romantic comedy

In Music and Lyrics, Hugh Grant plays Alex Fletcher, an aging pop star from an '80s band called Pop who, in his heyday, looked like a cross between Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes and Wham!’s George Michael. He has been reduced to performing at theme parks and on the VH1-esque “Battle of the 80’s Has-Beens” until one day he receives word that Cora Corman, the pop princess du jour, wants him to help her compose a song for her new album.

Although Alex hires a professional lyricist, it's only when Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore) comes to water his plants and shows a surprising knack for songwriting that the tune — and their love — come together. Music, meet lyrics.

A mixed bag, to be sure, Music and Lyrics gets off to a clunky start and ends in a predictable pool of feel-good treacle. But it’s the chewy center of this Tootsie Pop of a film that makes it worth watching, so read more

In the new romantic comedy Music and Lyrics, Hugh Grant plays a washed up singer in need of new lyrics. Drew Barrymore plays the person who helps him write those lyrics, and they grow fond of each other. Predictions: Drew Barrymore is a cutesy goofball, and Hugh Grant is a sexless, aging bloke with some dry one-liners and near-vertical eyebrows.

Who knows? Maybe this movie will surprise me by being super interesting and fun. Until I find out, though, I'm going in with a wary eye. Look for my review on Wednesday, and to watch the trailer, read more

Let me preface this review by saying that I have, up until this moment, been a firm supporter of Diane Keaton. I’ve loved her from Annie Hall through Baby Boom, and I even stuck by her during the Something’s Gotta Give period. Yet her newest movie, Because I Said So, leaves me feeling a deep and confusing disappointment that's going to take a long time to get over.

This isn’t one of those bad-good films that's silly and campy in a heartwarming way. This is bad-bad all the way. Think squirming in embarrassment during moments of random 4-part singing without an ounce of irony. Multiply that feeling by a thousand and then decide if you want to see this movie. My advice is: don't.

Keaton plays Daphne Wilder, an overbearing, manic 60-year-old mother of three grown daughters, two of whom are married. The third child, Milly (Mandy Moore), despite being a responsible and happy person, is the one trouble spot in Daphne's life because she hasn't found her "life partner." So Daphne takes out an online ad to find a suitable mate for Milly. As a result, two different bachelors start courting Milly: a dreamboat musician (made "edgy" by his tattoos) and another guy who is laughably lame (rich, uptight, and cold). Amidst all this meddling, Daphne almost misses out on her own chance at love. Almost, but of course, not quite, so read more