Renee Zellweger plays a corporate climber exiled to small town Minnesota to manage the dismantling of one of the firms non-producers. She clashes immediately with and is also instantly attracted to a union boss played by Harry Connick Jr.
In TV movie of the week fashion, she falls in love with the small town, Zellweger and Connicks characters fall in love, share some laughs, her real purpose is discovered, shame and redemption follow and everyone lives happily ever after.
You expect no less.
Zellweger rarely has good chemistry with her male co-stars, but she and Connick click. Youll also love the comic relief of former -- and mostly unknown -- ex-Saturday Night Live star Siobhan Fallon as Zellwegers secretary Blanche.
There is nothing new about New in Town. It is as formula as they come. However, not all formula is bad. When a plot lacks surprises, the trip through the alphabet from A to Z is what makes or breaks the movie. It zips through in fine fashion.
New in Town is pretty basic. But its also basically funny and -- at times -- quite charming.
Mr. Movie rating: 4 stars
Rated PG-13 for mature themes. It opens Friday, Jan. 30 at the Carmike 12 and at the Fairchild Cinemas 12.
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
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'Haywire' nothing faulty in this action flick
'Haywire' nothing faulty in this action flick
Haywire opens with one hell of a good fight. A beautiful woman and a totally buff guy go at it.
Dishes fly, chairs fly, people fly. Crack goes a bone, off goes a gun, the woman grabs a bystander and his car, and on the run she goes.
Much of the set-up of her story unfolds as the two escape. Like the fight, it’s one hell of a tale and full of surprises.
'Footloose' an ordinary dance
'Footloose' an ordinary dance
Here’s the good news — Kenny Loggins’ 1984 hit song and the film’s theme song is left in the 2011 version.
Drums pounding, synthesizer sizzling, Loggins voice soars. Toes tap. Smiles hit the face, and the theater is rocking out.
No. Wait. That’s not Kenny Loggins. It is country music star Blake Shelton. Admittedly, he does a decent imitation. And imitation is what sets the tone for Craig Brewer’s remake. The imitation — admittedly is decent — but not much more.
35th Annual Portland International Film Festival begins
35th Annual Portland International Film Festival begins
The 35th Annual Portland International Film Festival has begun. It runs through February 25. For film fans this one is loaded. There are 140 films from 36 different countries — 93 are features and 46 shorts.
Portland isn’t that far from Tri-Cities art film lovers. This entry reviews a few films from the first weekend and Monday. I’ll be posting reviews throughout the series until its conclusion February 25th.
Friday, February 10
Luxury fashion world tweaking its style for Gen Y
Luxury fashion world tweaking its style for Gen Y
Luxury fashion still caters to movie stars, high-powered businesswomen and ladies who lunch, but designers are starting to show interest in that generation's daughters.
'Young Adult' offers mature look at immaturity
'Young Adult' offers mature look at immaturity
Young Adult re-teams director Jason Reitman with Juno writer Diablo Cody. They craft a semi-serious, semi-comic tale of a struggling, self-absorbed 30-something woman.
Charlize Theron is marvelous as Mavis, a woman on a quest to find truth, happiness and a personal and self-focused holy grail.
-- Local show times, theaters, trailer.
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