I cannot overstate how clever Bert V. Royal’s script is, either. The sharpness of wit coupled with the oh so contemporary understanding of the way the world works (and specifically among the younger generation) is practically unparalleled, particularly in the realm of teen comedies.
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Hoopla Factor: Continue reading Easy A
It’s hard to pick standouts from such a fantastic ensemble, but my favourites include Alison Pill as Scott’s ex and drummer in his band, Kieran Culkin as Scott’s gay roommate, and Ellen Wong as Knives Chau, Scott’s high school girlfriend.
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Hoopla Factor: Continue reading Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Given the delightful charm of actors Laurent and Bartha, it seems remarkable that neither of their characters is especially engaging, and yet this is the main flaw in a film that truly needs the audience to be won over by its leads.
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Hoopla Factor: 
Continue reading Every Jack Has a Jill
The setting – Verona, and surrounding Italian countryside filled with wineries and farmlands – is simply wonderful, and almost worth paying the admission just to watch in the background. Unfortunately, the film drags in parts and doesn’t quite maintain the energy that Redgrave, Seyfried and Italy itself generate.
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Hoopla Factor: 
Continue reading Letters to Juliet
One could be forgiven for assuming Dinklage’s presence is more about easy laughs, when in fact it is his character Charlie that provides much of the emotional heart of the film. Charlie’s relationship with Jim is comfortable and just seems to make sense, and their effect on each other’s lives is all the more believable for it.
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading I Love You Too
When in Rome is formulaic and at times borders on silly, and yet its adherence to (what seems like) a common sense principle of making its lead characters likeable means it is simply more fun than many recent films in the genre.
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading When in Rome
‘Twists’ are meant to keep the audience wondering whether the two leads will get their act together and fall back in love, but aren’t actually ‘twisty’ at all. All of which wouldn’t be so devastating to the film’s chance of succeeding were Aniston and Butler to share the slightest hint of chemistry.
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Hoopla Factor: Continue reading The Bounty Hunter
Scattered moments in which the performers make something of the dross they’re asked to perform can’t make up for the long stretches of boredom and disappointment that must accompany any viewing of Valentine’s Day.
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading Valentine’s Day
The flimsy excuse for getting the glamour cast of Couples Retreat to the glamour location of Bora Bora simply cannot sustain a near-two-hour feature film, and the failure to progress beyond an outline to a narrative that allows meaningful growth of the characters is perhaps its greatest flaw.
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Hoopla Factor: Continue reading Couples Retreat
They get along well, yes. But we know that it isn’t a well-balanced coupling. For anyone that’s ever been in a relationship where the other person’s had all the power, or who’s watched a friend limp through a similar pairing, then (500) Days of Summer is tough work.
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading (500) Days of Summer