Hostel
Nanny McPhee
Just Friends
Hostel
Visually, "Hostel" might be a step up from Eli Roth's previous horror flick "Cabin Fever," but otherwise this feature isn't very successful. Roth's attempt to dig into the theme of America's almost national fear of the unknown isn't skillfully exploited and the story's dreadfully long build-up asks for more interesting characters than Roth can produce. In the second half of the feature things turn more exciting as the sadistic gore hits the screen. However, the movie never manages to give the explicit violence resonance due to a lousy script and generally vague ideas. Takashi Miike, the Japanese horror genius who made "Audition," graces "Hostel" with a cameo, but Roth simply isn't willing to go to Miike's thrilling extremes of weirdness. His movie doesn't merit the comparison.
1/2 ( Julie Vinten )
"Amsterdam rocks dude, especially the dope and red light district! But what's that? There's a secret hostel in Slovakia with the hottest women in Europe? And there are no men around because of the war? Awesome! Let's go! That shady-looking guy wasn't bullshitting. This hostel is for real! There are so many beautiful semi-naked women who want sex with me! It's a dream come true! But wait, where are my friends? They've mysteriously disappeared. That's not like them. Bummer! Maybe they're in this huge derelict factory. Hello? Is anyone at home? Whoa dude! What are you doing with that chainsaw! Get out of my face you psycho-freak! What's that? The hostel supplies fresh victims to rich maniacs who pay a fortune to kill them in the most gruesome way possible? That totally sucks."
( Tim Ochser )
Nanny McPhee
At first, the premise of this colorful, children's feature might seem like a "Mary Poppins" rip-off, but "Nanny McPhee" has a life of its own. Based on the "Nurse Matilda" books by Christianna Brand and adapted by Emma Thompson (who also stars as the bizarre nanny of the title), this is a magical little story with the joyful illogic of a real, old-school fairytale. The hysterical performances of the prominent British cast are just right for the story's sense of whimsy. The movie utilizes some entertaining stereotypical characters who find their way into some amusing situations. Large groups of child actors tend to be annoying brats, but the bunch in this film is utterly charming. "Nanny McPhee" has wit and heart and will please the whole family. III1/2
1/2 ( Julie Vinten )
Mr. Brown (Colin Firth) is the widowed father of seven monstrously out-of-control kids until the mysterious Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson) turns up one night. The children have scared off every other nanny in town but Nanny McPhee has a few magic tricks to teach them how to behave. Emma Thompson also scripted this extremely enjoyable film that will appeal to adults and children alike (there's scarcely a difference any more anyway). It's all very over-the-top and quaintly old-fashioned but there's something irresistibly good-hearted about "Nanny McPhee." Like all good fairy tales it also has a healthy dose of the grotesque thrown in for good measure. Many an exasperated parent will probably secretly pray that Nanny McPhee comes knocking at their door after seeing this.
( Tim Ochser )
Just Friends
This romantic teenage comedy is dumb beyond belief, but oddly enough, it's also rather sweet. There is stupid dialogue, (What kind of stereotypes?) stereotypes and dim-witted slapstick in abundance. Ironically, the filmmakers steer the movie into tiring teen comedy cliches with such conviction, I'm certain that they got exactly the movie they wanted and not one whit wiser, funnier or less silly. We might want more, but the movie does tell a cute childhood love story with two likable leads who aren't entirely unbelievable. When the aggravating supporting cast gets to you, this pair makes you want to stay in the theater. Put it this way, I certainly had expected a lot less from this movie after seeing the ridiculous poster of Ryan Reynolds in a fat suit.
1/2( Julie Vinten )
"Just Friends" is a tiresomely formulaic American comedy that shamelessly borrows from its predecessors but with little of their charm or freshness. Overweight adolescent nerd Chris (Ryan Reynolds) is hopelessly in love with high school beauty Jamie (Amy Smart). She loves him too but only as a dear friend. After being severely humiliated at a graduation party, Chris runs off swearing revenge. Cut to years later. He's now a handsome, rich record industry bigwig who can have any woman he wants. But will Jamie be impressed by the new Chris when they finally meet up again 10 years later? "Just Friends" is amusing in places but it's all been done before. This comedic obsession with extreme social humiliation has to stop sometime soon. There are more subtle ways of making people laugh.
1/2 ( Tim Ochser )
