21 - movie review

Drawing a blank: Basic intelligence missing from '21'

By Jeff Bayer | Contributing Film Critic

"21" is a film about six MIT students learning how to count cards and then take down Vegas for millions at blackjack. The one thing you need for that is massive intelligence, yet that is the characteristic most absent from this film.

It's based on the true story and book "Bringing Down the House" and goes beyond the old standby that says the book is always better than the film. Changes were made, the least of which was making the main character white instead of Asian. Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) is an MIT student struggling for money. He needs $300,000 for medical school, yet never once considers a student loan. He's also never heard of blackjack, which almost makes less sense.

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Sean Faris - Never Back Down - interview

CELEBTV.COM CHATS WITH SEAN FARIS

March 17, 2008

Sean Faris, star of the new mixed martial arts (MMA) flick Never Back Down might be a new face in Hollywood, but the 25-year-old got a jump on acting when he was just a kid.

The Cleveland native, who bears a striking resemblance to Tom Cruise, used to tell people the Top Gun star was his dad.

But these days, Faris is making a name for himself.

CelebTV.com talked with Faris about the Hollywood scene, Karate Kid and whipping himself into shape for his new film.

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Never Back Down - movie review

'Never Back Down' fights for a little respect

By Jeff Bayer | Daily Herald Correspondent

You don't sit down to a Britney Spears' concert to hear great opera. That has to be the mind-set when you walk into the theater for "Never Back Down," a story of an angry kid finding mixed martial arts and trying to turn his life around.

First of all, I'm a fan of "Karate Kid," all of the "Rocky" flicks (except No. 5), "Diggstown" and even "Gladiator" (not the Oscar winner). That said, I still wasn't expecting much of "Never Back Down."

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Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day - movie review

Comic timing everything for McDormand, Adams in funny 'Miss Pettigrew'

By Jeff Bayer | Contributing Film Critic

Disheveled and worn down, Miss Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) goes from bad to worse.

Before the opening credits of "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" are finished, she gets fired from her job as a nanny, loses all of her possessions and can't find a bite to eat.

Set in 1939 London, just as World War II is about to break out, Miss Pettigrew must try and make a go of it. What follows is an infectious comedy that becomes a wonderful drama.

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The Bank Job - movie review

'Bank Job' can't balance tense action with fun caper

By Jeff Bayer | Contributing Film Critic

Inspired by the true story of a 1971 London bank heist that goes terribly wrong, "The Bank Job" has it all: corruption, sex scandals, political intrigue, murder.

Despite all of those wonderfully evil things, the film never takes off.

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The 6th Annual Scorecard Movie Awards - THE WINNERS

CLICK HERE to view the complete results of
The 6th Annual Scorecard Movie Awards

And here is the list of winners...

Funniest - Juno 7.80
Scariest - No Country for Old Men 8
Saddest - Away From Her 7.78
Best Blockbuster - The Bourne Ultimatum 8.2
Best Music - Once 8.87
Most Disappointing - Spider-Man 3 6.2
Best Action Hero/Villian/Superhuman - Anton Chigurh - No Country for Old Men 9.31
Best Ending - Michael Clayton 8.13
Best Documentary - No End in Sight 7.8
Best Animated - Persepolis 8.71
Best Visuals: Special Effects - 300 8.36
Best Visuals: Non-Special Effects - There Will Be Blood 8.84
Best Screenplay: Adapted - No Country for Old Men 8.73
Best Screenplay: Original - Juno 8.72
Best Supporting Actress - Cate Blanchett - I'm Not There 8.69
Best Supporting Actor - Javier Bardem (-) No Country for Old Men 9.39
Best Actress - Marion Cotillard (-) La Vie en Rose 9
Best Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis (-) There Will Be Blood 9.27
Best Acting - Entire Cast - No Country for Old Men 9.14
Best Film of 2007 - No Country for Old Men 9

Best Cameo - (Tie) Keith Richards - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End & Ryan Seacrest - Knocked Up

Quote of the Year - What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss? - Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men

Actress of the Year - Jennifer Garner (-) The Kingdom, Juno
Actor of the Year - Michael Cera (-) Superbad, Juno

Hall of Fame Actresses - Cate Blanchett & Susan Sarandon
Hall of Fame Actors - Daniel Day Lewis & Denzel Washington
Hall of Fame Films - Casablanca & Silence of the Lambs & Braveheart (Silence and Braveheart tie)

Charlie Bartlett - movie review

"Charlie Bartlett" not deep enough

By Jeff Bayer | Contributing Film Critic

In the first few minutes of the film, I want to pull Charlie aside and have a heart to heart. I want to explain to him he doesn't have to try so hard, and being popular really shouldn't be that important. But then we wouldn't have a movie now would we?

"Charlie Bartlett" is an earnest attempt to tackle the glaring problem of over-medicating today's kids. Unfortunately, a genuine debate is never created, and our lead character isn't really that charming.

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The 6th Annual Scorecard Movie Awards

It's that time again...

It's the 6th Annual Scorecard Movie Awards
(formerly The j Awards)
From Jeff Bayer, film critic with the Daily Herald

The Academy Awards just don't cut it. Every year I watch, and every year I think they get something wrong.
Not only that, why can't there be more than five nominations, categories that fans care about (no offense "Best Achievement in Sound Editing), and who got second place?

Instead of sitting still -- I created the Scorecard Movie Awards.

Categories range from the typical (Best Overall Cast, Best Actor, Best Film) to the atypical (Best Ending, Best Quote, Funniest).

If you have seen two movies or 200, it doesn't matter. You only vote for the films you have seen.

There are 27 questions including the Hall of Fame.

Most categories, you will vote from 1-10, with 10 being the highest. You are scoring each individual nomination, not ranking them. So you can have multiple 7s, 8s, 10s, it doesn't matter. And your favorite nomination doesn't have to receive a 10.

Enjoy.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Definitely, Maybe - movie review

Solid performances take the maybe out of 'Definitely'

By Jeff Bayer | Contributing Film Critic

The romantic comedy is a difficult beast to tame.

"Love Actually" made it look easy; other films, such as "27 Dresses," seem to run out of material too quickly.

"Definitely, Maybe" takes a crack at getting some laughs, some tears and a little romance -- and it works. Definitely.

Will (Ryan Reynolds) attempts to explain his past relationships and impending divorce to his 11-year-old daughter, Maya (Abigail Breslin), with a twist -- he changes the names of his romantic partners and won't tell her which woman is her mother.
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Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show - movie review

Vaughn's 'Comedy Show' more mild than wild

By Jeff Bayer | Contributing Film Critic

When you hear the name Vince Vaughn, you expect laughter. That seems to be the rule now.

Sure, for a while he attempted drama with a "Psycho" remake, "Clay Pigeons" and "Return to Paradise," but the public spoke with their wallets. None of those films made much money, and Vaughn returned to comedy with huge hits such as "Wedding Crashers."

So who better than Vaughn to lead us through 30 cities in 30 days with four stand-up comedians? "Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days and 30 Nights, Hollywood to the Heartland" is supposed to be a raucous ride of laughter, but it's thin on one important aspect: the jokes.

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John Lehr - 10 Items or Less - interview

'10 Items or Less' and John Lehr: Total improv

Jeff Bayer | Beep film critic
Thursday, January 17, 2008

John Lehr would like to thank you and make sure you come again. The creator and star of “10 Items or Less,” the TBS sitcom about a local grocery store, is beginning the second season of the show. The comedy is almost all improv with no character dialogue written beforehand. Lehr has a history of TV -- and film and stage, for that matter -- and spent time in Chicago, attending Northwestern and performing improv.

His wife, author Jennifer Lehr of “Ill-equipped for a Life of Sex: A Memoir,” is pregnant with their second child, and though he loves parenthood, Lehr vows his resolution this year “is to not have any more children. I’m getting it cut. Whatever it takes, I’m done.”

We sat down at the Four Seasons and talked about the sitcom and his time in Chicago, and I even gave him a quiz about his “10 Items” character Leslie Pool.

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Cloverfield - movie review

Jeff: ‘Cloverfield’ delivers a roller-coaster ride

Jeff Bayer | Beep Film Critic
Friday, January 18, 2008

Plot: A monster attacks New York and some twentysomethings capture it all on their camcorder as they try to regroup and escape from the city before it is destroyed.
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Cassandra's Dream - movie review

Jeff: Woody Allen reinvents himself with ‘Cassandra’

Jeff Bayer | Beep Film Critic
Friday, January 18, 2008

Plot: Two brothers (Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell) have financial problems in England. When their rich uncle (Tom Wilkinson) makes a rare appearance, both of them want favors, but he has a request of his own that throws the brothers into a world of chaos.
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27 Dresses - movie review

Jeff: ‘27 Dresses’ runs out of material

Jeff Bayer | Beep Film Critic
Friday, January 18, 2008

Plot: Jane (Katherine Heigel) has been a bridesmaid 27 different times. She always gives to others, never taking time for herself. When her sister gets engaged to her boss and secret crush (Ed Burns), helping with this wedding could prove too much. Especially when a journalist (James Marsden) starts to question her life.
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Mad Money - movie review

Jeff: Jokes are in short supply in ‘Mad Money’

Jeff Bayer | Beep Film Critic
Friday, January 18, 2008

Plot: When Bridget (Diane Keaton) learns her husband (Ted Danson) is on the verge of losing their lifestyle, she slowly plots a scheme to get some extra cash. At her new job Bridget enlists the help of Nina (Queen Latifah) and Jackie (Katie Holmes) to rob the Federal Reserve Bank.
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There Will Be Blood - movie review

Jeff: Day-Lewis is the lifeblood of oil saga

Jeff Bayer | Beep Film Critic
Friday, January 4, 2008

Plot: Based on Upton Sinclair’s novel, Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) is an oil prospector with a competitive appetite. He takes in an orphan and attempts to take control of a small community called Little Boston that is sitting on a pile of oil.
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