Movies, Lots of Movies

I've watched a ton of flicks lately. Enough so that at times it feels like I should get of my ass and reopen the Domain as a movie review site... But then I get bored of the idea and come back here, so I may as well just write about it them here:

The Village

M. Night crafts a world in the late 1800s where men are men and creatures stalk the night. Or at least, the woods around a fairly stereotypical 1800s village. The biggest flaw with the movie is that, like all of M. Night's creations, it's a twist flick. You build up and build up and build up to a twist that makes you go "ooooh," except that, by the fourth time, it's more of an "eh, been there." Doesn't help that the whole movie leading up to the twist is boring enough that I nearly passed out at regular 5 minute intervals. Doesn't help also that anyone with half a brain can figure out the twist. It's really just a sci-fi twist that's been done before from different angles. Hope i didn't kill it for anyone. A meh movie.

Jersey Girl

Kevin Smith's first movie not part of his on-going (and recently restarted) New Jersey saga, it's actually a fairly formulaic affair. Ben Affleck is an asshole (no big surprise there), and a publicist (so he kisses the ass of the press). He gets a girl, gets married, and has a kid... and the wife dies during childbirth. Then, Ben loses is job when he's an asshole to the press. Ooops. So now Ben has to raise his girl and learn what life's all about. It's been done before, but it's handled fairly well by Kevin Smith. It isn't a reinvention of the genre by any standard, but it's not a complete waste of an hour. You'll feel a little moved, and you'll end up liking most of the characters, eventually even Ben. So, eh, could have been way worse.

Win a Date with Tad Hamilton

Almost fell bad writing about this puff movie. Again, not a reinvention of the genre. You know within the first 10 minutes who the leading lady with end up with: Topher Grace (Eric on That 70's Show). The movie is powered by Topher, who's got great comedic delivery. This is the kind of Part Topher is fantastic at playing. As for the rest of the flick, while fairly formulaic, they at least make the other guy likable. My only real beef is I hate the leading lady's character. Topher is supposed to be in love with her, but she's such a complete moron I don't see what he sees. That's not good. But eh, it's puff and decently fun to watch.