WHIP IT REVIEW

WHIP IT

Director: Drew Barrymore

Cast: Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Alia Shawcat

Screenwriter: Shauna Cross

Running Time: 111 min

Rating: M15+

DON'T COUNT ON WANTING TO SPEND ANOTHER ROUND IN THE RING!

The news that Drew Barrymore was about to make her directorial debut was greeted with a fair amount of skepticism within the industry. Her freshman effort however is not the complete clunker predicted by many nor does it herald a highly anticipated new career path for Barrymore. Instead she delivers a predictable and mediocre coming of age yarn that is not worthy of the talent it attracted.

The movie follows the girl to woman transformation of Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page). Forced to participate in beauty pageants by her overbearing mother (Marcia Gay Harden) social misfit Bliss finds herself much more at home in the rough and tumble world of Roller Derby's. Facing strong opposition from her parents Bliss makes it her mission in life to join the local league and become her own person.

Whip It boasts an all star cast, although you have to wonder whether or not they would have even considered the material had Barrymore not been behind the helm. Perpetually misunderstood youth Ellen Page essentially plays Bliss Cavendar as Juno without the confidence (or the pregnancy). Despite this Page is obviously talented and makes the character likable enough, however she is completely upstaged by Arrested Development star Alia Shawkat who completely outshines Page's Oscar nominated behind as her wise cracking best friend Pash. Veteran actors Marcia Gay Harden and Daniel Stern are comically brilliant as Bliss's well intentioned parents with Juliette Lewis making us realise that she's one of best and most under appreciated actors working today as Bliss's devilish rival Iron Maven. Rounding out the supporting cast is rapper turned actor Eve, Tarantino stunt women extraordinaire Zoe Bell, Barrymore herself and the forgotten Wilson brother Andrew.

One of the biggest problems with Whip It is it's pacing. At times the film seems to drag on endlessly, making you question why a rather simple plot takes almost two hours to unfold. The more enjoyable moments come from the friendship between Bliss and Pash as well as the actual Roller Derby matches themselves. Barrymore succeeds so well in making you feel as though you are inside the ring that you can almost smell the sweat and blood. However these moments are often few and far between and we must instead watch a poorly developed and rather pointless love story unfold between Bliss and local musician Oliver as well as numerous sequences showcasing how 'wild' the derby girls are (they skate and wear heavy make -up, we get it!)

Barrymore's direction is certainly not bad, it just comes across as a little schizophrenic. It's almost as though she really wasn't quite sure what the end product should be, as such we are introduced to too many themes and ideas. While no great prodigy she should certainly be given another chance at directing as there is obvious potential evident. Barrymore certainly manages to elicit fine performances from her cast and should be applauded for the fact that she didn't turn Whip It into a self serving vanity project as most other actor/directors have a tendency to do.

Whilst nothing spectacular, Whip It is nonetheless enjoyable fare. Just don't count on wanting to spend another round in the ring. Two and a half stars out of five

JULIE AND JULIA-THE RANT-SPOILERS

I didn't want to see this film. I didn't expect to like it. In fact i expected to leave half way through it as i was merely killing time whilst waiting for my train. Once it began however I was thoroughly shocked to discover that i was loving it, providing me with my biggest shock reaction of the year.

After the utter travesty of Bewitched i had lost all faith in Writer/Director Nora Ephron. Anyone who manages to elicit a performance from Nicole Kidman more frozen than her face should be viewed with utter distrust!

Another factor in my initial dismissal was perhaps one of the worst trailers of the year. The editor seemed to piece together the most boring scenes of the film coupled with Julia's most outrageous moments, leading me to believe that perhaps she was suffering from some kind of mental disability.

Julie and Julia however signals a return to form for Ephron as both a writer and director, managing to deliver one of the most charming films of the year.

Ephron had the unenviable task of telling two autobiographical tales within the one film, a fete she manages with flawless gravitas. The alternate stories interweave perfectly with both managing to engage equally. This being said it's Meryl Streep's turn as Julia Child however that really manages to steal the show.

Streep once again proves that she's the greatest living actress of all time. There's talent and then there's Streep talent. I give her much kudos for avoiding the tendency of actors to turn real life subjects into caricatures of themselves. Amazingly she manages to make the larger than life Child endearingly human. You can't help but fall in love with the character who Streep plays with such humor and yet subtle poignancy that a sixteenth Oscar nomination seems well on the way.

Adams is much less successful in her role as Julie Powell. In fairness to her the character is not particularly likable. Considering it's Powell's job to deal with people suffering great tragedy in the aftermath of 9/11 on a daily basis, you'd think that her biggest problems (the fact that she lives in Queens and isn't where she wants to be in her career) would be put into some perspective. But alas, she mopes around as if she's in a Russian Gulag most of the time, acting as though surviving the trauma of turning thirty is tantamount to surviving cancer. Whilst Adams can't help the way the character is written her performance lacks the charm necessary to help the audience forgive her characters faults. Usually one of the best things in any movie, Adams performance falls uncharacteristically flat. She is given good support in the form of Chris Messina as her 'saint' of a husband Eric, but the couples relationship seems somewhat off, due to the fact that Eric is always playing second fiddle to Julie's juvenile whims and complaints. It's not a good sign in a Romcom when you want to say to the guy "I so would not blame you if you had an affair". After a rather bad fight between the two Julie admits her faults and wins her husband back after he leaves. You think that perhaps this signals a change in her character but no, even more complaints and self centeredness abound for the rest of the film.

Coming across far better is the relationship between Julia and her husband Paul played by Stanley Tucci, one of the finest and most under appreciated character actors working today. In the wrong hands his role could have been completely buried next to Streep's tour de force performance. Their relationship is one of the best things in Julie and Julia providing some of the most humorous and touching moments of the entire film.

The movie languishes a little in the second half, as the writing of Mastering The Art of French Cooking seems to take as much time to portray on film as it took to write in real life (eight years)
The ending itself also manages to seem somewhat abrupt, alost as if someone said "Shit it's going to long! Just end it here"

Despite this Julie and Julia is the best Romcom of the year. After the shiteous likes of The Ugly Truth and The Proposal, Julie and Julia gives us hope that Romcoms can be something more than shameless excuses for a paycheck for past their prime actors and actresses. It also qualifies as the film most likely to give you the munchies. I felt like i gained a pound just from watching it! Definitely worth seeing

JULIE AND JULIA REVIEW

JULIE AND JULIA
Director: Nora Ephron
Cast: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci
Screenwriter: Nora Ephron
Running Time: 123 min
Rating:PG

AN IRRESISTIBLE RECIPE

With the sound of Nora Ephron's past two cinematic catastrophes Lucky Numbers and Bewitched still ringing Code Gigli in my ears, i was undoubtedly skeptical about her latest foray into the Romcom genre. Julie and Julia however signals a return to form for writer/director Ephron who has managed to produce one of the most charming films of the year.

Julie and Julia tells two alternating tales. One involves Julia Child's rise to Culinary fame whilst the other chronicles blogger Julie Powell's mission to cook every recipe in Child's 'Mastering The Art Of French Cooking'. Although the stories are set decades apart-Child's in 1950's France and Powell's in post 9/11 New York-each woman shares a common bond of wanting to better their lives by pursuing their shared passion of food in different yet equally rewarding ways.

The task of having to tell two biographical tales within the one film was not an enviable one, yet Ephron's screenplay succeeds flawlessly in interweaving the two vastly different plots. Child's exploits in France and Powell's personal and professional trials and tribulations manage to engage equally, thanks in large part to the quality of the performances.

As Julia Child, Meryl Streep reminds us all that as far as actresses go, she is in a class all by herself. Streep is an early favorite to receive her sixteenth Oscar nomination for the role, and deservedly so. You can't help but fall in love with Child as Streep manages to bring to the perfect combination of wit, intelligence and poignancy to the role. Streep also manages to avoid the tendency of actors to caricature real life subjects, making the larger than life Child endearingly human.

Unfortunately Amy Adams as Julie Powell succeeds less in winning the audiences affections. In fairness to Adams, the character herself admits that she can be 'self absorbed' and a 'bitch'. Her performance just seems to lack the charm necessary to help the audience forgive the character for her faults. Her emotional range never seems to stem further than a mopey/perturbed combination contributing to her performance as a whole falling somewhat flat. Relative unknown Chris Messina is quite likable, lending good support as Powell's 'saint' of a husband. Still, you can't help but question what exactly his character is getting out of a relationship in which he is constantly playing second fiddle to Julie's relatively juvenile problems. Perhaps it is more the fact that it is human nature to root for the underdog that helps Powell's story to succeed, rather than the likability of the character.

The relationship between Julia and her husband Paul-played by Stanley Tucci- is far more endearing and is the underlying heartbeat of the movie. Tucci, one of the best character actors in the business, shines in a role that in the wrong hands could have been completely buried by Streep's vivacious Child. The scenes between these two masterclass actors provide some of the most humorous and touching scenes of the film.

Like any good recipe, everything in Julie and Julia just seems to gel. Editor Richard Marks does a superb job of fitting together what was undoubtedly a jig saw puzzle of a film. Costume designer Anne Roth and the films make up department are exceedingly good at recreating 1950's Parisian chic couture as well as the less glamorous New York contemporary fashion. Finally Stephen Goldblatt's cinematography makes for a vibrantly colorful and fresh looking film, almost good enough to eat!

Despite the film languishing slightly in the second half and a rather abrupt ending, Julie and Julia makes for thoroughly enjoyable viewing. Managing to be sweet without being corny and touching without being soppy, it's feel good viewing at it's finest. It also happens to be the film most likely to make you gain weight, so don't be surprised if you are hit with a massive attack of the munchies afterwards! Four out of five stars
****

FAME 2009 REVIEW

FAME 2009
Director: Kevin Tancharoen
Cast: Kay Panabaker, Megan Mullally, Bebe Neuwirth
Screenwriter: Allison Burnett
Running Time: 107 min
Rating: PG

YOU WON'T WANT TO LIVE FOREVER AFTER WATCHING THIS!

Fame 2009 should serve as a warning to any studio attempting a remake, re-imagining or re-invention of a classic. Far from capturing the magic of the original we are instead presented with the biggest Turkey of the year so far.

The premise is similar to that of the 1980 film. A bunch of fresh face hopefuls are accepted into the prestigious New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Their professional and personal lives are tracked throughout their school experience as they seek fame and fortune in the big city.

The problem with Fame 2009 is not the fact that it fails to live up to it's predecessor. It's fault lays within the fact that it plays like a hastily put together, two hour MTV video trying to make a quick buck of the name of a beloved franchise.

The first fault with Fame 2009 is it's director. To date Kevin Tancharoen's most prestigious credits happen to be "The Search For The Next Pussycat Doll" and "Britney Spears Live From Miami". However adept Tancharoen may be at zooming a camera in on pop tarts behinds, he is painfully unqualified to helm a fifteen million dollar musical in which you have to deal with real actors. He manages to illicit even faker performances from his young cast than any contestant on one of his reality shows could have ever been capable of.

The casting in itself is a train wreck. These teenagers are supposed to be attending a talent school, yet not one among them seem to be particularly talented. As a matter of fact you can't help but wonder if the list of successful applicants was confused with the list of rejects and then no-one had the heart to tell them. None of the young cast possess the appeal or charisma to actually make their roles memorable. Not even the support of Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally or Bebe Neuwirth could elevate the quality of the film. They languish away in small, thankless roles which makes you wonder why they even bothered to waist their time.

Another major blunder is Allison Burnett's script. Whilst the original Fame broke ground by incorporating classic musical numbers with gritty subject matter, Fame 2009 comes across as something schlepped together by the Disney channel as a follow up to High School musical. The content seems insipid, with the highest source of tension being "I want to sing but my parents want me to play classical music!" Cue the violins. Character development is also so atrocious that by the end of the film you couldn't really care a less about anyone. Numerous sub plots are introduced at an alarming pace, yet not one of them are adequately explored or resolved. After spending over three years in the lives of these kids, their is no discernible growth or change in anyone. You'd even be hard pressed to remember their names.

The final nail in the coffin have to be the films musical numbers. You could expect the same quality from any High School production. It's not a good sign when you leave the cinema feeling you could have been a better choreographer when the closest you've come to a dance routine is the Macorina.

If your feeling nostalgic for leg warmers, sweat pants and the vocal styling of Irene Cara i suggest you bypass this offering and rent the original. Save your time, save your money and save yourself! ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE

FAME 2009-THE RANT-SPOILER ALERT!!-GET READY FOR SUICIDE WATCH!

It never ceases to amaze me how films like this manage to get made. At what point does no-one stand up and say "Ok guys we've got a real Turkey on our hands here! Something needs to be done!" It's almost as though the producers thought that we'd all be so distracted by Frasier not being Frasier and Karen not being Karen that we'd somehow miss the crap fest being played out before our eyes.

Adding to my dislike of the film is the fact that it has completely bastardized the concept of the original 1980 Fame, marketing itself as an update. I can't help but feel like Director Kevin Tancharoen took a whizz on a Picasso.

Producers need to get their heads examined for choosing Tanchareon in the first place. His most prestigious credits to date include "The Search For The Next Pussycat Doll" and "Britney Spears Live From Miami". Just because you can zoom a camera in on a pop tarts ass does not qualify you to helm a fifteen million dollar musical in which you have to deal with real actors, a fact that is painfully obvious throughout the film.

The musical numbers are boring and unimaginative. You could expect the same quality from your local High School production. You are not really supposed to leave a musical feeling as though you could have done a better job on the choreography when the closest you've come to a dance routine is the Macorina.

Next on my hit list is screenwriter Allison Burnett. Did she even watch the original Fame? It was gritty and real! It dealt with a variety of tough issues such as sex, drugs, violence, class divide and interracial relationships. This is not exactly the typical subject matter that you'd associate with a musical which is why it was so groundbreaking. Fame 2009 on the other hand comes across as something the Disney Channel schlepped together as a follow up to High School Musical. The greatest source of conflict in the film is basically "I want to sing but my parents want me to play classical piano!" Cue the violins. Now don't get me wrong. There's nothing wrong with a family friendly musical, but the various plots were executed so badly it makes me appreciate the nuances of Glitter!

The script is a disaster. We are introduced to a number of characters whose plots go nowhere. After supposedly spending three years in the lives of these people their is absolutely no growth or discernible change in anybody. In fact, character development is so atrocious that after two hours you couldn't care a less about anyone. In one scene a dancer makes a hastily considered attempt at suicide. As an audience member you think "Gosh i guess i should want you to stop but i don't really know who you are because I've only seen you in like two other scenes and being told that you haven't made an improvement doesn't real seem like a reason to end your life but hey i don't really care"

Another major blunder is that the talent school possesses no students that are particularly talented. As a matter of fact you can't help but wonder if the list of successful applicants was confused with the list of rejects and then no-one had the heart to tell anyone. Producers opted for a cast of unknowns and there is a reason why are they are unknown and most probably will remain unknown. None of the young cast possessed the appeal or charisma to actually make their roles memorable. Not even the likes of Kelsey Grammer, Bebe Neuwirth or Megan Mullally could elevate the acting standard from a code Gigli. I felt like i wanted to throw them a parachute and scream "Get out of the burning plane you can still have a career!" Their small and thankless roles may even leave you scratching your head as to why they'd waist their time with it in the first place.

Fame 2009 should not have been made, but it was so we must all suffer the consequences. Save your money, save your time, save yourself!

COUPLES RETREAT REVIEW

Couples Retreat
Director: Peter Billingsley
Cast: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Malin Ackerman
Screenwriter: Vince Vaughn, John Favreau, Dana Fox
Running Time: 107 min
Rating: M15+

YOU WILL ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE BUT WON'T RUSH BACK FOR ANOTHER BOOKING!

You may feel a certain dejavue upon viewing a preview for Couples Retreat. Vince Vaughn is playing, well, Vince Vaughn-a charmingly quick witted slacker who doesn't appreciate his beautiful partner or their lifestyle. His best friend is John Favreau playing, well, John Favreau. Add in a host of fish out of water situations, some wise cracks and a lesson learned and you basically have the formula for the last five Vaughn Romcoms. Couples Retreat is slightly elevated from usual fare however, thanks in most part to a stellar ensemble cast.

In a desperate attempt to save their marriage Jason and Cynthia (Bateman and Bell) decide to enrol in a Couples Retreat. In order to receive a discount they convince their friends Dave and Ronnie (Vaughn and Ackerman) and Joey and Lucy (Favreau and Davis) to accompany them. Believing that the trip will be all fun in the sun, the group are chagrin to discover that they must participate in couples therapy or leave. Almost immediately each couple soon begin to discover that their relationships are not as strong as they thought.

Couples Retreat does not deserve the critical mauling it has received. It's almost as though critics have been struck with a case of sour grapes. After all Vaughn and Favreau have written a script that has allowed them to go to a tropical paradise with their best friends, surrounded by beautiful women. This is hardly justification for labelling it the worst film of the year! Fame 2009 anyone?Anyone?

Couples retreat is far from flawless. The first half of the film succeeds well in holding interest as we too are eager to view what awaits for our couples on this tropical paradise. However once we are are there and the initial awe of the lush green fauna and sparkling blue water have worn of, we-like our couples-must accept that what comes next is not so good. The second half seems to drag on aimlessly until you find yourself wondering what the actual point of the last half hour has been. The ending is also so contrived that you can't help but thinking Vaughn, Favreau and Fox just pulled it out of their backsides so that they could go back to sun baking.

The film also suffers from the fact that the female characters are far more underdeveloped than their male counterparts. Ackerman comes across as bland while Bell is your stereotypical neurotic and Davis desperately tries to shake of her good girl image as the lustful housewife. The actresses are just not given the chance to showcase their full potential, making it clear that their main purpose in the film is to look pretty.

The men come of far better. Even though Vince Vaughn is doing his usual shtick, he's so gosh darn likable you just can't begrudge him for it. Bateman turns in his best performance since his Arrested Development days, bucking his usual habit of sleepwalking through his roles. Favreau manages to make his very unsympathetic jock character likable and Faizon Love turns in a genuinely hart warming performance as the well intentioned Shane.

Vaughn regular John Michael Higgins and cult comedian Ken Jeong deliver hilarious cameos as councilors with Carlos Ponce receiving some of the films most cringe worthy laughs as Salvadore, a sex addicted Yoga instructor. Not faring so well is Jean Reno as retreat instructor Marcel. He seems miscast and his lines fall flat.

But the film does try to make some meaningful statements about relationships e.g the grass is not always greener, it is better to be with someone than alone. It also teaches us that average looking guys always have super hot girlfriends and that all women are size two with ripped abs.

Despite it's flaws, there is also much to like. A stellar cast, beautiful locations, hot bodies (if your a guy) and yes even a few laughs! Couples Retreat never pretends to be anything more than what it is-A highly enjoyable, if rather forgettable Romcom perfect for a date night. Three out of five stars.

***

By Catherine Brown

COUPLES RETREAT-THE RANT-SPOILER ALERT!!! NOT A CRAP FEST! NOT A PICASSO! JUST A ROMCOM!

I am not someone who listens to critics. However, the critical response to Couples Retreat has been so damning that i thought we may have another Code Gigli on our hands. Empire Magazine even went as far to say "The collective shipwreck that this creates makes Four Christmases, Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past and The Ugly Truth almost worth a return visit" Well I'm here to tell you that this statement is horseshit. Not only is Couples Retreat far more enjoyable than the aforementioned films but we all know that we would rather consume large quantities of cyanide than make a return visit to a look at me I'm shirtless McConaughey or no one will love me because I'm so uptight Heigl Romcom.

I feel the harsh critical reception mainly stems from a case of sour grapes. After all Vaughn and Favreau have written a script that has allowed them to go to a tropical paradise with their best friends, surrounded by beautiful women. This is hardly justification for labelling it the worst film of the year! Fame 2009 anyone?Anyone?

Couples retreat is far from flawless. The first half of the film succeeds well in holding interest as we too are eager to view what awaits for our couples on this tropical paradise. However once we are are there and the initial awe of the lush green fauna and sparkling blue water have worn of, we-like our couples-must accept that what comes next is not so good. The second half seems to drag on aimlessly until you find yourself wondering what the actual point of the last half hour has been. The ending is also so contrived that you can't help but thinking Vaughn, Favreau and Fox just pulled it out of their backsides so that they could go back to sun baking.

Character development is also another problem. Favreau's Joey and Kristen Davis's Lucy are so at odds and seemingly devoid of love throughout the entire movie that their hasty reunion in the last ten minutes seems completely ridiculous. After spending an hour and twenty minutes trying to get into bed with anyone of the opposite sex, all it takes is for Joey to see Lucy dancing with another man for him to realise his undying devotion. To make matters worse Shane-played by Faizon Love-has his divorced wife Jennifer appear completely out of the blue professing her undying love. What the? Jason Bateman's and Kristen Bells marital problems are resolved so fast after a long downward spiral that you can't help but wondering why he couldn't just of told her he loved her in the first place and save everyone the trip. The women are also seriously underdeveloped in comparison to their male counterparts. If you asked me to describe Malin Ackerman's character my response would be a blank stare. Vince Vaughn once again plays... Vince Vaughn but is so gosh darn likable you just can't hold it against him.

It is also plainly obvious that the film is written by men. Four average looking guys with smoking hot girlfriends? This is plainly evidenced in the drop trow scene. The women of course all possess super ripped size zero bodies, their male counterparts....not so much. Men with bad bodies are hilarious but a women with a bad body or even an average body would be disgusting and wrong!

But the film does try to make some meaningful statements about relationships. While it uncovers nothing new e.g the grass is not always greener, it is better to be with someone than alone-you can't help feel a little bit warm and gooey inside by the end.

Despite it's flaws, there is also much to like. A stellar cast, beautiful locations, hot bodies (if your a guy) and yes even a few laughs! Couples Retreat never pretends to be anything more than what it is-A highly enjoyable, if rather forgettable romcom perfect for a date night.