GHOST RIDER

CAROLINE: Despite its raking in the dough this past weekend, “Ghost Rider” was completely unappealing to me, so I sent my intrepid colleague, Ryan, to do the deed for me.

RYAN: I’m glad that America agreed with me and came out to see this film over the weekend. It’s very good. Not great – but very good.

CAROLINE: Call me crazy, but Eva Mendes’s bustiness and Nicolas Cage on fire are not elements of a movie that I care about.

RYAN: Ok Lil’ Miss Shallow. I don’t know how anyone could not want to see a big, blockbuster, action, superhero movie, which is exactly what this is.

CAROLINE: Well, given that I’ve hated all the Spiderman movies as well as the most recent Batman, this was not a movie for me. Isn’t it based on a comic book?

RYAN: Well, it’s Marvel.

CAROLINE: Hence my having zero interest. Also, I’m female.

RYAN: Fine. We get you’re not into it. But I think the movie is cross-gender and cross-generational. Plenty of women have liked the Spiderman and Batman movies. And Nic Cage is great, wig and all.

CAROLINE: Did you get the sense that he was doing this movie for a paycheck?

RYAN: Not at all. It’s a good movie. And he probably had a blast making it. But one aspect of this movie was markedly weak – the script. The story works, but some lines are so embarrassingly cheesy that unless you’re pre-pubescent, you won’t be able to handle it. You’re like, “Oh God, they earned their paychecks just by having to utter these lines.”

CAROLINE: How was Eva?

RYAN: Eva was fine. She’s not in it very much. But the main reason to see this film is Wes Bentley, the third hottest man in Hollywood.

CAROLINE: Yes, I believe you’ve mentioned him before.

RYAN: He is stunningly gorgeous! And it’s such a cool role for him because he plays the villain. He’s the hot, hot bad boy.

CAROLINE: Well, I’m really glad you had the chance to get your jollies during this film, and that I wasn’t sitting next to you to witness it.

RYAN: I’m not saying that, of course. I’m just saying that he’s cinematic eye candy.

CAROLINE: I’m just so pleased I didn’t have to see this movie.

RYAN: I’m pleased you didn’t either, because you’ve got a bad attitude, young lady.

CAROLINE: Your bottom line?

RYAN: America and I have spoken – this is a good movie and Wes Bentley is hot.