Valentine's Day

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: February 12, 2010

DVD Release Date: May 18, 2010

Plot 411: An interwoven story about people who live in L.A. on Valentine's Day.

Review: This movie tries to pull off a heartfelt statement about love in L.A. ala Love Actually and a massive ensemble cast. However, I don't think it has quite enough heart to follow in those footsteps. The various plot lines are as moving. They don't tug quite so hard at your heartstrings. It's as if we're just following these people around for a day in the life or something just as moronic. The movie opens up with Reed (Ashton Kutcher) proposing to his girlfriend Morley (Jessica Alba). Most of his friends, including BFF Julia (Jennifer Garner) and Alphonso (George Lopez), are surprised when they find out she says yes. The multiple storyline unfolds here with kid love, teen love and even senior love. The all-star cast is great, but they don't seem able to pull off a really solid American representative of Love Actually. Also in this film are Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts, Hector Elizondo, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, Jamie Foxx, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, Shirley MacLaine, Queen Latifah, Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift. Phew, by the time you say all their names the flick is over. My bet is that they signed up for this project hoping to get paid for not doing much. It probably worked.

Watch It: If you want to catch a glimpse of stars young and old.

Skip It: And watch the British version, which is better hands down. Who said Brits were cold and stuffy?

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: September 18, 2008

DVD Release Date: March 3, 2009

Plot 411: An uptown chihuahua finds herself in downtown Mexico City miles from all that is familiar to her.

Review: Oh man, I never thought I'd actually watch this movie . . . ever. But it was in the stack of DVDs I'm borrowing from my brother so I thought I might as well pop it in and get it over with. The only plus about this movie is that at least they cast Hispanic actors for the ethnic parts. It'd be really insulting if they had cast white folks to play the Mexican dogs. Talk about uncool. Anyway, Drew Barrymore plays Chloe, a 90210 dog who is used to only the best that life has to offer. When Chloe's owner Viv (Jamie Lee Curtis) goes on a business trip, she is left in the care of Viv's slacker niece Rachel (Piper Perabo). Rachel and her friends decide to take a little vacation of their own and head down to Tijuana. But when Chloe gets dognapped and ends up in the dog fighting ring, things get a little "ruff." Ok, I couldn't help myself. Anyway, the dogs she meets on her journey are voiced by the likes of Andy Garcia, George Lopez, Edward James Olmos, Placido Domingo, Paul Rodriguez, Cheech Marin and Luiz Guzman. Pretty classy huh? While some people might find this movie adorable, I cannot claim that myself. It contains two of my pet peeves - tiny dogs and dogs wearing clothes. I'm surprised I didn't break out in hives. Also, the CGI in this is HORRIBLE! C'mon Disney! What were you thinking?

Watch It: For the doggie fashion?

Skip It: For the love of God!