Friday, June 3, 2011

Something Borrowed - Movie Review

Something Borrowed (PG-13) 103 minutes D
A contrived love triangle

Starring Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, Colin Egglesfield, Steve Howey, Ashley Williams and John Krasinski.

Directed by Luke Greenfield and based on Emily Giffin's best selling novel, Something Borrowed could have been so much better.  But instead, it's overripe and contrived.  I'm convinced that Kate Hudson jumped the shark after Almost Famous in 2000.  Ginnifer Goodwin is the ultimate cutie patootie, but her character, Rachel (who is a lawyer), is way too clueless and too much of a pushover to be realistic.  While, John Krasinski (The Office) represents the comic relief and does an admirable job of playing a character that is both unoriginal and insignificant. 

The rest of the cast is more of the same.  Colin Egglesfield is "Dex," a character that most women will intially like and end up hating.  Additionally, he spends the entire film channeling his inner Tom Cruise.  In minor roles Steve Howey portrays the horndog friend plausibly, and Ashley Williams is entertaining as the smothering, fatal attraction gal pal.

Furthermore, New York Times critic A.O. Scott wrote, "the most dispiriting thing about Something Borrowed is that with a little more art, craft and wit it could have been a lot better, maybe even good."  The film features intiguing elements of real-world drama and emotion that could have evoked something substantial.  Yet, unfortunately these wishy-washy characters leave a lot to be desired.
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Bonus DVD Review
Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre On Tour (NR) (65 minutes) B
Girls Rock!

DVD Release Date June 7, 2011
Starring Kathleen Hanna, JD Samson and Johanna Fateman

It’s a little known fact that Kathleen Hanna has always been one of my biggest "celebrity crushes".  However, I wasn't sure what to expect in Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour.  The documentary follows the band across four continents in support of their 2004 album, This Island.  The doc itself really isn't earth-shattering; although, it is an entertaining look at their socio-politics and electrifying live shows.  This toe-tapping behind-the-scences footage is sure to appeal to Kathleen Hanna/Le Tigre fans.  Everyone else may not be as geeked.    

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