The Runaways

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: March 18, 2010

DVD Release Date: July 20, 2010

Plot 411: The first all-girl rock band explodes onto the scene but fame tears them apart.

Review: This is a biopic about the first girls to rock onto the scene in the 1970s. The movie focuses on guitarist Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and lead singer Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning) as they form a band called The Runaways with three other teens from the Valley. They are managed by eccentric Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon), who uses extreme measures to get the girls ready to perform. The young girls leave their families to tour the country and soon become absorbed in the world of sex, drugs and rock and roll. Their success becomes their demise. Before watching this flick, I wasn't familiar with this group. I'd heard of Joan Jett and Lita Ford (lead guitarist in the group), but I'd never really heard their music from the '70s. The power of their music is pretty awesome, especially during a time when rock and roll was a male-only genre. If you're a fan, I'm sure this movie will solidify that for you. Excluding the music, I love the message of individuality and female empowerment that the movie emphasizes. It's really about a group of girls growing up amidst the mayhem of rock stardom. They have everything at their fingertips - legal and illegal - and stand on top of the world. The contrast between this and their life at home is very drastic, especially for Currie. Stewart and Fanning put on great performances, and I think they were able to capture the spirit of their characters well. I never really liked Stewart's acting (especially in the Twilight films), but she's converted me with this performance. She truly embodies Joan Jett.

Watch It: For a very aggressive girl-power message.

Skip It: Because this movie is pretty raw and in your face. The movie opens with blood dripping down Fanning's leg.

Into The Wild

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 21, 2007

DVD Release Date: March 4, 2008

Plot 411: Based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, a guy who gave up almost all of his possessions to finally be free.

Review: Holy crap, I cannot believe I haven't reviewed this movie yet! It is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Perhaps it's because it tugs at the hidden idealism within me? Perhaps it's because it calls to my hidden adventurer? I don't really know, but when I first saw this film I had to learn more about Christopher McCandless, the person upon which this movie is based. I watched the documentary, The Call Of The Wild, and set Google ablaze with all my searches. Emile Hirsch plays the starring role, and for me, this is his best effort to date (even though I like him in many other films). Chris was a college student who embarked on a journey of self-discovery, independence and freedom. Being disillusioned with the capitalist world he lived in, he donated half of the money his parents gave him for college and took off to see the world. He hitchhiked around the U.S. and took odd jobs here or there. His life alternated between solitude and society. His ultimate goal was to test himself in Alaska. The themes are pretty heavy in this movie, but I found them quite inspirational. On one hand, Chris is the ultimate dreamer who went after those dreams. He didn't let anything stand in his way. Leaving all your worldly possessions behind, overcoming society's pressure to live a certain way and creating situations where you can only depend on yourself are all pretty huge deals. The fact that this guy did it is pretty amazing. Of course, the rational part of your brain is shouting what an idiot Chris was. Also in this film are Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart and Zach Galifianakis.

Watch It: If, like me, you're not normally a risk taker or even an idealist. This will give you something to think about.

Skip It: If, perhaps, you're more of a realist as some of Chris' actions are definitely illogical and foolhardy.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: November 16, 2009

DVD Release Date: March 20, 2009

Plot 411: The sequel to Twilight continues with a heartbroken and despondent Bella when Edward leaves her.

Review: This movie is simply visual and emotional porn for teen girls . . . and yet somehow I liked this better than the first movie. When Edward (Robert Pattinson) realizes that he will never be able to fully protect Bella (Kristen Stewart), he dumps her on the pretense that he no longer loves her. He believes distance is the only way to keep her safe. However, she is completely distraught over the situation and sinks into depression for months. Her friend Jacob (Taylor Lautner) is the only one who makes her nightmares and sadness go away, if only for a while. Even before I saw this movie I was firmly planted on the Team Jacob side of the line. After it, I'm still entrenched in the pack. However, I must note that both guys are provided with equally cheesy lines that simply rival one another. Still what girl wouldn't want to be caught between two dudes who were passionate about her? Even emo chick Bella feels the pull. I found the acting hard to watch because everyone was overflowing with teen angst of some kind. Everyone lived as if their world were ending. It was just too melodramatic for me. This movie also had a ton of music to underscore emotions and introduce characters. I found it a little distracting. I can't say this movie is for everyone. It's definitely better than I anticipated, but I didn't have high hopes to begin with anyway.

Watch It: For the jail bait that is Taylor Lautner and his werewolf buds.

Skip It: If Bella irritated you in the first movie. It's just more of the same here.

Adventureland

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 3, 2009

DVD Release Date: August 25, 2009

Plot 411: A Columbia-bound master's student must work his first summer job at a local theme park for money.

Review: When James (Jesse Eisenberg) finds out his parents can't support his post-graduation trip through Europe or his college education, he must take a summer job in order to go to Columbia in the fall. The only job he's offered is at a local amusement park running the game booths. This, in and of itself, is almost hell on earth but the people he meets there impact him more than he expects. Em (Kristen Stewart), another college student home for the summer, befriends the newbie James and he soon falls for her. Em is a troubled chick with a very unstable home life that affects how she interacts with the world. Combined with James' awkward nature, they make for an interesting couple. Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig and Ryan Reynolds also add some humor and irony to the mix. I wouldn't call this an outright comedy as it is pretty heavy at times. However, the humor is dry and sarcastic, which I love. The plot seems more like a biography than scripted. It's fully imbedded in the '80s and actually avoids being completely cheesy. It's a coming of age story that portrays a main character that is an Everyman.

Watch It: For Stewart's brooding emo-ness that isn't as annoying as her Twilight character Bella.

Skip It: If you're expecting a repeat of Superbad, despite being directed by the same guy - Greg Mattola.

Twilight

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: November 21, 2008

DVD Release Date: March 21, 2009

Plot 411: A vampire saves a human girl's life and reveals himself and his kind to her.

Review: With all the hype surrounding this flick, I was expecting to be blown away. That didn't happen. I felt like I was waiting for something more but that something more didn't come. To me, the build up of Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella's (Kristen Stewart) relationship was sort of awkward. There was all this unnecessary dialogue going on that was almost too authentic to high school life. It didn't help the plot move forward. Yet, we're supposed to believe that Bella somehow falls in love with Edward and is able to overlook his blood-sucking tendancies? That's a tough one to swallow.

Watch It: If you're into the books. Or, for the grown up version of this read J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

Skip It: If you really got hooked on the now canceled Moonlight (CBS) because this is nothing like Beth and Mick. You'll walk away disappointed.

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