Armored

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: December 4, 2009

DVD Release Date: May 4, 2010

Plot 411: A group of armored car drivers plot to steal $42 million dollars.

Review: With his parents dead, the responsibility to raise his younger brother falls on Ty's (Columbus Short) shoulders. After an honorable discharge from the military, he takes a job as an armored car driver with his godfather Mike (Matt Dillon). After passing Ty passes his probation, Mike lets him in on a plan that he and his team have been plotting to steal one of their loads. At first Ty refuses to be involved, but with the bank ready to take their house and child welfare knocking on his door, he feels he has no choice but to snag some of that money. Surprisingly, this was better than I thought it'd be (though far from a good heist film). The quality of actors used in this movie was surprising. Besides Dillon, there was Jean Reno and Laurence Fishburne and a small part by Fred Ward. Younger actors included Amaury Nolasco, Milo Ventimiglia and Skeet Ulrich. Unfortunately, they weren't really able to sell me on the plot. There were a lot of sequences that weren't believable, actions that just didn't fit. Also, they introduce Ventimiglia's character only to use him as a human prop. They completely wasted him. The movie didn't go too much into detail regarding the motive behind this heist. I guess as the audience we're just supposed to think that the money is enough. Only Ty had a real reason for needing the money. I guess the others can be summed up with plain old greed.

Watch It: If you're okay with a mediocre turn out by some top-notched actors.

Skip It: And go with one of the Ocean's flicks. Much more entertaining.

Gamer

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 4, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: Humans become video game pieces to be controlled by others in a life or death game.

Review: In the future, technology has advanced to the point where video games are played out in real life. People control other people in games called "Society" and "Slayer." Kable (Gerard Butler) is a convict on death row who is several wins away from being set free. He is controlled by a 17-year-old teen named Simon (Logan Lerman). The creator of both games is Ken Castle (Michael C. Hall), who also invented the mind control technology used to link the gamer to the game piece. The movie is part science fiction and part reality, an interesting speculation at what the future holds for us. It shows us a world that is disconnected from reality and emotions, where money can purchase life. While techonology can be beneficial in some instances, it can also cause destruction when in the hands of egomaniacs. Even when the public is aware that real people are being killed in "Slayer," no one seems to mind. There is no humanity left in this society and no human rights to speak of. Notable supporting actors and cameos include Kyra Sedgwick, Terry Crews, John Leguizamo, Milo Ventimiglia, and Ludacris.

Watch It: For Butler in great action sequences and a look at what first-person gaming can become.

Skip It: If you are easily affected by jerky camera movements. This was worst than The Blair Witch Project because of the rapidly changing viewpoints between live action and gaming perspectives.