Takers

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: August 27, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: A con reunites with his crew after serving four years and wants in on the game one more time.

Review: This movie tries to lure in its audience with the ensemble cast of beefcakes. From Paul Walker (John) to Idris Elba (Gordon), Hayden Christensen (A.J.) to Chris Brown (Jesse), there's gotta be a bad boy for you. Even the cops are notable heartthrobs - Matt Dillon (Jack) and Jay Hernandez (Eddie). However, even this isn't enough star power to rock this movie. Oh, it was okay for a shoot 'em up flick, but it didn't have the same charisma as Ocean's Eleven. There was just no style or clever humor in this one. I don't think anyone, even Elba, could command a stage like George Clooney. The movie opens when Ghost (T.I.) is released from prison after serving his time for a robbery. He immediately contacts his boys and offers up an armored car job he's been planning since prison. The crew is hesitant, but the money is good (isn't it always?). They decide to risk it because that's what they do their entire lives. There's some great hand-to-hand action by Christensen (during which time I realized how thin he is). Chris Brown also does a good parkour act as he evades capture. But, some of the acting is really bad. The lines are pretty stilted. I mean, you can't necessarily blame T.I. for this because he's a newbie and all, but what excuse can the others give?

Watch It: For some ramped up action toward the end.

Skip It: Because despite the big names there are other movies of this ilk that are more exceptional.

Quarantine

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 10, 2008

DVD Release Date: February 17, 2009

Plot 411: A reporter and cameraman shadowing firefighters responding to a call become victims with everyone else when the apartment building is locked from the outside and deadly force is used to keep them in.

Review: This is like a tribute to The Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield because it is shot with the same hand-held shakiness and documentary feel. Technically speaking, I think it's pretty awesome how the cast and crew are able to shoot long takes using one camera angle. As a viewer though, it's really disorienting and frustrating because you can't see what's happening. I guess you're supposed to feel as though you're stuck in the building with the characters. Personally, it's annoying when you can't see around a big fat head and the focus of the camera wavers in and out. Jennifer Carpenter, who I thought did pretty well in The Exorcism of Emily Rose, was also good in this one. Lots of screaming, running and shaky hands. Jay Hernandez and Johnathon Schaech play the firefighters. Basically the building's residents call 911 because an old lady in the building is screaming bloody murder. When the cops and firefighters enter the woman's apartment, the lady is foaming at the mouth and bites a cop in the neck. At some point, the entire building is locked up from the outside. Confusion ensues and people start dying.

Watch It: If you can stomach the wobbly camera without puking.

Skip It: If you don't like these faux documentaries and like your movies wrapped up in a nice package.

Trailer: