Month: May 2023

“That just doesn’t help me at all, but thanks.” —Jack

Today’s quick review: Honeymoon in Vegas. Jack Singer (Nicolas Cage) promised his mother on her deathbed that he would never get married. Five years later, his girlfriend Betsy (Sarah Jessica Parker) finally convinces him to tie the knot. The couple travel to Las Vegas for a quick wedding and a romantic honeymoon. But disaster strikes when Tommy Korman (James Caan), a professional gambler, wins a weekend with Betsy from Jack in a poker game.

Honeymoon in Vegas is a romantic comedy about a man trying to win back his fiance from a charming card shark. Honeymoon in Vegas takes this premise and runs with it. Its characters strike a nice balance between flawed and likable, its tone is playful and charming, and its story escalates to a chaotic finale, all backed by an Elvis-heavy soundtrack. The result is a straightforward but enjoyable comedy with a distinctly Vegas flavor.

Honeymoon in Vegas has its limitations, though. The movie has one-note characters, with just enough development to make the story work but not much beyond that. The jokes come from wild situations and exaggerated characters rather than sharp writing or comedic insight. And while the structure of the story works well enough, the movie has to work to gain traction, spinning its wheels for a while before it really gets going.

For the right viewer, Honeymoon in Vegas is a charming romance with a dash of the absurd. The story and characters are nothing out of the ordinary, but they take on a life of their own as the movie gathers steam. Honeymoon in Vegas works best when you’re in the mood for something earnest and silly. Steer clear if you’re looking for finely honed comedy or insightful relationship drama.

For a more dramatic romance starring Nicolas Cage set in Las Vegas, try Leaving Las Vegas. For a fuller treatment of gambling addiction, try The Gambler or Rounders. For another Elvis-themed romantic comedy, try Elvis Has Left the Building. For a crime comedy set in Las Vegas with similar romantic undertones, try Ocean’s Eleven.

[5.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104438/). I give it a 7.0 for a charming story with a liberal application of Elvis.

Today’s quick review: Peggy Sue Got Married. Peggy Sue (Kathleen Turner), still reeling from her divorce with Charlie (Nicolas Cage), goes to her high school reunion to catch up with her old friends. But when she passes out at the party, she wakes up back in high school at the end of her senior year. Knowing what’s to come if she marries Charlie, Peggy Sue has to decide whether to change her past or make the same mistakes all over again.

Peggy Sue Got Married is a romantic comedy about a woman who gets sent back in time to 1960, a pivotal time in her life. The movie follows Peggy Sue as she revisits her past, works through her conflicted feelings about Charlie, and looks at high school through new eyes. Peggy Sue Got Married gets some good mileage out of its premise, with a nuanced romantic conflict and some clever ideas. However, its loose writing and odd emotional arc hold it back.

The strongest aspect of Peggy Sue Got Married is the way Peggy Sue treats high school. Having lived through it once before, Peggy Sue knows exactly what matters and what doesn’t, allowing her to cut through the teenage drama and have meaningful interactions with the people around her. The premise also adds layers to her relationship with Charlie, forcing her to reconcile how it started out and where it will ultimately end up.

Still, Peggy Sue Got Married is not as tightly woven as it could have been. The movie leaves its time travel mechanics ambiguous, focusing on the emotional conflict over specific changes Peggy Sue is making to the timeline. Peggy Sue herself bounces around a lot, pursuing a variety of loose ends from high school rather than focusing solely on her relationship with Charlie. And while the plot works well enough, it drifts towards the end.

Peggy Sue Got Married is a serviceable time travel story that deals with high school, romance, and marriage in a unique way. Neither its characters nor its story are strong enough to leave a lasting impression, but the themes it explores make it a worthwhile watch. Give it a shot if you’re in the mood for something eclectic and interesting. Skip it if you’re looking for tightly scripted comedy or a heartfelt romance.

For a romantic comedy starring Nicolas Cage about a man given the chance to revisit his life choices, try The Family Man. For a more playful and iconic time travel story set in the 50s, try Back to the Future. For a romantic crime comedy about a high school reunion, try Grosse Pointe Blank. For a sci-fi thriller that toys with similar ideas, try Frequency. For a trip through a dead relationship, try Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

[6.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091738/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a fun and fruitful premise.

Today’s quick review: Accidentally Engaged. Clarissa Beyers (Lexi Giovagnoli), an actress working for her big break, lands in a pickle when the press mistakes her for the new girlfriend of Chas Hunter (Brent Dougherty), a famous actor. To protect Chas’ real relationship, Clarissa agrees to go along with the ruse. But the lies spiral out of control when she takes Chas to her best friend Maya’s (Lexi Atkins) wedding.

Accidentally Engaged is a romantic comedy about a struggling actress who winds up in a fake relationship with a big star. What begins as an innocent mistake escalates into a fraudulent engagement that forces Clarissa to lie to her friends and family. Accidentally Engaged aims to be a light story about love overcoming lies. However, its mediocre characters and sedentary plot keep it from doing much more than going through the motions.

Accidentally Engaged doesn’t put its premise to good use. The plot progression centers on Clarissa and Chas’ animosity evolving into genuine affection, all while their sham relationship gets harder and harder to control. But instead of escalating naturally, the plot relies on artificial developments and forced developments to make any progress. The result is a relationship that develops much more slowly than the movie wants it to.

Progression issues aside, Accidentally Engaged has shaky fundamentals. The characters are too ordinary for their own good, with none of the spark of a more ambitious romcom nor the resonance of a realistic drama. Their personalities are shallow and not especially interesting, while Chas and Clarissa have very little chemistry. The movie also relies on conversations to report on the story, rather than finding ways to show the events directly.

Accidentally Engaged still checks enough of the boxes to satisfy fans of the romantic comedy formula, but discerning viewers will find it to be a poor choice. If you are a fan of the genre and just want a light, dialogue-focused story about a budding relationship, Accidentally Engaged is a passable choice. Steer clear if you are looking for rich characters, a gripping plot, or innovation.

For a romantic comedy about an actor and an artificial relationship, try The Reality of Love. For a romcom of similar caliber, try Betting on the Bride. For a classic madcap comedy about a fake relationship, try Christmas in Connecticut.

[5.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4742556/). I give it a 5.0 for weak characters and a bare-bones plot.

Today’s quick review: Betting on the Bride. Melanie Banning (Karissa Lee Staples), a personal trainer and nutritionist, has just broken off her third engagement, swearing to never think about marriage again. Meanwhile, Damon Hadley (Peter Mooney), an ad executive who refuses to settle down, bets that he can get a woman to marry him in just one month. When Damon picks Melanie as his target, it leads to a relationship neither one of them expected.

Betting on the Bride is a romantic comedy about a couple with commitment issues. What starts off as a shallow bet blossoms into a genuine relationship as Melanie and Damon discover that they really are right for one another. Betting on the Bride is a by-the-numbers romance that tries to spin a story out of its main characters’ reluctance to tie the knot. Unfortunately, weak characters and a mediocre script make the movie a shaky pick.

Betting on the Bride’s main shortcoming is that it never takes any risks. Melanie and Damon are tame characters with safe flaws and personalities that are only half-developed. The story goes through the motions of bringing them together and having them fall in love, but they have no real connection, just some light banter and a handful of quasi-dates. The result is an underwhelming story that has very little to catch the audience’s interest.

For dedicated fans of the romcom genre, Betting on the Bride may put in just enough work to be an enjoyable watch. It is a cautious and unexceptional execution of the formula, but it does go through all the steps it needs to tell its story. But the majority of viewers will find that there just isn’t enough there, with characters that are hard to connect with and a plot that retreads old ground. Consider looking elsewhere.

For a romantic comedy with a similar premise, try How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. For a more satisfying romantic comedy about a womanizer settling down, try Hitch, The Ugly Truth, or What Women Want.

[5.6 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7429362/). I give it a 5.0 for a bland romance with lukewarm execution.

Today’s quick review: You May Not Kiss the Bride. After a pet photography mishap, Bryan Lighthouse (Dave Annable) winds up in debt to Vlatko Nikitin (Ken Davitian), a Croatian mobster. To pay off his debt, Bryan agrees to marry Nikitin’s daughter Masha (Katharine McPhee) so she can get a green card and stay in the US. But the scheme goes sideways when, while on their fake honeymoon to the South Pacific, Masha is kidnapped and held for ransom.

You May Not Kiss the Bride is a romantic crime comedy about an ordinary man forced into a sham marriage by a menacing gangster. Amidst death threats, kidnappings, and other vacation troubles, Bryan finds himself genuinely falling for Masha. You May Not Kiss the Bride features a light blend of humor, adventure, and romance. However, the movie’s uneven comedy, weak characters, and somewhat contrived premise hamper its efforts.

You May Not Kiss the Bride has some promising elements, but it does not use them to their fullest. The dynamic between Bryan and Nikitin is enough to push Bryan out of his comfort zone, but neither character is well-rounded enough to capitalize on the dynamic. The jokes are light and accessible, but unreliable, and many of them miss the mark. Finally, the romance between Bryan and Masha is missing a few steps to be truly satisfying.

You May Not Kiss the Bride is a decent popcorn watch when you are in the mood for a comedic adventure, but it falls well short of its premise’s potential. Flexible viewers will find it charming and amusing in places, but it doesn’t have much to offer over other movies in a similar vein. Skip it if you are looking for something romantic or more than superficially funny.

For a tropical adventure that rekindles a relationship, try Fool’s Gold. For a richer comedy about an ordinary man and his eccentric in-laws, try The In-Laws. For a more successful blend of light crime comedy and romance, try The Whole Nine Yards.

[5.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1381418/). I give it a 6.0 for decent humor and a modest adventure.

Today’s quick review: The Love Punch. Richard Jones (Pierce Brosnan) and his ex-wife Kate (Emma Thompson) are nearing retirement and getting used to life without each other. But the two are reunited when French billionaire Vincent Kruger (Laurent Lafitte) takes over Richard’s company and steals its pension fund. To get back what’s theirs, Richard and Kate travel to Paris to steal a $10 million from Vincent at his wedding.

The Love Punch is a romantic crime comedy about two near-retirees trying to steal a valuable gem from a ruthless billionaire. Pierce Brosnan and Emma Thompson co-star as Richard and Kate Jones, who rekindle their relationship while planning the heist. The Love Punch’s main appeal is that it is fun. The heist is low-stakes, the would-be thieves are amateurs, and the chemistry betwen Brosnan and Thompson gives the movie its sparkle.

However, The Love Punch is missing the polish seen in similar movies. The mechanics of the heist are not that impressive, but they are enough to put Richard and Kate in some risky situations. The dialogue is light and amusing, but it never crosses the threshold into being profound or meaningful. Aspects of the story are also underdeveloped. Vincent is never given his due as an antagonist, and the heist itself is somewhat contrived.

The Love Punch is an enjoyable movie that does what it sets out to do, but little more. It dabbles in crime comedy and romance, makes good use of an older cast, and maintains a light tone throughout. But unfortunately, The Love Punch never hits as hard as it should. Viewers who are hoping for a smart heist, a passionate romance, or a sharp comedy will find that the movie falls somewhat short.

For Pierce Brosnan as a retired diamond thief in an exotic locale, try After the Sunset. For a more elaborate heist by retirees, try Going in Style or The Maiden Heist. For a somewhat more serious crime movie with glimmers of the same spirit, try King of Thieves.

[5.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2234261/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for good pieces that don’t quite come together.

Today’s quick review: Love, Lost & Found. Joey Bufalino (Jake Stormoen), a camera-happy social media star, takes his girlfriend Claire McAllister (Danielle C. Ryan), a hard-working tech entrepreneur, on a romantic hiking trip to propose. When Claire falls in a river, Joey and Natalie (Melanie Stone), a socially awkward park ranger, set out to rescue her. Instead, Claire is found by Colt (Trevor Donovan), a local rancher and her ex-boyfriend.

Love, Lost & Found is a romantic comedy about a couple who get separated on a hiking trip. Joey and Claire are self-obsessed people, more concerned with their respective careers than with each other. While separated in the wilderness, they are forced to take a step back and reexamine their relationship and their priorities in life. Love, Lost & Found features a cute setup and a serviceable story, but its execution falls somewhat short.

The main weakness of Love, Lost & Found is its characters. Joey and Claire are deliberately hard to like, flawed characters who grow as the movie goes on, but even their best moments are not that engaging. Natalie and Colt fare better, alternate love interests who are meant to pull Joey and Claire out of their ruts. But none of the prospective couples have strong chemistry, so the romance feels shallow and forced.

As for its story, Love, Lost & Found sticks to the basics. Joey and Claire find something new in Natalie and Colt, while the wilderness helps them detach from their technology-obsessed lifestyles. To the movie’s credit, it never takes itself too seriously. The drama is light and harmless, and the plot serves as an excuse for character development, with no real twists or surprises.

Love, Lost & Found makes for a decent romantic comedy in a pinch, but it finds itself outclassed by movies with better characters, better chemistry, and more engaging stories. Love, Lost & Found has only its gorgeous environments to separate it from the other movies in the genre. Otherwise, it has a shaky core and never gets much traction. Steer clear unless you’re looking for something pleasant but rote.

For a more charming trek through the wilderness, try Hunt for the Wilderpeople. For a darker story set in the woods, try Blood Money or The Contract. For a sci-fi thriller that delves deeper into the dark side of social media, try The Circle. For a more cynical romantic comedy about a relationship on the rocks, try 500 Days of Summer.

[5.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13303456/). I give it a 5.5 for a reasonable setup let down by lackluster characters.

Today’s quick review: The Reality of Love. Ten years after moving to Los Angeles, Ryan Banks (Jason Priestley) has become an A-list actor, and his best friend Todd Doherty (Bradley Cooper) is his manager. When Ryan’s romantic dalliances threaten to tank his career, Todd pitches a reality show where fifteen women compete for Ryan’s hand in marriage. But complications arise when Todd falls for Charlie Morton (Emma Caulfield), the front-runner.

The Reality of Love is a romantic comedy about a love triangle on the set of a reality television show. Bradley Cooper stars as Todd Doherty, an honest and hard-working manager who’s responsible for his best friend’s meteoric success. Emma Caulfield co-stars as Charlie Morton, a down-to-earth Bostonian who hits it off with Todd while competing to marry Ryan. A formulaic but competent story makes The Reality of Love an enjoyable watch.

The Reality of Love is a classic love triangle, with all the light flirting and low-stakes drama one would expect. Nearly every aspect of the movie is innocuous and forgettable, with no major missteps but no major changes to the formula. The saving grace of the movie is the chemistry between Cooper and Caulfield. The charisma of the actors and their easy conversations together give The Reality of Love the emotional core it needs to succeed.

The other notable feature of The Reality of Love is its reality show premise. The movie never gets too incisive with its commentary, but it does take some shots at the artificial nature of the medium, showing all the effort that goes into staging situations that are supposed to be real. The show also works well as a plot device, although the movie never gets serious about either engaging with Charlie’s competition or exploiting the show for jokes.

The Reality of Love is a fine pick for viewers who are in the mood for something pleasant and harmless. Two well-matched leads and a unique setting give the movie just what it needs to succeed. However, its generic story and lack of ambition mean that it won’t leave a lasting impression. Try it if you enjoy the genre, but steer clear if you’re looking to be impressed.

For a dedicated comedy about a pair of friends who find stardom, try Wayne’s World. For a science fiction comedy that explores the artificiality of celebrity, try S1m0ne. For a sprawling romantic comedy that has a similar tone but more memorable writing, try Love Actually.

[6.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385013/). I give it a 6.5 for a sweet story with mixed execution.

Today’s quick review: Love and Death. Boris Grushenko (Woody Allen), the son of a Russian farmer, faces danger and death when he is recruited into the army to fight Napoleon’s invading forces. Reining in his natural cowardice, Boris manages to distinguish himself on the battlefield and return home to Sonja (Diane Keaton), the love of his life. But in spite of their love, Boris and Sonja struggle to find happiness in an uncertain world.

Love and Death is a romantic comedy written and directed by Woody Allen. 19th-century Russia serves as the backdrop for a reluctant soldier’s journey through war, love, and social upheaval. Love and Death showcases the breadth of Woody Allen’s talents. The script features a wide range of humor, the acting and comedic timing are polished, and the story manages to feel satisfying in spite of its meandering nature.

More generally, Love and Death has a wonderful sense of proportion. It sprinkles in colorful characters and slapstick, historical humor and philosophy, wordplay and social commentary, all at the right places and in the right quantities. The variety keeps the tone light and breezy, while the humor has the insight it needs to keep the audience engaged throughout. Finally, Woody Allen and Diane Keaton play off each other with energy and skill.

Love and Death will appeal to a broad range of fans. The humor is broad enough to have something for everyone, while the touches of philosophy and more meaningful commentary will appeal to fans of that side of Woody Allen’s work. Give it a shot when you’re in the mood for something pleasant and absurd. Steer clear if you dislike Woody Allen or are looking for a more emotional story.

For a more fatalistic comedy set in historical Russia, try The Twelve Chairs. For a more colorful comedy with something of the same humor, try A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. For a more exaggerated comedy, try Life of Brian. For a similar style of humor from Woody Allen, try Sleeper or Bananas. For a farther-reaching historical comedy, try History of the World: Part I.

[7.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073312/). I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for expert comedy.

Today’s quick review: The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. In 1929, mob boss Al Capone (Jason Robards) has one rival for control over Chicago’s criminal underworld: Bugs Moran (Ralph Meeker), a bold upstart from the North Side. Their uneasy truce erupts in violence when Moran makes a move on Capone’s territory. In retaliation, Capone instructs Jack McGurn (Clint Ritchie) to orchestrate a counterattack that will take out Moran for good.

The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre is a historical crime drama based on a true story. The movie chronicles the escalating conflict between Al Capone and Bugs Moran in the weeks preceding the infamous bloodbath. The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre offers an inside look at one of the most tumultuous periods for Prohibition-era Chicago. Dramatic subject matter and a factual storytelling style make the movie a fine pick for the right viewer.

The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre gets most of its appeal from the back-and-forth between Moran and Capone. In a series of audacious moves, the two men try to cripple each other’s organizations, using clever ploys and brute force to take out important targets. The movie does a good job of laying out the cast of criminals involved, and the preparations for the attacks give the movie plenty of material to work with.

However, The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre is not as compelling as other crime dramas. The movie is a historical chronicle first and a story second, and the detached presentation style makes it hard to connect to any of the characters. Only Capone and Moran stand out as important, and even then, the movie never gets too personal with them. The result is a story that works well mechanically but doesn’t have a heavy human element.

How much you get out of The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre will depend on what you’re looking for in a crime drama. Fans of Prohibition-era gang warfare with an emphasis on plot over emotion will find the movie to be a solid choice, with good fundamentals and a fair amount of violence. Viewers who prefer more scripted stories with more of an emotional arc may want to look elsewhere.

For a more dramatically potent take on Al Capone, try The Untouchables. For a historical crime drama in the same vein, try Bugsy. For another Prohibition-era biography, try Public Enemies or Dillinger. For a modern take on Prohibition-era gang violence, try Miller’s Crossing or The Road to Perdition.

[6.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062301/). I give it a 6.5 for rich subject matter and decent execution.