We Own the Night (2007)

We Own the Night is a crime thriller, nominated for 5 awards and released in 2007. Joaquin Phoenix stars as Bobby Green, a New York nightclub manager. There are drug dealers in the mix, but Bobby overlooks this. This is a huge deal because Bobby has forsaken his family whose focus is in law enforcement.

Bobby’s lifestyle is different from his family in all ways, including the life he lives with his girlfriend, Amada, played by Eva Mendes.

Abandoning his family, even to the point of changing his name, Bobby has to make a choice when his father, Burt Grusinsky, played by Robert Duvall and his brother, Joseph Grusinsky, played by Mark Wahlberg, take action on the drug scene within the club.

When family is on opposite forces, can loyalty to each other surpass their differences? You’ll have to watch the movie to find out.

The acting in We Own the Night is excellent, but I’m not surprised due to the cast. The film received mixed reviews, as most films do. This is a movie worth seeing, but it won’t necessarily knock your socks off.

Flirting with Forty (2008)

Flirting with Forty is a Lifetime TV movie, but could easily have been on the big screen. This is a chick flick without much uniqueness, yet a good movie with good character development.

Jackie Laurens, played by the famous and beautiful Heather Locklear, is a divorced mother and about to turn 40. As some of you will be able to identify with, turning 40 sometimes makes you feel life is nearly over.

Jackie goes on a tropical vacation while her ex-husband watches their two children. She gets much more than she bargained for when she meets a younger and handsome man named Kyle Hamilton, played by Robert Buckley. Kyle is a likable man and of course as you may guess, a romance develops between him and Jackie.

More than finding a new romance, Jackie discovers more about herself and life. She realizes that life can have a new beginning at any age. You just have to open yourself up to the opportunities and possibilities.

Flirting with Forty is now available on DVD. For a sneak peak, watch the trailer below:

After the Bachelorette – Is Ed Cheating on Jillian?

Rumors are flying around that Ed Swiderski has cheated on Jillian Harris. If you recall, Ed is the one Jillian chose on last season of The Bachelorette and in the end, Ed proposed to her.

Apparently, Bethany Steffen claims Ed sexted (sex text) her and Lindsey Johnson, claims they had sex. Jillian seems to know that Ed was in contact with these women, but denies any cheating going on. The two women were from Ed’s past.

Jillian says she will not be destroyed by the rumors. She and Ed are close and have an open and honest relationship. You have to wonder if a couple being happy brings out the worst in people to the extent they want to start trouble.

Ed and Jillian were interviewed on Good Morning America. Jillian said it feels like being in high school with the absurd and unnecessary allegations. Jillian is an intelligent woman. I’m sure if Ed is cheating, it will come out. People should leave them alone and let them enjoy their happiness!

They do look happy in the video below:

Obsessed (2009)

Obsessed is a 2009 crime/drama film rated PG-13, directed by Steve Shill.

Sharon, played by Beyonce Knowles, and Derek Charles, played by Idris Elba, are a happy couple with a son. Derek gets a promotion, which is a good thing, but in the process meets Lisa, a temporary employee, played by Ali Larter.

Lisa is a seemingly intelligent and very attractive woman. She appears competent at her job, but little by little she begins to get creepy. She finds ways to be around Derek and fantasizes that he actually likes her—even loves her and wants to be with her. At first Derek seems to think she’s just flirting, but things get way out of hand.

The movie Obsessed, is true to its title, as Lisa’s fascination with Derek is obsession to the point of dangerous. Derek confronts Sharon about Lisa’s obsession and she is hesitant to believe he is innocent. In the end, she goes after Lisa on a fierce rampage between the two of them.

Obsession is a good movie that will capture your attention, although I felt Beyonce’s acting was a bit forced and lacking.

Basket Case

Basket Case was a low-budget comedy/horror film released in the 80’s. It’s one of those movies so bad, you wonder why you are watching, yet you are compelled to watch–at least once.

Kevin Van Hentenryck stars as Duane Bradley who was a conjoined twin at birth. Their mother died during childbirth and the father was disgusted with the twins, especially Belial who was grossly malformed. He wanted the twins separated and turned to doctors in hopes of Duane being able to lead a normal life and letting Belial die. Instead, Belial lived, but was a monstrous form that Duane carried around in a basket.

Duane and Belial want to seek revenge on the doctors who separated them and proceed to track them down. Duane is excited when he gets his first date, but this leads to a sinister ending with his twin’s involvement.

There is blood and gore in this movie and the quality is obviously low-budget. It isn’t your typical, contemporary horror movie and isn’t suited for young children, but it has some entertainment value.

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Passengers (2008)

The movie, “Passengers” lacks in being a thriller in the true sense and leans more toward a mystery drama blended with romance.

Anne Hathaway stars as Claire Summers, a therapist who is helping those who survived a plane crash. Each person’s account of the tragic event differs from the official story. The passengers claim there was an explosion. The airline disputes this claim.

One passenger in particular, Eric Clark, played by Patrick Wilson, has strange experiences after the crash. Claire is quite intrigued by Eric as a romance between them blossoms.

Claire is determined to find the truth to what happened in the crash, especially when the survivors start to vanish one by one. Eric is the one person who may be able to help her uncover the truth.

The chemistry between Hathaway and Wilson is excellent. This is a good movie if you like a bit of mystery and drama blended with romance, but it falls short as a true thriller.

The Proposal (2009)

Sandra Bullock stars as Margaret Tate, an editor-in-chief of a publishing company. Margaret isn’t well-liked and even her assistant Andrew Paxton, played by Ryan Reynolds, hates her. Andrew’s career, of course, is tied in to Margaret’s and when she’s threatened to be deported to Canada, she forces him to marry her.

Andrew agrees to marry Margaret, but quite hesitantly and with the condition she help him get a manuscript published and a promotion. They keep up with the lie to the extent of going to visit Andrew’s parents in Alaska, being thrown a party in celebration of their upcoming wedding. Will Andrew and Margaret go through with the scandalous wedding? You’ll have to watch the movie to find out, but in the meantime…you can watch the trailer below.

Evening (2007)

The movie, “Evening”—split between two time frames–is adapted from Susan Minot’s best-selling novel. Vanessa Redgrave stars as terminally ill Ann Grant. On her deathbed, Ann recounts a romance that took place several decades ago—a romance that would define every moment of her life.

Daughters Constance, played by Natasha Richardson and Nina, played by Toni Collette, are by Ann’s bedside, sometimes confused where Ann’s thoughts (and heart) wander to when she drifts off. At times Ann is coherent, but it seems the account of the past when she drifts off, helps to buffer her suffering.

This movie has an outstanding cast including Meryl Streep who plays Ann’s close friend who is a comfort. Also included are Glenn Close, Claire Danes and Patrick Wilson. This account of a woman’s last days is emotional and full of devoted sentiment. Merging two of the greatest actresses, Streep and Redgrave, in the same dramatic movie, is a treat—despite the morose nature of the film.

Broken Bridges

Broken Bridges has a rather predictable storyline, although if you like country music and country music artist Toby Keith, you’ll probably enjoy this 2006 movie.

Bo Price, played by Toby Keith is a country singer in the movie. He returns to his home town for his younger brother’s funeral. This means he’ll be facing his past, his high school sweetheart with whom he had a child. Bo abandoned the child at birth and Angela, played by Kelly Preston is less than pleased to see him.

Bo’s 16- year old daughter Dixie, played by the beautiful Lindsey Haun, is curious to meet her father. They have something in common—a love for music and singing. Can a dad who abandoned his daughter at birth possibly find redemption in her heart and find forgiveness from his high school sweetheart?

Broken Bridges also stars Burt Reynolds, Willie Nelson and Tess Harper, which adds to the movie. The storyline may be predictable, but there is a lot of human emotion that brings the impact of the movie up, several notches.