Criminal

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 10, 2004

DVD Release Date: April 12, 2005

Plot 411: A career criminal hooks up with a kid who is in a jam and they stumble upon a big league heist.

Review: John C. Reilly plays Richard, a career criminal with twos strikes against him. He lives his life as one long con job and takes whatever he can from everyone around him. When his long-time partner disappears on him, Richard recruits a young Mexican guy named Rodrigo (Diego Luna). He quicky changes his name to Brian to make him sound "white" and decides to test out Brian's skills. As Richard and Brian move from one mark to the next, they come across a heist that is too good to be true. This gig is the largest job that Richard has ever been confronted with and he just about foams at the mouth in anticipation of the rewards. This was an interesting take on heist films. It gives us a look at the tricks people play to survive as a thief. While other films make criminals look glorious and slick, this film's characterization of a con man is unimpressive. Reilly is totally unlikable in this role and is unapologetic for his actions. I guess this is a true nature of a shyster. Luna does pretty well, even while speaking English.

Watch It: For a slightly different type of con movie. This film shows that life as a criminal is not all flash like in Ocean's Eleven.

Skip It: Because despite being a heist film, it's kind of slow going for the most part.

Never Been Kissed

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: April 9, 1999

DVD Release Date:October 26, 1999

Plot 411: A copyeditor gets her chance to prove herself as a reporter when she's assigned to go undercover at a high school.

Review: This is a sweet romantic comedy starring Drew Barrymore as Josie Geller, an awkward young copyeditor with dreams of becoming a reporter. When her editor (Garry Marshall) gives her a chance to write, she jumps at it even though she must return to one of the worst times in her life. To get a feel of today's youth, she must go undercover at the local high school and make her way into the popular crowd. Unfortunately, Josie doesn't have much experience with the popular crowd because she was and still is a geek. With the help of her brother Rob (David Arquette), who was a popular jock in high school, Josie is able to tread through the social politics that is high school. Josie does well in English and develops a friendship with teacher Sam Coulson (Michael Vartan). But, because of her supposed age of 17, a relationship is forbidden. This is a fun high school rom com - one of many during the late '90s and early '00s. Barrymore is a good selection for the role of Josie because she has a youthful and innocent look about her. She still speaks with a short tongue though but that doesn't seem to keep her from acting jobs. Arquette is funny as her slacker brother. For this genre of film, I think Never Been Kissed is a pretty decent entry. This movie was also the training ground for some of young Hollywood's elite - Jessica Alba, James Franco and Leelee Sobieski - as well as the playground for established actors like Molly Shannon, John C. Reilly and Octavia Spencer.

Watch It: If you dream of being a reporter one day because this is the kind of commitment it'll take.

Skip It: If the lisping Barrymore is more than you can handle.

Boogie Nights

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 10, 1997

DVD Release Date: April 7, 1998

Plot 411: The ups and downs (literally and figuratively) of one kid's porn career, which spans the '70s and '80s, and how it affects his life.

Review: Mark Wahlberg plays down-and-out, 17-year-old teen Eddie Adams whose gifts in certain areas allow him to break into the porn industry. He changes his name to Dirk Diggler and becomes a star for director John Horner (Burt Reynolds). As the movie unfolds, we're privy to insider info and goings on, which really turn out to be a host of humorous events. The sex industry is really a backdrop for the characters. Many of them are flawed in ways that everyone can relate to, such as being separated from a child, having an alcoholic parent or dropping out of school. We learn that everyone in Horner's company uses the film industry as a escape from the real world. For the most part, it's just a job that they do. We see the rise and fall of people as fame and drugs are introduced, then abused. What I loved the most was the transition in clothing and hairstyles. The changes were very distinct and recreated that period of time easily. Other adult film stars in Horner's stable were Rollergirl (Heather Graham), Amber Waves (Julianne Moore), Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly), Becky Barnett (Nicole Ari Parker) and Buck Swope (Don Cheadle). The actors all serve as a disfunctional family unit, supporting each other during rough times and celebrating successes together.

Watch It: For a humorous look at the steamy sex business. It's all smoke and mirrors.

Skip It: If you're already turned off from the Plot 411. It's a different kind of movie than most so it does take a certain kind of audience to enjoy it.

Magnolia

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: January 7, 2000

DVD Release Date: August 29, 2000

Plot 411: A small snippet of the lives of several people who experience love, loss, death, regret, loneliness and a number of other human emotions.

Review: This was a tough one to sit through. It's over three hours long and is basically a collage of people's lives. You have to watch till the end to even figure out what the hell is going on or where the movie is going. I'll sum it up for you: The movie is preaching forgiveness. This movie has an all-star cast of great actors, including Julianne Moore, Tom Cruise, William H. Macy, John C. Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Alfred Molina. Cruise's character is especially interesting in an obnoxious, chauvinist way. He's as over-the-top as he was in Tropic Thunder. It is difficult for me to reconcile this image of him with the Scientologist version of himself. Very difficult indeed. I can't say that'd I'd recommend this one to most people. It'd probably fit well with the arthouse crowd, film students and maybe the indie flick watchers. The mainstream moviegoer will probably find it too slow going. There is a tremendous amount of character development, although it's splotchy with all the vignettes. It's one that focuses on the people and dialogue, and I think it really stretches the emotive capacities of the actors. There are a lot of close-up shots where they really need to show emotion on their faces and in their eyes.

Watch It: If you're one of the groups I've mentioned above.

Skip It: If you think you could fit two blockbusters into the same timeframe.

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Step Brothers

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: July 25, 2008

DVD Release Date: December 2, 2008

Plot 411: The lives to two grown-ass men change when their parents get married and they must live together as step brothers.

Review: I honestly have yet to find a film that stars Will Ferrell to my liking. I'm not sure if it's his style of humor (or possibly mine), but I just don't think he's all that funny. I can now add this movie to the junk pile. The concept is pretty ridiculous so you'd think that there'd be a chance of finding a ton of laughs in it. I mean, they're 40-year-old men still living at home as if they were teenagers! Unfortunately the funny stuff is few and far between. I will admit that there were some funny scenes but not fall-off-your-chair funny. John C. Reilly and Ferrell seem to work well together, but that still didn't pull this one out of the crapper for me. Plus, I prefer him in his dramatic roles such as Gangs of New York or Chicago.

Watch It: If you just love Will Ferrell.

Skip It: If you're watching it as a comedy. Stick Old School back in the dvd player instead.

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