Monday, December 14, 2009

Rolling Stone: Top 10 Films of the Decade 2000-2009

Creating my own Top 10 list of the decade is much too tough for me. I've seen all of the films on the list except for one...Brokeback Mountain. Of the others, all were great films except for Mulholland Drive.

1. There Will Be Blood
2. Cildren of Men
3. Mulhooland Drive
4. A History of Violence
5. No Country For Old Men
6. The Incredibles
7. Brokeback Mountain
8. The Departed
9. Mystic River
10. Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

A movie producer under is under stress while he tries to manage an out of control director while trying to save his marriage.


I enjoy films like WHAT JUST HAPPENED? It's a rare film that gives the viewer a glimpse into the real Hollywood...how films are made and how screwed up the business is. The film meanders a bit in the second act and the "surprise ending" which takes place at the Cannes Film Festival really isn't a surprise. Because of this, I think most people will give WHAT JUST HAPPENED? a thumbs down.

Jamie says "6". I enjoyed the back-drop and I always enjoy watching my favorite actor perform as Robert De Niro did a good job.

The best line from WHAT JUST HAPPENED? "Vanity Fair named me as one of the 30 most powerful producers in the business. Power is an elusive term, but in Hollywood it's everything, I don't care what they say, you either have it, want it, or you're afraid of losing it. Where you stand at these things, or who you may be standing next to, may not seem like the most important thing, but it *really* matters"

Robert De Niro's 10 Best Films

1. Goodfellas

2. Cape Fear

3. This Boy's Life

4. Casino

5. Wag The Dog

6. The Untouchables

7. The Mission

8. Heat

9. The Godfather 2

10. Meet The Parents

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

THE NATURAL


The World Series begins this evening. Maybe the series will provides some great iconic memorable sports moments...or maybe not.
THE NATURAL, originally released in 1984 is my all-time favorite sports film. Part sports-fairy-tale, part love-letter to baseball, THE NATURAL perfectly captures the magical moments that sports can deliver.
Jamie says "a perfect 10".

Saturday, October 17, 2009

DUPLICITY

Two competing corporate spies decide to shack up while sacking their employers of millions of dollars.



Skip DUPLICITY. If the fact that Julia Roberts doesn't sour you on watching it...the fact that the screenplay is boring should do the trick.

Earlier this year Clive Owen was in "THE INTERNATIONAL"....rent this instead.

Thursday, October 08, 2009

SURVEILLANCE


LIKE FATHER, LIKE DAUGHTER
SURVEILLANCE is directed by Jennifer Chambers Lynch, daughter of art-house director David Lynch (Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, Lost Highway). Most of the time after watching a David Lynch film I end up asking myself...what was the point? Or better yet, WTF? I contend that even the most fanatic fan of David Lynch can not explain the plot or logically describe the meaning of any of his films. Because of this I haven't watched his last 2 films. His daughter is very close to also getting shunned.
SURVEILLANCE was original released in 2007, but for some reason it was re-released earlier this year to average reviews. Jennifer's last film was 1993's BOXING HELENA. That was barely watchable.
SURVEILLANCE is a lie. If you read the DVD jacket what you read isn't really what the film is about. The producers did this to try to hide the surprise ending. The viewer is witness to violence just for the sake of violence. The viewer is witness to massive drug use just for the sake of drug use. The viewer is witness to grotesque sexual acts just fore the sake of...I guess shocking the audience.
SURVEILLANCE gets a "0". I'll give David's daughter one more chance. However, 3 strikes and you are out.

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

The Invention of Lying

In a world where everybody tells the truth, a man learns how to to a lie...and then continues to tell a bunch of whoppers.

I really hated this film. In a world where everyone tells the truth...why is everyone so sad? The gimmick of this film is old after the first five minutes. "The Invention of Lying" is a true one joke film.

My wife amd I had a hard time staying awake. We almost left the theater. Jamie says "0".

Monday, October 05, 2009

9


A talking sock puppet, 9, with mechanical innards awakes to find the human race exterminated by Terminator-like machines. 9 finds other talking sock puppets and together they try to save their world from the robotic menace.

"9" is a true original science fiction version. The animation is nothing special which is fine because the story is where its at. Jamie says "7".

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

SORORITY ROW

Eight months after accidentally killing their sorority sister and then dumping the body down an abandon mine shaft a group of hot sorority sisters are terrorized by someone who knows what they did.


No surprises here. The plot gives several false leads and stupid hints that are supposed to lead you to the obvious masked killer. Being a seasoned movie-goer, I was not tricked. Nor was I tricked by the scooby-doo-like demasking of the villain at the end of this crap film. Jamie says "0". One good aspect of the film. Who doesn't like a scene with a young hotty holding a fireman's axe?

Rumer (daughter of Bruce and Demi) Willis co-stars in Sorority Row. In my opinion she doesn't look like Bruce and Demi.

Thursday, June 25, 2009


Simply, stated...I just wasn't into this movie. The screen play and film was directed in a "documentary" style. The problem is most of the relationship issues in the film didn't ring true. It didn't help that there were several actors that were miscast in their roles. Jennifer Connelly and Drew Barrymore seemed out of place with their characters, especially Connelly who is a past Oscar winner. When this a cash-grab for her?


He's Just Not That Into You was directed by Ken Kwapis. His past directorial efforts include "Licence to Wed" and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"...not exactly high-art motion pictures.


...Not Into You isn't an awful film, it's simply weightless and unrealistic. Jamie says "5".

Thursday, May 28, 2009

ANGELS & DEMONS


Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), the smartest man in the world, is called upon by The Vatican to help thwart a secret society from using a bomb containing "anti-matter" that will destroy all of Rome.


ANGELS & DEMONS (A&D) is a much better film that THE DA VINCI CODE. Granted, ...CODE was a truly awful film so the slightest improvement over that would seem to be quit an easy task. A&D succeeds because of the fast paced "ticking time bomb" plot. The story line encompasses an 8 hour period. If the mystery isn't solved...tick-tock, tick-tock...BOOM! This plot device gives the film a much needed dose of suspense, which was absent in CODE.


ANGELS & DEMONS gets a "6". Robert Langdon is one of the most annoying characters of the past decade. I wish he was more humble. I wish he doubted his brilliance just a little...If he did, this would supply even more suspense. There's never a doubt that Langdon will solve the mystery.


Do you think Robert Langdon would be good at solving sudoku puzzles?
Tom Hanks 5 Best Films
1). Forrest Gump
2) Cast Away
3) Saving Private Ryan
4) Catch Me If You Can
5). The 'burbs

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The 10 Funniest Actresses

Top 10 lists are supposed to honor their subjects. The top 10 films of the year...the top 10 songs of all time...the top 10 television shows of all time. Every once a while a top 10 list comes out that honors its subjects but at the same time shows how weak the category is. Recently, Entertainment Weekly released their list of 10 funniest actresses. Although I immediately thought they were crazy as more than a few of these actresses didn't deserve to be on the list...I couldn't think of any other actress to put on the list. My conclusion...There simply are not many funny actresses working today.

The list in alphabetical order...

Anna Faris...last scene in Observe & Report
Tina Fey...30 Rock
Mindy Kailing...The Office
Jane Krakowski...30 Rock...see what I mean...a very weak list
Julia Louis-Dreyfus...Seinfeld
Jane Lynch...40 Year Old Virgin, Role Models
Amy Poehler...Parks & Recreation
Jaime Pressly...My Name is Earl
Wanda Sykes...Do you need more confirmation?...an extremely weak list
Kristen Wigg...Saturday Night Live

Monday, May 25, 2009

Poll Question #2: Results

Very nice to see maturity win out over elves, yoda, a teen-ager in red pj's, and a surfer-dude playing The One. The Bourne Trilogy is no doubt the best trilogy of the last 10 years.

The Bourne Trilogy - 12
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - 8
Star Wars (episodes 1-3) - 7
The Matrix Trilogy - 2
Spider-Man Trilogy - 2

I did forget about the X-Men trilogy...would that have changed the results?

Friday, May 22, 2009

MARLEY & ME

I watched MARLEY & ME for the second time last night. I wasn't looking forward to it as I watched it over Christmas and enjoyed it. I gave it a "7". As I watched it again I noticed how good of an actor Owen Wilson is. He's been one of my favorite actors this decade and it was nice to see him play the every-man in this film. Oh yeah...the woman from Friends was good to.

Upon a second viewing...MARLEY & ME gets an "8". Be warned...there may not be a dry eye in the house at the end of the film.

Owen Wilson's Best 5 Films
1) Bottle Rocket
2) Wedding Crashers
3) Marley & Me
4) You, Me, & Dupree
5) Behind Enemy Lines

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

NEXT DAY AIR


Criminals, hustlers, and idiots...all of these abound in NEXT DAY AIR, a comedy of errors directed by Benny Boom (i know...I've never heard of him either). Boom directed NEXT DAY AIR (NDA) as if he attended a film making class taught by Professor Tarantino. Boom may have passed the class with a C-, but to become a better film maker he should take a summer internship at a local theater company. While there, he can study and learn about good casting as NDA is filled with really bad actors. Boom must have missed a few lectures of Professor Tarantino when he covered screenplay writing and the fine art of making thugs and bad guys, although flawed as human beings, memorable as being the subject or lesson learned in a moral conundrum.
When watching a film like NDA I often wonder if the film featured accomplished actors playing the same roles, saying the same lines...would the film be better? Then, reality sets in...Why would Denzel and Ving lower their standards and soil their prestigious filmography to be in a film like this?

The lone bright spot in NDA is Omar Epps. Although he has never been in a good film, he always provides comic relief no matter if he is in a dud like NDA or an action horror film like Resident Evil. He is naturally funny. Another actor in the same role wouldn't get as many laughs as Epps achieves.
And...in an ultimate example of "bait & switch"...what the hell is Mos Def doing in this movie...let alone being the focal point on the films poster? His role plays no purpose accept to advertise that Mos Def stars in NEXT DAY AIR. His total screen time is around 6 minutes. Can I get my money back? Jamie says "3".

Monday, May 18, 2009

POLL QUESTION #2 RESULTS

All 3 of these movies were nominated in the best picture category for the 1994 Oscars...today, which film is better?

Forrest Gump - 14
Shawshank Redemption - 10
Pulp Fiction - 6

Friday, May 15, 2009

Top 10 Worst Comedians...According to Maxim

Maxim magazine recently released their Top 10 Worst Comedian List. I agree with some on the list...I disagree with others...Most notably, Dennis Miller. The only negative thing a critic can say about Miller is that he is typically the smartest man in the room. One question, why isn't Robin Williams on this list?

1. Sinbad
2. Larry the Cable Guy
3. Jay Leno
4. Andrew Dice Clay
5. Gallagher
6. Carrot Top
7. Dane Cook
8. Gilbert Gottfried
9. Dennis Miller
10. Carlos Mencia

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

3 Short Reviews: Star Trek, Obessed, The Haunting...



STAR TREK...So far, one of the two best films of the year. This reboot was a really fun movie experience. The special affects were great, the plot was smart, and the two hours went by quick. I'll look forward to the sequel squarely concentrating on one story line as this film had the typical good guy / villain plot line and then the "how the crew of the Enterprise came together" plot line. I expect the sequel to have more action and more suspense with more time developing the villain. Jamie says "8".


OBSESSED...A Lifetime Movie version of Fatal Attraction...without the terror and suspense. Why watch an imitation when you can rent the real thing? Wait for Obsessed DVD release...and go rent Fatal Attraction. How does one actually prepare rabbit to eat? Jamie says "5".


THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT..."I do, I do, I do believe in spooks!" Actually, I don't...but this was a good flick. Billed as a horror-film, it had more drama and suspense attributes than gross-out horror scenes. This was a welcome change to some of the terrible horror films released over the last few years. The horror genre can be good as long as the screenplay is smart...THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT is just that...smart. Jamie says "7".

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Happy Birthday Ving


Ving Rhames was born 50 years ago today. He was born in New York and raised in Harlem. Although he first gained prominence in 1994's Pulp Fiction, I first remember him in 1991's The People Under the Stairs, directed by Wes Craven.
Rhames is a great character actor and one of my favorites. Although he is mostly regulated to supporting roles he almost always does the "heavy lifting" of the screenplay. Rhames plays the characters that are typically remembered most long after the credits are done rolling by.
Ving Rhames Best 5 Films:
1) Pulp Fiction
2) Out of Sight
3) Mission: Impossable 3
4) Dawn of the Dead (2004)
5) Baby Boy

Monday, May 11, 2009

GREAT MOVIES: RESERVOIR DOGS


Released during the summer of 1992 and directed and written by then no-name Quentin Tarentino, RESERVOIR DOGS was film-mania's introduction to the "world of Tarentino". In Tarentino's world he dared us to listen how real tough guys talk, act, and kill people.

RESERVOIR DOGS follows the aftermath of a jewelry heist gone bad. When the team of hoodlums meet at the rendezvous point shot up and near death they begin to turn on each other trying to find the rat that let the boys in blue know the heist was going down. The film stars Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, and Steve Buscemi. All of these actors excluding Penn will be featured in future Tarentino flicks.

My favorite aspect of any Tarentino flick are his screenplays. The language and rhythm of the characters seem so real. No one has ever walked in the shoes of his characters...but if one did...they would talk and act like one of QT's characters.

Put the kids to bed when watching this flick....Violence, blood, torture and some of the filthiest language ever heard on a rated R film is prevalent through out RESERVOIR DOGS.

Quentin Tarentino followed RD with 1994's PULP FICTION. RESERVOIR DOGS is much more subdued than PULP FICTION. Both films would be a great rental double feature the next time the kids are at a sleep-over.

QT's next film will be released this August...INGLORIOUS BASTERDS (yes, this is spelled correctly!), staring Brad Pitt.

Poll Question Results

25 years ago this week the following tunes were the top 3 songs on America's Top 40...Which song is best?

Footloose - Kenny Loggins 9
Against All Odds - Phil Collins 6
Hello - Lionel Richie 1

Thursday, May 07, 2009

BODY OF LIES

Leo, Crowe, & Scott...Why did BODY OF LIES get average to bad reviews when it was released last Fall? I recently watched it on DVD and was surprised at how good it was. Of all the films over the past 5 years that have dealt with terrorism in the Middle East...BODY OF LIES is one of the best.

Instead of fighting Klingons this weekend...rent BODY OF LIES. Jamie says "8".

Russell Crowe's 5 Best Films:
1) A Beautiful Min
2) L.A. Confidential
3) The Quick & the Dead
4) Gladiator
5) Body of Lies

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Happy Birthday George


George Clooney was born 48 years ago today in Lexington, Kentucky. Since hitting it big on ER in 1994, Clooney has become one of Hollywood's biggest stars.
George Clooney's 5 Best Films:
1) Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
2) From Dusk Till Dawn
3) Out of Sight
4) Michael Clayton
5) The Peacemaker

Monday, May 04, 2009

DOUBT



DOUBT is a great film. Typically, I can take or leave (usually leave) Meryl Streep. Some say she's our greatest living actress. I say she's our most over-rated living actress. Personally, I'll take Kate Winslett over Streep...until now. Going into the 2009 Oscars one of the most heated battles was between Streep for her portrayal as a nasty nun in DOUBT and Winslet as a past Nazi who enjoys seducing teenage boys. It was obvious to me that Winslet was going to win. Her role was dramatic, brave, and she was due to win because of her past nominations and non-wins...all words and situations that the Academy love to praise and honor with the little gold man. When she won, I was happy. I would rather my big-toe win over Streep. At Oscar time, I hadn't seen DOUBT.


My opinion has changed. After seeing DOUBT over the weekend not only should have Streep won best actress, Philip Seymour Hoffman should have beat out Heath Ledger for best supporting actor (yes, he is that good in this picture), and Amy Adams should have won over Penelope Cruz (for the record...I have a big crush on Cruz).


DOUBT gets an "8". The end through me for a loop and questioned my faith in placing DOUBT onto my annual list of the 10 best films of the year. Simply stated, the acting in DOUBT is some of the best I've seen from an ensemble cast. The scenes with Streep and Hoffman going at it were some of the most memorable in any film released in 2008.


You will see that my post/ best of 2008 list from earlier in the year has been changed.

My 4 favorite Meryl Streep films...
1) Postcards From the Edge
2)The Manchurian Candidate
3) Doubt
4) Silkwood

2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS

The nominations for the 2009 MTV Movie awards were announced today. Leading the pack was Slumdog Millionaire and Twilight each with 6 nominations.

The 5 films nominated for the best flick: Slumdog Millionaire, Twilight, Iron Man, The Dark Knight, High School Musical 3: Senior Year.

My vote goes to The Dark Knight. I don't think I know anyone who went to see HSM3SY?

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Has Hollywood ever made a really good pre-quel? If the answer is "No", X-Men Origins: Wolverine, will not change this trend. The X-Men trilogy is a very serviceable movie franchise. Were the first 3 films great, NO....But there were easy to watch, had good plots,. and most importantly good actors in the lead roles.

Wolverine must be considered as a "cash grab" for Hugh Jackman. The film is almost plotless and very poorly made. There are several scenes that one can easily tell were filmed with fancy "green screen technology". This is the high-concept technology that your local weatherman uses to stand in front of the animated weather map...very cool! X-Men Origins: Wolverine gets a "2".

Although Hugh Jackman is a good actor, he is getting very close to throwing away all of the good-well he has built up over the past 8 years. His last three motion pictures were all awful: Deception, Australia, and now Origins...One can officially say Jackman has hit a dry spell.

My 3 favorite Hugh Jackman films...
1) The Prestige (one of the best films of this decade)
2) Kate & Leopold (a little seen rom-com co-staring Meg Ryan)
3) Swordfish ( a pure, fun popcorn flick that received average reviews from professional critics)

One last comment on Wolverine...Why the hell is Ryan Reynolds in this movie?

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

ADVENTURELAND

I thought this film was supposed to take place in Des Moines?


ADVENTURELAND is the first great film of 2009. Its comical, emotional, and it will bring back lots of memories if you consider yourself a child of the 80's. Jamie says "9".


I can't wait to pick the film's soundtrack.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

FAST & FURIOUS

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS is one of my favorite cinematic guilty pleasures. The 2 sequels that proceeded it were trash. Needless to say, I was hesitant about seeing the 4th installment that brought back all of the original players from the first film.

FAST & FURIOUS is a little too slow and a little to nice for my liking. Much like part 2 and part 3...part 4 can be skipped. Jamie says "5".

Monday, March 09, 2009

WATCHMEN

Set in an alternate universe, it's 1885 and Nixon is serving his 5th presidental term. After being forced into retirement, a group of crime fighters dust off their masks to solve the murder of one of their own.

Based on the 1987 graphic novel of the same name, WATCHMEN might be the most anticipated work of fiction to ever make it to the big screen. Was it worth the anticipation? I first heard about the graphic novel about a year ago when production started on the film. Because of this, I'm not qualified to compare the graphic novel and its film adaptation as I haven't read the graphic novel. I also possess a few other attributes that disqualify myself from critiquing the adaptation...1) I'm married (I've touched a live woman this decade). 2) I don't live in my parents basement. 3) I don't live my life according to any type of Jedi code.

WATCHMEN gets props for being original and well made. Its one knock is that the plot has more drama than the typical super-hero film. A little more action would have done wonders for my waining interest as the film lasted more than 150 minutes. Jamie says "7".

Sunday, February 22, 2009

PUSH

An underground movement called "Division" hunts people with special telekinetic and other special powers so they can harness their skills to rule the world.



I've never left a theater before the movie I was watching was completely over. I consider this to be a moral rule as well as a badge of honor. PUSH tested my limits regarding this rule to the point that I was hoping a mad-man walked into the theater with an automatic weapon and started wasting the audience.

Yes, PUSH is that bad. I'm unable to say one redeeming quality of this film. PUSH is a mess from its screenplay, acting, special affects, and direction. I feel I'm dumber for have watched it.

PUSH is directed by Paul McGuigan. As bad as PUSH is McGuigan has had success in the past. in 2004 he directed WICKER PARK which was on my honorable mention list for the best films of that year. In 2006 he directed LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN, another good film.

PUSH gets a "0". However, if McGuigan's past work is any indication of his talent. He has the possibility to rebound nicely.

Friday, February 20, 2009

TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2008

2008 was a very weak year for films. As of post date, I've viewed 112 films released in 2008. The combined average grade of those 112 films is a meager 4.91! There is no doubt that the year was dominated by The Dark Knight which ended the year as the second highest grossing film of all time. The Dark Knight represented the first time that a movie truly exceeded the Hollywood buzz expectations that precedes all "big summer block busters". The Dark Knight was a really good film. Was it classic? At this point I'm unsure as I recently viewed it for the second time and wasn't as impressed as when I saw it on opening weekend. Time will be the final judge.

TOP 10 MOVIES of 2008

1. The Dark Knight
2. In Bruges
3. Slumdog Millionaire
4. Iron Man
5. Cloverfield
6. Step Brothers
7. Doubt
8. The Bank Job
9. Tropic Thunder
10. The Visitor

Honorable Mentions
Quid Pro Quo
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Gran Torino

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Slumdog Millionaire

One of the more original films I've seen in a long long time. However, how original can it be when it was based on a book? Still, A great great film. Jamie says "9".

My Bloody Valentine 3D

Ten years after a crazy miner kills a bunch of his co-workers and townsfolk and then disappears...the gruesome killings start happening again.

My Bloody Valentine is nearly the same slasher horror flick as the hundreds that have come before it. Good looking actors are terrorized my a relentless killer hell bent on causing as much bloodshed and mayhem as humanly possible. Added to the the blood curdling screams on screen is the fact that all of this happens in 3D.

I must be honest, the 3D affect drew to this flick. My Bloody Valentine is the first 3D film I've seen in a theater. Because the 3D effects are so well done the audience gets the privilege of bloody body pieces flying at their faces and appearing to land in their laps. Fun!

The plot, or lack there of, is very familiar. If you don't see the flick in 3D, there is no need to see the movie. Jamie says "4". A word of warning...My Bloody Valentine is the bloodiest slasher movie I've ever seen.

For the record...I can't wait to see "Friday the 13th"!

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

The Wrestler


A washed up professional wrestler (Mickey Rourke) who used to pack arenas with screaming fans nearly 20 years ago tries to hold his life together while recovering from a heart attack, wooing a stripper (Marisa Tomei), and reconciling with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood).
Mickey Rourke gives a raw performance as Randy "The Ram". His Oscar nomination for the role is well deserved. Ironically, the role is more of a self portrayal of his Hollywood life than that of a fictional character. I remember Rourke from the early to mid-80s of my youth. He was a super-star. "Angel Hart" is one of my favorite films from the decade of decadence. Yes, the screenplay was great but it was Rourke's performance as a down-and-out private eye who unwittingly is hired to find himself (it works very well in the movie). After "Angel hart" he made several bad film choices, relationship choices, and life choices, and so on and so on and so on. Movie fans know the story.
As I watched The Wrestler I kept thinking of Rourke's career and the talent that he squandered over the past 2 decades. America loves a comeback. It will be interesting to see if Oscar loves a comeback at the end of the month. I wish Rourke well.
"The Wrestler" works best if you are somewhat familiar with Rourke's career. I give it a "7". At times it is a difficult film to watch due to its graphic view of the non-professional wrestling circuit. However, over all, it is a good flick.

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Worst Films of 2008

1. The Love Guru
2. Mad Money
3. Mama Mia
4. In the Name of the King
5. Strange Wilderness
6. Meet Bill
7. Deception
8. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
9. Prom Night
10. Charlie Bartlett

Dishonorable Mentions
The Spirit
Miracle at St. Anna
Jumper
Semi-Pro
10,000 BC
Drillbit Taylor
Bangkok Dangerous
Babylon A.D.
The Eye
Leatherheads
88 Minutes
The Punisher:War Zone

Friday, January 02, 2009

Yes Man

Karl, a mild mannered loan office (Jim Carrey) attends a self help seminar that encourages him to abandon his belief of saying no to life and replace the negativity with the word "yes". He quickly finds that saying "yes" to everything presents him with all kinds of new opportunities as well as meeting Alison (Zooey Dashanel) a young woman who already embraces life.

Yes Man is a safe comedy. Carrey has done this kind of film before with the likes of Liar Liar. Although Liar Liar is a superior film, Yes Man supplies a few good laughs as well as serving a simple life lesson: In life, when we sit on the side-lines one can easily get depressed. Complacency begins to feel a little too comfortable and living life to its fullest becomes that much more difficult. When people begin to say "yes" more often...one begins to have much more fun.

Of course saying yes to every "yes or no" question is much easier in movie-land than in real life. On Karl's first night of saying yes, a series of crazy events end up with him meeting Alison played to perfection by Dashanel. In my single days I would have found it a lot easier to say yes to every question if I would end up meeting a looker like Ms. Dashanel.

Yes Man gets a "6". Jim Carrey fans will approve. My fellow audience members laughed much more than me...but I did enjoy myself and I just might say "yes" more often...at least for the next few days.

Jim Carrey's career will be interesting to watch over the next few years. What kind of roles will he take? I don't see him doing much more "fart joke" films like Ace Ventura and Dumb and Dumber. He's received great reviews when doing drama such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Man On the Moon, but audiences did not go see those films. In 2007 he tried his first thriller with The Number 13...once again, audiences did not respond. He may have to to ensemble work like Tropic Thunder where his skills could work off of other big-time actors.

Jim Carrey's Top 5 films
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2. Dumb and Dumber
3. The Truman Show
4. Liar Liar
5. Mon on the Moon