How To Deal

[Mike]

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0319524/howtodeal_poster2.jpg
(Wow, this new poster is a friggin' work of art compared to the original. I'm glad they changed it.)


Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance

PLOT:

Mandy Moore stars as Halley, a young high school student who is disillusioned with love after seeing the many dysfunctional relationships around her. Her father has a pretty new girlfriend who she can't stand. Her mother can't seem to find anyone. Her sister is so dumbstruck with the planning of her marriage that she has become a non-person, and the shallow cheerleaders at her school and their jock boyfriends are beyond comprehension. All these have combined to convince Halley that love is a ridiculous impossibility. But when a tragic event in her life leads to a romantic encounter with a young man, Halley realizes the possibility of true love can sometimes lie in the most unconventional of places.

Release Date: July 18th, 2003 (wide).

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, drug material, language and some thematic elements.

Distributor: New Line Cinema (USA)

Starring: Mandy Moore, Trent Ford, Dylan Baker, Allison Janney, Peter Gallagher

Directed by: Clare Kilner

Produced by: William Teitler, Erica Huggins, Scott Kroopf


http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/new_line_cinema/how_to_deal/_group_photos/mandy_moore2.jpg
http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/new_line_cinema/how_to_deal/mandy_moore/deal2.jpg
http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/new_line_cinema/how_to_deal/mandy_moore/deal.jpg

[ilovemovies]

It looks ok. I liked Mandy Moore in A Walk to Remember. She was surprisingly good in that and this movie looks like another good showcase for her.

[dh1989]

Ugh, shoot me now. How To Deal looks absolutely dreadful. Why? Where do I begin? In the trailer, that actor, Trent Ford, annoys the hell out of me. His cocky, "I know your feelings" attitude makes him completely unlikable. Plus, he is so deadpan. He appears to be an awful, awful actor. Second, the plot seems to be A Walk To Remember, Crossroads, and She's All That thrown into a blender. All three films ranged from mediocre to sucktastic. Not a good sign. Finally, the "humor." Ooooh, grandma smokes pot! And now she's got the MUNCHIES! HAHAHA! Not. I will NEVER waste my time watching this. Sorry, but it looks like a definitive example of what is WRONG with Hollywood today, to me.

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0319524/howtodeal_CN-054-02A_03.jpg

[Ed]

i don't think it looks "dreadful" but i don't think i'll see it anytime soon.

[Freeway]

I'd much rather see this than Bad Boys 2 because at least it's shorter and stars a really cute girl.:)

[Mike]

I saw the trailer to this in front of How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days back in February, and to my surprise, it actually looked really good. It looks like an edgier teen flick, especially for Mandy, after seeing her in A Walk To Remember. Mandy is incredibly cute and seems very sweet and down to earth. The movie has a nice cast, and looks less cheesy than A Walk To Remember (7/10 or B-). I'd say this one is definitely going to be better than that one. The TV spots aren't as good as the trailer, but they are still not bad.

I actually wouldn't mind checking this one out in theaters. In fact, I think I'll try to go see it in theaters. I might go next weekend if I have time. It looks better than Bad Boys 2 and Johnny English. Out of the new releases that weekend, it is easily the one I would choose.

[flowrchild]

This movie looks pretty bad. But I sat through Walk To Remember and survived (barely) so I'm sure I could stomach watching this on HBO one night if nothing else is on.

[PorcheRacer]

Looks terrible too me...

[Horror whore]

CRAP....

Not in a million years will I see this. I can't stand Mandy Moore for one thing, plus all the TV spots make me cringe...

Ugh, I have a feeling my friends will try to take me to this, they lap this kind of crap up. I'll just tell them that I'm allergic to Mandy Moore or something because I will NOT see this movie.

[Mike]

Horror Whore,

I remember when you voted for Crossroads over A Walk To Remember in my tournament because you can't stand Mandy Moore. I personally find it kind of funny how you could like Britney Spears over Mandy Moore. Mandy seems so sweet and down to earth, and Britney seems like a bitch. Sure, she "acts" nice, but she seems really fake. Mandy, on the other hand, I couldn't picture being mean. She just seems too naturally nice for that. Why do you hate her so much? And how could you like Britney Spears more?

[Horror whore]

Originally posted by Mike
Why do you hate her so much? And how could you like Britney Spears more?

They both seem like bitches to me... I actually thought Crossroads looks better than A Walk To Remember, that's why I voted for it, not because I like Britney. I don't really like either of them, but I hate Mandy much Moore (;)). She seems so fake to me and I hate that. She's always acting happy and sweet, it gets on my nerves because no one is that happy all the time. One time, she was on TRL and they had her cross the street to go to Virgin and they flimed her crossing the street with a couple of bodyguards, but she didn't know there was a camera on her, she looked evil. She was yelling about something to one of her bodyguards. It was hilarious to see someone that "happy" all the time yelling at someone...

So to answer your question, I like Britney more because she's not all ditzy acting all the time and acts like a real person...

I still don't really like Britney, I doubt I'll ever see Crossroads and I know I'll never see A Walk To Remember or How To Deal.

[MadsenOMC]

I saw the trailers for How to Deal and Thirteen on the same day. One appears to examine teens as they really are (which makes even more sense since it was co-written by a teen). It captures they way they talk, the things they do. It looks fantastic. The other appears to be yet another piece of garbage that features a teen that somehow has given up on love. How do you give up on love at that age? That is insane and idiotic. How to Deal looks awful. It looks even worse than awful. The story is ridiculously lame and contrived. Who comes up with this crap? And why do they get paid for it? Give me a break. The trailer just made me angry. No basis in reality or depicting teens as they are. Just playing out a formula and hoping teens show up opening weekend. Repulsive.

[RogueSpear]

I think I'll pass on this one. The trailers suck. The story has been done to death already and it looks like they just tried to cram as many problems and morals into the movie as possible. Blech...

...oh yeah, and Mandy Moore sucks. Just one more reason not to see this...

[movies35]

I love Mandy Moore's acting to death. She was great in A Walk To Remember, and there hasen't been a movie like this in awhile. So I really can't wait to see it!

[Kim_EZ]

Mandy Moore was awful in A Walk To Remember, but that movie sucked anyway. Read the book; it's better.

I may see this. It doesn't really seem that different than any other teen-drama movie. And Mandy Moore is just a tolerable actress.

[movies35]

Originally posted by Kim_EZ
Mandy Moore was awful in A Walk To Remember, but that movie sucked anyway. Read the book; it's better.


Little off topic, but I love both the book and the movie.

[PorcheRacer]

Originally posted by movies35
there hasen't been a movie like this in awhile. So I really can't wait to see it!


Yeah, I was getting sick of all the good movies coming out too.

[movies35]

Originally posted by PorcheRacer
Yeah, I was getting sick of all the good movies coming out too.

With your taste, it seems like it. ;)
Everyone has their own taste if movies.

Anyways, I saw the FULL trailer for the first time a little while ago, and I think it looks great.

[PorcheRacer]

Originally posted by movies35
With your taste, it seems like it. ;)

???

If an insult has a smiley following it...is it still an insult?

[movies35]

Originally posted by PorcheRacer
???

If an insult has a smiley following it...is it still an insult?

No, there is this thing called "sarcasem". Maybe you should learn it?

[PorcheRacer]

Originally posted by movies35
No, there is this thing called "sarcasem". Maybe you should learn it?

What's "sarcasem"?

:D:D:D:D

[Nate6]

LMAO...this thread is terrifically entertaining to read.

Anyway, this movie looks like a gigantic piece of excrement to me. Purely point-and-shoot useless teen romance fluff. Allison Janney's presence is the only encouraging thing, and I'm sure this is merely a cash-the-paycheck project for her. Mandy Moore is an awful singer and a mediocre actress, at best, and that Trent Ford character looks like all the guys I hate at my high school.

Bad, predictable teen movies like this should go straight to hell...

[EDsoulsurvive*]

I dont think this looks THAT bad. I mean, sure, u kno Mandy and the guy are gunna get together at the end, but still, Mandy looks great as a brunette with short hair and the plot isnt as generic as some other teen movies, i might c it (THATS A BIG MAYBE) Anyway, i do hav to bitch about one thing, that guy Trent Ford is possibly the worst actor i have ever seen. i cant help but snicker/laugh whenevr he says a single line from the trailer.

[Mike]

Originally posted by PorcheRacer
Yeah, I was getting sick of all the good movies coming out too.

Oh yeah, all those good movies like The Hulk, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Charlie's Angels 2. Wow, such great, well written films. They are destined for the Oscars. :rolleyes:;)

Anyway, you saw and liked/loved 2 Fast 2 Furious and CA2, and those aren't exactly "good" films, so don't diss something that some other people might want to see by saying what you did. If you don't want to see it and think it looks bad, that's fine, say it then. But try not to insult the people that actually do want to see it while you're at it. ;)

[Horror whore]

This thread is hilarious!!!!

Ugh. Yesterday I saw the full trailer before Legally Blonde 2 and I nearly threw up. I think I really am allergic to Mandy Moore or maybe I just ate some bad popcorn. ;) I'm sorry but this movie looks horrendous. "Boy, do I have the munchies!" AHHHH!!! I cringed at that line, it's so stupid!

I think I'm going to put this on my dreaded "Will Never See" list right next to that movie about the rats. ;)

[PorcheRacer]

Originally posted by Horror whore
This thread is hilarious!!!!

Ugh. Yesterday I saw the full trailer before Legally Blonde 2 and I nearly threw up. I think I really am allergic to Mandy Moore or maybe I just ate some bad popcorn. ;) I'm sorry but this movie looks horrendous. "Boy, do I have the munchies!" AHHHH!!! I cringed at that line, it's so stupid!

I think I'm going to put this on my dreaded "Will Never See" list right next to that movie about the rats. ;)

I think we have the same lists ;)

[RickySlade]

This movie looks like complete trash. Why are we giving movies to singers who probably had no acting classes in their life? Oh yeah, to make money. How To Deal, looks like another "teen" movie and hey, didn't teen movies go out like in 1999? The trailers I've seen are unfunny. Especially the part where the old lad says " I've got the munchies" or something like that. Please, stop making these horribly written, unfunny, supposed teen movies!

[Lynn Minmei]

Nothing like teen angst, folks.

[MadsenOMC]

Here's the first review I've read:

0 stars out of 4

Based on a pair of Sarah Dessen novels that apparently deal with the tribulations of a particularly sour adolescent girl, Clare Kilner's How to Deal is a disastrously twee Judy Blume knock-off that compacts every ill of growing up female into a hysterical parcel of over-reaching and hollow sanctimony. It's the kind of movie that has its maudlin protagonist reading Madame Bovary to parse, I guess, some portion of romantic martyrdom when the irony of the reference is that at the root of Emma Bovary's problems arguably lies her infatuation with mealy romance novels into which she might substitute herself for the heroines (not forgetting the role of Dessen's books in the first place). Irony and incompetence being the two rules of the day as Kilner and her cinematographer Eric Alan Edwards (once Gus Van Sant's DP, now relegated to stuff like this and Britney Spears' Crossroads) make unforgivable decisions in lighting and camera placement that cast How to Deal as an unintentional horror film with at least three scenes loaded with tension and free-floating anxiety for no good reason save that the filmmakers don't seem to know what the hell they're doing.

Halley (Mandy Moore) is the abovementioned sourpuss teen who's best pals with poor, doomed Scarlett (Alexandra Holden), her role in message-laden messes like this to provide the cautionary example so that the undeserving protagonist can avoid actually committing any mistakes of her own. To that end, Scarlett engages in premarital sex and, like any good slasher movie, is promptly punished for it with the tragedy of teen pregnancy and the ridiculous death of her angelic boyfriend. To leaven the staleness of the piece, a pot-smoking, straight-talking granny (Nina Foch, professional geriatric comedy relief) makes a mess of a dinner with the future in-laws of Halley's sister (Mary Catherine Garrison)--a dinner already a mess for the inexplicable appearance of a neo-Hattie McDaniel archetype housemaid/nanny. Meanwhile, Halley's mother (Allison Janney), recently divorced from a soon-to-be remarried radio DJ (Peter Gallagher, looking more and more like that boomerang fish-throwing Muppet), starts up a romance with a kindly Civil War re-enactor (Dylan Baker, who cannot appear in suburban operas anymore without dredging up the ghost of Happiness) while Halley herself finds love sort-of with dreamy rebel Macon (Trent Ford, vying with Paul Walker for the coveted "Worst Performance of the Year" award).

As Macon delivers a eulogy to Dead Boyfriend dressed like Johnny Depp in Benny & Joon, I felt, in a simultaneous rush, the twin sisters of dread and fatigue. Small implosions of mirth at a running theme of Halley and Macon repeatedly using the "Jedi Mind Trick" on one another (remembering, according to Lucas-lore, that said trick only works on the feeble-minded) aside, How to Deal is so manipulative and frustratingly amateurish that the only appropriate description of the experience of watching it is "wearying." Consider a scene in which Janney's frazzled divorcee chops carrots that is shot and edited in such a way that rather than comic (as appears the intent), the scene plays a lot like the typewriter sequence from The Shining; or another where a character flies off in a helicopter that, given the slipshod mordancy of the picture to that point, leads to anticipation of a fiery crash; or a scene where Halley dances at the edge of a dam run-off that suggests a sudden plunge to a watery grave; or still others where a character is shot completely in shadow, or divided by a mirror--none of which trumps an establishing shot of Halley's high school that shows its flag, again without explanation, flying at half mast. How to Deal even offers intentional horrors like a pointed car wreck and dialogue that includes such lead balloons as, "It was great...if you happen to be the devil and enjoy human pain." Which is also as pithy a critique of the film as any.

Essentially the Britney Spears Crossroads (the only substantive difference between the two unforgivable suck-a-paloozas that Mandy is too chaste to pull the trigger on the premarital-sex-with-scumbag pistol), the picture is a ninety-minute billboard for Krispy Kreme that searches for a little credibility amongst the post-babysitter's club demographic by tossing off some foul language and presenting a few scenarios that are relevant to teenage girls mainly because How to Deal tries to cover every issue that might be relevant to teenage girls. It uses ancillary characters to suffer in place of our hero, making her evolution less one of experience than of the sort of parasitic voyeurism favoured by champions of the spectator-chic of Forrest Gump, and it's so intent on offering every single element of the teen formula (the wedding, the birth, the musical falling-in-love montage) that it's at once overcrowded and curiously empty. How to Deal is not only badly plotted, performed, and thought-out, it's an example of what can happen when filmmakers don't have the first idea about the language of film. Trying to communicate in a tongue you don't understand, after all, tends to result in awkward misunderstandings, clumsy misstatements, and hours of frustration and muddle.-Walter Chaw

[Freeway]

I don't get why there's all the bashing of what seems to be an innocuous film. If you don't want to see the movie, then don't post bashing others who do because if that's all you want to do why not just ignore this thread and not post at all?

[MadsenOMC]

I'm not bashing anyone that wants to see the flick, just the flick itself. And I am certainly going to share my opinions on a film that to me looks horrible. Hence the purpose of these boards, to share opinions on films. Big difference between attacking a movie and attacking a person.

[Horror whore]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
Here's the first review I've read:

0 stars out of 4

LOL! That review certainly makes me want to see it now!

NOT...

[t3h Qster]

another mandy moore movie? shoot me please

[Nachokoolaid]

I wasn't going to see this tripe anyway, but that review confirmed my apprehensions.

[Horror whore]

This movie currently has a 0% rating at Rotten Tomatoes, here's my favorite quote:

"You could take a camcorder to the mall, videotape strangers at random, and end up with a better movie."
-- Sean O'Connell, FILMCRITIC.COM

[dh1989]

Originally posted by Freeway
I don't get why there's all the bashing of what seems to be an innocuous film. If you don't want to see the movie, then don't post bashing others who do because if that's all you want to do why not just ignore this thread and not post at all?

Freeway, you had no problem bashing Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde, I seem to remember.

[Nate6]

Originally posted by Horror whore
"You could take a camcorder to the mall, videotape strangers at random, and end up with a better movie."
-- Sean O'Connell, FILMCRITIC.COM

LMAO! That is the funniest line from any critic...ever.

And sadly, what he's saying is probably true.

[Hannibal21]

LMFAO! This has got to be the funniest thread I have ever encountered! :)

As for the film, I'll definitely see it! It looks like a masterpiece, CITIZEN KANE of it's generation........................................ .......................NOT! For one thing, the trailer was horrible and cringe inducing, it seems so completely schmaltzy and manipulative, this type of story has been done before and this film brings nothing new; it looks much worse and there's just no way I'm seeing it. Ugh!

[movies35]

I saw this at a sneak preview a couple nights ago. And it wasn't too bad, but it wasn't great. 7/10 or B-

[ColinM]

Yeah, the trailer looked like a real piece of shit (any movie depending on old people doing non-old people things for most of their laughs tend to be bad news), but compared to another movie that just came out, From Kelly to Justin, it looks like a fucking masterpiece. I wonder if it was released after that for just that reason?

Well, didn't work for me. I won't be seeing this one. This thread is probably much more entertaining than the movie will end up being. :)

[Mike]

There's 3 FRESH and 5 ROTTEN reviews at Rotten Tomatoes. I must say, that's not that bad for a movie like this. Its reviews will probably be like the reviews for most teen movies.

Since people have already posted negative reviews for it here, I will post some positive critic quotes:


"Mandy Moore continues to display a surprising amount of talent (if not range) in her acting ability."
-- Joshua Tyler, FILM HOBBIT

"The plot pulls off a few unexpectedly dramatic kinks, adding unforeseen edge and a welcome surprise factor to the sentimental proceedings."
-- Jeanne Aufmuth, PALO ALTO WEEKLY

"Moore's appealing, unaffected authenticity buttresses weaker passages...but How to Deal can't seem to stay faithful to its aspirations of coloring outside the lines of cliché."
-- Rob Blackwelder, SPLICEDWIRE

[MadsenOMC]

If you think you're going to like it, you will. If not, you won't. That's how it seems to work. Hardly ever is someone excited to see a movie, only to post their negative review. Most people have their mind made up going in.

[Horror whore]

Ugh.... My friend told me she wants to see this "movie" this weekend. She wants to see this, Bad Boys II, and the sneak preview of Freaky Friday. I have no problem seeing the other two, but I have already vowed to never see this so I told her I already have plans (I'm so mean) so we're going to the movies next weekend to see Spy Kids 3, Tomb Raider 2 and Bad Boys II... Hopefully she'll forget about this by then. ;)

[Nate6]

Originally posted by Mike
"Mandy Moore continues to display a surprising amount of talent (if not range) in her acting ability."
-- Joshua Tyler, FILM HOBBIT

"The plot pulls off a few unexpectedly dramatic kinks, adding unforeseen edge and a welcome surprise factor to the sentimental proceedings."
-- Jeanne Aufmuth, PALO ALTO WEEKLY

"Moore's appealing, unaffected authenticity buttresses weaker passages...but How to Deal can't seem to stay faithful to its aspirations of coloring outside the lines of cliché."
-- Rob Blackwelder, SPLICEDWIRE

It's a good try, Mike, but I have a thing about movie critics and publications I haven't even heard of...

[Hannibal21]

So far, at Rotten Tomatoes, it's gotten a 46% on the rating scale; Wow, that's actually pretty good compared to some of the other predictable, formulaic teen movies; but there's still no way in hell I'm seeing it. ;)

[RickySlade]

Originally posted by Nate6
It's a good try, Mike, but I have a thing about movie critics and publications I haven't even heard of...

Nice one! Yeah who cares about the reviewers over at FILM HOBBIT?

[Mike]

So far it's the best reviewed movie opening in wide release this weekend.

Bad Boys 2 has 4 FRESH and 11 ROTTEN...

Johnny English has 7 FRESH and 13 ROTTEN...

And How To Deal has 6 FRESH and 7 ROTTEN...


Man, the reviews for Bad Boys 2 are sure horrible...

[MadsenOMC]

Did you read James Berardinelli's Bad Boys II review? Wow. A half-star.

[ColinM]

Yeah, wow, that was a hell of a review!

[ColinM]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
If you think you're going to like it, you will. If not, you won't. That's how it seems to work. Hardly ever is someone excited to see a movie, only to post their negative review. Most people have their mind made up going in.

Um...this isn't true. At least, it's not always. I can think of a great many times when I looked forward to a movie and enjoyed it, but I can think of at least as many times when I expected to like a movie then didn't, or expected not to like a movie then did.

For further proof, go check out The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen thread and see how dh1989's opinion of the flick changes. :)

[Mike]

Originally posted by ColinM
Um...this isn't true. At least, it's not always. I can think of a great many times when I looked forward to a movie and enjoyed it, but I can think of at least as many times when I expected to like a movie then didn't, or expected not to like a movie then did.

Yeah, you're right, it's not always true. However, a person can usually tell if they will like a movie or not. Sometimes you are wrong, but you at least have a pretty good idea. Most movies I think I will like, I do. Most movies I think I won't like, I don't. But sometimes it doesn't work out that way.

I remember the week From Hell and The Others came out. I thought From Hell looked really good and The Others looked really bad and cheesy. Boy was I wrong about both.

Here's my ratings:

From Hell - 2/10 (F)
The Others - 9/10 (A-)

That's quite a difference...

This year I thought I would like Darkness Falls (5/10 or C-), but it sucked. The best thing about it was Emma Caulfield, who played my favorite character on Buffy. Even she couldn't save it though.

In 2002, I expected these to suck, or at least not be that good:

Tuck Everlasting (8/10 or B+)
Like Mike (7/10 or B)
The Bourne Identity (7/10 or B)
Minority Report (7/10 or B-)


In 2002, I expected these to be either great or at least good:

Resident Evil - 6/10 (C+)
Reign Of Fire - 6/10 (C+)
Austin Powers in Goldmember - 6/10 (C+)
Halloween: Resurrection - 6/10 (C+)
Spirited Away - 6/10 (C+)
About Schmidt - 6/10 (C+)
The Hours - 6/10 (C+)
Harvard Man - 5/10 (C)
Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets - 5/10 (C-)
8 Mile - 5/10 (C-)
Jackass - 5/10 (C-)
Signs (even though I hate Shyamalan, I still thought it looked good) - 5/10 (C-)
The Emperor's Club - 5/10 (C)
The Sum Of All Fears - 4/10 (D+)
Femme Fatale - 2/10 (F)

And there's plenty of others that really surprised me by being really good or really disappointing...


DH is a good example of this. A lot of times he thinks a movie looks really good, but then will end up sucking. Or he thinks a movie looks terrible, and will end up liking/loving it. This year he thought Willard and May looked absolutely awful, and then he ended up enjoying them both.

You never know. Sometimes you can tell if you will like a movie (most of the time you usually can), but sometimes you end up being wrong.

[RicochetShaw]

Originally posted by Mike
Oh yeah, all those good movies like The Hulk, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Charlie's Angels 2. Wow, such great, well written films. They are destined for the Oscars. :rolleyes:;)





did you see Hulk?

[MadsenOMC]

Mike, I'm surprised that you would criticize someone for liking poorly written movies like 2 Fast 2 Furious and Charlies Angels 2 when you like plenty of poorly written movies yourself. Two perfect examples are Like Mike and Tuck Everlasting. Those are no better. But that's off topic. I am willing to bet that Mike loves How to Deal, if he sees it. Are you seeing it this weekend?

[dh1989]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
Mike, I'm surprised that you would criticize someone for liking poorly written movies like 2 Fast 2 Furious and Charlies Angels 2 when you like plenty of poorly written movies yourself. Two perfect examples are Like Mike and Tuck Everlasting. Those are no better.

Whether someone finds a film to be 'poorly written' is subjective. Actually, I'd say Tuck Everlasting is well-written, with a good blend of romance, magic, and adventure. But, I'd concur with Mike that Hulk was poorly written, not allowing the characters to show more than basic emotions, and monolouges that induce cringing, a la Nolte's near the finale. If Mike sees something as poorly written, that you don't, it makes no difference. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone must respect everyone else's opinion. It's the basic human right.

[MadsenOMC]

It is getting so tiresome to be repeatedly told that everyone has an opinion and a right to that opinion. Thanks. I understand that. I understood that before you told me the first time, and I understand after you told me for the 100th time. I did not disrespect anyone's opinion. Apparently, Mike criticized someone for liking films he thinks have poor scripts. Why don't you go after him? Why don't you remind him about opinions? It's so sweet that you're always running to his defense.

[dh1989]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
It is getting so tiresome to be repeatedly told that everyone has an opinion and a right to that opinion. Thanks. I understand that. I understood that before you told me the first time, and I understand after you told me for the 100th time. I did not disrespect anyone's opinion. Apparently, Mike criticized someone for liking films he thinks have poor scripts. Why don't you go after him? Why don't you remind him about opinions? It's so sweet that you're always running to his defense.

Well, from the tone of the following post ---

"Mike, I'm surprised that you would criticize someone for liking poorly written movies like 2 Fast 2 Furious and Charlies Angels 2 when you like plenty of poorly written movies yourself. Two perfect examples are Like Mike and Tuck Everlasting. Those are no better. But that's off topic. I am willing to bet that Mike loves How to Deal, if he sees it. Are you seeing it this weekend?"

It sounded as if you needed reminding of what an opinion is, yet another time.

Second, I did not SAY you disrespected anyone's opinion. You are jumping to your defense, when I did not even intend to be prosecuting. Also, 'Mike' did not criticize anyone. 'PorcheRacer' made a snide comment to 'movies35', regarding his taste, and 'Mike' stepped into to say something about it, to remind 'PorcheRacer' of opinions. So, perhaps you should read into something more, before passing judgement.

P.S. Nice sarcasm work in your reply! ;)

[Horror whore]

What the hell happened to this thread?!?!?!?!

Shouldn't we be discussing the wannabe "Lifetime Original" known as How To Deal.

Ughh... Speaking of this "movie," my friend is still under the impression that I want to see this. I'm going to stand by my word and NEVER see this movie. ;)

[Mike]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
It is getting so tiresome to be repeatedly told that everyone has an opinion and a right to that opinion. Thanks. I understand that. I understood that before you told me the first time, and I understand after you told me for the 100th time. I did not disrespect anyone's opinion. Apparently, Mike criticized someone for liking films he thinks have poor scripts. Why don't you go after him? Why don't you remind him about opinions? It's so sweet that you're always running to his defense.

Actually, I never criticized someones opinion. In fact, there's absolutely nothing wrong with liking "fun" movies, not everything has to be brilliant and original. I just told Porche that he shouldn't criticize people for wanting to see this and calling it a "bad film" when not everything he sees and enjoys are "good films" either, some are just "fun" ones.

And Tuck Everlasting was actually not a bad film. It was a good family fantasy movie. I thought it looked really bad, but I was actually very surprised and am glad I gave it a chance, because I almost didn't. If you found it badly written (if you've even seen it), how were you expecting it to be written? Was it supposed to have huge words that kids weren't supposed to understand, even if it's a family movie? Is every movie supposed to have huge words in order to be considered "well written?" And as terrible as Like Mike looked, it actually was very surprisingly good for a family movie. It was more mature than I expected... No offense, but you seem to criticize almost every movie that comes out. How many movies do you actually end up wanting to see a year, 10? And my friends and family find me picky when it comes to movies? I usually end up giving most a chance at one point, even ones that look just OK.

Anyway, I have no problem with people liking fun movies, I do sometimes too. Everyone has their own taste and can like what they want. But I just don't think someone should criticize other people for wanting to see something.

[Horror whore]

To keep steering this thread back in the right direction, here is another critic quote:

"A movie which you will find almost unbearable unless you are 1. already a huge Mandy Moore fan, 2. 12 years old and 3. clinically dead."
-- John Anderson, NEWSDAY

[Mike]

Originally posted by Horror whore
Ughh... Speaking of this "movie," my friend is still under the impression that I want to see this. I'm going to stand by my word and NEVER see this movie. ;)

I think the main reason you won't watch it is because of Mandy Moore. That's pretty much 90% of the reason. If it starred Seann William Scott and Kirsten Dunst you'd probably be much more likely to see it.

It's kind of funny how a lot of the movies that your friends want to see and you don't are ones that I actually want to see too. Of course, there's a lot of movies that you want to see and I want to see as well. I just see all kinds of movies though, and won't not see a movie because it stars someone I don't like.

[Horror whore]

Originally posted by Mike
I think the main reason you won't watch it is because of Mandy Moore. That's pretty much 90% of the reason. If it starred Seann William Scott and Kirsten Dunst you'd probably be much more likely to see it.

Yes, yes, true, very true.

Originally posted by Mike
It's kind of funny how a lot of the movies that your friends want to see and you don't are ones that I actually want to see too. Of course, there's a lot of movies that you want to see and I want to see as well. I just see all kinds of movies though, and won't not see a movie because it stars someone I don't like.

I've kind of noticed that also. I have a feeling you'd really like my friends. ;)

[Ed]

i though this was hilarious:

"You could take a camcorder to the mall, videotape strangers at random, and end up with a better movie."
-- Sean O'Connell, FILMCRITIC.COM

[MadsenOMC]

I actually reviewed Tuck Everlasting for the newspaper I work for, so yes I have seen it. And the writing is pretty bad, even for a family film. And yes, we are off topic. So let's leave it at that. Mike, you never answered my question. Are you seeing How to Deal this weekend?

[dh1989]

Just to be fair, here's a positive review of How To Deal from a respected critic...

The Hollywood Reporter:

"How to Deal" is that rarity, a movie aimed at teens that doesn't insult their intelligence. Yes, it covers the usual subjects and conflicts. But its heroine, a 17-year-old caught up in a swirl of problems involving family, friends and herself, is genuinely trying to figure out "how to deal with it" instead of fleeing to the mall or popping open a Bud. Singer-actress Mandy Moore has an engaging personality and a calm steadiness, which draws empathy to her character, a young woman who so clearly sees other people's mistakes but is baffled by her own.

Moore's presence and a story focusing on women of different ages will draw a predominantly young female audience for this romantic drama, though the small-budget picture could get lost among the noisy summer action movies. It perhaps will perform best in ancillary markets.

Everywhere Halley Martin (Moore) looks, she sees messed-up romantic relationships. Her dad (Peter Gallagher), a soft-rock radio DJ of appalling tackiness, has just divorced her bitter mom (Allison Janney) to marry a much younger woman. Her stressed older sister (Mary Catherine Garrison) is prepping a wedding to a nice guy she fights with all the time. Her best friend (Alexandra Holden) is letting her first serious boyfriend sleep with her. Then a shaggy though amusing guy (Trent Ford) she never paid any attention to is paying a lot of attention to her, and she fights her feelings for him because she doesn't want to experience the pain and disappointment of those around her.

The script by veteran playwright Neena Beber is loosely based on two coming-of-age novels for young adults by Sarah Dessen. It is not afraid to be old-fashioned: Halley's suitor throws pebbles against her upstairs window at night to get her attention. (What? No e-mails or cell phones?) At times, though, the writing also feels contrived and the characters pro forma. Halley's dad, for instance, is such an over-the-top cad there is not much wiggle room when Beber tries to redeem him.

But the movie, directed economically by British helmer Clare Kilner, possesses an appealing off-centeredness. Grandma (Nina Foch, nice to see again on the big screen) enjoys smoking pot, and Mom often takes her anger with her ex out on household chores such as chopping vegetables and weeding the garden. Nor are the subplots always predictable. A tragedy occurs in one and its aftermath is unforeseen.

The film's major fault is that its peripheral characters stay on the periphery. The bride's new in-laws remain caricatures, and even the mother never really comes into focus. This is a family that always seems to talk past one another -- which perhaps is the movie's point. Acting styles vary with the more realistic performances coming from the younger actors, while older ones settle for broad characterizations.

Technical credits are adroit. Filmed in Toronto so it looks like Anywhere USA, "How to Deal" features music heavy on the strings and fluid cinematography by Eric Edwards. Kilner handles the large cast well, but the movie sticks too close to the surface to linger in theaters long.

Overall, How To Deal ended up with 40% freshness rating at Rotten Tomatoes, making it the 2nd best reviewed film of the weekend, behind Johnny English, but well ahead of Michael Bay's Bad Boys II.

[AgentSmith]

HOW TO DEAL / ** (PG-13)

July 18, 2003

Halley Martin: Mandy Moore
Lydia Martin: Allison Janney
Macon: Trent Ford
Scarlett: Alexandra Holden
Grandma Halley: Nina Foch
Len Martin: Peter Gallagher
Steve: Dylan Baker
Lewis: Mackenzie Astin
Ashley Martin Mary Catherine Garrison

New Line Cinema presents a film directed by Clare Kilner. Written by Neena Beber. Running time: 101 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for sexual content, drug material, language and some thematic elements).

BY ROGER EBERT

Godard famously informed us that the history of cinema is the history of boys photographing girls, and although "How to Deal" may not be very good, it is splendidly historical in Godardian terms. The girl is Mandy Moore, who has such an unaffected natural charm that she almost makes the movie worth seeing. Still only 19, she made her starring debut in "A Walk to Remember" (2002), and has five more projects in the pipeline, including one called "Untitled Mandy Moore Project," which pretty clearly establishes who is the star.

"How to Deal" has some good things in it, including a performance by Allison Janney as a mother who is allowed to be more human and complicated than the average mom of a movie teenager. There's also a strong performance by Alexandra Holden, as the heroine's best friend, facing an unexpected pregnancy with more character than some of the adults show.

Moore stars as Halley Martin (is it a coincidence that the first name is an echo of Hayley Mills, who in her early pictures had the same freshness?). She narrates the story, which is based on the young adult novels Someone Like You and That Summer, by Sarah Dessen. We have come upon her during a period of disturbing changes in her life: Her father has walked out of the marriage and taken up with a radio weather bimbo, her sister is marrying into a family of rich snobs, her best friend is dealing with a big moral decision, and Halley herself is faced with the alarming prospect of her first romance. The boy is Macon (Trent Ford), and the fact that he's a nice guy only makes her choices more complicated.

The movie attempts to deal in a healthy manner with teenage sexuality (which Halley is none too eager to experience), broken marriages and learning to be yourself. But it's too heavy on issues and too light on just observing the characters and enjoying their freshness. Three other recent movies about articulate teenagers, "Bend It Like Beckham," "Whale Rider" and "I Capture the Castle," are smarter and more nuanced, and you don't see the plot changing gears so obviously. Still, that there are four movies in which teenage girls resolutely find their way in the world is an encouragement; shame about boys.

There are startling surprises in the movie that I must not reveal, and since they occur early and have effects all through the story, I may have to avoid a proper plot summary. Let me observe instead that Halley and her mom have some talks about life that are real, deal with the issues, and show the mother as an intelligent person with problems of her own. It's sweet the way the movie deals with her own possible romance, with a man played by Dylan Baker, who rarely gets to play such an attractive character. And Ford, as the boyfriend, somehow survives some awfully earnest dialogue he's made to deliver; there's a thin line between being good and being too good to believe.

All of these elements are in place, and yet the movie never really pulls us into the story and makes us care, the way those other three movies do. The screenplay feels more like a checklist than a lifeline, and there are three major relationships competing for attention, not counting the weather bimbo. I watched the movie with interest, yes, but not emotional involvement, and my appreciation of Moore was based more on her essence than on her character. Having seen "I Capture the Castle" at about the same time, I was aware of how much deeper, quirkier and more observant a coming-of-age film could be. Both deal with the marriage of an older sister, both have a dinner party with a forbidding matron, but "Castle" triumphs and "How to Deal" sort of putters along.

What the movie establishes above all is that Mandy Moore has a future in the movies, maybe even in the horror film she's making with Wes Craven. She has that ease in front of the camera that makes you think she's the real thing. "The secret of acting," George Burns said, "is sincerity. If you can fake that, you've got it made." Mandy Moore has it made, and the thing is, I don't think she's faking.

[MadsenOMC]

By Smilin' Jack Ruby


"I thought my life couldn't get any worse, but then Michael died of a birth defect."

I'm paraphrasing, but I have to say, How to Deal is one of the single worst, most laughable movies ever made. Am I saying that because I don't "get" teen girl movies? No, I'm a fucking film reviewer. This is my thing. Am I saying this because I don't like Mandy Moore? No, you can tell that with a decent movie, she wouldn't be too bad as an actress. So, why the hate?

HOW TO DEAL IS ONE OF THE WORST MOVIES EVER MADE!!!!

It's down there with Chains of Desire, that Malcolm McDowell-starring AIDS film that masqueraded as softcore porn and got released showing people fucking all over New York City to show the "spread of AIDS" and featured the back-and-forth: GIRL: You have to suffer to be an artist. STUD-BOY: I have suffered, baby. Naturally, they then kiss and end up fucking.

How to Deal is the next Showgirls, the kind of absolutely LAUGHABLE amalgamation of after-school specials that you think is a parody, but they take So Deathly Seriously that it's more than shocking. This movie is goddamn hilarious and I could barely keep from bursting out laughing with every frame. My poor girlfriend almost had tears in her eyes she was laughing so hard at this film, so don't just think it's because I'm a dude.

Where to even begin? I didn't completely hate the script back in the day (they took out a few things, like the drunk-driving boyfriend and the lead's pervasive smoking), but still didn't think it would be that great. BUT, I went in with an open mind hoping it would be something halfway decent. Well...it wasn't and I really think it made a case for when I was a teen and we got good stuff like Heathers and Pump Up The Volume instead of this sad tripe that passes as a teen flick.

Anyway, Halley (Moore) is a troubled teen - sort of. She doesn't listen to KMFDM, stalk around in a trenchcoat and carve her boyfriend's name in her leg with a straight-razor, but she's "Not Popular" (which means DEATH in a teen movie as it is the Worst Fate Imaginable) and her mother (Allison Janney - giving it her all) is a little pissed off as her husband (Peter Gallagher), a ridiculous parody of a morning DJ, just divorced her in order to marry his "traffic girl." On top of this, Halley's sister is getting married (to Mackenzie Astin, who I like a lot as an actor, actually - hopefully both Astins will find a home in New Line) and that's causing a big ruckus as well.

Halley's best friend, Scarlett (Alexandra Holden) is in love, getting laid and is all-bubbly-happy all the time as she loves her boyfriend, Michael (John White) who she loves so much you know he's either going to A: beat her B: leave her or C: drop dead to destroy her little perfect world. Halley rebels against falling in love, which is simply a ruse as she's already in love with "the perfect rebel/who the FUCK came up with this name" Macon Forrester (Trent Ford). He's rebellious, but, of course, completely romantic and sweeps Halley off her feet.

The movie meanders through a school year, sort of, as Michael dies of a heart defect on a soccer field, but then Scarlett finds out she's pregnant. There is NO timeline in this movie - it seems like it's about four or five months later by the time Scarlett finds out she's pregnant - echoed by the fact that Halley's mom meets "a nice man" (Dylan Baker - doing his best and cashing a paycheck) who asks her out on a date what feels like MONTHS after a chance encounter. What, he was stalking her??? When there's no time consistency, it just fucks with you as an audience-member and you're like, "Somebody should've directed this movie better."

At Michael's funeral, they play that Flaming Lips song, "Do You Realize," which I liked when I heard the album, but will NEVER listen to again.

This is the sappiest movie made in years. It's so earnest that Oscar Wilde regrets...oh, I'm not even going to finish that droll bit of nothing. This Movie SUCKS ASS, but if you want to HAVE FUN, go get drunk, take a big group of girls and guys to a late screening where you won't bug the pre-teen Mandy Moore fans, and MST3K this film. Unlike recent turkeys, How to Deal has such impossibly bad lines and line-delivery throughout it, that I can't wait to be invited to the first West Hollywood drag party screening of this where it's ripped apart from start to finish. This movie is just simply god-fucking-awful and truly the worst thing I've seen in '03 thus far.

But quite hilariously bad, so yes, it's schlock-worthy. This IS Showgirls territory.





.5 out of 10

[Mike]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
Mike, you never answered my question. Are you seeing How to Deal this weekend?

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't even see that you had asked me that question. Anyway, the answer is maybe. I'd like to check it out in theaters sometime, because I think it looks good. I think I'll be busy all this weekend, but you never know, I might get the chance to go see it.


Anyway, here's some good quotes from critics:


"After a summer filled with robots, explosions, car crashes, fart jokes and lazy-eyed skanks battling Demi Moore, here is a simple, unassuming film that actually dares to include the human element into the mix."
-- Peter Sobczynski, CRITIC DOCTOR

"Part comedy, part tragedy, this teen romance rises above most of them out there, due in no small part to the sexy chemistry between Moore and Ford."
-- Jane Stevenson, JAM! MOVIES

"Some moments ring true, others seem contrived, but the film is by and large sustained by strong central performances and by its depth."
-- Kevin Thomas, LOS ANGELES TIMES

"How to Deal is a 'dramady' of a film, with first-time director Clare Kilner fighting valiantly to balance its heaviness with humor. Though it's no Terms of Endearment, she pulls it off."
-- Bruce Westbrook, HOUSTON CHRONICLE

"Sets a high level of integrity for adolescent melodramas."
-- Jeffrey Westhoff, NORTHWEST HERALD (CRYSTAL LAKE, IL)

"...handles swooning material with something that can almost be called tact."
-- Josh Larsen, SUN PUBLICATIONS (CHICAGO, IL)

"In an age when most teenagers are up to their eyeballs in postmodern consumer glitz, [Moore's] movies seem radical not just in their retro squareness but in their unfashionable embrace of faith over ironic flippancy."
-- Owen Gleiberman, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

"That rarity, a movie aimed at teens that doesn't insult their intelligence."
-- Kirk Honeycutt, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

"A much better deal than you're probably expecting."
-- Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

"[A] more-thoughtful -than-average film."
-- Ellen Fox, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

"The plot pulls off a few unexpectedly dramatic kinks, adding unforeseen edge and a welcome surprise factor to the sentimental proceedings."
-- Jeanne Aufmuth, PALO ALTO WEEKLY

[Horror whore]

Ughh.... Mandy Moore was one Regis and Kelly today and they showed a clip from the movie that, if anything, made me want to see it less.

I just saw 2 Fast 2 Furious at the cheap theater with my friend and with my bad luck they showed the trailer for this movie. She now expects me to see it with her tomorrow night! I told her there's no way I'm paying $9.25 to see a Mandy Moore movie but I think she still expects me to go with her. I don't know why she can't find anyone else to go with her (well, I'm sure she can find someone, she just doesn't feel like it or something.) I think I'm going to show her some of the bad critic quotes from Rotten Tomatoes or something to get her to change her mind.... lol I'm so mean.

And this has been your daily dose of a pointless post from Horror whore. ;)

[Mike]

Originally posted by Horror whore
Ughh.... Mandy Moore was one Regis and Kelly today and they showed a clip from the movie that, if anything, made me want to see it less.

I just saw 2 Fast 2 Furious at the cheap theater with my friend and with my bad luck they showed the trailer for this movie. She now expects me to see it with her tomorrow night! I told her there's no way I'm paying $9.25 to see a Mandy Moore movie but I think she still expects me to go with her. I don't know why she can't find anyone else to go with her (well, I'm sure she can find someone, she just doesn't feel like it or something.) I think I'm going to show her some of the bad critic quotes from Rotten Tomatoes or something to get her to change her mind.... lol I'm so mean.

And this has been your daily dose of a pointless post from Horror whore. ;)

Don't do that, that would be mean ;). She sees movies with you, so just see it with her. And just pay for one movie, and then sneak into another one. So maybe you could have her see one you want to see and you could see one she wants to see. It's called compromise, and there's nothing wrong with it. My friends and I do it all the time. ;)

[Ed]

This is from IMDB:

Movie Reviews: How to Deal

How to Deal is receiving mostly dreadful reviews even while its star, 19-year-old singer/actress Mandy Moore, is being showered with praise. "She almost makes the movie worth seeing," writes Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times. And James Adams in the Toronto Globe and Mail comments that it's too bad that Moore's talent is "being wasted on schlocky melodramas."


Wow. "Dreadful"... :rolleyes: That's a pretty bad word to describe a movie IMO. What surprises me is that Mandy Moore is getting so much praise. I never though of her as a good actress or potentially good actress. Her performance in A Walk to Remember I find to be just average, I guess she's been taking acting classes and got better or something. Maybe we should send her acting coach to JLo lol ;)

[Ed]

Originally posted by dh1989

Overall, How To Deal ended up with 40% freshness rating at Rotten Tomatoes, making it the 2nd best reviewed film of the weekend, behind Johnny English, but well ahead of Michael Bay's Bad Boys II.

well, that's because Johnny English and Bad Boys 2 are both also havin pretty bad reviews.

[Horror whore]

Originally posted by Mike
Don't do that, that would be mean ;). She sees movies with you, so just see it with her. And just pay for one movie, and then sneak into another one. So maybe you could have her see one you want to see and you could see one she wants to see. It's called compromise, and there's nothing wrong with it. My friends and I do it all the time. ;)

She does see movies with me, but only movies she wants to see. This is my friend I don't go to the movies with too often because, well, she's too picky. She flat out refused to go to Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle with me when I asked her because she "hates Cameron Diaz and Lucy Lui." She's almost as stubborn as me. ;) And now when she wants to see a movie that I don't, I have to go, it's annoying. I should remind her about Charlie's Angels now that I think about it. :D

Plus she can only go at night because she has a family thing during the day so we'd only have time to see one movie, and there is no way in hell I'd contibute to this movie.

[stevereno]

HOW TO DEAL wasn't half bad. Mandy Moore is an ok actress.

SHIVER ME TIMBERS

[Mike]

Originally posted by Horror whore
She does see movies with me, but only movies she wants to see. This is my friend I don't go to the movies with too often because, well, she's too picky. She flat out refused to go to Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle with me when I asked her because she "hates Cameron Diaz and Lucy Lui." She's almost as stubborn as me. ;) And now when she wants to see a movie that I don't, I have to go, it's annoying. I should remind her about Charlie's Angels now that I think about it. :D

Plus she can only go at night because she has a family thing during the day so we'd only have time to see one movie, and there is no way in hell I'd contibute to this movie.


Alright Horror Whore, now I understand. I was thinking it was your other friend that you usually go to movies with. As for this friend, I'd just say fuck it. Although I personally feel it's kind of stupid to not see a movie because it stars a celeb you don't like (they are playing a "character" ;)), I wouldn't go with her either since she did the same damn thing to you with CA2. Does she expect to not give and get something in return? That's not right! Friends should compromise, my friends and I do it all the time and I really don't mind. But if they aren't going to give anything back like your friend is trying to do with you, then I say screw it. Go ahead and remind her of Charlie's Angels 2, and tell her it's the same thing and it works both ways.

Hmm, of course, if she paid for your ticket since it's a movie you don't want to see, that wouldn't be so bad. Would you consider going then? ;) I think I probably would. If I didn't have to pay, I'd go see pretty much anything. Unless it's some 3+ hour long bore like Gods & Generals, then I wouldn't, probably not anyway.

[The Lolo]

Originally posted by Horror whore
"A movie which you will find almost unbearable unless you are 1. already a huge Mandy Moore fan, 2. 12 years old and 3. clinically dead."
-- John Anderson, NEWSDAY

Alleluia

[Kim_EZ]

Maybe if this movie was slightly original, then I'd maybe watch it (or rent it rather). But it looks generic. At least Mandy Moore looks pretty in it.

[Freeway]

Originally posted by stevereno
HOW TO DEAL wasn't half bad. Mandy Moore is an ok actress.

SHIVER ME TIMBERS

Agreed. I just got back from seeing HTD with my girlfriend (Who happens to look like Moore does in this movie) and I thought that it was a decent film. Moore is a charismatic actor and carries this movie along with a fun performance by Peter Gallagher and a solid performance by Trent Ford and Allison Janney. I'd recommend it.

[Mike]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
If you think you're going to like it, you will. If not, you won't. That's how it seems to work. Hardly ever is someone excited to see a movie, only to post their negative review. Most people have their mind made up going in.


Last night I saw How To Deal. And to further prove that your theory isn't always true, here's my review:

HOW TO DEAL (2003)


How To Deal tries to "deal" with too much in too little time, making for one crowded and not fully satisfying teen drama. It probably wasn't such a good idea to try and cram two books worth of material into one movie. But even so, I'm sure it could have worked better than it does here. There's so many characters and relationships, which would be fine but dividing the time up between them doesn't leave much time for each one. And the main one we are supposed to care about feels rushed. Although I'm actually thankful the relationship with Halley (Mandy Moore) and Macon (Trent Ford) didn't have more time, because it was a joke and the whole time I kept rolling my eyes and screaming inside "NO! Don't get together. You guys couldn't be more wrong for eachother." I never wanted them to be together. They had zero chemistry, and I never felt they really cared for eachother. It felt like a waste of time watching a so called "relationship" between these two. I’m shocked at how contrived this relationship was. I haven’t seen a more contrived relationship in a teen movie in quite some time now. I don’t see how anyone, even pre-teens, could not see through this. It was simply pathetic. It felt like all Macon wanted was to get in Halley’s pants, and that’s all she wanted too. So then later on when she says to him something to the effect that she was starting to love him, I couldn’t help but think “Love? Ha! You obviously don’t know what love is because there’s no way you could love him when you don’t even know him and haven’t had a single deep conversation, unless it was shown off-screen.” I never once cared about Macon, and couldn’t see how it would be at all possible for Halley to either. Hmm, maybe all of the dysfunctional relationships around her blinded her and made her a bad judge of character? It would certainly seem so.

When a romance movie ends and you are left thinking that it's very likely the two could break-up the next day and don't have a chance in hell at staying together, it's not exactly a good thing. Of course in this case, I'd have been more satisfied with them breaking it off before the movie ended. Now that would have been a happy ending for me. But at least it’s comforting knowing that they don’t stand a chance at lasting, and Halley might eventually find real true love.

Surprisingly, the best relationship comes from Halley’s best friend, Scarlett (Alexandra Holden), and her new boyfriend, Michael (John White). Sadly, they only get a few seconds of screen time, yet the two characters seemed to have the most chemistry and had me more interested than the Halley/Macon relationship. I swear anything would be more interesting than the relationship between Halley and Macon though. I’m willing to bet that a cardboard box and a rock have more chemistry.

Mandy Moore (A Walk To Remember) gives a nice, natural performance again. It’s too bad it wouldn’t have been in a better movie. Trent Ford, on the other hand, gives what is sure to be the worst male performance of the year. Every time he spoke I would roll my eyes. He delivers his lines so atrociously bad that it has to be seen to believe. Even the two girls sitting a few seats over from me would make fun of him every time he was on the screen. I couldn’t have agreed with them more. This guy was just so awful. Him and Moore had absolutely no chemistry. I actually think with a better actor playing Macon that the relationship between Halley and Macon wouldn’t have been so laughable. In fact, I think the lead role should have went to John White, who had the small part of Michael, and someone else should have played Michael. Although the only problem with that is that it might cheapen the nice relationship between Michael and Scarlett if he were played by someone else. Either way, Trent Ford should not have been in this, unless he was just an extra that walks by the camera in a scene and doesn’t have to speak. I don’t mean to be so harsh, but his performance was just so downright terrible. I highly suggest some acting lessons before attempting another role, that is if anyone is even going to want to hire him after this. Anyway, enough about him. A nice surprise was Alexandra Holden (The Hot Chick), who was just adorable as Halley’s best friend. I really would like to see her in more roles soon. She made her character so likable that I rather would have been watching a movie about her instead. In my opinion, she stole the show from Moore. Also providing a good performance as usual was Allison Janney (Drop Dead Gorgeous, The Hours) as Halley’s mom. She provides for a very welcome and somewhat shocking (considering the kind of movie) laugh in one of her first major scenes. It was probably the best scene she was in. Also worth a note is Nina Foch as Halley’s pot smoking grandmother. She manages to give us a few laughs in the few scenes she’s in.

In the end, How To Deal had promise but is ultimately disappointing. I give it credit for trying to be edgier, and I really did appreciate it actually throwing in a couple of sudden and unexpected shocks our way, but there’s just too much going on for one movie, leaving it all cluttered and feeling somewhat phony. I couldn’t help but be reminded of a much better edgier PG-13 movie involving teens, the downright superb and well acted Crazy/Beautiful (9/10 or A-). Now that’s one that managed to succeed with flying colors. This one is all stale. Sure, it brings up real problems that teens face, but the way it presents most of them just doesn’t ring true. Don’t get me wrong, it was decent and not really boring or anything, but sadly, it doesn’t live up to its full potential.

For a movie that claims to be “a lesson in love for non-believers,” I sure don’t see anyone learning much.

Grade: 6/10 (C+)

[Mike]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
I am willing to bet that Mike loves How to Deal, if he sees it.

Well, hopefully you didn't bet too much ;).

[MadsenOMC]

Not to be too picky, but 6/10 is a mixed/positive review. It's not like you gave it a 2 or 3. It was close to your expectations at worst. And those scenes with the pot smoking grandma look painfully unfunny. That's just a terrible, terrible idea (lifted from Road Trip?) and incredibly lame.

[stevereno]

I think me and my friends pissed everyone off while wacthing the movie. HOW TO DEAL was filmed at my friends school, so we laughed everytime they showed it. The school is real dirty and skanky people go there. So we laughed when Scarlett was standing outside the school and was pregnant. My friend was like "A pregnant girl, and Birchmount? NO WAY!" Of course she was being sarcastic because alot of dirty pregnant girls go there. It made the movie a fun exspearence.

SHIVER ME TIMBERS

[Mike]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
Not to be too picky, but 6/10 is a mixed/positive review. It's not like you gave it a 2 or 3. It was close to your expectations at worst. And those scenes with the pot smoking grandma look painfully unfunny. That's just a terrible, terrible idea (lifted from Road Trip?) and incredibly lame.

So, it's a mixed/positive review. You thought I would LOVE it, and I only thought it was alright. I was expecting an 8/10 from the trailer.

As for the pot smoking grandmother, it's actually funny, in my opinion. The " I got the munchies" part wasn't my favorite though, I actually just found it funny how she would act when she was high, like thinking she could make millions off some tree pattern. She would be so fascinated with the stupidest things. And the reason why she smoked pot in the first place is because it was for medicine, but then when she was supposed to be able to stop using it, she couldn't and kept doing it anyway. The scenes with her were funny, and the rest of the audience seemed to agree with me, since she got a lot of laughs, especially from a lot of the older members of the audience. Quite a few people looked like they were around 80 or so.

[MadsenOMC]

I don't see a huge difference between a 6 and an 8, but it doesn't matter. Pointless to argue it. And saying "Everyone else in the audience laughed, so people seem to agree with me" means absolutely nothing to me. I trust popular opinion about as much as I trust the president. In other words, not at all.

[Mike]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
I don't see a huge difference between a 6 and an 8, but it doesn't matter. Pointless to argue it. And saying "Everyone else in the audience laughed, so people seem to agree with me" means absolutely nothing to me. I trust popular opinion about as much as I trust the president. In other words, not at all.

Well, there's a big difference. A 6/10 means OK and an 8/10 means GREAT.

And I don't care if what I said means nothing to you. It's all a matter of opinion. If you don't find it funny, then so be it. But just because you don't, doesn't mean other people can't. Your opinion doesn't speak for everyone.

[MadsenOMC]

Well, you don't speak for everyone. That's just your opinion. Some people don't think there's a huge difference between a 6 and a 10. Have you ever gone a day without saying "That's just your opinion. You don't speak for everyone." Why do you keep telling me what I already know? I have never (nor am I now) tried to speak for everyone. I'm not sure why you keep acting like I am trying to speak for everyone. I have a few guesses, but I don't want to get in trouble.

[Slim]

Originally posted by stevereno
My friend was like "A pregnant girl, and Birchmount? NO
WAY!"

Ha ha. Birchmount. :D

I'm an idiot for not figuring out that the filming locations for this movie was the Greater Toronto Area. No wonder things looked familiar.

[Mike]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
Well, you don't speak for everyone. That's just your opinion. Some people don't think there's a huge difference between a 6 and a 10. Have you ever gone a day without saying "That's just your opinion. You don't speak for everyone." Why do you keep telling me what I already know? I have never (nor am I now) tried to speak for everyone. I'm not sure why you keep acting like I am trying to speak for everyone. I have a few guesses, but I don't want to get in trouble.

Because it just seems like you're saying that since you find it lame and immature everyone else should too. Maybe that's not the way you meant it, but that's the way it sounded to me.

[MadsenOMC]

But did I say that? No, I didn't. I didn't even imply it. I was speaking for myself.

[Mike]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
But did I say that? No, I didn't. I didn't even imply it. I was speaking for myself.

Well that's fine. I personally thought it seemed that way, but if you didn't mean it like that, then alright. It's no big deal. I don't want to argue over such a little thing.

[Sad man]

Ok guys stop it. Who cares if the high granda scene is funny or not?

Anyways...The trailer was decent, I'm definitely seeing this one when it gets released here.

[Narst]

How to Deal was by far the worst movie I have seen this year. I actually thought the trailer looked really good and was looking forward to this film even though I suspected it might only be so-so. I never imagined it to be as unbearble as it actually was. I can't remember the last movie I saw that was so manipulatively melodramatic. It seemed to be one ridiculously unbelievable scene after another. I found Mandy Moore to be completely unsympathetic and there was no way I could believe that Allison Janney's and Peter Gallagher's characters were ever married. The only thing I liked about it was Trent Ford, at certain times he almost reminded me of a young Tom Cruise. Definitely a great screen presence. And for the record, I didn't find the high grandma to be funny at all, obviously just a pitch to get cheap laughs. I find it hard to believe this won't be making my top 10 worst movies of the year list.

[Mike]

I'm surprised some people have actually been liking Trent Ford. I thought his performance was Razzy-worthy! Ugh! He was painfully horrible! By the time the end of the year roles around, I doubt anyone will be able to pass him up for "Worst Male Performance" of the year on my list.

But I guess some others just saw something in him that I didn't, although I don't see what's to like about him at all.

[Narst]

Yeah i've been reading through the other posts and noticed how many people absolutely hated Trent Ford as well Mike. Maybe I just found him to be the only intersting thing to watch in this particular snooze fest and therefore thought it to be a better peformance than it was.

[Mike]

Originally posted by Narst
Yeah i've been reading through the other posts and noticed how many people absolutely hated Trent Ford as well Mike. Maybe I just found him to be the only intersting thing to watch in this particular snooze fest and therefore thought it to be a better peformance than it was.


It could be... The movie wasn't exactly the most exciting experience at the theater. Maybe the reason I hated him so much is because I had nothing better to do during the scenes he was in than be annoyed by him. If it was a movie I was highly "into," then it might not have bothered me as much.