(500) Days of Summer

Tom is heart broken when his girlfriend, Summer, for no apparent reason suddenly dumps him. He then looks back at the 500 days they spent together in hopes of figuring out where he went wrong and what he can do to get her back.

I saw this at Sundance earlier this year and was surprised that I liked it just as much the second time around. There is nothing mind blowing about the story – we have all seen it before. However, the way it is all compiled is just refreshing and fun.

The opening title card is fabulous!!

*** MUST SEE

Rated PG-13 (for language)

The Ugly Truth

An uptight television producer is forced into working with the new “talent”— an over opinionated talk show host that feels it is his duty to tell it like it is when it comes to men and women. The two points of view clash and collide, each trying to prove that their theory on the opposite sex and relationships is the right one.

Yeah this movie was hopeless. First of all it was clearly written to be a chick flick, a light hearted romantic comedy, but in an effort to lure in the male audience, they tried to make it a Seth Rogen movie—which it is not. The dialogue is trite, the pacing horrific, the story weak, and the actors have no chemistry. It is neither clever nor cute. Just dumb.

*1/2 Not-A-Chance

Rated R (for language)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Do you really need a synopsis? I mean most of you have read the books, right? And for those of you that haven’t, you know the gist, he is back at Hogwarts and troubles brewing…

I saw this at the Midnight showing with the over zealous crowd, that screamed like banshees when the New Moon preview popped up, and then again when Potter appeared on screen. They were excited, fine, I get that. However what I don’t get is why when you have a crowded theatre full of the over anxious fans do you opt to turn the air conditioning off? It is JULY! For the love of man, I can’t understand it. The over bearing heat made it difficult to notice that at only two hours and thirty three minutes, this was actually one of the shortest Potter movies.

Nevertheless even in its condensed form, it isn’t exactly brisk. This whole movie is just set up. So if you have read the book you may find it to be horrendously slow. If you haven’t then you should be pleasantly entertained.

*** A Must See for the Devout

Rated PG (violence and language)

Public Enemies

John Dillinger becomes America's first "Public Enemy Number One" as he and his gang, escape from prison, rob banks, and help J. Edgar Hoover turn his federal police force, into what is known today, as the F.B.I.

This semi-biopic, although somewhat historically inaccurate, gives us a glimpse of how the F.B.I. came to be. Johnny Depp who is always brilliant, is also, aside from the classic cars, the only redeeming thing about this flick. The movie is way too long, and yet still couldn't find time to fully flesh out the storyline.

This is John Dillinger! Public Enemy Number One! Show me why! Historically the man was known to have robbed over two dozen banks. In the movie we see him rob two. This makes him a threat? Also the development of the F.B.I. is slow and uninteresting.

In addition this film seriously lacked the dynamics and camaraderie of something like the "Untouchables" or even "Bonnie and Clyde" for that matter. Again, aside from Depp, you don't care about any of the other characters, or really even know who they are.

On a technical note: the cinematography is a little askew. It jumps in and out of hand held, which is jolting and annoying. Not to mention that the ADR is horrid. The music nevertheless is pretty cool and again the cars may be the best thing on screen.

** Rentable

Rated R (for blood and violence)