Life or Something Like It

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Here's another movie where if you've seen the preview, you've pretty much seen the movie. All of the major plot twists are revealed and leave no surprises. The only thing not told is the ending, which is pretty predictable in itself. The opening scene tries to throw the viewer a curveball by showing Jolie on a gurney, apparently dying. Any intelligent viewer should know that she is not actually going to be killed off. Angelina Jolie ("Tomb Raider") is charming in this film, but cannot hold it up completely. It might come off as "uplifting" and "inspirational" to a younger or more impressionable viewer, but just comes off as contrived and silly to anyone who can see through it. Not to say that this movie is unwatchable. It's actually kind of fun, just not very smart. There were plenty of laughs and the characters are interesting enough to keep you (for the most part) interested. Edward Burns ("Sidewalks of New York") and Tony Shalhoub ("13 Ghosts") give solid performances, although Burns is beginning to look a little one-sided. Director Stephen Herek ("Rock Star") keeps the film at a fairly brisk hour and forty minutes, but somehow it seems that there were plenty of scenes that could've been taken out and replaced with ones that would fill the plot holes. I suppose inconsistency could be expected from the writer of "Joe Somebody" (John Scott Shepherd), though. The viewer is supposed to suspend disbelief on this one and not take it too seriously. The message is the main point, but "live life to the fullest" isn't necessarily something that needs repeating. This one would serve as a good rental or a mindless and safe date movie. Other than that, don't expect a challenging or exceptional film here. Check out the trailer first. What you see is exactly what you'll get. Skip it if you've seen enough.

source: Life or Something Like It

"Life or Something Like It" is a romantic comedy that wants to be a drama about reevaluating one's life circumstances. It was a movie with a lot of very good actors in it, particularly Angelina Jolie, Ed Burns, and Tony Shaloub. However, in the end, it wasn't as original as it could have been, and its message is far from unique. If I had a nickel for every time a movie used the hackneyed phrase, "Live life to its fullest", I would probably never have to shell out my last ten dollars to see a movie at the movie theater again. For those reasons, the movie was really just okay to me; not great. Angelina Jolie stars as Lanie Kerrigan, a young ambitious TV reporter who is already well-recognized and credible in her local Seattle network affiliate. Her ambition is to be a reporter on the "Today Show"-like network morning news show "AM USA". When she gets the opportunity to audition for the show, a street psychic (the great Tony Shaloub) "prophesizes" her death effective seven days from the day she asked. Admittedly, it is nice to see Jolie in a role that doesn't involve her being a tough-as-nails action hero or a sex kitten. Also, she had some good parts in this movie that were a bit heartfelt, such as when she reflects on her rebellious childhood, or reconnects with her blue-collar father. However, as good an actress as Jolie truly is, my guess is that she must not have done much research for her role. Why? Because she is completely unconvincing as a TV reporter. When asking questions (particularly in her last interview), she practically whispered her questions, which is something TV reporters (at least good ones) should not and do not do. Jolie probably should have studied Katie Couric or Meredith Viera, and she wouldn't even have to leave her trailer to do it either. Her romance with Ed Burns' character was also really hokey, not to mention predictable. He's a good looking guy, and they fight constantly in the beginning of the movie. Such a setup is so overdone (even dating as far back as Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing") and so unoriginal that I was not surprised at all when their romantic scene came up. It surprised me too, because Burns is not only one of the more likable lead actors in the history of romantic comedies, but he has also starred in, written, and directed some of the most original romantic comedies ever ("The Brothers McMullan", "She's The One"). Burns is still likable in his role, but this romantic subplot is so cliché that it really ruins the film. The plot involving Jolie trying to deny or avoid death was also completely unbelievable, particularly towards the end. First, without ruining anything, Jolie's character realization of her fate in the very end seemed a bit contrived given her circumstances. Second, I didn't really get involved with her character enough to care if she died in the end. I guess the character wasn't developed enough, or the plot was too flimsy and archaic. I can't decide which. This movie was certainly not terrible, and it had its moments. For the most part, though, there were too many scenes in this movie that went beyond the laws of common sense that it was just too unbelievable. Other scenes, if not unbelievable, were just too predictable. If the movie had decided to just be a movie about a successful woman's pre-midlife crisis based on false prophecy, and not a romantic comedy in "Deep Thoughts" clothing, it probably would have gone on to more accolades. Instead, it's just marginally good. I can't give it a stronger recommendation than that.

In a fit of desperation to watch something other than something that was in my own personal DVD collection, I found that this film was just starting on HBO so I figured, in a fit of solicitude that I would give it a shot. Again, I let myself wander into the bad movie trap. The only thing that made me decide to even try this film is that it had a reasonable cast: Angelina Jolie – yes, she has had some sub-par films lately, but she does have the ability to act. Edward Burns – a mediocre actor and filmmaker but not hard on the eyes at least, and Tony Shalhoub – a brilliant character actor. What I didn't realize is that this Olympic podium of actors, (gold, silver & bronze – get it?) would be ignorant or desperate enough to be in such a stupid film. Jolie plays an ambitious and vaguely bubble-headed Seattle television reporter who, while taping a fluff piece with her nemesis of a camera man (Ed Burns) she is told by a homeless `prophet' (Shalhoub) that she has a week to live. *Possible Spoiler Alert* Let the mayhem ensue. Of course she at first goes through denial and skepticism, and then she goes through the obligatory `I don't care so I'm going to do the worst things ever to myself' which pretty much boils down to eating a pizza and wearing her glasses instead of contacts. We are supposed to believe that she is deep because we find out that she wasn't always ultra-glamorous, and that now that she doesn't care what happens to her, she has now changed and cool because she walks around in a black Suicidal Tendencies t-shirt. Along the way she realizes things about her life that should be changed (we should all be so lucky to be counseled by a fake homeless guy in order to sort out our lives) and breaks and mends various relationships in her life. While we do learn the answer to a question that plagues us all, that Angelina Jolie should never have platinum blonde hair, I think the most disappointing thing about this film is that it had the potential to be decent and fell so short that it borders on offensive. --Shelly

Can anyone believe how bad this movie is? I mean this is bad movie-making at its best. The acting is terrible - nothing new to Jolie though - the story is a variation of a thousand other similar concepts and sucks more than most others do and it is all-in-all crap. I really try, over and over, to see why someone decided to turn Angelina Jolie into a star but always fail. She looks terrible, acts terrible and has never been in a decent movie. Why did I watch this movie, I shall never know. Oh well, just take my word for it, if you ever come across this movie, make that extra effort to avoid it. It's movies like these that make you wonder about the caliber of the people working in the industry. I mean can it really be that hard to get a job in Hollywood?

The movie feels totally pointless because of the reason that never ever gets developed well in the movie. Her relation with the baseball player, the relationship between the two sisters and their father, the story of the Edward Burns' character and his son...everything is so heavily underdeveloped. It's the reason why the movie makes a totally redundant- and also leaves an unsatisfying impression. And if this is a comedy than were is the humor? For a comedy this movie surely has an awful few laughs in it. Basically in essence the Tony Shalhoub character is the only one that shows comedy potential but his character gets hardly used in the movie. There aren't really any comical moments or situations in the movie, though the movie still has a good pleasant and light overall atmosphere. The cast and acting in the movie is good, so the movie is obviously a waste of the talent involved. Angelina Jolie shows how a great actress she is, even with platinum blond hair. Nevertheless it's a real shame that her character and the Edward Burns have no chemistry at all. Come to think of it, none of the characters in this movie really have any chemistry with each other. So it's a good cast, that was just wrongfully cast and put together in this movie. Not sure what the movie tries to achieve; if it wants to parody anything, or if it wants to bring over a message about morals and life (probably the latter one). Anyway, fact is that the movie simply does not work out due to some bad storytelling and development and the characters that share absolutely no chemistry. Stephen Herek has never been known as a brilliant director but he has always made some decent movies, such as "101 Dalmatians", "The Three Musketeers" and "Mr. Holland's Opus". This movie is however an huge miss from him. Really can't think of any reason why anyone should ever watch this movie. 4/10 http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Rating 7. I just rented this film on DVD because I figured that with a Jolie / Burns duo how could it be that bad. Just as I suspected, it's not that bad, not an instant classic but, not thaaat bad, not as bad as other critics make it sound. It was a cute film that could be lauded just for the attempt to inpire, many films these days don't even attempt inspiration let alone deliver it. This film was well written, well acted, well directed. Many "film" critics didn't like this film. They are probably just jealous because that haven't ever written and sold and seen made anything ever, and they can't stand that Burns an accomplished writer gets to make out with Jolie. Yes this is a fluffy feel good movie, and in many areas implausible but it by no means sucks. I think the critics of this movie have been watching too much "reality TV", suspend your disbelief a little (ok maybe a lot) and this film and it's not so bad. This is a good film to recommend to your parents who live in Florida.