Cast: Drew Barrymore (Beverly Donofrio), Steve Zahn (Ray Hasek), Adam Garcia (Jason), Brittany Murphy (Fay Forrester), James Woods (Mr. Leonard Donofrio)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Riding in Cars with Boys page.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie about a single mother who feels her unplanned son (and his drug-addicted father) has interrupted her dreams of becoming a writer. Riding in Cars with Boys is beautifully told. The cast is amazing. The music is great, and the story is wonderful! The fact that Riding in Cars with Boys is based on a true story makes it even more touching and meaningful.
Granted, the real-life Beverly accomplished a lot more (master's degree in creative writing) than the film version (high school drop-out), but I think that the movie is wonderful and I highly recommend it! The relationship between Beverly and her son and the way he takes care of her is really moving. It's amazing how love (even when you think it may have hurt your life in some way) can shape a life. I highly recommend Riding in Cars with Boys!
Grade: A-
Labels: 2001, comedy, drama, Drew Barrymore, movie, Steve Zahn
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Steve Zahn (Fuller Thomas), Paul Walker (Lewis Thomas), Leelee Sobieski (Venna), Jessica Bowman (Charlotte)
For complete info, see IMDb's Joy Ride page.
Kids who play with a trucker on their CB radio end up needing to escape him when he turns out to be a killer. Since we saw this before it was finalized and they spent a lot of time retooling it, I was wondering if it would be any good. I enjoyed this thriller, though. It kept me on edge a lot more than I anticipated given what I knew about it going in and how long they'd been working on it. The cast was good and the comic moments were very well timed. If you like thrillers with a good comic spin, I think this is a good movie to rent. I really enjoyed it.
Grade: B
Labels: 2001, action, horror, movie, Paul Walker, Steve Zahn, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Ben Affleck (Ben Holmes), Sandra Bullock (Sarah Lewis), Maura Tierney (Bridget Cahill), Steve Zahn (Alan), Bylthe Danner (Virginia)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Forces of Nature page.
I'm not sure if this movie intrigued me most because at the time of its release I was going through marriage counseling and it was looking more and more like I'd get a divorce, but I really enjoyed it. The whole idea of outside forces controlling what happens is very interesting and I think Sandra Bullock and Ben Affleck worked together very well in Forces of Nature. I don't care what the critics say. I enjoyed the movie and would definitely recommend it!
Grade: B+
Labels: 1999, Ben Affleck, comedy, movie, romance, Sandra Bullock, Steve Zahn
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:20 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Tom Everett Scott (Guy Patterson), Liv Tyler (Faye Dolan), Johnathon Schaech (Jimmy Mattingly), Steve Zahn (Lenny Haise), Ethan Embry (T. B. Player), Tom Hanks (Mr. White)
For complete cast, see IMDb's That Thing You Do page.
A one-hit wonder from Pennsylvania finds a manager and tries to become the next biggest thing. This story written & directed by Tom Hanks is very good. It explores all the changes a band (and group of friends) face when they become an overnight sensation. That Thing You Do shows that Tom Hanks is very talented behind the camera (and before the cameras start rolling) as he is in front of the camera. The movie is fun, funny, touching, and just a great story.
Grade: B
Labels: 1996, comedy, drama, Liv Tyler, movie, musical, Steve Zahn, Tom Hanks
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:50 PM show | 0 screams