Blood Work

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: August 9, 2002

DVD Release Date: December 27, 2002

Plot 411: A heart transplant recipient investigates the circumstances in which his donor was killed.

Review: Clint Eastwood stars as FBI agent Terry McCaleb, who has a heart attack while chasing a suspect down an alley. Two years later, he receives a transplant and is recovering well when his donor's sister visits him on his boat. Graciella (Wanda de Jesus) implores McCaleb to help her get answers about her sister's death. As McCaleb digs deeper into the case, he ruffles the feathers of local law enforcement officers, played by Paul Rodriguez and Dylan Walsh. He also gets a hand from a former colleague, played by Tina Lifford. Anjelica Houston makes a couple of brief appearances as McCaleb's heart doctor and Jeff Daniels is his neighbor. This movie seemed like every other run-of-the-mill cop thriller and wasn't enhanced in any way by Eastwood's star credentials. I didn't realize it was only made in 2002. Instead, I thought it was one of Eastwood's earlier works. This, I suppose, is due in part to the lackluster production quality and special effects. It could've been an '80s classic rather than a turn-of-the-century effort. The pacing was also less than perfect, which made the movie drag for me.

Watch It: To see old Clint in action just like the good old days.

Skip It: Because the requisite love scene was totally unnecessary and came out of no where, in my opinion.

A Cinderella Story

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: July 16, 2004

DVD Release Date: October 19, 2004

Plot 411: When her father dies, Sam's life with her stepmother and stepsisters mimic the classic fairy tale Cinderella.

Review: This is a sweet teen rom com that definitely tugs at the heartstrings and is overly sentimental, but somehow it still manages to make you feel good inside. It stars Hilary Duff as Sam, a teenager living in the hell that became her life when her father died. Sam lives with her demanding stepmother Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge) and two stepsisters who are basically Tweedle Dee and Tweede Dum. Sam works hard at their family's diner with the support of long-time employees like Rhonda (Regina King) and Bobby (Paul Rodriguez). Sam confesses some of her troubles to Nomad, an online friend who invites her to meet him at the school's Halloween dance. Nomad turns out to be the school's most popular kid (Chad Michael Murray), but Sam runs away before he can find out who she is (just like old Ella did). In any case, this film, like many other teen flicks, is about coming into your own and the transition from a child to an adult. As always, Duff has a brilliant glow about her and it carries through the film despite all the non-glamorous things she is tasked to do. I also like how they manage to weave in chating, IMing, texting and all that other technology stuff into the film. It's almost like re-watching history because I suppose I grew up with that techonology as well and can definitely relate.

Watch It: If you're still hopefully dreaming of the day when your prince will sweep you off your feet.

Skip It: If you've long since let go of the idea of a prince because maybe this movie will give you hope again.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: September 18, 2008

DVD Release Date: March 3, 2009

Plot 411: An uptown chihuahua finds herself in downtown Mexico City miles from all that is familiar to her.

Review: Oh man, I never thought I'd actually watch this movie . . . ever. But it was in the stack of DVDs I'm borrowing from my brother so I thought I might as well pop it in and get it over with. The only plus about this movie is that at least they cast Hispanic actors for the ethnic parts. It'd be really insulting if they had cast white folks to play the Mexican dogs. Talk about uncool. Anyway, Drew Barrymore plays Chloe, a 90210 dog who is used to only the best that life has to offer. When Chloe's owner Viv (Jamie Lee Curtis) goes on a business trip, she is left in the care of Viv's slacker niece Rachel (Piper Perabo). Rachel and her friends decide to take a little vacation of their own and head down to Tijuana. But when Chloe gets dognapped and ends up in the dog fighting ring, things get a little "ruff." Ok, I couldn't help myself. Anyway, the dogs she meets on her journey are voiced by the likes of Andy Garcia, George Lopez, Edward James Olmos, Placido Domingo, Paul Rodriguez, Cheech Marin and Luiz Guzman. Pretty classy huh? While some people might find this movie adorable, I cannot claim that myself. It contains two of my pet peeves - tiny dogs and dogs wearing clothes. I'm surprised I didn't break out in hives. Also, the CGI in this is HORRIBLE! C'mon Disney! What were you thinking?

Watch It: For the doggie fashion?

Skip It: For the love of God!