(2013-05-12 01:55:13)

I like My Romance Well Done, please

Cute and romantic but extremely cliche and predictable. You could see everything coming a mile away. I would recommend waiting to rent or go to a cheap show.

Carol

(2013-05-11 19:21:25)

Great Romantic Comedy

It is very enjoyable to find a movie that makes you smile and laugh, as this one does. Well worth the admission.

steve-bailey-1

(2013-05-06 02:18:47)

Patie du faux paus

"No Reservations" is like a puppy begging for your attention. Sometimesit's cute and charming, and other times you just want to push it away.(Plot summary follows in next three paragraphs - might have spoilers)The movie has more plot than it knows what to do with, and it's allpredictable. It starts with Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones), a renownedchef at an upscale Manhattan restaurant. The movie's opening scenestake great pains to make us see what a control freak Kate is, to thepoint that you wish you could slip her a Valium.It's quickly obvious that the movie's point is to get Kate to slow downand smell the roses. It does this by briefly showing us Kate'ssingle-mom sister and then killing her off in a car accident, leavingbehind Kate's niece Zoe (Abigail Breslin), who of course is now lostwithout her mother.As if that wasn't enough, the restaurant owner decides to hire anotherchef, a bon vivant named Nick (Aaron Eckhart), as a partner for Kate.Whereas Kate runs her kitchen by-the-book, Nick plays and sings operafor the kitchen staff while he's cooking. Gee, d'ya think all of thismight work upon Kate's reserves and, ya know, lighten her up a little?If ever there was a movie that needed its actors' charm to get thestory across, here it is. In particular, Nick is the most hopelesslywritten character in the film. He's nothing but smiles, songs, andslickness. And you don't believe for a minute that he has anythingresembling a real past. His sole point of existence is to remove thebug that is so firmly implanted in Kate's curvy posterior. That AaronEckhart sells him to us with seemingly no effort is a tribute to hisacting.Catherine Zeta-Jones' sales job isn't quite so smooth. We're meant tosee that Kate is so frosty because she's been hurt a lot in life, butin the end, all we really get is Kate's prickliness -- particularlywhen the movie's climax brings back Kate's coldness just when wethought it had been safely tucked away.The movie's lucky charm is Abigail Breslin. Zoe talks smart, but unlikemost movies with wisecracking kids, the movie makes you believe it'sbecause Zoe is intelligent and gets right to the heart of things.Breslin was pretty good in the equally contrived "Little MissSunshine," but here, she's the 11-year-old motor that keeps thingsrunning; without her, the movie's contrivances would be even morethreadbare than they are.There's nothing wrong with a movie that has familiar destinations; thedealmaker is how novel the movie is in getting there. As a "weeper," Imildly recommend "No Reservations" -- but not without reservations.

lakerfan012

(2013-05-05 12:32:41)

Predictable with a capital PREDICTABLEQSWTKJBKJD.

Yes, I spelled that right. This movie is so predictable, the actualword needs additional letters to exemplify the predictability. From themoment the principal characters and situation are introduced, it ispaint-by-numbers as to where this plot will take us. The foreshadowingwas as subtle as a two ton sledgehammer. You could take numerous piecesof dialogue and anticipate the role it would play in the ending.Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhardt did decent jobs in undemandingroles and Abigail Breslin played the cute role admirably. It's justthat the movie brought absolutely nothing new to the romantic comedygenre. The romance was tepid and the laughs were weak and few. Sure,it's an OK movie if you have nothing to watch, but you won't missanything by missing this one.

Miss Sunshine

(2013-04-29 09:39:30)

SWEET!!!

This is a good movie to take the kids 2 see. I think everyone will like it alot. What I realy like about this movie is all of the funny things that happen.. lol

Dingataca

(2013-04-29 00:05:18)

A slice of romantic drama gone awry

Catherine Zeta-Jones is Kate, a perfectionist head chef obsessed withher work. When her sister tragically passes away and leaves her with achild to raise (played by Abigail Breslin), and her new sous-chef(Aaron Eckhart) threatens to take over her perfectly managed kitchenwith his exuberance and free spirit, she struggles to adjust, but soonrealises not everything in life can be handled as expertly as roastquail.I found Catherine Zeta-Jones monotonous and irritating in this movie.She seemed to have only ONE voice throughout the whole film, she showedno emotion, even in the most serious scenes. Aaron Eckhart makes up forher, but does not manage to save the film. His character was seriouslyunderdeveloped - apart from liking opera the audience was told nothingabout him. However he and Zeta-Jones did have an impressive subtlechemistry. Abigail Breslin as Zoe, was mediocre. Her brother SpencerBreslin was never interesting to me and she is pretty much the same.Also I didn't find her believable enough as a girl grieving for herdeceased mother.Overall, 'No Reservations' is a pretty bland dish, despite being cookedin a smart kitchen. 5/10

ltlacey

(2013-04-09 04:57:17)

A chef ends up bringing up her niece and dealing with another chef where she works.

Know what I wish? That Hollywood, et al., would stop re-making Europeanand Asian hits, or actually even Hollywood classics, and leave wellenough alone. No Reservations is a remake of Germany's Mostly Martha(go rent the original and you'll see why there is no comparison)and isa pain to endure. Even the opening scene in which the chef isexplaining to her shrink about how to best cook quail cannot compareand the scene comes across as fake. Zeta-Jones had no spark in thismovie at all, not that I have seen anything extraordinary come from herin the few movies I have seen her in. She has had her moments, but inthis movie, other than the scene where she is crying in the freezer,her talents are wasted. She also looked tired. Maybe that was supposedto be "the look," but it started from the very beginning. I got thesense that she really did not want to do this project, and even if shedid, it felt like she did not. Eckhart, cute as can be, especially whenhe gives you one of those big grins, is also wasted in this film andquite frankly his being "Italian-like" did not work. Breslin wasboring, and even when crying did not show a lot of emotion. It was likeshe was forced to cry, or do anything really.

Roxburyfunny1

(2013-04-08 15:31:31)

It's a tear jerker but lighthearted!~!

I really hoped that this film would not be like the others where it'sanother family loss and then the relative takes care of them. In otherwords those films were good but I didn't want the comparison and withthose I don't know but it didn't really click for me. This film wasbrilliant on some many levels. First with the cast because CatherineZeta Jones has yet to disappoint me when it comes to her picking filmsand acting in them. Abigail Breslin came from Signs to this and she isincredible. I believe she will be the next Sandra Bullock, JuliaRoberts, or Joan Cusack. Aaron Eckhart now there's a cutie to thefullest. He was just incredible and so likable. This film wasbeautifully written and you will shed some tears so for the easysensitive criers or for those who have "over productive tear ducts"bring tissue and a mom, dad or good friend who you would like to sharethis with because it was truly a delight. I recommend this movie tothose who love to life, cry and watch life unfold on screen. BringTissues!~!

ChefIroquois

(2013-04-08 13:03:03)

Robust!

A great performance by Catherine Zeta-Jones (Kate) and Aaron Eckhart(Nick). Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart complement each othervery well, the movie doesn't feel complete until Eckhart comes in. Thereal prize, however, goes to Abigail Breslin who plays Zoe, Kate'sniece. Abigail Breslin's facial expressions and reactions to her newenvironment are what makes this movie possible.*SPOILERS*Kate is a cold hearted women who's life is the kitchen at which sheworks in one of the city's best restaurants. When her sisterunexpectedly dies she is left with her niece Zoe. To add to hermisfortune her boss Paula (Patricia Clarkson) hires a new chef to helpout while Kate tries to pull her life back together. Kate can't findanyway to relate to Zoe until she brings her to her kitchen where Nickhas taken a firm hold of things.Nick is a laid back chef from Italy who loves listening to Opera whilehe works, this does not sit well with Kate as she doesn't like"distractions". To Kate's surprise Nick and Zoe bond very quickly andwhen Kate let's Zoe have one wish her wish is for Nick to come over soshe could cook diner with him. After Nick spends the evening with Kateand Zoe an instant connection is made between them all.Instead of competing Nick and Kate work together, however after Paulaoffers Nick Kate's job thing's go downhill, instead of asking Kate foreverything Paula starts asking Nick. The suspicious Kate confronts Nickabout the situation at which point Nick reveals he's been offeredKate's job. A few more calamities later Kate quits and goes home toZoe.Zoe hasn't seen Nick around for a while and asks Kate if there'ssomething wrong, Kate tells Zoe Nick isn't coming back, however, shefinds out later that Nick didn't accept Paula's offer. The next day Zoeis missing, and with the help of Nick she is found at her mothersgrave. Nick and Kate put aside their differences and start arelationship along with a new restaurant of their own.*SPOILER'S END* No Reservations is the first movie I have seen in a long time that Ican say the whole family will enjoy. It is not a "chick flick" or akid's movie, rather a family comedy everybody can enjoy.8/10 from Mraz.

Raj Doctor

(2013-04-08 08:25:47)

No Reservations

I had not much intention of seeing this movie, but just because thestar cast was a bit good – Catherine Zeta Jones and Aaron Eckhart; andthe knowledge that this could be like a light hearted romantic comedy;I set myself to go to the theatres; and also because it was a new moviereleased in Amsterdam.The story is about Chief Chef Kate (Catherine Zeta Jones) of a smallrestaurant – who is a perfectionist, and a high skilled cook and cannottake people's ignorant comment of finding fault in her cooking. Ascircumstances have it her sister dies in an accident and her niece Zoe(Abiqali Breslin – Little Miss Sunshine girl) is left in Kate'scustody. A new cook Nick (Aaron Eckhart) is hired to replace Kate for aweek. Nick is just the opposite of what Kate is. When Kate returnsthere are sparks between Nick and Kate – but when Kate sees that herniece Zoe is developing a bond with Nick – things turn romantic betweenthe two. Before the end, as always there is a mis-understanding betweenthe two and Zoe is the reason again for them to unite back.The story is totally clichéd and while watching it we know exactly whatis going to happen next. The movie has its romantic moments, but it istoo rosy. I am sure this movie would be loved by females, especiallygirls. Let me check IMDb ratings – Yes highest rating by girls under 18(8.2) and generally overall female rating (7.3) compared to males(6.2).My rating is much below than the average male rating, but it is notbecause I am not romantic or sensitive. I think the movie is somethingwe have seen again and again and again for thousands of time. The samestory line and plot! Catherine Zeta Jones and Aaron Eckhart have actedwell, but the scenes are stolen by Abiqali Breslin's acting. She hasdelivered again constraint and realistic portrayal of a child. I hopeshe does not get type-casted in such type of roles.Director Scott Hicks has done an okay job. Some musical numbers arereally good – thanks to Philip Glass to give above average scores.If you have time, and nothing much to do – this movie is no harm towatch – much better than the current crappy crop running in Amsterdam(like Crank, 1408 etc.) (Stars 5.5 out of 10)

budman9862

(2013-04-07 14:28:27)

A fresh take on romantic comedy

No Reservations is an enjoyable film for those who enjoy romanticcomedies and the art of culinary because this movie captures both. Forthose who did not watch the original "Bella Martha", movie watcherswill find this movie enjoyable and a fun take on the genre. Aaron (Nick) and Cathy (Kate) do a great job of playing opposites.Aaron does a great job of making you laugh and becomes the most likablecharacter in the movie. His character is the most fun and Aaron gives agreat performance. Cathy does a great job of playing the obsessiveexecutive chef on 22 Bleeker. It's fun to watch the attraction thatplays between them and the difficulty that their jobs plays in theirromanceThe character of Zoey annoyed me sometimes but it didn't take to muchaway from the movie. I wish Zoey was less of an attention grabber.If you were to watch this movie without comparing every part of it toits original "Bella Martha" you will enjoy it. People didn't like thedifferent take on Nicks character but it fit better with its Americansetting. Nick is the most fun in the movie and is a great take on thefun and charismatic friend we would all want to have. It fits well inits American setting. Although the movie may feel predictable, itsenjoyable. From the direction and especially the musical score to thefilm make this a fun romantic comedy for all ages.I would recommend this movie to anyone who are looking for a typicallyfun and fresh take on the genre. It's not often when you can revolve aromantic comedy from a kitchen and get away with it.

(2013-04-07 06:19:21)

Very fun movie!

She seems a little uptight, but loosens as the movie goes along. It was a great movie. I would see it again!

capeb

(2013-04-05 11:27:23)

Not Quite As Good As the Critics Say

I found this to be a decent movie but not worth the money it cost tosee it. Let's face it... watching a young girl grieve a lost parent isa downer and this movie focused too much on that angle. I thought therewas a great deal more potential in watching the truly interestinginteraction between the chefs. That was the true draw of the movie. Therest caused me to notice the tiles on the walls and ceiling of thetheater. The whole idea of the movie had a great deal of potential andI hope that at some point, someone will remake this movie focusing onone aspect instead of two. That is the real problem with this movie, ithas two focal points.. the loss of a parent and the comedic interactionof two really good actors. This is not like a Reece's Peanut ButterCup, two great stories that don't go well together.

tedg

(2013-04-05 03:30:40)

Transfatty

I love this stuff, situations where you have copies of movies: remakes,many sequels, "homages." That way you can transcend certain weaknessesof a project. Its because when you come to a film cold, the context ismerely the universe of other films which is to say the stories we usein imagining our lives. When its a remake like this, that contextcollapses to the previous film and what we see are the differences. Inintelligent subsequents, these extend and annotate. In dumb ones likethis they reinvent.The original film depended on you knowing that it was a film made byGermans about German limitations. German thought is mechanical,constrained, learned. German food is as well, even when using thestyles from elsewhere. So a well-regimented, obsessive kitchen is agreat cinematic metaphor for the world in which our heroine iscaptured. When we see her prison, we see the emotional prison Germansconsider themselves in. So it matters that the interloper is Italian,essentially a lower body emotional intuitive. And it matters that theregime of the kitchen is suffused with music.It even matters that the music is opera, that one thing that remainsfrom Italian art that can be said to be both emotionally deep(embodied) and strictly — oh so strictly — ordered. The original,therefore, mattered. It worked. It touched, avoiding the limits of thetraditional romantic story. Its all about transcending constraints.Incidentally, in touching this, the original understood femalestereotypes better, including the use of the redhead shorthand.It mattered that the original included the father and his socialstanding.I've never been impressed by Zeta-Jones as an actress, though herentertainment gig in "Chicago" was impressive. Here, she isphotographed to her disadvantage. The poster for the film understoodher one charming pose. It doesn't appear in the film, and her face islit as an object in the environment rather than the focus it normallywould be.That environmental perspective is where this film is superior to theoriginal for me. Where nearly all the values are watered down tosatisfy an apparently unsophisticated American market, the movement andorder of the kitchen are better delivered here than in the original.The food is more immediately succulent. The smells, flames, tastes, arecloser. The score helps.Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

(2013-04-04 05:55:46)

I Loved it!

This review is from: No Reservations (DVD) I so the previews of this movie before I watched it, I've always enjoyed Catherine Zeta-Jones, which is why I knew I like this movie.

Italia

(2013-04-03 14:57:46)

Don't listen to the critics

We weren't going to see this movie because of what we had read, but a friend told us that it was much better than the critics had said. She was right. It was a sweet, romantic movie that seems to not be in vogue with critics and moviemakers today. It didn't have violence, crude comments, chase scenes, and deep, heavy meaning which all seem to be prime ingredients in most current movies. It was enjoyable, light and the escape that we were looking for. Go judge for yourself.

prwoolway@yahoo.com

(2013-03-30 12:07:21)

Fun Fun Fun

This was a fun movie. It is the perfect Chick Flick. Grab some girlfriends and go see it. You may need a tissue or two but it is worth it.

(2013-03-30 04:41:44)

Good Movie

This review is from: No Reservations (Amazon Instant Video) I have no complaints. It is a very good movie. It is pretty sad though. The acting is good, and it has a good atmosphere.

edwagreen

(2013-03-24 19:07:32)

I Have Reservations About No Reservations **1/2

We've seen this one before. A precocious child becomes withdrawn andsullen when her mother is killed in an auto accident. She goes to livewith a relative, in this case her aunt and causes the life of thelatter to chase drastically with romance ensuing.Abigail Breslin is that precocious child. Catherine Zeta Jones ismiscast her. She doesn't seem to be an aunt. You needed a Marsha Masonlike quality to her and that she doesn't have.There is good acting by Aaron Eckhart, the chef who comes into ZeaJones's life.Patricia Clarkson is the owner of the resident who appears to besympathetic, but is she really?Highly predictable, but food for thought. Try it as some of the foodshown must be delicious. Unfortunately, this film is not.

(2013-03-24 08:43:50)

Great Romantic Comedy

Catherine Zeta-Jones was very good in this movie and Aaron Eckhart stole the show with his comedic wit, I actually liked this movie it was well made and the story is great. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays a chef who tries to be a mother to her orphaned niece played by little miss sunshine herself Abigail Breslin, Aaron Echkhart plays another chef who comes in and tries to make competition with Zeta-Jones character but that doesn’t seem to be as the two have a liking for each other. And Eckhart’s character becomes a father figure to Abigail Breslin, Great movie and good performances.