Adventureland

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 3, 2009

DVD Release Date: August 25, 2009

Plot 411: A Columbia-bound master's student must work his first summer job at a local theme park for money.

Review: When James (Jesse Eisenberg) finds out his parents can't support his post-graduation trip through Europe or his college education, he must take a summer job in order to go to Columbia in the fall. The only job he's offered is at a local amusement park running the game booths. This, in and of itself, is almost hell on earth but the people he meets there impact him more than he expects. Em (Kristen Stewart), another college student home for the summer, befriends the newbie James and he soon falls for her. Em is a troubled chick with a very unstable home life that affects how she interacts with the world. Combined with James' awkward nature, they make for an interesting couple. Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig and Ryan Reynolds also add some humor and irony to the mix. I wouldn't call this an outright comedy as it is pretty heavy at times. However, the humor is dry and sarcastic, which I love. The plot seems more like a biography than scripted. It's fully imbedded in the '80s and actually avoids being completely cheesy. It's a coming of age story that portrays a main character that is an Everyman.

Watch It: For Stewart's brooding emo-ness that isn't as annoying as her Twilight character Bella.

Skip It: If you're expecting a repeat of Superbad, despite being directed by the same guy - Greg Mattola.

The Reaping

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 5, 2007

DVD Release Date: October 16, 2007

Plot 411: An ordained minister, who has turned her back on religion, investigates a town that seems to be experiencing all the plagues in the Bible.

Review: Hilary Swank plays Katherine, a former minister whose faith was tested when her family was killed in Sudan. Now she works as a professor and investigator of miraculous claims. With the help of her assistant Ben (Idris Elba), she goes to a small town called Haven to uncover a scientific explanation for a red river. In the town, she meets the local science teacher Doug (David Morrissey) and soon learns that the entire town blames a girl named Loren. Believing her to be the devil, the town wants to kill her. As more and more of the Bible's 10 plagues occur, Katherine must find out the truth and recall her faith. I found this movie a little confusing to follow and hard to deconstruct. Maybe that's because, as an audience, we're just supposed to have faith and believe? In any case, the movie contained your basic religious fanaticism, cult activities and paranormal occurrences. Personally, I didn't buy into it. Maybe I'm just too skeptical at this point?

Watch It: If you just want another religious thriller or Biblical horror film.

Skip It: If you like your plots to be well rounded rather than filled with holes.

Jumper

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: February 14, 2008

DVD Release Date: June 10, 2008

Plot 411: When a teen falls through a frozen lake, he discovers he has the power to teleport.

Review: I didn't really think this was a good movie. It was a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, action and romance for the teen segment. It felt a little bit like a graphic novel come to life, but it's actually based on a regular novel. David (Hayden Christensen) falls through a lake and in his desperate attempt to save himself teleports to a library. This is his first experience with his special powers. From this point on, he lives a wild life and goes wherever he wants to with his new power. All he needs is a picture and he's there. Along the way he meets a fellow jumper named Griffin (Jamie Bell). Griffin tells David about a group called Paladins who hunt and kill jumpers. It is around this time that David experiences them for himself when Roland (Samuel L. Jackson) appears. Of course, there's always gotta be a love interest in these movies. This time it comes in the form of Rachel Bilson. The movie is average at best and doesn't really break any barriers. It feels generic, like your typical Hollywood fare. If you're into this genre or fall into this demographic, you'll probably like it. Otherwise, I think your time is better spent elsewhere.

Watch It: If you enjoyed either Transformers 2 or Wolverine. This is a typical representation of its genre.

Skip It: If you're looking for something the challenge your mind. This is a popcorn fest and a half. No brain power needed.

My Life In Ruins

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: May 28, 2009 (Greece) / June 5, 2009 (USA)

DVD Release Date: October 6, 2009

Plot 411: A disenchanted Greek tour guide contemplates her life's plan and whether her decision to move to Greece was right.

Review: Georgia (Nia Vardalos), an out-of-work university professor, is forced to make her living in Greece as a tour guide. Unhappy with how her life is going, she fights with herself over what she should do next. Her love for Greek history and culture makes being a guide unfulfilling because most of her tours consist of people (shockingly) who just want to have a good time on their vacation. When she meets Irv (Richard Dreyfuss) on one of her tours, he makes her realize what she's missing out of life. His wisdom opens her up to new experiences and she actually begins to enjoy herself. I enjoyed this film for what it was worth - a pretty simple romantic comedy set among the beautiful ruins of Greece. Vardalos is lovely and real, just as she was in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. However, this movie was in no way of the same caliber. I also found it quite cheesy that the moviemakers would use a gimmick like shedding layers of clothes to mirror a character's transformation (ie. letting loose, becoming less-tightly wound). Other than that, it was nice to see Greece's mainland highlighted in a film. Those darn Greek islands always steal the show (like in Mamma Mia! or The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants).

Watch It: If you're a woman going through some kind of mid-life crisis or are just a schmuck for rom-coms.

Skip It: In favor of something better made.

The Name Of The Rose / Der Name der Rose

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 24, 1986

DVD Release Date: July 6, 2004

Plot 411: Unexplained deaths at an abbey create an interesting whodunit for a Franciscan monk and his apprentice.

Review: Almost a decade after I first saw a portion of this film in a college history class I have finally watched it all the way through. Depsite the passage of time, this movie still holds a sort of fascination for me. It mixes religious and historical references with a modern-day murder mystery that surely makes it more reachable to a larger segment of the viewing audience. Sean Connery is William, a Franciscan monk who travels to a remote abbey for a religious conference. Accompanying him is a very young Christian Slater, who plays William's apprentice Adso. When they arrive, William discovers from the abbot that there has been a mysterious death of one of the monks. This death has caused an upheaval among his ranks, and he asks William to uncover the truth of the mystery before the rest of the conference attendees arrive. With each passing day, another brother is found dead and the frenzy among the monks increases. The movie is a thrilling adaption of a book by Umberto Eco with the same name. It highlights the hypocricy, fanaticism and downright sinful behavior that can plague Christianity (and any other religion) when ideals become warped to fit ulterior motives. It also portrays the sheer power of the Church over the people, the poverty faced by the lower strata of society and the vastly differing beliefs found within Christianity.

Watch It: For Connery in all of his accented greatness if you consider yourself to be one of those highbrow moviegoers. For the rest of us, watch it for Slater's hot (albeit very white) ass . . . . Oh, and a cool religious murder mystery pre-Da Vinci Code.

Skip It: If your TV sucsk because a lot of the scenes are dimly lit and difficult to see.

Smother

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 26, 2008

DVD Release Date: May 5, 2009

Plot 411: An neurotic mother moves into her slacker son's home when she suspects her husband of cheating.

Review: Man, it's been a rough movie-watching experience these past couple of films. Diane Keaton plays Marilyn, a 60-year-old mother and wife who suspects her husband Gene (Ken Howard) is having an affair. Marilyn moves herself and a bunch of rescue dogs into her son Noah's (Dax Shepard) home until she sorts things out. However, also living in the home are Noah's wife Clare (Liv Tyler) and her cousin Myron (Mike White). Marilyn is a complete nutcase and lives her life from one crisis (that she creates and invents on her own) to the next. She feels her life is useless, meaningless and that she has not accomplished anything. Keaton plays the overbearing mother quite well - so well that it's utterly annoying. Because of his parents' instability, Noah is afraid to have kids with his wife and tries to sabotage each attempt. Shepard (of MTV fame) doesn't really stretch the acting muscle much in this role. But then again, neither does Tyler. She's still her serene, zen-like self despite scenes that require emotional turmoil.

Watch It: Maybe . . . but only if you like Diane Keaton. I like her a lot and still this movie didn't do much for me.

Skip It: If you fall into the rest of the viewing audience.

Shrooms

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: August 16, 2007 (Russia) / February 8, 2008 (USA)

DVD Release Date: March 25, 2008

Plot 411: A bunch of Americans visit their Irish friend for a (drug) trip of a lifetime.

Review: The plot looked stupid. The trailer reinforced the stupidity. But I still watched this movie anyway. Why, oh why did I do that? Oh yeah, because Robert Hoffman was in it so I figured I'd give it the benefit of the doubt. Oh well, so much for optimism. Given that his name was pretty much last in the list of credits, the dude didn't last very long and wasn't a very likable character anyway. A group of five American students visit their friend Jake (Jack Huston) in Ireland. Jake takes them into the woods to pick some mushrooms in preparation for the trip of a lifetime. Unfortunately, Tara (Lindsey Haun) ingests a lethal mushroom that causes seizures and auditory and visual hallucinations. She sees the local folklore and urban legends about a boys' reformatory come to life when the sadistic monk, lonely twin and feral child go on a killing rampage. As the evil presence nears, her friends begin to die right before her. Can they escape before it's too late? This movie tried to put drugs, raunchy teens and a ghost story into a nice, neat package for that specific segment of viewers. I don't think even they were fooled into believing this was a good movie.

Watch It: If you've already cleaned your house and car, paid off all your bills, taken out the trash and crocheted a baby blanket. Then, and only then, it might be worth the viewing.

Skip It: Because it's a horrible example of a slasher flick.

Robin-B-Hood / Bo bui gai wak

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: September 28, 2006 (South Korea)

DVD Release Date: December 26, 2007 (USA)

Plot 411: Burglars fall upon hard times and resort to kidnapping a child only to fall in love with the baby and become better men.

Review: In this hilarious comedy, Jackie Chan plays Thongs, a gambling addict and part of a trio of burglars. His cohorts include Octopus (Louis Koo), a lady's man despite being married and expecting a child, and the Landlord (Michael Hui), the brains behind the operations. Thongs and Octopus are really good at what they do, but they have reservations when their recent job involves kidnapping the infant son of wealthy parents. When the Landlord is arrested, Thongs and Octopus must babysit the kid until they can hand him over to their contact. During this time, the two burglars grow attached to the baby. Their time spent with him changes them for life. It makes them reevaluate their motivations and aspirations. This is a typical Jackie Chan flick so expect good laughs and tight martial arts sequences. There were so many instances that made me wonder just how amazing the choreography and martial arts talent was. The situations that Thongs and Octopus found themselves in had me crying because I was laughing so hard.

Watch It: For a memorable nipple shot.

Skip It: Because said nipple shot could be damaging for life.

Whale Rider

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: January 30, 2003 (New Zealand) / July 4, 2003 (USA)

DVD Release Date: October 28, 2003

Plot 411: In a patriarchal society, a young girl must prove herself worthy of being the leader she knows she is capable of becoming.

Review: Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is a 12-year-old girl who is the only living descendent in the chief's lineage, because her twin brother and mother died in childbirth. This tragedy creates a lot of resentment between her and her grandfather Old Paka (Rawiri Paratene). The chief's title is passed to the first-born son and has never been passed on to a female. Pai knows she is capable of leading her people, and leading them well, but she must prove this to her grandfather. It's an uphill battle for her as she fights against tradition and culture. This was an amazing movie because it is so rare to find Polynesian stories in the mainstream culture. I suppose living in Hawaii exposes us to a lot more of Polynesia and its various cultural traditions, but this movie was probably very eye-opening to a worldwide audience. I think it really exposed a lot of people to the Maori culture and traditions. The scenery was also so breath taking and plays as another character in the movie. Castle-Hughes' performance is also inspiring and she deservedly received an Academy Award nomination.

Watch It: For a well-made and well-acted Maori movie.

Skip It: Only if you must.

Time To Leave / Le temps qui reste

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: November 24, 2005 (Netherlands) / July 14, 2006 (USA)

DVD Release Date: September 19, 2006

Plot 411: A gay photographer discovers he has terminal cancer and only three months to live.

Review: This movie is tragic, simply tragic. Romain (Melvil Poupaud) is a successful fashion photographer who finds out he has cancer and less than a five percent chance of survival. The cancer has already spread throughout his body so he refuses any kind of treatment. As he deals with the news, he pushes all of his loved ones away - his parents, sister and boyfriend. He is utterly cruel to them and tries to distance himself from them so they will not feel hurt by his death. Acting out also serves as an outlet for us frustration and anger. The only person he confides in is his grandmother because, as he says, she is like him - about to die soon. During his last few months of life, Romain remembers his childhood and the experiences he had throughout his life. He reflects on his relationships, the unfulfilling life he's lived and all the missed opportunities and life experiences he will not have the time to enjoy. The movie is an honest account of one's journey to make peace and accept one's fate. Poupaud's physical transformation, as he slowly deteriorates, is astonishing. The film makes you realize just how alone people truly are in the world. Despite all the chaos of daily living, it's just noise. Peace comes only when you accept your destiny.

Watch It: And face a tough subject like death head on.

Skip It: And spare yourself from another tragedy.

Tuesdays With Morrie

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: December 5, 1999

DVD Release Date: July 1, 2003

Plot 411: A sports reporter finds out his college professor is dying and visits him every Tuesday to learn poignant life lessons.

Review: Morrie Schwartz (Jack Lemmon) is an unconventional sociology professor who has impacted the lives of many of his students. One of these students is Mitch (Hank Azaria), who. despite making a promise at graduation to keep in touch with Morrie, finds that 16 years has passed and Morrie is dying. Mitch feels guilty for failing to keep his promise, but his life as a traveling sports reporter is hectic enough as it is. He barely has time for his girlfriend so where is he going to find time for an ex-teacher? However, once he pulls himself away from work to visit Morrie, he inhales as much of Morrie's wisdom as he can. The two friends meet every Tuesday and Mitch learns about life, love, dying, fear and all of the other big topics. It's his final semester with his professor, and the final exam is not to be done within a two-hour timeframe. It is to be completed for the rest of his life. This was a wonderful movie about life and appreciating everything that makes it up. Even though the plot dealt with a dying man, the message behind this film (and book) is about truly living. Lemmon and Azaria have a natural chemistry on screen that makes their professor/student relationship very believable.

Watch It: For an inspirational film about opening up your heart to love in all of its forms.

Skip It: Because it's a real tearjerker that'll tug at your heartstrings.

Alpha Dog

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: January 12, 2007

DVD Release Date: May 1, 2007

Plot 411: When a guy won't pay his debt, his dealer kidnaps his kid brother to get back at him.

Review: I just don't know what went wrong with this one. The previews looked good and the cast includes some of Hollywood's up-and-coming young actors, but this just wasn't a good movie. A young drug dealer named Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch), who I think is just a rich poser, is insulted when Jake Mazursky (Ben Foster) refuses to pay his debt and breaks into his house. Truelove and his gang decide to confront Mazursky but run into his little brother Zack (Anton Yelchin) instead. They throw him in a van and kidnap him, but they don't really know what to do with him. The gang kicks back and Zack enjoys their company. He even refuses to leave when given a chance. But things soon get real when Truelove decides to kill Zack rather than ask for a ransom. His gang must man up to the task and try not to get caught or automatically face time in jail if they let Zack go. The script was based on real events that happened in Santa Barbara County. The kids involved were seriously just kids. The oldest was only 21. How could they cause the death of another person? Was it just a disconnect between life and death? Were they so drugged out that they didn't feel remorse or guilt or shame? It's just crazy. What the movie did get right was the nonchalant attitudes that the boys had. Life seemed to be one big party that never ended. Also starring in this movie was Justin Timberlake, Sharon Stone, Fernando Vargas, Lukas Haas, Amanda Seyfried and Bruce Willis.

Watch It: For an interesting look at the inner workings of a quasi-gang atmosphere.

Skip It: If you have a low tolerance for youthful stupidity.

Cinderella Man

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 3, 2005

DVD Release Date: December 6, 2005

Plot 411: During the Depression, one man came to represent the fighting spirit of Americans everywhere.

Review: James Braddock (Russell Crowe) is an aging boxer whose time in the ring has seemingly come to an end when he breaks his hand. He is forced to take any job he can get as times are tough and money is sparse. His wife Mae (Renee Zellweger) is both relieved and worried with the turn of events. She disliked the danger and violence of the fighting, but without it, money is even harder to come by. In a twist of fate, James' manager Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti) offers him a chance to make a little money against a contestant ranked number two in the world. An underdog all the way, James surprises everyone with a knockout. He continues to win and slowly makes his way up to the number one contender Max Baer (Craig Bierko). With nothing else to bolster their spirits, Americans everywhere soon get behind James' amazing rise. He becomes a shining light during a time that is filled with darkness. Will James be able to beat the odds by rising to the top one more time? This film was pretty emotional and upsetting, but I suppose it is a good representation of the life and times of those who lived through the Great Depression. People were really struggling and survival became a daily task. Putting food on the table to feed hungry mouths became a priority above all else. During this time of struggle, people needed a hero and James Braddock came to represent one for Americans.

Watch It: For a movie based on the true story of one of America's most inspirational, but least known, athletes.

Skip It: If you think inspirational sports movies are for saps.

Daddy's Little Girls

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: February 14, 2007

DVD Release Date: June 12, 2007

Plot 411: A hard-working single father fights for custody of his three daughters with the help of a well-educated woman.

Review: Idris Elba plays Monty James, a blue-collar worker with a strong sense of ethics. His three girls live with their grandmother as he and his ex Jennifer (Tasha Smith) sort out their lives. However, when the grandmother dies suddenly Jennifer sues for custody of the girls despite being unfit for the job. Monty takes a job as a chauffeur to increase his cash flow in anticipation of a long court battle. He ends up driving for a snooty uptown lawyer named Julia (Gabrielle Union). When he seeks legal help from Julia, she blows him off but shows up at the last minute to represent him in court. Their relationship takes a turn when Monty finds out it's Julia's birthday and takes her out. She sheds her uptight and rigid attitude and finally has some fun. Unfortunately, misunderstandings and miscommunication muddle their friendship and Julia falls back on her cynical view of life. When Jennifer is awarded custody, Monty is desperate to find a way to get them back. But, will Julia be there to support him and fight for what's right? This is another interesting slice-of-life movie by Tyler Perry. I like that he shows representations of African Americans in different strata of society. There are too many movies that only portray black people in ghetto-like situations. This movie shows us people in several different financial situatinos in life and the issues that come along with them. Like other Perry shows, this one deals with real problems that regular people face. The themes are universal and relatable, in some way, to everyone.

Watch It: For a heart-wrenching/heart-warming snapshot of one father's fight for his children.

Skip It: If you're so over Perry's preaching of family values.

Man Of The House

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: February 25, 2005

DVD Release Date: July 19, 2005

Plot 411: A Texas ranger is tasked with protecting a gaggle of cheerleaders when they witness a murder.

Review: What was Tommy Lee Jones thinking when he signed up for this movie? Good thing he came back with No Country For Old Men just a few years later. Jones plays Roland Sharp, a Texas ranger assigned to protect (or babysit, depending on your point of view) some college cheerleaders when they witness a murder. Sharp is a rigid and war-worn guy and a total contrast to the bubbly, youthfulness of the girls. He moves into their sorority under the disguise of a cheerleading coach to ensure their safety and establishes house rules that the girls disobey instantly. But when his daughter is kidnapped, the girls come to the rescue and prove they aren't as unreliable as they seem. The movie also stars Cedric the Entertainer, Christina Milian, Vanessa Ferlito and Anne Archer.

Watch It: If you want to see Jones at one of his lowest points career-wise.

Skip It: If even the idea of Jones in a cheerleader movie causes you to lose a tiny ounce of respect for the guy. It'll only get worse, not better, if you actually watch it.

You Don't Mess With The Zohan

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 6, 2008

DVD Release Date: October 7, 2009

Plot 411: An Israeli special forces operative gives it all up to follow his lifelong dream of becoming a hair stylist.

Review: It's Adam Sandler. You should already know what to expect. You either love him or hate him. Sandler stars as Zohan Dvir, an Israeli soldier who is fed up with life in the military. Despite being good at what he does, he dreams of being a hair stylist so he fakes his death. Reborn in New York, he encounters a few setbacks before landing a job at a Palestinian-owned salon. In a neighborhood that is divided in half with Israelis on one side and Palestinians on the other, this stirs up some controversy and his cover is blown when a cab driver (Rob Schneider) recognizes him. The cabbie gathers some friends and plots Zohan's downfall. In the meantime, shops are destroyed and the Israelis and Palestinians blame each other. Zohan must uncover the truth behind the damage and calm down the waring business owners.

Watch It: If you're in the mood for stupid-funny. Intelligent humor is something this movie (and Sandler) does not have.

Skip It: In favor of Happy Gilmore if you had to choose only one Sandler flick.

The Tattooist

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: Novembe 29, 2007 (Singapore)

DVD Release Date: June 24, 2008

Plot 411: An American tattoo artist unknowingly releases a ghost who uses him to kill people.

Review: This is a movie that blends the supernatural world, Samoan culture and tattooing into a unique product that many audiences can enjoy. By incorporating an evil spirit into the plot, you automatically pique the interest of horror fans. Contrasting the Western and South Pacific views of tattooing and its ritual and cultural significance is sure to win over Polynesians or ethnic studies lovers. Featuring the artistry of tattooing for a mainstream audience to consume can expand this movie's range even further. Jake (Jason Behr) is a talented tattoo artist whose gimmick is to tattoo people for health and healing purposes. He's really a con artist who is co-opting other people's style and cultural significances and using it in his own work to achieve fame. What a poser, right? Well, this cannot go unpunished and he is soon caught up in some weird and freaky occurrences. Everyone he tattoos dies horrible deaths as their body is infected with ink until it comes out of their pores. Jake must uncover the source of this before it affects Sina (Mia Blake), his love interest.

Watch It: For a twisted horror flick based in the Polynesian culture. It's not something you see every day, that's for sure.

Skip It: If you're totally over movies with evil spirits who kill people a la The Ring.

Slither

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: March 31, 2006

DVD Release Date: October 24, 2006

Plot 411: A town becomes overrun with alien slugs that are slowly killing off the human race.

Review: Seriously, if you can't already tell from the Plot 411 that this is a B horror movie . . . well, God help you. It's definitely not as bad as it sounds though, if you're into the B horror movie genre. Lots of gross-out scenes coupled with sarcastic, dry humor make this movie a fun, popcorn-popping time. The movie stars Nathan Fillion as the town sheriff. With Fillion leading the cast, you should pretty much know what to expect. The man only plays one character despite being in several movies and on tv. Yet, he's much more likeable, in my opinion, than Keanu Reeves, Nicholas Cage or Brendan Fraser combined. When a man is infected by the alien slugs, he slowly mutates into a creature who controls all other human-come-zombie people. There's a lot of blood, puss and gore, but that's what you expect out of these horror comedies. With the town crawling with zombies, Fillion and the small group of humans must fight to survive the zombie alien attack.

Watch It: If you're a product of the 1970s/1980s horror flicks because this will be like a blast from the past.

Skip It: If you require thoughtful post-movie conversation, even from a horror film.

Phat Girlz

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: April 7, 2006

DVD Release Date: August 22, 2006

Plot 411: A plus-sized wannabe fashion designer is obsessed with her weight until she finds it in herself to be content with who she is.

Review: Jazmin (Mo'Nique) is an aspiring, yet frustrated, designer. All around her, thin is in. She's never able to find clothes in her size and believes that she can bring some style to the plus-sized fashion line. But everything seems to be against her until she wins a trip to Palm Springs. She takes two friends and while enjoying the sun and fun, she meets a hot African doctor (Jimmy Jean-Louis) who sees her worth. With his help, she is able to build her self-confidence up and comes out a better person. This movie is trite and stereotypical. While the overall message is good, the execution is just horrible. It tries to play up the rom-com angle while pushing the self-awareness/self-acceptance button. All the usual cliches are in it to win it. Not a good thing. Mo'Nique is her brash, unrelenting self, and if you like that kind of thing, then you'll love this film. I found her to be completely annoying even in her tender moments.

Watch It: If you like Mo'Nique's comedy routine because this is a one-woman show in itself.

Skip It: If Mo'Nique's loud-mouthed wise cracks get on your nerves. She never, ever stops talking. Even her thoughts are known via voice overs.

The Passion Of Joan Of Arc / La passion de Jeanne d'Arc

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: April 21, 1928 (Denmark) / March 29, 1929 (USA)

DVD Release Date: November 9, 1999

Plot 411: The recreation of the capture, trial and death of Joan of Arc.

Review: Silent films are not for everyone. You either love them or hate them. I didn't like this one much, despite the engaging subject matter. The film's pacing just crawled along, and it was hard to stay awake. I had to pause the movie several times throughout the viewing to get up and walk around or else just nod off to sleep. Despite this, I think the movie is pretty well-made, especially for its time. The acting of Maria Falconetti as Joan of Arc is very moving and, at times, completely amazing. I loved the tight shots that focused on her face. Emotion just poured out of her. The movie also seemed less like a movie and more like a play. The way some of the scenes were shot made you feel like you were at the theater and watching the action live. It was almost like a pasion play in its stark set dressing and muted clothes.

Watch It: To experience a classic piece of film history.

Skip It: If you need all the loud crashing sound effects found in movies like Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen.

Love Happens

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 18, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: A self-help guru needs help of his own to deal with the death of his wife.

Review: I found that this movie was more of a drama than a romantic comedy. The issues it dealt with - love and loss - were a great deal heavier than I expected. Aaron Eckhart is Burke, an author and self-help stud who is rocketing toward stardom three years after his wife's death. His book is about healing yourself after experiencing a loss. However, despite his positive message to others in person and through his book, Burke does not deal with his own internal struggle until he meets Eloise (Jennifer Aniston). She intrigues him and despite getting off on the wrong foot, they manage to develop a friendship. For me, the movie seemed to drag on and on. I think it could've been edited down a bit to minimize the drag. Also in this film are Judy Greer and Martin Sheen.

Watch It: If you're a big fan of Seattle because it plays as more than just the setting of the movie. It's gloominess seems to mimic Burke's attitude toward being in the city.

Skip It: If you're you're in the mood for an uplifting romantic comedy about people down on their luck. While this may seem like it on the outside, the inside is much, much different.

The City Of Violence / Jjakpae

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: May 25, 2006 (South Korea)

DVD Release Date: September 4, 2007

Plot 411: When a friend's death brings a cop back to his hometown, he discovers that the old gang isn't what it used to be.

Review: I've got mixed feelings about this film. Some parts were good (the action sequences), but other parts were not (everything else). It reminded me a bit of The Warriors (1979) and The Outsiders (1983) because there were a couple of large mob/gang fights. Parts of it also reminded me of the Kill Bill movies. Tae-su (Doo-hong Jung) returns to his hometown because one of his best friends Wang-jae (Seok-yong Jeong) was killed. He meets up with his old friends and learns that things have changed a lot since he left for Seoul. The city has turned corrupt and some of his friends are behind it all. A struggle for power and money has caused his friends to split apart. The boys they once were no longer exist and the men they have become no longer see eye to eye. Innocence is lost.

Watch It: For some crazy martial arts sequences and a look at a different martial arts technique. I'm not used to watching Korean-style fighting so this was pretty interesting.

Skip It: If you're expecting non-stop action. I almost wish it was all non-stop action.

The Motorcycle Diaraies / Diarios De Motocicleta

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: February 6, 2004 (Norway) / September 24, 2004 (USA)

DVD Release Date: February 15, 2005

Plot 411: Two friends travel throughout South America and experience real life.

Review: This is the story of Ernesto "Che" Guevara (Gael Garcia Bernal), his friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna) and four months of touring South America. Based on his memoirs, this film is of Guevara's life before becoming a political figure. The experiences he has during this vacation and seeing firsthand the lives of the impoverish motivate him later in life. However, at this time he is simply a young man out experiencing the world. The two friends travel far on Granado's motorcycle dubbed "The Mighty One." They are exposed to pleasures and hardships, joy and injustice. Despite an acknowledged biased when it comes to Bernal (I did watch The Science Of Sleep after all.), I don't think it'd be far fetched to say that Bernal's portrayal is captivating. He is especially good during those moments when like light bulb switches on and he sees the great divide between people who have and those who do not. You can almost feel the emotional connection he has with people he meets on the road. This is a road movie, one that goes from point A to point B, and you experience the journey as the characters do. It is also a personal journey for Guevara, who is a changed man by the end of the film.

Watch It: For a somewhat poetic look at how a person can be inspired by the hardship of others.

Skip It: If you actually liked The Science Of Sleep because this is another type of movie completely.

17 Again

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: April 17, 2009

DVD Release Date: August 11, 2009

Plot 411: A guy in his 30s regrets a lot of things in his life and is given the opportunity to go back to high school and change things.

Review: On the surface, this is just another remake of 13 Going On 30 or Freaky Friday where a character relives the past. However, surprisingly this movie is a lot more and is better for it. Zac Efron and Matthew Perry play Mike, a guy who gave up his chance at a baskeball scholarship to support his pregnant girlfriend. (There is no way Perry looked like Efron growing up, but I guess we're supposed to overlook that and several other things to make this film work.) Despite believing that it was the right thing to do, Mike still has regrets about the things that could've been. His wife (Leslie Mann/Allison Miller) is on the verge of divorcing him when he magically reverts back to his 17-year-old self and gets a do over. Yes, the transformation is pretty farfetched, but whatever. This is Hollywood. Even though this is a cheesy teen flick, I've gotta admit that it had more substance than most films of this genre. It deals with adult issues despite taking place in a teenaged world. The movie also deals with those weird interactions between the character who goes back in time (Mike) and the real teens of that generation (his children). I think that's a first. And for the very first time, I see what millions of teens and tweens around the world see in Zac Efron - well, besides the pearly whites and crystal clear blue eyes that is. He's really good in this role and is more than just man (boy) candy. I might just go back and watch all those High School Musicals because of it. If he could only get away from the mainstream Disney stuff and try his luck with some real indies, we'd get to see his full potential. Oh well, I digress.

Watch It: To learn of the true beauty that is Zac Efron.

Skip It: If you're so over his sweaty basketball-playing bod.

Mind Hunters

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: May 7, 2004 (Thailand) / May 13, 2005 (USA)

DVD Release Date: September 20, 2005

Plot 411: A group of FBI profiler trainees are tested when their test becomes reality and people start dying.

Review: This is a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat. A serious contribution to the film world it is not. However, it is filled with lots of suspense and violence, and I dare say most CSI fans would enjoy it. Cops, killers, cop killers - what more could you ask for in a police thriller? A group of young FBI agents training to become profilers travel to a small island to take part in a simulated case. However, when their leader is killed and their boat to the mainland is destroyed, fingers reach for triggers as everyone now becomes a suspect. One by one the agents are killed. Each one dies a death specific to their personality. This makes the movie even more interesting as the killer is not just sick and twisted but also intelligent and devious. The movie is made of an ensemble cast: LL Cool J, Jonny Lee Miller, Kathryn Morris, Val Kilmer and Christian Slater.

Watch It: If you enjoy putting puzzle pieces together, blood and guts.

Skip It: If you think violence on tv is overrated.

An Affair To Remember

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: July 11, 1957

DVD Release Date: February 4, 2003

Plot 411: After meeting on a ship, two lovers vow to meet in six months at the top of the Empire State Building.

Review: Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr are Nickie and Terry, two passengers on a large ship. They become friends and soon fall in love. However, they are both involved with other people so they promise to meet atop the Empire State Building in six months after wrapping up their affairs. On the fateful day of their meeting, Terry is hit by a car and taken to the hospital. Nickie is unaware and thinks she has just decided not to meet him. Is love strong enough to overcome pride? This is probably one of my favorite movies of all time. Grant and Kerr are so wonderful in this film. The film takes your heart and soul on an excruciating journey that twists you up and turns you upside down. The movie is powerful and heartbreaking. It really has you cheering for the pair to reconcile, especially after such a terrible ordeal.

Watch It: Snuggled up close to the one you love.

Skip It: If you'd like a modern take on it in Sleepless In Seattle.

Serenity

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 30, 2005

DVD Release Date: December 20, 2005

Plot 411: When a teen psychic knows a government secret that the government doesn't want to get out and must run for her life.

Review: This movie was a little complex to follow given that I had not watched the tv series on which it was based. However, I still found it highly entertaining despite not being a big fan of sci fi. A continuation of a science fiction show called Firefly, this movie tells the story of the crew of Serenity and their encounter with a psychic named River (Summer Glau). She has been trained by the Alliance to be used as a weapon until her brother Simon (Sean Maher) rescues her. The two join Serenity to escape, but this just leads deeper into the conspiracy. The crew, mostly petty thieves now that the war for independence is over, must step up to the challenge of uncovering the Alliance's secrets and broadcasting it to the rest of civilization. Serenity's crew includes Mal (Nathan Fillion), Wash (Alan Tudyk) and Jayne (Adam Baldwin). The space battles remind me of battles between cowboys and indians. The dialogue is humorous. The action is a little slapstick and a little Die Hard. I guess you can't ask for much more than that. For me, it broke the stereotypical sci fi model. It became less about the plot and more about the characters. I might just go back and watch some of those old Firefly episodes.

Watch It: For a western veiled in a sci-fi movie.

Skip It: If you're a stickler for accurate physics and the like.

La Cage Aux Folles

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 25, 1978 (France) / March 30, 1979 (USA)

DVD Release Date: July 24, 2001

Plot 411: A young man asks his homosexual father to tone it down when he invites the soon-to-be in-laws over for dinner.

Review: Renato (Ugo Tognazzi) and Albin (Michael Serrault) have been together for 20 years and have raised a son Laurent (Remi Laurent) together. When Laurent informs his father Renato of his impending marriage, both Renato and Albin are disappointed because they hoped he would marry a man instead of a woman. After the initial upset wears off, Laurent asks his father to hide his homosexuality and send Albin away for a few days because he would like to invite his fiancee's very conservative parents to dinner. This causes upheaval and hurt feelings, but eventually the ruse is carried out. There were moments of humor throughout the film but not enough for the continual laughfest that you would expect given the plot description. There were probably dozens of other stereotypical thing to mock in order to create more laughs, but they were not utilized. I suppose the film could be considered risque given the time in which it was made. However, these days the barrier is quite a bit further away and harder to reach. Most of the shocking scenes aren't really surprising anymore. The movie is dated and doesn't really survive the passage of time.

Watch It: For laughs created by the discrepancy between the dubbed-in voices and the subtitles. They are probably funnier than all the jokes in the movie combined.

Skip It: In favor of its remake The Birdcage, which just seemed funnier.

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: September 18, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: Flint's inventions have always gotten him in trouble, but his latest creation makes him famous.

Review: Flint (Bill Hader) has been an inventor his entire life. Like most inventors, he hasn't found much success with his inventions. But with his mother's words of support ringing in his ears, he ventures onward. When one of his inventions goes awry and turns clouds into food, it starts to rain every kind of food imaginable. At first it helps his town and creates a sensation. However, soon the food portions get bigger and bigger and becomes hazardous to everyone's health. Flint must shut his invention down before it consumes everyone. This was quite an enjoyable movie that dealt with the effects of poor eating habits on society in a not-so-subtle way. It reminded me of Wall-E a bit but wasn't as clever. It also dealt with one's identity and the hardship that sometimes accompanies being different from everyone else. The cast was pretty diverse and included: Bruce Campbell, the town's mayor; Mr. T, a police officer; James Caan, Flint's dad; Anna Faris, a weathergirl; and Andy Samberg; a child star.

Watch It: For a smorgasbord of a good time.

Skip It: If you're looking for a more high-brow animation such as Wall-E

Rising Son: The Legend Of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: Not available

DVD Release Date: November 14, 2006

Plot 411: Documentary about the ups and downs in the life of skateboarding phenom Christian Hosoi.

Review: In this doc narrated by Dennis Hopper, we explore the fast-paced life of Christian Hosoi. In the early '80s, Hosoi shot to stardom because of his natural gift for skateboarding and his charismatic personality. He was innovative and excelled in contests. He knew how to work the media and market himself and his companies to maximum profit. However, he also had a zen-like attitude toward money and believed that it was transitory and not the main meaning of life. His lifestyle grew more and more extravagant and skating took him across the world. He partied like a rock star with rock stars and actors and all of Hollwood. He was the "it" man of the '80s. When skating trends began to change, he wasn't able to cope and fell into drugs. He was eventually incarcerated for possession of crystal meth with an intent to sell. He served part of his time, found God in the process and was released early. If you're a skate fan, this is an intriguing look into the world of one of the originators. This era follows up the Dogtown and Z-Boys generation, and it's cool to see how the sport is progressing. Hosoi had a massive influence on thousands of skaters that came after him. The doc is filled with testimonies from world-class skaters, like Tony Hawk, and even some actors like David Arquette and Jason Lee. It also shows a bit about his early family life and the influence his dad had on him. His dad is from Hawaii and met his mom in the islands while in college.

Watch It: For a bit of skating history and a look at the cost of fame.

Skip It: If you haven't seen the Dogtown and Z-Boys doc yet. Some of the same people are in this film.