Serendipity

Pros: Some witty banter
Cons: It's just plain stupid

The entire concept of “romantic fate” in current film is…….okay, it just blows. There, I said it. It’s just used as a convenient excuse for the characters to be rotten people (see: T he Wedding ...

Pros: The leads and supporting cast. Great location shots in New York.
Cons: Preposterous plot to get around.

I was rather pleasantly surprised by this charming little tale about predestination, with Kate Beckinsale, and John Cusack. I was expecting some trite Hollywood flick with various bits of obscenity, some sex, and other fare that all too often ends up on...

Pros: It's short; kept me awake and kept my attention.
Cons: So predictable I think I've seen this movie before...many times!

Serendipity: the making of pleasant discoveries by accident (Oxford American Dictionary)

The actors:

John Cusak works for a television station. (Jonathan) - Being John Malkovich (1999) as well as Joan’s look-alike...

Pros: Very likable John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale...wasn't as predictable as I thought
Cons: It can be frustrating to watch all of their relationship blunders

....okay, more ironic, I think, than serendipitous. But since I've only just relearned the definition of serendipity (a fortunate mistake, or happy accident), allow me the pleasure of misusing it a few times.

So with that definition of a...

Pros: Very believable acting, and a marvelous look at Fate. Especially to me!
Cons: Yep, it's predictable. Maybe I shouldn't tell you that :)

My frequent trips to the movie theater have become sporadic over the last several months, partly because of my working so much, partly because most of what I have seen so far this year has been total crap.

Freddy Got Fingered, no...

Pros: Jeremy Piven steals the show.
Cons: Molly Shannon was a bit annoying.

This review is dedicated to the biggest Lloyd Dobler fan I know, Odellburgess.

Preamble
I've been waiting patiently all year to see this. First, they teased us with previews during the springtime. Then they promised to...

Pros: Cusack and cast, witty script.
Cons: Can you buy the premise?

With the exception to the dull and downright lame American Sweethearts, John Cusack chick flicks are typically not just pleasing to the women, but are crowd pleasers to the men as well. With High fidelity, Grosse Pointe...

Pros: Jeremy Piven, Eugene Levy, John Cusack
Cons: Molly Shannon, a little predictible

Alright, I'll admit it. I've had a small crush on John Cusack ever since I saw him hold that boom box up in Say Anything, and blare In Your Eyes into the window of the woman he loved. He was charming, endearing, and absolutely loveable....

Pros: Cusack and Beckinsale light up the screen.
Cons: Maybe a bit too fantastical at times.

At first glance, Serendipity appears to be your standard romantic comedy. And after a second, and third glance, it still is your standard romantic comedy. But what Serendipity has going for it to warrant a second and third viewing is that...

Pros: Fine cast in fine form, beautifully photographed New York, fne whimsy
Cons: Amazingly slight. Really short, but too long.

Serendipity is the cinematic equivalent of a domino run. The film takes its time setting up our two leads, Jonathan (John Cusack) and Sara (Kate Beckinsale), setting up their complication (their in the process of having an amazing night together, but...

Pros: John Cusack, an exceptional romantic comedy
Cons: A few minor script problems

For about the last year or so, we have been trapped in date movie hell. Movies like “Autumn in New York,” “Sweet November,” and “The Wedding Planner” (please don’t try to convince me “The Wedding Planner” is good) were so contrived and unoriginal one had...

Pros: The two leads, the supporting cast, and a wonderful romantic aura.
Cons: Formulaic, but that fault is made up for and then some.

By chance, you meet the most amazing, beautiful person you’ve ever met. The next few hours you spend together are the most extraordinary of your life. There’s more than just a connection; while your mind may question it, this is most certainly true...

Pros: Sweet, cute, also smart enough to mock those movies that don't know they are
Cons: Too typical sometimes

ser·en·dip·i·ty n 1) The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident. 2) The fact or occurrence of such discoveries. 3) An instance of making such a discovery.

Normally, the contrived occurrences that thread together...

Pros: Likable stars, charming chemistry, efficiently told.
Cons: Lean running time may be a bit too lean.

"A fortunate accident" is how Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) defines the concept of "serendipity" to Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) early on in Peter Chelsom's romantic comedy of the same name. Accident or not, Serendipity the film can certainly be...

Pros: Cusack & Beckinsale are good together.
Cons: Some may find it hard to suspend disbelief.

Director Peter Chelsom has a good track record, including "The Mighty". It was a couple of years a ...