Genres

Visitors Review

The_Rogue_Phoenix 2012-05-22 04:40:33

Love "Actually" Ends "Perfectly"

Valentine's Day: a day we "love," a day we hate, and a day that one wayor another makes us crazy. The film by the same name (2010) ensures itsaudience receives a dose of all three, but not without wrapping it upwith a tidy happy ending. From the moment I saw the trailer for thisfilm I immediately pegged it in my mind "Americanized Love Actually(2006)" based on the multi-plot but "cleverly" intertwined story linesdemonstrating 6 degrees of separation, the all famous American castwith a handful of unknowns for good measure, and the fact that it takesplace around a holiday.And I was right. They tried to do Love Actually, and the film had itsmoments in the reveals that weren't cliché, the boy and who his crushis, the sports star and who his boyfriend is, or the son and who hismom is. I was sincerely surprised at each reveal, and the last one wasthe most touching; it almost earned a tear. Almost. For each of theserefreshing moments there were about a dozen stale predictable moments,from the best friends with their significant others who realize "maybewe should be together," to the intense epiphanies that occurs to eachcharacter once that causes them to do a 180 and finish his or her plotline the way the audience wants. So what's Hollywood teaching us? Thateverything ends the way you want it to…good lesson—not.The film was advertised as being directed by the director of PrettyWoman (1990), but honestly I would've been more excited if it waswritten by J.F Lawton, the writer of Pretty Woman; the story might'vebeen better. No one advertises V Day as written by Katherine Fugate thewoman who wrote The Prince & Me (2004), because if I'd known such athing before watching, I would've been turned off instantly. The Prince& Me being the most hypocritical romantic comedy I've ever seen, sinceJulia Stiles throws away all her life long dreams and everything she isjust to marry some guy she met ten minutes ago and becomes a princess.Her actions teach women to what? Forget ambition, but only for yourhoney? Thankfully Fugate doesn't make as big a faux pas in this film,throwing in fresher tidbits such as the occupation of phone sexoperator and strangers on an airplane.There's a clash of pushing forward and staying in the same place. We'reled to believe Hollywood is progressing, presenting two guys in arelationship, but they're on screen together briefly and I guess therecan't be kiss or any suggestive touching because then people mightthink they're gay! Wouldn't want to make any homophobes a little queasywith a simple peck on the lips or anything. Then there's thepresentation of the women characters, which surprises me as the writeris a woman. We have the best friend woman whose male best friendrescues her, we have the weepy woman who hates V day but really justwants a man, the pretty high school girl always making out withboyfriend, smart girl who wants sex with boyfriend then decides towait, and woman hiding her second profession from her beginnerboyfriend. The only woman who is portrayed as independent andself-reliant is the "bad guy" in one of the relationships because shedecides she's not ready and still needs to explore herself more. Allthe other women suffer the clichés of dependence, weakness, overemotional, etc. without demonstrating any inner ability to be strongbecause they have a man nearby.V Day does not even come close to matching the endearment and goodnessof Love Actually, which stays true to its name in portrayingrelationships in their awkwardness, difficulties, and failures of loveand friendship. Not everyone is paired up at the end and some of themare characters I wanted to get together. Valentine's Day is theopposite, in which only the people who "wronged" a main character inlove ended up loveless while everyone else gets a special someone.There are laughs on top of the staleness, and the reveals are somewhatworth it, but if you want a romantic comedy to move you, to identifywith then Love Actually is the way to go. Us Americans always stealgood ideas from the British, only this time we didn't improve it orkeep it the same. We made it much worse.

Ed Uyeshima 2012-05-21 13:20:41

Unmemorable, Studio-Packaged Filler Showcases Twenty Stars in Trivial Pursuit of Romance

This heavily packaged 2010 omnibus rom-com brings new meaning to theterm - trivial pursuit. Never have so many Hollywood stars served amovie so bereft of any dramatic gravity or emotional resonance.Overlong at 122 minutes, this enterprise is directed with little nuanceby Garry Marshall who seems to be throwing his film back to the broadshenanigans of his late-1970's sitcoms like "Laverne & Shirley" and"Mork & Mindy". However, even more than Marshall's superficialdirection, the real culprit is Katharine Fugate's ("Army Wives")cliché-ridden, laugh-free screenplay. The contrived storyline sheconcocts forces about twenty recognizable actors to play out the slingsand arrows of romance over the course of Valentine's Day in present-dayLos Angeles.If you keep count of such things, there appears to be fiveinterconnecting major stories. Character names are irrelevant inkeeping track of them since we are meant to be awestruck by the starwattage of the cast, so I will just refer to the actors directly in mysynopsis. Story #1: Julia Roberts is an uptight US Army captain on aone-day leave from Iraq and Bradley Cooper is her seatmate on the planeride home to LA. Story #2: In the San Fernando Valley, Ashton Kutcheris a harried florist who has just proposed to his selfish, careeristgirlfriend Jessica Alba, while his best friend Jennifer Garner hasfallen in love with Patrick Dempsey, a deceptive doctor whom shedoesn't know is married. Story #3: Emma Roberts (Julia's niece) turns18 and methodically plans to lose her virginity with boyfriend CarterJenkins that afternoon while her parents are presumptively away fromthe house. Story #4: Eric Dane is a closeted professional footballplayer who struggles with inevitable retirement and complicates thelivelihoods of both his romantically challenged publicist Jessica Bieland tough-minded über-agent Queen Latifah.Story #5: Anne Hathaway is Latifah's receptionist moonlighting as aphone sex operator as she begins to date mail clerk Topher Grace. Thevarious plots intertwine with each other, and even more actors arethrown in for good measure like Jamie Foxx as a roving TV reporter andShirley MacLaine and Hector Elizondo as grandparents hitting a roughspot. Does anybody shine above the others? You know you're in troublewhen Kutcher is the one who gives the most dimensional performance inthe film. Garner somehow survives with her appeal intact even in thesilly revenge scene in the restaurant and the "Alias"-inspiredthrottling of the heart-shaped piñata that follows. Biel and Hathawayboth work a bit too strenuously in their predictable parts, though bothmanage amusing moments. Alba continues to be a vacuous screen beauty,and the same could be said of Dempsey. It's not too surprising thatboth play characters who end up with the fuzzy end of the lollipop.Julia Roberts is wasted in her constricted role, but her niece Emmaacquits herself even as singer Taylor Swift plays her gangly, airheadedbest friend with surprising élan. Dane is wooden as if he doesn't knowhow to play a conflicted character, but Cooper manages to register inhis equally ambivalent part. Foxx, Latifah and Grace play theiraccustomed roles with little surprise or impact. 76-year-old MacLainegets the benefit of playing a romantic scene with Elizondo in front ofa movie screen showing her 24-year-old self in 1958's "Hot Spell".Before you can say "Love Actually", it all ends rather neatly with narya trace. Poof! The 2010 DVD has a predictable set of extras - a blandcommentary track from Marshall that matches the bland tone of themovie, a six-minute featurette that allows some of stars to share theirValentine's Day stories, a five-minute cast tribute to Marshall, adisposable music video from Jewel, a few deleted scenes, and athree-minute sneak preview of "Sex and the City 2", appropriate sincethat movie caters to the same demographic audience.

james cullen 2012-05-20 22:59:57

Lousy Script Equals Lousy Film

You would like to think a vast array of stars brought together in aromantic film such as this would work but....whaddaya know, great castgiven a tragically bad (and I mean very bad) script. Story iseverything with the help of clever dialog but none was to be found inthis tragedy for lovers. It is hard not to compare this with it's morethan worthy opponent, "Love Actually". Where you relate and bond withLove Actually you tend to scratch your head wondering what the heck isgoing on. Twists that just don't click. I was in the midst of wonderingwhy I was watching this 3rd rate film when I could have been watching"Dear John" instead. Not every film is a "10" but Lord please spare methe 1 thru 3's. I'm to old to waste time. Clock's a tickin.

2012-05-20 07:11:01

Enjoyable for what it is.

Garry Marshall takes a play from the Robert Altman handbook with "Valentine's Day", a romantic comedy about interconnecting people on the famed holiday in Los Angeles. It's a cheerful but shallow picture to say the least. While the film is packed with stars (23 in total) and a few good laughs, this modern day romance has nothing important to say, hell, it has nothing to say at all. The main lesson learned is that everyone needs to make their own definition of love... okay, thanks. Regardless, it's a really breezy film. It's bright, the stars plays to their strengths and it's just long enough to have all the stories resolved. It is what it is and "Valentine's Day" makes for a good film to accompany the holiday.

bobbobaram 2012-05-14 16:40:41

God awful

I can't say much more than this movie was horrid. This is my firstreview and just had to express this. The scope of actors was impressiveat first, until I realized the story was just another pile of Hollywoodgarbage. Couldn't bear it all the way through. So grateful to pressdelete on my PVR.Anne Hathaway, Kathy Bates and Julia Roberts, what were you thinking?Perhaps you needed the money. Gary Marshall...heaven help us. Spare usnext time, please.Man, oh man, I've almost completely lost faith in anything coming outof Hollywood that's supposed to be a "romantic comedy." Ugh...

Special-K88 2012-05-14 11:44:09

familiar fluff with a good cast

Ensemble romantic comedy beginning on Valentine's Day, the greatest dayof the year for some, while the eternal moment of dread for others.Film tells several intertwining stories of a group of L.A. characters,with break-ups, make-ups, commitments, and startling revelations alloccurring within a period of twenty-four hours. Among them, an agingfootball star contemplating his career and personal life; two strangerswho meet on a plane and discuss their love lives or lack thereof; aflorist with some big decisions to make; two co-workers who seem toclick until he learns of her big secret; a longtime married couple withsome unfinished business; a sports anchor stuck with a job he doesn'twant; a teenage couple conflicted about whether to take the next step;a neurotic publicist who organizes an anti-valentine party; a schoolteacher who thinks she's met the man of her dreams. Cast is good,script is funny every once in a while, but it's awfully dry, familiarin about a hundred different ways, and there's just too much going onfor us to really relate to—or care—about any of the characters.Hathaway appears to be the only cast member having any real fun. **

Rubin Safaya 2012-05-13 01:00:39

Where's Burt Bachrach or Leonard Cohen when you need him?

Michael Dequina 2012-05-12 12:50:41

The overstuffed, uninspiring results would definitely be enough to put an end to this curious sub-genre.

Egg24 2012-05-10 20:25:18

Disappointing, with one saving grace.

I was thrilled to finally see a movie in which a homosexualrelationship played side-by-side with heterosexual relationships. Infact, I thought it was the most well-written and acted relationship inthe movie. Bradley Cooper's performance, especially in his final scene,was genuine and moving. However, aside from this and Julia Roberts'performance, I was terribly disappointed with this movie. It clearlywanted to be "Love Actually" but didn't come close to making it. TaylorSwift's performance was one of the worst I have ever seen. Most of thestory lines were trite and contrived. I am a fan of many of the actorsin this movie, and I did not enjoy most of the performances.

2012-05-10 09:27:53

"I Love This Film"

I have to admit the drawing card in this movie was Ashton Kutcher who really has the lead in this ensemble drama. Featuring a cast of well-known Hollywood stars, "Valentine's Day" is about a bunch of residents living in Los Angeles who deal with loss, love, betrayal, recognition, and romance on the most heart-felt day of the year. I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed the film. Directed by former television director Gary Marshall (mostly known to film audiences for his work on "Pretty Woman") "Valentine's Day" stars such notable actors as Queen Latifah, Jamie Foxx, Julia Roberts, Taylor Lautner, Taylor Swift, and even Shirley MacLaine. What makes the movie so special is how the writers tell various love stories simultaneously. There is an "older" love story with the MacLaine character as she tells her husband of thirty years she had an affair years before. At the same time we see a young teen romance between the Lautner and Swift characters and we see Ashton's character coming to terms with being dumped by the girl he has proposed to. There is even a romance between a ten year old who pines away for his school teacher. As the credits roll at the end of the film bloopers are shown. As a bonus too there are many deleted scenes added to the DVD. "Valentine's Day" was a massive success earning over $200,000,000 and it ultimately has produced a sequel called "New Year's Eve" hitting theatres at the end of 2011. Instead of L.A. the movie will take place in New York City. Ashton Kutcher has already signed on.

Iknowthatnow 2012-05-08 20:57:51

Pleasantly surprised

I was the token husband who took this in on opening night with my wife.I liked most of the actors in the film, which certainly helps, butfound the stories engaging. As the movie progressed, I became a bitannoyed at the parallels with Love Actually. I hadn't seen or heard thecomparisons, or even any reviews prior to seeing the movie, other thannoting a 2 star review in the Trib. I love Love Actually, and wasnoting enough similarities which is why I came to this site tonightafter seeing the movie to see if the writer/producer or anyone of notewas the same.Spoiler....The intertwined stories, holiday romantic comedy, little boy with oneparent, in love (ending up being an ethnic enchantment in both cases),the girl with the constant ringing phone which perpetually interruptsher love life, the infidelities & heartbreak, airport scenes, etc. Itcertainly seems to pay homage to LA. In the end I found itentertaining, and a great movie to see with your significant other forValentine's or whenever for that matter.

kayleighpeg 2012-05-08 17:27:59

Ultimate Dross

I didn't even want to give this film a 1, but i guess i could offer ita 1 for an attempt on making a film. I guess the camera work is okay.I went to see this film with a couple of friends who are recentlysingle. I can honestly say i wish i had sat at home and banged my headagainst a door for a couple of hours. The best part about the film wasleaving and going to the pub afterwards. The so called "interlinked"story lines was the worst bit i thought, i don't know if anyone elsefound this, but i found it exhausting to keep up with what washappening with who, seeing as all the actors and actresses look likeclones of each other anyway. For a film that is tipped to be like LoveActually (my fave romcom), this is embarrassingly rubbish and comesnowhere close to others of it's kind. Sorry Ashton, but i think you're a bit...past it now. My advice is, if you like films, don't go and see this.

Julian Left 2012-05-05 03:44:10

Not the best Valentine Movie but one of the most enjoyable!

This movie has something that many other Valentine movies don't haveand that is a great great cast, but just the cast doesn't make themovie great. The movie is based on some couples and their Valentineexperience and I must admit It covers most of the problems and funnymoments, tho some are pretty cheesy. What makes this movie enjoyable isthat it's a very entertaining movie, probably because of the cast whichmakes you like the movie just because you love to see these actors alltogether but it it has also a nice delivery and presentation.Other than that, the acting was not over-acted and it was perfect forthis Valentine flick because it's not suppose to hit you with thatmelodramatic acting, I mean for this type of movie you need it at onepoint to be cheesy especially if you watch it with your chick (I meanhell... who watches it without her?)... The cinematography and screencapture was good and the music fits the personality of this movie.What I Hate about it? TAYLOR SWIFT!!!... Taylor Lautner?.... What?...Some couples that don't make sense and you're obvious not thatinterested in... and the dialogue which sometimes gets TOO predictableand lame. The point is the movie is great for a Valentine's Day andthat was it's target to be enjoyable and to get a big audience in thatperiod of time. It's not a movie you would watch a second time (unlessyou are some Jessica Alba or Biel stalker) but I recommend it at leastonce just to... feel better.

tintosecco 2012-05-04 18:55:53

Congratulations for this work, you all!

This movie surprised me. I understand that if is for the Valentine'sDay, should pleased everyone, OK, but in mine point of view, it was sowell written and so close to a anachronistic kind of history, gatheringaround different 'common' people, that it made a unique commercialmovie. And this is the why i congratulate the writer, the studio, andthe many great actors that were involved in this work. We can agreethat we don't see this every day, the simplicity of showing howdifficult it is to find The One that will be by your side every singleday of your life, by your choice, sometimes it seems to be so far way,that none of us can accept it. It's my first review, i can assure thisis just the beginning, i have so much to say about this art until nowcalled the 7th one

Rene Rodriguez 2012-05-03 20:27:52

Valentine's Day isn't a chore to sit through, but it isn't much to watch, either.

Jules Brenner 2012-05-03 06:08:10

I was most interested in Taylor Swift. You can tell the girl can act, given half a chance--which she doesn't quite get here.

Stella Papamichael 2012-05-01 23:52:31

Marshall directs like a giddy Cupid, spreading the joy thinly among the multitudes. Still, if we learn anything from this Valentine's movie, it's that even a bit of what you fancy does you good.

2012-05-01 08:44:43

Extremelly funny movie

I think some people need to think outside of the box. You have to watch the movie yourself to see how incredibly funny the movie is. I probably wouldn't buy it myself but it was worth watching in the theaters. A+

hrigby_houston1 2012-04-28 00:40:34

We were pleasantly surprised!

My husband and I loved this movie! We had expected it to be so/so inkeeping with the reviews on this site. On the contrary, we found itfunny, fresh, with a few twists we did not see coming...(and we are thepeople we figured out Sixth Sense 5 minutes into the movie!)Valentine's Day is a feel-good movie...and in this day and time, justwhat we needed. We easily kept up with the many characters, it wascleverly written, visually pleasing, Taylor Swift was hilarious, whoknew? The clever connections with Shirley McClaine and Julia Roberts,wonderfully done...and wait and see, this movie will take off by wordof mouth...we found it wonderful! We were in the theater with people ofall ages...people laughed and several were even weepy at the end. It isa little jewel box of a film! Go see it!

Charles Gant 2012-04-27 11:42:23

Valentine's Day is an enjoyably empty, tempting snack of a movie, thoughtfully served in candy-coated bite-size chunks.