"And yet I am the seat of all authority because they think that when I speak, I speak for them." (The King's Speech, 2010)

Movie: The King's Speech

Rating: R

Release Year: 2010

Notable Cast: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush

Stars: 3.5

Review: Easily the best movie I have seen all year! The previews do not do this movie justice, and I think if you just heard the premise you may expect it to be a boring watch. Basically, the story is about King George VI (Colin Firth) who had a well-known speech impediment; this is the dramatized version of his journey to overcome the impediment with the help of a speech therapist (Geoffrey Rush). But oh my goodness, this movie was so fantastic, and not boring in the slightest. I have so many good things to say about it that I feel compelled to make a list:

1. Characters and dialogue: The acting was phenomenal. I particularly enjoyed Helena Bonham Carter in the role of Elizabeth (later, the Queen Mother). You may remember her as Bellatrix Lestrange from Harry Potter. She was simply magnificent as the bright, determined, no-nonsense Elizabeth. All three of the primary actors were so well-cast for the roles, and the writers/director did a great job with dialogue and actions that really brought the characters to life and encouraged rapport. I could feel George's frustration, and I found myself so emotionally reactive to his successes and failures on his journey to overcome his impediment... I suspect that you, as I, will find yourself drawn to the characters because you understand them. I think it is difficult in a film to really make a character understood, and I applaud the talents of the writers as well as the actors.

2. Humor: This movie was so funny! Mainly classic dry British humor. I particularly appreciated the witty exchanges between George and Lionel (the therapist), and the unique methods of Lionel.

3. Love!: Oh you knew this was coming! I'm a hopeless romantic. :) This movie is by no means a romance, and some viewers might even say that there is no love story, but I vehemently disagree. I found George and Elizabeth's relationship as it was portrayed to be so incredible and truly inspirational. The way that Elizabeth supported George and constantly encouraged him to grow and learn and be the best version of himself... I think this movie portrayed true love. And though the movie emphasized George, you could just tell from their exchanges the mutual respect the couple had for each other, and that George in turn supported and cared for Elizabeth just as much as she did for him. As a woman, I found Elizabeth to be absolutely delightful. I think in period films it is easy for the wives to be portrayed as somewhat weak and demure, and I appreciated that this movie emphasized Elizabeth's strength. You can't help but be impressed by her, and you come away with the clear understanding that George wouldn't have been as successful, as strong, as able, without his wife, his partner, by his side.

I strongly recommend this movie! A thoroughly enjoyable cinematic experience.

Good date movie? YES!

"Sometimes the things you want the most don't happen and what you least expect happens." (Love and Other Drugs, 2010)

Movie: Love & Other Drugs

Rating: R

Release Year: 2010

Notable Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway

Stars: 2.5

Review: This was an excellent movie! At a superficial glance, this movie seems distastefully to center around promiscuity and frivolity, but honestly impresses when examined more closely. In fact, the carefree nature of the primary characters and the crude humor of some of the scenes is in stark contrast to, and therefore cleverly draws attention to, the underlying serious themes that this movie considers. Without giving too much away, let me say that the most striking thing in this film was the subtle commentary the writers made regarding the discrepancy between what the public covets and what is truly unmet medical need. Jake's character is a wayward young man who finds what he feels is his calling in success as a salesman for the latest new pharmaceutical Viagra. While his career flourishes, he meets and falls for Anne's character who is a live-for-the-moment young artist with early-onset Huntington's disease.

I was particularly impressed by the quality of character construction and subsequent development throughout the film. Acting and dialogue was just okay.

Disclaimer: Please note that this film is definitely rated R, including full-frontal nudity. I do NOT recommend it to children or young teens!

Good date movie? Equivocal.

"I always thought that pretending... would be a little more special. Judy Blume should have prepared me for this." (Easy A, 2010)

Movie: Easy A

Rating: PG-13

Release Year: 2010

Notable Cast: Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Dan Byrd

Stars: 3

Review: This movie cracked me up! It was delightful to watch. Emma Stone as Olive the edgy protagonist and Amanda Bynes as Mariann the judgmental elitist were absolutely perfect casting decisions. The story was entertaining and the dialogue, particularly from Olive's parents, quite hilarious. Of course, this movie was pretty unrealistic (e.g., I doubt a student could have gotten away with some of those outfits in school and Olive's parents were pretty nonchalant and easygoing), but I didn't mind at all because I don't think the point was realism. I found this movie to be just as lighthearted and funny as I expected from the trailer. It's Juno-esque, so if you liked Juno I bet you'd like this movie.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT recommend letting kids or young teens watch this movie, primarily because of the blase attitude towards premarital/teen sex.

Good date movie? Sure!

"The more I am in your world, the less I can be in his." (Charlie St. Cloud, 2010)

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Movie: Charlie St. Cloud

Rating: PG-13

Release Year: 2010

Notable Cast: Zac Efron, Amanda Crew

Stars: 1.5

Review: Meh. I did not like this movie, primarily because it had the potential to be significantly better. First off, the acting was decent and the themes/lessons were good (e.g., live life to the fullest; the importance of acceptance in the grieving process). For about half the movie, I was pleasantly surprised since I wasn't expecting very much from a Zac Efron movie. But then the film took a decided turn for the worse when I realized in surprise that the writers actually wanted viewers to believe that Charlie had some kind of supernatural/sixth sense connection with "the in-between" (= ghost world, the supposed presence of spirits on Earth). I have no problem with supernatural stuff in a movie, but it has to be done with finesse and commitment. For most of the movie, you think that Charlie is merely grieving and thus imagining his brother's presence for comfort but then the writers throw you for a loop by showing Charlie talking with many different spirits and even using this hitherto unmentioned gift in resolving the climax of the story. (I am purposely being cryptic so as to avoid giving the story away.) Charlie's supposed gift then disappears as he finally accepts his brother's death and moves on with his life. I am forced to conclude that Charlie was not in fact gifted and was instead psychotic and ought to have been treated with haloperidol stat. I disliked this movie so much because it was inconsistent-- the writers ought to have committed to development of either the supernatural theme or the grieving theme, instead of some weird, unexpected mix that didn't make any sense.

Good date movie? Nah.

"Life is about making mistakes... And death is about wishing you'd made a lot more." (The Bounty Hunter, 2010)

Movie: The Bounty Hunter

Rating: PG-13

Release Year: 2010

Notable Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Gerard Butler

Stars: 2

Review: I really enjoyed this movie! However, you have to be willing to take a giant leap of faith to do so. The movie was wholly unrealistic, particularly in that both Jennifer's and Gerard's characters ended up doing crazy things just to avoid simple misunderstandings and thus landed themselves in even more trouble. I really appreciated the Bonnie-and-Clyde nature of the movie, though. It was a unique and quite entertaining story in these modern times. Also, I'm a sucker for a good romance (as you've probably surmised!), and I enjoyed the simple and sweet affection between the two characters despite all of their denials. Definitely fun to watch.

Good date movie? YES for a fun/casual/chill date, NO for a romantic/I'm-so-in-love-with-you date.

"I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." (When Harry Met Sally, 1989)

Movie: When Harry Met Sally

Rating: PG-13

Release Year: 1989

Notable Cast: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan

Stars: 2.5

Review: First of all, if you like this movie, I really recommend that you see Bollywood's Hum Tum (translation: me and you), which was modeled after this movie. I had forgotten how similar the two movies are! Both are equally enjoyable in my opinion.

Generally, I like this movie. I think it's a fun watch for most any audience. I wouldn't characterize it as a chick flick because it's a bit more edgy. More in the genre of romantic comedy. The casting is superb, with Meg as the high maintenance, optimistic romantic and Billy as the blunt, pessimistic closet-romantic. Dialogue and humor are excellent. I can't rate this movie any higher though because there is a little bit too much innuendo and unsavory scenes/plot-lines for my taste (the same criticism I have for Hum Tum!).

I very much appreciate the overall message of this movie, which is told both through Harry/Sally's story and also through random interviews of couples throughout the movie-- Sometimes what you need is right under your nose, but you can't appreciate it nor understand it until you make your own journey for a while. It's important to be secure in yourself before you can truly commit to someone else.

Good date movie? I would say so.

"It was like... magic." (Sleepless in Seattle, 1993)

Movie: Sleepless in Seattle

Rating: PG-13

Release Year: 1993

Notable Cast: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Rosie O'Donnell

Stars: 3.5

Review: It strikes me that most of my readers have probably already seen this movie (and love it!), but on the off-chance that you haven't, I must give it glowing accolades! Such a comforting, peaceful movie. It's like drinking chamomile tea when you're sick or hugging someone you haven't seen in a while and have missed. This movie is a classic... one of the first modern chick flicks. I think gals enjoy this movie on their own or with friends and guys enjoy it with their special someones. Of course the Seattle setting is a plus! :)

One of my favorite things about this movie is the references throughout to 'An Affair to Remember,' an old-time flick starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. At one point, Meg's character talks about how the olden days were the best for being in love, 'cuz people back then didn't let anything, not "time nor distance," separate true love. Rosie's character then rebukes Meg for "wanting to be in love in a movie" as opposed to in real life. And yet Meg and Tom end up with their fairytale romance in the end. So, then, it turns out that when you fall in love with the right person, it IS like in a movie-- surreal and magical, as well as real. Never settle for anything less! :)

Good date movie? Yes! I wouldn't recommend it for a first date, but for couples who have been together for a while and are still sappily and sweetly smitten. :)

"How beautiful!... It's endangered." (The American, 2010)

Movie: The American

Rating: R

Release Year: 2010

Notable Cast: George Clooney, Violante Placido

Stars: 1

Review: My first thought when watching this movie was-- OMG George Clooney looks SO OLD! What the heck happened?! He acted like an old, retired fellow also-- I didn't buy him in the hero role. My subsequent thoughts were about how incredibly boring and cliched this movie is. I really enjoy good action-adventure flicks (probably my favorite is "The Italian Job," check it out if you get the chance!), and this movie failed to deliver. It was slow, uninteresting, and wholly predictable. One small thing I did really enjoy though was the butterfly metaphor throughout the movie (the "beautiful" in the post title quote was referring to a butterfly). I advise against watching this movie, but if you do, look out for the butterflies and consider the (albeit cliched!) symbolism :)

This movie was what I call a "severe rated R," rated for adult situations. Definitely don't let your kids see it!

Good date movie? Dude, this movie isn't good for anyone, in any situation. Avoid!