Law Abiding Citizen (4.5 out of 10)

I’m sad to say, but my first movie pick was pretty lame. I’m not sure why, but this week I chose Law Abiding Citizen with Gerard Butler. I’m not a huge fan of action movies and since seeing the awful and disappointing Gamer, I haven’t been a huge fan of Gerard either. But let this be a lesson to us all, just because Blockbuster has ten shelves dedicated to a movie it DOES NOT mean the movie is worth renting. Anyhow…

Having watched his wife and daughter brutally murdered, Clyde Shelton (Butler) is devastated to hear that one of the murderers will be let off easy for providing evidence against his partner, because the district attorney (played by Jamie Foxx) would rather win the case than risk losing it by prosecuting both suspects. After ten years of plotting and preparing Shelton sets out to seek his revenge against the killers, the attorney, the judge, and basically everyone in the legal system involved with the case who didn’t serve justice. Everyone knows he is responsible, however, no one can figure out how he is committing the crimes – especially after they have him in prison.

Here is where the movie becomes so unrealistic, I couldn’t even handle it. I know movies are not real life and most movie plots are pretty unrealistic, but the twist in Law Abiding Citizen is so impossible that I spent twenty minutes shouting, “No way!” and “Bullshit!” at my television. (I’m having flashbacks of watching Iron Man when Eric had to repeatedly explain to me how the arc reactor keeps Tony Stark alive.)

The acting was mediocre throughout and the ending was a real suckfest. Don’t waste your time on this one.

-Amber!

Whatever Works (7.5 out of 10)

"This is not the feel good movie of the year. So if you're one of those idiots who needs to feel good, go get yourself a foot massage."


Whatever works is vintage Woody. Larry David is hilarious playing Boris, a self proclaimed genius who hates people. Me being the genius I am could relate to the film because just like Boris I to can see the whole picture. :)

Boris' world turns upside down after his wife leaves him, a failed suicide attempt, and befriending a young dumb southern bell named Melody played by Evan Rachel Wood. Despite their age and intellectual differences he grows fond of her. Boris' merciless insults, rants, and tirades are what makes "Whatever Works" works for me.

Eric

Whatever Works (6.75 out of 10)

This week our movie was Eric’s pick. Torn between the animated Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Woody Allen’s Whatever Works, we did the old close-your-eyes-and-pick-a-hand trick. I must admit I wasn’t entirely enthused about either choice but there hasn’t been a Woody Allen movie that I haven’t like, so we popped in Whatever Works and our first weekly Movie Review Night was underway!

Larry David stars as Boris Yelnikoff, an unlikable physicist who has given up hope on all mankind. After a failed suicide attempt, Boris spends his days hopelessly trying to teach chess to children and discussing all the reasons he hates humanity. Convinced that life is worthless and for nothing, Boris feels that you should do whatever works to get pleasure from any joy you can obtain in life (as long as you aren’t hurting anybody else!). Boris soon encounters Melody, a sweet southern runaway, played by Evan Rachel Wood, when she shows up hungry at his doorstep and begging for food. Though Boris finds Melody incredibly naïve, stupid, and simple, he lets her stay with him and the two begin to find unusual happiness in each others company.

I normally find Evan Rachel Wood to be an awful actress, but I really enjoyed watching Melody’s character – though she was an idiot she was still endearing and charming. Larry David was hilarious, not far from his Curb Your Enthusiasm character, but he plays the type well. I wouldn’t say it was one of Wood Allen’s best movies, but it definitely had enough laugh out loud moments to keep me interested.

I’ll leave you with a few words of advice on life from Boris, “I can’t say enough times - whatever love you can get and give, whatever happiness you can filch or provide, every temporary measure of grace, whatever works.”

xoxo,
Amber