The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: April 28, 2005 (UK) / September 29, 2005 (USA)

DVD Release Date: September 13, 2005

Plot 411: This is a space comedy based on a book of the same name that incorporates humor, space travel, aliens and destruction.

Review: Before Earth is destroyed, best friends Arthur (Martin Freeman) and Ford (Mos Def) leave the planet by hitching a ride on the destroying spaceship. Ford is an alien who has been writing a hitchhiking guide. The two friends are discovered and forced into space without any oxygen. Luckily, they are saved by Ford's half brother Zaphod (Sam Rockwell). Arthur and Ford's journey only gets weirder and weirder as they travel to distant planets with Zaphod, who is searching for the ultimate question. I swear it's better than I'm making it sound. I'm not really sure how to describe this quirky jumble of sci-fi and British humor, adventure and geekiness. All I can cay is that I loved it. Also in this film are Zooey Deschanel, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, Helen Mirren and Stephen Fry. If those names don't get you to watch this one, then it's probably not a movie for you.

Watch It: Because it's smarter and funnier than you expect.

Skip It: And it's roundabout logic that only sci-fi fanboys can untangle.

Be Kind Rewind

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: February 22, 2008

DVD Release Date: June 17, 2008

Plot 411: Two friends endeavor to recreate popular movie rentals when they discover that all the VHS tapes have been erased.

Review: Mos Def stars as Mike, a video store clerk left in charge when his boss Mr. Fletcher (Danny Glover) leaves on vacation. Unfortunately, his best friend Jerry (Jack Black) becomes magnetized and erases all the tapes as soon as he walks through the doors. To cover their tracks, the two friends attempt to remake some VHS classics in hopes that their patrons won't know any better. Their tapes become a hit and the store starts turning a profit, a boon for Mr. Fletcher who had received an eviction notice. Unfortunately, lawyers show up with cease and desist orders based on copyright infringement and the store seems to be on its final legs. The best part of the film is definitely watching the one-take remakes being shot. There are some great laughs during their filming process. Other than that, the movie was pretty tiresome with lame jokes. This is probably one of Black's worst efforts. Then again, I've only seen a couple of his other movies and wasn't overly thrilled by them either.

Watch It: Only if you're a huge fan of Jack Black.

Skip It: If you have any respect left for Mos Def because this will just kill it for you.

Brown Sugar

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: October 11, 2002

DVD Release Date: February 11, 2003

Plot 411: Dre and Sid have been best friends since childhood. They both fell in love with hip hop instantly, but their love for each other took a little longer to blossom.

Review: This is one of my favorite romantic comedies. I love Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs in this because their chemistry is wonderful. In addition to their great on-screen relationship, the music is wicked. It's old school hip hop at its best. They see hip hop as a living, breathing entity. It's something that helped them through tough times. It's dependable. Queen Latifah and Mos Def also play supporting roles and bring some levity to the situation. One of the greatest Erykah Badu and Common songs is also on this soundtrack. It's called "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)."

Watch It: For an urban love story between two people as well as their relationship with hip hop.

Skip It: If you prefer a more traditional love story. To get the full effect of this film, you'll have to really absorb the music.

Trailer: