One Sentence: Fun and sweet enough.

Rated: R

Release Date: 22-Jul-2011

Nudity: Strategic Mila Kunis and Justin nudity, Cake Batter Boobs.

I know that this is supposedly the same movie as No Strings Attached that came out a few months ago, but this one has Justin Timberlake in it. Actually it does feel like a better, sexier, funnier FWB movie. I didn’t feel like I was being conned into seeing the same movie with different stars in it.

Everything felt a little bit smarter in Friends With Benefits, including the format, which I think tried to at least a little, throw the romcom format out the window. I don’t know if it was that successful at doing so, but it was a nice try. It really felt like Mila and Justin clicked in this movie and that is where I think it shines the best. Chemistry between the main characters is very important and these two just worked together. Especially in the sex scenes which for leaving out the nipples and bits were very sexy and really made for nice steamy rated R fun. Woody Harrelson was a fun addition and a couple of scenes by Shawn White are very fun.

We can’t put down a good romantic comedy just because it is a romantic comedy when they come around and this is one of the good ones. So if you are a guy and avoiding these for the right moment with the lady friend. This is the one to jump on board with. It is well worth the date night movie price and getting to see Mila Kunis mostly naked is totally worth it.

One Sentence: Rated R romantic comedies are so much better. 

Rated: R

Running Time: 97 Minutes

Release Date: 03-Sep-2010

Nudity: Man Butt

As stated in my last review of Piranha 3-D, I like it when a movie is rated R for good reasons.  When you make a romantic comedy rated R, it is usually for very good reasons, and Going The Distance does it well.  I just like comedy that isn't watered down for the 13 year olds.  The whole approach to the movie seems different when you go for the R rating, it seems smarter, funnier and more adult.  Going The Distance is all of these things, and is a great date movie for you to go to this weekend.  

It seems like everyone involved in the movie embraced that they didn't have to censor themselves as much and it led to a very funny movie that also happens to be a date movie.  Everyone in this movie is hysterical.  The main characters were good, and I believed their romance, it felt natural and not forced.  This seems to be a gauge of how I rate romantic comedies now, if it feels natural.  Everyone in this movie felt natural.  Christina Applegate was amazing, her and the rest of the supporting cast really brought the movie together.  It was a very fun movie to watch.  If I had a complaint I didn't like the ending and when I say ending I mean literally the last 2 minutes of the movie.  However this detail is minor and my gf had no issues with it and she is the female so I am obviously wrong about the ending.  

There has been a lack of any quality date movies lately so Going The Distance is a nice change of pace.  So go this weekend to see it, it is well worth the evening price after dinner, or on Sunday afternoon or whenever you two can get to the theater.  You all are so cute. 

One Sentence: Doesn't follow the romantic comedy format and that is a good thing.

Rated: PG-13

Release Date: 19-Aug-2010

Nudity: None

I am just about done with Romantic Comedies, it's not that I don't like them.  Sometimes I think they are fun and I really don't mind them.  What I do mind however is that each one is almost exactly the same.   There is a meeting, he is charming, she is silly in some way, there is a misunderstanding and then a dash to catch her before she leaves for some country.   It is just getting boring.  The Switch brought together the romance and the comedy in a different way, at least enough for me to have a good time watching it. 

The Switch is not the new gold standing for which all romantic comedies should follow, but it does make it so that I felt like I was seeing something new, and I think that is just enough for me to not want to throw this movie into the trash with all the others that have come out lately.  First of all casting Jason Bateman is a nice change.  He's a bit older, more cynical and a nice change from the other leading men that have come lately, too bad they stuck with Jenn Aniston as the leading female who brought as little as usual.  The additional cast of Juliette Lewis and Jeff Goldblum were wonderful supporters and were very funny.   The good casting along with a different type of story and connection made The Switch a little bit better than most romantic comedies and gets a recommendation from me. 

With Piranha 3-D coming out this weekend however you have a hard choice on where to spend your movie dollars. If your significant other is anything like mine then she is begging to go see Piranha 3-D as soon as possible so that means you are stuck taking her and can't go see The Switch this weekend.  That is ok, you can rent this one.  So just add it to your queue right now and take her to the 3-D killer fish movie, she will be glad you did. 

One Sentence: The most unromantic, romantic comedy I have seen in a long time.

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 106 Minutes

Release Date: 23-Apr-2010

Nudity: None

I want to tell you right up front, I hate Jennifer Lopez, she bothers the shit out of me.  She has that Diva attitude without being deserving of it.  I do not think she is funny, a good singer, or a good actress.  If I didn't have to write this movie review I would have never gone to see The Back-Up Plan, my girlfriend also had zero intrest in this movie, so I would have never seen it.  Now that I have seen it, I can tell everyone out there, that you should never ever see this movie.  There is no reason what so ever for men, or women to see this movie.  This is not a statment from the men's point of view on romantic comedies, which I enjoy if they are good.  This is the point of view from a human being, looking out for his fellow man and woman, that you can spend this 2 hours stabbing yourself in the leg with a knitting needle and it will be better time spent than watching The Back-Up Plan. 

So things we need for me to think that a romantic comedy is good.  It has to be funny, this movie had a dog in a little doggy wheelchair and that dog had one funny moment that made me laugh.  How can you have a dog in a doggy wheelchair, and it doesn't have more than one joke.  The rest of the movie was just painful, failed comedy, that was more awkard than anything.  Next the movie has to be at least sweet, it doesn't have to be a sweeping romance, but it does have to have some sort of reflection on love and life, and this movie didn't have any of that.  You had a guy who was a total prick almost the whole movie, a woman who wasn't being fair in the relationship and two people who in the end had zero chemistry and didn't make me belive or like them or the romance.  That's it, that is all you need for a romantic comedy and this movie failed both of those tasks.  So there you go, you don't even get a third paragraph about this movie, it is not worth your time to continue reading this post.  Don't go see this movie.

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 107 Minutes

Release Date: 19-June-2009

Nudity: None of the bits shown, but somewhat. 

One Sentence: Better than most romantic comedies. 

Lately I have given up on any romantic comedy delivering anything that is not a mainstream laugh, and not following a very tight formula that we have all seen a million times.  I am sure the ladies are getting tired of it, and I am for sure getting tired of it.  So I am happy to day that The Proposal is heavy on the laughs, light on the romance, and great as a movie.  I think putting Ryan Reynolds, and his mouth next to Sandra Bullocks's edge and let them go crazy with it really worked out.  Then add in a touch of crazy Betty White and you have a great date movie that everyone should have a great time at. 

I would say this movie is 75% comedy, and really good sarcastic back and forth comedy, between Sandy and Ryan, and 25% romance.  This balance led to a movie that was very funny, but also far better than the last few romantic comedies I have seen.  It really allowed a much better story being told, and felt far more believeable. The romance felt more natural, and less like a comedy fairy tale that leaves your girlfriend asking you why you don't do all the things the guy did in the movie.  

I do like both Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock so that could have something to do with this review, but I don't think so.  It just was a quality movie, and I think a great date movie, one that you guys should have no problem saying yes to.  So I would go check it out in the theater even, as it is good enough to warrant the date price.  Obviously you renters out there, can feel good adding it to your queue and checking it out once it is on DVD, but if you are looking for a reason to get out, I would check out The Proposal. 

My Coke Rewards: RNFW4A9X9AKV

Rated: PG-13 

Running Time: 100 Minutes

Year: 2009

Nudity: none

One Sentence: There is nothing new going on here.

This is a romantic comedy based off of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, but is not during Christmas, but there is snow.  I am not automatically turned off by the term romantic comedy, I think they have their place, and that if you are going to drag your girlfriend to see Crank 2, then she gets to drag you to Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.  However my girlfriend is complelty unintersted in this movie and made sure to miss out on the press screening.  So it was me all alone watching this completly regular romantic comedy. 

I can say nothing more than what you already expect.  It is a normal, semi-cute, romantic comedy.  The girls should mostly like it, it is generally non-offensive to most that will see it, and it had Matthew looking great.  Pretty much all the things you need to have for your woman to be happy.  So you can bite the bullet, go see this one, and make it out generally unscathed.  It is not to painful in any degree, and has some not bad sexy scenes with some sexy girls for all the men out there to carry you to the end of the movie. However Emma Stone playing the ghost of past girlfriends, was awesome, braces, frizzy hair, and total 80's garb.  I actually had a lot of fun when she was on the screen.

That being said, there is no way you should go see this over Wolverine this weekend.  I would put it on the rent queue, or wait for a midweek viewing.  There is nothing in this movie that should be a reason to see it over Wolverine, even if Wolverine is a huge pile of crap.  The summer movie season starts with Wolverine and well that is where you should be this weekend.  Your girlfriend will understand and if she doesn't well it might be time to have that talk.  

Rated: PG

Running Time: 107 Minutes

Year: 2007

Boobs: Zero

One Sentence: 2 hours of smiles and laughter.

I might be one of very few men in the world that after they saw the preview for Enchanted turned to his girl friend and said, I really want to see that.  I am a Disney dork and with it comes a pure love for the making fun of, or taking light of the happily ever after.  We get fed this fluff and eventually you find out that it is just that fluff.  However there is still a part of me that still loves and connects with those movies.  I have nothing but love for the Disney fairy tales, but I also have nothing but love for when Disney decides to make fun of those same fairy tales, and Enchanted did it very well. 

Opening with the first Disney 2-D animated scenes since "Home On The Range" we are met with a new princess, her prince and animal friends.  From here on throughout the whole movie, there is joke after joke about the fairy tale world that Disney has created.  Some subtle, some blatant, and all very funny.   I am a Disney guy, but the whole audience was solidly laughing and even clapping on some of the more grand jokes/scenes.  However this movie wasn't just making fun of the rest of the Disney library, it was a cute romantic comedy that would be fit for you to take a date to or the whole family.  It is light, funny, cute, and has a light conflict that will keep the kids interested and you and your date feeling close and remembering your happily ever afters.  

Amy Adams was absolutely the most wonderfully cast female in a part this year, as Princess Giselle.  Her brilliant smile and beautful eyes melted your heart and convinced everyone that she was a princess from a fairy tale land.  Her Prince Edward played by James Marsden, killed as a wonderfully dim prince there to save his princess.  The only part I wasn't horribly impressed with was  Susan Surandon as the Evil Queen Narissa, she wasn't given enough screen time, and didn't portray evil that well.  She just missed the mark but it is very insignificant compared to the rest of this great Thanksgiving flick.  So if you are wondering if this is the movie for you all to see on Thursday, it is a definate yes from The Reviewer. 

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 128 Minutes

Year: 2007

Boobs: Zero

One Sentence:  Stars are really skinny.

Did you go to the movies this weekend?  Was it to see Stardust?  Why not?  You didn't know about it?  Well I guess no one else did either.  Placing 4th in the weekend box office below The Simpsons Movie, either people don't like Fantasy and that's why we don't get it, or no one heard about the 70 million dollar movie.  I think it has to be the latter, because it looked fun, and had a good cast.  How soon we turn our backs on fantasy if there is not a boy wizard leading the charge.

Stardust, as many have said before has a feel of something like The Princess Bride, a comic, romance, fantasy movie, with fun dialog, and a cute story that keeps you interested and laughing throughout the movie. I am not saying it is as good as The Princess Bride, not at all, I am just saying that many others have tried to compare and say it is similar, and I guess I could agree with that statement. 

The movie is paced very well, and has all the things that I think make a fun movie.  Action, humor, romance, magic, fantasy, and a unicorn.  We get all of that, along with Robert De Niro in a wonderful role as a lightning farmer.  While this movie is not going to win any awards, and seems to have some venom being spat at it, from The Princess Bride fanboys, who are crying foul for even the comparison, I think that overall most people will have a good time with this movie.  I think it is even appropriate for kids as young at 8 or even less even thought it's rated PG-13.  So rent it or take them all to the theater for this one, it's a good time for everyone.

Love Actually is going to be at the top of my list.  It is almost the perfect Valentine's Day movie.  Only it takes place during Christmas time, but aside from that.  This movie is perfect.  It is amazingly well written, has multiple story lines, is cute, funny, sad, and sexy.  Has a huge all star cast and I think is probably one of the best romantic comedies ever made.   This one got 5 stars when I wrote my original review on it, and is one that is in my personal DVD collection.  If you have not seen Love Actually it comes in as The Reviewers #1 Valentine's Day Rental.  

The Notebook, is a slightly heavier affair.  It is not a comedy.  It spurrs up a lot of emotion.  It has a lot of sadness and those types of feelings that sort of pull hard on you and could even have a tear of two coming.  Be warned of this one if you are looking for something for V-day that is more fun.  This movie is powerful and amazing and the perfect love story, if you have a powerful relationship that you think is going to go the distance this one is for you, but it can be too strong from some, especially those just starting out.  

You probably forgot about this one, or maybe didn't even knew it existed.   If you are looking for the anti-valentine movie, with that horror flair, you might want to check out Valentine.  A horrible horror movie, probably shouldn't be on my list, but it is in that so good it's bad list, and with the name and theming all around Valentine's Day, it could be the perfect anti movie you have been looking for.   Buffy and Angel fans would be interested to know that David Boreanaz is in it too.  

Better Off Dead is one of my top 10 favorite movies of all time.  An 80's high school movie, with jokey jokes, and a animated dancing hamburger scene.  It is the ultimate romantic comedy of the 80's.  Arguably John Cusack's best role.   This one is funny, cute, and sweet.  It is not the most romantic of the list, but if you are looking for something funny, that you might not have seen and love the 80's this is a great choice.  

Guys, this is the smooth play right here.  Not flashy or overly Hollywood.  Brining out Breakfast At Tiffany's is a smooth move.   A classic romantic comedy, that shows that you are willing to watch something made in the 60's, because it is for your lady friend.  A funny, cool and of course sweet story of Holly Golightly will keep you and your baby close and cuddly while you have a good time watching an American classic.

I feel putting this movie on the list is cheating, it is too easy to put The Princess Bride on a Valentines Day list, but there might be someone out there that has not seen it.   A love story in the past, with pirates, sword fights, giants, magic, fire swamps and of course True Love.   The Princess Bride is a wonderful love story, and one that I have never heard a person ever say they didn't like.

If you are looking for a little bit more adult affair, but at least want some sort of plot.  9 1/2 weeks is that hot forbidden type of movie you are dying to get through, so you can have your own hot forbidden affair as soon as it is over.  Or you can always do it during the movie…and after.

Got the kids, but still want something sweet?  Aladdin is my favorite Disney movie, and it also happens to be a very good romantic movie.   Comedy, action, amazing animation and a wonderful performance from Robin Williams, makes Aladdin the perfect family selection for Valentine's Day. 

Now why in the hell is Alien on the list?  Well this is for the ladies.  The single ladies, that are tired of all the Valentine's day stuff.  What you have here is a very scary, sci-fi movie.  Perhaps the scariest movie of all time.  However it is led by a powerful and alone Sigourney Weaver.  Screw men, this movie shows what woman can do all by themselves!

Now I personally hate Julia Roberts.  I just can't stand her, and anything she is in, but if my lady wants to watch Pretty Woman on Valentine's day, then that is what she gets.   You can gain major points by bringing home Pretty Woman.  It seems like every girl in the world thinks it's wonderful.   They are happy and you are happy because they are.  You can make it through for just 2 hours.  Remember if it wasn't for them, you would be sitting alone playing Worlds of Warcraft.  

Rated: R

Running Time: 87 Minutes

Year: 2000

Boobs: Zero

One Sentence:  Hey that guy is in Ghost Rider

His name is [tag]Donal Logue[/tag] and he supposedly gained 100 pounds for the part.  I think it looked like a fat suit, but he could of actually gained the weight.  This guy was in that Fox sitcom Grounded for life, which I really liked.  He is now in Knights of Prosperity which I have heard is good, and he will have a fairly large supporting part in Ghost Rider.   I have seen this movie around, I have even thought about renting it.  I just never got around to adding it.  Lib added it to her queue.  We both agree, that you all do not need to add it to your queue and might want to remove it, if it is already in there. 

This slow, low budget, so-so romantic movie, that I do not think is funny, but might be a romantic comedy leaves a lot to be desired.  Like acting ability, or a script that doesn't include "Oh my god" 87 times.   I am sure I am one to talk about saying repetitive things in written form.  It just wasn't very good in any of the things I am looking for in a romantic comedy.   Not very funny.  Not very sexy.  Not very smart.  Not very goofy.  It was just very much like the main character, stoned and laid back.   Everyone was way too chill, and no one really got upset.  Even when someone was supposed to be upset, it was still this muted lack of emotional scene, that I didn't believe, or really care about.  

I am not giving this even a maybe recommendation.  I think it is completely skippable for most people, and you need to keep an eye out for it, because for some reason netflix loves to recommend this movie to everybody.  It always pops up on your recommendations.   So watch out, check your queue, and take it out.