YOU AGAIN (2010)

Directed By: Andy Flickman
Written By: Moe Jelline
Cinematography: David Hennings 
Editor: David Rennie And Keith Brachman

Cast: Kristen Bell, Odette Annable, Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis, Victor Garber, Betty White, James Wolk, Kristin Chenowith, Kyle Bornheimer, Christine Lakin, Patrick Duffy

When a young woman realizes her brother is about to marry the girl who bullied her in high school, she sets out to expose the fiancée’s true colors.


There was once upon a time when studios were still making romantic comedies and they kept casting Kristen bell in these movies even though I knew them not to be my particular cup of tea. I kept watching them as I am a fan of hers. At least this film has a stacked cast of names 

This is what I would call disposable cinema. As it is good in the moment and easily forgettable. Never leave too much of a lasting Impression. It’s good at the moment when you need to see something new. 

Now if anything one would hope that this film inspires not to make such simple films. Unless the mediocre is what inspired some. The film shows the talent of the actors. Who tries to make the thin material work.

The film seems like a holdover from the 1980s when there were a lot of these types of disposable entertainment hyped up. Films that had simple premises. Though somehow some of them were able to carry some kind of identity for themselves. By either the talent in front of or behind the camera. 

Director Andy Flickman knows how to make things look excellent and appealing.

The cast list has some surprisingly big male talent for a film that seems more like a paycheck only for most.

It’s nice to see a film like this as it has a good spirit and good intentions. It does what it sets out to do, not subtlety. Yet it’s elementary but I think you know that going in. So you can’t hold it totally against the film.

The acting in the flashback sections of the film is bad. As it comes off as too over the top but also just bad.

Most of the cast know better and have done better films and work but both of the female leads Kristen Bell and Odette Annabale need better roles offered to them. As these roles might look good and maybe even easy on paper. It might even be a surprise hit and up their star power, but most likely it will leave them open to making this same kind of similar film. It would be ok if they had little to no talent but they have proven that they do. 

GRADE: D+

RUNNING WITH SCISSORS (2006)

runningwithWritten & Directed By: Ryan Murphy
Based on The Memoir By: Augusten Burroughs
Cinematography: Christopher Baffa
Editor: Byron Smith 


Cast: Joseph Cross, Evan Rachel Wood, Brian Cox, Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Annette Bening, Jill Clayburgh, Patrick Wilson, Alec Baldwin, Gabrielle Union, Kristin Chenoweth, Dagmara Domincyzk, Colleen Camp 


The story of how a boy was abandoned by his mother and how he, later, abandoned her. The year he’ll be 14, the parents of Augusten Burroughs divorce, and his mother, who thinks of herself as a fine poet on the verge of fame, delivers him to the eccentric household of her psychiatrist, Dr. Finch. During that year, Augusten avoids school, keeps a journal, and practices cosmetology. His mother’s mental illness worsens, he takes an older lover, he finds friendship with Finch’s younger daughter, and he’s the occasional recipient of gifts from an unlikely benefactor. Can he survive to come of age?


Continue reading “RUNNING WITH SCISSORS (2006)”

THE BOY NEXT DOOR (2015)

boynext

Directed By: Rob Cohen
Written By: Barbara Curry
Cinematography By: Dave McFarland
Editor: Michel Aller 


Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman, John Corbett, Kristin Chenowith, Ian Nelson, Hill Harper


When a handsome, charming teenager named Noah moves in next door, newly separated high-school teacher Claire Peterson encourages his friendship and engages in a little bit of harmless (or so she thinks) flirtation. Although Noah spends much of the time hanging out with Claire’s son, the teen’s attraction to her is palpable. One night, Claire gives in to temptation and lets Noah seduce her, but when she tries to end the relationship, he turns violent.

Continue reading “THE BOY NEXT DOOR (2015)”