The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: August 14, 2009

DVD Release Date: December 15, 2009

Plot 411: A high-volume car sales team is hired by a failing dealership to

Review: Jeremy Piven plays Don, the leader of a slick team of car salesman (and one woman) who are hired by low-volume dealerships to turn things around. They pull into the lot of Ben Selleck (James Brolin) to throw down a huge Fourth of July sale and school Selleck's guys on how to sell cars. They use all the gimmicks they can to bring in the crowds. Their sales goal is 211 cars. Otherwise, Selleck's future son-in-law Paxton (Ed Helms) and his father (Alan Thicke) are going to purchase the lot and turn it into a practice studio for Paxton's boy band. Don's band of bandits include Jibby (Ving Rhames), Brent (David Koechner) and Babs (Kathryn Hahn). I think most people will find this movie just a step above retarded, but somehow I actually enjoyed it. It may be because I worked part time at the front desk of a car dealership and can actually see some of the guys in these characters. Oh sure, they're not as suave as Don, but there are many similar traits. Piven does a tremendous job in this role. He's able to pull off being both arrogant and sympathetic at the same time. Nice. Also in this film are Jordana Spiro, Rob Riggle and Ken Jeong. I definitely think Jeong was under used in this one. What a waste.

Watch It: If you've got the faintest connection to car dealerships. You'll bust a gut.

Skip It: If you've ever had a bad experience at a car dealership. You'll probably just feel worse afterwards.

Surrogates

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 24, 2009

DVD Release Date: January 26, 2010

Plot 411: In a society where people live via their surrogate robot selves, a new weapon is unleashed that can kill the human operators when their robots are killed.

Review: This was an interesting sci-fi thriller starring Bruce Willis as Tom, a cop who is put on an unusual case. He and his partner Peters (Radha Mitchell) arrive at a crime scene with two damaged surrogates, one of them unmarked. They chase down clues to discover that the operators linked to the surrogates are dead. Now the pair must find the weapon and people responsible for this before all of mankind is killed. The idea that people no longer live their lives in their physical form and use robot replacements instead is interesting. It's a comment on our society's reliance on and fascination with technology. The movie highlights how we've actually become crippled by technology as more things are automated and done for us. The deterioration of our human bodies is already reflected in the rise in obesity. I imagine that we aren't too far away from lives as portrayed in the film. Also in this film are Rosamund Pike, Boris Kodjoe, James Cromwell and Ving Rhames.

Watch It: For a glimpse into our future?

Skip It: Because the plot is predicatble. I think they could've done a better job at storytelling.

The Tournament

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 8, 2009

DVD Release Date: October 20, 2009

Plot 411: Every seven years a tournament of the world's best assassins is held for money and pride.

Review: From what I can tell, this is a straight-to-DVD affair starring Kelly Hu (Lai Lai), Ving Rhames (Joshua) and Robert Carlyle (Father MacAvoy). Seven years ago, Joshua participated in and won the tournament of assassins. He was the last man standing and walked away with the money. Now, seven years later, he enters the tournament for a different reason - to avenge the murder of his wife and unborn child. Lai Lai and 28 other of the world's best are also playing the game, and they eliminate each other until there is only one left standing. The man running the show uses all kinds of high tech gadgets to monitor the players from a confined room where others bet on the winner. When unsuspecting Catholic priest Father MacAvoy gets caught up in the game, Lai Lai attempts to keep him safe while avoiding her own elimination. As far as action thrillers go, this one is not bad. There are some terrific special effects as you can imagine since there are 30 people's deaths up for grabs. A lot of the kills are creatively done, which makes the effects that much more awesome. From sniper shots to face-to-face battles, this movie offers up some kick-ass ass kicking. The plot is nonexistent and is just in place to set up the next kill. Still, isn't that just what we want? Also in this film is Ian Somerhalder.

Watch It: Definitely for all the action set pieces and the quirky characters.

Skip It: Because, really, if you want blood and guts you can just turn on your TV and watch the news.

Blood In, Blood Out / Bound By Honor

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 16, 1993

DVD Release Date: June 13, 2000

Plot 411: A story about the lives of three young men growing up in East L.A.

Review: This movie was recommended to me by a co-worker, and dayum was he right about it being awesome. It's the story of three guys who grew up in the barrio of East Los and how their lives turned out. Miklos (Damian Chapa) is half white and half Mexican. Because of this, he's always been an outsider and had to prove his loyalty and heritage. With his brown hair and striking blue eyes, he's had to fight for his respect even within his own family. Because of this he ends up in San Quentin and hooks up with the Spanish gangs. Miklos' cousin Paco (Benjamin Bratt) starts off as a punk who doesn't back down from anything. He's an instigator and not afraid to take revenge on a rival gang when his young brother Cruz (Jesse Borrega) is jumped and severely injured. Rather than go to jail, Paco joins the Marines and becomes a cop patrolling his old 'hood. After the attack, Cruz becomes hooked on drugs and uses his injuries as an excuse. When their kid brother accidently overdoses using one of Cruz's needles, he spirals even further. As the plot unfolds you realize how great this movie is because of its authenticity. From the gangs and drugs to the importance of family, this movie really works on many levels. It expertly weaves together different themes for each character. It'll leave you wanting more. Also playing supporting roles are Delroy Lindo, Billy Bob Thornton, Ving Rhames and Danny Trejo.

Watch It: Because this movie will make you rediscover all that is Benjamin Bratt. Where the heck has this guy been lately? He needs to get out of TV and get back into movies!

Skip It: Because despite Bratt's appeal, it's hard to get past all of Chapa's close ups. I know his character's an intense dude, but the expression on his face used to portray this is just painful. His earnestness, while definitely touching, is completely over the top. Dial it down homes.