Definitely, Maybe

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: February 14, 2008

DVD Release Date: June 24, 2008

Plot 411: A dad tells his daughter the real story of how he fell in love with her mother, but it's complicated.

Review: Will (Ryan Reynolds) is in the process of divorcing his wife when his daughter Maya (Abigail Breslin) asks him to tell her the story of how he met her mother. Besides being intrigued by what happened, Maya also hopes this will reunite her parents. Will decides to change all the names and some of the things that happen in this retelling, forcing Maya (and the audience) to guess which woman is her mother. As the story goes, Will has three relationships with women who could possibly be Maya's mother: his college sweetheart (Elizabeth Banks), a journalist (Rachel Weisz) and his best friend (Isla Fisher). As the tale unfolds, things get more and more complicated but Maya is determined to figure out who her mother is. This film took a unique stab at the rom com genre and actually made it a lot more interesting. Because of how the plot, the audience really becomes invested in the characters - if not for Will's sake but for Maya's. As each piece of the puzzle is revealed, your anticipation mounts. I also enjoyed the twists and turns of how each relationship played out. While some things were still predictable, many aspects of the relationships were utterly true to the real world. Rather than wrap things up nicely, this film showed us all the loose ends. It didn't pull its punches - just as real life never will. Reynolds does a really good job playing a concerned father and his on-screen relationship with Breslin is great. As usual, he is good looking and funny, but now his affection for his daughter really makes him a dream catch. It's just the thing to pull in female viewers.

Watch It: For the unique storytelling hook of the plot.

Skip It: If you like your romances straightforward and passion filled. This one would be described more as sweet and endearing.

Invincible

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: August 25, 2006

DVD Release Date: December 19, 2006

Plot 411: A regular Joe gets his shot at playing for he Philadelphia Eagles when a new coaches holds open try outs.

Review: Mark Wahlberg plays Vince Papale, a Philly bartender whose life isn't turning out very well. He recently lost a teaching job and his wife has asked for a divorce. But, with the support of his friends, he reluctantly tries out for the Philadelphia Eagles football squad in 1976. Beyond all belief, he makes the team at age 30 and becomes the oldest guy to do so without playing college ball. The movie is based on a true story and focuses on Papale's struggles and triumphs and his invincible spirit. One of the best scenes is when Papale and his friends are playing football in the street with all of their car lights on. The look and feel of the film really is a throwback to the '70s. It sort of has that nostalgic air about it. Wahlberg always does well in these athletic, manly men-type roles and does not disappoint in this movie. Elizabeth Banks plays his love interest and Greg Kinnear plays his coach, Dick Vermeil. This movie sucks you in because everyone loves an underdog. You've gotta cheer for a fan whose dream to play for his favorite team actually comes true. However, nothing in life comes easy and Papale's experience in the NFL cannot be described as easy. His fight to prove himself and his determination not to give in or give up is an inspiration.

Watch It: For a good underdog movie and a decent sports film.

Skip It: If you're looking for a great sports film.

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.

Zack And Miri Make A Porno

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 31, 2008

DVD Release Date: February 3, 2009

Plot 411: Two long-time friends are in a bind financially and turn to making a porno to pay the bills.

Review: I'm not sure if I've said this before or not, but I really don't get what the hype is surrounding Seth Rogen. It's like he's to the '00s what Jim Carey was to the '90s, only Rogen is way, way worse. However, I've gotta admit that he was pretty funny in this film. It was also amazing how Elizabeth Banks pulled off playing this fun, likable girl when I just saw her in The Uninvited playing an intruding stepmom-type character. I guess that's why she gets paid the big bucks, huh? This film had so many awesome lines in it that I'm sure people walked out of the theater quoting it. Justin Long's cameo was deliciously funny as well. (You also need to check him out in the Bonus Features.) In this type of movie, I suppose the plot isn't really as important as the gags, but basically when water and power get shut off at Zack and Miri's place, they need to take drastic measures in order to continue to live in their house. They round up a cast and crew and decide to shoot a porno and become famous. It's a simple premise that allows for a lot of funny porn scenes.

Watch It: If gross-out humor makes you wet your pants.

Skip It: If sex jokes and nudity offend you.

Trailer:

The Uninvited

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: January 30, 2009

DVD Release Date: April 28, 2009

Plot 411: A daughter returns home after being hospitalized to find her recently departed mother's nurse has become her father's new girlfriend.

Review: When Anna returns home from a psychiatric institution after her mother's death, things have changed dramatically. Her mother's nurse Rachel is now playing the supporting role to her father's main event. Anna and her sister Alex suspect there is more to the nurse than she lets on. The two sisters vow to discover what it is and get to the bottom of their mother's death. It sounds like a typical plot for revenge, doesn't it? But it's not. This film definitely has a twist that I don't think most audience members are expecting. It really surprised me and got me to rethink the entire movie. The movie is based on a Korean film called A Tale of Two Sisters, which could be the reason for the great movement in the plot. There are some points that are pretty creepy. Elizabeth Banks does a great job as Rachel. She's annoyingly caring and devious at the same time. The sisters in this film, played by Emily Browning and Arielle Kebbel, had great chemistry and their actions and reactions to what was happening around them were really believable and relatable.

Watch It: For a surprising plot twist that'll shock you out of your shoes.

Skip It: If the supernatural genre is too nerve wracking for you.

Trailer: