movie. Some would argue, that "throwing" in one scene of color would be distracting, and I understand this areguement.

If you are like classic movies, and have not seen this one, I highly recommend it.

I'm Back!

It has been a really long time since I have posted anything. Actually, it has been a little over a year. Don't be mistaken, I have still seen plenty of movies, both good and bad. Including an entire Oscar season, which I did not comment on at all.

Well, now I am getting prepared for the start of another awards season! In order to do that, I have decided to leisurely watch all the Best Picture Oscar Winners. My plan was to start with Wings, the 1928 Best Picture Oscar recipient. However, that is not available on DVD. So, I skipped right ahead to Broadway Melody. It was not only the second winner of the prestigious Best Picture Oscar, it was the first musical awarded the honor.

So, my plan is to watch the movies in chronological order. There will be a review on each movie. At the end of a decade (Broadway Melody will be included in the 30s), I will do an overall synopsis of the decade. This will include my favorite from the decade. I am also going to attempt to add a poll for the decade to get some insight.

Stay tuned for the first review of this blog - Broadway Melody of 1928