Movie Review: Something Borrowed

The first thing that caught my eye when sitting through this movie's opening credits? The film was produced by Hilary Swank, Oscar-winner Hilary Swank. Anyway: I'm not going to lie, I read this movie's literary counterpart (by Emily Giffin) last summer and enjoyed it a little bit — it was nice, light reading. Much like the novel, I can't say that I'm proud of liking this movie for what it is ... but that's how I feel. Surprisingly, Kate Hudson did a lovely job as honest, loud-mouthed, alcoholic, stuck-up Darcy and, unsurprisingly, Ginnifer Goodwin was perfect as pushover Rachel. The true stand-out in this flick, however, was best friend and confidant Ethan, played by John Krasinski (TV's The Office). Something Borrowed deals with some serious relationship issues and doesn't quite develop all of its characters enough to warrant forgiveness for their actions (especially compared to the book), but it is a romantic comedy and it does satisfy its genre to a tee.
Best on-screen moment: Pretty much anytime Ethan attempts to get away from Clare (Ashley Williams) — or tell her a new lie.

Movie Review: Water for Elephants

Though many may hate me after this remark but it's like my friend said as we left the theater, "Who knew Robert Pattinson could act?" That same friend was, of course, referring to the actor's latest flick Water for Elephants and the sheer quality of it in comparison to the Twilight saga. Let's be honest, though, how hard is it to look amazing next to Ms. Reese Witherspoon? Twilight film jokes aside, Water for Elephants is an excellent love story/period piece set with the backdrop of an odd American pasttime — the circus. Based off the New York Times bestselling novel by Sara Gruen, the film had excellent material to work from and was classic entertainment from start to finish. If you're looking for action or something fast-paced, this is definitely not the flick for you; but if you love animals, you love to see the bad guy go down and you love love, we recommend it highly.
Best on-screen moment: When Rosie the elephant pulls her stake out of the ground, walks across the tent, drinks lemonade, walks back and puts her stake back into the ground.

Ever Wonder Where Movie Titles Come From?

Well ... most derive straight from the movie itself. The below video proves this theory by speedily glimpsing at scenes from 80 different flicks as the characters reveal them.

Movie Review: Scre4m

Ah, the Scream franchise continues, a true classic in the horror genre made even better by the fact that in each flick characters point out horror conventions. Sometimes its hard to tell whether the audience is laughing at or with the Screams but this newest installment brings back everything audiences love about Wes Craven's masterpiece series. When it comes to horror, we don't like to give too much away but we will say that Scre4m brings a hot young cast, classic franchise characters, big twists and turns, and plenty of gore. So ... what's your favorite scary movie?
Best on-screen moment: Gale (Courteney Cox) goes back inside a party to check on her camera and Dewey (David Arquette) is able to watch her attack as it happens.

Movie Review: Blue Valentine

Though not exactly a feel-good story of romance, Blue Valentine is a stunning portrayal of the onset and disintegration of a marriage. The story centers around the lives of modern couple Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) as well as their daughter Frankie (newcomer Faith Wladyka), jumping back-and-forth between how the couple met and where they're at "now." Cindy's only exposure to marriage before her own came from the awful showing that are her own parents, who constantly fought while she was at home, and the input of her grandmother, who reveals that she's not sure she ever loved her husband near the film's beginning — not exactly a promise for a happy ending in this flick. Though the two fall in love and marry (despite the child not being Dean's), the couple can't seem to stay happy despite everything. If you can handle incredibly honest, completely un-sugarcoated flicks, then you're in for two great performances and a wonderful Hollywood story.
Best on-screen moment: Dean and Cindy embark on their first date, resulting in the two learning each other's hidden "talents" (singing and tap dancing).

Movie Review: Beastly

High school hot-shot/bully, Kyle (Alex Pettyfer), is exiled upon making a spectacle of classmate Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen) and is forced to reflect on himself and learn to care more about others. Enter Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens) who is destined to teach "the beast" what it means to be selfless. Set to an amazing soundtrack that includes Death Cab's "Transatlanticism" and Jem's "Forever and a Day," Beastly was everything you would expect it to be. The film added a Gothic, artsy, modern (obviously) spin to the classic Disney tale Beauty and the Beast, incorporating a lovely array of characters reminiscent of originals Lumière (Neil Patrick Harris' Will, a blind tutor who made the movie), Mrs. Potts (Lisa Gay Hamilton's Zola, a house maid) and the beautiful enchantress (Olsen — a stellar performance, we might add).
Best on-screen moment: Will and Kyle decide to relieve stress by hitting golf balls off the roof of their "prison," prompting Will to yell "Whassup?!" each time.

Movie Review: No Strings Attached

Though the second scene of the film involves a frat party at University of Michigan and features one of the stars entirely clad in U-M gear, we absolutely adored No Strings Attached. Sure, it has that certain predictable quality of all romantic comedies in that it involves a meet-cute and “happily ever after” ending. At the same time, Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman are so charming and hilarious in their roles and the jokes are so outrageous and unpredictable that this friends-with-benefits story is made worthwhile for those in the mood for something lighthearted. We would like to point out, however, that the plot is similar to November’s Love and Other Drugs (starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway) and this summer’s Friends With Benefits (starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis).
Best on-screen moment: Emma (Portman) gets drunk and flips out—hilariously—on two girl’s at Adam’s (Kutcher) place.

Best Flicks of 2010

Two things we don't understand about this year's Oscars:
1. As was the case last year, ten films are up for best picture. Ten.
2. Christopher Nolan got ignored in the best director category. Come on, Inception?

Anyway, since we asked your opinion on the ultimate worst film of 2010, now we want the same thing for the best. Comment and share your thoughts.

Best Picture Nominations
127 Hours
Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The Kids Are All Right
The King’s Speech
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter’s Bone

For the full list of nominations, click here.

Movie Review: Country Strong

Country Strong follows the story of fictional singer Kelly Canter (Gwyneth Paltrow) as she leaves rehab and is forced to embark on a revival, "encore," tour by her husband/manager (Tim McGraw), who is sure the tour will save her (and their marriage). If you love country music this is the flick for you. If you are obsessed with the idea of fame and what it can do to people, Country Strong is for you. Not to mention, Paltrow and her co-stars each give great performances, both musically and theatrically. The film also stars Garrett Hedlund (Tron) and Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl). Do not be fooled by the trailer, however, because the flick isn't quite as uplifting as it seems.
Best on-screen moment: Canter pays a visit to Make-a-Wish child, Travis, and sings to him and his classmates.

Movie Review: Black Swan

Walking out of the theater as Black Swan "closed its curtain," the audience was noticeably stunned...and for good reason. To say this film is mind-blowing is practically an understatement. Yes, it's that good. Natalie Portman gives the best performance of her career to date--and that's saying something--as her character spirals into literally embodying the ballet she is set to perform. Often terrifying, the flick takes audiences on a whirlwind through the life, and mind, of an insanely dedicated ballerina and the characters in her life. We must note, Black Swan is not for the faint of heart (there's a lot of blood) and is at times quite graphic, but the performances, especially from Portman and Mila Kunis, and the costumes are absolutely breathtaking. This is a film you should not miss (it already has four Golden Globe nominations) and don't be surprised if it is swooping up Oscars come February 2011.
Best on-screen moment: Nina's (Portman) "dark" dance as the Swan Queen.

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I

To sum up the seventh (part one) installment of the infamous Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) film series in two words: absolutely brilliant! If we could give it five kisses, we definitely would. Everything works in this newest flick--the acting, direction, special effects, costuming--and we wouldn't be surprised if it continues to break record after record. Apart from leaving you on the edge of your seat, itching to just watch Part II already, the film is chilling. For lovers of the Potter novels, this is the journey you have been waiting for since turning that last page. Part I brings the books to life in a way that is new and practically unlike what has come before. For those that watch the films without a love for the text, this flick may be just good enough to have you wanting to pick up at least the last novel (if only to know how it ends).
Best on-screen moment: When Hermione (Emma Watson) narrates the wizardly tale of The Three Brothers.

Movie Review: Paranormal Activity 2

Obviously, this is a sequel. After all, what would a true horror film be without at least one sequel? Part of what is quite terrifying about Paranormal Activity 2 is that it brings its frights gradually. It felt as though for at least the first half hour, just about nothing happened (besides an odd "break in"). In keeping with the classic horror film style, only about two of the characters choose to believe in what's happening until disaster strikes... then the remaining ones jump on board. In the end, the flick had us screaming (mostly because we were terrified for the baby), and it had an excellent tie-in with Paranormal Activity. Let's just hope they don't make a third and instead come up with something fresh.
Best fright: When the daughter gets locked out of the house while babysitting.

Movie Review: The Social Network

The Social Network is quickly creating a film-world frenzy with rave reviews accumulating from all directions. We definitely understand why. The film is swarming with fresh talent that includes director David Fincher (Fight Club), screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (TV's The West Wing) and actors Jesse Eisenberg (Zombieland), Justin Timberlake (Alpha Dog) and Andrew Garfield (Never Let Me Go). As college students, we couldn't wait to see this movie simply because it is so relevant to our generation. Further, many of us do not know much about the man behind our daily obsession, so win No. 1: relevance. Beyond that, everything about this movie works. The direction is fabulous. The screenplay is stunning. The acting is fantastic. The score is beautiful. The main character, Mark Zuckerberg, a 20-something genius and the youngest billionaire in the world, is fascinating. You will be hooked.
Best on-screen moment: Any scene with Zuckerberg (Eisenberg) because his banter was on-the-dot brilliance.

Movie Review: Easy A

Do you want your life to resemble an '80s movie? If so, you have a lot in common with Easy A's Olive (Emma Stone)... and us. This film hits teen comedy on the nail and is loaded with terrific lines. No one's winning any Oscars here, but we guarantee this film will be entertaining people for generations (think Clueless). We just love seeing the adorable Penn Badgley in that boy-who-noticed-you-when-no-one-else-did role (see John Tucker Must Die) not to mention the film's borrowing from one of the most underrated comedies of the 2000s, Saved. If you can't catch Easy A in theaters, definitely rent it on a future night in.
Best on-screen moment: Just about anytime there were blatant John Hughes references because, let's face it, the guy was brilliant. [And it must be said that the "Pocketful of Sunshine" solo was to die for.]

Movie Review: Going the Distance

Going the Distance has a great premise behind it, but lacks good enough writing to pull it off. Though there is obvious and compelling chemistry between main characters Erin (Drew Barrymore) and Garrett (Justin Long), as well as a talented supporting cast that includes Jason Sudeikis (TV's Saturday Night Live) and Christina Applegate, the film leaves something to be desired. What we do like about this movie is that it is extremely modern and presents a couple who have no doubts about one another - their relationship is strained strictly for geographical reasons. Not to mention, it poses what-am-I-going-to-do-with-my-life style questions that all of us college students can relate to.

Best on-screen moment: When Box (Sudeikis) explains the reasoning behind his '70s-era mustache.