Swingers

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 18, 1996

DVD Release Date: September 24, 2002

Plot 411: A comedian trying to make it in Hollywood deals with the recent breakup of his six year relationship by hitting the clubs with his boys.

Review: This was an excellent '90s movies. Who knew that 13 years would make this movie almost nostalgic? I had forgotten about the swing music revival, the wallet chains and the Frank Sinatra-cool wannabes. The movie really captures a specific era that didn't last very long but was interesting nonetheless. Mike (Jon Favreau), a comedian from New York, moved to Hollywood to pursue his dream of getting his own sitcom. Unfortunately, his now ex-girlfriend is dating someone else and he's miserable. His L.A. friends Trent (Vince Vaughn) and Sue (Patrick Van Horn) and his buddy from N.Y. Rob (Ron Livingston) all try their best to lift his spirits. Trent takes the alpha dog approach and tries to bolster Mike's self-esteem through "babies" (aka women). Rob takes a more subtle route, doing more listening and hand holding than anything else. The boys are so "money" as they club hop around L.A. It's completely funny how they believe they're shot callers, like Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, yet they can't even manage to land a gig. Vaughn is ridiculously funny in this role. The movie is hip, for its time, and right on with its comments on people's attitudes during this time period - from the wannabe gangsters to the cool dude swingers.

Watch It: For the bear and bunny scene.

Skip It: If you're living a break up right now. Mike is such a downer that he'll make you feel worse.

Sweet Home Alabama

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 27, 2002

DVD Release Date: February 4, 2003

Plot 411: A top fashion designer must return to her roots to divorce her hick husband so she can marry the man of her dreams.

Review: This is a sweet rom com starring Reese Witherspoon as a hot New York fashion designer who must face her high school sweetheart Jake (Josh Lucas) in order to marry her long-time boyfriend Andrew (Patrick Dempsey). Melanie thinks she finally has it all by making a name for herself and being engaged to a successful guy. She's escaped her small-town beginnings and become someone. However, when she returns home intent on divorcing Jake, she realizes that maybe life down south isn't as bad as she thought it was. Witherspoon is her sweet, small-town-girl self and despite the fact that she plays a snooty Yankee for a bit is still very likable and genuine. She isn't devoid of faults though, and this makes her very real. She's made mistakes and will continue making them, but the point is that she learns from them. The movie confronts the question of identity, heritage and family. Candice Bergen, Ethan Embry, Jean Smart and Fred Ward co-star. As a side note, Witherspoon and Embry reunite in this film as they co-starred in A Far Off Place when they were younger.

Watch It: For a cute love triangle and classic Witherspoon.

Skip It: Legally Blonde is more your speed because Melanie has a little more depth but less humor than Elle.

The Odd Couple

Rating: G

Movie Release Date: May 2, 1968

DVD Release Date: December 12, 2000

Plot 411: Recently separated from his wife, the obsessively neat Felix moves in with his sloppy friend Oscar and the two are soon at each other's throats.

Review: I grew up watching the tv show starring Tony Randall and Jack Klugman and found them to be hilarious so I was excited to see the film version. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau do not disappoint. As Felix, Lemmon is so compulsive and neurotic that it's no wonder his wife wants a divorce. From cooking and cleaning to allergies and dehumidifiers, Felix is completely overwhelming to Oscar (Matthau), who is used to living an unorganized and slovenly life. When these two personalities are confined to one apartment, you know things can only go downhill from there. The two friends drive each other nuts as only good friends can do to one another. There were many humorous beats throughout the film that kept me laughing, and I liked that the opening theme music is repeated throughout the film. I haven't seen many of Lemmon's movies, but is this high strung, anxious character his only schtick? It seems like Felix is the same character he played in The Out-Of-Towners. Even if this is all he's got, he really plays this character up like the best of them.

Watch It: If you live with your own Felix or Oscar. They might just take the hint.

Skip It: If you are either Felix or Oscar and don't want to get hassled by your other half.