Michelle Monaghan and Jake Gyllenhaal in Source Code.By John Thomason‘Tis the season for romantic science-fiction parables about attractive young men prohibited, through their stories’ elaborate conceits, from accessing the brunette beauties who are ready and willing to jump their bones.In Source Code, which opens wide Friday, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Monaghan … [Read more...]
Film review: ‘Due Date’ crude, but oddball bromance really works
Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis in Due Date.By John ThomasonIn Due Date, Robert Downey Jr. adds a heretofore-absent patina of acting credibility to the sophomoric cinema of Todd Phillips.He stars as Peter, a harried architect with anger management issues who, thanks to highly improbable conceit aboard an airplane, winds up on a no-fly list, sans wallet, … [Read more...]
Film feature: ‘Trucker’ star Monaghan found role refreshing
Actress Michelle Monaghan.By Hap ErsteinEye candy with a comic flair. That sums up most of the roles that 33-year-old, Winthrop, Iowa-born Michelle Monaghan has played (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Mission Impossible: 3, Eagle Eye) in her decade-long career. But Hollywood is going to look at her differently once Trucker, in which she play tough-talking, hard-drinking, stubborn big rig … [Read more...]
Film feature: Lauderdale fest shorter, but movie quality is high
Michelle Monaghan and Jimmy Bennett in Trucker.By Hap ErsteinNow in its 24th year, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival no longer talks about being the Guinness Book of World Records-sanctioned festival of longest duration.Cuts in state government arts funding, the dwindling of corporate donations and the economy in general makes this such a bad year that FLIFF is … [Read more...]