Life As We Know It

3 out of 5 Stars



Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) and Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) are set up on a date by their good friends who are married with a young kid. But the date never gets past the car and the two where never supposed to be together again. But they both kept in close touch with the couple and on an unsuspecting night the parents are killed in a car crash and it is soon discovered that they left custody of the child to the two most unlikely people, Holly and Eric.

The film as whole works in its premise and basic storyline. For the most part it's a feel good comedy that borders between a chick flick and a comedy for both genders. It also has a little bit of the flair of an independent feel where there are a good few points that feel a bit depressing, something that big budget Hollywood comedies usually only thrown in near the end of the film. Not so here. Heigl and Duhamel make a pretty good team in this piece and considering how heavily the story relies on the infant I would say they did a pretty good job with filming it. The film really falls a bit with its length and ending. The film could have been a little shorter as it dragged a little at times. And the ending was typical Hollywood happy ending where the two people get together. It works but not as well as it could have with a different ending. These movies always seem to bring the happily ever after ending into play even though sometimes it would work just as well to have a different ending without leaving the audience feeling depressed. This is one of those movies. Overall an enjoyable film but nothing that great.

Killers

3 out of 5 Stars



Katherine Heigl is Jen, a recent bachlerotte who takes a trip with her parents to Nice, France. Ashton Kutcher is Spencer, a spy working for the CIA. Spencer meets Jen. Jen and Spencer fall in love. Then they get married and Spencer gives up his former life. There is only one problem, now a bounty has been put out on Spencer's head so everyone he knows is trying to kill him.

The plot of this film feels a bit contrived and teeter totters between action conspiracy and comedy and balances just enough to find a place to withstand falling. Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl are two actors who are in the realm of people you sometimes like on screen but many people don't. But in this film they seem to pull it off in a quirky way. I think their roles work more in a world of suspended belief than reality but at the same time have a kind of real world charm that pushes you towards wanting to root for them.

But really it's the entertainment factor if anything that saves the film. The comedy is actually funny at times and the action is entertaining. There is also a good moral tale beneath about taking responsibility for your actions, second chances, and the opportunity to change into a different person from your past. The supporting cast also rounds out this film and of course Tom Selleck has an awesome mustache. In the end, Killers isn't much for plot, but it's still fun and entertaining. Though it's still hard to buy Ashton Kutcher as a spy.

The Bounty Hunter

2 1/2 out of 5 Stars



Milo Boyd (Girard Butler) and Nicole Hurley (Jennifer Aniston) are recently divorced. Jennifer is an investigative journalist, tracking down the truth of a suicide story. Milo is a bounty hunter deep in debt. Jennifer misses her appointment in court to appeal and ticket and quickly becomes a wanted felon for "assaulting an officer." Milo takes the bounty and soon comedy ensues as he tries to bring his ex to jail.

Not only does this film have a star cast, it is also clever and comedic. The premise alone is clever and fun. At the same time it could have been horrible but it was executed quite well. It also isn't everything expected. It is a comedy and with that the timing is wonderful, but it is also a mystery and romance. That doesn't mean that it's a romantic comedy, because it's not. The films leads do a great job in helping us believe their angst towards each other with both their shortcomings and successes.

What I enjoyed the most about this film though, outside of the excellent comedy, was the importance of admitting our wrongs in relationships and reaching common ground. It's a film that delves into the depths of the characters and because of this we feel for them, especially for those who have had relationships that have gone awry. But it's also a film that understands the flaws that we all have. Yet despite this two people can stay together and not always agree.

The Bounty Hunter definitely follows a few of the general guidelines of a romantic comedy but it also adds a few twists and aims towards both genders and is filled with moments of laughter.