conversations with other women

the whole movie takes place on a split screen used alternatively to show memory, other people, places and things, or just different angles of the same scene. potentially annoying, this gimmick is actually quite evocative. the story is simple: a one night stand between two people who loved and lost each other when they were too young to know what they were doing. the movie made me sad, in a good way. Helena Bonham Carter was excellent; Aaron Eckhardt's performance pales in comparison, but I haven't really liked him in anything since In the Company of Men and Nurse Betty - he plays evil much more credibly than good.

mistress of spices

although this movie features the world's most beautiful woman (Aishwarya Rai) and Gurinder Chadha had a hand in the screenplay, even these formidable ladies could not save the innane story line. Rai plays a woman raised to serve people through spices who was transported to Oakland on a bed of fire as a child and cannot leave her spice shop or touch a human being without incurring the spices' wrath and wreaking destruction upon those around her. these rules fail to annoy her until she meets Dylan McDermott and suddenly yearns to be like other people. the most unbelievable element of the film is that Rai would actually fall for a second-rate actor like McDermott. the movie fails on many levels, but it's pretty fun to watch.

roman polanski's oliver twist

this is a very dark version of the oft-told tale, filmed beautifully.

you me and dupree

my favorite thing about this movie was that Seth Rogen was in it (Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared, if you don't know, you're missing out). Owen Wilson amiably performed his regular schtick and Matt Dillon played a cardboard cut-out of a put-upon new husband who didn't deserve to have a best friend as interesting as Wilson's Dupree. Michael Douglas' and Kate Hudson's talents were similarly wasted but overall, the movie was not nearly as bad as it looked in the previews.

talledega nights

this movie confirmed what I already suspected to be true - Ali G is funnier than Will Ferrell. it is pretty hard not to like this one, especially when you get to see the two comic geniuses kiss, and there is a fabulous, completely unexplained cameo by Mos Def. pretty much a perfect summer movie. also, if you stay through the credits, you will be rewarded by a final, secret scene. how often does that happen these days?

the oh in ohio

finally, a really good indie! Parker Posey and Paul Rudd are both classic indie film stars and they both do a great job as a couple split apart by 10 years of non-organsmic sex (on the wife's part, of course). Heather Graham is exceedingly hot as a lesbian sex store clerk and Mischa Barton plays the perfect scientifically-minded teen seductress. did I mention that I love Parker Posey? good, simple indie flick - see it before it's gone.

clerks 2

it takes a little time to warm up to this movie but who can resist a romantic confession whispered by a woman witnessing inter-species erotica? the dialogue is unabashedly silly, offensive and totally believable. unlike certain low-budget indies (see Little Miss Sunshine review), there is no sense that any of the characters see themselves as anything more than they are - total Jersey freaks. the film also comes complete with cool cameos. my favorite was Marshall from Alias (Kevin Weisman) typecast as a geek. go see it, but don't get mad at me if you can't get the picture of Jay naked out of your head.

grandma's boy

this is a comedy about white boys who smoke a lot of weed and play a lot of video games. they play so many that they work in the industry. there are some very unfunny racist bits and some humorous parts and the incomparable Linda Cardellini raises the whole thing up a few notches.

little miss sunshine

this indie is a real crowd pleaser. the audience couldn't stop laughing and I couldn't help wondering if I was missing something. the film has wacky characters (a heroin-snorting grandpa, a mute angst-ridden teen, a suicidal gay Proust scholar), borrowed gags and an over-sexualized seven year old. does that sound funny yet? thankfully, Toni Collette and Steve Carrell provide some relief with their understated performances. I think this is one of those cross-over indies that plays to the masses (read: anyone who thought Weekend at Bernies was below them).

a good woman

I was in a Scarlett Johansson mood and decided to watch this adaptation of Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan. unfortunately Helen Hunt has zero credibility as a seductress and Tom Wilkinson is the only decent actor in the bunch. nonetheless, I always enjoy Wilde's quips and some of his best lines are in this one, so if you can grit your teeth through Hunt's delivery, you can still get something out of this one.

scoop

there is vague and under-explained plot in here somewhere, but the movie seems to be primarily a vehicle for Woody Allen to deliver a steady stream of his usual self-depracating dialogue. if you love him, you'll be delighted. if you're over him, you'll find yourself checking the time every ten minutes.