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<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4 face=Tahoma>Hello Avon
Theater Fans!!</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4 face=Tahoma>From time to time, I find it
necessary to remind everyone that film critics are like ice cream flavors, some
will like a certain movie, and some will not.<BR><EM><FONT size=2>(...and, some,
if taken in large quantities, will cause "brain freeze"...ha ha
ha)</FONT></EM></FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4 face=Tahoma>In the case of one of The Avon
Theater's 2 new movies this weekend, <U>FRIENDS WITH KIDS</U> starring
TV's Jon Hamm ("Mad Men") and a bunch of other recognizable stars, I know
there are a few less-than-enthusiastic reviews out there, along with
some <U>very</U> positive ones!<BR>Below is Avon Theater fan, and
<U>nationally-known</U> critic LEONARD MALTIN'S take on <U>FRIENDS WITH
KIDS</U>.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><BR><FONT size=4><U>FRIENDS WITH
KIDS</U> reviewed by LEONARD MALTIN (used with
permission)</FONT></FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV>
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<P><STRONG>I became an instant fan of Jennifer Westfeldt after seeing the film
she co-wrote and starred in, <EM>Kissing Jessica Stein</EM>, just over a decade
ago. For her debut feature as director, writer, and star, she has assembled a
powerhouse cast, and devised a comedy (with dramatic undertones) that manages to
be on the cutting edge without sacrificing the qualities people look for in
romantic movies. </STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG></STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>Westfeldt and Adam Scott (of TV’s <EM>Parks and Recreation</EM>) play
best friends who live in the same Manhattan apartment building and share their
most intimate thoughts with each other. They also share an upscale lifestyle
with two other couples, played by Kristen Wiig and Jon Hamm and Maya Rudolph and
Chris O’Dowd, making this something of a Bridesmaids cast reunion. When one of
the couples announces that they’re about to have a baby, Westfeldt and Scott are
appalled, at first, to lose their friends to such a conventional way of life,
then resign themselves to the inevitable. With her biological clock ticking
loudly, the two pals decide to make a baby together and share the responsibility
for its parenting, even though they aren’t sexually attracted to one another.
This being a romantic comedy—albeit an indie version and not a Hollywood studio
concoction—you know full well that their plan is bound to go awry.</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG></STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG><FONT color=#0000ff>The film makes sharp observations about married
life, the responsibility of raising children, the pressure of dating, and more.
The candid sexual conversations define this as a film made by, and for,
adults…but who says grownups don’t want romantic fulfillment in movies? That’s
where writer-director Westfeldt becomes surprisingly traditional.
</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG></STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>Every member of the cast gets a chance to shine, including
Westfeldt’s real-life partner Hamm, as well as Edward Burns and even Megan Fox.
But it’s Westfeldt and the very likable Scott who anchor the film and make it
worthwhile. The romantic comedy genre isn’t dead; it just needs people with
fresh ideas like this to keep it healthy.</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG>By Leonard Maltin<BR>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<BR><FONT
size=4 face=Tahoma>So, there we have some "balance" in reviews, and you have the
chance to weigh your movie-going decision this weekend with the complete
spectrum of opinions!</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG><FONT size=4 face=Tahoma>By the way, the "Tomato Meter" on the web,
gives FRIENDS WITH KIDS a 63%, which is a THREE-STAR REVIEW any way you slice
it!<BR><BR>I hope to see you this weekend for FRIENDS WITH KIDS, and DARK
SHADOWS, and THE AVENGERS, now it its colossal 2nd week!</FONT></STRONG></P>
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