Movie Review: New Year's Eve

Blurb: New Year's Eve is all about parties, glitz, a midnight kiss, and maybe a few short-lived resolutions, right? Or could it be about something more? Valentine's Day writer Katherine Fugate and director Garry Marshall have once again joined forces to explore one of the most emotionally charged days of the year. Their uncanny ability to tell multiple stories at the same time, to intertwine those stories in the most unexpected ways, and to make sure viewers are emotionally invested in every single character makes the film an intriguing puzzle. Of course, a cast list that reads like an award-nomination roster doesn't hurt its success either. Among the host of "main characters" in the story is Claire Morgan (Hilary Swank), the woman in charge of the ball drop in Times Square. Naturally things don't go quite as planned and she's forced to do some serious on-the-spot improvising--oh, and it should be noted that she's deathly afraid of heights and there's somewhere else she really should be on New Year's Eve. Then there's the suddenly rebellious tween daughter Hailey (Abigail Breslin), who runs off to meet her boyfriend in Times Square for a New Year's Eve kiss, with her panicked mom (Sarah Jessica Parker) in hot pursuit. Mousy secretary Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) decides to finally act on her long list of New Year's resolutions and enlists the unlikely help of courier Paul (Zac Efron). An exclusive New Year's Eve party throws together caterer Laura (Katherine Heigl), entertainer Jensen (Jon Bon Jovi), and sous chef Ava (Sofia Vergara). And then there's Sam (Josh Duhamel), a wealthy playboy who just can't seem to resist keeping an unlikely appointment to meet a mystery woman he met by chance last New Year's Eve and hasn't seen since (think An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle). Other notable talent includes Ashton Kutcher, Ryan Seacrest, Hector Elizondo, Halle Berry, Robert De Niro, Lea Michele, Cary Elwes, Seth Meyers, and a host of others.

Review: If you loved Love Actually or Valentine's Day, you definitely want to give this film a shot. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, this movie will take you straight to Dec 31st.

I love the multiple story lines. They all revolve around love and some forgiveness. The cast is star-studded to say the least. It is hard to pinpoint a specific story line that is a favorite, though Laura and Jensen's story is very sweet, and how can you not love Jon Bon Jovi? I wasn't quite as keen on Katherine Heigl's Laura, but oh well, Sofia Vergara stole the show with most of her scenes. How can one woman that is so bombshell/sex symbol-ish always come across as sweet?

Ashton Kutcher plays Randy, an illustrator who gets trapped in an elevator with one of Jensen's back up singers. Their time in the elevator is, of course, life changing. It was hard to watch Ashton, because he really looked too much like Walden Schmidt. God I hate him in Two and a Half Men.

Sarah Jessica Parker makes an appearance in this one as a mom of a teenage daughter who runs off to see the ball drop and find a guy in Time Square. Note to SJP, why can't they comb your hair in movies? GAH! And the really snarky part of me says, neigh!

This is definitely a chick flick. I can't think of a reason a guy would want to see this one, except to make his girlfriend happy.

Ladies? There's enough eye candy here to keep you happy; Bon Jovi, Zac Efron, Ryan Seacrest to name a few.

Get the girls together and have a movie night with this one. A bottle of wine will make it better. Definitely worth the rental fee.