MOVIE REVIEWS

* * * * VAN WILDER(date movie)I only went to this movie because I needed to waste time at the Mall of America and rest from all that shopping but I was actually pleasantly suprised. This is by no means an academy award winner but it will make you laugh.There were many funny though disgusting scenes throughout the movie and some original ones which is refreshing. It helps that they cast Ryan Reynolds(Two guys and a girl) as Van. He is very easy on the eyes. I do have to say they made a terrible casting choice with Tara Reid. First of all I have to say would someone please get that girl a cheeseburger. She seriously needs to gain some weight, stop tanning and lay off on the eye makeup. She was cast as the brainy newspaper reporter Gwen. They think that putting her in a turtleneck will make her be brainy? I think not. It was nice to once again see Chris Owens("Shermanator") in a brief role..

* * 1/2 THE SWEETEST THING(chick flick) Although this movie had great potential it fell disappointedly flat. While there were some cute moments including a scene in which a piercing causes something to get caught in Selma Blairs mouth which leads to an interesting rendition of an Aerosmith song. This movie severly lacked something to hold it together. It was not in the least believable. Cameron is supposed to be this "player" who never falls in love but then of course she falls in love. The problem is that you never really see her other than the typical female character who will do anything to get her man. I did enjoy seeing the "whatever happened to him" Jason Bateman (Hogan Family). I would say wait until it hits the video store.