Hit (but nothing to write home about) – Starring Owen Wilson, Morgan Freeman, Charlie Sheen

Jack Ryan (Wilson) enters a world of choices when he gets caught up with a beautiful con-artist. Ryan is not a newcomber to the art of conning, but Ryan ends up getting into a blunder that can change his whole life. Now he has to choose between beauty, money, or honor.

The Big Bounce is a remake of the original 1969 movie starring Ryan O’Neil, Leigh Taylor-Young, and Lee Grant. This movie is easy to follow and includes a few good laughs. Bottom Line: Renting this movie would provide some entertainment.

Best Scene: The twist.

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and nudity, violence and language.
Running Time: 1 hour 28 minutes

Photo © Warner Bros. Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Hit (On the fence) – Starring Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart

Evan Treborn (Kutcher) suffers from extreme blackouts that cause him to not remember many life events. Later in his life Evan discovers that he can re-live his memories in a supernatural style. By re-living these events Evan is able to alter specific details which ultimately change the outcome of his present life.

This movie will keep have you talking for days after your initial viewing. The idea is interesting but it is not the first time we have seen something like this onscreen. Ashton Kutcher’s performance is inconsistent the entire movie. Other actors that I believe could have made this movie better are: Joshua Jackson (who originally was asked but then left the project), Ethan Embry, or soon to be rising stars Patrick Adams (Old School) and Jonathan Redford (“Merge”). Amy Smart helped get the movie on track by her fabulous performance as Evan’s best friend and love interest, Kayleigh Miller. Bottom Line: Ashton: Stick to comedy. This movie is intellectually stimulating and questions our everyday occurrences. P.S. Don’t watch the Director’s cut because it sucks hard core.

Best Scene: When Evan is yelling at the pledges of his fraternity.

Rated R for violence, sexual content, language and brief drug use. (also director’s cut)

Running Time: 1 hour 53 minutes; and 2 hours (director’s cut)

Photos ©2003 New Line Productions. All Rights Reserved.

Hit – Starring Kate Bosworth, Topher Grace, Josh Duhamel

This delightful teenybopper movie is exactly what you’d expect. A romance, a love triangle, and a movie star. What more could one ask for? Tad Hamilton is predictable in every way but has definite character and style. Josh Duhamel plays Tad, the Hollywood actor who falls in love with Rosalee (played by Kate Bosworth of Blue Crush) who is a country bumpkin. Things heat up when Rosalee’s longtime friend and employer Pete (Topher Grace from That 70’s Show) tries to express his love for Rosalee and win her love in return.
Topher Grace gives and outstanding performance. And, I don’t know who wouldn’t fall in love with Kate Bosworth. Kate can easily become the next Charlize Theron, as I predict that she will soon be taking on more dramatic roles. Josh Duhamel is screen eye candy that will be the next heartthrob for teenagers everywhere.
Bottom Line: Win a Date with Tad Hamilton is a feel good movie for the entire family.

Best Scene: Teaching Tad how to do farm chores.

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, some drug references and language.
Comedy
Running Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Photo © DreamWorks Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Hit – Starring Jennifer Aniston, Ben Stiller, Phillip Seymour Hoffman

Reuben (Stiller) finds himself in a bind when his new wife runs away with their honeymoon SCUBA instructor. Now Reuben must get back on the dating wheel and explore his newfound single life. As a risk analyst, Reuben doesn’t take much chance in life until he meets up with an old classmate named Polly (Aniston). Polly shows Reuben a life of risk and excitement, and Reuben finds himself falling in love.

A charismatic performance by both Aniston and Stiller. This movie has great moments of humor and fun. Bottom Line: You will enjoy this movie.

Best Scene: When Reuben has an accident in Polly’s bathroom.

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, language, crude humor and some drug references.
Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Photos ©2003 Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

… So, of course you’ll need training. Despite the glamorous stories of being ‘discovered,’ that almost never happens. You wouldn’t expect to work as a doctor or a lawyer without studying very seriously for those careers, but you’d be surprised at how many people think that they can be professional actors without any knowledge of the art. Actors are chosen for their fitness for a role as the directors and producers see it. Having the right look for a role is important, but it’s not enough. That means a lot of extensive training and sacrifice.

You’ll also need to be in the vicinity of where films are being made. If the best new actor in the whole world lives in Idaho, that actor is going to need to move to where films are made.

Professional actors need an agent to represent them. Agents get contacted daily by the studios and production companies as to what films are being made and the types of actors being sought for the roles in the film. Getting an agent isn’t easy, especially if you’re non-union (we’ll get to that in a moment). Agents don’t take on everyone they meet. They have to spend a great deal of money in effort to get you work and so they need to know that if they get you an audition, that you’ll get the part. Consequently, they rarely tak on new actors, because it’s a safer bet for them.

Then there is the union. The Screen Actor’s Guild requires that film actors be union members. However, you can’t just walk in and become a member. You have to have proof that you have ALREADY worked on a film! It’s a ‘catch 22,’ that’s hard to explain. Just understand that even if you do find a way to become a member, that it’s not a “hiring hall” type of union where you sign-up and they dol out work.

Finally, you have to audition for roles. Being available to audition during the day often means working a low-paying night job so you can be at auditions, should you get one. All the while you need to keep training, performing in plays… doing anything to get noticed.

So, as you can see, it’s not an easy life.

Even if you are a great actor, well connected in the industry and beautiful… there’s still no guarantee that it will ever happen for you.

Sorry to be such a wet blanket, but these are the harsh realities of making a living as an actor. 95% of the Screen Actor’s Guild is out of work at all times!

- Wes Craven (from www.wescraven.com)

Hit- Starring Robin Williams, Scott Weinger, Linda Larkin, Jonathan Freeman, Gilbert Godfrey

Street rat Aladdin, falls in love with Princess Jasmine upon her escape from the palace. In Aladdin’s attempt to win the girl he becomes swept up in an adventure of his own. His adventures include a quirky genie, an evil advisor, and a magic carpet ride.

I saw this movie when it first came to theatres and I loved it. This movie is fun for the entire family. Since Disney animated films only come out on a rolling basis, I would suggest buying this movie as soon as possible. Otherwise you will have to wait a few years to get a hold of it once again. I have already put this film on my Christmas wish list… hint hint. I don’t think I have ever met anyone who has not enjoyed this film.

The best part of this movie are the scenes involving the Genie of the Lamp (voiced by Robin Williams). The Genie provides great humor and chaos, his jokes will make you laugh so hard you might start to cry. I also enjoy the drawing animation over the computer animation. Bottom Line: Buy this movie today, before it is sold out.

Best Scene: When Aladdin meets the Genie for the first time.

The DVD includes extras from Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey… what the heck are they doing in there? I guess we will find out.

Rated G
Comedy
Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Photo © 1992 Walt Disney Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Hit – Starring Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, Mary Steenburgen

Infant orphan Buddy manages to crawl into Santa’s toy bag and is unknowingly taken to the North Pole. Santa decides to keep Buddy and he is raised as one of Santa’s elves. But, once Buddy begins to grow older, he finds that he is a misfit in the elf community. Buddy becomes sad when he learns that he is not a true “elf.” Buddy decides to make a journey to New York City to find his real mother and father. Once he arrives in New York City, he becomes saddened by the fact that New York forgotten about the true Christmas spirit. Buddy does everything he can to make New York believe in Christmas.

Will Ferrell is a delight in this crazy comedy by Jon Favreau. Although the story is campy, it is a movie that is fun for the whole family. Watching Will Ferrell in this movie is like watching a small child at Christmas time. Everything is new and wonderful. Zooey Deschanel is good fun as Will Ferrell’s shopping mall elf sidekick. This movie will make you laugh and it will make you smile. Bottom Line: I don’t know anyone who does not like this movie. Rent it today!

Rated PG for some mild rude humor and language.
Comedy
Running Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Photos ©2003 New Line Cinema. All Rights Reserved.