My Studios

There are only four reviews of WHIV on RottenTomatoes.com as of now (3 positive), but one of those happens to be from Emmanuel Levy, who is one of my favorite critics.

Here are some of his comments:

A likable cast, headed by Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz, in their first joint appearance on screen, which begins in Vegas, the setting of the notorious capital of sin and crass, of luck and accident, before moving to the Big Apple, elevates the mildly appealing romantic comedy above the trepidations of its routine plot and predictable denouement.

Adding much needed color and context is the secondary gallery of characters, which includes a terrific line of actors. Though he may be too young, Treat Williams is cast as Kutcher’s father. The always reliable but vastly underestimated Dennis Farina plays Diaz’s boss Banger (Dennis Farina), and Jason Sudeikis plays Joy’s former fiancé, Mason. Changing pace from previous roles, Queen Latifah plays the smart marriage counselor, Dr. Twitchell.

“What Happens in Vegas” should have been released on Valentine’s Day--it's the perfectly innocuous date movie. Right now, the romantic comedy is positioned as counter-programming to summer’s early top guns, “Iron Man,” “Speed Racer,” and the new “Indiana Jones,” all of which are male-driven, a situation that will slightly change with the May 30 release of “Sex and the City.”

Director Tom Vaughan tries to compensate for the utterly predictable, overly explicit comedy with fast pacing, physical energy, madcap slapstick, montages, and subplots. In moments, but only in moments, “What Happens in Vegas” rises above the routine with a real sense of fun and goofiness, the kind of which both performers show ease and facility with.

There’s good chemistry between Kutcher, who looks handsome and comfy in the role, and Diaz, who has always been more compelling in goofy, crazy, off-the-wall comedy than in dramas or actioners. It’s good to see Diaz, who has not made a movie in some time, draws on her strengths and even slightly deviate from her established image on screen and off.

He gives the film a C+, which apparently still qualifies as a positive review. Not surprising given the subject material, but I think this bodes well. I don't think Made of Honor is going to be any competition at all.

Here's a link to the rest of the review, if you want to read it:

http://www.emanuellevy.com/article.php?articleID=9683

I don't think MoH will be any trouble at all. What Happens in Vegas EASILY has a more recognizable cast, not to mention more definite interest.

I think MoH will have a pretty big drop next week. Lets face it, Kutcher and Diaz are much more 'romcom' than Dempsey is.

Also, the fact that the trailer for WHIV was MUCH better than the one for MoH speaks volumes. These kinds of movies are sold on two fronts:

1. Trailer (WHIV>MoH)
2. Bankable Stars (WHIV>MoH)

The real question for next week is can WHIV outdo Speed Racer? I hope it does.

So, that isn't Robert Redford?

Reviews are generally positive so far. Its a very early 63% over at RT (5 F/3 R)

On the other hand, 'What Happens in Vegas' is already being savaged by the iMDb. The 'Rotten Tomatoes' scores will drop too -- don't kid yourselves -- but at a 4.1 on the iMDb with three reviews (thus far) that aren't glowing endorsements, I'd be leery. There is some serious hate for this movie and the only real question is if you have $7 or less, what might deliver comparable results. The main substitutes aren't much more attractive: 'Meet Dave' and 'X-Files 2: X-Filer.'

I admit that I've got 'WHIV' on most of my slates right now because I like the odds of it earning Top 5 points cheaply. 'X-Filer' won't match those numbers and 'Meet Dave' has serious competition that could knock it out of the Top 5 after one weekend! I'd be leery about taking 'WHIV' unless you've made plans on your slate to boost your iMDb score elsewhere. 'WHIV' is going to hurt you.

it has had that imdb score for awhile now...odds are a bunch of people who havent seen it yet decided that it was bad. the movie hasnt even been released yet. And the rotten tomatoes should end up in the high 30s mid 40s...thats an achievment for a movie like this

I don't think the iMDB score should be considered right now. Early reviews of "Made of Honor" was overwhelming negative and it has gone up to 5.0 since more users have voted. I think a little more time should work.

"Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz hate on each other with dynamite verve in What Happens in Vegas. The Punch and Judy fireworks get off to an early start, when the two wake up in Las Vegas only to learn that they got hitched during what should have been a sloshed one-night stand. To lay claim to a $3 million slot-machine payoff (one pulled the lever, the other provided the quarter), the two are forced to live together for six months as husband and wife, and I would say that the romantic hilarity just ensues from there, except that Kutcher and Diaz diss each other with such eye-rolling, fang-baring, sexually sarcastic conviction that you may think you've wandered into a dinner-theater revival of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? starring (and rewritten by) Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman." entertainment weekly

the movie is supringly up to a 70% positive on RT. So far no one significant has slammed this one, I almost shocked to say this may stay fresh

If Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman wrote a movie, it would be a candidate for one of the worst ever. Two of the unfunniest people ever.

Buscemi wrote:

So, that isn't Robert Redford?

Dude, that was the one thing that really stuck out for me on the review. IMDb has Treat Williams cast as the father, but damn!, did he have plastic surgery? I'm with you, I thought it was Redford.

Me too! I thought... "What is Sundance doing in THIS movie? He's not THAT hard up for work, is he?"

But then, Treat Williams hasn't had a career in a very long time.

Well, i've watched the movie and i can honestly say that it outdid my expectations.

I liked the trailer, and thought this has potential, and IMO, for a RomCom it fullfiled that potential.

The movie is obviously going to be predictable, but if you move past that, it has a lot of laugh out loud moments, not to mention some very funny real life aspects.

Also, the chemistry between Kutcher and Diaz is great to see, i think they played their parts perfectly.

All in all, a great RomCom, 7/10 for me.

That's good to know, Barca. Frankly, I'd trust your judgment over a whole crowd of "professional" Internet critics.

I think I'll keep it on all of my slates now. Plus, there's nothing really that much better to swap it out for.

Shryke42 wrote:

That's good to know, Barca. Frankly, I'd trust your judgment over a whole crowd of "professional" Internet critics.

I think I'll keep it on all of my slates now. Plus, there's nothing really that much better to swap it out for.

You know, i'm one of the people who, like you, enjoyed Music and Lyrics. So that might be something to read into eh?

......you guys liked Music and Lyrics?...........LOL.........Ha ha, that's gross.

Oh well, we all have our favorite shitty films. None as bad as Music and Lyrics, but......I guess my worst would be He-Man: Masters of the Universe with Dolph Ludgren, but that movie's nastalgic for me.

Anywho, WHIV is worth 7$ cause like you said, there isn't any good replacements. Also, it's BO points and decent money it pulls in should outweigh a shitty IMDB score.

My Studios

ADVICE & ANALYSIS: