MOVIE MADNESS - THIS WEEKS REVIEWS

YOU AGAIN * * (2 OUT OF 5)

Right this movie attracted me I have to admit from the elder cast of Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween, True Lies) and Sigourney Weaver (Alien, Avatar) as well as newcomer Kristen Bell (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Gossip Girl). This movie centers around Bell who plays a successful PR who head to her hometown for her elder brother wedding. Much to her chagrin he is marrying her high school bully who seems to have forgotten all the misery she caused her. If this isn't enough the brides Aunt (Weaver) is brought face to face with her old high school nemesis in the mother of Bell (Curtis). Well to start off this movie takes leads off the premise and shows us some of the turmoil the lead character was subjected to which early garner the sympathy towards her. This movie had potential to be a much better comedy than it is but with a poor script and lackluster acting it is easily flawed in comparison of other similar comedies. The film doesn't leave a lasting impression but host some good jokes and funny scenes here and there that will provide a laugh or two on a Sunday afternoon.

EASY A * * (2.5 OUT OF 5)

Starring Emma Stone (Superbad, Zombieland) and Amanda Bynes (Sydney White, Lovewrecked)

After a little white lie about losing her virginity gets out, a clean cut high school girl (Stone) sees her life paralleling Hester Prynne's in "The Scarlet Letter," which she is currently studying in school - until she decides to use the rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing. The synopsis of this movie is quite interesting though I watched it with no knowledge what the movie was about its starts with the lead character explaining how she got herself into a mess, so the movie then proceeds to go back and show us the story she is narrating. It has a slow pace to kick in but definitely provides a good building pace where you see how the story unfolds. The characters work well together and Amanda Bynes to me pretty much steals the show with her performance. The film has a feel and dedication concept to romance movie's of the 80's such as
16 candles which are often referenced. All in all this is a good romantic comedy also has a message about where lies and deception though seemingly harmless can get you.

CYRUS * * * (3.5 OUT OF 5)



Cyrus, is a comedic drama that focuses on a divorced man, John (John C. Reilly), meeting the woman of his dreams, Molly (Marisa Tomei), and falling hard for her at a party, subsequently later meeting her grown up son, Cyrus, played by Jonah Hill.

This movie is absolutely hilarious! Reilly (Step Brothers), Hill (Superbad), Tomei (The Wrestler) all put on a cracking performance and really make this dramatic comedy work. It starts with John (Reilly) a recently divorced man who is in a tailspin hurt from his break up, yet knowing he has a lot to offer a woman has left him disheveled. When invited to a party by his ex wife (whom he still remains friends with) he meets Molly (Tomei) and they hit it off. After she spends the night she disappears into the night . thinking she may possibly be married John decides to follow her home where he soon meet her son Cyrus (Hill). The movie take a dramatic yet extremely funny interesting twist here as we see 21 year old Cyrus has a strange dependent relationship with his mother. Cyrus will go to any lengths to protect his mother including "hiding John's shoes". With great camera shots, improv comedy, a good script and balance between characters makes Cyrus a definite hit. The movie winds down to a good pace where the unconventional family have to face certain realities, for all there sakes!



UNSTOPPABLE *** (3 OUT OF 5)

Starring Denzel Washington (Malcolm X), Chris Pine (Carriers) , Rosario Dawson (Men In Black 2). Unstoppable is a drama about a runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals. Pits an engineer and his conductor in a race against time. They're chasing the runaway train in a separate locomotive and need to bring it under control before it derails on a curve and causes a toxic spill that will decimate a town. I had a higher expectation for this movie but it was somewhat of a disappointment to me. I like how it started from a mere mishap which set the ball rolling on what would lead to being a major disaster. The movie provides some good action and effects but where I feel the problem is with a movie like this there's always going to be a sense of predictability (good guys save train from destroying town). So your pretty much watching to see how it unfolds. With these types of movie's they tend to become compelling and thrilling with the danger that will be caused or an antagonist like Speed 1994. Though Unstoppable has a face past and is high octane it fails to be unstoppable entertainment or an unstoppable gripping thrill ride. Chris Pine I feel is average in his role and I find it hard connecting with any of the characters. All in all its a decent movie to watch for what it is, although not the blockbuster I'd hoped for the thrill ride like Runaway Train 1985. It still manages to be a good watch and entertaining at best.

FOR COLORED GIRLS * * * * (4 OUT OF 5) MOVIE OF THE WEEK

The movie is based on Ntozake Shange's play "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf." Unlike the original play which featured only 7 women known by colors performing the collection of 20 poems, the movie has given each of the 20 characters names. Each of the poems deal with intense issues that particularly impact women in a thought-provoking commentary on what it means to be a female of color in the world.

The film was written, directed, and produced by Tyler Perry. The cast includes Loretta Devine, Kimberly Elise, Whoopi Goldberg, Janet Jackson, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Kerry Washington and Thandie Newton, With an awesome line up of Black actresses/actors and excellent characterization. We are able to see different struggles that afflict women of color and the direct/indirect effects these issues have on them and the wider community. The movie is beautifully and artistically put together encapsulating art, poetry, and drama to cultivate a real touching piece of film work. The cast is appropriately selected as I feel everyone is suited to there role and the 7 different stories piece together nicely through a patchwork of events thus portraying the message of strength in women, friendship, sharing troubles, facing fear and overcoming obstacles. With some really sad scenes this movie had me almost on the brink of tears (it's true) and powerful scenes that had me shouting at the screen it definitely takes you on an emotional roller coaster. For Colored Girls is defiantly a must see for black men and women and is my movie of the week.!