"Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day"

... light-hearted comedy with Frances McDormand and Amy Adams.  Frances is Miss Pettigrew, a down on her luck governess.  Amy Adams is Delysia Lafosse, a singer-actress using her "skills" to win a part in an upcoming movie by a famed producer.  While doing so, Delysia is juggling other men like Nick, a nightclub owner, and Michael, her piano player who really loves her!  Miss Pettigrew somehow lands a job as Delysia's social secretary to make sure Delysia gets the part. Over 24 hours, Miss Pettigrew is also called on to help an unfaithful fashion editor patch things up with her boyfriend, a lingerie designer.

 

Funny moments and a safe first date movie.  But, would not put it on the list as a first choice when picking out a movie with your "potential significant other"!  Go pick a romantic comedy, better yet a tear jerker.

"Sideways"

... movie with Paul Giamatti, Thomas Hayden Church, Sandra Oh, and Virginia Madsen.  Paul is an English Teacher, recent divorce, and aspiring writer - yet to be published.  Thomas is an somewhat famous actor who wants one more fling before his wedding. So, Paul and Thomas plan a trip to California Wine Country to golf, enjoy the scenery, taste the many wines offered by the different vineyards. While on their trip, they meet Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen.  One thing leads to another and things happen - wink, wink, wink....

 

A long movie that has its moments but not a first date movie - a divorced man and a bachelor cheating the week before his wedding does not set the right tone for a first date.  Wait a little before watching this one with your potential "significant other".

 

PS:  Did like a few of the lines in the movie - especially, "Did you drink and dial?"

"The Last Word"

... dark comedy with Wes Bentley, Winona Ryder, and Ray Romano.  Sundance style movie that is slow with a lot of "meanings" built into the storyline.  Wes is a writer hired by suicidal people to write their epitaphs.  Winona is the sister of one of Wes' recently deceased clients.  Ray is a depressed musician who hires Wes.

 

Wes and Winona meet at her brother's funeral.  Wes lies about how he met Winona's brother, and she takes a liking to him.  They eventually start dating, have issues, and then breakup. In parallel, Wes and Ray keep working on Ray's "last words", also have troubles, and then come to an understanding.

 

Complex movie that is not a first date movie.  Would hold on this one.

"Roman Holiday"

... classic movie that stands the test of time.  Stars Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck with Eddie Albert doing a great job in his supporting role.  Audrey is Princess Anne, on a European tour. Gregory is Joe Bradley, a correspondent for the American News Service in Rome, and Eddie is a photographer and friend to Gregory.

 

Audrey frustrated with the formality and obligations as a Princess, runs away for 24 hours.  She meets Gregory, who does not recognize her highness at first, but seizes the opportunity for a news scoop once he discovers who she is.

 

A must see movie. Consider this a first date movie with a storyline that does not need sex or foul language to make you watch it!

"All About Steve"

... comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper with Thomas Haden Church, DJ Qualls, and others.  Sandra plays Mary Horowitz, crossword puzzle creator for the Sacramento Herald.  Bradley Cooper plays Steve, news camera man.  Sandra and Bradley are setup by their parents for a blind date.   Things get hot and heavy before they date gets started, and then quickly sours.

 

Funny moments with a decent ending.  Entertaining move but glad to have waited for DVD.  That said, would not pick this one as a first date movie; wait a little bit longer for the relationship to grow.  And then, have a chuckle or two together.  Decided this based on the movie's funny moments do not overcome the underlying theme - a "freaky woman" stalking someone.

"Love Happens"

... drama with Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston. Aaron plays a self-help author Burke Ryan; Jennifer is Eloise, a quirky florist.  While on a trip in Seattle, Aaron chances on Eloise in the hallway of his hotel.  Soon after they agree to dinner which starts out terrible but could eventually grow into something more.  Except, Aaron has failed to come to terms with the death of his wife; he portrays himself as a self-help guru but could use therapy himself; and he is living a façade that will catch with him.

 

Slow start and its deep emotional message are too much for a first date movie recommendation.  However, it is a good movie with a decent ending.  Especially liked the father-in-law played by Martin Sheen and the "Parrot"; they played cameo roles but were important to the movie's message.

"Gamer"

... Action movie with Gerard Butler from "The 300" as a convicted death row inmate with a chance for freedom.  All he has to do is survive 30 games.  That is, survive 30 games where convicts are "human Sims" controlled by people who pay to play (or control) the "human Sims".  Standard good versus bad guy scenario; just throw in the software game developer character into the mix.  Liked the movie because the action made me want to see how the movie played out.  But, would not call this one a first date movie due to the blood and guts violence.

"When In Rome"

... Lighthearted comedy about love and love spells. Beth, played by Kristen Bell, is a young, unlucky in love, professional living in New York. However, on a trip to Rome for her sister's wedding, she meets a love interest.  Or, thought she did.  Angry with love and romance, she decides to take four coins and a poker chip from a fountain of love.  The result... she is aggressively pursued by a five suitors, each pledging their love!

 

A lot of laughs, happy ending, and a safe first date movie.  Enjoyed the cast of stars that you will easily recognize.  Check it out some time!  See IMDB for more details about the movie.

"The Invention Of Lying"

... comedy with Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, and a cast of others.  Ricky Gervais plays a down on his luck, just fired single man. Made even worse in a world where people don't lie.  That is, until he stumbles on how to lie.  Movie starts out slow and the brutal truth telling quips get old after awhile.  Would wait to see this one.  Even skip it as a first date movie, especially the opening scene with Ricky and Jennifer meeting on their first date - very awkward situation.

"Surrogates"

... SIMs goes Hollywood.  Movie with Bruce Willis playing an FBI Agent investigating murders in a world of Surrogates.  Surrogates are machines that humans control to live out their lives.  You can customize them, they are indestructible, and they keep you safe as you control them remotely from your own home!  That is, until a weapon is developed that destroys Surrogates and kills the human operating it.  Good movie, liked Bruce in this role, check it out when you get a chance.  Another safe first date movie!

"Whip It"

... IFC-style movie about a young 17 year old girl named Bliss Cavendar from a small-town in Texas.  Unhappy with her life, she longs for something else but is not sure what.  That is, until a shopping trip to Austin opens up an opportunity - Roller Derby!  "Yada, yada, yada",... introducing Babe Ruthless, Bliss' alter-ego roller derby character!  Liked the story, entertaining with an expected outcome.  Especially liked the Roller Derby Team coach - Razor, played by Andrew Wilson (did not know his brothers are Luke and Owen Wilson).  Safe first date movie!

"Leap Year"

... romantic comedy with Amy Adams and Matthew Goode.  Amy is disappointed when her longtime boyfriend (played by Adam Scott) does not propose to her. Fortunately, she sees her chance for marital bliss when he travels to Ireland on business during a leap year.  Supposedly, Irish folklore allows women to propose to men on February 29!  However, nature and other forces, including a handsome Irish beau (Matthew Goode), make Amy's rendezvous with her boyfriend difficult.

 

Solid first date movie with an ending that was expected.  Entertaining in how the storyline played out even with a bias view as a fan of Amy Adams. Check it out when you get a chance!

"The Accidental Husband"

... romantic comedy with Uma Thurman, Colin Firth, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.  Includes a cameo of Isabella Rossellini. Rented the movie on a whim.  Glad we did.  Plot and ending are pretty much standard fare for a romantic comedy.  Still liked the funny moments enough to rate this one a first date movie.  More on the plot, see IMDB's link. 

"Perfect Getaway"

... drama/mystery with Steve Zahn and Mila Jovovich as newlyweds vacationing in Hawaii for their honeymoon.  Things go well enough until they must deal with crazed murderers bent on killing tourists.

 

Plot with a twist, so pay close attention at the cues.  That said, consider the movie as first date movie because its ending includes a "romantic" marriage proposal.

"Extract"

... Mike Judge comedy with Justin Bateman, Mila Kunis, Ben Affleck, and Kristin Wiig.  Justin is the owner of a manufacturing company that makes food extracts.  Mila Kunis is a con woman that works at the plant as a temp.  Ben is Justin's friend and Kristin is Justin's wife.

 

Comedy has its moments but not as good as "Office Space".  Safe first date movie but would wait for a rainy day to rent this DVD. 

"Sherlock Holmes"

... movie with Robert Downey, Jr and Jude Law as Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, respectively.  Hard core Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fans may get picky about the details but for us movie fans, don't worry... entertaining movie with a plot that made you pay attention.  Especially liked the scenes where Sherlock thinks about his next actions in slow motion, and then viewers see them played out in normal speed.

 

Safe first date movie, just be careful about wandering eyes as Rachel McAdams is looking quite pleasant to the eyes....!  For more details on the movie, checkout IMDB's link.

"District 9"

... movie that starts out like a documentary.  A star ship is forced to land on Earth in 1982.  The aliens are stranded and unable to return to their planet.  Subsequently, they are rounded up into a refugee camp called District 9.  In 2010, a corporation is contracted to evict the population.  The project lead is Wikus van der Merwe, who is later exposed to an alien chemical that causes "changes" him physically....

 

Good story, may play it by ear when it comes to a first date movie due to blood, violence, etc....  Get ready for a sequel.

"Inglourious Basterds"

... blood and more blood in a violent movie by Quentin Tarantino.  Would you have expected less from him?  Brad Pitt plays Lt. Aldo, leader of a band of soldiers tasked to wreak havoc and terror against the Nazis!  If you are a Quentin fan, you should be good with the movie.  If not, remember it is meant to be violent and bloody.  If you are a historical "buff", don't watch else you will be disappointed in the historical inaccuracies!

 

Not a safe first date movie, still enjoyed it.... but I am a Quentin fan.  See IMDB link for more on the movie.

"Avatar"

... movie epic with a storyline that reminds viewers of "Dances With Wolves" but in outer space on another planet.  Replace the Indians with the Na'vi, a humanoid race, and then add a paraplegic Marine for Kevin Costner's role.

 

With that, enjoyed the movie with its special effects and action scenes.  Throw in two "people" growing in love and it becomes a safe first date movie.... only if your companion enjoys sci-fi movies.  Why... because the movie runs for 2 hours and 42 minutes which may be much too long for a budding relationship to weather.-JM

 

For more on the plot - here is a link to IMDB's posting on Avatar.

"Old Dogs"

... comedy with Robin Williams and John Travolta as two marketing executives and long-time friends.  While working on a high-profile account, Robin remembers an old flame and decides to contact her.  After writing a 12-page, single-spaced letter explaining why Robin loves her, they make plans to meet, and soon after Robin discovers he is a father of twins!

Funny movie, safe for a first date.  Check it out when you get a chance, and enjoy a chuckle or two!