Trav & SHE ain’t all about ‘All About Steve’

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The Trav & SHE movie of the week: All About Steve
“Julie and Julia” is playing at the Malco Cinema 12 and the Carmike 14 in Fort Smith, and the Malco in Van Buren. Link here for ticket info and show times.

SHE: “All About Steve” was a movie that I was looking forward to seeing, after watching the trailer. I thought since it’s from the producer of “2 Weeks Notice” and “Miss Congeniality,” the film would be a nice little end of the summer respite. I’m a fan of Sandra Bullock. She had a strong showing this summer with “The Proposal.” Sandra’s a girl’s girl — strong, smart, funny, beautiful, and someone all of us want to be friends with.  Of course, I wanted a second look because I’ve heard a rumor that someone named Michael with the last-name-rhymes-with-silly has a “secret crush” on Ms. Bullock. Let’s view the film …

TRAV: Like Steph, I’m a fan of Sandra Bullock. However, the trailer and the success of "The Proposal" did not make me want to see this movie. There were a few selling points for me other than Bullock. Knowing Bradley Cooper and Ken Jeong from "The Hangover" were in this made me feel better about our pick. I was hopeful they could bring over some of their "Hangover" humor for "All About Steve."

SHE: I was thrown off right away by the opening song. I can’t tell you what it was – that’s Trav’s job. But, all I thought was, “Really? How many movies have opened with this song?” But Sandra Bullock pulls me back in. She plays Mary Magdalene Horowitz, a crossword puzzle constructor in Sacramento. Mary Horowitz is odd. You may think, well sure, a Catholic Jewish crossword puzzle constructor who wears red patent chunk heel knee high boots every day in Sacramento weather? She’s going to be a little peculiar. Indeed, those traits merely primed us for the true Tom Selleck poster in the bedroom, cassette tape collecting, talks to hamster named Carol, flies her Black Power poster, incessant trivia reciting Mary Horowitz.

Trav: The movie kicks off introducing us to Bullock’s Mary Horowitz with Nikka Costa’s Everybody Got Their Something bumping in the background. We learn of Horowitz’s quirkiness via her wardrobe, her red boots, her one sided conversations with a hamster, and her incessant, sans filter rambling. At one point in the opening, Mary’s boss suggests she "just be normal," to which Mary takes notes. I would say this character reminds me of SHE, but SHE would never wear those boots.

SHE: You’re so right Trav, I would never wear those boots — chunky heel is very late 90’s. However, I have been known to make notes to myself, “be normal,” “don’t say out loud what you really think,” “just smile and walk on,” and “try not to cut a bitch today.” Sorry, I got distracted. Back to Mary, she’s somewhat loveable in her smart as heck, socially retarded way. What saves the film is the strong showing made by Thomas Haden Church, Bradley Cooper and Ken Jeong.

Trav: Cooper is starting to become one of my favorite actors for "popcorn" movies. After a quick search, I learned that I’ve seen every movie with Jeong this summer. Unfortunately they just didn’t deliver the laughs I was expecting. Thomas Hayden Church as Hartman, the over-the-top news reporter clamoring for an anchor job, is funny in a goofy way, but it works for this movie.

SHE: Cooper plays Mary’s love interest Steve, and he’s a cutie. Is he funny? Not so much. He had me referring to my note, “try not to cut a bitch today.” Perhaps, that was his purpose — to make Mary more tolerable? Who knows? But, I was a happy girl when I saw Ken Jeong. He’s a great actor who never disappoints, and he didn’t here. Thomas Haden Church’s Hartman character was a little cartoonish and stereotypical but he finessed it with charm. Overall, I think the actors did a great job with what they had to work with.

Trav: I was so happy this was only 98 minutes long. There were some funny moments, but in the end the lame story and Bullock’s portrayal of the quirky Mary had me anticipating the rolling of the credits. I wonder if I was the only guy in the theater wishing Mary would just shut-up?

SHE: The movie was entertaining. Was it great? No. Was it good? Meh. I laughed a few times. I was relieved with the ending, and that it ended. I took in my requisite 5 snacks and was thankful there was no buffet. I walked out with a box of Raisinets and half a package of Shock Tarts. “All About Steve” gets 1.5 snacks out of 5. Watch it on cable TV or rent it with some friends and make a drinking game out of it.

Trav: I tried to like this movie but I did not. I found Bullock’s character to be nerve-grinding and the storyline was a goofy. I wouldn’t recommend a trip to the theater for "All About Steve." Pick it up at the rental counter if you must see it, I’m sure it’ll be there soon. I’m all about skipping "All About Steve." This gets all of a 2 out of 5 from me.

PREVIEWS
• Capitalism: A Love Story (Oct. 2)
SHE: This is an extended trailer to the newest Michael Moore documentary. Previously, all that had been shown was, as I recall, some type of ominous big brother warning on the movie screen by Michael Moore. Whatever it was, I wasn’t interested. If I need ominous warnings and threats, I’ll go to work. The trailer looked promising in Moore’s somewhat slanted ambush give-it-to-the-Man tactics. But, hey – I’m all about that!

Trav: Michael Moore annoys me, but a documentary about the 2009 Bailout where he gets up in the grill of big banks and insurance companies has my attention.

• Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (Nov. 12)
SHE: At the beginning of the trailer, we’re informed this movie is presented by Oprah and Tyler Perry. Sorry, kids but that’s a big red flag for me. The tagline for the film is, "Life is hard. Life is short. Life is painful. Life is rich. Life is … Precious.” Sure, it won the 2009 Sundance Audience Award, Grand Jury Prize, and Special Jury Prize. But, after the trailer, I was worn out. I felt like I had just spent 3 days with 12 adolescent girls and their menopausal mothers who went off their meds. And we had nothing to do but watch Lifetime movies. Do. Not. Want.

Trav: Do. Not. Want. I can sit through cutesy and quirky indie flicks, but I draw the line at depressing.

• Amelia (Oct. 23)
SHE: I slept through this trailer. Please don’t come and take my feminist card. If you do, I’ll have to stab you with my stiletto. Hilary may be nominated for an Oscar but it will be as her portrayal as Katherine Hepburn, playing Amelia.

Trav: Yawn. I have no interest seeing Hilary Swank as aviatrix Amelia Earhart with Richard Gere as her husband. I’m sure the Oscar buzz will be all over this, but that doesn’t make me want to see it.

• Whip It (Oct. 2)
SHE: After this trailer was over, I was ready to ditch the main feature, find myself some roller skates and work on my southern twang. This is Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut, featuring Ellen Page, Kristen Wiig, Juliette Lewis, Marcia Gay Harden, Eve, and Jimmy Fallon. So excited!

Trav: Hmmmm … it’s a movie about a young girl from Texas and her love for all things roller derby. And by the way, it’s produced by, directed by, and stars Drew Barrymore.  Meh …

Feedback
Trav can can be reached at [email protected]

SHE can be reached at [email protected]