Julie & Julia (2009)

Julie & Julia is full of food, frustration, and more food. It slides back and forth between two stories. One is that of Julia Child (Meryl Streep) entertaining herself with cooking and eventually taking over the assembly of Mastering the Art of French Cooking in the 1950s. The other is Julie Powell (Amy Adams) blogging and cooking her way through every recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking in 2002.

The cookbook is the thin string tying the two plots together. One would think that maybe there should have been two movies instead of one, but the Julie Powell story doesn't seem to have enough meat to stand on its own. Plus, despite Amy Adams' best intentions and efforts, the character of Julie remains difficult to find sympathetic overall. The movie is actually based on a combination of Julie's book/blog and a book on Julia.

Meanwhile the Julia Child story felt like it could have been expanded into a rather interesting biopic. Streep's accent is just how I remember Child's from her cooking shows. And her story isn't one that's been told over and over. Not to mention it has more developed characters and a more solid conflict than the Julie story does.

Overall it's an entertaining enough film to give watching it a shot. At the very least you can admire all the techniques they employ to make Streep look as tall as the real 6" 2' Julia. We also have to give them props for at least mentioning eating recipes out of that cookbook on a daily basis can be hazardous to your digestive system.

Rating: 3/5
Recommended for: Julia Child enthusiasts, people who wonder what could happen to them if they became devoted to making all the Mastering the Art of French Cooking recipes, and/or those who miss Meg Ryan talking to her computer in You've Got Mail

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)

Days must have been longer in late 1930s London. Miss Pettigrew certainly has a long one in this story of an out-of-work nanny who sidesteps her way into the screwy world of aspiring American actress, Delysia Lafosse, under the assumption that she's a renowned social secretary.

Frances McDormand plays the title character with demure wisdom that builds over the course of the film. This contrasts a bit with the actual pace of the movie which picks up double time from Delysia's first appearance for a whirlwind ride all the way to the finish.

Amy Adams' Delysia is a slight offshoot from her typical innocent living in her own world; it's difficult not to feel a little bad for her even though her dilemma is entirely her own fault. As Miss Pettigrew skillfully assists her in balancing three boyfriends - a controlling nightclub owner, a pushover play producer, and a lovesick piano player - we're treated to a glitzy view of pre-war London. Much of it comes off like a stage production but there are some good shots that pull the audience into the 4th wall. One of those is the circle of relationships shot during Delysia and Michael's treatment of "If I Didn't Care". Overall this is mainly a fluffy piece with no real underlying message but an enjoyable sprint through what must have been an exhausting day 70 years in the making.

Rating: 3/5
Recommended for: Women and men alike looking for 90 minutes of light laughs

Doubt (2008)

John Patrick Shanley turned his own play into a movie, directed said movie, and called it all Doubt. Stemming from its stage background, the film is anchored by its words. Sets, costumes, even music fade into the background while you watch a story unfold in a 1964 Catholic school in the Bronx.

Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is trying to bring some modernity to the school and its church but diametrically opposed to him is the school's strong-willed principal, Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep making up for being in Mama Mia). The tensions are further enflamed when history teacher Sister James (the ever-innocent Amy Adams) expresses concern over the special interest Father Flynn has taken in her student, Donald, who also happens to be the school's first African American student. Sister Aloysius immediately commits herself to discovering the truth of this relationship and comes to believe the worst.

Shanley only discussed with Hoffman whether Flynn was guilty of anything. It's a thoughtful directorial move that keeps the rest of the cast tethered to the audience, who knows just as much as they do. The story is all about its title concept and more. It's about what people do with the information they have. It's about how little they can control the world around them. It's about innocence and believing what we need to believe. Though it's mostly channeled through the three main characters, Viola Davis appears briefly as Donald's mother and brings another perspective to the duel that comes across as heart-breaking slap in the face. It's refreshing to see a movie so well thought out that still lets you form your own ideas and make your own decision at the end.

Rating: 4/5
Recommended for:Anyone who doesn't mind thinking and watching a movie at the same time

Enchanted (2007)

Disney's 2007 animation/live action foray, Enchanted requires total suspension of disbelief. Yes, it's a film with an intended audience that includes children but since the plot pulls things into the "real world" the logic gets quite messy.

The beginning is very tongue-in-cheek as we're introduced to the cartoon maiden, Giselle, who is looking for her magical "true love's kiss". In fact, for a moment you may wonder if you're watching movie by Disney or by the ex-Disney employees over at DreamWorks. After conferring with woodland creatures, the prince arrives of course and in under 5 minutes it's their wedding day.

The prince's step-mother (Susan Sarandon) doesn't like the idea that this new girl could be replacing her in the monarchy. So she pulls a Snow White's old lady bit and then pushes the girl down a well. Next thing we know, Amy Adams is popping out of the sewer in real-world New York City wearing a 40-lb dress. She's reluctantly taken in by Patrick Dempsy's Robert, a boring lawyer, and his daughter, Morgan. Soon Giselle's Prince (James Marsden) follows her to the real world to rescue her and the Queen follows to make sure he doesn't succeed.

The concept was an interesting idea. The songs by veteran Disney composer Alan Menken and Broadway veteran Stephen Schwartz are catchy. Amy Adam's "animated" princess mannerisms are spot on down to the way she holds her fingers. Kids probably won't mind all of the film's faults. But overall, this Disney film mocks everything Disney's ever done before. Not everything Disney's done is laughable and the rest... well, mocking that is other people's job.

Rating: 2/5
Recommended for: Kids and only kids