The Wedding Date (2005)

Failing In Love

THE PLOT (5 pts - Average)

Desperate bridesmaid hires an escort, just to show-off to her former fiancé, who happens to be the best man as well.  Sounds complicatedly promising and "My Best Friend's Wedding"-like.  Sadly, the supposed romantic comedy, turns out dull and flat.

THE PERFORMANCE (5 pts - Average)

Although they do ok in their individual parts as naive Kat for Messing and confident Nick for Mulroney, what obviously missing is chemistry between them.  They just don't gel together.  It's the other talented couple Adams and Davenport that sparks.

THE PRODUCTION (5 pts - Average)

I think what saves this movie are the great Michael Bublé soundtracks “Sway”, “Home” and “Save the Last Dance for Me”.  The music timing is good and sweet.  Then, the rest of the gimmicks are well..., uncomfortable to look at.

OVERALL SCORE
(5 + 5 + 5) / 3 = 5.00
5/10 points = Average



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Rovi
     = 2.5 stars (reviewed by Mark Deming)
     = 3.5 stars (based on 2 users)  

2.  Amazon
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (based on 230 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = C (based on 282 users)

4.  Film Critic
      = 1.0/5.0 star (reviewed by Sean O'Connell)
      = 3.0/5.0 stars (based on users)

5.  IMDB
      = 5.5/10.0 stars (based on 13,535 users)

6.  Metacritic
      = 32/100 points (based on 34 critics)
      = 5.4/10.0 points (based on 20 users)

7.  MRQE
      = 39/100 (based on critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 2.0/5.0 stars (based on critics)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on 1,217 users)

9.  Rotten Tomatoes
     = 10/100 points (based on 137 critics)
     = 68/100 points (based on 184,867 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = C- (based on 11 critics)
     = B (based on 10,383 users)


THE GIST

I like the moral lesson at the end.  When you allow forgiveness and selflessness, bad situations will turn out in your favor.  Still, this is just one simple cheesy film.  :|

EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"I'd rather fight with you

than make love with anyone else."

- Nick Mercer

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

"Total Jerk" TJ

3.  TEASER SCENE

- Matchy matchy

4.  MOVIE TRAILER



5.  NUMBER TRACKER 

Production Budget                            $ 15 M
---------------------------------------------------
Domestic Gross           $31.7 M
Foreign Gross              $15.4 M
---------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Gross                            $47.1 M
---------------------------------------------------
Profit                                             $32.1 M



6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

- None

Selena (1997)

The Pursue Of Dreams


THE PLOT (9 stars – Excellent)

Purely inspiring!  Probably, one of the best biopic ever made.  Selena’s journey is a rollercoaster ride.  Then, it ends unexpectedly.  Even yet, I like how the film concentrates more on her talent and music, and on the pursue of dreams.

THE PERFORMANCE (9 stars - Excellent)

Applause to Edward James Olmos and Jennifer Lopez!  Olmos as the strict dad is very convincing.  Lopez's interpretations are natural, not forceful.  Her singing and dancing performances are entertaining and fun.  Their father-daughter relationship works well, full of emotions here.

THE PRODUCTION (7 stars - Good)

I like the gradual phasing of the movie.  Imitations in make-up and hair, wearing the original clothes are effective.  I like how the camera angle moves especially during the performances.  Fast segments, some close-ups and engaging shots are just right.

OVERALL SCORE
(9 + 9 + 7) / 3 = 8.33
8/10 points = Very Good



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Rovi
     = 3.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Lisa Kropiewnicki)
     = 3.0/5.0 stars (based on 1 user)

2.  Amazon
     = 4.4/5.0 stars (based on 254 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = B (based on 319 users)

4.  Film Critic
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (reviewed by Don Willmott)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on users)

5.  IMDB
     = 6.3/10.0 stars (based on 8,584 users)

6.  Metacritic
     = 65/100 points (based on 16 critics)
     = 9.6/10.0 points (based on 5 users)

7.  MRQE
     = 66/100 points (based on critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (based on critics)
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (based on 872 users)

9.  Rotten Tomatoes
     = 63/100 points (based on 38 critics)
     = 76/100 points (based on 149,641 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = None
     = B+ (based on 6,850 users)


THE GIST

“Selena” is a story worth making.  In spite of tragedy, there is triumph.  And didn’t I mention the voice?  Oh, you sure gonna fall in love with that sultry voice.  :)

EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"The hardest part is letting go."

- Bungee Jumping Crew

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

"Sneaky" Yolanda Saldivar

3.  TEASER SCENE

- Recording a hit song

4.  MOVIE TRAILER

5.  NUMBER TRACKER

Production Budget                      $20.0 M
-------------------------------------------------
Domestic Gross       $35.3 M
Foreign Gross          $45.0 M
-------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Gross                         $80.3M
-------------------------------------------------
Profit                                         $60.3M

6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

Golden Globe Awards, USA
Nominated:            - Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture
                                    Comedy / Musical (Jennifer Lopez)

Grammy Awards, USA
Nominated:            - Best Instrumental Composition Written in Motion Picture

MTV Movie Awards, USA
Nominated:             - Breakthrough Performance (Jennifer Lopez)

A Very Long Engagement (2004)

Love Waits, Love Hopes

THE PLOT (6 stars - Above Average)

Young lady waits and hopes for the return of her fiancé soldier from the bitter end of war.  Her constant search and perseverance succeeds, despite of disability and discouragements.  I like how she whispers challenges to herself and beats them.

THE PERFORMANCE (7 stars - Good)

In some parts, acting is a bit theatrical and vulgar and in some parts, a bit dry. Lead actress Audrey Tautou’s performance is controlled and reserved. Meanwhile, her lover Gaspard Ulliel, gets little exposure over a war that's vividly portrayed.

THE PRODUCTION (8 stars - Very Good)

Daring shots and executions, depicting the loom scenarios of the World War I.  Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet captures the dark side of battlefield with art.  Cinematography is at its best, visualizing the quiet beauty of the lighthouse and scenery of France.

OVERALL SCORE
(6 + 7 + 8) / 3 = 7.00
7/10 points = Above Average



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Rovi
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Derek Armstrong)

2.  Amazon
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (based on 125 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = B (based on 228 users)

4.  Film Critic
     = 3.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Chris Barsanti)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by users)

5.  IMDB
     = 7.8/10.0 stars (based on 29,999 users)

6.  Metacritic
     = 76/100 points (based on 39 critics)
     = 8.1/10.0 points (based on 38 users)

7.  MRQE
     = 75/100 (based on 152 critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 4.0/10.0 stars (based critics)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on 129 users)

9.  RottenTomatoes
     = 77/100 points (based on 142 critics)
     = 84/100 points (based on 22,881 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = B (based on 5 critics)
     = B (based on 2,660 users)



THE GIST

Picturesque battles and majestic vistas overshadow the emotions which supposed to be the heart of the movie.  Squeezing too much style and elegance diverts viewers' attention leaving them at lost.  :(

EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"Tears say what you can't say."

- Sylvain

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

"Stubborn" Mailman

3.  TEASER SCENE

- Childhood days

4.  MOVIE TRAILER

5.  NUMBER TRACKER 

Production Budget                          $56.6 M
---------------------------------------------------
Domestic Gross             $6.5 M
Foreign Gross              $63.6 M
---------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Gross                            $70.1 M
---------------------------------------------------
Profit                                            $13.5 M



6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

Academy Awards, USA (Oscars)
Nominated:                  - Best Achievement in Art Direction
                                   - Best in Cinematorgraphy

BAFTA Awards, UK (British Academy of Film and Television Arts)
Nominated:                 - Best Film Not in the English Language

Golden Globes, USA
Nominated:                 - Best Foreign Language Film

                

The Lake House (2006)

Right Place In A Wrong Time

THE PLOT (7 stars - Good)

The Lake House (TLH) is a modern take of “Somewhere In Time”.  Based on the Korean movie “Il Mare”, TLH is about two strangers who fall in love but living in a different time.  Dilemma is, how they’ll gonna meet?

THE PERFORMANCE (5 stars - Average)

After "Speed", 16 years ago, Bullock and Reeves have teamed-up again.  Roles are perfect for them but the chemistry between them is a bit cold - both display such dry performances.  I'm a Sandra-Keanu fan, I wish they've pushed it more.

THE PRODUCTION (5 stars - Average)

I enjoy the seasons, cityscape and architectural cinematography scattered in the film - it sets the mood.  Nice soundtracks as well.  The story is promising but direction isn't able to show its full potential.  I find the phasing obviously dragging.

OVERALL SCORE
(7 + 5 + 5) / 3 = 6.00
6//10 points = Above Average



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Rovi
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (reviewed by Perry Seibert)
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (based on 4 users)

2.  Amazon
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on 360 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = B (based on 737 users)

4.  Film Critic
     = 2.5/5.0 stars (reviewed by David Dylan Thomas)
     = 3.0/5.0 stars (based on users)

5.  IMDB
     = 6.8/10.0 stars (based on 40,964 users)

6.  Metacritic
     = 52/100 points (based on 34 critics)
     = 7.8/10.0 points (based on 207 users)

7.  MRQE
     = 57/100 (based on critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 3.0/10.0 stars (based critics)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on 472 users)

9.  RottenTomatoes
     = 36/100 points (based on 154 critics)
     = 75/100 points (based on 401,024 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = C+ (based on 15 critics)
     = B (based on 17,991 users)



THE GIST

Smart.  Sometimes I get lost with 2004, 2006 and 2008 timeline.  At the end, it intertwines and still captures our hearts.  Decent.  For me, decent is not good, it's just average.  :|

EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"Let me let you go."

- Kate Forster

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

Jack "of all trades"

3.  TEASER SCENE

- Man from the past

4.  MOVIE TRAILER



5.  NUMBER TRACKER 

Production Budget                          $40.0 M
---------------------------------------------------
Domestic Gross           $52.3 M
Foreign Gross              $62.5 M
---------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Gross                           $114.8 M
---------------------------------------------------
Profit                                             $74.8 M



6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

Teens Choice Awards, USA

Winner:                        - Movies - Choice Liplock
                                        (Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves)
Nominated:                  - Movies - Choice Chick Flick