Category Archives: Romance

Comedy, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

BAREFOOT (2014): The Good & Bad Things…

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Barefoot (2014), Scott Speedman, Evan Rachel Wood
Barefoot (2014), Scott Speedman, Evan Rachel Wood

In Barefoot, Scott Speedman is the ‘black sheep’ of a wealthy family. At the heart of the story is an unexpected romance that blossoms after he meets a psychiatric patient played by Evan Rachel Wood.

The plot is certainly interesting. It’s just unfortunate that I didn’t find myself connecting enough with the two protagonists. I felt aware the whole time and especially in the beginning that I was watching Evan Rachel Wood playing a psychiatric patient, rather than getting swept into the world of the story.

Directed by Andrew Fleming, Barefoot also stars J.K. Simmons and Kate Burton – both of whom I adore. However, I’m afraid even they couldn’t save the film. Besides a few good songs on the soundtrack, for me, there are minimal notable highlights.

I’d sooner recommend watching something like Silver Linings Playbook (2012) instead because like Barefoot, it’s a romantic drama/comedy about two misfits with unique problems who end up falling in love – and it’s certainly far more convincing.

Barefoot, watch it, only if you really must 🙂

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

BLENDED (2014): Fun Family Comedy

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Blended (2014), Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore
Blended (2014), Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore

The story and themes of Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore’s Blended are not new, but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it. Blended is the kind of family comedy film to see if you’re in the mood to relax with a movie.

The most memorable moments for me came courtesy of the character played by Terry Crews, who shows up several times in the movie.

Blended (2014), Terry Crews
Blended (2014), Terry Crews

If you’re already a fan of the actors, Sandler, Barrymore and Crews, then you’re more likely to really have fun. Though I don’t love all his movies, I am very much a Sandler fan.

A taster of his personality is in the following very fun Jonathan Ross interview.

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

HITCH (2005) The Two Best Scenes…

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Hitch (2005), Will Smith, Eva Mendes
Hitch (2005), Will Smith, Eva Mendes

Will Smith and Kevin James are well cast in their roles for 2005’s romantic comedy, Hitch. Smith, a Date Doctor/Consultant and James, the ‘dating-life challenged’ singleton in desperate need of professional help.

Hitch works, for the most part, because of the excellent chemistry between the two male leads. I had no issue at all with the film. That is until the last 20 minutes, by which I mean what happens romantically between Eva Mendes and Smith’s characters.

Those last 20 minutes left me unable to recall another time when an element of a story felt so incredibly forced. I just couldn’t buy it. The issue isn’t that what happened actually happened, but it’s the way it was written/executed.

It’s always a shame when something that takes place in a film completely forces you to remember that the people on screen are definitely ‘pretending’ because it doesn’t feel as real as it ought to.

Thankfully, however, the memory of the film’s two funniest scenes will continue to shine bright for me. I’m of course talking about Kevin James’ show-stopping dance moves and that little issue with the crayfish. Watch Hitch to experience those special moments.

Directed by Andy Tennant; Amber Valletta also stars.

Hitch (2005), Will Smith, Kevin James
Hitch (2005), Will Smith, Kevin James
Hitch (2005), Will Smith
Hitch (2005), Will Smith

Happy Film Loving,

G

Drama, Music, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

IF I STAY (2014): The Good & Bad Things

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If I Stay (2014), Chloe Grace Moretz
If I Stay (2014), Chloe Grace Moretz

Directed by R.J. Cutler and based on a best-selling book by Gayle Forman, If I Stay is the story of a teenage girl named Mia (Chloe Grace Moretz) who’s chasing her dreams of a music career. All with the support of a loving boyfriend, family and friends.

Mia’s world is turned upside down after an accident leaves her and several other people in a bad way. Now stuck in a coma, Mia is faced with the most important decision of her life.

Though certainly not a perfect movie, there were parts that I enjoyed in If I Stay. Two of the best scenes featured Mia and her grandpa. Namely the scene where he talks to her in the car and the one when he’s in the hospital by her bedside.

If I Stay (2014), Jamie Blackley, Liana Liberato
If I Stay (2014), Jamie Blackley, Liana Liberato

Jamie Blackley’s performance as Adam, Liana Liberato in the role of the best friend and the actors playing Mia’s family are good. I did however find myself not entirely buying into the anguish portrayed by Moretz after the accident. Something to do with the absence of tears perhaps.

Did anyone else find themselves expecting Mia to be able to walk through people and walls in the hospital? She wasn’t technically a ghost so maybe it’s just me.

Watch If I Stay if you find yourself very curious indeed, especially since the concept is rather interesting.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

STUCK IN LOVE (2012): Family, Love & Writing

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Stuck In Love (2012), Logan Lerman, Lily Collins
Stuck In Love (2012), Logan Lerman, Lily Collins

Written/directed by Josh Boone, and starring Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, Lilly Collins, Kristen Bell, Logan Lerman and Nat Wolff; Stuck In Love is a well-acted family drama.

Watch it for a look into a year in the life of a family that consists of a successful Writer, his ex-wife, their teenage children and particularly, how all parties navigate through their own experiences of love.

Stuck In Love is not too emotionally taxing. Actually, that may depend on how closely you relate to the character you identify with the most. Nevertheless, it can be categorised as a pleasant watch.

There’s also potential value for any writers, aspiring writers and anyone generally curious about other families. I know I always am.

Stuck In Love (2012), Greg Kinnear, Kristen bell
Stuck In Love (2012), Greg Kinnear, Kristen Bell

My favourite part is all the scenes Kristen Bell is in because, in the best way,  her fun-to-watch character is unlike any I’ve ever seen her play before.

Happy Film Loving, 

G