Rated:R

Genre:Biography, Romance, Music

Release Date:5 December 2008

Runtime:109 min

Director:Darnell Martin

Cast:Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Gabrielle Union, Columbus Short, Cedric the Entertainer, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Eamonn Walker, Mos Def, Beyoncé Knowles

Cadilac Records chronicles the rise of Chess Records and its recording artists. In this tale of sex, violence, race and rock and roll in Chicago of the 1950s and 60s, the film follows the exciting but turbulent lives of some of America’s greatest musical legends.

The story of how the blues became popular and gave birth to rock and roll begins at a dingy bar on the rough South Side of Chicago in 1947, where an ambitious young Polish emigre, bar owner Leonard Chess (ADRIEN BRODY), hires a talented but undisciplined blues combo that includes quiet and thoughtful guitar prodigy Muddy Waters (JEFFREY WRIGHT) and impulsive and colorful harmonica player Little Walter (COLUMBUS SHORT). Fascinated by the sound of the music and eager to cash in on the record burgeoning record business - Chess arranges a recording session for Waters. Waters’ early recordings start moving up the R&B charts and receiving heavy play.

Chess treats his musicians like family. He buys them a Cadillac when they record their first hit record — although the line between business and personal sometimes causes conflict with his increasingly talented and successful stable of artists. After backing up Muddy on his early recordings, Little Walter becomes a star in his own right, but his quick temper and loud manner often run him afoul of friends and the law. He also finds that the only woman he can talk to is Muddy’s girl, Geneva (GABRIELLE UNION), who struggles to remain loyal despite Muddy’s poorly concealed affairs. Big Willie Dixon (CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER), a songwriter and bandleader, also is a key member of the Chess Records family, as is Howlin’ Wolf (EAMONN WALKER), an intense and proud blues singer who develops a musical rivalry with Muddy.

But it’s not until 1955 when a Chess artist finally “crosses over” into the realm of mainstream (”white”) America - a skinny guy from St. Louis named Chuck Berry (MOS DEF), whose dynamic “duck walk” and catchy, country-tinged tunes mark the birth of rock-and-roll. When Berry is arrested and jailed at the height of his career, Chess finds another talented performer to cross over singer Etta James (BEYONCE KNOWLES), an emotionally scarred young woman whose vulnerability tempts Chess’ loyalty and concern in unexpected ways.

As rock-and-roll grows more popular, the Chess artists find themselves revered by a new generation of musicians, but they have also each earned and lost a small fortune on booze, women and the high life, and their addictions begin to take their toll. Even as tragedy befalls, their music and their spirit remain strong: as the sixties wind down and Leonard Chess gets out of the record business, the blues live on. –© Sony Pictures

Truly a great film depicting the root of true music. A must see for music fans.

carole Biography, Music, Romance

Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston star in the romantic drama Love Happens. When a self-help author arrives in Seattle to teach a sold-out seminar, he unexpectedly meets the one person who might…

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Drama, Romance

Release Date: 18 September 2009

Runtime: 109 min

Director: Brandon Camp

Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston, Dan Fogler, John Carroll Lynch, Martin Sheen, Judy Greer

Aaron Eckhart (Burke) and Jennifer Aniston (Eloise) star in the romantic drama Love Happens. When a self-help author arrives in Seattle to teach a sold-out seminar, he unexpectedly meets the one person who might finally be able to help him help himself.

Dr. Burke Ryan (Eckhart) is on the precipice of a major multimedia deal, but the therapist who asks his patients to openly confront their pain is secretly unable to take his own advice.

Eloise Chandler (Aniston) has sworn off men and decided to focus on her floral business. However, when she meets Burke at the hotel where he’s speaking, there is an instant attraction. But will two people who have met the right person at exactly the wrong time be able to give love another chance?

As each struggles with the hurt of love and loss, they realize that in order to move forward, they need to let go of the past. And if they can, they’ll find that, sometimes, love happens when you least expect it. –© Universal

I am not one to go to a “chick-flick” however when it is your friends turn to pick a movie you cannot really argue. I cannot begin to describe how uninterested I was with the ‘character development’ and the blossoming romance between the main characters in the film. I felt it was a wearisome romance between two one-dimensional characters. Once introduced to both characters, if I was asked, I would have been able to write the rest of the movie and get it on the nose as to what would happen, who would be involved, etc.

I truly do not recommend this movie to those movie goers tired of the same old: boy meets girl; girl does not want boy; girl wants but cant have boy; finally they fall in love; and they lived happily ever after tales. I insist on refering readers of this blog to RottenTomatoes.

carole Drama, Romance

Released: October 31, 2008

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 1 hr 46 mins

Director: James Dodson

Cast: Jesse Metcalfe, Anupam Kher, Sara Foster, Austin Basis, Shriya Saran, Kit Hawksin

The Other End of the Line is a charming romantic comedy about global love connections and clashing cultures. An employee at an Indian call-center named Priya travels to San Francisco to meet a guy (Jesse Metcalfe) she falls in love with over the telephone.

Metcalfe plays the role of Granger Woodruff, an advertising hotshot who is trying to land a new client. Granger receives a call from “Jennifer David” who is actually Priya disguised as an American who lives in San Francisco (she is really in Mumbai, India) about fraudulent charges to one of his credit cards. They strike up a casual flirtation, which causes them both to question their respective romantic prospect: He, a diva-like girlfriend (Sara Foster); she, an arranged marriage to a mama’s boy.

When Granger has to go to San Francisco on business, he decides to ask Priya to meet him while he’s there, since she lives in Mumbai she declines at first, making something up. She then changes her mind and decides to take a chance. She finally meets him, but not as her alter ego (Jennifer, as he knows her). But with Priya’s traditionalist family on the hunt to find their “innocent” daughter, it isn’t long before the two are forced to confront their true identities and intentions.

I found this movie to be entertaining from beginning to end, with a fabulous story-line and great characters. I don’t particularly like Jessie Metcalfe’s movies; however he did a great job alongside Shriya Saran in this movie. She is quite lovely; I had never seen her in a movie before last night. I would recommend giving this under-the-radar movie a chance.

Jenn Comedy, Romance

Rated: R

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Release Date: 14 May 2004

Runtime: 93 min

Director: Yann Samuell

Cast: Guillaume Canet, Marion Cotillard, Emmanuelle Grönvold, Gérard Watkins

If you are a fan of international films, then Love Me If You Dare is a MUST see. It is no surprise why it was such a massive hit. These non-Hollywood films always seem to have some element that differs them from the mainstream that we are used to. The cutting of the reel throughout the film, although annoying at first, becomes an effective technique to force you to concentrate for fear you will miss out on something said.

The DARE game begins when Julien (Guillaume Canet) and Sophie (Marion Cotillard) are children, eight-year-old Sophie is the girl on the bus that everyone teases because she is Polish. Julien is the little boy that comes to her rescue. As they grow older the game intensifies and becomes more twisted and dangerous. Although they are in love with each other, the game of dare later dictates their future, and the dare even goes as far as hurting and tricking each other.

Julien is forced several times to pick between the childhood fun and candy-coated world represented by Sophie, or the expectations, demands, and successes of the adult world represented by his father and his eventual wife and children. Sophie, meanwhile, is content to live her life — as she puts it as “a cream puff”, becoming a trophy wife to a successful soccer player. Nonetheless, she keeps returning to Julien, despite her apparent happiness with what she has. The movie’s main theme of  ’true love overcoming all obsticles’ is represented through a different twist in this film. A truly enjoyable film and definitely worth the effort of reading throughout the whole 93mins (if you don’t understand french).

carole Comedy, Drama, Romance

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Drama, Romance

Release Date: 14 August 2009

Runtime: 107 min

Director: Robert Schwentke

Cast: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams, Ron Livingston, Jane McLean, Stephen Tobolowsky, Arliss Howard, Brooklynn Proulx, Alex Ferris

I am not one to get excited over a chick-flick however when I saw the trailer to this film I decided this would be one of the rare ones I freely choose to go watch. I had heard raving word-of-mouth reviews from female friends telling me they cried from beginning to end, even a couple male friends admitted to choking up at the end (apparently after being dragged to the movie by a girlfriend…sure boys).

Based on the premise of The Time Traveler’s Wife, published in 2003 as the debut novel of American author Audrey Niffenegger, a Chicago librarian Henry DeTamble (Bana), has a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel randomly and at lengthy intervals. Though he often disappears from her life for long periods of time, he tries to build a romantic relationship with Clare Abshire, an artist (McAdams) who has known and been in love with Henry her whole life.

An overly squishy story about true love that lasts through thick and thin, through confusion, doubt and troubling times, not surprisingly it managed to bring tears to nearly every women in the theater (and there were many). However it was a disturbing story at the same time. *SPOILER ALERT* It bothered me that after ‘older’ Henry’s vasectomy Clare cheats on him with his younger non-vasectomy self to get pregnant…what was that about?

All in all it was an entertaining movie and for you men out there… this is the perfect summer flick to take a date to cause once she’s crying and falling in love with the on-screen romance, she will look to you to fill the void that Henry has left in her heart.

carole Drama, Romance

Rated: PG

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Musical

Release Date: 13 February 1957

Runtime: 103 min

Director: Stanley Donen

Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Kay Thompson, Michel Auclair, Robert Flemyng

In Funny Face a fashion photographer Dick Avery (Fred Astaire), is in search for an intellectual backdrop for an air-headed model, the photography team discovers a quaint Greenwich Village bookstore. When the photo session is over the store is left in a shambles, much to salesgirl Jo Stockton’s (Audrey Hepburn) dismay. Avery stays behind to help her clean up. Later, he examines the photos taken there and sees Jo in the background of one shot. He is intrigued by her unique appearance, as is Maggie Prescott (Kay Thompson, the editor of a leading fashion magazine. They offer Jo a modeling contract, which she reluctantly accepts only because it includes a trip to Paris. Eventually, her snobbish attitude toward the job softens, and Jo begins to enjoy the work and the company of her handsome photographer.

I cannot get over Audrey Hepburn.  She is absolutely stunning, graceful, has an amazing accent, and just fits whatever role she is tossed into. As for Fred Astaire he is a star through and through, always impressing with his dance skills and amazing singing. I cannot recall the number of times I have seen this film, and although not the best Hepburn out there I am still a fan of the songs and of the story. The only disappointment is that when you put together these two super stars of the 50s on screen together you would have expected a little bit more magic.

Hepburn never had formal training in acting, singing or dancing. Her lack in dance skills is pretty clear in this film. As she dances with her co-stars you can see the difference in level of dance expertise. However credit must be given to Hepburn, it could not have been easy to dance next to the great Astaire.

carole Comedy, Music, Romance

Rated: PG-13

Release date: October 3, 2008

Run Time: 90 mins

Genre: Comedy,  Romance, Adventure

Director: Peter Sollett

Cast: Michael Cera, Kat Dennings

Some people would consider Nick and Norah to be a chick flick, I’m not totally convinced. It is a romantic comedy type movie, but it’s got some interesting twists and turns to it. The movie is very character-driven and, luckily, the cast was strong enough to carry it. Michael Cera and Kat Dennings make one quirky and fun pair with loads of chemistry (which is important when trying to convince the audience they belong together). The supporting cast members also shine in their roles. Ari Graynor, for instance, plays one of the most ridiculously likable drunks I’ve ever seen. The performances delivered by this young cast are really what make this movie.

So who and where is Fluffy? Fluffy is a mysterious band who announces a secret concert. The word spreads all through the city and before long punksters is racing all over from club to bar to find the band. Withdrawn Nick ad Norah (both for different reasons) come together by a random kiss when Norah asks Nick to pretend to be her boyfriend for a few minutes. And so the adventure begins for Nick and Norah, (who are both fans of Fluffy), as they try to discover Fluffys location. While trying to locate the band, Nick’s ex-girlfriend is all of a sudden interested in getting back with him and tries to seduce him, Norah’s sometimes boyfriend wants her to hang with him and Norah has loses her drunken friend Caroline.

This movie is simply fun and fresh, the characters are easy to relate to with well-developed characters who evolve effectively and realistically as the film goes on. Even the little parts make the movie realistic. Who else noticed the piece of gum that was shared throughout the movie, even after it fell out of a drunken girl’s mouth into a toilet full of vomit (which of course no one knew)!

Jenn Adventure, Comedy, Romance

Rated: PG-13

Release Date: February 28, 2008

Runtime: 1 hr. 55 mins.

Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Romance

Director: Justin Chadwick

Cast: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana, Jim Sturgess, Kristen Scott Thomas, Mark Rylance, David Morrissey

Based on the bestselling novel by Philippa Gregory, The Other Boleyn Girl is about the relationship between King Henry VIII (Eric Bana) and Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary (scarlett Johansson) Boleyn. The Boleyn sisters are driven by their father Sir Thomas Boleyn (Mark Rylance) and merciless Uncle Thomas Howard - Duke of Norfolk (David Morrissey) to advance the families power by courting the kings affections regardless of the fact that he is married.

What begins as a proposal to help out the family develops into a ruthless rivalry between Anne and Mary for the love of the king. Mary wins the affection of the king and bears his child. But her sister Anne will stop at nothing to become the queen, edging aside Mary and the Queen Katherine, in her relentless pursuit. Eventually England is torn apart over the battle for the king’s affection. Despite the dramatic consequences, the Boleyn sisters ultimately find strength in each other by their bond as sisters.

The Other Boleyn Girl is about power and betrayal within a family. I really enjoyed Natalie Portman in this movie; she is such a fantastic actress. She really took control as she stepped into the role of Anne Boleyn, you can feel her confidence as she goes after what she desires. One of the last scenes is so powerful, where she is to be condemned for her so called betrayal with her brother George (Jim Sturgess) for adultery and incest (which never actually happened). Johansson also plays her role well, as Anne’s naïve forgiving sister.

Although the movie was portrayed differently than the actual events it was still watchable, if you don’t compare it with the actual events, I quite enjoyed it actually. The costumes stood out a great deal more than other movies from the same time era. I thought they were just fantastic and should definitely have won an award for best costume design.

Jenn Biography, Drama, Romance

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Release Date: 19 June 2009

Runtime: 108 min

Director: Anne Fletcher

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson, Betty White, Denis O’hare

Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) is the executive editor-in-chief of a book publishing company, Colden Books, who forces her assistant Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds) to marry her in order to avoid being deported to Canada. He grudgingly accepts, under the condition that he is promoted to the position of editor. When the government investigates, the two are forced to spend the weekend with his parents in Alaska in order to sell the lie.

The family suggest they could marry the same weekend, and they reluctantly accept. They start to fall genuinely in love as they spend more and more time together. Because of this, during the wedding ceremony, Margaret decides she cannot do this to Andrew and confesses the business arrangement in front of everyone–including the immigration officer handling their case. She is then told that she has 24 hours to get back to Canada, and thus goes back to New York to pack her things. Upon doing so, however, Andrew shows up at the office and confesses his love for her in front of the entire office staff, proposing marriage all over again.

carole Comedy, Romance

Release date: May 1, 2009

Runtime: 1 hr. 40 mins

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Director: Mark Waters

Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Michael Douglas, Breckin Meyer

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past never even comes close to a laugh. Matthew McConaughey, who hit a comedy low (I thought) in Fool’s Gold, sinks ever lower as hotshot celeb photographer Connor Mead, a stud who badmouths marriage to his about-to-be-wed kid brother (Breckin Meyer). Connor, a Scrooge when it comes to commitment, gets a life lesson from Uncle Wayne (Michael Douglas), another man-whore who comes back from the dead to teach Connor the error of his ways.

This movie was very predictable and Jennifer Garner’s role as the wounded girl who is still willing to give a jerk a chance after he has one night of revelations is beyond me. At least if the movie was funny or interesting I could understand. But there is nothing. It’s not even funny. Matthew McConaughey is ridiculous. I’m sick of his roles being the same, movie after movie. Failure to Launch, Fools gold, how to lose a guy in 10 days, I mean pick a new role dude. He always plays the role of the hot, shirtless jerk who wins the girl and lives happily ever after.

I guess I shouldn’t have expected so much from this movie, it’s a romantic comedy, Most of them are easy to predict and end with a love story anyway. I’m just surprised that Jennifer Garner was in the movie, she usually pleasantly surprises me, but not this time. And lastly there was absolutely no chemistry between Matthew and Jennifer, not even a slight spark. I feel bad about writing so negatively, considering I love the cheesy romantic movies. I just could not enjoy this movie, I found myself checking if it was almost over the whole time.

Jenn Comedy, Romance