Surprisingly entertaining movie in spite of Julia Roberts
927936
This is a great comedy vehicle for Hugh Grant -- sardonic wit etc. Julia Roberts is acceptable because the role (essentially she plays herself) is not too taxing on her very limited acting ability. The supporting cast is quite funny -- especially the flat-mate. The finale with Elvis Costello attempting to sing like a grizzled Charles Aznavor is hilariously kitschy. Overall a surprisingly entertaining movie in spite of Julia Roberts.
2625909
Baggage Claim isn't the most emotionally complex of rom coms, nor is it exactly the most plausible, but it is of the fun if you don't overthink it sort.  The cast is superb, particularly Paula Patton and Derek Luke.  While the story doesn't feel entirely original at times and the humor trends toward silly more often than not, the message of basically being happy with oneself is uplifting and somewhat inspirational.  Even with the expected (not to mention more or less telegraphed ending) the film is a fun way to pass 90 odd minutes.  It's nice to see a film like this now and again - something that's got a touch of complexity but a shorter run time but never completely takes itself seriously.
4385995
I admit it, I'm more a fan of independent movies, or movies that don't get wide exposure, than I am of blockbusters.  I enjoyed this movie for these reasons: the cast looked like they had a ball making it.  It was empowering to women.  And it was inclusive.  It also reminded me of the small town I grew up in.  Which is also in the south.  Wanda Sykes' character exemplified the African American who had an entirely different viewpoint than her teammates about growing up in a 90% white town.  It was also realistic as to the problems all women of a certain age go through: Like being ignored by their husbands and raising teens to grow up to be positive human beings.  It might have been even better if Roberts' character hadn't proven to be an extension of his recent typecasting as 'the bad guy'.  It would have been refreshing if his character had turned out to be good for a change.
4863903
I thought Notting Hill started out a little slow but then picked up speed. I ended up loving it in the end. I also happen to love Julia Roberts and will see almost anything she is in. I also think Hughe Grant is gorgeous.
2914783
I just watched this "On Demand," and was very pleasantly surprised! I'd seen the DVD box in stores for months, and was never moved to rent it; little did I know that I'd end up thinking it was one of the best romantic movies I'd seen in years. I'm a guy who doesn't immediately label a good love story a "chick flick" - ANY kind of movie that is driven by character and plot can hold my interest, and the best ones prompt me to write songs. I just finished one, because certain things about "P.S. I Love You" made me think of my own life.

P.S - I've never seen Hilary Swank look so gorgeous.
3779013
Having heard a lot about this movie, i was looking forward to seeing it,
  and i must say it didn't disappoint. This has been one of the biggest
  movies in recent months, displacing 'Harry Potter' and 'Lord of the
  rings' from the top at the box-office(so naturally one couldn't avoid
  having some expectations, even though it's a good idea in general not
  have any!) ............
  The story is simple enough - Danny Ocean (Clooney), just released from
  jail, plans a daring heist on three of the biggest casinoes of Las Vegas;
  but this requires a lot of very skilled men, so he assembles a team -
  hence the 'eleven'.
  They plan everything in great detail, but the operation is still fraught
  with danger, as there are several possibilities of even the slightest
  mistake resulting in the whole plan blowing up in their faces.
  Oh, and Danny has a 'hidden motive' - the casino owner Terry (Andy Garcia)
  has stolen his girl Tess (Julia Roberts) .......
  The rest of the movie is a slick, breezy account of what happens as they
  try to implement their meticulous plan and how events unfold, occasionally
  in somewhat unexpected fashion.
  Even though this is not great cinema, it's an excellent way to spend
  two hours, watching an expert director deftly handle a great ensemble
  of performers and to make guesses at the sequence of events for fun.
 Steven Soderbergh chalks up a hat-trick of successes with this one,
  following 'Erin Brockovich' and 'Traffic' - and the best thing is that
  they are all quite different sort of movies, making one look forward
  all the more to the next venture of this director at the top of his form.
  The cast is huge, so naturally most of them don't have big roles - in
  fact, Clooney & Pitt are the ones with big roles, and both do very
  well. Julia Roberts, Matt Damon & Andy Garcia are under-utilised, as
  are Dan Cheadle & other support actors, but they all do admirably in
  whatever they're given by Soderbergh.
  The movie also features some sharp & witty dialogue,  especially when
  Clooney's around; and the production values are first-rate.
  All in all, even though i wouldn't call this a 'must see', i'd say it's
  a movie that lives upto expectations - what more can one ask for ??
4339473
This one surprised me. I expected to dislike it, and while there is a good long list reasons to dislike the film, it eventually won me over. While it isn't great cinema, it is entertaining if you can set aside disbelief for two hours.

First, the bad: the plot line is an amalgamation of borrowed material from films as diverse as ENEMY OF THE STATE and THE MAN WHO KNEW TO MUCH, both better films by far. I never discount a film immediately for using things from other successful efforts, after all, virtually every movie made these days borrows from predecessors. However, when borrowed material is simply repackaged without much original imagination, it is much less acceptable. In this case, the end result of a plot is pretty much a patchwork quilt of things that feels disjointed. Conspiracy flicks have always had much in common, but EAGLE EYE seems a bit inbred.

The second major problem is the vast array of things that 'just don't make sense.' I understand that not everything needs to be logical in a thriller, but the sheer mass of things that DON'T make sense in this movie is astounding. Without providing spoilers, there are numerous times when things are taken control of remotely where it would be absolutely impossible to do so. These occurrences ramp up near the middle-marker of the film, with one so ridiculous (the train scene) that is had me laughing out loud.

However, this one does work as a thriller, albeit a stupid one. The action scenes are interesting, and some of them quite imaginative. There are also some impressive special effects that look fantastic on Blue Ray.

I also enjoyed Billy Bob Thornton's performance, a sort of relaxed cool FBI agent with an obsessive-compulsive gene. He is enjoyable to watch and stands out as one of the few really believable elements of the film. Shia is well cast as the protagonist, a college drop out turned card shark. LaBeouf seems to be landing a lot of these underachiever hero roles lately (Transformers, Indiana Jones) and for good reason. He's good at them. However, I don't think he's a believable action star in general. He just doesn't have the gravitas or the physique, sort of the new Ben Affleck. For a role like this one, he's perfect

Overall, this one might not be the best film ever, but it is entertaining if you can set logic aside for two hours. Like LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD, this one is about taking pleasure in watching things blow up. Enjoy it for what it is.

2.5/5 Stars rounded up for Billy Bob Thornton's performance.
893361
This is a fine movie that does a great job of building characters to whom the audience can relate. It is, in my opinion, a rare sort of movie that entertains while dealing with some very profound issues. I didn't think I would like it much when I read about it but I was pleasantly surprised. It is a hidden gem of a movie.
1052032
We thought this movie would just be a way to kill some time during the evening, since there was nothing on cable at the time. Oddly enough, the movie really surprised us and Vince Vaughn was good in his role. Instead of being just a piece of fluff movie, this one turned out to be quite enjoyable as it takes some turns that you don't expect. Plus, Amazon's streaming service, complete with dolby digital audio, was great.
154187
Much better than expected. The kind of chick flick you'll like.
2236244
I will admit that the casting here is delicious (that applies, right?) and so my appetite was wet and my interest was peaked long before sitting in the theater.  George Clooney, at the time, was one of my favorite actors (he's suffered from overexposure for me; 2005 did it for me) and you can't deny the charm and appeal of actors like Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and the undeniably brilliant Julia Roberts.  Add to the mix funnyman Bernie Mac as well as brilliant actors like Andy Garcia and Don Cheadle, not to mention a slew of young actors like Casey Affleck (who would have ever thought he'd rise from this to become `Robert Ford'), Topher Grace and James Caan's son Scott and you have yourself guaranteed success; right?

I would think you, so sadly there is just something about this movie that doesn't work.  I think the main issue is that when all is said and done `Ocean's Eleven' is just not that memorable.  Sure, the cast is great and everyone does a superb job.  Sure, the plot is decent and the dialog and funny, but in the end it all just kind of rests there, never `popping' so-to-speak.  I just expected to be wowed and I truly wasn't.

It was kind of dull.

The plot revolves around Danny Ocean, recently released from prison, who bands together with his ten partners in crime to knock off three successful Las Vegas casinos.  Sure, the money is a huge bonus, but the real reason for the caper is to win back Ocean's ex-wife Tess who is now attached to the owner of these casinos, Terry Benedict.  Benedict is not only money hungry but he's ruthless and thus it makes the job all the more difficult for Ocean and his crew.

Director Steven Soderbergh is good at extracting wonderful performances from his cast (just look at the effortlessness that permeated the sets of `Traffic' and `Erin Brockovich') and here is no different.  George Clooney is his charming, natural self (I much prefer this side of him to his over praised dramatic work) and Brad Pitt is actually quite funny.  Julia Roberts is really the heart and soul of this film though.  From the minute she walks on the screen the film turns on its head.  But even she can't save it from mediocrity.  The film as a whole just doesn't do anything special, it doesn't become anything memorable.  In the end it is nothing more than a decent buddy flick with some laughs.  It's not a movie you can really enjoy multiple times, which is sad to say since the cast alone should have guaranteed the films longevity.

I have yet to see the two sequels, yet I hear this is the best of the three so it's not a good sign.  A lot of people enjoyed this movie, but it appears after reading many of the reviews that they feel as I do.  Sure, this film has its moments and it is in no way shape or form a bad movie.  It is fun and it is enjoyable, but when it's over you won't be aching to watch it again.
1156183
I have to admit that I did not know what to expect from the film, but as it turns out it is a very pleasant and entertaining movie.

National Treasure, brings to the screen the rather unlikely scenario that the Declaration of Independence has invisible writing on the back leading to a long forgotten hidden Masonic treasure somewhere in NYC.

Overall, the acting is very good (Nicholas Cage does a good job), the special effects are excellent, and the plot is definitely original.

In short, though not a masterpiece, it is a movie worth watching!
778327
My hopes were not high for this movie as often times sequels fall short of the originals.  I have to say it was a pleasant surprise.  Throwing in some comedic elements and having a more humanistic side of a terminator was good.  The twists and turns were pretty well orchestrated.  It was an enjoyable and entertaining movie.
3650622
A friend of mine who was an actor once told me that he thought the hardest part to play was someone either living or within living memory.  With the coming of the internet and YOUTUBE age, that's likely to become a more common problem, but no less daunting.

And Ms. Streep pulls it off with a performance so good it was like Julia Child breathed again in all of her good-hearted, iconoclastic glory.

Honestly, overall, I did not care for the film too much, and I could have cared less for the other actors in the film. That's just my opinion, and other reviewers have written about them in glowing terms, so perhaps I missed the bus somewhere and may have to rethink that position one day. Also, there have been some serious complaints that the Master Chef (I am unsure of the formal title) of the Cordon Bleu was depicted in a way that made her look like a far more snobbish and dreadful person than she actually was.  Nevertheless, it is absolutely worth it just to watch the scenes with Ms. Streep.  It's one of her best performances yet, and that's saying something.  She takes a so-so movie and a so-so script and makes them sparkle as the legendary gourmet who tried to make everyone's life a little happier through those most basic and delicious media - good, hearty unpretentious food, good company, and good cheer.  Just an amazing performance, and were she alive, I will just bet Julia Child would have been the first one on her feet cheering and clapping.

I note with a smile that the one thing you will not want to do is watch this movie on an empty stomach!

Recommend!
4528694
I really like Julia Roberts and this movie was a lot of fun. Also it didn't hurt that it was centered around horses, my first love.
3362278
Not a movie I would normally watch ... but it was fun to watch.
3449541
Despite the trailer making it seem like this movie is all chop, slice, and dice, it has a romantic streak running through it that is pleasantly and humorously surprising. The movie has a slick style to it that makes it stand apart from the usual period drama/assassin fare. The heroine also really stands out from other films, neither a martial arts expert nor weak & helpless but capable and intelligent and a match in wits to the hero without showing him up. The second half of the film lacks tightness and tension but is still worth watching.