Confessions of a Shopaholic

2009, ***1/2, PG-13

Starring: Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Kristin Scott Thomas

Sometimes, some of us get the urge to shop. But sometimes, some of us go a little nuts with the credit card. This is exactly what Rebecca Bloomwood ( Isla Fisher, “The Wedding Crashers”) does; the mannequins even entice her to buy expensive designer items she doesn’t need. Prada, Gucci, Fendi—this is nothing like “The Devil Wears Prada,” it is way funnier!

Rebecca has dreamt of working for Alette magazine (headed by Kristin Scott Thomas, "The Other Boleyn Girl," "Random Hearts") since she was a youngster learning what magic cards were, and what real clothes and accessory shopping was like. But, only one problem, over-coming addiction and getting rid of those pesky debt-collectors!

Ironically enough, Rebecca happens to stumble into the editor of a savings magazine, and by accident land a writing job, telling others how to save money. She starts developing feelings for Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy, “Evening,” “Blood & Chocolate”) but risks losing him to her non-saving, deep in debt ways.

This movie is hilarious, and even with the main characters shopping addiction, you somehow want to spend. However, this film pokes fun at a serious problem in this country. There are way too many people that don’t understand what it means to, “live in your means.” Check this one out!

The Proposal

2009, PG-13, ***1/2

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Sandra Bullock, Betty White, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T Nelson, Malin Akerman

This movie is another Sandra hit! You won’t be disappointed.

Margaret (Sandra Bullock, “Hope Floats,”) the editor in chief of an NYC publishing company is about to be deported back to Canada. Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds, “Adventureland,” “The Nines”), her executive assistant is about to celebrate his grandma’s (Betty White, “Golden Girls,” “Lake Placid”) 90th birthday party in a remote Alaskan town he grew up in. In order to stay in NYC and keep her high profile position, Margaret black mails Andrew into marrying her, and assures him of an instant promotion.

In the mean time, Andrew is startled when he learns that ( faking the engagement means serving in federal prison.) So, with that said he still pretends that it is for real, and invites Margaret to Alaska with him for a few days. And of course, hints at a real relationship begin to develop.

This film is a lot more in depth than most of the romantic comedies of today. It’s more emotional because of the circumstances of the main character (Bullock) and shows how ones conscience comes into play when they understand consequences, and see them in action.

Betty White is absolutely hilarious. Reynolds reminds me of a young Jim Carrey, however he’s more dynamic as an actor, and has a better body. If you don’t catch this in its last few theatre weeks, definitely catch this on DVD.

The Ugly Truth

2009, *1/2, R

Starring: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler

This movie was disappointing. It’s your typical romantic comedy, but it seemed like certain scenes were unfinished, and there was way too much back and forth banter, and not enough action!

Essentially, Gerard Buter plays Mike, the raunchy late night host of, “The Ugly Truth.” He talks about why women are crazy, and all men care about is the way a woman looks. Katherine Heigl plays Abby, a producer of a Sacramento morning show/news program. The ratings are low during sweeps month, and her manager decides to hire Butler to do his Ugly Truth program on the show.

As expected Abby (Heigl, “Knocked Up”) is furious with this decision, but slowly begins to realize Mike (Butler, “PS I Love You) is actually saying the truth about relationships, and starts to fall for him, (while she’s trying to pine after her neighbor—pretty boy orthopedic surgeon named, Colin—(Eric Winter).

There are some fun scenes, with Heigl and Butler dancing, and Butler having fun with two bimbos in a pool of jello, other than that, wait for DVD.