Critics’ movie reviews

Speedy arrived tonight from a four-day trip to Boracay (courtesy of his office) where he bumped into my brother (also there on an office-sponsored trip) and within the first five minutes of the reunion, Sam announced (insisted) that we must go out tomorrow. You know, like Daddy has to make up for the four-day absence. I wasn’t too hot with the idea (going out with the girls these days can get pretty expensive) so I said, “If there’s a good movie.” She asked what’s showing and I said I’d check. I visited Click the City, checked what’s showing in Eastwood and saw that of the four movies currently playing there, Bride Wars is the only one we haven’t seen. The Kate Hudson-Anne Hathaway starrer has been given a bad review and I wondered if I should heed the warning that Bride Wars is a must-miss movie. Last week, we saw The Spirit despite the negative review, Speedy was snoring in the movie house even before the opening scene ended while I kept checking the time to see how much longer I would have to bear the torture. There was a point when I thought I must have gotten it wrong that Frank Miller was involved in the project. So, I wondered if, this time, I should pay attention to the negative review given to Bride Wars and just skip it. The Changeling is showing in other movie houses but I am not sure if it’s something that Sam and Alex will enjoy.

But then again, all movie reviews are subjective and dependent on the perspective and biases of every reviewer. I don’t know what makes a reviewer a bona fide critic but there are some films that have been lambasted by critics in high profile publications that we found very enjoyable. Eagle Eye, for instance, and Mamma Mia! both of which enjoyed commercial success but not critical acclaim. Maybe we can take another risk with Bride Wars and make the girls happy. I can always wait for the DVD release of The Changeling, watch it in solitary peace and enjoy it without my kids whining about how absolutely boring it is.

If you’re thinking movies, here are some I’ve seen recently. Some are worth the time and money; others are so-so. Some are already available on DVD.

1. Seven Pounds. Stars William Smith and Rosario Dawson about a guilt ridden man who sets about planning how he can play savior to seven strangers. Highly emotional and dramatic. Will Smith delivers so well I totally forgave him for that god-awful mess called Hancock.
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Brad Pitt was born old and grew up backwards. What’s there not to like? Kidding, kidding. But, seriously, the anticipation over seeing this film was worth it. I don’t even like F. Scott Fitzgerald and I never read the short story the film was based on but this one is a cinematic gem.
3. Body of Lies. Violence, violence, violence. And politics. CIA and terrorism. Russell Crowe and Leonardo Di Caprio. Suspenseful. Macho. Nice if you like that kind of stuff. I’m just not into anything that makes heroes out of American operatives (or soldiers) on terrorist hunts.
4. Passengers. A plane crashes and the survivors undergo therapy with a grief counselor (Anne Hathaway). Fanstastic trailer but even before the film was halfway through, I already guessed it would go the way of The Sixth Sense to which it couldn’t hold a candle.
5. The Women. Despite very negative reviews, I actually enjoyed this film. Nothing deep, nothing that requires analysis or introspection yet still entertaining. An all woman cast (not even the extras included men).
6. The Duchess. Ah, another gem. Based on Amanda Foreman’s biography of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Georgiana was not only famous for her beauty but for her political influence as well. But, perhaps, she is best known for her marital arrangements having shared the roof with her husband and mistress in a ménage à trois.

Sam just peeked in and asked what we’ll watch tomorrow. I said Bride Wars or The Changeling. She is definitely not interested in The Changeling. I hope Bride Wars won’t be another form of torture.