1946 - One Day

I really loved the book this film was based on.  It was a gimmick, the idea of revisiting two friends on the same day every year, but the book made it work - because even though we just saw the one day the medium allowed commentary on the 364 days we'd missed inbetween - something that the film can't allow without massive exposition - which it avoids.  It's a faithful adaptation in regards to the story and scenes, but not emotionally.  I adore Anne Hathaway - I can give or take Jim Sturges and perhaps that's part of the problem - I had a hard time buying into their love story because I didn't think he deserved her in this version.  I didn't get a sense of his tortured self the way it comes across in the book.  Here it just feels sterile, like we're bouncing from one year to another without much to keep us emotionally grounded.  That said, I'm not sure what you would have done with this adaptation to avoid such pratfalls.  If you liked the book it might be worth checking out just to see it come to life (it's on Netflix). For those that don't know the book, I don't know... your call!

1872 - Friends With Benefits

It's nothing new, but more romantic comedies aren't really funny.  They aren't heavy dramas, so they get lumped into another category without really having to early the 'comedy' banner.  They're more amusing, and sometimes delightful, but I can probably count on my two hands how many "rom-coms" I've laughed out loud at.  This, sadly, wasn't one.  However - I did like it - because it was entertaining, and amusing - and that's not a bad thing at all.  Kunis is pretty damn delightful and Timberlake is a perfect match for her here.  They spend a good chunk at the beginning mocking the traditional rom-com format before succumbing to it themselves - which is just an odd-meta choice.

If you're in the mood for a decent modern rom-com, this one fits the bill nicely.  If you laugh out loud at it, please let me know.

1510 - Easy A

Let's get the crappy part of the review out of the way right away.  I had a hard time buying into the beginning of this film.  In this day in age does anyone in high school really make a big deal of a girl sleeping with someone?  Sure, once they start giving it away to everyone perhaps, but after just one guy the news spreads like wildfire?  Especially a girl who is apparently "off the radar"?  When I was in high school no one cared and we were in a small town, and that's all you did was gossip.  So with that, and the Hippie and the Christian girl who had the skankiest make-up of everyone, that's my gripes with this film.  Outside of that, there was a lot to like about this film...
I've been a big fan of Ms. Emma Stone since I first was graced with her screen presence.  She's cute as hell, but funny and smart as a whip.  And she's given great stuff to work with.  Some amazing scenes and dialogue going on here - no idea how much was scripted Vs. improv, but it felt real and spontaneous and fun.  Stone is on her way to being a superstar, and for good reason.  Here's hoping she makes good choices.
Stanley Tucchi and Particia Clarkson are goddamn brilliant as the parents in this film.  It's a testament to great casting, acting, and writing.  These roles could have been the standard cliche, but what the screenplay of this film does is give all of the smaller roles something to really do.  There are no wasted roles here.
So while I had initial problems buying into the concept of the entire film, I was over taken by how much fun it is.  The filmmakers are quite obviously in love with the teen comedies of the eighties, and perhaps this is their tribute to them, and if so, it's a decent one.  This is by no means one of those you-absolutely-must-see films, but if you want to be entertained by a pretty damn good teen comedy, then this should be right up your alley.
Easy A  Easy A [Blu-ray]