Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

Fast paced, electric, and witty Edgar Wright's "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World" busts onto the silver screen with Michael Cera as the sweet (if not a bit naive and awkward) title character. Cera must defeat the seven evil exes of Ramona Flowers to win her hear, all while his band is attempts to get a record contract by wining the battle of the bands. Keiran Culkin shines as Scott's witty gay roommate. The first half progresses at such a pace that it could satisfy even the most ADD of viewers. The movie is different in many respects including its art direction. Audio cues, gaphics, and effects serve as a love letter to old-school video games. While I wished the final battles would have reached a more explosive climax I did not leave the theater disappointed or bored.

Grade: B+

Charlie St. Cloud

"Charlie St. Cloud" is more or less the story of an All American teenage boy (Effron) who looses his brother and his all-star mojo when his brother is killed in a car accident. Following the crash Charlie is reduced to a dazed hermit who spends his spare time designing sailing equipment (his lost passion) and playing catch with the ghost of his late brother. Charlie's self imposed exhile from all things typically youthful when a hot young sailor (wait...I'll rephrase that) beautiful young girl who sails around the world. (whew, that almost turned into another movie entirely) Eyes are opened, lessons are learned, Charlie's libido is re-kickstarted (as well of those of the man-loving audience members). The movie 0pperates as a vehicle for showcasing Effron's rock hard abs, classic good looks, and ocean blue eyes than his acting abilities. Effron's face of despair occasionally reads more like the face who is stoned. The plot delivers no real surprises and the problems are a little too easily dissolved. While the film can deliver the warm fuzzies for the sentimental crowd, there the plot and acting fails to be substantial enough to keep this boat afloat.

Grade: C-

Sex and The City 2

Being a fan of the series and having thoroughly enjoyed the first movie I insisted on seeing the Sex and the City 2 movie at the first possible time. Overall, though, I felt myself wanting more, and I don't mean another movie. The movie serves as visual eye candy, giving a the audience a taste of the high life when most of us are nowadays relegated to shopping in the sale section. There is no doubt that this movie has glamour and style, its the substance that I'm not so sure about. The film is advertised as a playful romp, but the film lacked a solid plot. Any troubles the girls seemed to have are quickly fabricated by their own psyche, and dissolve just as quickly as they are made. (i.e. Charlotte's worrying about possible infidelities on the part of her husband, Carrie fretting about Big leaving her, and Samantha's troubles with the law) The self-made nature of the girls' problems make them hard to sympathize with at times, though Charlotte's and Miranda's struggles to balance motherhood with other aspects of their life are valid and humanizing. The character of Miranda seems to be the only one content with her life and she serves to boost the morale of the other girls, a wise choice, considering her character was put through the ringer in the last film. Any true fan of the show will enjoy the movie, and get in a good laugh here.

Overall the movie left me craving more substance, the girls I fell in love with on the show didn't seem to be completely present in the film. With another few million raked in I hope Michael Patrick King can leave the characters be, girls I think its time to hang up those Manolos.

Grade: C-