Movie Review: "Larry Crowne"

Seen on: July 1, 2011

The players: Director: Tom Hanks, Writers: Tom Hanks, Nia Vardalos Cast: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Rob Riggle, Sarah Mahoney

Fact of interest: Nia Vardalos appears in the film as the voice of Julia Roberts' GPS.

The plot: Retail salesman Larry Crowne (Hanks) is forced to reinvent himself by going back to college after being laid off.

Our thoughts: "Larry Crowne" is possibly the first mainstream film released dealing with effects of our economic downturn and what happens to the thousands of individuals who have been laid off as a result of it. Coming off the heels of critical darlings like "Up in the Air" and "Company of Men," which deal with the same material in very dramatic and serious ways, "Larry Crowne" has the particular challenge of presenting rather dark material in a wide-audience, family-friendly way.

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Movie Review: “My Life in Ruins”

Seen on: June 6, 2009

The players: Director: Donald Petrie, Writer: Mike Reiss, Cast: Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, Harland Williams, Rachel Dratch, Caroline Goodall

Facts of interest: Donald Petrie also directed "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days."

The plot: Georgia is a desperate tour guide who has trouble entertaining her group of eccentric tourists.

Our thoughts: Sure, Nia Vardalos is a talented, charming actress, but she has no business being in Donald Petrie’s disastrous comedy “My Life in Ruins.” A movie with a main thematic as ancient as the architectural treasures of Greece, this big-screen trip is one you should skip at all costs… unless you fancy a simplistic plot with bad humor and absolutely no surprises.

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