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Jen
Says...
movies
books
CDs
rentals
Previous reviews
movies
books
CDs
rentals
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Movies:
The Sum of All Fears
Sigh.
I love Ben Affleck. Maybe it's because he's from Boston, maybe it's
because he's so damn hot. I don't know. This movie is so cheesy predictable
that I waited this long to see it. I needed a Ben-fix, however, so
I slipped into the Twi-lite matinee at my local cineplex and drank
in the AC and some serious Ben screen-time. Morgan Freeman does his
best not to burst out laughing at some of the more ridiculous plot
twists. Ben's girl couldn't hold her own, though, so I'm not going
to bother to look up her real name. What else can I say? Ben saves
the world from total destruction, and if you pay more than $4.50 to
see this, you're going to kick yourself. You may even kick yourself
for the $4.50.
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Books:
Seven Up, by Janet Evanovich
Perfect
summertime reading. The seventh installment in the adventures of New
Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum
delivers laughs and sexy fun, as usual. Evanovich just released Hard
Eight, but this series is really suited for paperback readers.
I want to use cheesy reviewer language like "this frothy meringue
of a mystery delivers on many levels." Really, it reads fast,
makes me laugh, and travels well in my bag. And I don't have to think
too hard, which is good because the July humidty in Massachusetts
has fried my brain.
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CDs:
The Eminem Show, Eminem
Damn.
Although I'd hoped that my earlier infatuation with Slim Shady was
a transient feeling at best, I have to admit that I love this CD even
more than his last effort. The radio favorites "White America,"
"Without Me," and "Sing for the Moment" are hits
for a reason, but listen closely for "Business" and "Superman"
as well. Slim seems less a presence on this disc and Eminem may be
slightly paranoid about how much Congress is worried about him, but
he's got a lot to say and these 20 tracks deliver stinging lyrics
and undeniable rhythm. In addition to his usual anger at <Kim,
his mother, Bush, etc.>, there are also many references to his
love for his daughter, including "Hailie's Song," which
give balance to the album.
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Rentals:
The Royal Tenenbaums
Finally
saw this Wes Anderson-Owen Wilson collaboration. Normally, I'm not
a fan of the Wilson brothers (I have a thing with their weird jaws.
So sue me), but I enjoyed this one. Quirky, but with enough bite/reality
to make it worthwhile. Hard to characterize, but it's a comedy/drama
about a (gasp!) dysfunctional family whose father tries to return
to the fold. Gene Hackman does a great job not chewing the scenery,
and Angelica Huston is likewise restrained. I can't believe I liked
this movie. It even has Gwyneth Paltrow in it (whom you know I hate
and still blame for the Blanchett debacle at the Oscars several years
ago).
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