"Beauty and the Briefcase"

So I just watched the new ABC Family original movie, "Beauty and the Briefcase" starring my girl, Hilary Duff! Yes, I'm a really big fan of Hilary, but I have to look past my obsession and critique this movie for what it is... a chick flick! Duff plays Lane Daniels, a fashion journalist who is working undercover to write an article about dating businessmen. I was confused by her portrayal of Lane, for I couldn't decide if she was ditsy or just desperate! To some she might come over as desperate since she has a list of characteristics that her "magic man" must have. However, the editor of "Cosmo" magazine loves the idea and gives Lane a chance to write a cover story. The catch being that Lane has to date men only in the workplace. At first the task seems easy because there are "so many men" in the business world. Unfortunately, the guy that has all of the characteristics on Lane's list isn't a businessman! Okay, so you see where this is going. Well maybe not! Just remember that things are not always as they seem. I definitely recommend this movie to women, especially women that like movies with shirtless men and sex talk! I guess the best part of the movie for me was the suspense of finding out which guy she would end up with. Oh, did I mention there's a twist or two! Sadly though, it was predictable that there would be a twist. Anyway, this movie is a fun chick flick and should satisfy most Hilary Duff fans. Although I would have to recommend that you check out her last movie, "According to Greta" before watching this one. She can act, I promise!

"Amish Grace"

I just finished watching the fantastic new Lifetime Movie Network TV movie, "Amish Grace." It's a film based on the true story of how a gunman took the lives of five Amish school girls in the peaceful Amish community of Nickel Mines. The movie stars Kimberly Williams-Paisley, who many will recognize from the "Father of the Bride" films. She plays Ida Graber, one of the Amish mothers who tragically loses her daughter in the unexpected schoolhouse shooting. Though her performance is strong,
Tammy Blanchard's portrayal of Amy Roberts' is truly the performance that stands out. She plays the wife of the gunman, Charles Roberts, and there is just enough grief and confusion in her face that sums up the whole character. My favorite aspects of the film were the reporters and how they handled the tragedy. The movie was actually adapted from a book, which was of course adapted from the true story that occurred only a few years ago. So why was such a good movie only made for television? In my opinion, a theatrical film would have focused on the wrong parts of the story. However, with this TV release, the focus was on the struggle of how the Amish community forgave Charles Roberts, despite the pain he caused and the sin he committed. It's definitely worth checking out if you like a good movie adaptation of a true story!

Our New Segment!

"Alice In Wonderland" Review

Unless you're familiar with the story of "Alice In Wonderland," Tim Burton's new rendition may get a little confusing. In this version, all the creatures of Wonderland, or should I say Underland, are trying to find a girl named Alice. Now we know that there has been an Alice who has visited "Underland" before, but we're not sure if the Alice the movie introduces us to is the one that all of the creatures are looking for. So to be certain, the creatures try to re-create everything that
happened to the real Alice. For example, she falls down the rabbit hole, she shrinks, she grows, and of course, she attends the tea party. So why do the creatures need Alice to return to

Underland? Well, to make a long story short, the Red Queen has taken over and the White Queen can't do anything about it! And since the Red Queen controls the Jabberwocky... I think I'll stop there. The movie's really not as complicated as I've made it sound, but I think it probably would have been better to have named the film "Return to Wonderland" or something. Aside from the fact that it's more of a sequel/continuation of true "Alice In Wonderland" story, I still really enjoyed it! There has been some controversy surrounding the whole dark tone of the film and how kids won't like it, but I really don't think kids are going to have a problem with the darkness of the movie. However it's probably going to be over a young child's head and there's not enough pre-teen humor for tweens and teens to really latch on! It's definitely a movie for mature audiences, and when I say that I don't mean it has inappropriate nonsense, but rather a more serious style that may not be what everyone is expecting! Johnny Depp returns for another eccentric role (the Mad Hatter) that he pulls off with ease! This was actually his 7th film with Tim Burton, I believe! Also joining Tim Burton again was Helena Bonham Carter, who played the Red Queen. Despite an over sized head, she delivered a very good performance! Starring in her first movie with Tim Burton was Anne Hathaway, and based on her performance it could possibly be her last film with Tim Burton! The performance that really stood out though was Mia Wasikowska's portrayal of Alice! I would say SEE this movie, but I'm taking into consideration that like most Tim Burton movies, this will only appeal to a certain audience, and it's not going to be every body's cup of tea I guess I should say. Oh, but be sure and SEE IT in 3-D!

Rental of the Week: Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, each weekend we'll present a special "Rental of the Week" that honors African American triumphs! This week we're recommending the 2007 musical re-make of "Hairspray"! The movie stars a number of well known actors and actresses including John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walker, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Queen Latifah, Brittany Snow, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley, Allison Janney, and the newcomer of the bunch - Nikki Blonsky! Nikki plays Tracy Turnblad, an overweight teenager living in Baltimore during the

1960s, who inspires to be a dancer on the local Corny Collins Show. She's got all the right moves, but she's not quite the right size according to the show's manager, Velma Von Tussle, played by Michelle Pfeiffer. Corny Collins, played by James Marsden, however, sees past Tracy's size and puts her on the show after an open audition. Her charisma not only impresses Corny, but also the show's heart throb, Link Larkin, played by Zac Efron. Not impressed is Link's girlfriend Amber, played by Brittany Snow, who happens to be Velma's daughter. Tracy loves being on the show, but she wishes that her black friends such as Seaweed, played by Elijah Kelley, could dance with her instead of just during the monthly "Negro Day" hosted by Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah). However, Tracy seems to be alone in her efforts to integrate the show. Before long though, Tracy has the

support of her parents - Edna (John Travolta) and Wilbur (Christopher Walken) - along with the support of her best friend Penny (Amanda Bynes)! Even Link comes around eventually! In the end, against Velma's wishes, Corny Collins declares the show officially and forever integrated! It's a really fun movie filled with tons of great music and lot's off great dancing! The movie became the highest grossing musical film when it was released back in 2007, but was over run by "Mama Mia" and "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" a year later!

2nd Annual Oscar Predictions

Whitt and Emmy return for Movie Mania's second annual Oscar Predictions as they predict who will win what at this year's Academy Awards!

Rental of the Week: Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, each weekend we'll present a special "Rental of the Week" that honors African American triumphs! This week we're recommending the movie "No More Baths"! I saw this back when I was in fourth grade when a copy of the film was sent to all the elementary schools in the county. I've tried my best to get my hands on a copy these past few weeks, but so far, no luck! Fortunately, the movie made a lasting impression and I remember it very well! It follows the story of a few kids who spend their free with the elderly man of the neighborhood, Jake, who is played by Jim Mapp. Most parents are fine with the kids hanging out on Jake's land and helping him with his garden. Others, however, are a little concerned, and unfortunately, it's because Jake is black! If I remember correctly, the parents who are uncomfortable with their kids being around Jake strike up a deal with a land developer who threatens to take Jake's land away from him. What the racist parents didn't see coming though, was a protest! Not just any protest though! When Jake is arrested and taken from his home, the neighborhood kids decide to protest the situation by no longer taking baths... hence the title, "No More Baths"! It's been a while since I've seen the movie, but I would love to see it again someday! So even though it may hard to find a copy the movie, do your best because it's definitely not one to miss out on!