The Lost City

It’s usually not a great sign when your movie’s putative comic-relief character is relentlessly not funny. It is also contraindicated when the film’s actual funniest character disappears less than halfway through the story. So are we looking at a disaster here? Thankfully, no. This updated take on Romancing the Stone mostly works, not as a laugh riot but as a gently amusing tale presented via likable actors--Tatum and Bullock have good chemistry despite an obvious age difference--and strong visuals. Most of what takes place along this storyline is profoundly obvious, but breaking new ground is hardly the point here. If you’re willing to be indulgent, you’ll get a couple of entertaining hours out of this flick.

Gravity

The Infinite Improbability Drive is alive and well; Douglas Adams would be proud. Everything accomplished in this movie by Sandra Bullock’s space hitchhiker is either a testament to human ingenuity and will, or total bullshit. I’ll leave you to be the judge. Regardless, this film is definitely worth a look; emphasis on LOOK, as the visuals here are quite amazing and a major reason why Alfonso Cuarón won the Best Director award. I think that overall, you’ll enjoy this film, unless you decide to go full Neil deGrasse Tyson on it and nitpick all the science (I don’t recommend that, not even to NdT).

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

What an odd, uneven, sometimes downright off-putting film. Given the story’s context (September 11 and its aftermath), it would be hard not to touch a few emotional cores with such a tale; however, that advantage is generally squandered in this movie. The difficulty comes from trying to root for a kid who not only seems to have had severe mental problems even before tragedy struck, but is also something of a consistent jerk. Given that the kid’s the center of the story, that flawed character may very well prove fatal to this film’s chances with the viewer. It’s a competently made movie, at least, so I can’t see a reason to completely condemn it--but I see little reason to recommend it, either.

The Blind Side

Cute. Sweet. That about sums it up. It's a very personal story, well told and finely presented, a little predictable here and there, but very good for what it is. Not exactly Best Picture material, but you will certainly enjoy spending these two hours.

Two Weeks Notice

It's tough to say anything truly negative about this movie, beyond the fact that it's not really trying--for anything. Everything here is standard issue, off the assembly line romantic comedy. But that doesn't mean it's awful--just not very ambitious. As it is, it's competently done, the actors are appealing, and everything ends up exactly as you'd expect. It's good for Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant fans; they won't be disappointed. The rest of us? You'll forget it almost as soon as the credits roll, but it won't haunt your dreams, either. I guess that's a push.

Miss Congeniality

Sandra Bullock, doing what she does, which is be fun and appealing. Don't expect too much, and you'll go away satisfied.

Practical Magic

I forgot it almost as soon as it finished rewinding. But if you watch it you get to look at Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, so that's something.

Hope Floats

Not quite the stinkburger that most reviewers said it was; but it won't be a tragedy if you never see it, either. Best left for Sandra Bullock fans.