Extract

Joel, (Jason Bateman) is the owner of an extract plant, trying to balance a business he's grown tired of, a personal life with a wife that won't give him any sex, and employees that takes advantage of him. Joel spends a lot of time hanging out at his friend's bar. Dean (Ben Afflleck) is a hippie looking, pill popping, pot smoking bad influence in Joel life but with his best interest at heart. Dean is always trying to get Joel to loosen up and is always offering him pills or pot as Dean says, "it'll make you feel better". Now more then ever Joel is stressed out about the pending lawsuit after Step (Clifton Collins Jr.) the floor manager in training at his plant suffers a serious injury in a freak accident that causes him to lose a testicle. Step's story is all over the news when Cindy (Mila Kunis) a beautiful con artist sets up a scam to meet Step and seduce him for his lawsuit money. Joel has chaos happening all around him, but especially at home with his wife Susie (Kristen Wiig) who at exactly 7 pm everyday she put on her sweat pants which mean NO SEX for Joel.

This seriously funny, smart comedy will have you on the edge of your seat. Written and Directed by Mike Judge, who has truly captured this year best film. Films like this one make you think, and with an amazing cast, you can't help but to fall in love with all the characters. I can't wait to see it again and again.

I give this movie 5 Stars.

The Proposal

The Proposal starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, was a charming breath of fresh air. The character Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) "please don't call her Maggie"! is a neurotic, workaholic with no personal social life; she is the editor-in-chief of a Publishing Company. Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds)is a loyal assistant to Margaret who he silently hates with a passion. When Margaret was call to a meet at the bosses office, she did not imagine what was waiting for her. She was stun to hear the news that she was being deported back to Canada.

As she was disgusting the news and trying to understand the dilemma. Andrew, looking for her knock on the door to give Margaret her messages. At that moment she concocted a lie that she was secretly engage to her assistant Andrew. Shacking Andrew and unable for him to speak, her boss just advice her to get hitch quickly. Later, Margaret bribed Andrew to go along with the charade by promising him a promotion. Relentedly, he agree. At the licensing department the immigration agent was waiting for them; tip by someone at work. He advice that the penalty for committing fraud was imprisonment for Andrew and a one way trip back to Canada for Margaret. Andrew continue with the plans and declare his love for her. Margaret informed the agent about the plans to see Andrew parents and give them the good news; at Andrew grandma Annie (Betty White) 85th birthday party in Sitka, Alaska. Andrew knew that the deal had change after leaving the office of the agent. He will only continue with the lie if she also publish his novel as well as the promotion to editor. And now the fun begins.

Grace Paxton (Mary Steenburgen) and Joe Paxton (Craig T. Nelson) give a fantastic performance; and the legendary (Betty White) as loveable grandma Annie steals the movie and your heart.

The director Annie Fletcher has a keen eye for romantic comedy, and the writer Pete Chiarelli is in touch with his inner-emotion. This film has a little something for everyone.

I give it 4 1/2 Stars.

Bandslam

Fantastic! When I went to see Bandslam, I had low expectation. I thought not another band movie. How surprised I was, when this delightful gem unfolded in front of me. Will Burton (Gaelan Connell) the new kid in town, painfully shy and obsessed with contacting David Bowie his idol. Charlotte Banks (Aly Michalka) a popular cheerleader who dropped everyone she knew to become different, more edgier version of herself. Sa5m (Vanessa Hudgens) "the 5 is silent" in her name, is a lone wolf searching for herself and finding friends along the way.

Karen Burton (Lisa Kudrow) is Will's mom, she loves him unconditionally, but can't understand why his peers don't see, what she see's in him. Karen decided to move to Lodi, New Jersey to help her sister with her business. Will who's been wishing to leave the small town that he lives in, at first he was ecstatic to hear the news. But then he ponders about the move and starting over. Shortly after arriving to the new school Will is in the cafeteria notices Sa5m sitting alone reading a book. At the same time Charlotte see's Will and is curious about the new boy. Later that day, Charlotte spotted Will doing a good deed for a stranger and decided to drag him in to the after-school daycare class she volunteer in and after talking to him she realizes that Will is very knowledgeable in music. Charlotte convinces Will to manage her band so they can compete and win the "Bandslam" contest. Which is more popular then sports in New Jersey? The story build up from there.

The chemistry of the cast was well displayed. The two writers Josh A. Cagan and Todd Graff had a specific idea. Mr. Graff who is also the director made sure that this film was not stereotypical movie. And by-gosh the seceded. This is not a cookie-cutter version of a band movie; this is a unique blend of music as the characters themselves. Stand up and dance because you will.

I give this 4 1/2 Stars.