Eagle Eye

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 16, 2008

DVD Release Date: December 27, 2008

Plot 411: Jerry receives instructions from a mysterious caller and must follow her instructions or face being arrested.

Review: Jerry (Shia LaBeouf) returns home to find his apartment filled with bomb-building materials. Thoroughly confused, Jerry receives a call from a woman (Julianne Moore) who informs him that the FBI are coming and he must escape. Instead, he hesitates and is caught by Agent Morgan (Billy Bob Thornton). The next time the woman calls, Jerry listens and soon he finds himself partnering up with Rachel (Michelle Monaghan). This is a good movie for those who like action and suspense. I enjoyed it a lot more than Transformers: Rise Of The Fallen, but then again, that's not saying much is it? I'm still not convinced that LaBeouf is a good actor. He keeps picking these action films, but I don't think he has the right look for them. I thought it was very odd that the two main characters, Jerry and Rachel, didn't end up as a couple. Isn't that how all of these things work? Wonder what that says about me (or how society has condition me to think)? Anyway, the other aspect of this film that was overtly obvious was that technology is becoming too advanced for humans to control, and this is a cautioning tale about the evils of science and technology. Not really new and not really carried out in a new way. Also in this film are Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Ethan Embry and Anthony Mackie.

Watch It: If you like conspiracy theories and governmental cover ups.

Skip It: Because it's a little heavy handed with its socio-political message.

Can't Hardly Wait

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 12, 1998

DVD Release Date: December 22, 1998

Plot 411: One high school graduation party stands between between them and the rest of their lives.

Review: This movie definitely feels like a throwback to the teen comedies of the 1980s, especially those starring anyone of Brat Pack fame. In this film of multiple characters and plotlines, Preston (Ethan Embry) has finally decided to man up to his four-year crush on Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt). The popular girl has just been dumped by jockstar Mike (Peter Facinelli), who can't wait to hook up with college girls. Nerdy William (Charlie Korsmo) plans to seek his revenge on Mike for all the bullying and embarrassment he has been responsible for throughout the years. Outsider Denise (Lauren Ambrose) likes her independence and thinks everyone else is just a lemming but is forced to accompany her best friend Preston in his quest for love. At the party, she meets up with wigger Kenny (Seth Green) and calls him out on his behavior. I enjoyed the interwoven plots despite the somewhat cheesy high school stereotypes that were used. However, I suppose you can't really get away with a movie like this without sticking to those predetermined characters. In that regard, this is a well-crafted movie.

Watch It: For a taste of the '90s as the movie really does not transcend its time period very well.

Skip It: Because since it is a product of its time, a lot of things are dated and no longer effective.

Sweet Home Alabama

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 27, 2002

DVD Release Date: February 4, 2003

Plot 411: A top fashion designer must return to her roots to divorce her hick husband so she can marry the man of her dreams.

Review: This is a sweet rom com starring Reese Witherspoon as a hot New York fashion designer who must face her high school sweetheart Jake (Josh Lucas) in order to marry her long-time boyfriend Andrew (Patrick Dempsey). Melanie thinks she finally has it all by making a name for herself and being engaged to a successful guy. She's escaped her small-town beginnings and become someone. However, when she returns home intent on divorcing Jake, she realizes that maybe life down south isn't as bad as she thought it was. Witherspoon is her sweet, small-town-girl self and despite the fact that she plays a snooty Yankee for a bit is still very likable and genuine. She isn't devoid of faults though, and this makes her very real. She's made mistakes and will continue making them, but the point is that she learns from them. The movie confronts the question of identity, heritage and family. Candice Bergen, Ethan Embry, Jean Smart and Fred Ward co-star. As a side note, Witherspoon and Embry reunite in this film as they co-starred in A Far Off Place when they were younger.

Watch It: For a cute love triangle and classic Witherspoon.

Skip It: Legally Blonde is more your speed because Melanie has a little more depth but less humor than Elle.

A Far Off Place

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: March 12, 1993

DVD Release Date: June 1, 2004

Plot 411: Three teens and a dog travel across the Kalahari Desert to escape poachers who killed their families.

Review: This was an intersting movie - sort of a cross between an after-school special and a political/environmental piece. The way in which this story was told seemed very deliberate and there were several lessons that I assume were meant for the audience. 1) Poaching is bad; 2) Stand up for what you believe in whether it is through actions or words; 3) You can do anything you put your mind to; 4) Give people a chance because they can change and grow; 5) The Kalahari Desert is very, very big. Other than that, I guess it was supposed to be a show for kids since it was made by Disney. It starred a young Reese Witherspoon and Ethan Embry (Ethan Randall in the credits).

Watch It: For the some picturesque vistas of Africa.

Skip It: If you have a choice.

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