LAWS OF ATTRACTION

Laws of Attraction is exhilarating writing! It causes laughing out loud, ooohing in the right places, and no groaning at any of the lines. Moreover, Laws Of Attraction is great writing in the sense that the rules of comedic timing, payoff and great chemistry are observed. Actual banter, Tracy and Hepburn – style, that is classy and sexually charged without quite being offensive, is Pierce Brosnan’s special, A-List strength. That we ever needed to see Brosnan with anyone else after Rene Russo was definitely at issue…not an easy act to follow—which makes overcoming our reluctance such a feat for Julianne Moore. And overcome, she did, elegantly and gracefully.

METAPHYSICAL OVERVIEW: Can it be that there is ever a place and time where kismet and destiny cause a couple to truly mate for life—happily committed to each other over all others? Do we truly want to see another story of any sane person attempting a long-term, passionate relationship with any other person, even another obviously sane person? Yes, we do…on the off chance it will be good—and believable—because we want it to be that way.

Connie & Carla is another example of a well-crafted script, written by our bright new writing and acting star Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding,) with an amusing take on the female-buddy movie, right down to Carla (Toni Collette) hollering ‘…drive Thelma’ as they roar out of the driveway, leaving their boyfriends flat-footed. David Duchovny sensitively provides the love interest—with his version of flair.

13 Going On 30 is premium Jennifer Garner (our enduring and beloved heroine of TV’s Alias fame.) Screenwriters, Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith (What Women Want, and the TV series King of Queens in 1998) along with Niels Mueller hit the mark, providing a great vehicle for Garner’s athletic form of comedy to win everyone’s hearts. Mark Ruffalo gives a surprisingly fresh performance. Absolutely a perfect 30!

More Comedies: Definitely try to catch Ella Enchanted. Breaking the Rules has the Jamie Foxx stamp of humor (Breakup Productions), Screen Gems backing.

Upcoming Comedies: Shrek 2 is sure to be a must. Envy, with Jack Black and Ben Stiller should prove to be excellent—certainly underscoring the universality of a strong emotion that everyone has experienced…and the manner in which we cope…all together with two of the top comedic performers mixing it up.

Drama: Hellboy was purported to have metaphysical overtones—nope, na-uh, not even. It does have great special effects and animation, and too much violence, even with most of the beings ‘getting dead’ far from human ranking at all—not like Hellboy himself, who is an implied half-breed that is not inherently evil. Ron Perlman (TVs Beauty and the Beast) always does a fine job of depicting the compassionate, protective gentleman of an intellectual hero—who simply has a confusing, implausible swirl of human and bestial genetics. Man Of Fire with Denzel Washington leads the list of dramatic offerings that will be steadily pouring out of Hollywood for the year. The Punisher, with John Travolta, is violent, but quintessential Travolta. Kill Bill, Vol, 2, pretty much says it all…high critical marks on all of the cast, as well as the directing and writing, may cause you to overcome the adrenaline-jamming pace; all the while using the mantra ‘it is only ketchup.’

May is always the wonderful month when many of the best movies for the year begin glutting the movie houses…comedies and high-end, action films will dominate until next fall. Comedies especially are significantly worthy of large screen attendance.