Movies in 2010...

A nice tribute to the films released this year (edited by Kees van Dijkhuizen).

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Tahj Mowry Goes Hipster

Tahj Mowry's new style is indie film ready.

You probably remember Mowry from the TV show The Smart Guy. He played the adorable young genius T.J. Henderson who got into all sorts of tween trouble. Now, Mowry is 24 year-years-old, he's working on an album and lining up some choice roles in mumblecore films (well, the third part is more of my hope). But seriously, someone should cast him in a quirky indie film because Mowry needs his own version of a Zooey Deschanel manic-pixie-dream-girl to chase after.

Let's call his possible foray into the world of independent cinema the Untitled Tahj Mowry Project. His first movie should include at least one or more of the following:

[READ MORE...]

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Love is a Bet

What are your favorite "it was a just a bet" movies? You know, the stories where someone gets paid (or bribed) to date another character and it's a big secret but they end up falling in love with the person. She's All That and 10 Things I Hate About You rank at the top of my list. They're fun movies and who can forget Heath Ledger's adorable rendition of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" in the bleachers.

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Remember Me

Remember Me surprised me in a good way. I wasn't sure what to expect but Robert Pattinson and Emilie de Ravin made a cute couple and even though the story was slow at parts, it was enjoyable. For some people Pattinson may never be able to shake his Twilight persona, but from beginning to end, I was lost in this story, in this character and I ceased any Edward notions of him. If you take this movie for what it is, a love story about hope and tragedy then you might also find yourself pleasantly surprised.

Now in theaters.

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Forever Beautiful

Dreamers stars, Eva Green & Luois Garrel. Movie star crushes.

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Classic laugh attack moment

"Milk was a bad choice!"
Anchorman

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Up in the Air

Up in the Air is one of the best movies of the year! Jason Reitman directs this film in near perfect form, no scene is wasted and even the opening credits serve a purpose, they too feel like a well-crafted character quickly and efficiently setting the tone. George Clooney leads this brilliant cast giving a charming yet melancholic performance as Ryan Bingham, a businessman who enjoys his life on the road.  

Up in the Air belongs on the shelf next to Juno and Lars and the Real Girl, poignant, witty and sweet.

Now in select theaters, opens wide on Dec. 25th.

Film Girl Force reviews:

• Kelly Monster
• Film Gurl
  

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Beastly

Beastly looks interesting but their "beast" version kind of creeps me out (but that's probably what they're aiming for). What do you think?

It's a modern-day take on the Beauty and the Beast tale where a New York teen is transformed into a hideous monster in order to find true love.

Here's the teaser trailer:

In theaters July 2010.

[H/T Rama's Screen]

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Twilight: New Moon (A Review) - Or Why Women Like Creatures of the Night

I was excited to see New Moon for various reasons: vampires, werewolves, forbidden romance, Native American actors and a cool soundtrack. The Twilight Saga appeals to the teenage girl in me, pure and simple. Men are allowed to connect with their inner fanboy so why shouldn't women be able to connect with their inner fangirl? I'm not saying that New Moon was brilliant but it was fun! Some lines were uber cheesy, but even those were enjoyable laugh out loud moments. 

Clara of JustChickFlicks.com asked me why women/girls are captivated by vampire stories and I'll include aliens to that list (Smallville, Roswell). So why? Probably because these "friendly" creatures of the night are super sensitive, they have special powers to "look inside your soul" and come with promises to "always protect." In real-life that would be creepy but in a fantasy that works. I think it's the instant deep connection with another person that draws girls and women. They're romanticized as poets with fangs.

I wouldn't mind seeing a rise of nerdy/awkward vampires though (think Michael Cera). Just imagine Nick & Norah's Infinite Vampire Playlist! 

For more discussion on women and vampirism check out "Why Are Women So Fascinated by Vampires?" and "Women Writers Talk New Moon" 

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Date Night

This movie is going to be epic...Tina Fey and Steve Carell!

In New York City, a case of mistaken identity turns a bored married couple's attempt at a glamorous and romantic evening into something more thrilling and dangerous.

The supporting cast only adds to the awesome, to name a few: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Kristen Wiig, Mark Wahlberg and even G4TV's Olivia Munn is part of the mix! Prepare to be amazed.

In theaters April 2010.

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Pirate Radio

Pirate Radio is what I call an uber buddy comedy. Camaraderie and rock n' roll are the main ingredients in this film, and that's a good thing. I've never been a fan of Kenneth Branagh but in his role as the suit-wearing antagonist, he's hilarious! Does this movie have its flaws? Yes. It's not Almost Famous good but it pulls off a nice blend of quirky and fun.

Now in theaters.

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Everybody's Fine

Everybody's Fine isn't your typical "holiday" film and that's a good thing. It digs a little deeper, shows a little more melancholy and you're rewarded with some laughs along the way.

In this fictional family Robert De Niro is father to Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore and Kate Beckinsale's characters. At first glance it may seem like an odd sibling pairing, but it works. I actually wish they had more scenes together.

And De Niro...his performance is a real treat.  

In theaters December 4th. 

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Zombieland

Zombieland opens this weekend! Now you can watch Woody Harrelson kick some serious zombie butt. Jesse Eisenberg (Adventureland) and Emma Stone (The House Bunny) bring their awkward coolness, so I expect fun. After you watch Zombieland share your favorite lines!


UPDATE: Check out Action Flick Chick's review of Zombieland.

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Valentine's Day

Topher Grace and Anne Hathaway make a cute onscreen couple (at least from the glimpse I caught). The trailer for Valentine's Day is packed with cuteness, and of all the pairings they're the ones I'm most interested in.


Valentine's Days comes to theaters February 2010.

[H/T Issa Rae]

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25 Favorite Actors...

Nathaniel over at Film Experience has a fun yet simple list-making meme going on. Post 25 pictures of your favorite (male) actors. Here's mine:

1-5: Johnny Depp | Liam Neeson | Denzel Washington | Leonardo DiCaprio | Joesph Gordon-Levitt


6-15: Ewan McGregor | Zach Braff | Michael Cera | Cary Grant | Joaquin Phoenix | Sean Connery | Adam Beach | Tobey Maguire | Antonio Banderas | Clive Owen

16-25: Josh Hartnett | Val Kilmer | Richard Gere | Orlando Bloom | Johnny Nguyen | Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson | Paul Walker | Takeshi Kaneshiro | Shahrukh Khan | Leonardo Nam

Join in and share some of your favs! Include the link to your blog post.

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Photo of the Week: Classically Baked

"You feeling it yet, Scarface?"

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Gentlemen Broncos

Jared Hess and Jemaine Clement each have their own brand of quirkiness and when you put them together you get this:

Gentlemen Broncos is about teenager who attends a fantasy writers' convention where he discovers his idea has been stolen by an established novelist.

Definitely on my list of movies to see. It opens October 30th.


Official Site: www.foxsearchlight.com/gentlemenbroncos

For fans of...Napaleon Dynamite and Eagle vs. Shark

[H/T Rama's Screen]

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New York, I Love You

New York, I Love You offers a bunch of love stories where the true star of the film is the city itself. It features Natalie Portman, Orlando Bloom, Shia LaBeouf, Ethan Hawke and the list goes on. Fans of Paris, Je t'aime will appreciate this American spin. And finally a trailer for those of you who have been eagerly awaiting...

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(500) Days of...Dancing

Joesph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel get their dance on:


This makes me want to see 500 Days of Summer for the third time!

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John Hughes Remembered

John Hughes made outsiders cool. Especially in Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club. His '80s love stories had a distinctive style, setting the mold for several other teen angst films to come. He made Molly Ringwald a star and gave us quirky characters like Duckie. Hughes did what many filmmakers often aspire to: create lasting films that can be watched over and over again regardless of generation.




Here's a tribute to Hughes when he won a producer award featuring several interviews with actors from his films.


And another one for good measure.

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