Just Like Heaven

Just Like Heaven: Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo star in this romantic comedy. The movie starts out like all romantic comedies. - We see the main character in their busy life and in about 5 minutes of screen time we know everything we need to know about them. In this case Witherspoon plays Elizabeth, a doctor who spends all her time at the hospital and has no social life. One night on her way home she has an accident, tragic I guess, as she may die from it. What happens next is an out of body experience. The only person that can see her and talk to her is David (Ruffalo) who is currently living in her apartment. Guess what happens next???...……I am not going to tell you, because it is absolutely impossible to figure out…….…..heavy sarcasm there. The movie is saved by some very funny scenes from Ruffalo. Plus we have an appearance from Napoleon Dynamite actor Jon Heder – he plays a book store guy into witch craft. Overall, a very lite film with a couple laughs.

* *
If this movie had parents they would be: City of Angels & While you were sleeping

With a running time of 93 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

Thank You for Smoking

Thank you for Smoking: A satire about lobbyist Nick Naylor played by Aaron Eckhart, who works for the Tobacco industry. Eckhart was perfect for this role as a cocky, know-it-all guy who can’t lose an argument……even if the argument is about smoking and health related problems. With in the first 10 minutes of the movie you know what kind of Comedy you are in store for. They have the Lobbyist on a talk show with a cancer patient and he explains to the audience that of coarse the tobacco industry does not want this “Cancer Boy” to die………because this would be one less smoker and how could they possibly profit off that. William H Macy plays a Senator who is really looking to crack down on cigarette companies……which leads to a debate with the lobbyist. Also appearing in the film is Katie Holmes as a reporter, Robert Duvall as the “Captain” and Sam Elliot as the Marlboro Man – perfect casting. The movie has many funny elements including get together dinners with the lobbyists from the Alcohol and fire arm industries – they argue which industry kills more. The end of the film does play the moral card, but held true to what the character would really do and not a total fake Hollywood ending.

* * and ½

If this movie had parents they would be: Bulworth & Wag the Dog

With a running time of 92 minutes
This film is rated R

V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta: This movie is based on a graphic novel where Britain is a totalitarian society. We are introduced to a masked “freedom fighter”/”terrorist” known only as V. His philosophy is that people should not be afraid of their government, but that a government should be afraid of their people. To get his “revolution” started he initiates Terrorist activity of blowing up symbolic buildings and statues while also killing certain individuals involved in the government. Along the way he befriends Evey (played by Natalie Portman), her parents both died when she was young standing up to the government and their totalitarian ways. It takes time for Evey to buy into V’s way of thinking and how he gets his point across, but finally she does. The movie is filled with messages. It is also filled with some nifty special effects, although if that is what you are going in for you may be disappointed as the action scenes are spread out and scarce. The movie does a lot right – Mainly, opening up the story right away and then slowly peeling away more to show even deeper meaning. The Wachowski brothers have done “good” again. I must note that this film does have the second best usage of the 1812 Overture, second of course to the ending of Caddyshack.
* * *

If this movie had parents they would be: Fight Club & Phantom of the Opera – minus the singing.

With a run time of 132 minutes
This film is rated R

Proof

Proof: Gwyneth Paltrow plays Catherine the daughter of a great mathematician played by Anthony Hopkins in this drama about family and the potential inside yourself. The story picks up when Catherine’s father (Hopkins) passes away. He had been a brilliant mathematician, but became mentally unstable the last 20 years of his life. He needed to be looked after everyday the last 3 years by Catherine. Her worry is that she inherited some of his mental illness ……but did she also inherit his genius? Complicating the situation is her sister who comes into town and a former math student of her dad, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. They dig through all her dad’s papers and scraps to learn more, but what they find is more out about themselves than him. The acting by Paltrow is outstanding and the story is deep and touching. To me Gyllenhaal looked out of place, but the rest of the cast was perfect. 1+1+1 = 3 stars
* * *
If this movie had Parents they would be: Good Will Hunting & A Beautiful Mind

With a running time of 99 minutes
This film is rated PG