Scene It: RedBox Edition

I have been renting more movies lately, thanks to the genius of dollar rentals from the Redbox. They haven't all been good- but, they're cheap enough that I don't care :)

The Movies I have "Scene" most recently from the Redbox:

Everybody's Fine
starring: Drew Barrymore, Robert DeNiro, and Kate Beckinsale



Tagline:
Frank wanted the holidays to be picture perfect. What he got was family.

Plot:
A widower who realized his only connection to his family was through his wife sets off on an impromptu road trip to reunite with each of his grown children.

Everybody's Fine is a drama about family; the things that drive us apart and the things that bind us together. When Frank, played by Robert DeNiro, realizes his four children have drifted away from him since the death of their mother he sets out on a trip to reconnect with each of them. The story is weakly driven by the secret whereabouts of one missing son and the other three children's attempts to hide what they know from their father. At each stop, Frank's children obviously lie to him about their brother and the status of their lives. Afraid their father will be disappointed with the lives they chosen and who they've become they all send him on his way as soon as possible. So, what can bring this disjointed family back together? Where is Frank's missing son? What are the children's lives really like? If you're really interested in the answers to these questions, then check out Everybody's Fine. This movie was exactly that, "fine." However, if you have another option, I would opt out of this weak film.



Love Happens
starring: Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart



Tagline:
Sometimes when you least expect it... [Love Happens]

Plot:
About a widower whose book about coping with loss turns him into a best-selling self-help guru. On a business trip to Seattle, he falls for a woman who attends one of his seminars, only to learn that he hasn't yet truly confronted his wife's passing.

Love Happens is a great mix of "tear-jerker" and "romantic comedy." Not one to usually enjoy Jennifer Aniston movies, I [surprisingly] would recommend this film. After widower Burke, played by Aaron Eckhart, loses his wife he writes a book to help him through his grieving process and ends up a best-selling author and self-help loss guru. However, Burke might not have coped as well as he lets the world believe. After meeting Eloise, played by Jennifer Aniston, Burke learns that he has to take his own advice and that dealing with the loss of your loved one takes a lot more courage than helping others deal with theirs. Comedic events come alongside heartbreaking moments to help you laugh through your tears in this film. More a story about a widowers journey than a cheesy romantic comedy, this film has a wonderful story-line. My recommendation: watch with comfy blanket and a box of Kleenex :)


I Hate Valentine's Day
starring: John Corbett and Nia Vardalos



Tagline:
She had him at get lost.

Plot:
A love story set in Manhattan, where a florist who abides by a strict five-date-limit with any man finds herself wanting more with the new restaurateur in town.

I Hate Valentine's Day reunites Nia and John from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. This reunion is what encouraged me to see this unknown film. However, the chemistry this couple had in My Big Fat Greek Wedding was lacking in this film. It was decent, cute and clean, so I wouldn't consider it a total waste of my time. The sad thing is, it had a fun storyline and therefore had the potential to be a lot better than it was. Genevieve, played by Nia Vardalos, is "afraid" of love and therefore sticks to a strict five-date plan so that the romance never dies and heartache never ensues. . . obviously this plan does not work when Genevieve finally meets someone she wants to have an actual relationship with and she is forced to face her fears. Check it out if you have nothing else to do; it's about as good as an afternoon tv movie. . . I get sucked into those tv movies all the time! :)