August Rush

2007, **, PG
Starring: Keri Russell, Terrance Howard, Robin Williams

By Meredith A. Iager


Keri Russell, Jonathan Ryes-Meyers, and Freddie Highmore star in this film about a child that searches for his parents through a musical connection. In 1995, Russell, a cellist, meets Ryes-Meyers a rock singer, on the rooftop of a building, while attending a party after one of her concerts. It is love at first sight, and the pair hookup; she gets pregnant. Eleven years later, we meet Freddie Highmore, an orphan in upstate New York. For 11 years he’d hoped for a day when he could reconnect with his mother and father.

One day, "August," goes on the quest into the city (to get away from the orphange for a day), and instantly becomes overwhelmed with it’s everyday “sounds” and becomes intrigued by a kid playing the guitar, which leads him to find a group of musician orphans. He soon discovers their leader played by Robin Williams’s only wants to use him for cash, when he learns Highmore is a child prodigy.

This film is fantastic and is quite uplifting. It shows the bond between people, even when time spent together has been lost. The film also stars, Alex O’Loughlin (CBS Drama “Moonlight,” “The Invisible,” “The Oyster Farmer”), Robin Williams ("Flubber," "Mrs. Doubtfire"), and Terrance Howard (“The Brave One," "Crash").

I recommend renting or buying this film -- especially if you are a fan of "Felicity."

27 Dresses

2008, ***, PG-13
Starring: James Marsden, Katherine Heigl, Malin Akerman

By: Meredith A. Iager

Katherine Heigl (ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Wish Upon a Star”)
stars in this romantic comedy about a girl that’s been putting her life on hold for everyone else, especially her boss played by Edward Burns. There is of course a conflict in the storyline, when her (Heigl’s) sister pops into town, for no apparent reason, and goes after her boss. Then there’s come drinking involved (which might happen to most of us, when someone steals “our” crush), and Heigl goes for a journalist (Marsden) who begins to swoon her away.

And of course the title of the film gives it away—she’s worn 27 bridesmaid dresses, and been there for all her girlfriends on their special day. The film also stars, James Marsden as the journalist, and Judy Greer (“13 Going on 30,” “Cursed”) as Heigl’s co-worker annoying friend, in this delightful film.

A newly married Katherine Heigl in real life has serious trouble when it comes to her love life as Jane in, "27 Dresses." She is in love with her entrepreneur-publishing boss, (Edward Burns, “One Missed Call,” The Holiday”) 15 plus years her senior, who her sister (Malin Akerman, “The Heartbreak Kid,” “Entourage”) falls for.

Jane is completely lonely and even though she won’t admit it, she fills the void by becoming obsessed with the idea of marriage and lives vicariously through all of the weddings she attends just about every weekend. The joke is on her though, and Kevin (Marsden, “Enchanted,” “Disturbing Behavior”) a young journalist, soon discovers her weakness. In a sneaky pursuit he discovers the real Jane, and begins to fall in love with her. In the process of making his career skyrocket, he fails to mention to Jane his next big byline is all about her.

Superb acting done by all, truly a great cast of fine young talent. This is a great film, simple storyline, and excellent message; "You should please yourself before you please everyone else." In some ways, this film is the “better” version of the 2006 flick, “The Devil Wears Prada,” because both lead females are the assistant of a “hot shot” boss at a New York City publication, only in “27 Dresses,” Katherine Heigl gets to have hotter men, and a non-hostile work environment! Different storylines of course, but same premise, it all comes back to, picking the “right” guy.

This is a must buy film, if you’re a lover of romantic comedies!

Twilight

Twilight

2008, **, PG-13
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke

By: Meredith A. Iager

This flick is based on the Stephanie Meyers novel. It is a very mundane teen vampire romance-drama, despite the 70 million dollars it made over the weekend, due to the teenybopper girls that flocked to the theatre. “Twilight,” was very disappointing and I am a vampire movie connoisseur.

Bella, (Kristen Stewart, “The Messengers,” “Into the Wild”) who moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father, town Sheriff (Billy Burke). Her new high school classmates all have different agendas, especially one particular group of siblings, the Cullen’s. She takes a particular hot and heavy interest in the suave, yet awkward Edward Cullen (Pattinson, “Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire”). He takes a deep interest in her as well, and she soon realizes the kid is a tad freaky, and definitely hiding some dark secret. Women—curiosity makes us make bad decisions.

“Twilight,” is essentially a teen flick that provides no depth to the subject of vampirism, but offers a new twist: vampires sparkle in sunlight. Also, Robert Pattinson looks way too feminine— not sexy at all! I did think it was rather cool to watch the scene of the vamp family playing baseball—that’s different.

What happened to vampire flicks in the 80s? — scary, sexy, and sophisticated. I still remember “Fright Night,” starring Chris Sarandon and Amanda Bearse, a classic teen vampire flick—an excellent choice for a Saturday movie.

Don’t waste time in the theatre with this new one, wait for the DVD. Only for vamp-lovers.