'Valentine's Day'

'Valentine's Day' (PG-13) **

Writer: Katherine Fugate
Director: Garry Marshall
Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Garner, Jamie Foxx, Jessica Alba, Julia Roberts, George Lopez, Eric Dane, Emma Roberts. Shirley McClaine, Hector Elizondo, Jessica Biel, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, Queen Latifah, Bradley Cooper

"Valentine's Day" is one of those movies with an ensemble cast of stars and interlocking stories. It is in the tradition of "Love, Actually" and "Crash" and in these movies there is always the stories that hit, miss or create a big thud. Actually that happens when the movie just doesn't work and "Valentine's Day" just can't quite get the job done. It is not as bad as last year's suck fest "He's Just Not That Into You", it is actually pretty entertaining. Compared to "Love, Actually" and "Paris Je Taime" though it fails because the movie just doesn't satisfy completely. I liked about half of it and thought a few stories were good, a few were weak and sappy and one was very bad. Some actors come off better than others but that is because the script is at fault. Actually Ashton Kutcher steals the movie and his story is very sweet and entertaining. I think Kutcher gets a bad rap as a bad actor and just has to make better choices for movies to star in. George Lopez and Jennifer Garner are part of his story and they are very good (I can watch Jennifer Garner read the phone book). Their story also ties into Jamie Foxx and Jessica Biel's storyline and they are good (Jessica Biel's body is impressive and I think she is an under rated actress). There is also a sweet and cute subplot with an elementary school kid and his crush on Garner and I hate cute. On the who cares side is McClaine, Elizondo, Emma Roberts and the two Taylors. Taylor Swift is not bad in her film debut but Taylor Lautner has the personality of a carrot ( I don't get him or his appeal). On the embarrassing side is a very stupid story with Anne Hathaway and Topher Grace. There is nothing wrong with phone sex but portrayed here it is kind of icky. I also don't know why Queen Latifah does not have a prominent story line because she is always a joy to watch and funny. I hate to think it is because she is a full figured woman and not a pixie doll. So what you have is a good Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Biel and Jamie Foxx and a fairly entertaining movie that could have dropped some weak story lines.

P.S. I watched "Valentine's Day" at the new Icon Showplace Theatre on Roosevelt and Clark alone and I wanted to comment on it. It is a new theatre on the South side and it has two theatres with preferred seating. There is an extra cost but I was impressed with the set up and the preferred seating. It was pretty swanky and as you go upstairs there is a nice bar and lobby where you can get alcoholic beverages and food. Then you go to a few rows of balcony seats that are assigned that are comfortable and wide. The arm rests come up so when you are on a hot date you can lift the arm up and get cozy. There is pretty good leg room and the view is great with no distractions. The sound was good, the picture big and it is new so no sticky floors or squeaky seats. I reccommend people try it out and it is worth the trip. There is also The White Palace Grill down the street for good, greasy late night food. I also found the ATM ticket machine downstairs with the British accent pretty amusing. It was very proper and made me feel like I was already special.