It began in 2006 as a hit Disney Channel TV series and then branched out to the big screen in 2008 with Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert.  Now the “Hannah Montana” phenomenon is all grown up with a full-length feature film entitled Hannah Montana: The Movie.  Just as the franchise continues to grow in success, the film depicts Hannah’s continued climb to stardom as an international pop sensation.

At the film’s start, Hannah seems to be the girl who has everything, but somewhere amidst the hair, make-up and Rodeo Drive shopping sprees, Miley has begun to get lost in the shuffle.  In an attempt to help her return to her roots, Miley’s father (Billy Ray Cyrus) tricks her into going home to Tennessee for her grandma’s birthday.  This is where the adventure begins, as Miley reconnects with her family, falls in love and rediscovers herself in the countryside of her home town of Crowley Corners.  Miley is joined on the big screen by several favorites from the TV show and additional cameos by Tyra Banks, Taylor Swift, and Rascal Flatts.

Hannah Montana: The Movie was definitely not on my must see list, but since it was a slow weekend as far as releases, I thought I would give it a shot for the sake of you, i am that girl readers.  I walked into the theater with several preconceived notions about this film, despite the fact that I’ve never even seen an episode of the TV series.  I was expecting screaming tweens, blond wigs, and bad pop songs… So when I actually got a touching coming-of-age story, I was pleasantly surprised.

Miley is likeable on-screen and it’s hard not to fall for her charm and youthful energy.  There is an innocence about her that is endearing and the film proves to be genuine and heartfelt overall.  While the plot seems fairly generic and borders on corny cliché at times, it is perfectly suited for its target demographic of young girls.  There is also a wholesome message at the film’s core about finding yourself by returning to your roots and the importance of knowing where you’re from to get to where you’re going.

In the end, it’s all about the journey or “the climb” as they refer to it in the film and as Miley learns, no matter how much commercial or financial success you may achieve, knowing who you are and staying true to yourself is the true definition of success.  The film also offers an interesting depiction of fame through the Miley Cyrus/ Hannah Montana dichotomy, delving into how notoriety can change people and the importance of staying grounded.  In terms of production value, this big-version is well shot and directed and while the music lacks originality, it’s still catchy and appropriate for the story.

That Girl says: Like it! This is almost embarrassing to admit, but Disney delivers an upbeat and uplifting tale that is sure to make audiences smile.  It may be formulaic, but it’s a formula that works and transfers nicely from the small to the big screen.  Amidst the clutter at the box office, it’s encouraging to find a film that promotes the importance of a woman knowing herself and Miley seems to be a positive role model that young girls can identify with.

Release Date:  April 10th, 2009 (Wide Release)
Running Time:  102 minutes
Rated:  G
Company:  Walt Disney Pictures
Cast: Miley Cyrus – Hannah Montana / Miley Stewart
Billy Ray Cyrus – Robby Ray Stewart
Emily Osment – Lilly Truscott / Lola Luftnagle
Jason Earles – Jackson Stewart
Mitchel Musso – Oliver Oken / Mike Standley III
Moises Arias – Rico
Lucas Till – Travis Brody
Vanessa Williams – Vita
Margo Martindale – Ruby
Director: Peter Chelsom
Official Site: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/hannahmontanamovie/#/home

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Fast & Furious raced into theaters this weekend and broke box office records while doing it.  Dragging in a stunning $72.5 million, an amount previously unprecedented for an April release, is it really worth the hype?

First of all, I know what you’re thinking: “Didn’t I already see this movie like 8 years ago?”  Sort of… Funny how you can drop some “the’s,” add an ampersand, and somehow end up with a whole new movie, right?  This is the fourth installment in Universal’s franchise and the first time the original cast has been reunited since the original The Fast and the Furious (2001). This time around, Dom (Diesel) is in the Dominican Republic, still a fugitive from the law after Brian (Walker) let him go in the first film and he fled across the border to Mexico.  Meanwhile, Brian has been chained to a desk at the FBI and is ready to go undercover and get back to the streets.  The two remain on opposite sides of the law until Dom’s long-time love, Letty (Rodriguez) is harmed and the two reunite to avenge her and bring down a drug lord who is using street racers to smuggle drugs across the border.  The high-speed pursuit runs from the streets of LA to the tunnels of Mexico as the two attempt to outmaneuver the dangerous drug cartel.

This movie is pure testosterone from the opening sequence to the closing credits.  It will undoubtedly play well amongst 16-year-old boys, but how will it fair for the rest of us?  Well ladies, this is a mediocre film at best.  It’s high octane, the cars are cool, and the street racing is somewhat entertaining, but that’s where my compliments end and my criticism begins.  The story completely lacks any character development and the lack of back-story may make it difficult for anyone who is unfamiliar with the older films to fully understand it.  The special effects look like cheesy CGI and the acting is laughable.  Paul Walker is easy on the eyes (as usual) and I only mention this fact because women in the film are completely objectified.  Neither of the film’s main female characters seem to serve any purpose except for to be love interests for the male leads and every woman featured at the street races seems to be in full hooker attire.  Overall, I think I could have done without the “new model” and “original parts.”

That Girl says: Leave it!  Fast & Furious would have made a great videogame for adolescent males, but it falls short as a film.  While the fast pace will carry you throughout without being too bored, the cool car chases just aren’t enough to make up for the intolerable acting and lackluster effects.

Release Date:  April 3rd, 2009 (Wide Release)
Running Time:  107 minutes
Rated:  PG-13
Company: Universal Pictures
Cast:  Vin Diesel – Dominic Toretto
Paul Walker – Brian O’Conner
Jordana Brewster – Mia Toretto
Michelle Rodriguez – Letty
Director: Justin Lin
Official Site: http://www.fastandfuriousmovie.net/

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Witch Mountain is back in theaters this weekend, restarting the beloved Disney franchise of the 1970’s that began with Escape to Witch Mountain and continued with the sequel Return to Witch Mountain.  This latest installment, Race to Witch Mountain, stars Dwayne Johnson (formerly known as “The Rock”) as Jack Bruno, a Las Vegas cabbie who is thrown into an action-packed race against the clock when two teens with supernatural powers end up in the back of his cab.  Bruno and the alien twins, Seth (Alexander Ludwig) and Sara (AnnaSophia Robe), embark on an adventure through the Nevada desert as they attempt to get to Witch Mountain before it’s too late.  With the help of brilliant astrophysicist, Dr. Alex Friedman (Carla Gugino), they must solve the secrets of Witch Mountain in order to save humanity.

I definitely remember watching the original films as a child and while this latest version doesn’t possess the magic of the originals, it seems to hold up on its own accord.  Perhaps the most action-packed Disney movie that’s ever been made, this film is appealing to both children and adults. The relatively unknown child actors are perfectly cast and Johnson and Gugino have a quirky chemistry that seems to work well on screen.  It’s short and quick-paced with action driving a relatively simple story.  There’s not much to it in terms of plot, but overall it’s an entertaining ride for parents to embark on with their kids.

That Girl says: Like It!  Race to Witch Mountain may not measure up to its predecessors, but it’s a film the whole family can enjoy.  It will remind adults of their love for the original films from the ‘70’s and expose a new generation of children to a classic science fiction franchise.  It may not be a hit with my demographic, but I can appreciate it as an action-packed adventure for parents and their kids.

Release Date:  March 13th, 2009 (Wide Release)
Running Time: 98 minutes
Rated: PG
Company: Walt Disney Pictures
Cast:  Dwayne Johnson – Jack Bruno
AnnaSophia Robe – Sara
Alexander Ludwig   – Seth
Carla Gugino – Dr. Alex Friedman
Ciarán Hinds – Henry Burke
Garry Marshall – Dr. Donald Harlan
Tom Everett Scott   – Matheson
Chris Marquette – Pope
Billy Brown – Carson
Kim Richards – Tina
Ike Eisenmann – Sheriff Antony
Director: Andy Fickman
Official Site: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/racetowitchmountain/

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Like its hero, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a film “born under unusual circumstances.”  Based on a 1920’s short story written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the movie spent close to 15 years in development with more than a handful of top-notch talent attached along the way.  It’s certainly interesting to muse about what the film could have been with a director like Steven Spielberg or Ron Howard at the helm… But in the end, David Fincher (Zodiac) was chosen to tackle Eric Roth’s (Forest Gump) screen adaption and Brad Pitt to star as the curious title character.  The story is unusual to say the least, telling the tale of a man born in his eighties and aging backwards through the 20th century.  With New Orleans as a backdrop, the audience journeys with Benjamin from World War I to Hurricane Katrina, bearing witness to all the years and people he encounters in between.  More than anything, this is a story about mortality – an ode to life, a requiem to death and a eulogy to the timelessness of love.

With awards buzz circulating long before the film’s release, I was more than a bit curious about this movie.  Hearing words like “masterpiece” and “classic” thrown around the entertainment community, I walked into the theater with great expectations.  But as I probably should have learned by now, movies, like life, rarely measure up to what we expect. And while Ben Button is a landmark in filmmaking; it falls short of greatness in story telling.

In terms of look, the timeless charm of New Orleans creates a picturesque landscape for a film that is nothing short of visually stunning.  From start to finish, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is beautiful to behold and the seamlessness of the aging effect is an astounding accomplishment in the art of filmmaking.  A large part of the film’s lengthy development process was waiting for technology to catch up with the requirements of the story and the two met in the middle to achieve absolute cinematic perfection.  Of equal importance was the task of finding an actor who could play the character of Benjamin from his eighties through his teens and Brad Pitt does an exceptional job.  Likewise, Cate Blanchett is perfectly cast as the adult version of Daisy; the little girl Benjamin falls in love with as an old man.  When this little girl grows up, she becomes a dancer and having trained in classical ballet myself, I was impressed by her believable grace as a ballerina.  Moreover, Taraji P. Henson, who plays Queenie, the slave woman who becomes Benjamin’s mother after his father abandons him on her doorstep, delivers what is arguably the best performance in the film.  To top it all off, Alexandre Desplat’s score is simultaneously whimsical and haunting, effectively creating mood and capturing the film’s essence.

But my praise for this movie must stop here because while The Curious Case of Benjamin Button succeeds as an epic life story, it fails as an epic love story.  Central to the film is the relationship between Benjamin and Daisy, who meet early on and come into and out of each other’s lives. Yet this is by no means a fairytale love and their relationship feels oddly mature. They’re not star-crossed lovers but two adults who finally get together when the timing is right.  While I appreciate this incredibly realistic depiction of relationships, it doesn’t allow the audience to emotionally invest in the characters. There were so many hellos and good-byes between the two, that their moments of joy together had little emotional effect on me as a viewer. I wanted to rejoice when they finally settled down together, but somehow I just wasn’t touched.

Part of the problem is the pace of a film that clocks in at nearly three hours.  There are sections that drag as the story lacks drama and after investing that much time in the relationship between these two characters, there doesn’t seem to be a true moment of pay off for the audience.  The other flaw is in the characters themselves who don’t change much over the course of the film or their lives.  While many would argue that people don’t really change, we never see Benjamin develop any sort of emotional maturity and he never seems to apply any of the wisdom he’s gained from his unusual situation.  Aging backwards seems a wonderfully original premise, but the film never fully analyzes this concept. Don’t we always say, “I wish I knew then what I know now?”  Doesn’t it seem odd to make this sort of film without discussing how the wisdom of old age could affect the decisions of youth?  Or maybe that’s the point? Maybe this knowledge wouldn’t necessarily change anything.  Maybe it’s just about living in the moment because when the past can’t be distinguished from the future, all you have is the present.

That Girl says: Like It!  I walked into the theater with great expectations for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but the film, like the title character, is unusually passive.  While stunning both visually and technologically, it lacks the passion that would have made it a masterpiece.  That said, it is an epic story, which contemplates life, love and loss and encourages viewers to do the same.  At its core is a message about time and love being the greatest of commodities and I walked out of the theater with a new appreciation for the two.  If this film can make you look at your own life differently, then however flawed it may be, it’s three hours well spent.

Release Date:  December 25th, 2008 (Wide Release)
Running Time: 159 minutes
Rated:  PG-13
Company:  Paramount Pictures
Cast:  Brad Pitt – Benjamin Button
Cate Blanchett – Daisy
Taraji P. Henson – Queenie
Tilda Swinton – Elizabeth Abbott
Julia Ormond – Caroline
Jason Flemyng – Thomas Button
Elias Koteas – Monsieur Gateau
Director:  David Fincher
Official Site: www.benjaminbutton.com

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Audiences can weigh in on Seven Pounds when it arrives in theaters nationwide this weekend.  The film reunites Academy Award nominee, Will Smith, with the director and producing team behind 2006’s critically-acclaimed The Pursuit of Happyness.  In this new emotional drama, Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent whose life is consumed by a secret in his past.  Embarking on a quest for redemption, Thomas hopes to find salvation by committing the ultimate self-sacrifice – an act that will forever change the lives of seven deserving strangers.

Let me start by saying that if you’ve seen countless posters, trailers and television spots for this film and still have no idea what it’s about… Don’t worry, you are not alone!  The marketing campaign gives nothing away and frankly neither does the first act of the movie.  It’s only about halfway through that you begin to catch on and while the story is not particularly complex, the non-linear and convoluted way in which it unravels will keep audiences guessing throughout.  Likewise, the title itself is a mystery as there is no reference to it anywhere in the film.  Thankfully, the director, Garbiele Muccino, was on hand for a Q&A at the screening I attended and was able to shed some light on its meaning.  Seven Pounds’ title is actually a reference to a line in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, in which a creditor asks for a pound of flesh as a form of payment.  Apparently, the scene in which the title was explained ended up on the cutting room floor and so it only contributes further to the film’s ambiguity.

As a film, Seven Pounds is flawed in the fact that Smith’s character is not particularly likeable or sympathetic.  Audiences will likely find it hard to identify with his motivations and therefore find his actions self-deprecating rather than redeeming.  This, combined with the complexity of the story-telling, will leave many movie-goers confused and ultimately unsatisfied.  While I can always appreciate a film that encourages the audience to think (and this one does, even inspiring a 30 minute post-screening conversation between my friend and I), the film lacks a moment of revelation for the audience.  At some point the pieces just click into place, but the reaction is “oh” instead of “ah ha!”

That said, somehow the film finds its heart in the relationship between Ben and Emily (Rosario Dawson) and the audience begins to connect with the film through their connection to each other.  There is true chemistry on-screen between Smith and Dawson and their love creates meaning for a conclusion, which would otherwise seem preposterous and unjustifiable.  In the end, Ben’s sacrifice is not a demented form of repentance for his sins, but an act of love – an attempt to save the woman who saved him from himself.

That Girl says: Like It!  While this fragmented film is certainly not for the masses, many will enjoy piecing it together.  Despite numerous flaws, the movie, like the main character, finds redemption in the relationship between Ben and Emily.  Seven Pounds is worthwhile because it has heart and its obscurity is likely to provoke thought and inspire conversation.

Release Date:  December 19th, 2008 (Wide Release)
Running Time:  118 minutes
Rated:  PG-13
Company:  Columbia Pictures
Cast:  Will Smith – Ben Thomas
Rosario Dawson – Emily Posa
Woody Harrelson – Ezra Turner
Barry Pepper – Dan
Director:  Gabriele Muccino
Official Site:  www.sevenpounds.com

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The pop culture phenomenon that is Twilight finally hits theaters this weekend.  I say finally because after witnessing the hysteria first-hand at Comic Con in July, I’m sure the last few months have seemed like an eternity for fans of Stephanie Meyer’s vastly popular series of books.  And I say “pop culture phenomenon” because that’s exactly what this frenzy has become…

Based on the first novel in the four-book saga, Twilight is a tormented love story between a mortal and a vampire.  Bella Swan, played by Kristen Stewart, leaves Phoenix when her mother remarries and moves to the gloomy town of Forks, Washington to live with her father.  A shy and awkward 17-year old, Bella never quite fit in with the girls in Phoenix and she doesn’t expect Forks to be much different.  Of course, she never planned on meeting Edward Cullen (Robert Pattison) either.  Charming and inhumanly beautiful, Bella quickly falls head over heels for Edward, only to learn his mysterious secret – he is a vampire.  However, Edward and his family are not the typical fanged blood-sucking predators of myth. Instead they choose to live among humans and feed on animal blood to survive.  This is not to say that they are not tempted by human blood and the closer Edward and Bella grow, the more intense Edward’s internal struggle becomes as he tries to resist the blood of his soul mate.  Matters only become more complicated when an evil clan of vamps arrives in Forks and the Cullens are forced to fight against their own kind to protect the human they have welcomed into their family.

After finishing the Twilight book a few months ago, I was as excited as a 13-year old girl to see this movie.  While the novel certainly catered to a very young female audience, I fell in love with the awkward teenage girl, the charming vampire and the Romeo and Juliet-like story of their forbidden romance.  Like any “Twi-hard” (the coined term for die-hard Twilight fans,) I was absolutely ecstatic when I was able to score premiere tickets from a friend at the studio.  To read about the buzz over this film was one thing, but to push through the crowds of screaming girls to pick up my tickets at will call was quite another.  It is a rare occasion that a film can create such hype and usually this sort of anticipation is reserved for big-budget studio blockbusters like Harry Potter or Pirates of the Caribbean.  Yet somehow, this low-budget film with no A-list talent was able to create a level of energy that I have rarely experienced in a theater.

While I can appreciate Twilight as a cultural phenomenon, applaud it for its ability to create frenzy among film-goers and predict its inevitable box office success, I just can’t in good faith advise people to see it.  As a film, Twilight is flawed in everything from the direction to the production value.  I am a huge supporter of small studios and think that they can generate amazingly successful films (ex. New Line’s Lord of the Rings trilogy,) but Twilight’s $37 million budget is very apparent onscreen.  The white make-up used to make the vampires appear pale, for example, looks cheap and far from naturally beautiful.  While the casting is fairly on point, director Catherine Hardwicke (The Nativity Story) is unable to pull genuine performances from her cast.  There is a decent amount of chemistry between Stewart and Pattison, but the passion portrayed in the novel is not conveyed onscreen and the two come off simply as awkward teens with a crush, instead of undeniable soul mates.

Screenwriter, Melissa Rosenberg, seems to have done a fine job of keeping the film true to the novel in terms of plot, but she’s done little with the dialogue.  True, the dialogue in the book is somewhat cliché, but hearing the characters speak the corny lines onscreen inspires laughter in scenes that are not meant to be funny.  Most disappointing is the fact that the studio and the filmmakers have missed a huge opportunity.  The release of the film could have expanded the Twilight audience beyond simply fans of the novel, but the film is so poorly constructed that it is doubtful that anyone unfamiliar with the book will appreciate it.

That Girl says: “Leave It! I say this with much disappointment, but Twilight is nothing more than a poor film adaptation of a hit novel.  I appreciate the buzz the film has created and trust that “Twi-hards” will enjoy watching their beloved story unfold on screen, but the film’s poor execution will not impress anyone beyond devoted fans.  If you really want to appreciate the story of how ‘the lion fell in love with the lamb’ take a bite out of the book, not the movie.”

Release Date:  November 21st, 2008 (Wide Release)
Running Time:  122 minutes
Rated:  PG-13
Company:  Summit Entertainment
Cast:  Kristen Stewart – Bella Swan
Robert Pattinson – Edward Cullen
Billy Burke – Charlie Swan
Peter Facinelli – Dr. Carlisle Cullen
Elizabeth Reaser – Esme Cullen
Ashley Greene – Alice Cullen
Nikki Reed – Rosalie Hale
Jackson Rathbone – Jasper Hale
Kellan Lutz – Emmet Cullen
Cam Gigandet – James
Edi Gathegi – Laurent
Rachelle Lefevre – Victoria
Anna Kendrick – Jessica Stanley
Taylor Lautner – Jacob Black
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Official Site:  www.twilightthemovie.com

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