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.

Gigantic

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 3, 2009

DVD Release Date: August 11, 2009

Plot 411: Brian has wanted to adopt a Chinese baby all his life and he's not sure how his new girlfriend will fit into the picture.

Review: I have no idea what the point of this movie is and would probably not recommend it to anyone. It strives for that cool, indie feel that examines the characters rather than builds up large set pieces. However, even the characters are difficult to grasp and I didn't feel connected to any of them. Brian (Paul Dano), a mattress salesman, is in the process of trying to adopt a Chinese baby. He's only 28 years old and single, but he's diligent in this desire for adoption. While at work he meets a girl named Happy (Zooey Deschanel) and they develop a relationship. Brian is awkward and weird. Happy is quirky and cute but also flighty and lost. She comes from wealth and John Goodman plays her father who gives her anything she wants. She doesn't have a real job and because of him, she doesn't really need one. Throughout the film Brian is constantly getting into altercations with an unidentified man (Zach Galifianakis). The purpose of this is completely unclear to me. Has anyone else seen this and do you know what the hell's happening?

Watch It: Maybe if you like Deschanel's quirky character? However, I didn't even find her very likable in this film. I thought she was much better in (500) Days Of Summer.

Skip It: Because it's pretty much a waste of your time.

(500) Days Of Summer

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: July 17, 2009

DVD Release Date: December 22, 2009

Plot 411: Tom believes in soul mates. Summer doesn't. This is their story.

Review: When Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) sees Summer (Zooey Deschanel) for the first time, he knows instantly she's the one he's been waiting for his whole life. He believes in that kind of stuff. Summer, who recently moved to L.A. from Michigan, just wants to have fun and is not interested in a boyfriend. Their one-sided love story unfolds non-linearly and retraces their relationship as Tom retells the events to his two best friends and his younger sister. This movie didn't turn out to be as dramatic or comedic as I anticipated, but I still enjoyed it's quirky indie vibe. I especially loved the Enchanted parody and was amazed at Gordon-Levitt's singing and dancing ability. As the advertisments about this film reveal, this is not a love story. It's an un-love story, yet despite this negative-sounding concept it is actually pretty positive. The audience is privy to both the good and bad events that take place during Tom and Summer's relationship. Nothing major happens, but then isn't this like most relationships? There's no one big event that broke them up. There was no shouting match. No cops were called for domestic disturbances. Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel played the roles straight and you can find humor and sorrow in daily interactions and life in general. I loved Gordon-Levitt the most during Tom's times of heart break because you can practically feel his pain through the screen.

Watch It: If you enjoyed Gordon-Levitt in Brick or The Lookout. While those are definitely movies of a different genre, his performance continues to be wonderful in its subtlety.

Skip It: If found his best work to be in G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra. In my opinion, he completely sold out by taking that role and it's one of his worst.