You've Got To Be Seriously Committed To Go To "Austenland"

Austenland (2013)

Rated PG-13

Starring Keri Russell, JJ Field, Bret McKenzie, Jennifer Coolidge, Georgia King, Jane Seymour

Written and Directed by Jerusha Hess

The Story:

Jane Hayes (Russell) is obsessed with Pride & Prejudice, and her romantic life is forever ruined because of Darcy.  Spending her entire savings, she goes on a trip to England where there is a resort run to make you feel like you are living in the time-period that Austen wrote about.  However, it is very real and soon the lines between what is real and what is fake are blurred for Jane as she is torn between two gentlemen (Field & McKenzie) and how she really feels about them.

Poor Jane cannot afford to be much more than a poor girl on her trip, but she is befriended by Ms. Charming (Coolidge) who has enough money to go around and really likes Jane.

Austenland is a clever idea, and I am surprised that there isn't something like this in existence.

And if there is something like this, I wouldn't be surprised in the least.

The costumes and scenery are top-notch, the movie just looks gorgeous.

Everyone does fine in the movie, but this one never really grabbed me enough to lock in and connect with anyone.

It was a good background movie, one that you can hear what is going on, and you're fine if you're looking down and checking your email or updating your Facebook status.

You aren't going to miss anything.

The same could be said if you never watch it at all.

: )

Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Cute, but once was fine.  The more you love Austen or Pride and Prejudice, your mileage could vary.

He Takes "Blind Dating" To A Whole New Level

Before he was Kirk...

The Story:

Danny (Chris Pine) has a problem.  He's blind.  But that's not really his problem.  His problem is he doesn't like being treated differently because he's blind, and tries very hard to overcome this by living his life as independently as possible.  His older brother Larry (Eddie Kaye Thomas) was his biggest tormenter as a child, but really loves his brother and wants to make sure he's okay.  Danny is longing for love, and Larry is trying to help, but every woman he meets just isn't clicking for some reason.  Then there is the receptionist, Leeza (Anjali Jay) who strikes up an unlikely friendship with Danny that begins to lead to love.  The only problem there?  She's engaged.  The other plot in the story involves Danny risking everything on an experimental surgery that might give him the ability to see, somewhat, if it is successful.

Chris Pine, before he became a star!

Since I didn't see much of him in his early acting days on tv, this would be one of his first starring roles. 

It's actually a pretty funny movie.  I don't know if this is what helped make him a star, but it certainly is nothing to be embarrassed about in his resume.

The movie itself is very grounded with Danny and his family.  I think that helped make it an even

The family is nervous when they discover Danny is looking into the risky surgery to restore his sight.  Again, the family bonds throughout the film, and they seem like they could actually be a real family by the way they behave around each other, unlike many movie families where if you put some thought into the characters, you start to doubt they could all be biologically related.  Not by the looks, but just by the interactions between them.  This family seemed genuine and real.

Also amusing is Jane Seymour as Danny's therapist who helps Danny on his quest to get his sight back.  Naturally, like all movie therapists, this doctor has a problem as well... : )

The final scenes with Danny trying to get to the restaurant to see Leeza (literally and figuratively) before it is too late are a bit heavy-handed getting there, but the speech at the restaurant makes up for that.

Funny and sweet, can't ask for much more than that from romantic comedies.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I would watch this one again.  Very cute movie.  Especially watching Danny hustle at a game of Horse.  : )
more enjoyable movie for me.  The brothers acted like brothers, and their relationship is lively and full of both love and sibling rivalry.