Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who!

Rating: G

Movie Release Date: March 3, 2008

DVD Release Date: December 9, 2008

Plot 411: An elephant discovers an entire world on a speck of dust and must protect it from the other jungle animals.

Review: Horton (Jim Carrey) is a lovable elephant who hears a small sound emitting from a speck of dust floating in the air. He decides to house the speck on a clover because he thinks there may be creatures living on the speck. Indeed, there is the entire community of Who-ville, including its mayor Ned (Steve Carell), his wife (Amy Poehler), daughters (Selena Gomez) and son JoJo (Jesse McCartney). The animals in Horton's jungle do not believe that there might be life on the speck, and led by Kangaroo (Carol Burnett), they turn into a mob looking to destroy the speck. Can Horton save Who-ville from destruction? I really enjoyed this movie for all its wonderful dialogue and heartfelt message. The lilting gait of the narrator as he reads Dr. Seuss' classic story drives home the power of Seuss' words and emphasizes the impact he has on today's children. I didn't realize I knew so many lines from the book until I was miraculously able to recite them with the film. Today's technology merely enhances a story that is over 50 years old. Also providing voice talent are Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Isla Fisher and Jonah Hill.

Watch It: For inspiration to make a difference in other people's lives and to firmly stand your ground when you are faced with opposition.

Skip It: And read the book first. This is definitely a must.

Despicable Me 3D

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: July 9, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: An evil doer must shrink and capture the moon to prove to the world that he belongs in the bad boys club.

Review: Gru (Steve Carell) is an aging evil mastermind who has yet to prove himself as a valuable member of the evil-doers club. In an attempt to establish himself as an incrediblely bad guy, he plots to steal the moon from the world. This heist will put him in the record books. However, first he must steal a shrinking ray from up-and-comer Vector (Jason Segel). Using three orphans, Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Elsie Fisher), Gru hopes to finally fulfill his dreams of being a rock star evil mastermind. This was a cute movie for the young or young at heart. It took full advantage of several things: 1) the overwhelming cuteness of little girls; 2) the overwhelming funniness of secondary characters; and 3) juvenile humor and jokes. I really enjoyed this movie, but somehow it doesn't live up to other animated family comedies that have come before it. There didn't seem to be as much heart as in other movies. Still, I had a great time and would recommend this to family-oriented viewers. Also providing voice talent are Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig and Danny McBride.

Watch It: Simply for the minions. Completely hilarious and cute.

Skip It: Because it doesn't develop the plot or characters the way Pixar does.

Brief Interviews With Hideous Men

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: September 25, 2009

DVD Release Date: March 16, 2010

Plot 411: A grad student interviews men for her thesis and learns more about herself in the process.

Review: Julianne Nicholson plays Sara, a woman who has recently burned by love and is focusing her efforts on her research project to uncover the motivations of men. Through interviews with subjects, she gathers information about their fears and desires. Their anecdotes help her analyze her own situation with her ex, played by John Krasinski. Even after watching this, I don't really understand what it's all about. So, if you've seen this flick definitely leave a comment and demystify it for me. The movie is quirky because the interviews make it seem like a documentary but there are also characters that speak directly into the camera and serve as narrators. What's the movie really trying to say? Does it even know? The movie featured cameos by Timothy Hutton, Chris Messina, Will Arnett, Will Forte, Dominic Cooper and Christopher Meloni.

Watch It: And help a sistah out by 'splaining it to me.

Skip It: If you don't want to bust your brains on one of these high concept endeavors.

When In Rome

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: January 29, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: A girl is pursued by suitors after her trip to Rome and must figure out which guy is the real deal.

Review: When Beth (Kristen Bell) goes to Rome for her sister's wedding, she meets her brother-in-law's college roommate Nick (Josh Duhamel) and they hit it off. Previously shut off from love, she decides to take a chance on Nick. But as all her previous experience has revealed, she realizes that he's just like all the other guys she's dated. Drunkenly, she splashes around in the fountain of love outside the church. Disheartened with love and cynical about the powers of the fountain, she picks up five coins in an effort to save the coins' owners from a broken heart. Unfortunately, this causes the opposite effect. The coins' owners, who include Antonio (Will Arnett), Lance (Jon Heder), Gale (Dax Shepard), Al (Danny DeVito) and Nick, all fall in love with her. Upon her return to New York, Beth is confronted with each of the men as they attempt to woo her. This movie wasn't as disappointing to me as Dear John, but I didn't really have the same high hopes for it to begin with. It played out like a typical romantic comedy and didn't really have any twists, making it quite predictable. The romantic relationship between Beth and Nick was not successfully portrayed by Bell and Duhamel. In Rome, it looked like they might have potential, but once they were back in New York (most of the movie), the two actors didn't seem to have a lot of chemistry. It wasn't believable that they would fall in love with each other, which I suppose can only be attributed to the actors' performances. The comic relief provided by Beth's other suitors was just mediocre too.

Watch It: If you don't care that it's a below average rom com.

Skip It: If you're watching it for the Italian scenery (like I did). Most of the film takes place in New York so no Italian countryside and barely any of the city is shown.