Oct 2 2008

Movies for this week

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
A new twist on the traditional Shakespearian love triangle is hammered out in this teen adventure as Nick (Michael Cera), a broken hearted high school student with the knack for creating great mix CD’s meets Norah (Kat Dennings), one of the cool kids from school. Through a series of embarrassing moments the two end up partnered together only to find out they have more in common than they both imagined. Imaginative and overall fun, the script for this film seems to work well as a modern day John Hughes spin off. Dennings and Cera have great young chemistry together on screen; although, the role seems to be a bit of a repeat for Cera. Regardless, still a great young date movie. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is rated PG-13.

Flash of Genius
While driving his family home from church on a rainy Sunday, engineering professor Robert Kearns (Greg Kinnear) had a moment of clarity and developed the intermittent windshield wiper. After patenting the device and attempting to sell his idea to the Ford company Kearns learns that his idea has been stolen, something Ford might have gotten away with. But in this tale of David and Goliath Robert Kearns stepped up to fight for truth but at what cost? Based on a true story fantastic acting by Kinnear keeps this potentially dry topic interesting and brilliantly illustrates a man driven by obsession and the need for ethics in a world of corporate greed. A great matinee. Flash of Genius is rated PG-13.

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People
When Sidney Young (Simon Pegg), a writer, gets his big break to write for one of the most powerful fashion magazines in the world it seems as though his ship has come in. But all is not what it seems as Sidney beiges to learn the ropes, especially as Sidney attempts to get close to up and coming actress Sophie Maes (Megan Fox). Success in career and in love finally seems within reach but will Sidney pay the price? A fairly textbook love story with a small amount of creativity but ultimately not enough to make for a compelling or really funny film. Maybe a rental at a later date. How to Lose Friends and Alienate People is rated R.