Did You Hear About The Morgans?

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: December 18, 2009

DVD Release Date: March 16, 2010

Plot 411: Separated couple Meryl and Paul Morgan witness a murder and are put into the witness protection program.

Review: Meryl (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Paul (Hugh Grant) are a high-power New York couple who have been separated for several months due to Paul's one night stand. He has tried to win Meryl back but has been unsuccessful. After a night out where they an attempt to patch things up, the couple witness the murder of one of Meryl's clients. They are temporarily placed in protective custody in Ray, Wyoming until separate accommodations can be arranged. Here they are forced to work out their marital problems. This sounds like the plot of a murder mystery or suspense thriller, but it's really a rom com in disguise . . . or not. Parker is pretty much revisiting her character from Sex In The City - a sophisticated New Yorker who is an optimist when it comes to love. Grant reprises his role again (and yes, I do me "role" singularly). Has he ever played someone other than the funny and slightly awkward British dude? If you can overlook this, the movie is pretty much par for the course. I mean, it's not belly-aching funny but it has its moments. This is mostly due to Grant. Perfect characters in this film are Emma (Mary Steenburgen) and Clay (Sam Elliott), the law enforcement officers who look after Paul and Meryl in Wyoming. They are superbly cast. I love them in these roles.

Watch It: But don't expect too much from it. It's just a mediocre rom com.

Skip It: And watch Something's Gotta Give for a more mature rom com that's twice as funny and definitely got a better script.

Life As A House

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 26, 2001

DVD Release Date: March 26, 2002

Plot 411: A man learns that he has terminal cancer and reassesses his relationship with his family.

Review: Kevin Kline is George, a model maker for an architectural firm who is let go after 20 years of service. Mere steps from the door, he collapses and is diagnosed with terminal cancer at the hospital. He vows to reexamine his life and amend the relationships that he has let slip away throughout the years. The most important relationship he hopes to reestablish is the one with his son Sam (Hayden Christensen). Sam is an angry teen rebelling against any and every kind of authority. He doesn't acknowledge his mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) or his stepfather (Jamey Sheridan) and gets into all kinds of drugs. This movie was interesting because it deconstructed the stereotypical OC family to reveal authentic issues that all families face. I liked how it told universal truths and addressed a difficult coming-of-age story. I gotta say that I actually liked Christensen with the blue hair, piercings and major 'tude. Also featured in this film are Mary Steenburgen, Jena Malone, Scott Bakula and Ian Somerhalder.

Watch It: For pretty amazing performances by Kline and Christensen.

Skip It: Because it's a bit slow the entire time and there are bits that don't transition smoothly.

Four Christmases

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: November 26, 2008

DVD Release Date: November 24, 2009

Plot 411: When all outgoing flights are canceled, Brad and Kate must spend Christmas visiting each of their divorced parents.

Review: Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) have had a tradition of vacationing somewhere tropical during the holidays ever since they first met. The long-time couple both agree that avoiding their respective families is the best for everyone. By doing so, they do not need to experience the chaotic and sometimes embarrassing scenes that occur during the holidays. However, when a thick fog cancels all flights out of San Francisco, they are forced to visit their families and endure a day of four Christmas celebrations. The continuous family time and holiday cheer affects each of them differently and in the end, they learn more about themselves than they ever thought possible. This is a cute film to enjoy during the holidays. It makes you realize that your own family isn't quite as nuts as you thought they were. Vaughn and Witherspoon are okay as a couple, but I think the chemistry between Jennifer Aniston and Vaughn in The Breakup was a lot more real (probably because it was real). Despite this, I think there were a ton of laughs in this movie that came with all the family drama that Brad and Kate have been trying to avoid. Everyone can relate to the craziness of the holidays, and this film seems to capitalize on this concept. I really loved the San Francisco background and liked that the families didn't live within the city like the couple did. Rarely is the surrounding areas of a large city featured in movies so this is a good chance to advertise the suburbs and towns around the Bay area. Brad and Kate's parents are played by Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight and Mary Steenburgen. Jon Favreau also makes an appearance as Brad's brother. He is hilarious as always.

Watch It: With a cup of hot chocolate in your hands and thank the lord your family is "normal."

Skip It: Because Vaughn is looking quite chunky in this movie. Is that the price of success?

The Proposal

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 19, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: When faced with a denied visa and a deporation notice, editor-in-chief Margaret Tate takes drastic measures to remain at the top of the publishing industry.

Review: Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds have great chemistry in this romantic comedy about a devil of a boss Margaret Tate and her dedicated assistant Andrew Paxton. Margaret is a career-driven publishing exec and her entire office walks on eggshells around her. They openly IM each other warning of the witch's presence. But when Margaret announces her engagement to Andrew to avoid a year's long exile to her home country of Canada, everyone, including Andrew, is stunned. However, he decides to see this fake marriage through to the end because she has the power to make or break his career. However, when the immigration official tells them that they'll be quizzed about their relationship, the two take their act all the way to Alaska for Andrew's grandmother's 90th birthday party. Reynolds' silver-tongued quips really bring humor the show and add to the physical comedy for which Bullock is known. Together they're a pretty intereting duo. While this rom com isn't groundbreaking by any means, it does reflect society's growing trend of older women with younger men. Alaska's scenery is truly beautiful. Other notable performances come from Craig T. Nelson, Andrew's dad; Mary Steenburgen, Andrew's mom; and Betty White, Andrew's grandma. Also, this is the first movie I've seen Malin Akerman in where she is playing the plain Jane character and not some spoiled little rich girl or a sex kitten.

Watch It: For a typical Sandra Bullock flick that molds slapstick comedy and tender romantic moments together.

Skip It: Because it doesn't really break any barriers or address new motives.