Leatherheads

-by Kim Yonick

"Leatherheads" brings the 1920's to the motion picture as college football goes pro.

"Leatherheads" is a romantic comedy taking place during the 1920's. It follows the storyline of a football team that loses their sponsor. The players are left to find employment in factories and mines to make a living. While Jimmy "Dodge" Connolly is looking for employment, he overhears that money is flowing in football and convinces Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski), a college football player, to play pro. Both Rutherford and Connolly run into Lexi Littleton (Renée Zellweger), a journalist working for a Chicago newspaper. As the plot thickens the character's hidden secrets are brought out, making the audience have a change of heart.

The cast was an even mix. George Clooney and Renée Zellweger brought top names to the film and they were hilarious on screen together. As for John Krasinski his character was very similar to his character on the office. The cast flowed and got along on screen.

However, cutscenes in the movie was a little off. It seemed a little out of place and didn't flow with the rest of the movie. Also some scenes came off as staged and seemed shot in a studio. As for color filters, the 1920's never looked better.

George Clooney didn't put a lot of effort in this movie it seemed. Although this is only the third movie he has directed, "Good Night and Good Luck" seemed to have more effort and direction. This movie was a different direction from his others because it followed the format of a romantic comedy.

This movie is recommended for anyone who follows old style movies and loves a good romantic comedy.

The Happening

-by Kim Yonick

Another M. Night Shyamalan movie to keep you guessing and wondering when he's going to make his cameo appearance.

"The Happening" pulls the viewers through a wild and crazy ride of a large-scale crisis that is causing humanity to become disoriented and commit suicide. The plot follows one family, Elliott Moore (Mark Wahlberg), Alma Moore (Zooey Deschanel) and Jess (Ashlyn Sanchez) as they use different tactics in order to stay alive. The plot twists and turns and keeps you guessing.

The cast had some major stars in the mix with some newer unknown stars. Mark Wahlberg and John Leguizamo were perfectly matched with Zooey Deschanel and Ashlyn Sanchez. Together these actors kept the movie suspenseful and mind boggling.

Shyamalan has directed and written all of his movies. This falls in the normal pattern of all his movies keeping the audience confused and on their toes looking for clues. Some of his other famous movies include "The Sixth Sense," "Signs," "Lady in the Water" and "The Village." By watching his movies you can see many techniques from other directors such as Hitchcock and sometimes even Stephen King.

This movie is recommended for those who are fans of Shyamalan or love a good plot twist.