Comments on: Charm Overcomes Comic Anarchy at U.S. Box Office

By: Charles Perry

Charles Perry — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:47:12 +0000

Actually, Bullock has played an unsympathetic character who becomes likable before — that was the story line of "Miss Congeniality."

The near nudity (she's flirted with nudity before too) does not seem leering and exploitative in the context of her on-going conflict with the dog. And her sweet charm helps make the scene just embarrassing-funny.

By: cubiclecommando

cubiclecommando — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:41:40 +0000

Let's not forget the timeless classics, "madcap" and "hijinx."

By: Thorien

Thorien — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:22:10 +0000

Actually, the hilarity ensues when he takes her to meet his family. In Sitka. Alaaaaskaaaa.

I thought it was cute. Silly but enjoyable. And there was a cute puppy, probably courtesy of Betty White.

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:00:17 +0000

Ben, two words: Isaac Mizrahi.

By: Ben

Ben — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:51:35 +0000

"One real misstep in modern romantic comedies is to feature gay leading men. Sorta defeats the purpose… "

Um, you know Ryan Reynolds isn't gay, right? He's married to Scarlett Johansson — which I think makes him really, really not gay =)

By: kadaka

kadaka — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:52:09 +0000

I noticed when the commercials shifted to highlight Betty White a lot more. I did not think that was a good sign.

By: Koblog

Koblog — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:49:29 +0000

One real misstep in modern romantic comedies is to feature gay leading men. Sorta defeats the purpose…

I realize the old formula was "boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl" and today's is "boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets boy" but don't expect to do land office business with the boy/girl crowd.

By: tublecane

tublecane — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:49:06 +0000

To clarify, I meant crude, not crud. i do not consider "The Hangover" crud.

By the way, as regards "Bullock’s appeal has always been far from glamor or sensuality," sensuality? As in her nearly naked body (which had a certain justification plotwise, but which made no causal sense in the progression of events)? Oh, how wholesome.

By: tublecane

tublecane — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:43:24 +0000

"The Proposal" is marginally less crud than "The Hangover," but it wasn't squeaky clean.

Plus, it has an awful ending, an chemistry-free couple (though both leads turn in good enough performances), and completely ridiculous scenes involving Betty White chanting and a guy from the Office that pull the film down into the straight-to-DVD category, in my opinion. Lazy writing: shrewish boss, sex-obsessed old woman, doting mother, disappointed father.

By: Roger

Roger — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:51:07 +0000

A supposedly mean-spirited woman realizes why she is the way she is – she doesn't have the love of family in her life. And it happens in ALASKA. The message seems clear.