Little Black Book

It is very easy for a film like Little Black Book to be quickly labeled as just another "Chick Flick" starring a 20-something actress that looks pretty. But after actually taking a chance on a genre I usually run away from, I have to say this was a pleasant experience.

Brittany Murphy (Clueless) stars as the journalist-driven career girl taking on an associate producer job at a Oprah-type talk show. One of her fellow producers, played by the very-hot-for-her-age Holly Hunter gives her the usual talk of the business of how things are run. During a ideas meeting with the Executive Producer (played by the hilarious character actor, Stephen Tobolowsky, whom I met last month) the idea is pitched about snooping into a boyfriend's little black book or in this 21st century, a Palm Pilot.

The film manages to avoid the usual chick-flick clichés and gives us a central- character with a back-story and more than one-dimension (take that Mandy Moore). From the great soundtrack by Carly Simon (whom makes a cameo), to the always positive force of Diane Sawyer(?), this movie has heart and a wicked sense of humor when it comes to exposing talk shows for their secrets, lies, and pure entertainment souls.

So, here is a sci-fi/action/thriller genre fan, who will try a little harder to give chick-flicks a little more of the silver screen.

FIN

I found myself really enjoying this film, laughing out loud, at the jokes and situations. Sure, there are a lot of things that 'couldn't really happen' but....what if they did... Look for instance at The Three Stooges, Laurel and Hardy, The Marx Brothers. You would never really expect to see anyone in the situations these comics find themselves in, but still there we are enjoying their antics!

If you are looking for a fact based movie, this isn't the one to see...but if you want to have fun, go for it! I hope that you enjoy it as I have!

This gem didn't do well at the box office because audiences couldn't make the connection between meanness and romantic comedy. Don't you mind that; think of this as another in the genre of movies that start out being simple stories and turn into movies about movies, not by digging deeper in the layer but by bringing the original movie into "reality."

This one really impressed me with the cleverness of its construction; it unfolded in completely novel and unexpected ways. The thing is anchored in the movie by Holly Hunter and in the show within by Holly's character. Holly has done this kind of folded acting before — "Timecode" comes to mind. She does it rudely; that's just her style.

If you want to make an engaging movie these days, you have to engineer a means to get the audience into the story. The easiest way to do that is to create an audience as part of the story, then trick the movie audience to fold into the story's audience.

Whether you like the "message" or not, I recommend this as a crack piece of screen writing. In nearly all movies, the story isn't important anyway. Only the means for telling the story matters. This is a clean form. See it.

Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 3: Worth watching.

It was a nice fun little movie. Great to see Holly Hunter on the big Screen she is a wonderful actress and I thoroughly enjoyed her in this character of BARB! Brittany did a fine job. She can hold her own with the Likes of Kate Hudson, and yes Even Reese Witherspoon and Drew Barrymore. Melissa big claps for you on this story, I LOVED IT. I have read a lot of the reviews here and just want to say to anyone who hasn't seen the movie. Don't worry about wasting your money, because it's only money and life is too short and if your bored and looking for a little pick up go see this movie or if it's out on Dvd pick it up you judge for yourself. Carly Simon references were just too cool. Kathy Bates was great as the Talk Show host KIPPI.

I think Brittany gets more criticism that she should. She is a refreshing new face every movie actress and I like that about her. She is different in every role. I want to see more of her.

I think Ron Livingston was dull in this part and the "Hunky Derek" should of been casted better. But all in all "Barb and Stacy" Holly and Brittany did really well in this Little Movie. Claps to David Sussan to he was somewhat annoying but someone has to be. I give this movie a solid 8 of 10 and was suprised and laughed as people clapped in the theater at the end of it. And no they weren't clapping because it was over they were clapping a the end surprise that you get and I'm not giving it away. SO IGNORE ALL THE NEGATIVE and GO SEE IT!

It's unfortunate that this movie will be overshadowed by bigger box office draws this summer because it is far better than anyone anticipates. Kathy Bates turns in a good performance as an aging talk show host; Holly Hunter as the talk show host producer who is getting to a certain age where she must either move up the ladder or or at least leave an impression. The villainous side of her chooses the latter and our story begins as she takes new associate producer Brittany Murphy under her wing and persuades her to delve into her boyfriend's PDA to find out about his ex-loves. As the old adage goes...be careful what you look for you just might find it. Okay, Brittany Murphy is no Meryl Streep, but she ain't bad to look at and the ending is a real treat. We liked it.