Transformers: Rise Of The Fallen

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 24, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: The clash between Autobots and Decepticons reignites when Megatron's body is salvaged from the depths of the sea and he is revived.

Review: Judging by opening weekend ticket sales and lines at the theater, this film is definitely a summer blockbuster. However, personally, I didn't think it was all that great. This could have been due to the up-close view I had at the theater though. There was a lot of 'transforming' going on with the various good and bad guys changing from regular vehicles to their robot selves. After a while though, it just feels overly done. We get it. They're shape-shifters. For me, it was hard to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys in some scenes. Maybe I'm just not familiar enough with the players. The plot line wasn't anything ground breaking. Neither was the acting. I would've liked to see more of Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson, but the military took a backseat to Sam (now a college freshman) and his gf Mikaela. Shia LaBeouf did a pretty good job with all the stunts and high-intensity action. Megan Fox did as well as she could do, I suppose. They played up her looks and did slow-mo running shots. Apparently that's all you can ask of the girl. John Turturro was pretty funny in some scenes, but overall I don't think this is a must-see flick.

Watch It: If you grew up on the stuff and have been aching for more '80s flashbacks. Hang on to your seat because G.I. Joe is just around the corner.

Skip It: If you only feel lukewarm about this stuff.

How To Lose Friends & Alienate People

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 3, 2008

DVD Release Date: March 16, 2009

Plot 411: A British hack gets hired for a leading American magazine and tries to adjust to being in a new echelon of journalistic hierarchy.

Review: You can never go wrong with Simon Pegg, never. Pegg plays Sidney Young, a struggling pap trying to conive his way into celebrity functions to get the dirt and swing with celebs. When he's hired across the pond, he finally thinks he's made it big but soon discovers the shiny life of stars could be out of his reach. Pegg is completely and utterly likeable, even when he constantly spouts sexist remarks or acts like a jerk. I think there are few actors out there that can do this and still have the audience rooting for them. Playing opposite of Pegg is Kirsten Dunst, another actress that I just can't seem to really like. She's fine in this role and actually has some great comebacks to Pegg's often wild antics. Pegg and Dunst seem to connect well on screen though, which makes the romantic angle a bit easier to swallow. However, Pegg really is the focal point of this film and probably is the appealing thing in it. Well, unless you're in love with Megan Fox.

Watch It: For classic Pegg humor. He's seems to be back in top form, especially the flop that was Run Fatboy Run.

Skip It: If you don't get British humor. This movie was made by Brits.

Trailer: