Iron Man 2

Starring:  Morton Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke, Scarlett Johanssen, John Favreau
Action, 2010 (Rated PG 13)

Tony Stark (Downey) the front man of Stark Enterprises finds that his revolutionary Iron Man suit technology has been duplicated by the son of a prominent Russian Scientist who defected to the United States and was later deported.  Not only is he on thin ice with the US Government who rails against his refusal to release the suit into government custody he is also being slowly killed by the very device that has been keeping him alive.  He must figure out a way to stay alive and fight against not only his rival who would do anything to one up the ever popular Stark Enterprises, but also his newest sidekick who just so happens to be a rouge scientist intent on seeing Stark dead.

• Tony Stark is just so cool.  He is like a rock star without a guitar or a band.  So incredibly flashy, devilish, and extremely narcissistic that you can't figure out if you should love him or hate him.
• The special effects in the movie were amazing as was the tiny 23" waist on Natalie (Johansson) so wonderfully cinched in by her equally sexy and functional combat body suit. 
• Natalie's extreme fighting acrobatics were a little over the top but if you don't like it then you probably don't like the movie either because it's all over the top in one way or another but I think that's what's made it such a box office success. 

5 STARS

Couples Retreat

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Malin Akerman, Jason Batemen, Kristin Bell, Jon Favreau, Kristin Davis and Faizon Love
Comedy, 2009 (PG 13)

With their marriage quickly falling apart at the seems spurred on by infertility issues Dave and Cynthia enlist the help of their friends by asking them to go with them to a couples retreat where they can get counseling so that the price will be affordable. The other couples have no interest in couples counseling but motivated by a week in paradise and their friends' plea for help they decide to accompany them. It turns out that Dave and Cynthia weren't the only ones in need of a relationship overhaul. The singles island is a temptation for one and they all find themselves in a place they didn't think they would on their tropical vacation paradise retreat.

• This movie was funny but not as funny as I thought it would be.
• There was a lot of wordy dialogue throughout so there were moments that kind of got slow for me.
• Vince Vaughn was hilarious as usual. He plays the same kind of character over and over but does it well.
• Actually, they all did a great job showcasing their comedic acting abilities and it was a really great cast that I enjoyed watching.
• Malin Akerman is cute as a button.
• Kristin Davis has a great body. She was the oldest of the female leads but she looked just as good as the young bucks. It's always fun to see her in other movies after loving her so much as Charlotte in Sex In The City.
• I really like the storyline. The idea of couples working on their marriages and re connecting.
• That freakin' island was amazing!! I wanted to jump through the screen and be there myself it was so beautiful and idyllic. It was filmed in Bora Bora which is an island in Tahiti.

3 STARS