Ghost Town

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Plot
In Ghost Town, a grouchy Dr. Pinkus (Ricky Gervais) is suddenly able to see ghosts after he has a near-death experience. The ghosts chase him around New York City begging him to complete unfinished business for him. He reluctantly agrees to help a man break his widow (Te'a Leone) up with her new boyfriend. Dr. Pinkus falls for Gwen, the widow, in the process, and becomes a more better, less grouchy person.

Review
In the first half of the movie we are introduced to the characters, and the grouchy Dr. Pinkus is so rude that he is funny. There are also great hospital scenes with Kristen Wiig. In the second half of the story where Dr. Pinkus breaks up and then romances Gwen, the widow, the action is slower and not as interesting. The dialog is always snappy, but it turns into more of a romantic comedy at the end with cute scenes, but not as witty. The first half is the clever and fun --Ricky Gervais makes the character come alive. The second half is less creative and fun, although I liked the twist at the end.  

The movie is like Dicken's Christmas Carol and Groundhog Day in that supernatural forces cause our hero to become a better person.


Cast and crew:
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Te'a Leone; written and directed by David Koepp.

Rating
2.5
1/2

More
Ricky Gervais at his grouchy best.

Vicky Christina Barcelona

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Plot
Vicky Christina Barcelona is the story of two American Twenty-Somethings, Vicky and Christina, on vacation in Barcelona for a few summer months. They fall for a hunky painter and get caught up in the sexy-violent relationship between the painter and his ex-wife. 

Review
This is a relationship-based story driven by the dialog between characters in the love triangle/quadrangle. The dialog is wonderful, and the characters are are strong. There is just enough plot to keep the scenes strung together. Especially strong is Penelope Cruz who always seems like a real character and not an actress playing a role, as Scarlett Johansson seems to be. 

The movie is about the compromises one makes in life between the practical and the ideal. Christina (Johansson) is the idealist, and Vicky (Hall) makes compromises that she hopes she does not regret.


Cast and crew:
Starring: Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Massina, Penelope Cruz; written and directed by Woody Allen.

Rating
3.5
1/2

More
You have to love Penelope Cruz.