Movie Review: Leatherheads - Starring George Clooney, Renée Zellweger & John Krasinski
Released: April 4th, 2008
Runtime: 1 hr. 54 min.
Ticket Price: $9.50
Refreshments: Red Vines
Starring: George Clooney, Renée Zellweger, John Krasinski & Stephen Root
Director: George Clooney
Rating: Worth a Full Price Ticket
Synopsis: It is 1925 and a charming football hero wants to take his team from fighting in bars to playing before large stadium crowds. But, the league is on the verge of collapse and the team has lost its sponsor. So, it is up to him to save the day. He sets out to recruit a college football star to play for them, thus getting the recognition his sport deserves. The new golden boy seems to be too good to be true and a local journalist sets out to show that is exactly the case. While she digs into his story, he and his teammate that recruited him vie for her affections.
Review: It is always nice to leave the movies being pleasantly surprised, as was the case with Leatherheads. After watching the commercials and trailers, the movie looked kind of cheesy. While trailers usually make movies look better than they are, it turned out not to be the case here, as it was completely the other way around. Leatherheads is much better than you might be led to believe.
George Clooney (Michael Clayton, Ocean’s Eleven), as director, has put together a thoroughly enjoyable film, from opening with the vintage Universal Pictures logo to the classic riding off into the sunset type ending. As actor, he is so versatile, in this he just looks like a guy from the 1920s.
What made the movie for me was the interaction between Clooney and co-star Renée Zellweger (Cinderella Man, Bridget Jone’s Diary). The back-and-forth banter was reminiscent of classic screwball romcoms from the 1930s and 40s, something in the vein of a His Girl Friday
Another things was the score and music put together by Randy Newman
There are many scenes that will make you laugh out loud. Not smile or chuckle, laugh out loud. It has been a while since I have been to a movie where so many seemed to be having a good time. I overheard many leaving the theater rating it as an A, as a small survey had passed out to moviegoers on their way in.
Overall, Leatherheads is well worth seeing, even at full price. It is the funniest movie I have seen so far this year and hopefully points to better things ahead, cause an end to the this period of mostly garbage that has filled theaters since the year began is long over due.
Well, let us know what you thought of Leatherheads.
What New Movies Come Out on Friday, April 4th?
Still haven’t got caught up on reviews and it is already time to choose another new movie to go see. This week, there are five new movies hitting the big screen this week. Four are opening everywhere and one is in limited release.
Opening Nationwide on Friday, April 4th:
Movie: Leatherheads (PG-13) (Read Review)
Starring: George Clooney, Renée Zellweger, John Krasinski & Stephen Root
Genre: Romantic Sports Comedy
Synopsis: It is 1925 and a charming football hero wants to take his team from fighting in bars to playing before large stadium crowds. But, the league is on the verge of collapse and the team has lost its sponsor. So, it is up to him to save the day. He sets out to recruit a college football star to play for them, thus getting the recognition his sport deserves. The new golden boy seems to be too good to be true and a local journalist sets out to show that is exactly the case. While she digs into his story, he and his teammate that recruited him vie for her affections.
First Thoughts: It doesn’t make me want to rush to the theater, but it looks like the best option of the weekend. So, this is probably what I will be seeing.
Movie: Nim’s Island (PG)
Starring: Jodie Foster, Abigail Breslin & Gerard Butler
Genre: Family Adventure
Synopsis: It turns out that anything can happen on the magical island that is ruled by the imagination of a young girl. The place mirrors what is found in the girl’s favorite literary work featuring the character of Alex Rover. Yet, the author of the Rover books leads the life of a recluse that never ventures out into the big city where she lives. When the girl’s father goes missing on the island, a bizarre state of happenstance brings the two together on the island. They must work together and get strength for the fictional Rover character to conquer the island and find the girl’s father.
First Thoughts: Might be fun for parents with young kids, but holds no interest here.
Movie: The Ruins (R)
Starring: Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramsey & Joe Anderson
Genre: Horror
Synopsis: A group of friends looking to find some ancient Mayan ruins on the last days of their vacation end up in a fight for their life after stumbling into the place, while looking to have some fun.
First Thoughts: Really, couldn’t interest me less.
Movie: Shine a Light (PG-13)
Starring: Rolling Stones
Genre: Concert
Synopsis: The Stones sing their hits in front of a crowd that include Bill and Hillary Clinton, in 2006, at the historic Beacon Theater.
First Thoughts: Also available in IMAX Experience.
Movie in Limited Release:
- Meet Bill – A romantic comedy starring Logan Lerman, Aaron Eckhart, Jessica Alba, Amanda Peet, Elizabeth Banks and Timothy Olyphant about a man that becomes a mentor to a troubled teen after his life hit bottom.
For New Movie Friday there are four new movies to choose from this week. They are Leatherheads, Nim’s Island, The Ruins and Shine a Light. What new movie looks good to you this week?
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