The Mask

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: July 29, 1994

DVD Release Date: March 26, 2007

Plot 411: An unassuming man finds a mask that gives him extraordinary powers.

Review: Stanley (Jim Carrey) is a nice guy who everyone walks all over until he finds a magical mask. When he puts it on, he turns into Mr. Popular, the complete opposite of his personality. With his newly found bravery, he seeks comical revenge on all his bullies. With the mask, he can bend reality and make all his desires appear. However, the police become suspicious about the mask's power and of Stanley's connection to it. The mob also wants to get their hands on the powerful maks. Can Stanley still come out on top and win the girl (played by Cameron Diaz)?These were the days when Jim Carrey was at his best. His comical facial features are hilarious, proving he was in top form. The wacky fantasy animation just adds to the hilarity of each scene and pushes everything over the top. While the animation techniques look dated, I think they're acceptable because this movie is very cartoonish. It's a fun movie that kids will still enjoy for its outrageousness. The dog is also cute.

Watch It: For classic Jim Carrey lines like, "Smokin'!" or "Somebody stop me!"

Skip It: If you like more of Carrey's sophisticated works like Eternal Sunshine Of A Spotless Mind.

Any Given Sunday

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 22, 1999

DVD Release Date: September 1, 2000

Plot 411: A once-great football team has had several bad years and the new owner and veteran coach butt heads on coaching methods.

Review: Coach D'Amato (Al Pacino), who has led the Miami Sharks to several championships over the years, is caught in the crosshairs of new owner Christina (Cameron Diaz), who has just inherited the team from her father. Believing that D'Amato is over-the-hill and his teaching methods are outdated, she hires a new offensive coordinator (Aaron Eckhart) to breathe some life into the team. Christina is a shrewd woman and successful finances is a top priority for her. Because of this and many losing seasons, she plans on replacing D'Amato at the season's end. When injuries strike the team, third-string quarterback Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx) leads the team to several wins after some initial setbacks. He soon becomes arrogant and this causes friction between him and many of the other players. This movie gives audiences a good look at the inner workings of professional sports - the good and the bad. It comments on how the sport is promoted, scrutinizes the coaching and players, their motives and commitments, looks at the luxurious and lavish lives that the players' families are privy to and the corruption within the sport. It's a stark contrast to the typical fan's point of view and also parodies many within professional football. Also in this film are LL Cool J, James Wood, Dennis Quaid, Lauren Holly, Matthew Modine and John C. McGinley.

Watch It: For one of Diaz's few serious roles. She's actually pretty good in this one.

Skip It: If a straight football movie is what you're looking for. This is more about the people than it is about the sport.

What Happens In Vegas

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: May 9, 2008

DVD Release Date: August 26, 2008

Plot 411: When tragedy strikes, two individuals seek a distraction in Las Vegas only to end up getting married to one another.

Review: When Joy (Cameron Diaz) is dumped by her boyfriend, her BFF Tipper (Lake Bell) insists they take a trip to Vegas to forget her troubles. Jack (Ashton Kutcher) is also in Vegas with his friend Hater (Rob Corddry) because he just got fired by his dad. After a hotel mix up, the foursome party the night away. Joy and Jack wake up the next morning married to one another. But before they can get a divorce, Jack hits a jackpot with a quarter he got from Joy. Now $3,000,000 is at stake and each is determined to walk away with the cash. Unfortunately, their judge (Dennis Miller) isn't going to make it easy on them. He sentences them to six months of marriage and weekly visits to a marriage counselor (Queen Latifah). Joy and Jack live together during this period to show the court that they're really trying to be married to one another. They also try desperately to make the other give up by doing increasingly horrible things to each other. This is where all the slapstick humor comes into play. The performances by Diaz and Kutcher aren't groundbreaking, but you do get a sense of their good chemistry. This makes all the torture comedy so much better and funnier. Corddry is really funny with his dry, one-liners. The plot's a bit unrealistic (What are the odds that you're so wasted you get married to a stranger AND hit a jackpot with one pull?) but still enjoyable. Also in this film are Zach Galifianakis, Treat Williams and Dennis Farina,

Watch It: For the comedic riffs and banter. Diaz and Kutcher are pretty to look at but anyone could've played those roles just as well.

Skip It: For a better Las Vegas-based movie - The Hangover.

Gangs Of New York

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 20, 2002

DVD Release Date: July 1, 2003

Plot 411: A battle between natives and immigrants erupts in the 1800s just as the Civil War breaks out.

Review: When Amsterdam (Cian McCormack) sees his father get killed by Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis), he vows to seek revenge and take up his father's cause. As an adult Amsterdam (Leonardo DiCaprio) returns to New York and learns the inner workings of Bill's illegal activities by becoming one of his henchmen. A weird father-son relationship develops despite Amsterdam's hatred for the man. As he becomes closer to Bill, he is privy to the power that Bill wields and the influence he has on the community. He also learns that many of his father's compatriots are now in Bill's pocket. During this time, Amsterdam also falls for a girl named Jenny (Cameron Diaz) who is a pickpocket and con artist. But, when he learns that she is Bill's on-again-off-again companion, he feels betrayed. When his identity is revealed, Amstedam calls Bill out to a formal fight and bloodshed ensues. This is an action-filled historical piece based on a non-fiction book about the times. Prejudice (or patriotism depending on your take) runs rampant within the Five Points area of New York. Unethical politicians run a corrupt system and have control of the citizens. As the Civil War commences, the warring between local and foreign gangs flares with passion to create a gritty, bloody battle. The grime and filth of the city is captured nicely in the wardrobe and set dressing. Day-Lewis portrays Bill the Butcher with tremendous ferocity and intimidation for a really great performance. DiCaprio is also magnetic and many of his monologues make you want to join his cause.

Watch It: For a rare performance by Day-Lewis. The actor is very cautious about the roles he accepts, but he seems to make very good choices as the characters he plays are all very strong.

Skip It: If you're not into a bloodbath.

She's The One

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: August 23, 1996

DVD Release Date: October 3, 2000

Plot 411: Two brothers face the ups and downs of love in New York City.

Review: Edward Burns is Mickey, a cab driver and the elder of two brothers whose life was turned upside down when his fiancee Heather (Cameron Diaz) cheated on him. Francis (Mike McGlone), Mickey's younger brother, is a successful, though very arrogant, stockbroker and constantly trying to prove his worth to Mickey. Drama unfolds when it's revealed that Francis is cheating on his wife Renee (Jennifer Aniston) and Mickey has married Hope (Maxine Bahns), a girl he picked up in his cab. As the plot developed, I found myself cracking up at the dry humor shared between the brothers and their father, played by John Mahoney. Mahoney constantly refers to his sons as girls in a way only a manly man of a father could do. Their blue-collar upbringing contrasts with Francis' superficial outlook on life. It was so blatant that I was confused for a while as to the time period of the film. I thought it might've been set in the '80s, but all the clothes were definitely from the '90s. I don't ever remember seeing this rom com in theaters and am not sure how successful it was in the box office, but I enjoyed many of the scenes specifically because of the dialogue. The blunt banter between characters made for some hearty laughs in a way that only New Yorkers could do it. All the actors were shockingly young looking. This was an eazy, breezy film to watch with some good laughs and nothing too heavy. Also featured in this film was an extremely young-looking Amanda Peet and Leslie Mann with her sexy-sounding voice.

Watch It: For a not-so-serious rom com starring actors that were up-and-coming at the time.

Skip It: If you really want to see these actors at their peeks. I gotta admit that some of the performances were kind of bad.

The Holiday

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: December 8, 2006

DVD Release Date: March 13, 2007

Plot 411: With their lives in the crapper, two women houseswap for the holidays to escape their lives only to discover a whole new life is waiting for them.

Review: This romantic comedy stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Jude Law. Amanda (Diaz) and Iris (Winslet) both experience setbacks in their love lives and desperately need a way to forget about their problems. When Iris posts a houseswapping ad for her cottage in the English countryside, Amanda quickly responds. Iris jets over to glamorous L.A. and instantly enjoys her new vacation home. However, Amanda's British getaway isn't all that it's cracked up to be until she meets Iris' brother Graham (Law). Iris also meets Amanda's composer friend (Black) and they develop a friendship. The end, I'm afraid, is quite predictable. The film doesn't break down any stereotypes or give us any new revelations to ponder. But, it's a feel-good holiday flick that doesn't need much thought. As Amanda and Iris escape from the troubles of their daily lives, so can you with this film. It's simple and easy going. There's just the right amount of humor and drama and romance for any rom-com lover. It's just sweet.

Watch It: If you're not looking for a nice rom-com to curl up with this Christmas.

Skip It: If you a fan of wild and crazy Jack Black. He's actually a lot more subdued in this role.

The Sweetest Thing

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 12, 2002

DVD Release Date: August 20, 2002

Plot 411: Party girls Christina and Courtney are well-known on the club scene. But when Christina meets Peter, she begins to wonder if there's something more to life than just dancing, drinking and hooking up.

Review: This is easily one of my favorite Cameron Diaz (Christina) flicks because she has such great chemistry with Christina Applegate (Courtney). The two really come off as BFFs. The adventures they get into and their moments together are hilarious! It's a real tribute to sisterhood. Adding to the hysterical nature of this film is Selma Blair. Normally she's cast as the shy girl or nerdy girl, but she's a bit more risque in this one. She's got a great scene where she actually sings, but I don't want to give it away. Essentially there's a whole love story involved and people learn their lessons and whatnot, but the best part is the comaraderie of the girls. It's like a modern Three Musketeers.

Watch It: For great laughs with your BFF, a tub of popcorn and a pint of ice cream. It'll make you feel good.

Skip It: If the girl bonding isn't for you. But seriously, even the guys in this flick have some great lines. Don't miss Jason Bateman!

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My Best Friend's Wedding

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 20, 1997

DVD Release Date: December 10, 1997

Plot 411: A guy and a girl are best friends forever until all hell breaks loose when he tells her that he's met someone and is getting married.

Review: This is one of my all-time favorite rom-coms. I love Julia Roberts in this and Cameron Diaz is her normal perky self. This movie got me through many bad days in high school and into college and helped me believe that there's always hope for happiness. One of the best things about this film is that Roberts' character is very realistic (although I don't know if some of her actions are). The idea that her friendship with this guy is hers and hers alone probably how many people feel. When someone new comes into the picture, whether it's on the guy's part or the girl's, it rocks the boat and people like to cling to the norm. This film addresses change, and change in a major way.

Watch It: For great rom-com bungles and beats, some singing and great one-liners.

Skip It: If Roberts' mouth is too big, Diaz is too perky or you just can't stand Dermot Mulroney's monotone voice.

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