The Last Song

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: March 31, 2010

DVD Release Date: August 16, 2010

Plot 411: A teenager is forced to spend her summer with her dad and gets to know him for the first time.

Review: Ronnie (Miley Cyrus) is rebellious teen whose future is questionable due to bad choices in her life. She feels abandoned when her father (Greg Kinnear) divorced her mother (Kelly Preston) and hates having to spend the summer with him and her younger brother (Bobby Coleman). She meets a local (Liam Hemsworth) and embarks on a summer love affair that opens her eyes to other possibilities besides being angry and bitter. This is basically your typical coming-of-age story about a emotionally sensitive girl who's built a wall around herself and how she tentatively comes out of her cocoon. It's based on a Nicholas Sparks book so of course you've got to expect someone is either sick or dying or sick and dying. While it's not the best adaptation of his work (which in my opinion is still The Notebook), it's not the worst either (which I think is Nights In Rodanthe). I think all of these books have a great plot to work with, but it all comes down to the acting in the end. In this movie, I just thought that the relationship between Ronnie and Will (Hemsworth) was unbelievable. It developed too fast for the audience to buy into their romance. It didn't have enough of anything for me to believe that they were meant to be together. Also, Ronnie's complete change in character once she starts dating this dude is, again, unbelievable. After years of playing the bad girl to the point of being arrested for shoplifting, she becomes this fun-loving girl? I don't think so. However, besides that entire plotline, the relationship between the dad and kids is moving. Oh, as a side note, Hemsworth is apparently the youngest of three acting brothers from Australia. You may know his older brother Chris as George Kirk in Star Trek and the eldest is Luke, who is famous from an Australian soap. It's like they're all the next generation of Paul Walkers. Don't you think?

Watch It: If you're into those tear-jerker type flicks that reflect on life.

Skip It: If you're looking for a good tear jerker with believable actors.

Someone Like You

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: March 30, 2001

DVD Release Date: September 21, 2001

Plot 411: After being dumped, Jane devises a theory about men that becomes a nationwide phenomenon.

Review: When Jane (Ashley Judd) meets Ray (Greg Kinnear), she thinks she's met the perfect man, and things are perfect for a while. But when he dumps her, she becomes obsessed with finding the reason behind why men act the way they do. As she researches and develops a theory, she is forced to live with her chauvinistic co-worker Eddie (Hugh Jackman) or else face homelessness. This is one of my favorite Ashley Judd movies because she plays this neurotic character so perfectly. Jane's obviously high-strung and nuts, but she's also so lovable and very relatable. She's searching for something every girl has wondered at one time or another. She's dealing with her heartbreak in a scientific way in order to distance herself from the pain. Who has never done that themselves? Kinnear is cast perfectly as Ray - the incredibly good-looking guy that's too good to be true (and is). There's just something about him that calls out "cheater" and "liar," yet you're still drawn to him. Jackman being cast as the regular guy is the most ludicrous thing ever and can only be done in Hollywood. Even at this early stage in his career, you can tell he's got star potential. Also in this film are Marisa Tomei and Ellen Barkin.

Watch It: For one of the more fascinating theories on men ever put into film.

Skip It: Because at the end of the day, the movie is like all other rom coms and completely formulaic.

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.

Unknown

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: November 1, 2006

DVD Release Date: January 31, 2007

Plot 411: A man wakes up to find himself in an abandoned building unable to remember anything about himself or the others in there with him.

Review: This is a slightly less gruesome Saw rip off. There really wasn't anything unique about it despite the numerous well-known names headlining this film. The main character is played by Jim Caviezel, and he is joined by the likes of Greg Kinnear, Joe Pantoliano, Barry Pepper and Bridget Moynahan. I don't even remember seeing this one in the theaters so it might've went straight to DVD. Most of the movie is spent trying to figure out who everyone is and how they all got stuck in the building together. It's almost like a game of cat and mouse to find out who is a victim and who is a villian.

Watch It: If you're into guessing who-dun-its or to see Kinnear in a role where he actually gets dirty.

Skip It: If you're looking for something of Saw quality (I suggest you stay with the originators) or some thriller-type film. This one was a snooze.

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Ghost Town

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 19, 2008

DVD Release Date: December 27, 2008

Plot 411: An anti-social dentist goes in for a colonoscopy, dies, comes back to life and walks out seeing dead people.

Review: Ricky Gervais, Tea Leoni and Greg Kinnear were great in this film. It turned out funnier than I was expecting, especially Gervais' character, Bertram Pincus (or "Pink Ass" as Kinnear's character calls him). This movie had wickedly funny lines that were sincerely irreverant and probably not politically correct at all. This is why they were so humorous. I wish there were more scenes of Pincus doing his "I hate people" routine because it really was hilarious. Kinnear's character is an adulterous dead husband, and what's interesting is that you actually like the guy depsite his immorality. That's a hard thing to do but Kinnear does it well. He is unapologetic of his former ways, which I guess implies that he accepts himself completely. Confidence really is sexy, huh?

Watch It: For great one-line zingers from Gervais in a sort of Americanized British way.

Skip It: If your funny bone leans more toward slapstick funny.

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