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Movie Preview: Michelle Monaghan, Nathan Fillion in Trucker

BuzzSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:30:00 -0700

When I saw Trucker at the Tribeca Film Festival back in 2008, I acknowledged that it's not the world's finest movie, but it was definitely one of my favorites of all the festival movies I saw. It's a relatively quiet indie drama starring Michelle Monaghan as Diane Ford, a tough truck driver who enjoys her carefree life of trucking, bars and one-night stands - until her 11-year-old son shows up one day. Their relationship is rocky, and Diane is none too pleased to suddenly shoulder so much responsibility, but as long as her ex-husband (Benjamin Bratt) is hospitalized, mother and son are stuck with each other. Nathan Fillion plays her sweet, handsome neighbor and friend who is married but clearly has feelings for Diane.

The film will open Oct. 9. If you like these actors and feel like a sometimes slow and harsh but ultimately warm-hearted drama, you'll likely find Trucker worthwhile. To check out the trailer, read more.

Eagle Eye: Absurd . . . ly Fun

BuzzSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:30:28 -0700

The story of Big Brother watching and controlling all of the helpless citizens in Eagle Eye might be more effective if it weren't quite so preposterous. That said, this movie intends to thrill and entertain, and it succeeds on all counts. It holds your attention with all the plot twists and the bombardment of explosions, the kind of explosions that make a certain audience cheer. Eagle Eye will probably not be an award-winner, but it's great for when you want to totally escape with a loud, ridiculous, big ol' Hollywood popcorn flick.

For starters, the two leads are seriously likable. I so enjoy watching Michelle Monaghan in pretty much anything (even crap like Made of Honor) because she seems so comfortable on screen. She's like someone we all might know. Not average, really, but familiar in a comforting way - smart, nurturing, sweet, tough. And Shia LaBeouf is utterly adorable in this film. It doesn't ask much of him, but he delivers nicely nonetheless. He plays Jerry Shaw, a slacker living in Chicago and having trouble making ends meet. The sudden death of his estranged twin brother Ethan sets off a series of baffling occurrences for Jerry, starting with a strange woman contacting him on the phone just as he's being set up to look like a terrorist. Oh, this is only the beginning, though, so read more.

It turns out the strange woman is forcing Jerry to do her bidding or else get caught by the authorities. As long as he does what she says, he's safe from the police who have plenty of (planted) evidence to lock Jerry away for good. Single mother Rachel Holloman has been similarly summoned by this woman, and she and Jerry are thrown together on a crazy, mysterious chase at the instruction of a disembodied voice which, unbelievably, is able to manipulate any form of technology (making signs flash instructions to Jerry, turning all the traffic lights to green so they can rush through them, etc.) in order to speed up their journey and confound the police and FBI who are hot on their trail.
The woman's voice leads the two straight into an actual terrorist plot, an act of revenge for an impulsive and wrongful bombing of innocent people by the US. What follows is a convoluted string of twists, turns, and (usually) death-defying stunts, and all for what? The answer is pretty silly, but I won't spoil it for you here.

People always say that there's no original story left in Hollywood and that it all depends on how filmmakers reassemble old ideas. Eagle Eye completely borrows from other movies and churns out clichéd moments left and right. And yet, that doesn't diminish the fact that it's still compelling to find out how this technology controls and manipulates these humans, and how the humans desperately try to win anyway.

There's an attempt at some kind of political statement with this movie, but it doesn't quite make it. And that's fine. At some point you understand that this is pure entertainment and nothing else. It's one of those times when you can resign yourself to the silliness of it all and be swept away in the zooming car chases and frantic search for answers, or not. It's not artful, by any means, but as far as action movies go, it's not too shabby. Not too shabby at all.

Photos courtesy of Paramount Pictures

First Look: Shia LaBeouf in Eagle Eye

BuzzSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 06:50:39 -0700

Woah. The teaser trailer for Eagle Eye is dark and intense right off the bat, as Shia LaBeouf's character Jerry is immediately set up to look like a criminal, though he's actually innocent. The FBI doesn't believe him, of course, and now it appears that the people who set him up have further plans. Actually, it looks like they "own" him now. According to the plot description, he meets up with a single mother (played by Michelle Monaghan, who doesn't appear in this teaser) and they learn that they're both being framed as terrorists.

Scary! Disturbia director D.J. Caruso is back to put us at the edge of our seats again - and returning with cute Shia LaBeouf to boot. Eagle Eye opens in theaters September 26, so to check out the teaser trailer, read more.

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Made of Honor: Bland and Tiresome

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:29:40 -0700

Here's the thing about Made of Honor: If one intends to make a weak, watery romcom that is essentially the remake of a preexisting movie (My Best Friend's Wedding) with the genders reversed, at the very least one should seek out a supremely charismatic lead actor. Patrick Dempsey's sniveling, whiny, soulless depiction of Tom, our womanizing protagonist, is just not entertaining. Sometimes he's downright annoying. And when the audience doesn't really feel like rooting for the main character of a romcom, what's the point?

As the previews for the movies have explained ad nauseum, Tom (Dempsey) is a "dashing" New Yorker who sleeps with every woman in sight - except for his best-best-friend Hannah (Monaghan), with whom he pals around the city, eating desserts and taking her to his father's many weddings. Hannah also patiently listens to all of Tom's latest sexual escapades, which he prevents from becoming Something More by adhering to a strict set of rules (i.e. no sleeping with the same woman two nights in a row). He's a commitmentphobe nearly to the point of absurd paranoia. The assumption is that he'll never settle down. Or will he? Of course, you know the answer to that but still, read more.

When Hannah goes off to Scotland for a six-week business trip, Tom realizes that he misses her and finally decides that he's going to tell Hannah he has feelings for her, though mostly he just seems like he's pouting because he's lost his confidant for a few weeks. Anyway, she returns and, to Tom's dismay, has brought along her new fiance, a high-profile Scot named Colin McMurray (Kevin McKidd). She asks him to be her maid of honor and he accepts. But by now, his group of guy buddies have been hearing Tom whine about how much he wants to be with Hannah, so with their help he plots to steal Hannah away from Colin. Predictable shenanigans ensue.

Save a few jokes (mostly one gag having to do with the Scottish accent) Made of Honor isn't funny and it's even less charming. The script is trite and we've seen it a million times before. However, it does have three things going for it. One: Michelle Monaghan is lovely, darling, and funny. In fact, the few moments of humor that aren't just pratfalls and flailing waiters are entirely because of her. Two: The scenes in Scotland are lush and gorgeous. Three: There are some adorable dogs in this movie. Aside from those things, it's just so boring.

For the trailer and more videos from Made of Honor, check out movies.ivillage.com.

Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures

What Should Have Been the Title for Made of Honor?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:28:41 -0700

Just today, Cinematical pondered a question I've been asking myself a lot lately: What could the title Made of Honor possibly mean?

As a pun on the term "maid of honor" (which is what Michelle Monaghan's character asks Patrick Dempsey's character to be in the movie), it doesn't actually work. As Cinematical points out, "a pun usually involves conflating two words or expressions that make sense in the same context and happen to sound alike. In this case, I only count one." Having seen the movie, the writer is more confounded because the use of "made" is never explained (i.e., it's not the character's last name or anything), and Dempsey's character is never really made out to be "honorable" at all.

So, I asked around. Anyone know why it's titled Made of Honor? Anyone? Beuller? No. A friend of mine joked that they named it Made of Honor because My Best Friend's Wedding was already taken. Ha! (It's funny because the premise of both movies appears to be exactly the same with just a gender reversal.) So tell me: what else could they have titled Made of Honor? I thought of a few to get the brainstorming started, so to see what I thought of and to add your own ideas, read more.

Do, Dump, or Marry: My Best Friend, The Bride
Now That My Best Friend Is Getting Married, I Want Her
Don't Eat the Potpourri!
Dude, It's Not Like You'll Have to Wear A Dress

Your turn. Tell me in the comments section below.

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Tribeca Review: Trucker

BuzzSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:30:33 -0700

Trucker largely reminded me of another indie movie titled Come Early Morning, which was written and directed by Chasing Amy's Joey Lauren Adams (who, incidentally, also stars in Trucker). The tone of both movies features a kind of weary, weathered fondness for the southern American landscape (in Come Early Morning it's the South, in Trucker it's the dusty deserts of southern California). At the heart of both movies, too, are hard-edged, tough-talking women in jobs that others in the movie ridicule for not being "women's jobs": Ashley Judd's character in Early Morning worked in construction, while the main character of Diane in Trucker, played by Michelle Monaghan, is a truck driver.

On the surface these two films might blur together in my mind as one unrecognizable narrative of the rough-around-the-edges woman learning to soften and accept love as well as give it. Trucker stands out a bit, though, as a more interesting story, more layered with higher stakes. And while it's not the most memorable movie in general, it's captivating enough and ultimately sends a heartwarming message. To see what I mean, read more.

The movie opens with a scene not suitable for watching with, say, your parents: Diane is seen having a one-hour stand with a young man (played by Joey Lawrence's brother, Matthew!) she picked up for the night. From here, it's established that she lives a loner's life on the road, driving trucks and picking up random men. But she always goes back to her California home where her neighbor Runner (Nathan Fillion) lives to hang out with Diane and pine after her - despite the fact that he's married. Soon drama comes in the form of Diane's young son Peter (Jimmy Bennet) who she abandoned, along with Peter's father (Benjamin Bratt) many years ago. Diane learns that Peter needs stay with her because his father has cancer, and there's a chance that Peter will need to move in with Diane permanently.

The relationship between mother and son is often uncomfortably contentious, with Monaghan's intense Diane walking around like a stick of dynamite about to blow up. Yet, we start to understand Diane's reasoning: she's just not the type of woman who wants to be a steady mom. She wants to be always moving, on the road, and the kid cramps her style. Thus, when the moments that include any inkling of tenderness between Diane and Peter do come along, they are hard-earned. Nathan Fillion is extremely handsome in the movie, though his role confounded me, as it was never explored why he spent all his time with Diane while his wife sat at home right next door. Unexamined and unexplained things like this make the movie frustrating, though by the time the sweet ending comes around, you might just forgive it.

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Tribeca Preview: Trucker

BuzzSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:30:10 -0700

This one looks like a heartwarming tale of family and redemption and . . . aw, who am I kidding? Nathan Fillion's in it, of course I'm going to see this movie. In Trucker, Michelle Monaghan plays Diane Ford, "a hard-nosed truck driver who leads a carefree life of all-night bar benders and one-night stands until her estranged 11-year-old son shows up at her door one evening." Their relationship is rocky and contentious, but as long as Diane's ex-husband (Benjamin Bratt) is hospitalized, mother and son are stuck with each other. However, with the help of "a handsome and doting neighbor" (Nathan Fillion), Diane starts to learn that being a responsible mother might not be the worst thing ever.

This is one of the first movies I'll catch at Tribeca and I'd say a little Fillion will start things off right, wouldn't you?

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Would You Get Married at the Made of Honor Premiere?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:32:38 -0800

On paper (er, screen), the prize for this Made of Honor contest sounds really great. Engaged couples can enter to win "an extravagant wedding" held at the premiere for Made of Honor, the romantic comedy starring Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan, along with an equally "extravagant" honeymoon.

Couples have to submit their story of when they realized they were "made for each other" in order to be entered into the contest. Then the winning lovebirds will receive "a trip for four to the premiere city, including hotel, airfare, transportation, and per diem." In addition, "To tie the knot at the world premiere in late April, the winning couple will also receive the bride's wedding dress, provided by Selia Yang; the groom's tuxedo; a bridal bouquet, provided by Fleurop; his-and-hers wedding bands, provided by Damiani; and a $3,000 Bed Bath & Beyond shopping spree in the form of a gift card." There's also a six-night honeymoon in Paris and Venice.

It sounds nice, but at the same time, you'd only be able to invite a small group friends and family members, and you'd be wearing some movie character's wedding dress. Plus, your nuptials would forever be tied in with a probably forgettable romantic comedy. What do you think? Is it worth it for the free wedding and honeymoon?

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Movie Preview: Made of Honor

BuzzSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:31:27 -0800

Several weeks after the preview came out for 27 Dresses starring Katherine Heigl, we find a second Grey's Anatomy star with a trailer for a wedding-themed rom-com. Made of Honor appears to be the very same movie as My Best Friend's Wedding, except with the sexes reversed, and charmless.

Patrick Dempsey plays Tom, a dashing New York playboy who finally decides that he wants to settle down with his best lady friend Hannah (Michelle Monaghan) - just in time to find out that she's engaged and wants him to be her "maid" of honor.

The hilarity! I mean, just imagine: What kind of crazy hijinks will take place when a guy tries to throw a bridal shower? Or when she drags him along to find lingerie for the wedding night? Awkward, huh?

You can see for yourself if you watch the trailer, so read more

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The Heartbreak Kid: Middle-of-the-Road Comedic Fluff

BuzzSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:15:37 -0700

When it comes to The Heartbreak Kid, here's the bottom line: If you loved Along Came Polly, chances are you'll probably enjoy The Heartbreak Kid. The two movies are very similar: Ben Stiller plays the lead and yet he's not the most interesting character by a long shot. The female characters are far more compelling than he is and the male peripheral characters are way funnier. The premise includes comical misunderstandings and amusing misadventures. It's not bad. It's not exactly charming, either.

Stiller plays Eddie Cantrow, a commitmentphobe who meets Lila (Malin Akerman), the woman of his dreams, and impulsively marries her. While honeymooning in Cabo, however, Eddie sees another side of his new bride and discovers that she's a wild child with a sketchy past and an insatiable desire for rough sex. Moral of that story: talk to your fiancee about things like money and sex before taking the plunge. Seems easy enough. Anyway, in Cabo Eddie meets a real dreamgirl, Miranda (Michelle Monaghan), who is vacationing with her family. They hit it off, but Eddie refrains from telling Miranda and her fam that he's married. The lies! The lies are so funny! To find out more, read more

The script, a remake of Neil Simon's 1972 version, is actually somewhat clever - some offensive fat jokes and the implication that illegal immigration is laugh-out-loud hilarious (or at least it is when a white guy does it!) notwithstanding. Many of the characters are great, and the actors playing them are even better. Rob Corddry, Malin Akerman and Jerry Stiller (playing, adorably, Eddie's dad) particularly stand out.

My biggest problem with the whole thing is Ben Stiller who, coasting on his former success with similar fare like There's Something About Mary, seems to think that he can now phone it in and audiences will stupidly gobble up anything he does. He doesn't bother with things like changing his expression (ever) or putting any sort of earnestness into his delivery. He seems to shrug at us, "Why bother?" He gets paid either way. Stiller aside, however, as yet another Farrelly Brothers comedy, the movie gets the job done.

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