The Runaways

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: March 18, 2010

DVD Release Date: July 20, 2010

Plot 411: The first all-girl rock band explodes onto the scene but fame tears them apart.

Review: This is a biopic about the first girls to rock onto the scene in the 1970s. The movie focuses on guitarist Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and lead singer Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning) as they form a band called The Runaways with three other teens from the Valley. They are managed by eccentric Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon), who uses extreme measures to get the girls ready to perform. The young girls leave their families to tour the country and soon become absorbed in the world of sex, drugs and rock and roll. Their success becomes their demise. Before watching this flick, I wasn't familiar with this group. I'd heard of Joan Jett and Lita Ford (lead guitarist in the group), but I'd never really heard their music from the '70s. The power of their music is pretty awesome, especially during a time when rock and roll was a male-only genre. If you're a fan, I'm sure this movie will solidify that for you. Excluding the music, I love the message of individuality and female empowerment that the movie emphasizes. It's really about a group of girls growing up amidst the mayhem of rock stardom. They have everything at their fingertips - legal and illegal - and stand on top of the world. The contrast between this and their life at home is very drastic, especially for Currie. Stewart and Fanning put on great performances, and I think they were able to capture the spirit of their characters well. I never really liked Stewart's acting (especially in the Twilight films), but she's converted me with this performance. She truly embodies Joan Jett.

Watch It: For a very aggressive girl-power message.

Skip It: Because this movie is pretty raw and in your face. The movie opens with blood dripping down Fanning's leg.

Mystic Pizza

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 21, 1988

DVD Release Date: January 9, 2001

Plot 411: Three friends struggle with love and life in small town Connecticut.

Review: This movie is like the female version of Diner, and it stars Julia Roberts as Daisy, Annabeth Gish as Kat and Lili Taylor as JoJo. The three girls are best friends (with Daisy and Kat being sisters) who work at a pizza joint in a small fishing town in Connecticut. They are all struggling with different identity crisises. Daisy feels threatened by her sister's impending departure to Yale and wonders about her future. Her way of dealing with this is to live up to her rep of wild nights. However, when she meets rich guy Charlie (Adam Storke) she dares to hope for a better future. Studious Kat envies her sister's carefree attitude and longs to fall in love. When she takes on a new babysitting job, she is drawn to her boss Tim (William R. Moses) despite his age and the fact that he's married. JoJo's problem is not the lack of a lover nor any doubt about her future. These are, in fact, her problems. After fainting at the alter, she isn't sure she's ready to marry her fiance Bill (Vincent D'Onofrio) and feels suffocated by her impending future. This is a great coming-of-age flick with which most girls will be able to relate. Small-town girls with big-city dreams is always a good theme. I really liked Gish's subtlety contrasted with Roberts' brash nature. And boy, did Roberts' have some big assets in this movie that I didn't notice her having before. She was J-Lo before there even was a J-Lo. Taylor was perfectly neurotic in her role, which made it all the funnier. We even get a peak at a very young Matt Damon in this movie.

Watch It: For a great '80s teen flick of doubt, soul searching and hormones.

Skip It: And go straight to Diner.

Now And Then

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: October 20, 1995

DVD Release Date: December 21, 1999

Plot 411: Four small-town girls discover that the only people the can count on is each other.

Review: This is definitely the answering call to Stand By Me but for girls. It stars Christina Ricci and Rosie O'Donnell as Roberta, Thora Birch and Melanie Griffith as Teeny, Gaby Hoffman and Demi Moore as Samantha and Ashleigh Aston Moore and Rita Wilson as Crissy. The movie opens as the friends are reunited in present time when Crissy's pregnancy calls them back together. But, it takes place mostly during a summer in the 1970s, when the girls are about 12 years old. During this one great summer they learn all kinds of life lessons while discovering boys, uncovering town secrets, overcoming misconceptions and confronting mortality. They spend what is their last summer of childhood together before they become too old to continue to pretend life is perfect. They experience lives that are sometimes difficult and disappointing, thus taking that final step toward adulthood. It's a great coming-of-age story for girls that extols the power of friendship (plus, it has a rockin' soundtrack to boot), but it's definitely no Beaches.

Watch It: At your next slumber party with all your BFFs around and a tub of popcorn.

Skip It: Because it's a little saccharin even for my tastes.

The Breakfast Club

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: February 15, 1985

DVD Release Date: April 29, 1998

Plot 411: Stuck at Saturday detention, a group of diverse high schoolers peel away the cliquey stereotypes.

Review: Ah, a quintessential Brat Pack movie. I love this one because it uses a mainstream device (stereotypical characters) to prove a profound, though not quite unique, sentiment (that we are more than our appearance and preconceived notions). Five kids are forced to attend a Saturday detention and must spend the entire day with people from differing social spheres. There is the princess Claire (Molly Ringwald), the jock Andy (Emilio Estevez), the bad boy Bender (Judd Nelson), the nerd Brian (Anthony Michael Hall) and the outcast Allison (Ally Sheedy). As the day unfolds, they reveal aspects of themselves to each other and realize that they are not so different after all. The premise is quite simple, but somehow writer/director John Hughes is able to accurately capture the heart of teendom. It's amazing really. All the angst, social fears, attitude and hormones feel real and authentic. The language and even the thought process of the characters seem like they are straight from a teenager. I guess that was part of Hughes' gift.

Watch It: For a classic coming-of-age story that just works.

Skip It: For maybe a different Brat Pack flick - St. Elmo's Fire.

Can't Hardly Wait

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 12, 1998

DVD Release Date: December 22, 1998

Plot 411: One high school graduation party stands between between them and the rest of their lives.

Review: This movie definitely feels like a throwback to the teen comedies of the 1980s, especially those starring anyone of Brat Pack fame. In this film of multiple characters and plotlines, Preston (Ethan Embry) has finally decided to man up to his four-year crush on Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt). The popular girl has just been dumped by jockstar Mike (Peter Facinelli), who can't wait to hook up with college girls. Nerdy William (Charlie Korsmo) plans to seek his revenge on Mike for all the bullying and embarrassment he has been responsible for throughout the years. Outsider Denise (Lauren Ambrose) likes her independence and thinks everyone else is just a lemming but is forced to accompany her best friend Preston in his quest for love. At the party, she meets up with wigger Kenny (Seth Green) and calls him out on his behavior. I enjoyed the interwoven plots despite the somewhat cheesy high school stereotypes that were used. However, I suppose you can't really get away with a movie like this without sticking to those predetermined characters. In that regard, this is a well-crafted movie.

Watch It: For a taste of the '90s as the movie really does not transcend its time period very well.

Skip It: Because since it is a product of its time, a lot of things are dated and no longer effective.

According To Greta

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: December 11, 2009

DVD Release Date: January 19, 2010

Plot 411: A rebellious teen girl gets shipped off to her grandparents' house for the summer.

Review: Hilary Duff stars as Greta, a highly rebellious teen who sports an enormous attitude. She is sent by her mother to live with her grandparents (Ellen Burstyn and Michael Murphy) in New Jersey, a jail sentence Greta thinks she will never survive. Greta continues to walk around with all her emotional and psychological baggage, which affects everyone around her. She gets a job at a local restaurant where she meets Julie (Evan Ross), who gives her a different perspective about life. I've gotta admit that this is my favorite Hilary Duff movie ever. It's a turn to something more mature and a step away from her previous teen rom com fluff. While this movie is still about young people and essentially a coming-of-age story, it is leaps and bounds ahead of the other stuff she's made. There's an actual sense of character (and a realistic one at that) that is deeper than surface level. Greta is a product of many bad situations in such a short life that I'm positive audiences will be able to relate to her angst.

Watch It: As it captures both sides of the coin and you'll either be able to relate to the teenage rebel or the frustrated adults.

Skip It: Because there is no prince who sweeps her off her feet and saves the day.

The Grocer's Son / Le fils de lepicier

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: August 15, 2007 (France) / June 6, 2008 (USA)

DVD Release Date: December 2, 2008

Plot 411: When his father has a heart attack, Antoine must leave the city and help run the family business.

Review: Antoine's (Nicolas Cazale) parents run a small grocery and mobile convenience store in the countryside. He left 10 years ago for the city where he believed he could escape small-town life and responsibilities. This has left his brother Francois (Stephen Guerin-Tillie) to assist their parents, despite having his own marital problems. However, when his father (Daniel Duval) becomes ill Antoine reluctantly returns to help his mother (Jeanne Goupil) run the shop. He brings along his neighbor and secret crush, Claire (Clotilde Hesme), and takes over his dad's job of driving the trailer. He spends hours on the road visiting nearby villages to provide its residents with fresh food and groceries. However, his arrogance and rudeness begins to ruin business. He also gets offended when people compare him to his father. This movie is a coming-of-age flick in which everyone needs to learn to change. Antoine especially has some growing up to do. The countryside and old buildings are beautifully shot against fields and the sunset. Life there is simple and alluring, yet people still have the same problems no matter where they live. The two brothers are like many siblings you probably know. Francois, "the good son," eagerly tries to please his parents. He even goes so far as to marry because of them. He hides his marital problems from is parents so as not to upset them. Antoine, "the bad son," fiercely rebels and becomes a failure by disappointing his father. Even after 10 years, his father is still unable to forgive his son and carries around this resentment that causes Antoine to rebel again. The circle continues.

Watch It: Because the family is full of idiosyncrasies and you'll probably recognize them in your own family.

Skip It: As Antoine acts like a spoiled brat for most of the film and is kind of annoying.

Sin Nombre

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: March 20, 2009

DVD Release Date: September 1, 2009

Plot 411: One family works together to find a better life; another turns on one of their own and is out for blood.

Review: In this gritty drama, two families are put to the test on a long train ride from South America bound for the U.S. The first family, a father who has come back to help his daughter (Paulina Gaitan), is seeking a better life that can only be attained in America. They risk it all for a chance of a future. The other family, bound by gang hierarchy and mentality, hunts a wayward brother (Edgar Flores) who has killed one of their own. These two groups intersect on the northbound train, where anything can happen. This movie feels very real and captures the immigrant experience and gang life in vivid detail. Everything is so raw and exposed that you feel as though you're on this journey with the characters. It's almost a road movie, except we travel mostly by train. It's a coming-of-age story in which the characters are faced with life-altering choices. The movie has a similar feel to City Of God/Cicade de Deus because its honest portrayal of gangs, poverty and violence. The movie is a powerful example of how life can be harsh when there are no options left. Innocent bystanders are killed while criminals roam free. Some people, who are looking for acceptance, embrace the violence to fulfill their loneliness. Others are punished for deciding that there is more to life than killing.

Watch It: And successfully be transported to another life, where life and death are interchangeable.

Skip It: And risk missing a great film by Asian American writer/director Cary Fukunaga.

Dakota Skye

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 2, 2008

DVD Release Date: July 14, 2009

Plot 411: Plagued with always knowing the truth behind people's lies, a teen discovers someone who doesn't lie at all.

Review: Wow, I really loved this flick. Granted, I'm a sucker for those coming-of-age indie movies about love and loss so I might be a little biased. Dakota (Eileen Boylan) is a girl who knows when people are lying. This superpower has made her cynical about life in general and she disconnects herself from much of the world. She's dating Kevin (J.B. Ghuman Jr.), a somewhat lovable yet superficial and sometimes dense musician. It's not because she loves him but because she doesn't not love him. When Kevin's friend Jonah (Ian Nelson) blows into town from NYC, he also blows Dakota away. No, she doesn't fall for him instantly. Instead, she's intrigued and really bothered by the fact that he doesn't lie. After years of hearing people's hidden truths, she's practically beside herself when she can't catch him lying. What's wrong with him? Moreover, what's wrong with her? This movie isn't so much a sci fi, superhero movie as it is one girl's quest to find herself. The superhero nonsense is actually a turn off for me. I think they could've done much better without that part, but I guess it'd be hard to set the rest up. As an audience member (perhaps it's a female thing though), I was completely spellbound by the Boylan/Nelson chemistry. You could seriously see the sparks zinging back and forth between them in a first love/soulmate kind of way. Their performances were right on, which I think is quite difficult to do considering the teen angst period of their character's lives. The hand's down best part of the film is the soundtrack. Awesome, awesome songs if you're into a somewhat unplugged indie/emo/pop-type sound (although Kevin's band is definitely trying to be more pop rock).

Watch It: For a somewhat Juno-like film with more heart and less laughs.

Skip It: If the recent indie hipster movies irk the hell out of you.

Love And Debate / Thanks To Gravity

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: January 1, 2006

DVD Release Date: August 25, 2009

Plot 411: A Hispanic Jewish girl from Miami learns about life and love.

Review: This movie came up under both of the listed titles, but I'm not sure why. I think Love And Debate more accurately describes the plot. Thanks To Gravity is almost like a mantra throughout the film. In any case, this movie is about Jordan (Gina Philips) and her transition from her senior year of high school through her senior year of college. During this time she struggles with herself, her identity, her dreams and her future. I enjoyed how this coming-of-age romantic drama realistically portrayed Jordan's struggles. This current generation has many options and are told they can be anyone they want to be. Yet, they are still confined to the traditions of their culture and upbringing. These two things can, at times, be opposing forces. While her friends are living it up during their last year of high school, the debate coach (Sean Astin) recruits Jordan onto the team. She discovers a new side to herself and becomes aware of all of life's possibilities. During Jordan's freshman year of college she becomes more independent, rebellious and falls in love with a non-Jew. An earlier experience has left her wary of men, but she hopes this relationship will last. As she becomes more involved with her boyfriend, she falls behind in debate and is kicked off the team. She proceeds through college and meets up with Elias (Adam Rodriguez), a family friend, who has more in common with her than she first gives him credit for. This is an interesting romantic comedy where culture, religion, identity and family meet at a crossroads and the protagonist is faced with the choice of several possible roads to her future.

Watch It: For a rom-com with a bit more substance and a lot more heart.

Skip It: If you're looking for a straight up mainstream coming-of-age flick.

Save The Last Dance

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: January 12, 2001

DVD Release Date: June 19, 2001

Plot 411: When her mother dies, Sarah moves to Chicago's inner city to live with her astranged dad

Review: After failing her ballet audition for Juilliard, Sarah (Julia Stiles) discovers the reason her mother was late was because she died in a car accident. After this blow, Sarah decides to give up dancing and must move to Chicago to live with her father. She enrolls in a predominantly black high school in a gritty area of town. Despite being a fish out of water, she is soon befriended by Chenille (Kerry Washington). Sarah also meets a wise-cracking boy named Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas), who turns out to be Chenille's brother. When Sarah goes to a club called Stepps, she encounters hip hop for the first time and realizes that there is more to dance than her classical education has taught her. She also encounters Derek's ex-girlfriend Nikki (Bianca Lawson) and the drama begins. Nikki is trying to win Derek back and sees Sarah as a threat. However, as Derek teaches Sarah hip hop dancing, they grow closer and fall in love. When Derek and is friend Malakai (Fredro Starr) are targets of a drive-by shooting, Malakai wants to take revenge. Derek is torn between helping his friend and looking toward his future. When this movie came out, I was thoroughly entralled by it like most teens. It had a good love story, great music and dancing, action and drama. It felt as though the underdog would prevail despite all obstacles. Now that I'm older, I can see it for what it is. It's a fairly average movie of this type and kind of predictable. I think it did a good job at appealing to its demographic when it was released but don't think it is anything special. The idea that opposites attract is definitely not new and have already been captured on film in Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story, Dirty Dancing or Step Up.

Watch It: For a notable performance by Julia Stiles, who was just breaking out at that time.

Skip It: In favor of West Side Story, which contains much of the same plot points.

Let The Right One In / Låt den rätte komma in

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 24, 2008

DVD Release Date: March 10, 2009

Plot 411: Oskar, a lonely boy who is bullied at school, meets falls in love with an intriguing girl who moves in next door.

Review: I kept hearing about this movie in a podcast I listen to and came to the point where I just needed to know what the hype was all about. I watched it without reading the synopsis and have to tell you that it's an amazing film. Oskar (Kare Hedebrant) is a 12-year-old Swedish boy who is being bullied at school. He comes from a single-parent home and doesn't really have any friends. When new neighbors move in, he becomes intrigued with an odd girl named Eli (Lina Leandersson). Oskar and Eli become friends, often meeting at the jungle gym in their courtyard. When Oskar confides in Eli about the bully situation, she advises him to fight back. She gives him confidence and he gives her a companion. After Eli's arrival into town several suspicious deaths occur, and Oskar soon learns that she isn't your ordinary girl. Without giving too much of the plot away, this movie is truly unique in its approach to first love, coming of age and the horror genre. Cinematically, many of the scenes are beautiful because of the falling snow and white landscape. This is a dramtic contrast to many of the dark scenes. The movie addresses common themes like isolation, a broken family and trouble at school, but it does so from a fresh perspective. Hedebrant and Leandersson are really talented young actors who portray a lot of emotion on film. You empathize with both characters and experience the same rollercoaster ride that Oskar goes through. You feel each of his emotions - loneliness, happiness, curiosity, horror, fear, disgust and love. Despite being of the horror genre, I would consider this a coming-of-age love story between the two main characters. Like most love stories, there are many obstacles preventing them from happiness, but these hurdles are truly different from the norm. From the horror perspective, there is a good mix of practical and CG effects that somehow come across as very natural. The sound design is really interesting and different from what you'd normally expect.

Watch It: For a touching tale of love set within a horror film. It's really, really good.

Skip It: If you're looking for a true Hollywood slasher-type film. This one's a lot more intelligent.

Iron Will

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: March 15, 1994

DVD Release Date: April 23, 2002

Plot 411: A boy enters a dangerous dog sled race to save his family from financial ruin.

Review: I loved this movie as a child because of the themes of honor, courage, sacrifice and friendship. I also loved that it had so many dogs. Hey, I was a kid. What can I say? Mackenzie Astin stars as Will Stoneman, a teen who watches his father fall through thin ice and die in a freak accident. Ridden with guilt, Will blames his father's favorite dog Gus. He also takes on the responsibility of providing for his mother and decides to enter a cross-country dog sled race for the prize money. Afraid he is too young, the race officials deny him access. However, when journalist Henry Kingsley (Kevin Spacey) intervenes the officials let it slide. Getting into the race is only the first of many battles Will faces in the cold wilderness. Through his experience and Henry's writing, Will becomes a star and people cheer for him when he passes through their town. But out in the woods on the snow and ice, all Will has for comfort is his dogs. The starkness of the snowy landscape, which can be beautiful in some films, is menacing and life threatening in this one. Frostbite and dying of the cold are real possibilities in the wilderness. This movie is about Will's inner strength and, in turn, the triumph of the human spirit. It's inspirational and at times can be quite emotional.

Watch It: If you liked White Fang or man's best friend or man vs. the wild-type movies.

Skip It: If you prefer a more light-hearted, snow and ice dog movie in which case you should try Snow Dogs.

I Capture The Castle

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: May 2, 2003 (UK) / July 11, 2003

DVD Release Date: December 23, 2003

Plot 411: A once-brilliant British writer and his family fall into poverty and his eldest daughter plots to marry the rich American who owns their property.

Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this movie in all its post-Jane Austen glory. The plot is pretty similar to most of Austen's work - a family in poverty, daughters of marrying age and eligible beaus. However, the setting to this film was the '30s. Bill Nighy is brilliant as always. His character is a writer who hasn't written a word in 12 years. He struggles with inspiration despite all the love and support of his family. When two American men arrive to claim their inheritance, which includes the land on which the family lives, Topaz (Tara Fitzgerald) decides it's time to help her stepdaughters find a husband in order to save the family from ruins. The eldest daugther (Rose Byrne) quickly assumes the role of most eligibe bachelorette and sets her sights on Simon (Henry Thomas). Younger sister Cassandra (Romola Garai) is the intellectual of the group, who keeps a diary and is the narrator of the film. Marc Blucas plays younger brother Neil. The plot twists and turns and loops around as romantic hurdles develop. It's a coming-of-age romance set in a landscape that is reminiscent of the 1800s despite being clearly set in the 1900s. I loved the starkness of the familhy's castle home and the open spaces of the surrounding woods. I wished there was a bit more conflict in the plot, which would've created a steeper story arc. Still, I liked the overall storyline and eventual resolution.

Watch It: For a Pride And Prejudice-like coming-of-age romantic drama that doesn't quite live up to Austen's genius.

Skip It: If you're seeking a dynamic plot and lots of upheaval.

Were The World Mine

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: November 21, 2008

DVD Release Date: June 9, 2009

Plot 411: A gay teen creates a love potion that allows his town to live a day in his shoes.

Review: I don't even know where to start with this one. In general terms, this is a musical, a romance, a coming-of-age flick, a gay and lesbian flick, a comment on society and a homage to Shakespeare all in one. How can this be, you ask? Well, for one, this is definitely an unconventional movie in every aspect. Timothy (Tanner Cohen) is a gay teen who attends an all-boys school. He is bullied and picked on by the other kids. When his lit teacher puts on A Midsummer Night's Dream for the senior play, all the boys must try out. Timothy is selected for the role of Puck, and while he is memorizing his lines, he discovers a hidden love potion within the text. He creates this potion and accidently splashes it on his friend Max's (Ricky Goldman) face. Max immediately falls in love with Timothy, despite being heterosexual. Timothy capitalizes on this power and eventually douses his fellow cast members with the potion. For the first time, he is able to embrace his homosexuality because everyone else is like him. Ok, I think that's enough about the plot. What made this movie completely intriguing was its depth - once you saw beyond all the theater hijinks. I gotta admit, at first I thought this was a completely cheesy movie that happened to have some singing in it. I thought the acting was horrible and the plot ridiculous. It was as if the worst off-Broadway show about A Midsummer Night's Dream was captured on film or like the most inane wannabe artist cooked this movie up for his theater group. I was also disturbed by the stereotypical portrayals of homosexual boys/men. I mean, must every gay guy wear skinny jeans? Do they all have to like techno pop? However, after a while it started to grow on me. The movie is complex, mysterious, artistic and bold. Some scenes looked like they were straight out of live theater. Others looked like they were hand-picked out of late '90s music videos. All were cinematic and magical. The best part of the movie was the play within a play - or movie, in this case. The depiction of an alternate version of Shakespeare's play was great. The costumes and makeup were extraordinarily detailed. Even as I got sucked in by the movie, I was still aware that the acting is pretty iffy. But I could appreciate the movie for what it was trying to do. It was like going to an underground theater group to watch a whacked out performance that is trying to say ten different things at once while being unfathomably deep.

Watch It: With an open mind - and I'm not talking about the gay/lesbian scenes. The entire thing is just pretty out there.

Skip It: If theater going is not your thing. Watching this movie is like going to one of those plays that are more spoken word and performance art than classical acting.

Adventureland

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 3, 2009

DVD Release Date: August 25, 2009

Plot 411: A Columbia-bound master's student must work his first summer job at a local theme park for money.

Review: When James (Jesse Eisenberg) finds out his parents can't support his post-graduation trip through Europe or his college education, he must take a summer job in order to go to Columbia in the fall. The only job he's offered is at a local amusement park running the game booths. This, in and of itself, is almost hell on earth but the people he meets there impact him more than he expects. Em (Kristen Stewart), another college student home for the summer, befriends the newbie James and he soon falls for her. Em is a troubled chick with a very unstable home life that affects how she interacts with the world. Combined with James' awkward nature, they make for an interesting couple. Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig and Ryan Reynolds also add some humor and irony to the mix. I wouldn't call this an outright comedy as it is pretty heavy at times. However, the humor is dry and sarcastic, which I love. The plot seems more like a biography than scripted. It's fully imbedded in the '80s and actually avoids being completely cheesy. It's a coming of age story that portrays a main character that is an Everyman.

Watch It: For Stewart's brooding emo-ness that isn't as annoying as her Twilight character Bella.

Skip It: If you're expecting a repeat of Superbad, despite being directed by the same guy - Greg Mattola.

Annapolis

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: January 27, 2006

DVD Release Date: June 27, 2006

Plot 411: An underachiever is accepted into the Naval Academy and is confronted with obstacles that he faces head on.

Review: The movie focuses on Jake Huard (James Franco), a working class guy who lives with his father Bill (Brian Goodman). The two butt heads constantly and barely have anything in common despite working together building ships for the Navy. When Jake gets accepted into the Naval Academy, he goes across the river to study and isn't prepared for what that really means. The Academy is tough and strenuous, mentally and physically. He becomes friends with other plebes (first-year students), but everyone is very intent on succeeding themselves. Jake clashes with one of the instructors, Cole (Tyrese Gibson), who is an active-duty Marine. Cole takes all drills and tests seriously because he knows that one of these kids could save his life one day and preparation is key. This pushes Jake to the limit and he must learn respect and chain of command. Hazing and punishment is part of the rituals at the Academy but is also shown to be a necessity to toughen up students for real life. I thought it was interesting to see the inside of such a prestigious institution. Who knows if this is really what it's like though. Perhaps it's even worse in real life? The movie demonstrated the mental and physical acuteness one must possess to find success in the military. It might even be responsible for encouraging people to appreciate service men and women a bit more. Overall, I thought it was a good little movie with a decent plotline. It's nothing groundbreaking but was entertaining nonetheless. Others in the film include Donnie Wahlberg and Jordana Brewster.

Watch It: If you're into the tough love scene where "no pain, no gain" is the motto.

Skip It: If you're expecting Donnie Wahlberg to go big with this movie. He was more of a supporting actor.

The Sandlot

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: April 7, 1993

DVD Release Date: January 29, 2002

Plot 411: The new kid on the block spends his summer bonding with the kids from the sandlot and "the beast."

Review: "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” This is clearly a legend of a coming-of-age movie in my book. Bookish Scott Smalls (Tom Guiry) moves to L.A. with his mom (Karen Allen) and stepdad (Denis Leary). In an effort to make friends, he follows some boys to a dirt field affectionately called "the sandlot." Here, he is taught the great game of baseball by the local kids and is taken under the wing of Benny "the Jet" Rodriguez (Mike Vitar), who is the best player in their neighborhood. However, when an over-the-fence homerun knocks a ball signed by Babe Ruth into the domain of "the beast," the boys must find a way to recover it despite their fear of the ferocious dog. Not only does this movie have it all (comedy, drama, intrigue and wholesomeness), it is especially good at relating to kids. All the little details that are so important when you're 10 or 12 years old is important in this movie. The idea of losing a baseball over the fence feels immense. Getting a kiss from a pretty girl is a life or death situation. A day can seem like a year when it's summer and you have all your friends with you. This movie captures this feeling of childhood innocence and enthusiasm like no movie of its kind. Everything is there in this film, including inspirational themes like realizing your dreams and overcoming your fears. And yet, in its purest form, this is just a movie about a summer of baseball. Genius.

Watch It: For a good amount of childhood fun and adventure that will have you reliving your own summer adventures.

Skip It: If maybe hockey is your thing and you'd prefer Mighty Ducks. I think that movie is good in its own right but it's no Sandlot. There's something about the '60s that just makes you think baseball and apple pie.

Losin' It

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 8, 1983

DVD Release Date: February 6, 2001

Plot 411: Four teens head down to Tijuana to get laid and pick up a distraught woman looking for a divorce along the way.

Review: A co-worker of mine recommended this one to me because it's one of his favorite movies. However, I gotta admit that I can't add it to my fave list. It was just an okay movie for me. The movie stars a young Tom Cruise as Woody, a shy guy looking to lose his virginity down in Mexico. He is accompanied by his friends Dave (Jackie Earle Haley), an overconfident Frank Sinatra wannabe, and Spider (John Stockwell), the bad boy of the group. Tagging along is Wendall (John P. Navin Jr.), Dave's entrepreneurial younger brother who supplies the funds for the quick trip across the border. On their way south, they meet Kathy (Shelley Long), a woman who has just broken up with her cheating husband and is looking for a quickie divorce. Together the group enters Tijuana and hijinks ensues. This is a fairly predictable coming-of-age comedy that follows the older teens around Tijuana as they get into all the stereotypical activities one can think of when going to Tijuana. The portrayal of Mexico and its culture is pretty standard, meaning it isn't especially flattering. There's sex for sale at every doorstep. Drugs and underaged drinking is common. The police are far from just and the jails are like the depths of hell. Despite this, I enjoyed some scenes, such as the one with the piano singer at the Tunga Lei club. His song is hilarious. I also thought the junk yard scene was funny.

Watch It: Because Tom Cruise comes across as very likable in this film as opposed to weird (especially during his couch jumping days).

Skip It: Because there are other flicks out there that are better representations of this genre like The Graduate (for quality) or American Pie (for gross out humor).

Welcome To The Dollhouse

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: May 24, 1996

DVD Release Date: August 3, 1999

Plot 411: Junior high school couldn't be any worse than it is for Dawn Weiner, and nothing she does can change that.

Review: This is a seriously F'd up coming-of-age dark comedy about Dawn Weiner (Heather Matarazzo). And I'm not just talking about the early '90s wardrobe choice . . . although they are also pretty F'd up in their own right. Dawn's effort to fit in fails completely and she is picked on and bullied by practically everyone in school. Tragically, she's also an outsider within her own home. Her younger sister is perfect and knows just how to manipulate their mother. Their father is pretty useless. Dawn's geeky older brother receives more attention and love than she does. At times, it's awfully difficult to watch how people treat her. But, there really are cruel and insensitive people who exist in this world, and this movie captures the horror of them all like no other movie has. During some scenes, I just sat back thinking, "WTF!!" and felt indignant on her behalf. Yet, I'm sure Dawn's experience is not an isolated incident and people who have lived through this will surely be able to relate to it. This movie was wickedly funny and accurately portrays one of the worst growing-up experiences ever.

Watch It: To relive your own junior high horrors and to breathe easy when you see that your experience wasn't half as bad as Dawn's.

Skip It: If you're the fashion police and will puke at the sight of puffy kitten t-shirts or multi-colored striped shorts. God, did people really dress like that?