He’s Just Not That Into You **1/2

Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore, Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Justin Long, Kevin Connolly, Kris Kristofferson
Director: Ken Kwapis
Running Length: 2:05
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Gigi (Goodwin) is getting dating advice from Alex (Long). Beth (Aniston) has been living with her boyfriend Neil (Affleck) for years, but he shows no signs of proposing marriage. Janine (Connelly) and Ben (Cooper) are married and have just bought a new house; but Ben is cheating on her with Anna (Johansson). Anna is currently seeing Connor (Connolly), but it isn’t that serious.

Like “Love, Actually” before it, “He’s Just Not That Into You” weaves multiple, related storylines together dealing with love and relationships. Unfortunately, it does not do so as well, and runs about fifteen minutes too long. There is a lot of star power here, and they do the best they can with what they are given, but only about half of the story lines work in any real way. Still, there is enough here to entertain many. This is best left for DVD if it must be seen.

Marley and Me ***

Cast: Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane, Kathleen Turner, Alan Arkin
Director: David Frankel
Running Length: 2:03
MPAA Classification: PG

John Grogan (Wilson) and his wife Jennifer (Aniston) decide to get a dog soon after getting married. Marley, a yellow Lab, becomes part of the family, and although he is cute and loveable, he is not a model dog. He fails obedience school, and chews on just about anything. He terrorizes the dog-sitter as well. Despite all that, the Grogans love him, and when they begin to have kids and things get crazy, Marley is the constant.

Based on the memoir by John Grogan, “Marley & Me” is a good adaptation. The movie captures most of the key moments in the book, and manages to be true to its spirit as well. Wilson and Aniston have good chemistry with each other and with the dogs playing Marley. It’s funny without being a comedy and serious without being a drama. “Marley & Me” is an excellent choice for a family movie. Anyone who has ever had a dog will appreciate this film, and everyone else will enjoy it too.

Along Came Polly ***

Cast: Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Debra Messing, Alec Baldwin, Hank Azaria, Bryan Brown
Director: John Hamburg

Reuben Feffer's marriage is over before it begins when he catches his new wife with a scuba instructor on their honeymoon. Returning home distraught, his best friend, Sandy, drags him to a party where he is reunited with Polly, a girl he has not seen since high school. They start dating, and while attracted to each other, they are complete opposites. This is a genuinely funny movie, and Ben Stiller is in his element. Philip Seymour Hoffman steals the show though, as Sandy, the one time child actor and best friend of Reuben. Funny and well worth your time.