INSOMNIAC SONG
MOVIE AND TELEVISION REVIEWS
ROMANTIC COMEDY
Friends with Benefits (2011)
Starring: Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson, Woody Harrelson, Jenna Elfman
Directed by: Will Gluck
Rating: R
Run time: 109 minutes
Synopsis: While trying to avoid the clichés of Hollywood romantic comedies, Dylan and Jamie soon discover however that adding the act of sex to their friendship does lead to complications.
Like another movie that came out a few months earlier with a similarly cute brunette, Friends with Benefits tries to accomplish a charming view of sexual friendships. While some of the jokes seem overly done and the story is cliched, there are some redeeming factors about this film. Mila Kunis is as cute as ever as Jamie. The spotlight is stolen however by Patricia Clarkson as her mother and Woody Harrelson as Dylan's gay coworker. Take this one as something light to watch when you're looking for a romantic comedy.
Rating: 2.5/5
ROMANTIC COMEDY
He's Just Not That Into You (2009)
Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Kevin Connolly, Scarlett Johansson, Bradly Cooper, Justin Long, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, Drew Barrymoore, Ben Affleck
Directed by: Ken Kwapis
Rating: PG-13
Run time: 129 minutes
Synopsis: In Baltimore, five women and four men try to sort out the signals that the sexes exchange. Gigi imagines every man she meets is Mr. Right; she gets reality checks from Alex, a sweet but cynical saloon keeper. Janine and Ben seem solidly married until he chats with Anna in a market checkout line; meanwhile Anna is indifferent to the pursing Connor. Neil and Beth have been together seven years; she dumps him when she realizes he really and truly isn't going to marry her. Does he love her? And Mary sells advertising while searching online for a man. Will those in love stay in love? Will those searching figure out who is and who isn't into them? Are men all that different from women?
This movie revolves around the principle that all relationships fall into a predetermined pattern. Men lie and manipulate. Women are needy and vulnerable. The only redeeming quality for me is Ginnifer Goodwin's endearing cuteness as she goes from one bad relationship to another. While I wouldn't change the channel if it was on, I wouldn't seek out watching this movie again either.
Rating: 2/5
COMEDY
R.I.P.D (2013)
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Mary-Louise Parker
Directed by: Robert Schwentke
Rating: PG-13
Run time: 96 minutes
Synopsis: A recently slain cop joins a team of undead police officers working for the Rest in Peace Department and tries to find the man who murdered him.
If you look at R.I.P.D as a comedy parody of things like Men in Black meets Dead like Me crossed with Ghostbusters, then it's not a completely terrible film. The biggest failure for me seemed to be Ryan Reynolds and his character. He's such an unlikeable ass for most of the film. The other actors do their jobs rather effectively. Jeff Bridges steals the scenes that he's in with his cowboy act. Often I ended up feeling as if Rooster Cogburn has suddenly shown up. Give it a try if you want something campy and predictable. Ultimately, try out the Dark Horse comic that this is based on.
Rating: 2/5