What you should rent this week, and what you shouldn't
Heather Provost
Whatever your plans are for this week, put them on hold, because it's time to take a break and rent some movies. Not sure what to pick or skip? As always, make sure you check in with Heather before you hit your closest Blockbuster. Last week, she recommended "Mad Money" and urged you to stay away from that Paris Hilton fiasco, and today, Heather takes a look at a political satire and a romantic comedy.
As usual, we encourage you to share your thoughts on these suggestions, and if you ever have doubts about renting a specific flick Heather hasn't reviewed yet, let us know, and she'll be glad to inspect it for you. But for now, enjoy her take on a charimsatic congressman and desperate bridesmaid.
Get it: "Charlie Wilson's War"
This is what it is: Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) conspires with a rogue CIA operative (Philip Seymour Hoffman) to aid Afghan rebels in their fight against the Soviets. Julia Roberts co-stars in this fact-based political thriller directed by Mike Nichols and based on George Crile's book.
My always strong and quite often, brilliant opinion: Okay, so after the first 20 minutes of this film, my mother got up and said, "I can't take this anymore, I'm completely lost, I have no idea what's going on, and I'd rather go to bed." It was about 8 p.m. And she did just that; she went to bed. HAHA. So I thought for sure this was gonna be my "skip it" this week. But I hung in there, and I'm glad I did, because I ended up liking this film. You know how I love those movies based on true stories.
Tom Hanks is very very good. He definitely captures the apathetic essence of the congressman. Not my favorite role of his, but he brings his Tom Hanks charisma to it, and turns in a solid performance. He always does, as far as I'm concerned. Oh wait, I'm not including that one movie about him and his little volleyball friend, who happened to share the congressman's last name. I hated everything about that one. But aside from that, his role as Charlie Wilson is a good one. His character makes a huge transformation, and it's great to see this change of dynamic. What a talent. I'd watch him in anything.
Aaron Sorkin's writing is perfect for Philip Seymour Hoffman. You know, that very cerebral "I think I'm so smart and witty" kind of dialogue. Not that I don't like this kind of dialogue and banter, but you really have to focus and go to your "smart place" to grasp the brilliance of it. Because most times, it is brilliant. As long as you're focused. Otherwise, it can leave you with a big, "Um, huh?!"
Julia Roberts is horrendous in this. I found her "Texas Christian" about as believable as some presidential candidate's recent remarks that the people of this country are better off now than they were eight years ago. Yeah I said it. Unbelievable, and almost insulting. Her accent is absolutely atrocious and distracting. Augh. Just bad. And I usually like her. When she's doing that one character she always does. She's completely miscast in this.
You really have to stick it out with this one. Like I said earlier, it seems a daunting task at first... but trust me, the payoff is worth it. It paints a very real picture, and one that all Americans should see. Perhaps a lesson or two could be learned? Nah, the ones in need of the actual lessons are never the ones seeing this stuff.
This is not one of my all-time favorite movies, but it's definitely worth seeing. Charlie Wilson is quoted as saying (in reference to our involvement in helping Afghanistan defeat the Russians) that "we f**ked up the end game." This film plays its end game masterfully.
The final word: Because I snacked on my favorite Chewy Sprees candies while viewing this, I will give it 3 1/2 Chewy Sprees out of 5. Oh, those red ones are so good... why do they even bother making the green flavor? Yes, "green" is now a flavor.
Skip it: "27 Dresses"
This is what it is: Jane (Katherine Heigl) is tired of being a perpetual bridesmaid - she's helped 27 friends tie the knot, for crying out loud. She finds herself in a nightmare as her younger sister (Malin Akerman) announces her engagement to the guy Jane secretly adores. But then Jane meets the charming Kevin (James Marsden). Will she beat her sibling to the altar? Will I even give a rat's ass if she does? Oh, wait, this isn't the opinion section yet.
My always strong and quite often, brilliant opinion: Augh. Just skip it.
I was excited to see this one. I am a big fan of romantic comedies; when there's actual comedy. Who decided Katherine Heigl should be a star? I mean, really. Her performance is flat and boring in this, just like in everything else. CharismaLESS! And if the script isn't strong enough on its own, and it's relying on its actors to make it something really special, well, then we're all screwed. And by we, I mean the audience.
I had heard this movie was so funny and great. Really?! I was so disappointed. I kept waiting for it to improve, but it just never did. I didn't care about ANY of the relationships, I didn't root for anyone, nor did I sympathize with any of them. I felt like the ego of this film was huge, with nothing to back it up. Or maybe that was just Heigl's ego I was picking up on. The two words that kept coming to mind: "who cares?"
James Marsden, however, is very likeable. He has a knack for that. But for me, that was pretty much the only likeable thing about this film. Nothing touching, nothing funny... nothing but 27 damn dresses. Who cares?
The final word: Because I snacked on my favorite Chewy Sprees candies while viewing this, I will give it 2 Chewy Sprees out of 5. One "yellow" flavor. And one "green" flavor. You should all know by now how I feel about THOSE flavors. Augh.
Article by Heather Provost
Reader Comments (1)
Okay, I think I am Heather's biggest fan. I love reading these reviews every week-funny and fun to read. She always has a way of describing something in a way that you never really thought of but once she pinpoints it you're like, oh yeah, of course (i.e. Aaron Sorkin's writing, lol). I saw Wilson's War and thought the same thing. What would have been different in Afghanistan if we had followed up our efforts there? And once again she took the bullet and I can skip 27 dresses. Keep them coming, Heather. Love it.