Julian Farino
Two strangers (Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher) find themselves hitched after a wild night of Las Vegas shenanigans in this 20th Century Fox comedy. Jack Fuller (Kutcher) is a single Manhattanite who can never quite commit to a permanent, long-term relationship and repeatedly hears from his lovers that he "isn't serious boyfriend material." Employed by his father (Treat Williams) at a local furniture business, Jack spends his workdays goofing off by watching sporting events behind dad's back. Joy McNally (Diaz) is faring slightly better; a young, polished urbanite, she juggles a demanding job as a trader on the NYSE with a marital engagement to the impressive Mason (Jason Sudeikis), but has modified her entire life and all of her interests to please her intended.
Coincident with Mr. Fuller's decision to fire his son, Mason severs his engagement to Joy; as a result, both Jack and Joy hit the skids at around the same time and decide to cut their losses by heading out to Vegas. The two accidentally bump into one another when a computer mix-up at the hotel puts them in adjoining rooms; though they begin their acquaintanceship by bickering endlessly, they end up spending a long, drunken night on the town together, and when the sun rises and Joy comes to, she discovers that she unwittingly married Jack in the middle of the night. Alas, just when the two are about to call it quits by filing for divorce after the shortest marriage in history, Jack tosses a coin into a Vegas slot machine and hits a three-million-dollar jackpot -- which naturally pits the newlyweds against one another in an attempt to claim the full share of the money. A conservative local judge, R.D. Whopper (Dennis Miller), then adds the final twist by refusing to grant a divorce until Joy and Jack have given married life a fair shake. In time, the marrieds may just discover that this union isn't as far off the mark as they initially thought. Dennis Farina, Queen Latifah, and Zach Galifianakis round out the supporting cast. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
Coincident with Mr. Fuller's decision to fire his son, Mason severs his engagement to Joy; as a result, both Jack and Joy hit the skids at around the same time and decide to cut their losses by heading out to Vegas. The two accidentally bump into one another when a computer mix-up at the hotel puts them in adjoining rooms; though they begin their acquaintanceship by bickering endlessly, they end up spending a long, drunken night on the town together, and when the sun rises and Joy comes to, she discovers that she unwittingly married Jack in the middle of the night. Alas, just when the two are about to call it quits by filing for divorce after the shortest marriage in history, Jack tosses a coin into a Vegas slot machine and hits a three-million-dollar jackpot -- which naturally pits the newlyweds against one another in an attempt to claim the full share of the money. A conservative local judge, R.D. Whopper (Dennis Miller), then adds the final twist by refusing to grant a divorce until Joy and Jack have given married life a fair shake. In time, the marrieds may just discover that this union isn't as far off the mark as they initially thought. Dennis Farina, Queen Latifah, and Zach Galifianakis round out the supporting cast. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, (more)
- 2007
In the second season finale, Bill attempts to manipulate the UEB to his advantage. Meanwhile, on the brink of death, Roman is taken away from Alby and brought to the Henrickson home to recover. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 2007
Amanda attempts to get a concrete answer from Vince regarding the period film as Barbara leans on Ari to fire an unqualified agent and a new honesty policy finds professional relationships heating up to a passionate pitch. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2007
When Vince's birthday rolls around and his new agent Amanda presents him with courtside tickets to a Lakers game and an offer to star in an upcoming adaptation of an Edith Wharton novel, a chance connection with his old agent Ari causes the upcoming star to experience doubts about his current career trajectory. Upon taking his seat at the game, Vince is discomforted to notice Ari across the court. Still longing to win back his old client, Ari convinces Vince to join him for a friendly birthday meal, and is somewhat taken aback when Vince shows up with E in tow. But it's going to take more than a human buffer to sideline the determined Ari, and before the meal is over he tells Vince that his dream project, "Medellin," is one again on the fast track to production. Though Amanda is vehement that "Medellin" will never happen, she is troubled to note that he seems to be second-guessing his decision to take her on as his manager. Meanwhile, as Turtle and Drama draw up plans for Vince's surprise birthday party, they realize that the only way to overcome their financial restraints and hold the party in a suitable venue is to land a sponsor for the big event. Of course the party is a massive success, but before the night is over Ari and Amanda will go toe to toe in front of Vince in a desperate attempt to win him over once and for all. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2006
Bill (Bill Paxton) is in high spirits. Roman (Harry Dean Stanton) has been coerced into signing an agreement to allow his family back into their homes at the Juniper Creek compound, and the bank has agreed to give him a loan to open a third branch of Home Plus. He plans a big barbecue to celebrate, ordering lobsters flown in from Maine, and invites Don (Joel McKinnon Miller) and his family to join them to celebrate Don's taking a fourth wife, Betty (Melinda Allen). Because Bill's in a good mood, Nicki (Chloë Sevigny) decides to tell him about her 58,000-dollar credit-card debt. He's shocked and dismayed, and outraged when she tells him that Roman made a payment for her. Nicki starts to believe he might actually throw her out on the street, apparently a fairly common practice back in Juniper Creek. Bill finds out that Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn) knew about Nicki's debts, and questions her loyalty to him. "I'm also married to two other people," she explains. Margene (Ginnifer Goodwin) learns that Betty was voted into Don's family unanimously, piquing her curiosity about her own vote. Ben (Douglas Smith) spills the beans that it took several votes before Margene was accepted. Already confused about her place in the family, Margene goes out to dinner with Pam (Audrey Wasilewski) and Carl (Carlos Jacott), who surprise her by fixing her up with Chad (Michael McMillian), a nice young man from their church. This episode was co-written by Jill and Karen Sprecher (13 Conversations About One Thing). ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2006
As the first-season finale of Big Love opens, Bill (Bill Paxton) and Joey (Shawn Doyle) are planning to take over Ernest Holloway's seat on the UEB Council. Joey will actually take the seat, because Bill can't be publicly connected to Juniper Creek. Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn) is preparing for the Mother of the Year ceremony at the governor's mansion. Nicki (Chloë Sevigny) is annoyed by Barb's primping, and tries to persuade her to withdraw from the competition, for the good of the family. Margene (Ginnifer Goodwin) is far more supportive. Wendy's (Jodie Markell) snooping has uncovered evidence of Bill's polygamy, and she struggles with her conscience over what action to take. Alby (Matt Ross) drops by Joey's house uninvited for a visit. Joey's not there, and Alby warns Wanda (Melora Walters) that "brothers can get brothers into trouble," and he hovers threateningly over Wanda's newborn baby. Wanda turns out to be far more dangerous than Alby suspected, which creates further complications for Joey, Lois (Grace Zabriskie), and Bill. Rhonda's (Daveigh Chase) efforts to extend her stay in the outside world come to an end, and she blames Barb when she's taken back to the compound. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Pompey (Kenneth Cranham) and the senators who fled Rome get dreadful news about their war chest, and Pompey sends his son Quintus (Rick Warden) out to find the scouts who found the gold. Back in Rome, Caesar (Ciarán Hinds) is short on funds, and has instituted martial law in order to keep the peace. Atia (Polly Walker) is holding a dinner in his honor, and is unhappy to see Servilia (Lindsay Duncan) on Caesar's guest list. Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) prepares an expensive feast in honor of the god Janus to inaugurate his merchant business. He rejects Mark Antony's (James Purefoy) generous offer to make him a prefect, preferring civilian life to participation in Caesar's campaign, which Vorenus sees as blasphemous. But things get rocky at the feast when his sister-in-law, Lyde (Esther Hall), arrives with her husband, Evander (Enzo Cilenti). Lyde, jealous over her husband's apparent continued passion for Niobe (Indira Varma), gets drunk and makes an embarrassing scene. At Atia's dinner, Caesar, who has asked for an augury at Jupiter's temple, to show Rome's citizen's that the gods favor his actions, takes the opportunity to offer the chief augur (Roger Hammond) a bribe in the guise of a late birthday gift for his wife. Back at Vorenus' home, things get worse after the party when Quintus shows up with some men, threatening Vorenus and Niobe and demanding to know where the stolen gold is. Vorenus has no idea what he's talking about until Pullo (Ray Stevenson) arrives, throwing money around, and the two get the better of Quintus. Vorenus finds out about the cart full of gold and orders Pullo to deliver it to Caesar. Caesar, meanwhile, sends Pompey and the Senate an offer of truce. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
The BBC biopic Byron recreates the life and times of early 19th century scribe Lord George Gordon Byron (Jonny Lee Miller of Trainspotting), widely considered one of the finest English-language belletrists in history. Though Byron culled enormous repute for the scandalous, taboo-breaking lead characters in his novels, the author himself led a life so rebellious that it rivaled anything in his fiction - meanwhile sinking ever quickly into a mire of dissatisfaction and lack of fulfillment as he flittered from one escapade to another. And yet Byron personified the zealous spirit of the Romantic Era, with his unapologetic political radicalism and multiple lovers. Here, director Julian Farino and scriptwriter Nick Dear dramatize Byron's experiences onscreen. Vanessa Redgrave and Natasha Little co-star. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
One of several British miniseries adaptations of Charles Dickens' novel Our Mutual Friend, this four-part version debuted over the BBC in 1998. The production's generous running time (total: six hours), enabled scenarist Sandy Welch to include virtually every important detail in this complex Victorian-era saga of how a mysterious waterfront death inextricably linked the lives of two young women, Lizzie Hexam (Keeley Hawes) and Bella Wilfer (Anna Friel). The richness of the Dickensian prose was complemented by the visuals, which incorporated everything from documentary-style handheld camerawork to Eisenstein-ish montages, and by the eerily polytonal musical score by Adrian Johnston. Our Mutual Friend was brought to America courtesy of PBS beginning January 3, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul McGann, Keeley Hawes, (more)
