What's Your Number?

Film: What's Your Number?

Starring: Anna Faris (Just Friends) and Chris Evans (Captain America: The First Avenger)

Director: Mark Mylod

U.S. Release: September 30th, 2011 (Rated R)

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: 106 minutes

On September 30th there were two nationwide releases that shared two distinct features. Both were comedies and both were rated R. Strangely enough, 50/50 and What's Your Number? both have struggled at the box office. On the flip side, the two films couldn't be further apart. With first time director, Mark Mylod, and a comedic actress who's been struggling of late (yes that's you Anna Faris), it would take a Superhero to catapult What's Your Number? to the next level. Perhaps Chris Evans isn't much of a Superhero after all.

Ally Darling (played by Faris) hasn't found "the one" yet. And when she stumbles across a magazine article claiming that women who have had over 20 different lovers rarely ever find the man of their dreams, Ally starts to reminisce about her past partners. When she discovers she's reached the 20 mark, Ally refuses to sleep with anyone new and asks her neighbor Colin (played by Evans) to help her locate the men from her past. If the article is right, one of the 20 men must be the man of her dreams.

Let me start off by reinforcing the fact that What's Your Number? is an all out chick flick, no shocker there! I have always been a fan of Anna Faris, which dates back to her days in the Scary Movie series (in my defense, only the first two installments). And then she continued to impress me with her work in the under appreciated comedy Just Friends. Despite her past work, Faris continues to decline and it's very evident here. Her onscreen chemistry with cast mate Chris Evans is nonexistent and it deters from the film. Since the leading pair fails to convince the audience, it's difficult for viewers to find much to cling on to.

Although the movie has a less than dazzling cast, What's Your Number? does benefit from a solid script and the occasional laugh out loud moment. There are a few memorable scenes that will leave a lasting impression, and perhaps a better job of casting could have propelled the movie to a more prestigious status. The premise is very adult oriented and quite comical, but the script never uses the R rating to its advantage. The film is rated R but feels like it's more designed for a PG-13 crowd, and this results in an unconventional movie experience.

My soft spot for Anna Faris is dwindling by the day, and What's Your Number? reiterates the fact that she's not the same star as she use to be. Faris once captivated audiences with her outrageous comedic tone, but recently she has failed in her transformation as a sex symbol. Heed my advice and stray away from What's Your Number?, you won't miss much.

Stars: 1 and a half out of 4

Grade: C-

Dream House - Trailer

Dream House

Film: Dream House

Starring: Daniel Craig (Defiance), Rachel Weisz (The Lovely Bones), and Naomi Watts (Fair Game)

Director: Jim Sheridan (Brothers)

U.S. Release: September 30th, 2011 (Rated PG-13)

Genre: Thriller

Runtime: 92 minutes


Jim Sheridan is a director known for being a great storyteller. With a filmography including some deep, emotional films like The Boxer and Brothers, it would be hard for anyone to argue that notion. Within Sheridan's latest release, Dream House, there too lies a deep rooted story. And with the aid of Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, and Namoi Watts, Sheridan tries desperately to tell that story.

Dream House opens with its main character Will Atenton (played by Craig) packing up his personal belongings and leaving the office. Will has just retired from his job in order to move to the suburbs with his family, spend time with his children, and work on a novel. While getting acquainted with his new home, Will learns that the family who previously lived there was murdered. And upon hearing about the killer's recent release from a mental institution, Will begins to fear for the safety of his family.

Daniel Craig has propelled himself to stardom as the latest actor to play James Bond in the 007 series. Along the way, he has excelled in countless roles. With Dream House, Craig and his supporting cast fall too far into the realm of mediocrity. Each of their characters lack depth and creative appeal. Perhaps it's a result of misguided direction from Jim Sheridan, or maybe it's just another instance of big time actors and actresses wanting to cash a paycheck. Either way, one of the film's major flaws lies in the inability of its stars to connect with the audience.

In addition to it's unconvincing cast, Dream House also falls apart with its swiss-cheese plot. Within the story, there are enough holes to drive a MACK truck through, and every ounce of the blame falls on the shoulders of its director. As a poster boy for great storytelling, Sheridan can merely offer a yawning attempt at what's intended to be a suspenseful tale. And ultimately, Dream House fails to answer enough of the questions that make it vital for the audience to buy into the film. Thus, resulting in an unbelievable and illogical hour and a half of muck.

With viable options still in the theatre such as 50/50, Drive, and The Help, I'd star as far away from Dream House as humanly possible. Believe me, there's nothing worth seeing there.


Stars: Half a star out of 4

Grade: D-

20th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival

The countdown is under way. It's just a mere 10 days until Opening Night of the 20th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival. As a loyal member of the city's Film Society, I'll be gladly sporting my All-Access Badge throughout the two week affair. The festivities will open Thursday night, October 20th, to a showing of this year's Sundance winner Like Crazy. The Closing Night ceremonies and awards will conclude with the showing of George Clooney's The Descendants on Saturday October 29th. For information on movies and tickets to the festival you can visit www.Filmadelphia.org/

During the festival, I plan on seeing 16 of this year's most buzzed about features, namely Like Crazy, The Descendants, The Artist, Shame, Melancholia, My Week With Marilyn, and many others. I plan on reviewing most of the films listed above and possibly a few more, but I will be updating the blog regularly throughout the ordeal. Stay posted for news about the festival, and I suggest visiting the above link to take part in one of Philadelphia's greatest annual events.

The Ides of March Trailer 2011 Official movie trailer

The Ides of March

Film: The Ides of March

Starring: Ryan Gosling (Drive), George Clooney (Up in the Air), and Philip Seymour Hoffman (Pirate Radio)

Director: George Clooney (Good Night, and Good Luck)

U.S. Release: October 7th, 2011

Genre: Political Thriller/Drama

Runtime: 101 Minutes


The multi-talented writer, director, and actor George Clooney debuted his latest film, The Ides of March, on the big screen at this year's Venice Film Festival. Finally, the buzzed about political thriller has made its way across the mighty Atlantic ocean and into theatres everywhere in the United States. After continually catching a trailer that leaves much to the imagination, I was very eager to see the story behind the hype.

The Ides of March centers around the waning days of a democratic primary where only two horses remain, Governor Mike Morris (Clooney) and Senator Pullman. Morris' campaign team is lead by the veteran Paul Zara (Hoffman) and the up and coming Stephen Myers (Gosling), while Senator Pullman is following the advice of his constituent Tom Duffy (Giamatti). It's crunch time, and both sides are facing difficult moral and ethical decisions that could push their candidate over the top. However, when Stephen makes an impromptu decision to secretly meet with the opposition's top guy, Duffy, his campaign begin to fear his loyalty. The result is a tailspin of deceit and dirty politics that everyone must play in order to secure the election.

George Clooney's The Ides of March is a gripping ride that's over before you know it. The film is strongly backed by numerous aspects. First and foremost, the movie is brilliantly acted on all accounts. Ryan Gosling has been spectacular in films all year like Crazy Stupid Love and Drive, but this performance is undoubtedly his strongest. Furthermore, the remainder of the movie's award winning cast is also spot on. Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, and Marisa Tomei all shine in their two faced roles. Every main character exhibits a great amount of depth, and each actor and actress captures it perfectly.

In addition to its stellar acting, The Ides of March has a taut, well structured plot. The sequence of events flow naturally and there is never a moment for the audience to break away from the story. By all means the film is interesting, suspenseful, and direct. Clooney wastes no time getting his point across, and it makes for an enjoyable ride. But to top it all off, the film's closing scene is sure to send your brain in a tailspin.

The only parts of The Ides of March that I can imagine irking viewers are the occasional remarks about the two real life political parties. If you're a die hard, over the top supporter of your political party, it's important to take the film's banter with a grain of salt. There's no need to get offended here.

The Ides of March proves to be a strong film with a strong cast. It's successful in its attempt to show the dirty inner workings of an obviously corrupt political system. I recommend taking a chance with Clooney's latest feature, it's one of 2011's finest offerings and certainly worth the price of admission.


Stars: 4 stars out of 4

Grade: A