According to Roger Ebert, there are 21 stars in Valentine’s Day which gives new meaning to “ensemble cast.” Director Gary Marshall explores almost all the possible permutations of love in this commercial bit of movie confection (most of the audience in our theater were couples, mostly young). Julia Roberts commanded the scenes she was in. Ann Hathaway proves once again she’s one of the best actresses in Hollywood as she plays an “Adult Phone Entertainer.” The web of connections between all the cast members is clever with a few surprises. I liked Valentine’s Day, but more importantly my wife really liked it. GRADE: B
I suspect I like the cast, for the most part, better than I’ll like the film.
There’s something for everyone in VALENTINE’S DAY, Todd. With the large cast of stars, it’s like a smorgasbord of a movie.
Sometimes I enjoy watching these types of movies. Sometimes.
Gary Marshall is an old pro who can direct a movie like VALENTINE’S DAY in his sleep, David. This is competent, commercial film-making.
Well, the best thing that can be said is, George scored some points with Diane.
Any movie that stars Ashton Kutcher automatically loses me.
I’m with you on Ashton Kutcher, Jeff. But Gary Marshall keeps Kutcher’s worst tendencies under wraps. However, before VALENTINE’S DAY got started, we were shown a preview of an upcoming Ashton Kutcher/Katherine Heigl movie called KILLERS. Yikes!
You’re a good husband. We saw Edge of Darkness, which someone really hated. I won’t say who.
It’s in my contract that I have to accompany Diane to romantic comedies on a regular basis, Patti. I’ve heard only bad news about EDGE OF DARKNESS and THE WOLFMAN. Looks like we’re in a movie Dead Zone until May.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND could be worth seeing before then, George.
Yes, I’m hoping for great things from ALICE IN 3D, Jeff. But I don’t want to get my hopes up too high. Why is Disney releasing it in the dead of winter instead of May or June? Could be an omen…
Silly us, we watched the Olympics yesterday.
We watched the Olympics on and off until it was time to go to dinner at our favorite restaurant, Rick. The restaurant was nicely decorated with pink balloons. A harpist played wonderful music while we ate the great food. When we left, Diane was given a red rose and I was given some chocolate. Yummy!
You big romantic softy, you.
I’m just a Love Machine, Rick.
Even if you’re a guy who doesn’t like rom-coms, at least we have not one but two Jessicas to ogle.
Good point, Drongo! On LEGEND OF THE SEEKER this week, a flaw in a magic amulet created two beautiful Kahlins. It was the best episode of Season 2 (so far).
I’m getting some good input about THE WOLFMAN, but mostly from confirmed horror-film fans…this might not be a set you find yourself in…and the tenor there is, Not great, but pleasant fun that’s not nearly as inept as clueless reviewers suggest.
Ebert wasn’t impressed by THE WOLFMAN, Todd. He’s my movie barometer.
I know folks who rely exclusively on Robert Christgau. too…even a good mechanical clock is “wrong” on DST transition days, however, to invert a cliche…I’m usually surprised when I agree with Ebert, as with the widely ignored film HOTEL (the one written and directed by Mike Figgis, not the one based on the Arthur Hailey novel), at least to the same degree of enthusiasm.
I use Ebert as a filter, Todd. Over the years, I found myself agreeing with his opinions on movies about 90% of the time. Of course, sometimes he’s way off (in my view) like in his declaration that SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK is the best movie of the last decade. It’s part of that 10% where I don’t see what Ebert finds so compelling in a film.