D.C. Cab

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 16, 1983

DVD Release Date: March 1, 2005

Plot 411: A cab company of delinquents bands together to save one of their own.

Review: This is another one of my co-worker's favorite films, and I gotta agree with him that this is an underrated gem. Adam Baldwin plays Albert, the son of a vet who served with Harold (Max Gail). He comes north to work for Harold at his cab company. The company is barely holding on and its drivers are a bunch of misfits. The drivers include Samson (Mr. T), Tyrone (Charlie Barnett), Dell (Gary Busey), Ophelia (Marsha Warfield), Bob (Bill Maher), Xavier (Paul Rodriguez) and Buddy and Buzzy (Peter and David Barbarian). Despite being with the company for many years, the drivers all dream of their big break someday. With little respect for their job or boss, the drivers simply drift through life doing as they please. However, when Albert and some children are kidnapped, the motley crew joins forces to save their new friend. The movie is classic '80s fare. I mean, c'mon. Mr. T? Can it get better than that? Well, my friend. Let me just tell you that it can . . . and does! This movie is downright funny - from the wardrobe to the hairstyles to the lines. It's unique and completely the best of the cheesy '80s. I am also convinced, after viewing this film, that Busey's act was not an act. It was a portrayal of his real self 25 years before he went on Celebrity Rehab. How could people not recognize the signs?

Watch It: To see Mr. T's pimped out cab.

Skip It: If the thought men in brightly colored clothes gives you the shivers.

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).

Gamer

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 4, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: Humans become video game pieces to be controlled by others in a life or death game.

Review: In the future, technology has advanced to the point where video games are played out in real life. People control other people in games called "Society" and "Slayer." Kable (Gerard Butler) is a convict on death row who is several wins away from being set free. He is controlled by a 17-year-old teen named Simon (Logan Lerman). The creator of both games is Ken Castle (Michael C. Hall), who also invented the mind control technology used to link the gamer to the game piece. The movie is part science fiction and part reality, an interesting speculation at what the future holds for us. It shows us a world that is disconnected from reality and emotions, where money can purchase life. While techonology can be beneficial in some instances, it can also cause destruction when in the hands of egomaniacs. Even when the public is aware that real people are being killed in "Slayer," no one seems to mind. There is no humanity left in this society and no human rights to speak of. Notable supporting actors and cameos include Kyra Sedgwick, Terry Crews, John Leguizamo, Milo Ventimiglia, and Ludacris.

Watch It: For Butler in great action sequences and a look at what first-person gaming can become.

Skip It: If you are easily affected by jerky camera movements. This was worst than The Blair Witch Project because of the rapidly changing viewpoints between live action and gaming perspectives.