Love and Other Drugs

Directed by: Edward Zwick
UK release date: 29 December 2010
US release date: 24 November 2010
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, Oliver Platt, Hank Azaria



IMDB Page

He said:
Before I review this film it should be known that I am more or less in love with Anne Hathaway and the fact that she seems to be naked in nearly a third of this film is never ever going to be a reason for me to complain.

This is a fun romantic comedy with great heart and an excellent amount of humor. In my opinion Hathaway and Gyllenhaal share an onscreen chemistry to rival that of Bogart and Bergman in Casablanca. Oliver Platt is fantastic throughout this film managing to steal nearly every scene he shares with Gyllenhaal.

Love and other drugs is a large departure for director Ed Zwick who is better known for films like Blood Diamond and The Siege but also produced the Television show My so called life with Claire Danes that launched her career. Though it is not his typical project he crafted a fantastic and well paced film.

Love and other drugs is a fun film that has enough humor and nudity to make it a favorite of most couples for a number of years to come. {{{I give it 4 out of 5}}}

She said:

I hadn't heard much about this film so wasn't sure what to expect. I didn't expect a whole load of sex and nakedness for example, but hey, who's complaining? The basic premise of the film i.e. a relationship between a pharmaceutical rep and an artist with early on-set Parkinson's, was a really thought provoking one.

For me this film was ultimately about having to accept yourself to accept someone else. I won't go into detail but there were some parallels to mine and James' relationship in this way. Perhaps this is why I 'got' this film whereas some people might miss that deeper meaning.

There were some great comedic moments in this film (selling Viagra, for example) and some great tear jerking moments (but that would be telling). Overall it was a really interesting film with, as previously mentioned, a lot of nakedness. I give it {{{3 out of 5}}}

They said:

A funny and heartwarming film about acceptance and life. Just don't see it with your mum. We give this film {{{7 out of 10}}}

QUESTION FOR THE COMMENTS: WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM THAT MADE YOU CRY?

Alice in Wonderland (Directed by Tim Burton)

Watched: March 7th 2010

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Stephen Fry, Crispin Glover, Anne Hathaway, Timothy Spall, Matt Lucas, Alan Rickman

IMDB link

She said:

This is one of 'those' films. The ones that you pre-book tickets and watch every possible trailer drooling over what promises to be a visual masterpiece. For me Alice in Wonderland lived up to expectations. It was just what I was expecting with Tim Burton's unique balance of the weird and wonderful with the dark and the magical.

The Burton-Depp-Bonham Carter have again provided a fantastic few hours of entertainment. Both Depp and Bonham Carter were both marvelous and it was as if the parts were written for them. But Tim Burton has a knack of manipulating any story to make them perfect for his dynamic duo. The casting of the supporting artists was also spot on from Stehpen Fry as the Cheshire cat to Matt Lucas as the Tweedles.

My favourite thing about the envisioning of these classic novels was the use of Carroll's wonderfully bizarre language. Burton did not hold back on challenging the audience with unusual speech and at times hard to understand dialogue - after all Wonderland is a place full of mad people! Matching this was the crazy costumes and make up which impressed me highly.

I look forward to watching this again. If you are a fan of Burton's goth-like magic world's or of the spirit of Carroll's novels and poetry (the Jabberwocky is one of my favourite poems) then watch this film. If you are after Disney... then er... go rent Disney. I give this <<<4.5 out of 5>>>

He said:
I agree 100% with what Helen said above. Honestly I would be remiss if I didn't mention that you won't be missing out on anything if you aren't one of the masses completely enthralled by the RealD 3D nonsense that every movie producing company has been trying to shove down our throats this year and I'm sure for at least the next few years to follow.

Tim Burtons Wonderland is beautiful and rich, and does not need the 3D embellishment. The added effect is amusing at best and at worst it is nothing more than distracting.

Certain 3D parts of the film, such as Alice falling down the rabbit hole, are completely chaos. The digital effects guys throw so much debris towards the audience and Burton films the scene so close up that everything blurs together in a mass of unintelligible imagery. I hope that other studios are taking note of this and realize that if they must make a 3D film, then it needs to be done during the shooting process and not done as an afterthought.

All of that aside I truly enjoyed this film. It's worth watching and like so many before it I will own it on DVD. I give it {{{{4.0 out of 5}}}}

They Said:
This film is definitely a must see, though maybe not in 3D save the extra money and splurge on another film this week. We both really enjoyed this film and give it [[[[8.5 out of 10]]]]

Valentine's Day (Directed by Garry Marshall)

Watched: 28th February
IMDB link

Starring: Jessica Biel, Patrick Dempsey, Jessica Alba, Ashton Kutcher, Julia Roberts, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Garner, Taylor Lautner, Taylor Swift, Eric Dane, Queen Latifah, Hector Elizondo, Shirley MacLaine, Kathy Bates, George Lopez, Bradley Cooper

He said:

I, like a lot of others went into this film expecting an American take on Love Actually. I honestly think that had any other director attempted this film that would have been exactly what we were given. Thankfully Garry Marshall is a brilliant and gifted director. This film is touching, has great humor and is genuinely sweet with out being saccharine or forced.

As I have said this is a heart warming film what seemed like an obvious and predictable film found little amazing ways to surprise you. Every type of relationship is explored in this film varying from Puppy Love, Old and Familiar, extra-marital, inter-racial, gay, friendship, familial, and school age crushes. If the relationship you are in isn't touched on in this film, I fear for your relationship.

I really enjoyed this film and with out reservation give it the coveted {{{{5 out of 5 rating}}}}

She Said:

As James mentioned this film appears to very much be a L.A. set Love Actually from the intertwining stories of love to the 'how many names can we fit on the bill' mentality. But I agree that it was more than this. While there are many similarities to Love Actually (sweet, funny and heartwarming with a good bit of moral) Valentine's Day manages to be its own film.

If I had to compare the film to another it would actually be Pretty Woman. Obviously Garry Marshall directed both and for I'm sure reasons such as 'it's Pretty Woman's 20th anniversary' and 'Pretty Woman is one of the best love stories of all time' this film had so many nods to it you could not count them on two hands. There were many actors in both films including Julia Roberts, the Hotel Manager and the 'suck up guy' from the shop. Also much of the dialogue particularly toward Roberts were lifted from the Pretty Woman script. A great outtake during the credits has Julia quoting 'BIG mistake. Big. Huge.' about shopping on Rodeo Drive. Movie lovers like James and I get a real kick out of this sort of thing.

The film was well paced and well structured. The intertwining plot was based around Ashton Kutcher's character, a florist (what could be more romantic on Valentine's Day than sending flowers) with the 'satellite' relationships connected in varying ways outwards from him. Always a danger with these types of films is that one storyline is too focused on or that actors are fighting for top billing but this was not the case. No one story or actor stole the show (although Anne Hathaway as a part time adult phone entertainer is sticking in my mind. Very funny). But every relationship was heartwarming or heartfelt in someway and you invested in pretty much every character from the outset.

I love romantic comedies and this one is definitely a new favourite. I highly recommend watching it. I can't wait to have this on DVD and get it out whenever there is rain clouds on the horizon and I need a pick-me-up. I give this film <<<4.5 out of 5>>>

They said:

We thoroughly enjoyed this film and it was great to see as a couple. I think whether you see this with your partner or with a group of friends everyone will leave with a smile. We give this film <<<9.5 out of 10>>>