Leap Year

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: January 8, 2010

DVD Release Date: May 4, 2010

Plot 411: A woman travels to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day.

Review: Amy Adams stars as Anna, a Boston native who has been dating her boyfriend for four years. He (Adam Scott) is a successful cardiologist, who always seems to put his work ahead of her. However, when Anna gets her hopes up for a marriage proposal that never really happens, she's determined to take matters into her own hands. Following an Irish tradition of women proposing to men on February 29 on a Leap Year, Anna flies to Dublin with that in mind to meet her boyfriend at his medical conference. Unfortunately, a bit of bad weather forces her to detour and she finds herself on the road with Declan (Matthew Goode) as her guide. They fight like cats and dogs as they make their way from Dingle to Dublin in a mad dash that lasts two entire days. I love Amy Adams but thought she got off to a shaky start in this movie. She's pretty unlikable to be honest. But as the movie progresses, her girl-next-door sweetness shines through. I had a heck of a time trying to understand the Irish accent put on by Goode even when I had the subtitles going. It was partly because of his sarcastic mutterings and partly because of the Irish slangs he used. Still I liked his character because it was such a contrast from perky Anna. What stole the show though was Ireland itself. Wow, everything is so green there! It definitely makes you want to visit even the most rural villages.

Watch It: For another run-of-the-mill rom coms, but at least it's better than Letters To Juliet in terms of great scenery.

Skip It: Because it does feel like such a mass-produced movie when compared to stuff like Once.

The Vicious Kind

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 11, 2009

DVD Release Date: February 23, 2010

Plot 411: An intimate look at the relationship between two brothers and their father.

Review: This was an awesome little indie film that was disturbing, heartbreaking, realistic and hopeful. Adam Scott is Caleb, a construction worker who is tortured by his ex-girlfriend. He is emotionally shattered and unable to sleep at night. Caleb is afraid that his younger brother Peter (Alex Frost) will also be hurt because he is bringing his new girlfriend Emma (Brittany Snow) home for the first time. Caleb's actions toward both Peter and Emma are rude and obnoxious without just cause. He also does not have a good relationship with his father Donald (J.K. Simmons) and the two haven't spoken for eight years. At first, you believe Caleb is just another asshole, but as the plot unfolds you realize that there's more going on. Just like every family, this one has its secrets. Then the line between right and wrong is crossed, making it difficult to see who is the real victim in this situation. Scott puts in an amazing performance and portrays a broken man who is torn between reality and fantasy. You should watch this just for his facial expressions alone, which are extremely revealing and honest. The movie focuses on emotional and psychological health without actually analyzing it. It doesn't judge the characters' actions or motives and lets the audience decide for itself. You realize that things are not always black and white.

Watch It: Because it's got some great character moments and the plot makes subtle twists and turns.

Skip It: Because it's a bit raw at times.