Hope Springs (Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell) in Theatres on August 22, 2012

Hope Springs (2012)

Audience
Rating: 3.6/5
Liked the Movie: 69% (n=11,235)

Critics
Rating: 3.4/5
Reviews Counted: 75% (n=110)


Reviews

"Led by a pair of mesmerizing performances from Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones, Hope Springs offers filmgoers some grown-up laughs -- and a thoughtful look at mature relationships." - rottentomatoes.com

"Director to Jones: "Just be yourself." Works for me. Master class in acting from the two leads." - Richard Roeper, richardroeper.com

"A surprise that sneaks up and moves you, "Hope Springs" has the courage of its awkwardness, and this is said admiringly in the spirit of the film, which is irony-free and unfashionably earnest." - Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

"Yes, this is the fascinating stuff, a rare (in pop culture) look at the complex nature of the love-sex equation -- when it's too direct, when it's too vague, when it breaks down completely." - Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

"If the film doesn't really explore the pain and bitterness of this marriage, it's still leagues ahead of most such attempts." - Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

"It's gratifying to see a movie that doesn't have anything to do with superheroics or the end of the world, merely ordinary heroics of the human heart." - Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

"It will make you want to go home and have sex with your spouse afterward. Or at least share a longer hug or a more passionate kiss." - Christy Lemire, Associated Press


Movie Info

Kay (Meryl Streep) and Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones) are a devoted couple, but decades of marriage have left Kay wanting to spice things up and reconnect with her husband. When she hears of a renowned couple's specialist (Steve Carell) in the small town of Great Hope Springs, she attempts to persuade her skeptical husband, a steadfast man of routine, to get on a plane for a week of marriage therapy. Just convincing the stubborn Arnold to go on the retreat is hard enough - the real challenge for both of them comes as they shed their bedroom hang-ups and try to re-ignite the spark that caused them to fall for each other in the first place. -- (C) Sony

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 1 hr. 40 min.

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Directed By: David Frankel

Written By: Vanessa Taylor

Distributed By: Sony Pictures

Cast
Meryl Streep (Kay)
Tommy Lee Jones (Arnold)
Steve Carell (Doctor Feld)
Ben Rappaport (Brad their son)
Jean Smart (Eileen Kay's friend)
Elisabeth Shue (Karen the bartender)
Mimi Rogers (Carol the neighbor)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Total Recall (Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel) in Theatres on August 22, 2012

Total Recall (2012)

Audience
Rating: 3.2/5
Liked the Movie: 48% (n=53,587)

Critics
Rating: 2.6/5
Liked the Movie: 31% (n=149)


Reviews

"If you share its desire for straight adrenaline, the ride works." - Tom Long, Detroit News

"While it boasts some impressive action sequences, Total Recall lacks the intricate plotting, wry humor, and fleshed out characters that made the original a sci-fi classic." - rottentomatoes.com

"Casting and visuals are an upgrade, but we get far too many action sequences and not enough of the mind games." - Richard Roeper, richardroeper.com

"It's big and it's loud, but ultimately not much more than that." - Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

"One of the great advantages of remaking a movie is being given the opportunity to correct problems - something not attempted here." - James Berardinelli, ReelViews

"The Total Recall reboot is a futuristic fiasco, two hours you'll never get back - and every minute is a bad memory." - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone


Movie Info

Welcome to Rekall, the company that can turn your dreams into real memories. For a factory worker named Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell), even though he's got a beautiful wife (Kate Beckinsale) who he loves, the mind-trip sounds like the perfect vacation from his frustrating life - real memories of life as a super-spy might be just what he needs. But when the procedure goes horribly wrong, Quaid becomes a hunted man. Finding himself on the run from the police - controlled by Chancellor Cohaagen (Bryan Cranston), the leader of the free world - Quaid teams up with a rebel fighter (Jessica Biel) to find the head of the underground resistance (Bill Nighy) and stop Cohaagen. -- (C) Sony

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hr. 1 min.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Len Wiseman

Written By: Kurt Wimmer

Distributed By: Sony Pictures

Cast
Colin Farrell (Douglas Quaid)
Kate Beckinsale (Lori Quaid)
Bryan Cranston (Cohaagen, Vilos Cohaagen)
Jessica Biel (Melina)
Bill Nighy (Kuato, Matthias, Quatto)
Bokeem Woodbine (Harry)
John Cho (McClane)
Will Yun Lee (Marek)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

The Amazing Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Sally Field) in Theatres on June 29, 2012

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Hazel's
Comment: A movie I'm definitely going to watch on the big screen! It's awesome that there are scenes wherein you could feel like you're Spider-Man since it's shot on his perspective. Can't wait when it swings to theatres real soon...

Audience
Like to See the Movie: 91% (n=232,426)


Movie Info

The Amazing Spider-Man is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance - leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero. -- (C) Sony

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Marc Webb

Written By: Steve Ditko, Stan Lee, James Vanderbilt

Distributed By: Sony Pictures

Cast
Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker / Spider-Man)
Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy)
Rhys Ifans (Dr. Curt Connors)
Sally Field (Aunt May / May Parker)
Denis Leary (Captain Stacy)
Martin Sheen (Ben Parker / Uncle Ben)
Campbell Scott (Richard Parker)
Irfan Khan (Dr. Ratha / Van Adder)
Annie Parisse (Mrs. Van Adder)
Julianne Nicholson (Mary Parker)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Bad Teacher (Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake) in Theatres on August 31, 2011

Bad Teacher (2011)

Audience
Rating: 3/5
Like the Movie: 41% (n=56,201)

Critics
Rating: 2.7/5
Like the Movie: 45% (n=166)


Reviews

"Hard to root for such a selfish lead, but "Bad Teacher" has just enough politically incorrect humor to warrant a grade of B." - Richard Roeper, richardroeper.com

"In spite of a promising concept and a charmingly brazen performance from Cameron Diaz, Bad Teacher is never as funny as it should be." - rottentomatoes.com

"Diaz performs with gusto, but the screenplay doesn't give her many funny things to say." - Eric Snider, film.com

"If you're looking for a funny comedy about a cynical, hard-partying school teacher transformed by his students into a paragon of pedagogical awesomeness, skip Bad Teacher and go rent School of Rock instead." - Dana Stevens, Slate

""Bad Teacher" immediately brings "Bad Santa" to mind and suffers by the comparison." - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

"Everyone loves an anti-hero, but usually there's something redeeming about the character that makes you want to root for them in the end. Not so much in Bad Teacher." - Adam Graham, Detroit News

"Bad Teacher is a promising concept in need of more promising material." - Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

"The best lines were harvested for the trailer -- so if you've seen that, you've seen it all." - Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle


Movie Info

Some teachers just don't give an F. For example, there's Elizabeth (Cameron Diaz). She's foul-mouthed, ruthless, and inappropriate. She drinks, she gets high, and she can't wait to marry her meal ticket and get out of her bogus day job. When she's dumped by her fiancé, she sets her plan in motion to win over a rich, handsome substitute (Justin Timberlake) - competing for his affections with an overly energetic colleague, Amy (Lucy Punch). When Elizabeth also finds herself fighting off the advances of a sarcastic, irreverent gym teacher (Jason Segel), the consequences of her wild and outrageous schemes give her students, her coworkers, and even herself an education like no other. -- (C) Sony Pictures

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 hr. 31 min.

Genre: Comedy

Directed By: Jake Kasdan

Written By: Gene Stupnitsky, Lee Eisenberg

Distributor: Sony Pictures

Cast
Cameron Diaz (Elizabeth)
Justin Timberlake (Scott Delacorte)
Jason Segel (Russell Gettis)
John Michael Higgins (Principal Wally Snur)
Molly Shannon (Melody)
Lucy Punch (Amy Squirrel)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Burlesque (Cher, Christina Aguilera) in Theatres on February 2, 2011

Burlesque

Hazel's
Rating: 3/5
Review: Awesome vocals by Christina Aguilera and nice routines but the story is cliche and predictable. Kristen Bell portrayed a weak rival in the movie. The songs are just okay, nothing spectacular.

Audience
Average Rating: 3.8/5
Like the Movie: 71% (n=46,411)

Critics
Average Rating: 2.4/5
Like the Movie: 37% (n=140)


Reviews

"It's more hallucination than story, but hey, If you think of it as a slightly deranged long music video divathon it can be a lot of fun." - Nell Minow, Chicago Sun Times

"Burlesque is a preposterous and intermittently entertaining lesson in how to make a movie musical with a little brains and a lot of talent." - Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

"Campy and clichéd, Burlesque wastes its talented cast (including a better-than-expected Christina Aguilera) on a movie that wavers uncertainly between "bad" and "so bad it's good." - rottentomatoes.com

"The rest of Burlesque plays like an extended version of the "Lady Marmalade" video, with a few contrivances to provide vague conflict." - Christy Lemire, Associated Press

"Instead of leading with what Aguilera does best -- belting, vamping, spotlight hogging -- the movie shoehorns her into a rehashed backstage musical conceit." - Karina Longworth, Village Voice

"Burlesque manages what seemed impossible: It is filled with half-naked dancing girls, yet it's still boring." - Rafer Guzman, Newsday


Movie Info

Genre: Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts

Synopsis: Ali (Christina Aguilera) is a small-town girl with a big voice who escapes hardship and an uncertain future to follow her dreams to LA. After stumbling upon The Burlesque Lounge, a majestic but ailing theater that is home to an inspired musical revue, Ali lands a job as a cocktail waitress from Tess (Cher), the club's proprietor and headliner. Burlesque's outrageous costumes and bold choreography enrapture the young ingenue, who vows to perform there one day. Soon enough, Ali builds a friendship with a featured dancer (Julianne Hough), finds an enemy in a troubled, jealous performer (Kristen Bell), and garners the affection of Jack (Cam Gigandet), a bartender and fellow musician. With the help of a sharp-witted stage manager (Stanley Tucci) and gender-bending host (Alan Cumming), Ali makes her way from the bar to the stage. Her spectacular voice restores The Burlesque Lounge to its former glory, though not before a charismatic entrepreneur (Eric Dane) arrives with an enticing proposal...

Rated: PG-13 for sexual content including several suggestive dance routines, partial nudity, language and some thematic material

Running Time: 1 hr. 40 min.

Distributor: Sony Pictures/Screen Gems

Directed By: Steve Antin

Cast
Cher (Tess)
Christina Aguilera (Ali)
Cam Gigandet (Jack)
Stanley Tucci (Sean)
Kristen Bell (Nikki)
Alan Cumming (Alexis)
Eric Dane (Marcus)
Peter Gallagher (Vince)
Julianne Hough (Georgia)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

"The Green Hornet" (Seth Rogen, Cameron Diaz, Jay Chou) Already in Theatres on January 19, 2011

The Green Hornet

Hazel's
Rating: 2.5/5
Review: "There were some funny scenes but the movie was just okay for me. Cameron Diaz is still gorgeous but looks old already and I think she's too old for the part. Seth Rogen is also the writer of this film. I wish someone else played the Green Hornet. I have a new crush... Kato! =)"

Audience
Average Rating: 3.5/5
Like the Film: 63% (n=47,002)

Critics
Average Rating: 2.6/5
Like the Film: 45% (n=190)


Reviews:

"The movie these guys have come up with is fresh, funny and a bewildering surprise." - Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The film is a blast." - Peter Debrudge, Variety

"I'm pleased to report that the movie is entirely watchable and often pretty fun, in a mishmashed, patchy kind of way. Put that on your poster, Columbia Pictures!" - Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

"There are some nifty things in between the lulls..." - Glenn Kenny, MSN Movies

"Even as a mindless diversion, it's weak." - James Berardinelli, ReelViews

"Is Gondry aware that he's making a film about both white male privilege and sexual harassment in the workplace?" - Dana Stevens, Slate

"The film's only unqualified success is the end title sequence -- because it's genuinely stylish, because it looks like it was shot in genuine 3-D and, most of all, because it's the end." - Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

"It's sporadically entertaining, but The Green Hornet never approaches the surreal heights suggested by a Michel Gondry/Seth Rogen collaboration." - rottentomatoes.com

"The first nearly awful film of 2011." - Richard Roeper.com


Movie Info

Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

Synopsis
"In the 3D action-comedy The Green Hornet, Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) is the son of LA's most prominent and respected media magnate and perfectly happy to maintain a directionless existence on the party scene - until his father (Tom Wilkinson) mysteriously dies, leaving Britt his vast media empire. Striking an unlikely friendship with one of his father's more industrious and inventive employees, Kato (Jay Chou), they see their chance to do something meaningful for the first time in their lives: fight crime. To get close to the criminals, they come up with the perfect cover: they'll pose as criminals themselves. Protecting the law by breaking it, Britt becomes the vigilante The Green Hornet as he and Kato hit the streets. Using all his ingenuity and skill, Kato builds the ultimate in advanced retro weaponry, Black Beauty, an indestructible car equal parts firepower and horsepower. Rolling in a mobile fortress on wheels and striking the bad guys with Kato's clever gadgets, The Green Hornet and Kato quickly start making a name for themselves, and with the help of Britt's new secretary, Lenore Case (Cameron Diaz), they begin hunting down the man who controls LA's gritty underworld: Benjamin Chudnofsky (Christoph Waltz). But Chudnofsky has plans of his own: to swat down The Green Hornet once and for all."

Rated: PG-13 for sequences of violent action, language, sensuality and drug content

Running Time: 1 hr. 48 min.

Distributor: Sony Pictures

Directed By: Michel Gondry

Written By: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Fran Striker, George W. Trendle

Cast
Seth Rogen (Britt Reid/The Green Hornet)
Jay Chou (Kato)
Cameron Diaz (Lenore Case)
Tom Wilkinson (James Reid)
Christoph Waltz (Chudnofsky)
David Harbour (Scanlon)