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Adam: Movie Review

Thursday, July 30, 2009 8:35PM - By Liana Aghajanian

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Though Adam will probably fly under the radar this summer, overshadowed by the likes of more publicized films such as 500 Days of Summer and Away We Go, this quirky romantic comedy is one that is worth seeking out, with its tackling of a disorder that affects as many as three out of 1,000 people, reports a 2005 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry and evolution of Hugh Dancy, whose time in Confessions of a Shopaholic almost completely fades away after his performance as Adam.

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The Answer Man Review

Friday, July 24, 2009 7:00AM - By Liana Aghajanian

8 The Answer Man Review

Written and directed by John Hindman, The Answer Man starring Jeff Daniels and Lauren Graham tells the tale of a reclusive best-selling author whose misanthropic tendencies all but rule his life until he meets Elizabeth, a chiropractor who straightens him out in more ways than one. Though first-time director John Hindman deserves credit for putting together a romantic comedy that is gimmick free and thought invoking, it doesn’t help that The Answer Man takes a page (or several) straight out of the magnificence that is As Good As It Gets.

There’s only one mean-spirited, off kilter and down right bigot I can handle, and that’s Melvin Udall. For all its familiarity, The Answer Man is bearable, but not bearable enough to keep me from waiting, and wishing and hoping for plot development that never came.

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The Proposal Review

Thursday, June 18, 2009 7:00PM - By Liana Aghajanian

proposal 3 The Proposal Review

After a two-year hiatus, Sandra Bullock is back in romantic comedy The Proposal with Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson and best of all, forever Golden Girl in my heart, Betty White. Sadly, the tagline “Here Comes the Bribe” is the most clever thing to do with this movie. Aside from a handful of laugh out loud moments and the scenery, The Proposal is chock full of enough clichés that even the romantic comedy aficionado will be screaming “oh come on!”

Check out the good, the bad, and the plot below…

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Short Film Review: C U @ ED’s

Monday, February 2, 2009 11:21AM - By Liana Aghajanian

cueds09 2 02 Short Film Review: C U @ EDs

In the Venn diagram of dating, it’s pretty much agreed on that blind dates spell out disaster, no matter what probabilities they’re paired with, especially when they come about as a result of the newest vehicle in the dating game: the internet. In CU@Ed’s, Tina and Tadd, two socially-challenged Los Angeles who are single and ready to mingle (or so they think) showcase just how excruciatingly awkward the dating game can be.

Directed by Casey Stangl and written by Drew Larimore, this 13-minute film is humorous, well-directed and shot, however it definitely could have benefited from more dialogue.

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Review: The Class

Monday, December 22, 2008 10:00AM - By Liana Aghajanian

2569981601 b2841d5aff Review: The Class

Oh high school, that tumultuous, awkward, drama filled time that you don’t want to remember, but you can’t seem to forget. If you think it’s any better in, say France, you better think again.

In “The Class,” the winner of the coveted Palme D’Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, ideals, attitudes and cultures collide, all within the confines of the classroom. Based on Francois Bégaudeau’s book, Entre Les Murs (Between the Walls), “The Class” chronicles the lives and times of a group of teenagers from a struggling French neighborhood as they interact with their open and honest teacher (Bégaudeau), each other and their families. In a poignant and moving exploration of racism, sexism, classicism, angst and themselves, this 2-hour long narrative conversation has ups and downs, turns and spirals that are not to be missed.

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Review: Waltz With Bashir

Thursday, December 18, 2008 10:00AM - By Liana Aghajanian

wwb2 Review: Waltz With Bashir

On the days between Sept. 16 and 18 in 1982, during the Lebanese Civil War, Lebanese Christian Phalangist militiamen entered two Palestinian refugee camps and slaughtered innocent civilians inside. The lives of mothers, brothers, fathers, daughters, friends and lovers were destroyed in an act of atrocious genocide. Although exact numbers are not known the estimates run anywhere from 800 to 3500 killed. The incident became known as the Sabra and Chatila Massacre, forever ingrained in the minds of all involved, including filmmaker Ari Folman, who was a soldier in the Israeli Army and in Lebanon during the war.

A stunning and highly emotional film by Folman, “Waltz With Bashir,” which won the Los Angeles Film Critic’s award for “Best Animation,” combines the insightful nature of a documentary with the world of animation to form the unique retelling of a story that must not be forgotten.

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Holiday Movie Guide: It’s Christmas Time

Thursday, November 13, 2008 11:00AM - By Liana Aghajanian

fourchristmases1 Holiday Movie Guide: Its Christmas Time

If you’re like me, then you’re probably more interested in watching the Christmas classics of yesteryear like “A Christmas Story” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” instead of what present day cinema has to offer. Although the genre of holiday movies has suffered considerably the last couple of years (think “This Christmas,” “Fred Clause,” and “Deck the Halls), Mr. Clause might just be bringing along some treats for us this year.

Four Christmases - Perhaps the most well known (and possible anticipated) Christmas film coming out this year, “Four Christmases” revolves around Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) and their disdain for family gatherings for Christmas. Every year, the couple ditches their families to go on a relaxing vacation away from the hustle and bustle of the season, including potential fights and mayhem. After a bad case of fog cancels their flight, and they’re seen on tv by a local news crew at the airport, Brad and Kate are forced to visit their divorced parents and all four of their families. As you can expect with all good Christmas movies, chaos all of kind ensues, however the couple might be on a road to self-discovery that they didn’t expect. Release date: Nov. 26

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Review: Madagascar Escape 2 Africa

Friday, November 7, 2008 11:25AM - By Liana Aghajanian

09madagascarxlarge1 Review: Madagascar Escape 2 Africa

In this highly anticipated sequel to box office success “Madagascar,” directors Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath have once again managed to present an animated feature full of laugh out loud moments, emotional dilemmas and enough fun for kids and adults alike to enjoy.

We join Alex, a happy-go-lucky Lion with intriguing dancing skills, Marty, a chatty zebra, Melman, a hypochondriac giraffe and Gloria, a hippo with a bountiful backside as they plan to depart Madagascar to return to the Central Park zoo. Their mode of transportation? An old plane left on the island that the penguins have repaired with precision, or so we think.

The plane ride, although epic, is short lived, as it crashes with passengers and crew intact in the most unlikely (or likely!) of places – Africa.

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Ten Funny Political Films In Honor Of The Election

Tuesday, November 4, 2008 10:45AM - By Liana Aghajanian

dr strangelove 1ed07 Ten Funny Political Films In Honor Of The Election

Today, Americans from far and wide will go to their respective polling centers to decide the fate of this country. The political atmosphere has been so thick in the world, that you can almost cut it with a knife. To ease the tension a bit, here are some honorable and funny political films to think about. I’m sure there are many that shoulda, woulda, coulda made it, if there are any politically charged and funny films you love, let us know by leaving a comment!

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