CINEMA
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2009 LA JOLLA VILLAGE NEWS
B5
‘Notorious’-ly bad; but ‘Brides’ full of laughs BY JAMES COLT HARRISON | VILLAGE NEWS
Please do not confuse the new Fox Searchlight bomb “Notorious” with the classic Alfred Hitchcock thriller of the same name made in 1946 with Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains. That film had class, suspense and style. The new film, patched together by director George Tilman Jr., is a look at a 20th-century phenomenon, rap music. The dialogue alone will turn your ears blue. Whatever you do, do not waste your money on this new film about the infamous rap star Notorious B.I.G. (Jamal Woolard), who was gunned down at age 24 after becoming a success in the music industry. The film glamorizes drug dealers, jailbirds, street whores, bums, uneducated people and absent fathers and abusers of women. Horrible. And this film is a musical of sorts! Poor Angela Bassett, who is a fine actress, has reached that certain age when actresses have to take more or less what they are offered in films. She does a terrific job as B.I.G.’s straightand-narrow mom, but she’s defeated by the nastiness of the film. The film is lugubrious and distasteful. This is especially pointed out when one of the female rappers gets up on stage and keeps repeating over and over, “Eat my (unmentionable)!” Not exactly Swiss Finishing School material. This film represents the worst that Hollywood can create, and you may thank Sean “Puffy” Combs for producing this piece of
Anne Hathaway (left) and Kate Hudson somehow book their weddings on the PHOTO COURTESY 20TH CENTURY FOX same day in “Bride Wars.”
happens with Candice Bergen’s wedding planning service, the two girls find that their weddings will be held at the same time, thus fouling up all their plans. This, naturally, causes tensions between the two childhood pals and they become sworn enemies. This opens the film up to many funny situations, and director Gary Winick seems able to squeeze every comic moment out of the two lovely girls. Hathaway, by the way, could play veteran actress Ann Blyth’s daughter because of their similar toothy smiles. Miss Blyth played the famous and vicious daughter of Joan Crawford in “Mildred Pierce” in the 1940s. The famous Plaza Hotel was the setting of Kay Thompson’s book character “Eloise,” which later became a film. Famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright took a suite there when he was building the round Guggenheim Museum. He completely redesigned the hotel suite in his own style — and they let him! So, in “Bride Wars,” the hotel itself is one of the main characters, and elegant it is. The hotel has starred in many, many films. The two young ladies are very appealing, and their leading men are handsome and eager, they being Chris Pratt, Bryan Greenberg and Steve Howey. Production credits are wonderful, and the settings and costume designs — wedding gowns courtesy of Vera Wang — are the tops. In fact, the girls both say, “You don’t PHOTO COURTESY FOX SEARCHLIGHT alter a Vera Wang to fit your Jamal Woolard (right) portrays the Notorious B.I.G. in “Notorious,” a new film body; you alter your body to fit a Vera Wang!” ■ based on the real story of the rap star who was shot and killed at age 24.
FLU
swill. It gets my vote as the Worst Picture of the Year, and it’s only January. “Bride Wars” will put a smile on your face. Although it is definitely a “chick flick,” there is enough relatable material for men to enjoy, too. 20th Century Fox seems a bit schizophrenic in producing wildly different films as “Notorious” and “Bride Wars” out of the same sound stages. The giggly offspring of Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson is almost a replica of her funny mom and seemingly as talented. She and the gorgeous Anne Hathaway are best girlfriends who dream of having their weddings at the famous Plaza Hotel in New York — but not on the same day. When a scheduling conflict
Free to Eligible Medicare Recipients No Appointmment Needed Hours: 9-6 Mon-Fri; 9-1 Sat
Sara Meeks, PT,MS, GCS Every Tuesday 11:00a.m.-12:00 p.m. La Jolla YMCA, 8355 Cliffridge Ave.
Every Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m St. Bridgid Parish Hall, 4735 Cass St.
JOSEPH DEAN KLATT PhD LIST WHERE THE REAL ESTATE ACTION IS AT
KLATT REALTY INC. (858) 454-9672 1124 Wall St., La Jolla
Lawson
e-mail: DrJosephKlatt@san.rr.com
www.KlattRealty.com
to Nature Cruise the
Los Coronado Islands ITEX Members Call (760) 438-4119
Presented by: Tassanari Physical Therapy and St. Brigid Health Ministry
1015 Turquoise St. Ste. #1, Pacific Beach 858-274-6762
*Owner requires an acceptable credit check, security deposit, and first and last month’s rent.
Walk Tall: A Comprehensive Osteoporosis Management & Postural Correction Program
w/coupon reg $25
expires: 01-31-09
RENTALS 1. $3,500*! RPM: We have a fully furnished 3BR home in La Jolla Shores for lease from now through May 31, 2009. Call for details. 2. $1,870* NNN RPM: We have a well located La Jolla Shores commercial space available now for long term lease. Activity on this space is hot now! 3. $795* RPM: We have a small commercial space in Pacific Beach for long term lease now. Call for more details.
Reverse the Patterns of Postural Change©
SHOTS $20
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS Klatt Realty salutes the valiant efforts of the San Diego Chargers in this year’s NFL playoffs. In the Wild Card Round the Chargers defeated the Indianapolis Colts in overtime, 23 to 17. In the Divisional Playoffs, the Chargers fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh by a score of 35 to 24. While Charger fans would have preferred a win last Sunday, we can be pleased that the team made it into the Second Round of the Playoffs. Congratulations, team! When it comes to team effort in Real Estate, remember the Klatt Realty Team. We are here to serve you in every aspect of your Real Estate needs.
This exciting narrated nature cruise, aboard the comfortable 105’ U.S.C.G. inspected vessel, will give you an up close personal view of Coronado Islands and all the sea life. You could see whales, dolphins, elephant seals, sea lions, many varieties of sea birds & much, much more!
2 for 1
With ad Limit 4
SPECIAL (With Reservation)
Buy 1 adult ticket (cash or credit card) and get 2nd ticket
FREE
For information on this class, the Walk Tall Program, or a FREE consultation at Tassinari Physical Therapy
Trips depart Thursday through Sunday and holidays at 10:15 a.m. Approximately 5 1/2 to 6 hour excursions. SAN DIEGO HARBOR EXCURSION 1050 N. Harbor Dr. (Foot of Broadway), San Diego
Call (858) 581-6900 or website: www.tasspt.com
(619) 234-4111 • www.sdhe.com