Marley & Me (2008)

Disclaimer: This is not a movie that I would choose to see. For once, I had company--they picked. Lame--was my first thought. I'm writing this review while I'm still all warm and fuzzy from the theatre this evening. I didn't want to like it.

Jennifer (Jennifer Aniston) and John Grogan (Owen Wilson) are young newlyweds beginning their life together. Moving to South Florida to take on new jobs, the two adopt a 'Clearance Puppy' soon to be known as Marley. Lovable yet troublesome, teaches the couple many of life's important lessons.

Marley & Me, currently the top-dog of the box office, is heartwarming story that celebrates the highs and lows of life through the eyes of man's best friend. Surprisingly good and genuine, this film will have anyone with a heart beat bawling.

Wilson and Aniston have beautiful chemistry onscreen. Cute, modern, relatable, the two are enjoyable to watch, but the comedy aspect really is hit or miss. The antics of Marley punctuate all of the couple's memories together. It's nice to see the endearing Wilson. {Trust me, you can't take your eyes off the watch--he seems to wear it the ENTIRE film.} Aniston, doesn't do it for me. She is beautiful to look at, but she comes across as a one trick pony.

Director David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada) tells a lifetime in 90+ minutes successfully with fun sequences that not only pace the movie, but keep the Grogan's from being too boring. Eric Dane stars as Sebastian, John's bachelor friend who is everything John wanted to be. Alan Arkin stars as John's editor/mentor in Florida. Arkin provides solid comedic relief like only he can.

Marley & Me borders on boring for me, mainly because our couple {just like in real life, I think} settles into routine. Both John and Jenny struggle with the consequences of choices. The film addresses life in a refreshingly honest fashion. The audience doesn't fester in the lows or become disenfranchised by the highs.

Marley & Me is sentimental hit. See it, but it's worth waiting to cry in the comfort of your own home.

Camp Rock (2008)

Mitchie (Demi Lovato) has a beautiful voice and musical aspirations. She's hoping to spend her summer at the exclusive Camp Rock, but the only way her blue-collar parents can swing it is if Mitchie will help in the kitchen. Desperate to fit in, Mitchie goes to great lengths to hide her less than glamours life. Pop star Shane Gray (Joe Jonas) has been put on notice for his bad boy antics and comes back to his roots as penitence. Gray begrudgingly takes on the duties of a counselor, but as he faces the screaming hordes of fan, he overhears Mitchie singing without seeing her face. He spends the rest of his summer searching for the girl that stole his heart

In Disney's world, teens are fresh-faced, bright-eyed, well-groomed, vague, and musically inclined. Camp Rock, the latest in mass merchandising, stars Joe Jonas (singer of the teeny pop band The Jonas Brothers). Overly-styled and ridiculously colorful is another positive, if shallow, offering. The cast is cute. The dialogue a bit cheesy and sadly the musical numbers are rote.

As Disney original's go, there isn't much original here. Pegged as the next High School Musical, Camp Rock is sorely lacking the humor, story, and geniune dialoge of it's predecessor. Still, you can't argue with the positive messages.

Camp Rock is no more than average. As I see it, don't bother with this one. See High School Musical instead.

Ghost Town (2008)

A colonoscopy gone bad leaves dentist Bertram Pincus (Ricky Gervais) with the horrible ability to see ghosts. Dr. Pincus isn't a people person; he's a self-centered pricks that goes out of his way to avoid everyone. He can't avoid the ghosts once word's out he can see them. Recently deceased Frank (Greg Kinnear) strikes up a deal with Bertram. Keep his widow (the woman he was cheating on, at the time of his death), Gwen (Tea Leoni), from marrying a smug human-right lawyer.

Ghost Town is a character-driven piece that is nicely played by the entire cast. The film gives Gervais plenty of room to be himself; he's in perfect form. Quick-witted, yet uber straight laced, Gervais creates Pincus as a man uncomfortable in his own skin trying to get a little peace. Based on this performance, I don't know that Gervais is leading man material, but he still manages a solid 'everyman' character that is not only funny, but endearing. Tea Leoni is solid foil to Gervais. She equally eye candy and interesting. Greg Kinnear (not a fan) gets to play the jerk, as a ghost. He's comedic timing is right on. Kristen Wiig is a delight as Pincus' urologist.

Ghost Town has a quirky feel, but despite the onslaught of funny, the film turns into a sweet, romantic story that I fell in love with {much like Stranger Than Fiction}. Writer/director David Koepp (Secret Window) keeps the film from too much sentimentality or stupidity, but it's the solid performances from the cast that make this one.

If you enjoy Ricky Gervais in Extras or The Office, or enjoy off-beat comedies, Ghost Town is for you.

About a Boy (2002)

Living off the royalties of his father's legacy, fashionable Londoner Will Lightman (Hugh Grant) is the epitome of shallow. His lifestyle affords him the opportunity of doing nothing. So Will spends his days searching for available women. Bored and alone, Will wonders if this is all life is. 15 year-old Marcus (Nicholas Hoult) is the son of a emotional, quirky, and suicide-prone Fiona (Toni Collette). A chance meeting develops into an odd and unexpected friendship for both boys as Will and Marcus learn life's lessons.

About A Boy is a surprisingly effectual dramedy. Hugh Grant is his charming self, but unlike his typical rom-com fare, About A Boy takes an unexpected and enjoyable turn that celebrates life and friendship. Grant does more than just look good; he imbues Will with a gradual transformation from emotionally stunted boy to maturing, responsible adult. Young Hoult plays a sad little kid nicely. Toni Collette plays her neglectful mother to a tee {annoyingly good}. Rachel Wiesz appears in a small, uncredited role.

About A Boy takes a 'it takes a village' approach to Marcus' story, but directors Chris and Paul Weitz allow the film to grow, almost organically, focusing on Marcus and Will's friendship. The sub-plots: Fiona, school-bullies, Will's shallow lifestyle, all become unnoticed in the course of the film.

Based on Nick Hornby's best-seller, this film could have been a lot of things. Fortunately, About A Boy is more than it should--which is lame. Instead you'll find a genuine story with surprising heart.

Burn After Reading (2008)

I don't know how to quantify Joel and Ethan Cohen's latest endeavor, Burn After Reading. Suffice to say, if you've got 96 minutes to spare, this movie wouldn't be a waste. This quirky farcical caper is insanely weird and too funny {but only if you lean left of center and enjoy the dryer, darker side.}

An moronic pair of gym employees (Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand) discover a copy of a recently penned memoir from former CIA analyst Osbourne Cox (John Malkovich) and try to turn a profit in returning it.

Burn After Reading is pure hilarity--it's downright ludicris--watching these numb nuts from Hardbodies and the CIA parlay one mistake into another. The movie is character driven and thanks to a stellar cast that also includes George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, and J.K. Simmons the characters are nicely developed with tics and quirks that add everything. Malkovich and Pitt compete to steal the show, but Clooney sweeps in and kills. The dialogue is equally hysterical.

This film marks only my fourth Coen film. Raising Arizona {bites}, O, Brother Where Art Thou? {bites harder}, and No Country for Old Men {doesn't bite} being the others. No, I don't know how Burn After Reading compares or truly fits with their body of work. Does it matter?!

As I see it, Burn After Reading is sardonic fun that will be lost on most viewers. The precious {and warped} few will enjoy this one.