Movie Reviews

New Year's Eve DVD

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Written by Jonathan Jacobs

Ashton Kutcher is funnier in this movie than he is in "Two and a Half Men", and that is not much of a compliment. He really is nothing more than eye candy. Perhaps this film began the "shave the beard" movement.

Bon Jovi is a star. He transcends acting because of his legendary status as the father of rock and roll. Having written that, he should be ashamed for publicly admitting he cheats on his wife.

Michelle Pfeiffer has accepted the mantle of being an older actress that is willing to concede her age and play mature roles. Like everything else she has ever tried, she does this excessively well.

It is strange seeing Hillary Swank act alongside the plastics, but she fits in nicely. Her acting ability is off the chart. Ludacris supports her nicely despite being a musician of questionable character.

Zac Efron's start is shaky. It takes quite a while for his character to develop enough momentum for enthusiasts to enjoy. It is a cute role nevertheless, although his new haircut is godawful.

The part that Robert De Niro plays is a little forced. Being a dying elderly man without much of a back-story feels cliché here.

Halle Berry is quite pretty with her natural hair. Forget about the extensions before they define you.

Observing Cary Elwes play a physician reminds me of Saw too much. It amused and frightened me!

Jessica Biel and Seth Meyers provide the sorely needed comedy quotient. Without their pregnancy jokes and her dead-on performance as a woman nearing delivery, this film might have suffered.

Ironically, Katherine Heigl has no chemistry with Bon Jovi but she has plenty with Sophia Vergara! Vergara's innuendos are mildly amusing albeit she has become a walking stereotype. I am not sure many play the scorned woman better than Heigl, but damn if she has not milked that odder too much. Speaking of milking...I knew you were still paying attention!

Would you believe Sarah Jessica Parker acts better and looks prettier here than she did in the Sex and the City movies? If only she had brought this charm and confidence a few years back those shows would have been epic.

Josh Duhamel is a handsome romantic. I think his height and babyface lend themselves to his aura and amiability, because nothing else does.

Overall, New Year's Eve is unspectacular but it does not stink out loud. Coming from Screen Spotlight that is high-praise. Most cluster-mess movies miss the target by a mile and disappoint. This edition of cameo appearances has a more cohesive and enjoyable storyline than others in the same sort of class. It is really old hat to place the story in New York City but Times Square is universally recognized as the destination for New Year's Eve. There are no horrible performances to denounce. Although the plot took almost an hour to crystallize, at least it did come together. One and a half thumbs up though I am not sure how that would work mechanically. Happy New Years...in 7 months.

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