"PEOPLE LIKE US" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from People Like Us

Upon receiving news of his Father's death, Sam (Chris Pine) makes a rare visit home to see his Mother Lillian (Michelle Pfeiffer). Shocked to learn that he must deliver an inheritance of $150,000 to a long-lost Sister he never knew he had in Frankie (Elizabeth Banks) and her Son Josh (Michael Hall D'Addario).  Not knowing his true identity or reason for surfacing, he becomes an integral part of their lives. Meanwhile, internally Sam is coping with the death of his distant Father and also facing fraud allegations at work.  At the same time, he must deal with his Girlfriend Hannah (Olivia Wilde) whose patience is wearing thin with him as a darker side of him is revealed.  We wonder through all of this what will become of Sam and his Friendship with Frankie and Josh when he reveals the truth to them.

Although primarily a Producer, Alex Kurtzman more than ably steps-up to the challenge of directing his first Feature here - a rare Family-oriented Drama geared more towards Adults in an especially crowded Field of Blockbusters at the Box Office.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that Kurtzman has a superb Ensemble Cast to work with here and other than a few lags in pacing, due more to a few thick and substantial Subplots, everything ties up beautifully in what should be a rewarding experience for Moviegoers.

Pine finally gets an opportunity to shine in a Leading Role which doesn't require action sequences of him and he proves that he has what it takes to stand alongside the likable Matt Damons of Hollywood.  Banks must be given credit for veering away from the comedic mold with some of her more recent choices including this, where we see her fully embodying what it means to be a hungry Single Mom with a hardened heart. Pfeiffer as always is a pleasure to watch, giving a v. humanistic portrayal of suppressed disappointment and silent anger.

Although the tears might not come until late, be warned that you should be armed with some Napkins from the Concessions Stand.  DreamWorks Pictures releases People Like Us on June 29, 2012.

"THIS MEANS WAR" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from This Means War

It's completely over-the-top, but if it's gotta be done, this is exactly how it should be. Director McG (Terminator Salvation, Charlie's Angels) is back with Vancouver-filmed This Means War, pitting two Best Friends Tuck (Tom Hardy) and FDR (Chris Pine) - who happen also to be Spies - up against one another. Both experts in executing dangerous missions, they perhaps are up against their toughest assignment yet: winning the heart of the same Girl they happen to be dating in Lauren (Reese Witherspoon). Meanwhile, we learn that the dangerous Heinrich (Til Schweiger) is hot on their trails. Will Tuck and FDR self-destruct with their attentions focused on their own interests?  Who will win Lauren's heart?

There are plenty of reasons to like This Means War.  First of all, it doesn't hurt that your Principal Trio are extremely attractive, but truly the chemistry in this Love Triangle actually is believable, regardless how absurd the Movie's premise is.  All extremes are reached by both Tuck and FDR to woo Lauren including Aerial Gymnastics, a violent derivative of Paintball, Dog Adoption, Sade and more.  Really, what Girl wouldn't die to be in the shoes of Witherspoon's Lauren?  By the end of it all, we still don't know whom she should choose as her Lover with both Suitors on equal footing, fighting tooth and nail to the finish line.

The emphasis on the Love Triangle however, comes at the expense of a sparse Subplot which should see both Heroes lives in danger, but there lacks a feeling of real threat from Heinrich.  In addition to catering the the Ladies, McG fully is aware of his audience, winning the hearts of his Male audience too with a few powerful punches thrown-in for good measure and some edge-of-your-seat car chases; never a dull moment. Genuinely, the Film is in on its own jokes and the laughs indeed are plentiful. Both Pine and Comedienne Chelsea Handler will benefit most from their spot-on work here.  One can expect big things of This Means War, in theatres February 17, 2012 via 20th Century Fox Films Canada.

"THIS MEANS WAR" RELEASE DELAYED TO FEBRUARY 17, 2012

Still from This Means War

20th Century Fox is now pushing-back its releasefor This Means War from Valentines's Day to February 17, 2012. Filmed in Vancouver last year, the Romantic Action/Comedy starring Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon (just cast in Atom Egoyan's latest Devil's Knot) and Chelsea Handler pits two Best Friends and CIA Operatives against one another when it comes to one Woman they both can't resist.  Laughs, Guns, Hotties.  Oh, yeah.

This Means War however, won't be the only Canadian-filmed Movie to hit theatres around Valentine's Day.  Just a few days ahead of its release, Toronto-made Tearjerker The Vow starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams will be hitting theatres on February 10th and it is said that this crowding has played a strong part in the decision to alter the release date this late in the game. 

Watch the Trailer in full below:

Remember to "like" 20th Century Fox Films Canada on Facebook!

It's still not too late to score a Double Pass to see This Means War next week in Toronto. Do it here.

(Photo credit: 20th Century Fox)

ENTER TO WIN TORONTO ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE "THIS MEANS WAR" & "STAR WARS EPISODE 1 - THE PHANTOM MENACE 3-D"

Official Artwork for This Means War & Star Wars Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace 3-D

20th Century Fox Films Canada & Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven are thrilled to offer Readers a chance to attend two exciting Advance Screenings in Toronto!

Star Wars Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace 3-D hits theatres on February 10, 2012, giving you a chance to see a new, enhanced take on George Lucas' 1999 Box Office smash starring Natalie Portman, Liam Neeson, Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor. For the first time ever, audiences around the World can experience Star Wars as never before, in 3-D. The epic Saga has captivated millions with exotic worlds, iconic characters and unforgettable action, and now fans share the theatrical phenomenon with a new generation.

Click here to watch the Trailer in full.

The Screening for Star Wars Episode 1 - 3-D takes place on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at Scotiabank Theatre - 7:30 PM.

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One of the most eagerly-awaited Action-Comedies to come in quite some time is Director McG's This Means War, in theatres Valentine's Day. Boasting an all-star Cast which includes Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy, we see the World's deadliest CIA operatives are inseparable partners and best friends until they fall for the same woman. Having once helped bring down entire enemy nations, they are now employing their incomparable skills and an endless array of high-tech gadgetry against their greatest nemesis ever - each other.

THANK YOU, CHRIS PINE.

Chris Pine

Uh, yeah way!  THE Chris Pine, known for his breakout performance in Star Trek and Unstoppable, is currently in Vancouver filming This Means War alongside Tom Hardy and Reese Witherspoon. Somewhere between filming breaks, the devastatingly handsome Actor mailed me this beautiful signed Photo, which I just received today!   Amazingly nice and needless to say, I'm touched.

Pine can be seen next in the Comedy Ten Year alongside an ultra-hot Cast of Kate Mara, Anna Faris, Channing Tatum and John Krasinski.

*gush*

CHRIS PINE COVERS NOVEMBER ISSUE OF DETAILS

Chris Pine covers November issue of Details

Hi, Eyes down here, please.  Thanks. 

While our friends out in Vancouver I'm sure are enjoying the sunshine that Chris Pine is bringing to their City right now filming McG's This Means War, the Star Trek star covers November's issue of Details.  The actor will be there filming until early December along with co-stars Reese Witherspoon and Tom Hardy.  

The strapping Actor who turned 30 at the end of August told Details' Howie Kahn: "I've been thinking a lot about mortality. A lot about what I'm going to do with my life and how to enjoy it. One of the things I'm going to work on is being more spontaneous, letting go, embracing the beauty of come-what-may."  The interview can be read here.

You must check out the photos from Matthias Vriens-McGrath, clearly who understands what Women and Gay Men want to see.  JustJared also posted a rather "telling" photo which was an Outtake from the shoot which you must see here.

(Photo credit: Matthias Vriens-McGrath)

TOM HARDY, REESE WITHERSPOON AND CHRIS PINE IN VANCOUVER FILMING THIS MEANS WAR

Tom Hardy out doing groceries in Vancouver

Our friends in Vancouver are so lucky! Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy are on the beautiful West Coast filming their latest project titled This Means War from Director McG who brought us smash hits like Charlie's Angels and its sequel, plus Terminator Salvation. The Action/Comedy is about two childhood BFFs who happen to fall in love with the same woman Lauren (Witherspoon), and apparently the film will feature some epic fighting.

The trio will be in Vancouver until the beginning of December. The title is co-production by a quiet of late Will Smith and Witherspoon. Seen above is hotter-than-ever Hardy out and about after doing some groceries at MarketPlace IGA.  Hey - we used to have those in Toronto!

JustJared has even more photos of the actors on-set.  Check them out here.

(Photo credit: Bauer Griffin Online)