by Toni Pizanie
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Bridget Jones's Diary
Now showing at the Palace Theatre in Harahan with Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, this is a typical Hollywood love triangle set in and made in England. The film is predictable and entertaining. You'll see much more of Ms. Zellweger's "bums" than you may want to and you'll find yourself laughing out loud.
The side plots and action between a second triangle which includes Bridget's parents is also quite a hoot. The sound track which enhances your sensual pleasure is available on Mercury Records. The film is based on Helen Fielding's international best selling novel. One of Britain's sharpest wits, Richard Curtis, collaborated with his long time friend Fielding on the screen adaptation. Sharon Maguire directed this clever comedy.
But who is Bridget Jones? She is a 30-something, single, attractive woman living and working in London and in desperate need of someone to share the rest of her life with. It is a future that she finds impossible to obtain until.... Go see for it yourself.
There are a few Britishisms that you might need a guide to: arsehole: see wanker; bollocks: damnit; bugger off: a gentler way of saying f**k off; fancy: to have a crush on; fanny around: to waste time; jumper: sweater; knickers: ladies' panties; loo: bathroom; mini-break: three day weekend; oy: hey; poof: a Gay person; prat: one who tries to impress others; shag: have sex; sod off: go to hell; and wanker: see arsehole.
One Night at McCool's
Now playing at the Palace Theatre in Harahan, this unworkable story has a brilliant cast which makes its offenses and shortcomings all the more disappointing. The stars are Liv Tyler, Matt Dillon, John Goodman, Paul Reiser and Michael Douglas. Of this outstanding list of stars only Michael Douglas does his part justice. The screenplay by Stan Seidel isn't tight enough to keep the action consistent. Director Harald Zwart can't seem to get the best of his characters or a flow from scene to scene.
Still if you want a laugh, give it a try. One of my fellow reviewers said we should have been paid big bucks to sit through this film. I disagree. It didn't work well but it was a comic break from reality.
The story is set around the beautiful Liv Tyler who is trying too hard to be sexy when she doesn't have to and the four men who would do anything for her favors. She is a very bad girl with the appearance of an angel. She is able to con, fool, manipulate all but one and he leaves with the girl as the dust settles.
Shrek
This is a fairy tale that is beautifully made and able to entertain adults as well as young children. So go get your sister's kids or borrow the neighbor's children and have a fun time at the movies. The rating is PG so that tells you that many of the jokes are of an adult nature. The wonderful voices behind the characters are Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow. This irreverent comedy comes from the computer animation wizards at DreamWorks.
Based on the children's book by William Steig, the story is of an ornery ogre who goes on a quest to save a princess so that he can get his swamp cleared of the annoying fairy tale characters that have invaded his space. Who might be some of these invaders? Why, there is the big bad wolf, the three blind mice, three little pigs, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and many more all singing and dancing. The ogre is angry that his precious solitude is broken and the adventure begins.
Opening date is May 18. It is not necessary to bring a child with you. I didn't.
