July in December

Away We Go
Starring John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Catherine O'Hara, Jeff Daniels, Allison Janney, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Chris Messina

An odyssey of discovery for a grungy couple who discover they're going to have a baby. Excellent performances from the "monsters" on the road. Also, Dave Eggers and Vendela (actually married in real life) write an excellent, realistic screenplay allowing natural chemistry for Krasinski and Rudolph.

Grade: B+


Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Starring Daniel Radcliff, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Jim Broadbent, Michael Gambon, Helena Bohnam Carter, and Maggie Smith

One of the better "Harry Potter" films, but the writers or director or editors failed to include a pulsing battle at the climax of the plot. Beautifully shot, but hugely anticlimactic.

Grade: B-


Bruno
Starring Sacha Baron Cohen

Indecent, overtly raunchy, pointless, and unfunny. I loved "Borat", but "Bruno" was just horrible.

Grade: D-

License to Wed

License to Wed
Starring Robin Williams, John Krasinski & Mandy Moore

For the past several years, Robin Williams has been in a downward spiral in his career as a legendary Hollywood actor. In "License to Wed," his career continues to plummet as he makes a bad script about a priest (who is more like a secret agent) that must force the rules of marriage upon the happily engaged couple of Sadie (Mandy Moore) and Ben (John Krasinski). Williams is hardly funny and stoops to an all-time low with the romantic comedy. As for the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs., Moore and Krasinski excel in their acting and comedy above Williams, but Moore is a bit of a downer. She doesn't bring her character to life but she doesn't kill her either. The gold in "License to Wed" is Krasinski. Known for "The Jim Face" on NBC's hit series "The Office," Krasinski brings his dry humor, wit, charm and ability to make any bad line great to "License to Wed." Though this isn't enough to make it a great film, and the ending completely ruins it... I mean destroys this movie. Once again, another chick flick down the toilet.

Grade: D+