The Proposal

Before you say anything, no, I do NOT apologize for watching this movie. I am a snob about many things, but I love me some rom-com action, as long as there is no sign of Katherine Heigl, who is a ruiner of all things romantic. Sandra Bullock? Yup, I dig her. Ryan Reynolds? Hell to the yes, my friend, bring on the Canadian antics.
Ok, you all know the plot. Bitchy boss, loyal assistant, she's going to be deported, they fake an engagement. It was all in the previews, I haven't ruined anything for you.
Everything you think you know about this movie is true. There are witty one-liners, the grandma's a crackpot because she's played by Betty White, there are Strong Emotions and True Feelings Revealed. You have seen this movie before, by several other titles. But who cares???? It's fun, it's cute, you laugh (I did, they're funny people), you cry (yes, I have feelings), you wonder if you'll ever look that good in a knee-length skirt suit (probably not). The other thing you do is hit Pause at the moment the two leads bang into each other naked, and then you study that image very carefully. Upon careful inspection, you will come to the conclusion that they have two of the best asses in Hollywood, as well as the rest of their bodies (Sandra Bullock's thighs made me really angry), and then you will experience jealousy for a moment. And then you will hit Play again, and you will laugh and cry.
Listen, I know that every once in a while, all of us are up for a stupid romantic movie night, and how many times can we watch Bridget Jones??

Right at Your Door

This is truly one of the most terrifying movies I've seen in a while. I was not expecting much, just another "what if the terrorists..." bang bam boom types. Not so. Who the terrorists are here is unknown. The concern is the victims.
A young married couple, Brad and Lexi (Rory Cochrane and Mary McCormack) say goodbye in the morning as Lexi leaves for work. Shortly after, someone sets off multiple bombs in downtown Los Angeles. There is a possibility that the bombs are dirty. From this exposition comes a boatload of ethical, moral, and emotional questions, and those are the central themes of the film.
Could you choose between yourself and a loved one? Would you? What is the government's role in our safety in our own home? Would you help or cower?
Sheets of plastic and duct tape are all that separate the couple from each other through the movie. They are so close, but untouchable. As the film progresses over the course of a few days, as they wait for help for arrive, the set literally shrinks, as more and more of the house becomes blocked off. Lexi needs to drink more water. A wandering child needs to be cleaned off. Each instance shrinks the usable area of the house, as more and more plastic sheets go up, more transparent doors, more see-through blockades.
The script by Chris Gorak, who also directs, is riveting. A deep and heartbreaking anger runs through the film. How would you speak to the person you love most and let them know that you love them, when you cannot allow them to touch you, to breathe the air that you breathe?