The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: April 28, 2005 (UK) / September 29, 2005 (USA)

DVD Release Date: September 13, 2005

Plot 411: This is a space comedy based on a book of the same name that incorporates humor, space travel, aliens and destruction.

Review: Before Earth is destroyed, best friends Arthur (Martin Freeman) and Ford (Mos Def) leave the planet by hitching a ride on the destroying spaceship. Ford is an alien who has been writing a hitchhiking guide. The two friends are discovered and forced into space without any oxygen. Luckily, they are saved by Ford's half brother Zaphod (Sam Rockwell). Arthur and Ford's journey only gets weirder and weirder as they travel to distant planets with Zaphod, who is searching for the ultimate question. I swear it's better than I'm making it sound. I'm not really sure how to describe this quirky jumble of sci-fi and British humor, adventure and geekiness. All I can cay is that I loved it. Also in this film are Zooey Deschanel, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, Helen Mirren and Stephen Fry. If those names don't get you to watch this one, then it's probably not a movie for you.

Watch It: Because it's smarter and funnier than you expect.

Skip It: And it's roundabout logic that only sci-fi fanboys can untangle.

The Trouble With Men And Women

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: August 9, 2006

DVD Release Date: April 24, 2007

Plot 411: Matt struggles after he's dumped and takes home several one night stands before finally finding something meaningful. But, is it with the right girl?

Review: This was a short movie shot with assumingly a very low budget. It had a mumblecore feel to it, but I'm not exactly sure what distinguishes those types of films from simple low budget fare. In any case, it was shot on a hand held camera that gave the entire movie a documentary feel. There were a lot of blurry (aka artsy) shots, but I don't really think they were effective. Matt (Joseph McFadden) is distraught when his girlfriend Deborah dumps him and leaves for New York. As he ponders the whys of it all, his friend Vinnie (Matthew Delamere) and his girlfriend Susie (Kate Ashfield) try to cheer him up. Vinnie goes even further by taking him out so he can meet new women. But Matt is a romantic at heart and cannot seem to let the idea of Deborah go. Vinnie, on the other hand, freely flirts with other girls despite having a girlfriend of six years. I don't think I'd really recommend this film to anyone unless you're a hardcore film fanatic that needs to watch every single piece of footage out there. This may or may not help you with your own film making techniques and give you ideas for the future. Everything is shot pretty loosely, as if by an amateur. Many of the frames are up close to the actors' faces. It's almost got that home movie quality to it, which I suppose is a style unto itself.

Watch It: For what not to do in your films.

Skip It: Because there are many other films more worthy of your time.

Lost In Austen

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: 2008

DVD Release Date: April 14, 2009

Plot 411: A modern twist to the classic tale of Pride and Prejudice.

Review: From what I gather, this was originally a British tv movie, but I'm not quite sure. In any case, period pieces are one of my greatest loves. The clothes, landscape, architecture and romance are somehow emphasized and their effects are heightened dramatically because the plot is based in such a drastically different time than the one we live in. I realize that most of this is romanticized for our benefit and that the lives of the women in this era were quite repressed. However, it's a movie and so I allow myself to believe that everything's as romantic as can be. This film twists the Jane Austen classic on its head and introduces a new character into the lives of those at Longbourn. Amanda Price, a modern girl, switches places with Elizabeth Bennet and is transported back in time. Her contemporary attitudes affect the drama that unfolds and new developments in Austen's world occur. What follows is deliciously irreverent of Austen's work, yet still manage to proceed in her spirit. There are some incredibly funny moments in the film when the characters really come alive. As Amanda adjusts to this familiar, yet completely foreign, world so does the audience. We are both encouraged and disappointed with her as she ventures to live a life she's only read about. After reading Pride and Prejudice, every girl has wondered about Mr. Darcy. This movie brings that dream to life and the audience is able to live this fantasy through Amanda Price.

Watch It: For a different take on one of the greatest literary loves of all time.

Skip It: If you're a die-hard Jane Austen fan. As mentioned in the film, Austen probably rolled over in her grave at the liberties this film took with her work.

Happy-Go-Lucky

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 18, 2008 (United Kingdom) / October 10, 2008 (USA)

DVD Release Date: March 10, 2009

Plot 411: A fun-loving primary school teacher meets an uptight, prejudiced man when she starts taking drivers ed.

Review: I loved the character of Poppy (Sally Hawkins) because she was completely and utterly optimsitic, witty, unself-conscious and non-judgmental. She just oozed happiness no matter what circumstance she found herself in. Most of all, she seemed to trust her insticts and live in the moment without reallly thinking about the consequences. If you could bottle up her energy, you'd make a killing. The movie is about her life as a 30-year-old, unmarried school teacher. She is really good with the children in a way that should inspire other educators. Perhaps this is because she is much like them - sort of impishly innocent and cheeky. When her bicycle gets stolen, she decides to get her driver's license, but first she must take drivers ed. Her teacher Scott (Eddie Marsan) is her complete opposite. He's really a by-the-books type of guy and has a whole lot of prejudices, conspiracy theories and hang ups. But, he takes his job very seriously. Poppy finds his lack of humor a challenge and does her utmost to make him happy. The two are great to watch together as their contrast brings about humor and horror.

Watch It: For a breezy look at a wonderful life that'll reinforce the French saying "c'est la vie."

Skip It: If you're an ambitious workaholic who rarely smiles because this one movie will just irk you to death and you'll think you've just wasted two hours of your time.

Brideshead Revisited

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: July 25, 2008

DVD Release Date: January 13, 2009

Plot 411: A tale of forbidden love and lost innocence and the power of faith, fate and destiny.

Review: This film was about the eye-opening experience a middle class boy has when he goes away to Oxford. It's about the people he meets and falls in love with, the power of religion and the separation of the classes. It's difficult to describe as a whole because it's so layered. At times the movie focuses on lost innocence and this film becomes a coming of age story in the early 1900s. At other times the theme is focused tightly on class differences and the lure that aristocracy has on those who aren't born into it. Still other points of the film questions the idea of faith and religion and how it can overwhelm you if you let it become your sole focus in life. Even more powerful is the psychological analysis of how a family is affected when its matriarch is single-minded in her pursuit to teach her children religion. The family dynamic is completely strained and the children resent and almost hate their mother. She is controlling and overpowering but does it all with good intentions. Both sides suffer yet don't see that they too cause suffering in the other. In addition to all this complexity there is, of course, the wonderful English countryside and a gigantic mansion of a home. There is beautiful artwork and the costumes are really superb. Starring in this film are Matthew Goode, Ben Whishaw, Hayley Atwell, Emma Thompson and Michael Gambon.

Watch It: For a highly complex drama about friendship, love and family.

Skip It: If you're already balking at the idea of another period piece set in Britain.

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Confessions Of A Shopaholic

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: February 13, 2009

DVD Release Date: June 23, 2009

Plot 411: Becky is trying to make it as a fashion journalist. She has all the fashion cred that a steep credit card debt can give her too. Will her devotion to fashion pay off before the bill collectors collect?

Review: Seriously, what was the director thinking when he put moving mannequins in a film who didn't come alive like Kim Cattrall (in Mannequin)? What a waste of film . . . or digital film, whatever. Another thing that bothered me was that they transplanted this obviously British chick lit book to New York as did the people who made P.S. I Love You (Ireland to N.Y.C.). Must everything be Americanized for us Americans? It's as if Hollywood doesn't think we're capable of following a simple plot if it's in an accented language. I don't think the movie comes across quite as effectively as the book. Even Suz, Becky's best friends, isn't half as quirky as I pictured her in my mind while reading the book. While Isla Fisher is definitely funny, this movie doesn't make use of her at all. She made a bigger impact in Wedding Crashers as a supporting character than she does in this movie as the lead. One good thing though is that I think we've just found a Hugh Grant for the next generation in Hugh Dancy. He's got the same bouncy hair, the boyish good looks and a subtle humor that is so British.

Watch It: If you think you'll enjoy a light-hearted comedy starring the lovely Isla Fisher, minus the crazy she had in Wedding Crashers.

Skip It: If you've already read the book. This will be a definite disappointment.

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Maurice

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 18, 1987

DVD Release Date: February 24, 2004

Plot 411: A young man confronts, indulges and accepts his homosexuality in early 1900 England.

Review: Based on a book of the same name by E.M. Forster, this movie follows a young man's journey into adulthood and his gradual acceptance of his sexuality. It is amazing to me that Forster wrote this book in about 1913 and that, I must assume, it depicts homosexuality of that time accurately. To be gay and be so confined and restrained due to society and laws is almost unthinkable today. Yes, there may still be people whose views of sexuality in general mimic those of the early 20th century, but for the most part society accepts people of all shapes, sizes, colors and lifestyles. This movie really puts a face on people who lived 100 years ago and of the strict structure in England. James Wilby plays the title role while Hugh Grant and Rupert Graves support. The emotional turmoil the characters feel is quite evident in the actors' faces despite the prim and proper way of life during this time. Overall, I thought the plot was really engaging and that there should be more coming-of-age films like this one - gay and straight.

Watch It: For a British period piece that deals with 20th century social qualms.

Skip It: If frontal nudity and same-sex kissing upsets you. There seems to be more kissing in this one than in Brokeback Mountain, however, it's less intense.

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Love Actually

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: November 7, 2003

DVD Release Date: April 27, 2004

Plot 411: A vignette of every possible situation in which love occurs.

Review: This is my all-time favorite romantic comedy because the movie touches on so many different versions and meanings of love. As in life, not every story ends happily. Some are bittersweet. Some are downright sad. It's one of the most realistic rom coms out there. Also, this movie is truly made up of an ensemble cast:

Colin Firth - His awkwardness plays well in this film and seems to be amplified somehow.
Laura Linney - She is so, so good in this film that she'll make you cry.
Hugh Grant - Despite playing the prime minister, he somehow manages to still be the same goofy guy he is in every movie. Most people would fault him for this but I adore him still.
Emma Thompson - Her storyline is difficult but there's such a great song tied to her. It's heart-wrenchingly melancholy.
Liam Neeson - He plays a single father of a child that is not his. Tough, tough role but does a great job.
Kiera Knightley - Although I don't care for her much, some of you might. The storyline involving her is so romantic and bittersweet that it breaks my heart every time I watch the movie.
Rodrigo Santoro - One word: HOT! And no, he doesn't look like he did in 300.

Watch It: For a vastly different sort of romantic comedy than you're used to.

Skip It: If multiple storylines confuse you. Everyone is related to someone else in this film.

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How To Lose Friends & Alienate People

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 3, 2008

DVD Release Date: March 16, 2009

Plot 411: A British hack gets hired for a leading American magazine and tries to adjust to being in a new echelon of journalistic hierarchy.

Review: You can never go wrong with Simon Pegg, never. Pegg plays Sidney Young, a struggling pap trying to conive his way into celebrity functions to get the dirt and swing with celebs. When he's hired across the pond, he finally thinks he's made it big but soon discovers the shiny life of stars could be out of his reach. Pegg is completely and utterly likeable, even when he constantly spouts sexist remarks or acts like a jerk. I think there are few actors out there that can do this and still have the audience rooting for them. Playing opposite of Pegg is Kirsten Dunst, another actress that I just can't seem to really like. She's fine in this role and actually has some great comebacks to Pegg's often wild antics. Pegg and Dunst seem to connect well on screen though, which makes the romantic angle a bit easier to swallow. However, Pegg really is the focal point of this film and probably is the appealing thing in it. Well, unless you're in love with Megan Fox.

Watch It: For classic Pegg humor. He's seems to be back in top form, especially the flop that was Run Fatboy Run.

Skip It: If you don't get British humor. This movie was made by Brits.

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The Duchess

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 19, 2008

DVD Release Date: December 28, 2008

Plot 411: An aristocratic teen weds the Duke of Devonshire and embarks on journey toward adulthood.

Review: Normally I really dislike Keira Knightley particularly for her screeching, whiney voice. However, I think she did really well in this film as Georgiana, the duchess of Devonshire. She portrayed the duchess as an innocent girl who was excited to wed such a powerful and handsome man. The transition from this innocent teen to wise woman is pretty dramatic and Knightley really does deserve some kudos for it. The many injustices that she faced thoroughly enraged me. There were many a time when I shouted "just leave him already" to the screen. Of course, that is completely illogical considering the time was the 18th century when women had no rights at all. Ralph Fiennes was completely dispicable as William, the duke of Devonshire. Even when he manages to show a little remorse for the error of his ways, I still hated him. And I suppose that's what good actors do. They make you invest your emotions in the characters they portray. Well done. As far as historical accuracy, I have no clue if they got it right or not. I did enjoy the costumes and picturesque nature shots though. It's definitely intriguing to think that this movie is based on truth. Georgiana really was lightyears ahead of her time.

Watch It: For a sneak peek at the lives of 18th century aristocrats.

Skip It: If frou-frou dresses and corsets or guys wearing tights isn't your thing. And no, there's not duels or sword fighting like in The Three Musketeers.

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Me Without You

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: July 5, 2002

DVD Release Date: June 17, 2003

Plot 411: Two British girls experience life together as BFFs who become toxic to each other.

Review: This was a really good movie because it's probably one of the few that really shows how vicious and catty girls can be. Despite believing themselves to be best friends, the two girls (Anna Friel and Michelle Williams) constantly hurt each other for a variety of reasons. It reveals their insecurities and jealousies and shows the complexities of transforming from a child to an adult. It really displays the struggles girls go through to find their own identities and how competitive we are without even really knowing it.

Watch It: If you grew up in the 70s and 80s (because that's when this movie is set) in a sex, drugs and bad wave music era or have a BFF you just can't live without. This movie'll make you rethink your friendship or get your ass into therapy.

Skip It: If you're already seeing a shrink because it'll give you more issues than its worth.

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Death At A Funeral

Rated: R

Movie Release Date: August 17, 2007

DVD Release Date: February 26, 2008

Plot 411: Shenanigans occur as family and friends gather at a funeral and a deep, dark secret is revealed.

Review: This was a really good British comedy. If you don't normally like Brit comedies, this one might grab ya. There were so many times I literally laughed out loud and felt like a complete dork. (I watched it by myself and live in an apartment with thin walls. I can't imagine what the neighbors thought.) As usual, there was a lot of wry British humor, especially since the movie was situated almost entirely at the funeral. However, there was also physical humor and just really smart lines throughout the entire thing. Most importantly, it showed the family's dynamics. I think a lot of people can relate to them in some way, and this is where the humor definitely shines through.

Watch It: If you enjoy witty British humor or want to give it a try.

Skip It: If you can't be bothered by movies that are dialogue heavy.

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