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bunnybunny75
Reviews
The Notebook (2004)
Of all the flicks in all the rental queues, this one found me
It's been a long time since I've fallen in love with a theatrical love story. Mainstream love stories are so quick to solve everything or too shallow to really delve into anything worth spending the $10 ticket price. It seems that Hollywood is more interested in a pretty match rather than a thematic delivery when it comes to the romance genre. So it was a bit of bitterness that I rented "The Notebook" following a barrage of recommendations from friends and relatives.
Admittedly, I was skeptical going into the film. I had hated "A Walk to Remember", the movie based on another Nicholas Sparks novel. Mandy Moore and Shane West were so pious and pristine in that flick, that it was hard for me to find a connection to their characters. That and Mandy Moore could stand to take an acting lesson. But I digress...
Ryan Gosling and Rachel MacAdams had both caught my attention before in their previous work, but in this particular story, they sparkled. The chemistry between them as Noah and Allie is electrifying. I found myself leaning so far over in my seat as I watched their story unfold that I still feel the pains of stretching today. The passion and intensity between these two actors is simply the most beautiful exchange I've seen in years.
And while Gosling and MacAdams are spectacular in their roles, it was James Garner and Gena Rowlands who stole my heart. Without giving too much away, it is the relationship between Garner and Rowlands that sent me reaching for the Kleenex, and wishing on the night's most shining star that I too could experience the lifetime of love that these characters had shared. It's a love story to remember, that is sure.
I was surprised to learn that Nick Cassavettes (Rowlands' son) directed the flick, and did so with pitch-perfect care and respect for this story. I haven't read the book, but I can assure you that the movie prompts me to do so.
And while my comments may be dripping with the most sincerest of praise, I can only hope that others will take an opportunity to see this movie. It is wonderful.
Crossroads (2002)
Pop star + movie = waste of time!
Anyone who has taste in a good story, great acting, and an overall good time, RUN SCREAMING FROM THIS MOVIE! Road trip movie not to be missed, my foot. This movie is so laden with social issue melodrama, the writers should be sent to therapy to deal with their obvious oblivion for what life is really like. And it looks like Britney has attended the Madonna School of Acting, where pop divas think they can cross over into acting with ease. Big no-no. Britney, go back to shaking your bootie and lip-syncing, and leave acting to those of us that can do it. I feel sorry for the other actors in this movie, mostly because they have to forever be associated with this tragic piece of film. "Glitter" would be better to see than this.
Bongwater (1998)
Save yourself and skip this flick!
When the opening credits began to roll for "Bong Water," I was beside myself with glee. Luke Wilson? Jeremy Sisto? Andy Dick? It's too good to be true, I thought. I was right. This movie is a complete waste of time, not only for viewers, but for those who actually participated in its creation. Honestly, the studio exec who gave this film the green light should rethink their career choice. The story revolves around the budding (no pun intended) relationship between David, a mellowed out pot dealer played by the ever-charming Luke Wilson, and Serena, a leach who gives all women bad names played terribly by Alicia Witt. The evolution of their relationship spans a three-week time period, and for those of us living in the real world, that was hard to swallow. The two get together based on Serena's desire to promote David's pot-induced art work. Within a few weeks time, though, she's scamming her way into someone else's life, with unbelievable results. In all, this movie has no plot, no strong story line, and no reason to ever grab an audience's attention. Alicia Witt, who could stand to take some acting classes, is truly unbelievable and hard to watch. I don't care if she's a "real" red head and all men love that... those of us who can see past the carrot top see that this actress (and I use that term loosely) should go back to school and find a different career. If you are going to see this movie (and really, you should run screaming if presented with the prospect), look forward to light-hearted and silly performances by Andy Dick, Jack Black, and Brittany Murphy, though they aren't enough reason to actually sit through this 97-minute bore. You are better off catching Dick's performances in other quirky flicks, or Black's work in "High Fidelity" or "Tenacious D," or Murphy's fun performances in "Drop Dead Gorgeous" and "Clueless." If you are truly dead set on a stoner flick, check out "Friday", "Half-Baked", or "Homegrown." "Bong Water" hardly even touches on the topic of the title.