One for the Money

I was invited to go see a midnight screening of One for the Money by a friend for free, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I wanted to see it anyway, but not having to dish out $12 for a ticket was icing on the cake and probably is affecting my opinion on the movie because I actually enjoyed it. 

That said, One for the Money, an adaption of Janet Evanovich's book of the same name, stars Katherine Heigl (Life as We Know It) as an inexperienced bail-bondsman and Jason O'Mara (Terra Nova) as the wanted cop from her romantic past she is chasing. It is a light and enjoyable movie, though often cliche'd at times, that combines a decent amount of comedy and crime-solving. 

The highlights of the movie weren't actually the story or the stars, which for me weren't unbearable, but the wacky side-characters that Heigl interacts with. Debbie Reynolds shines as Plum's eccentric grandmother, especially during a scene at the family dinner table where she plays with her granddaughter's gun. Sherri Shepard and Ryan Michelle Bathe are fantastic as Lula and Jackie, respectively, a pair of criminal informant prostitutes. They definitely stole the show for me. I only wish the movie featured them more. 

One for the Money is definitely not a critic's movie, so if you are looking for a potential award winner, look elsewhere. I know my tastes can be questionable at times, but this movie is definitely a guilty pleasure, and nothing more than that. If you can get past Heigl's weak attempt at a Jersey accent ("Why you messin' with my tasty cakes!"), this movie can be worth checking out -- but only if you know what to expect.

(more like a 2.5/5 but i'm feeling generous.)

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The Devil Inside

Well... I don't have much to say about this movie. I initially had high expectations for the film. For starters, it actually looked creepy. The trailer editors did their job well, evidenced by the fact that the movie brought in $34.5 million dollars opening weekend, becoming the third highest premiere ever for the month. I wasn't entirely disappointed by the movie (despite it's stinker of an ending), but it never lived up to it's potential. We are way overdue for a hit paranormal horror movie. I don't know if The Devil Inside could have ever been it, but it definitely missed an opportunity.

The Devil Inside is the documentary-style telling of a daughter, Isabella Rossi, seeking the truth behind the night her mother, Maria Rossi, murdered three people. Her investigation leads her to Rome where her mother has been institutionalized for the last twenty years. Isabella takes matters into her own hands and recruits two rogue priests to determine whether or not her mother is mentally ill, or demonically possessed. They were never prepared for what they found.

The documentary style of the film unfortunately drags the film. The scares are few and far between, most of which can be found wonderfully edited in the trailer. While some of the clicking noises and screams were chill-inducing, they weren't exactly frightening. Honestly, the only scare I got from the movie was when a large dog unexpectedly jumps up and barks while the characters are walking down the street. The entire theater jolted and we all laughed about it afterwards, and that is the kind of scare I enjoy - the kind you don't expect, the kind that the entire theater bonds over. At least I knew what I was getting into, so I wasn't completely let down.

Bottom-line: Just watch the trailer and save your $10, or catch it at home when it eventually shows up on Netfilx or Redbox. 

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