Previewing The Reaping, Are We There Yet?

MaryAnn Johanson,  Mar 30, 2007

How does a hardcore rapper turn into Fred MacMurray? This is the question one must consider when one looks at Ice Cube, who turned into the hapless father figure in 2005's Are We There Yet? and takes this bizarre schtick even further in the sequel, Are We Done Yet?, opening next week. I endured the movie yesterday -- and endure truly is the word. If you thought There was a trial, you ain't seen nothing yet. Done would like to invoke not MacMurray but Cary Grant: This is ostensibly a remake of 1948's Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House. The horror ....

Speaking of horror, today I'll catch The Reaping, also opening next week. This one makes me wonder what the hell happened to Hilary Swank, who went from indie queen and Oscar winner for Boys Don't Cry to Hollywood royalty and Oscar winner for Million Dollar Baby to ... what? Melodrama porn with Freedom Writers and now biblical end-times fantasy? I understand a gal's gotta make a living and actors sometimes have to take what they can get, but can we really believe that this is the best a two-time Oscar winner is being offered? Is the place of women in Hollywood really this awful? The horror ....

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MaryAnn Johanson
author of The Totally Geeky Guide to The Princess Bride
minder of FlickFilosopher.com