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A few months ago, I had the great pleasure of reading Helen Fielding's "Bridget Jones' Diary." I loved the humor, but was wary as to how well it would translate to the screen. Last night, I got a chance to go to a sneak preview of the film...it fulfilled all my hopes for what the film *should* be. It does prove to be a departure from the novel, but I feel it stays true to what BJD is all about.

Zellweger, Grant, and Firth were phenomenal...they embodied their characters, really making them come to life. I was impressed with Zellweger's accent...I would have never guessed that she was a Texan. Her comedic timing was impeccable, adding to the believability of Ms. Jones. :) Bridget has got to be one of the most truly accessible heroines out there...she's flawed, but that doesn't matter. Her humanity is what makes her great.

Colin Firth was fantastic. He really made the audience believe that a stuffed shirt like Mark Darcy could really fall in love with a quirky girl like Bridget. Considering that Helen Fielding has often commented that her inspiration for Mark Darcy was Firth's portrayal of Mr. Darcy in A&E's Pride and Prejudice (1995), it's no wonder that I couldn't imagine another actor in that role.

Austen fans, be sure to watch for the parallels between BJD and P&P...even some of the camera angles in Bridget Jones Diary echo scenes in the Pride & Prejudice mini-series.

I know this has already been said in other reviews, but it's so true...the audience was laughing so hard during the movie that I did miss occasional bits of dialogue. Bottom line, this is a witty film, with great dialogue, and a nice message...you don't need to a be a supermodel to find love...there can be someone out there who'll like you just the way you are.

I got a chance to see a sneak preview of Josie & the Pussycats this past week. I really didn't have many expectations for this film...all I was looking for was a fun movie that wouldn't make me cringe (too much.) Well, without hesitation I can say this movie totally blew me away. It was by far one of the funniest movies I've seen in a LONG time. Sure, it was campy, but it garnered genuine and consistent laughs from the audience. It's been a long time since I've seen a movie with such energy and well-balanced pacing.

All three actresses were fantastic as the Pussycats, staying very true to their comic book/tv characters. Rachel Leigh Cook was an excellent choice for Josie...she adds a poignancy to the role that was completely unexpected. As you can imagine, there is the usual romantic subplot, but Cook gives it an honesty and sweetness that saved it from becoming a cliche. Rosario Dawson also did a wonderful job of humanizing Val, portraying her as a strong yet insecure woman. Tara Reid had the hardest part of all. How do you portray a ditzy character so that it doesn't degenerate into a one-note gag? Answer: Make the character endearing. Reid did a wonderful job at making Melody's sappy optimism and absent-mindedness absolutely adorable. In less capable hands, some of the gags would have fallen flat...but they got me smiling, and even laughing.

The soundtrack utterly rocks...the last teen movie I can think of with a soundtrack that was so well matched to the visuals was "Clueless." Songs that could have been just filler really added to the overall energy and appeal of the film. The music style was more "hard rock" than the original TV series, but they managed to get the theme song in there somewhere, so I was happy. :) At the screening I went to, people actually danced in the aisles during the end credits...not something I see every day. ^_^

The script is phenomenal, filled with many in-jokes and great timely references. What's most amazing is that Josie & the Pussycats is a movie with something to say, yet it got its message across in a witty and entertaining way while avoiding being too preachy.

I can honestly say Josie & The Pussycats is one of the best TV-to-Film adaptations I've ever seen--very enjoyable for fans of the old series, but remaining accessible for those who weren't.

The premise of "The Family Man" was certainly not original. Nicholas Cage plays "Jack Campbell," a successful business man who, thirteen years ago, chose to further his career rather than marry his college love. Thinking he is content with his present state of success, he miraculously is given a "glimpse" of what life could have been like for him had he chosen differently. The only way a movie like this can work is if it grabs your heart and doesn't let go. After seeing the sneak preview last night, I can honestly say it delivered. The acting was superb all around. Nicholas Cage and Tea Leoni had amazing chemistry on the screen. Their emotions seemed genuine, and very believable. I think this is one of Tea Leoni's best roles. I've always admired her acting, but some of the productions she'd been involved with in the past didn't show her talent and emotional range as this movie was able to. The little actress who portrayed the Campbell's daughter Annie(I think her name is Mackenzie Vega) was an awesome casting choice...some of the best moments in the film are her interactions with Nicholas Cage. Her character is precocious, but not obnoxious. Who would have thought that the director of Rush Hour could direct a movie like this? I think Brett Ratner is going to blow a lot of people away with this one...he can definitely direct a lot more than just action comedies and music videos!!!

Basically, if you're looking for a great holiday picture with a lot of heart, then The Family Man is a MUST SEE!