filmland / By Charlie Myers

Hating Beth Cooper

And what’s more, Bruno just isn’t up to Cohen’s best

(July 16, 2009) Previews

Opening Wednesday, July 15, is the sixth and next-to-last Harry Potter adventure: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. When we last saw Harry, the evil Voldemort unsuccessfully attempted to possess him but was foiled by Dumbledore and Harry himself. Now, with Dumbledore reinstated as headmaster at Hogwarts, the students find they are facing a new challenge in the form of raging hormones. But I strongly suspect that hormones will give way to the inevitable face-off between Harry and the forces of evil, led by Voldemort. Director David Yates returns from the previous film, and he will also direct the two-part film finale of the series. I’m particularly looking forward to the return of Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange and, as I have increasingly enjoyed this series as it has grown darker, I’m hoping the hormones won’t detract too much from the dark side. Rated PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality. 153m. At the Broadway, Mill Creek, Fortuna and Minor with midnight showings Tuesday at the Minor and Broadway.

I LOVE YOU BETH COOPER

GALLERY >

Opening Friday, July 17, is the latest from director Sam Mendes — Away We Go, a dramedy/roadtrip film about a couple (John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph) searching for the best place to raise their imminent child. Also starring Jeff Daniels, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Allison Janney. Looks like a nice break from the usual summer releases. Rated R for language and some sexual content. 98m. At the Minor.

The Eureka Library Based on the Book series for July, “Dark City Dames,” continues Tuesday, July 21 with the 1950 noir Gun Crazy about a husband/wife crime spree, hosted by Wynston Jones. The screening begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Library with a discussion after the film.

Reviews

I LOVE YOU BETH COOPER: Sometimes a film comes along that is so spiritless, so derivative, so … lousy … that it makes all those other films you panned recently look like masterpieces. I Love You Beth Cooper is just such a film. So by way of apology to those who loved the guy film The Hangover (including several women I know), I’m really sorry — it was a masterpiece only belatedly recognized by me as such. For those who loved the lame action film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, based on little toys — I take back all those negative comments I’m sure I made. Year One? I wasn’t astute enough to recognize the sharp humor.

God forbid that some other film comes along that might make Beth Cooper appear even watchable. I do appreciate one thing about the film though — two lines of dialog neatly summarize my experience with this sad exercise in teen comedy. Relatively late in the film (five minutes was actually too late in this film), Denis Cooverman (Paul Rust) says to Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere), “I’m not having fun anymore,” and she replies “Who says you’re supposed to have fun?” (Possibly paraphrased, but close.) Apparently not the viewers.

As happens too often with disappointing comedies, the setup seemed promising. Brainy, nerdy Denis, class valedictorian, is talked into giving his graduation speech by his best, and only, friend, Jack Carpenter (Rich Munsch), so that at last Beth Cooper will notice him. His speech consists of his confession that he loves Beth Cooper, the head cheerleader, along with insults to other selected members of his class, including Beth’s steroid-enhanced boyfriend Kevin (Shawn Roberts).

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