(500) DAYS OF SUMMER

RYAN: The new movie "(500) Days of Summer" stars one of my favorites, Zooey Deschanel, and some kid who looks like a poor man's Heath Ledger.

CAROLINE: Ew, don't pretend you don't know who Joseph Gordon-Levitt is! We've seen him in several movies, from "The Lookout" to "Stop-Loss."

RYAN: Yeah, I recognized him, but I would never have known his name. And I still don't think I'll remember it because it's three words. But this movie turned out to be so cute, heartbreaking and a very realistic portrayal of a relationship.

CAROLINE: It got tremendous reviews at Sundance and was purchased quickly by Fox Searchlight. Even though it's only out in limited release at the moment, it's a hugely anticipated summer movie. I really liked it. It has an indie feel for sure, but for people like us who like that sort of thing, I can't see how you wouldn't like it.

RYAN: I enjoyed it a lot, and it really hit home for me because it parallels the last several relationships I've been in, or tried to be in, in a lot of ways. I totally identified with it. It made me both happy and sad.

CAROLINE: There were a couple moments that dragged a tiny bit, even though it's a short movie. There were a few scenes that I felt were trying too hard to be indie and quirky. But it always righted itself, and I loved the ending. It's a very sweet movie, but also real; like you could actually see this kind of relationship happening to you or someone you know. I appreciate a non-typical Hollywood love story.

RYAN: I really liked the narrator. His voice reminded me of the guy who narrated "Little Children." And I loved the musical/dance number set to Hall & Oates.

CAROLINE: That was one of the highlights for me! I loved that scene. I read somewhere that Zooey was so bummed she wasn't in it.

RYAN: The performances are both great. I'd say this is one of Zooey's better performances; sometimes she's a little wooden. But this character was so appropriate for her because she can be a little emotionless at times.

CAROLINE: She speaks really softly sometimes, and barely moves her lips. It worked in this movie; but I have yet to be truly blown away by her.

RYAN: The movie jumps back and forth in time a lot over the course of the relationship, and it's usually pretty clear what time frame we're in. But a couple times it was too jumpy and fast, and I got annoyed.

CAROLINE: Yeah, me too. That device was a little much at times. I was like, "Am I really supposed to remember which day of the 500 this is?!" But it definitely worked for the most part, and created humor along with tension and suspense.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

CAROLINE: I can totally see why this movie got so much buzz at Sundance. But now the rest of us have heard so much about how great it's supposed to be that our expectations are much higher. The movie totally didn't disappoint me, but it would have been a very different experience seeing it with zero expectations. It's really cute though, and I definitely recommend it. I love a good relationship movie.

RYAN: I really liked it too. It's got an incredibly effective use of music. Sometimes they used a full song, and other times just snippets to punctuate what the characters are going through. It's really well written and performed, and I love that Joseph Gordon-Levitt's day job is writing greeting cards. That was clever. It's a sweet, poignant film. Enjoy!

-- RATING --

Movie News - Another Bridget Jones!

CAROLINE: I think I'm excited about this news - rumor has it Renée Zellweger has signed on to do a third Bridget Jones movie.

RYAN: Hmm...I'm intrigued. I adored the first one; but the second one? LBH, it kinda sucked.

CAROLINE: Yeah, it was beyond bad. But I think I can get psyched for a third one. The big question is - will Renée pack on the lbs. again as she did for the previous two films?

RYAN: I think she has to. And more importantly, will Colin Firth be back?

CAROLINE: I would like to see that. But it's all in the very early stages right now, so it's really just a rumor. But I can't imagine why they wouldn't move forward with it; this is a really popular franchise.

RYAN: And we can all stand to see Renée with a lil' more weight on her.

CAROLINE: They're saying the new one would be about Bridget Jones trying to have a baby in her 40s.

RYAN: Sounds like the Jennifer Aniston story.

CAROLINE: Amen.

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE

RYAN: Last Thursday night will go down as one of the best evenings of my life. We covered the red carpet and attended the screening of the North American premiere of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." I still have not fully recovered.

CAROLINE: I know, honey. I was with you. It was definitely an exciting night, and it's always cool to get to go to a premiere; and this one was at the famed Ziegfeld Theater in New York City no less. The entire cast was there, and we got to chat with a good number of them.

RYAN: It was so exciting. The red carpet was glammed to the max and sassy... but let's talk about the movie. It's clearly gonna do gangbusters around the world. It's a fabulous new installment to the franchise, and it's doubly exciting since we had to wait so long for it after it got pushed back from last November.

CAROLINE: It's a really good, well-made movie, but it's much heavier and darker than the previous ones. I kind of like it better when they're all at Hogwarts doing fun things like the Tri-Wizard Tournament. This movie has much less Hogwarts antics in it.

RYAN: It's really funny though. I laughed out loud several times. And I loved all the romance going on; all the kids snogging each other... which is British for kissing.

CAROLINE: It did have several funny moments, but it really felt different to me from the previous films. It's a lot more serious, and more about good vs. evil.

RYAN: Well, the previous ones have all been a build up to the return of Voldemort, who we don't see in this movie other than in flashbacks as a young'un. So now they're getting ready for the ultimate showdown... the end of the series. I'm so glad there are two more movies left, not just one.

CAROLINE: I love seeing how the kids have grown up. Remember how tiny Dan Radcliffe was in the first one? But they all look great now and have pubertized nicely... especially Emma Watson.

RYAN: Please. She's gorge. This is the first movie where Tom Felton aka Draco Malfoy has a substantial part, and he was great. And Dan Radcliffe has truly become a fine actor. The nuances of his performance have risen to new heights. Also, this film was shot after we got the news that Dumbledore is gay, and I felt like I could tell in Michael Gambon's performance that he was a little bit softer.

CAROLINE: This movie is just so well done; it's almost beyond a movie. It really transports you into another world. The story is so incredible. This world that J.K. Rowling has created is really amazing.

RYAN: Brilliant. They totally have the sets and the costumes down to a science now. The cinematography is fantastic. Almost every shot is iconic unto itself.

CAROLINE: Obviously, Alan Rickman is phenomenal. I love the way he draws out his S's as Snape.

RYAN: Jessie Cave, the girl who played Lavender Brown, was a complete scene stealer; as was Evanna Lynch portraying Luna Lovegood. Poor Neville Longbottom has nary a line in this movie.

CAROLINE: I noticed that! I was like, "Who's that guy again in the background? He looks so familiar." Then I had to ask you his name. He had a lot more to do in previous HP films.

RYAN: I also felt like Hermione had much bigger parts in the last two or three films. This time, she's barely part of the adventure at all. But I love the guy who plays Cormac McLaggen, who has a crush on her. He's so hot. Robert Pattinson who?

CAROLINE: Oh please. He wasn't that cute. Robert P. is so much sexier and less blond.

RYAN: I also still loved Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix and Jim Broadbent as Slughorn. This is my favorite performance of his since "Moulin Rouge!"

CAROLINE: I'm a little surprised this movie is PG and not PG-13. There were a couple of very frightening images that totally creeped me out. This is a heavy movie. Younger kids might be a little lost.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

RYAN: I love these movies more than anything. I've already seen this one twice, and will definitely see it many more times in the theater. I wish they could have had a few more Tom Riddle flashbacks. There were some scenes I remember reading and thinking, "I can't wait to see how they realize this in the film" that never materialize here. And yet it is a very long movie... even feeling slow in parts. But clearly, it's a must see on the big screen with the effects and everything.

CAROLINE: It's very well made and fantastic to look at. It's a great addition to the franchise. But it's quite long and intense. I liked it, but I've enjoyed some of the previous HP films more.

RYAN: Everyone's gonna go see this movie. You're crazy if you don't!

-- RATING --

Trailer Tuesdays!

RYAN: This is the rarest of Trailer Tuesdays, which comes but once a year if we're lucky. It should have been last November, but alas, here we are in July. And tomorrow, the world will welcome the sixth Harry Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

CAROLINE: I love all the pomp. Is anyone more excited for this movie than you?

RYAN: No. There may be some who are equally excited, but none are more excited. I'm almost numb.

CAROLINE: I'm nowhere near as into it as you are, but I'm definitely enjoying the buzz. I like this franchise very much.

RYAN: We've seen the movie already, and it's amazing, but today we want to focus on the merits of the trailer. It's so incredible; maybe the best one I've ever seen.

CAROLINE: You need to simmer down. But it is good, I'll give you that.

RYAN: I've literally been watching it over and over again online.

CAROLINE: The effects look fabulous as always, but the movie seems a little darker this time around.

RYAN: Well, each book gets a little darker. The glimpse we have in the trailer of the cave scene with Dumbledore and the fire has me so excited that I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control; and by that, I mean bladder control.

CAROLINE: [laughs] It's a very exciting trailer for sure, especially since we were all forced to wait seven months for this movie's release. And when is a new Harry Potter movie not a big event?

RYAN: It's a huge week for me. Here's the trailer:

CAROLINE: I also want to briefly mention the romantic-looking "(500) Days of Summer" starring Zooey Deschanel.

RYAN: I love her! This movie looks so cute.

CAROLINE: It co-stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and had huge buzz at Sundance this year. I've been looking forward to it ever since. Check out the trailer here:

Harry Potter 6 Premiere

RYAN: We were thrilled to attend the North American premiere of the new movie "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

CAROLINE: You were so excited about this I was worried you were going to pass out at one moment.

RYAN: I do love the Harry Potter.

CAROLINE: I must admit it was really cool being there as well, and we got to talk to the cast and then go in to see the film, which is great. It's verrrry long though. Look for our full review this Wednesday.

RYAN: This was my fourth time talking with Daniel Radcliffe.

CAROLINE: He remembered you! He was all, "Hey mate." And I think everyone around us was impressed. He's such a charmer.

RYAN: He's a terrific talent and has personality for days.

CAROLINE: I never thought Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley, was very attractive; but he looks much cuter in person.

RYAN: When I last interviewed him a few years ago, he wasn't very talkative; but he's definitely grown some more personality lately.

CAROLINE: And he's bounced back nicely from the swine flu.

RYAN: Tom Felton, aka Draco Malfoy, has a much meatier role in this HP installment.

CAROLINE: I was glad to see him blond at the premiere. He's a natural brunette - I could see his roots! But if he wanted anyone to recognize him at all, he had to look like his character.

RYAN: Bonnie Wright, who plays Ginny Weasley, looked a little bit like a soccer mom.

CAROLINE: [laughs] She did wear way too much make-up and have that poufy hair. But she was very sweet.

RYAN: I adore her, and her role is great in this film too.

CAROLINE: And though I don't normally go for blonds, I have to agree with you about newcomer Freddie Stroma - he's a looker.

RYAN: He plays Cormac McLaggen, and he could rival Rob Pattinson for the title of heartthrob.

CAROLINE: I was a fabulous night we won't soon forget.

RYAN: Never forget! Can't wait to share our review this Wednesday.

CAROLINE: And you can here our interviews on your cell phone at m.moxieQ.com or online at moxieQ.com. Just click on 'Celeb Interviews.' Enjoy!