Easy A

Now heres a movie that has left me confused. Why do you ask? Prior to seeing this movie, I was told it was funnier than Mean Girls and the best teen comedies combined. When I saw advertisements, I was not impressed, however, with such rave reviews how could I not see it? Not only was I fooled by word of mouth but rotten tomatoes gave this movie an 85%. What is wrong with our world today that a shit movie like this gets such great reviews? I'm stuck there. Now that I have explained my confusion when it comes to this movie, its time to break it down.

The Good: I will admit there was a total of 2 funny scenes in this movie. The amazing Stanley Tucci played Emma Stone's dad in the film and he definitely had some great one liners in I think the 2 scenes he had. For example when talking to his adopted black son he asked, "Where do you originate from? The other funny scene was of Emma dancing to a singing card. Other than that folks, thats about it.

The Ugly: Now heres for the ugly...the rest of the movie. It was some of the worst acting (cough cough Amanda Bynes, Cam Cigandet, Alyson Michalka, Lisa Kudrow just to name a few) and a drawn out uninteresting story line. I don't know how this got such great reviews, but I advise all my readers to not waste their money on this comedic flop. I was disappointed to see a cast filled with notable actors do so horribly and I hope Stanley redeems himself with his next film.

I walked out of the theater angry because there were such great movies out and my friends had coerced me into wasting my money on this film tragedy. I give this movie a D.

Glam Gab: The Town's Blake Lively

Tall, Blonde, Skinny, and Gorgeous. This girl could wear anything and look like a million bucks. What has made Blake such a fashion icon for our generation is her ability to look trendy, sexy, and classic at the same time and all without the help of a stylist. Her looks for the “The Town” press tour proved no different.  She opened up her press tour with a stop at Live with Regis and Kelly. Blake showed off her spunky side with a Matthew Williamson embellished jacket and the London- based designers leather pencil skirt. One of my favorite looks from this It girl came in the form of  a red sequined Chanel Couture dress. The floral detail at the hips added that special feminie touch that the house of Chanel is famous for. And leave it to Blake to find the perfect set of  stand-out ruby cocktail rings. Taking a cue from her character on Gossip Girl, Blake hit a high-note in a formfitting Antonio Berardi with peek-a-boo lace detail. While this last look isn’t a part of her press tour, it is just too fabulous! While attending the NYC Fashion’s Night Out Show, Blake looked vivacious in a brightly colored tribal printed Marchesa mini from the house’s resort collection. This look is sophisticated, fun and fashionable, everything that this fashion maven does best!

By Lauren Wilson 

The Town

I waited quite some time with great anticipation to see this film. If any of you have seen the trailer, it gave the appearance to be action packed, studded with an all star cast and equipped with a narrative twist. I couldn't wait to see how it all played out because the trailer definitely leaves you on a hanger. Also, I was anxious to see Ben Affleck back behind the camera. Not only did he direct the movie but he also co-wrote the script so this was definitely a big one for him. Well, The Town delivered on all levels.

The Good: Featuring an enormous cast, numerous overlapping plots, several car chases and shootouts and even a stickup at Fenway Park, The Town delivers big. I can say this is some of the best work Ben Affleck has done. His directing was natural and riveting. It was fast paced both visually as well as in regards to the narrative. I never looked away and was entirely engrossed in the story and gripped to each new interestingly different action sequence.  And he did not stop there. His role as Doug McRay was flawless. His role was so unique in that it was real and honest. And Ben definitely was not alone in this category. The star studded leading cast included Jon Hamm, Rebecca Hall and Jeremy Renner. Jon Hamm looked like a stud as always and Jeremy Renner did what he does best, the dangerous yet light hearted partner in crime. And who knew the fashionista Gossip Girl could act? Blake Lively has made a profound stride for her career as she came out full force as the cracked out mother doubling as a prostitute. That Boston accent and tense sex scene was her in an entirely new light. This drastic change in character role has made me excited for her next career move. And Rebecca Hall was the perfect choice for this female lead. She is relatively unknown, has natural beauty and oozed a naturally sweet demeanor necessary for the role. The chemistry between her and Ben was titillating.  I think what sets this film apart from all the other action movies out right now was the character development. Not only did this movie have visually amazing action sequences but each of the characters were real. You knew who they were and where they came from. Therefore, you were attached and wanted them to succeed. This movie had a heart to it. For instance, the Blake Lively character might have been removed in other films, however, her role showed the real person Ben was and the background his character had. The monologue of Ben as he sat in the garden with Rebecca was beautifully done describing the compassionate person he had inside himself. And they even developed the relationship between Ben and his father. The film felt complete and left me satisfied in every aspect. Not only was it an action drama but it was filled with comedic quirks. As Jeremy Renner is surrounded by the cops and caught with no way out, the police urge him to come out. He comedically responds, "Fuck you." I could truly go on and on.

Go and see it now! You will stay gripped to the screen and riveted to each character. I give this movie and A+.

Going The Distance

This movie is a laugh out loud true to form comedy that makes this horrible thing known as long distance relationships into something relatable and light hearted. Definitely no oscar contender but in terms of feel good comedy, this is it.

The Good: I can't really think of many movies where I was literally laughing out loud but this movie did it to me. At one particular scene, I had my hand over my mouth because I was laughing so hard. The casting was great, ranging from Garrett's friends Box and Dan to Erin's sister Corinne. It was a fresh take on comedy, nothing overplayed or stupid.  What I loved most about the movie was the amazing chemistry between Drew Barrymore and Justin Long. I'll admit it that when actors are dating in real life and are then leading roles in a love story together, it makes the story so believable. Their performance was so convincing and you fell in love with them as a couple because you knew it was real.

The Bad: Drew's acting was not exactly her best. Her character was supposed to be this outspoken laid back cool chick but at times she was just awkward trying to be this character. In no way am I saying she bombed, however, she just couldn't pull off that character the entire movie. This is for all the people out there that have been in long distance relationships. My friend and I have both been in serious long distance relationships that are now over and certain parts were very hard to watch.  Any time an airport goodbye came on, the water works were uncontrollable. My friend and I were laughing because the two of us were so embarrassing. So just as a caution to anyone who has been in a long distance relationship, it is tough to relive those times again.

Overall, this movie was a feel good comedy with a great message. In terms of romantic comedy I give this movie an A-. 

Eat Pray Love

This was the movie that I had waited all summer to see. Publicity for Eat Pray Love was just about everywhere and  I couldn't wait to see Julia finally staring in a new movie. With an all star cast including James Franco, Javier Bardem and Richard Jenkins, I was expecting big things. With over two hours of visual bliss, Eat Pray Love takes you from Italy to India and finally to Bali.

The Good: As I just said, this movie takes you on a visually gorgeous journey through each of these different countries. Each location and shot was perfectly picked and brought the words that Elizabeth Gilbert wrote in her book to life. Julia was of course amazing as always. Her tearful monologues were passionate and kept you gripped to the screen. And hello Javier Bardem. The role he played was one of a compassionate father who's wife had left him. I don't consider myself a big crier when it comes to movies but in one specific scene where Javier says goodbye to his son who is leaving for school, my water works came rushing out.  Overall each actor had a wonderful performance and each character, even that little Buddha man, was perfect for the part. The basis for the overall narrative: a woman on this epic journey to renew her life and traveling the world, was the perfect meat for an amazing story and overall I truly enjoyed the concept of the narrative. However, the script just did not deliver the story right.

The Bad: I'll admit, I just didn't think the script was good. The narrative was longer than it needed to be to a point of boredom. The things that didn't need to be in the movie were in it and the things that needed to be in it weren't which left me confused at times. For instance, the section of the movie where she travels to India was so dragged on and so long. The things that happened there didn't even really matter except for one specific man she met. During that section of the movie I was checking my phone and quite honestly bored. So when the India part dragged on, certain things like explaining her past or her relationship with her husband were not developed at all and left me confused. For example, they show one night of her going out with her husband in which no real conflict happens between the two of them and later that night she is crying on the bathroom floor begging to get out of her marriage. Why was the relationship so awful? I wouldn't know because it was never explained. Also, the James Franco character was just the same. They were madly in love and the next thing you know she leaves him. What I criticize the most was that the James Franco character was written to be more important to her than her husband. After years of marriage, her husband should have been the one she compared other men too and missed. It just made Julia Roberts character seem cold and immature to value the relationship with a much younger man more than her loving husband. Overall Julia's character was unrelateable These aspects made the movie at times choppy and at other times dragged on.

The Ugly: The entire India part. I will put it blankly, this entire section of the movie was boring and quite honestly uninteresting. What I remember of this part was her sitting in silence, meditating and vowing an oath of silence. Sounds really exciting doesn't it?

Overall, the movie was good in my opinion just not great. The story structure was definitely flawed and I lacked the inspiration I was hoping to get from seeing the film. However, Julia and the cast did their jobs but overall Julia's character was unrelateable. I give this movie a C.