Puccini For Beginners

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: February 2, 2007

DVD Release Date: July 3, 2007

Plot 411: After her girlfriend breaks up with her, Allegra falls for a guy and a girl who are former lovers.

Review: This is a humorous look at today's dating game as the playing field keeps getting diverse and causing the rules to be completely obscure. Allegra (Elizabeth Reaser) is a little distraught after her girlfriend Samantha (Julianne Nicholson) breaks up with her. She sees the world as consisting of two types of people - those who follow their heads and those who follow their hearts. She has always made her head the priority and in the process grows afraid of revealing her feelings and trusting her heart. This behavior pushes her lovers away, yet she believes she was never meant to be alone. When she meets Philip (Justin Kirk) at a party and Grace (Gretchen Mol) at the movies she is instantly attracted to both of them. What starts out as a fun adventure to help take her mind off of Samantha quickly turns serious when she discovers that Philip and Grace are ex-lovers. This movie tackles hetero- and homosexual stereotypes as well as the conventions of love, marriage and commitment. It's too intellectual (with all its discussion of philosophy, feminism, post-modernism, opera, etc.) for a regular rom com, and I think this can be a barrier for mainstream audiences. The movie is fiesty and quirky, but somehow I don't relate with the characters. They come off as egocentric and neurotic despite their overly abundant intelligence and Reaser's attempt to be completely likable.

Watch It: For a great performance by Elizabeth Reaser. She somehow seems very similar to her Grey's Anatomy character in this movie.

Skip It: If you're looking for a good, independent romantic comedy.

Meet The Browns

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: March 21, 2008

DVD Release Date: July 1, 2008

Plot 411: A woman takes her three children from Chicago to Georgia to meet the father she's never known for the first time at his funeral.

Review: This is another Tyler Perry great. He's cornered the market on African American family dramas with a twist of romantic comedy. All of his films deal with real-life hardships that happen to good Christian people. Despite the fact that his movies are always loaded with moral lessons, he doesn't get too preachy. His plots are all authentic and people are able to see their own lives in these movies. In Meet The Browns, Brenda (Angela Bassett) is having a hard time making ends meet for her and her three children. She loses her job and her power is shut off. Things couldn't look any worse than they are. She receives a letter informing her that her father has died and some bus tickets to Georgia. She's never met the man before but decides to go down and pay her respects. When she gets there, she meets her extended family, including her half sister Vera (Jenifer Lewis) and two half brothers Leroy (David Mann) and L.B. (Frankie Fasion). Lewis and Mann steal the show with all of their outrageous antics. They will make you crack up! I love Lewis in particular because she's so damn obnoxious. Bassett, as always, is wonderful and amazingly slips from one emotion to the next. She makes Brenda seem so real and alive. She pulls the audience in and we connect with Brenda. We're Brenda champions - with her every step of the way.

Watch It: If you like Madea films. She makes a great cameo in this one.

Skip It: If you're looking for a true romantic comedy. This one's a tad on the serious drama side.

Ordinary People

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 19, 1980

DVD Release Date: August 14, 2001

Plot 411: The fallout experienced by a family after the tragic death of their eldest son.

Review: This is another movie about a dysfunctional family that is struggling to cope with a death. Timothy Hutton plays Conrad, a teen who is involved in a boating accident that kills his brother. His survivor's guilt and depression eventually lead him to attempt suicide. He is hospitalized and the movie begins upon his return home. His parents, Calvin (Donald Sutherland) and Beth (Mary Tyler Moore), each deal with what's happened in a different way. Beth is especially distant and cold. She desperately clings to rituals and social norms like dinner parties. She refuses to even discuss her son's death and becomes an emotional hermit. This self-defense mechanism she uses isolates her from both her husband and son and causes Conrad a lot of emotional turmoil. It's almost as if she blames him for living while her other son, who of course is her favorite, dies. Calvin, on the other hand, is more emotionally giving, yet he still walks on eggshells around his wife. Because he is able to connect better with Conrad, there is a little tension between him and his wife. This is a really intriguing look into an upper-class family, who are so restricted by social conventions that they are unable to properly mourn their loss. Beth, especially, uses this to avoid feeling any kind of emotion. She really is hurtful and it makes you despise her. Still, her reaction is perfectly normal when seen as an individual response and you can't really blame her much. It jus makes you feel sad for the family as they seem to pull away from each other. Throughout the film "Pachelbel's Canon" plays in the background, which also creates a pretty haunting and melancholy feel. Also in this movie are Elizabeth McGovern, a girl who begins to help Conrad become "normal" again, and Judd Hirsch, Conrad's shrink.

Watch It: For an intense and emotional experience of love and loss.

Skip It: If you're already on Prozac because this will make you want to up your dosage.

Smart People

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 11, 2008

DVD Release Date: August 12, 2008

Plot 411: A surly and pompous English professor begins a relationship with a former student and is reunited (unwillingly) with his wayward brother.

Review: It's been a while since I've experienced a character I really hated, but then again I've never experienced Lawrence Wetherhold (Dennis Quaid). The very sad and ironic part about it is that this character could be based on any number of English professors I had in college as well. This movie really highlights the arrogance of academia, so much so that it is almost unforgivable. Luckily, Wetherhold's character arch is such that you begin to see the frost melt off his exterior and almost glimpse a real, live, beating heart. Wetherhold is a widower who has lived his life with a barrier between him and the world. The heartache experienced from the loss of his wife has created a gigantic emotional void. This behavior has affected his family - daugther Vanessa (Ellen Page) and son James (Ashton Holmes). Vanessa has been forced to take over as head of the household despite the fact that she is the youngest. While it would seem she is emotionally mature, I think it actually stunts her emotional growth and warps her identity. Her brother, on the other hand, is severely withdrawn from his family as if he is a castaway. He has self-esteem issues as his father doesn't seem to acknowledge his brilliance because he is too focused on his own successes and failures. Wetherhold meets Dr. Janet Hartigan (Sarah Jessica Parker), his former student, at the ER after an accident. A former lover of English, Hartigan had a schoolgirl crush on Wetherhold as a college freshman and is still intrigued by him. She believes he's different from the man she once knew. They begin a rocky relationship that, in essence, wakes Wetherhold up out of his stupor. Added to this already disfunctional family is Chuck (Thomas Haden Church), Wetherhold's adopted brother, who is a delinquent and slacker in so many ways but still appears to be the most intelligent person of the bunch. The movie's humor is really specific because, as the title indicates, the characters are all smart people. The intelligent, verbal sparring that flies between characters is creative and so perfect for that academic world they all come from. Page, especially, does a really good job at the deadpan, yet biting, assaults.

Watch It: For another good Ellen Page that's a little more grown up than Juno.

Skip It: If I already lost you when I said "academia."

Sydney White

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 21, 2007

DVD Release Date: January 22, 2008

Plot 411: A college freshman rushes her mother's sorority in hopes to feel closer to her but ends up in a house with seven dorks.

Review: I always did like Amanda Bynes. If you ask me, she's this generation's Lucille Ball. In a tweaked and modernized version of Snow White, Bynes plays Sydney White, a college freshman trying to pledge her mother's sorority house. However, early on it is pointed out to her that she's different and will never fit in as a sister. A group of outsiders take her in and here she truly learns what friendship means. As in all her films, Bynes projects an approachable and very pleasant person. It's so easy to like her, especially because she always seems like the girl next door. Her comedic timing is always great, and when she is surrounded by the seven dorks it seems perfect. These are her people. As awkward and nerdy as they are, the actors are still able to distinguish themselves from one another. This is a delightful little feel-good film for teens that champions anyone who has ever felt that they didn't belong.

Watch It: If you liked Bynes in She's The Man. This has a similar moral but with less deception going on.

Skip It: If you're too old for this bubble gum teen stars.

Johnny Got His Gun

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: August 4, 1971

DVD Release Date: April 28, 2009

Plot 411: An American soldier awakens to find that he is dismembered and has no face.

Review: Where The Diving Bell And The Butterfly leaves you feeling saddened but inspired, Johnny Got His Gun leaves you emotionally bereft. It severely drives home its anti-war message because you are confronted with the effects of war for the duration of the film. Not only do you face the physical loss that Joe (Timothy Bottoms) feels, but you also endure his loss of innocence, zest for life and any hope for a future. Joe is a young soldier who volunteered to fight for his country and democracy in World War I. However, he is unable to escape the damage from a mortar shell and awakens in a hospital with no arms, legs or face. He cannot hear, speak, see or smell. The doctors believe that his mind is only capable of running his body and that he does not comprehend anything or feel pain. Unfortunately, this isn't the case and Joe is alternately angry, woeful and frustrated. He relives his past in an eternal dream-like state and never knows if it's reality or fantasy, whether he is awake or asleep. Despite the grim nature of this film, there were a couple moments when I laughed out loud. Is that just wrong or what? I guess that's just the gallows humor escaping. The film leaves you feeling unsettled and despite being over 15 years old with a setting that is even older still, it is still relevent today. There are many points in the film when the dialogue directly addresses the topics of war, freedom, democracy and nationalism, which serve to promote the anti-war theme. But it is the end of the film that captures it perfectly, because the camera creates a feeling of endless helplessness as it pulls away from Joe's bed.

Watch It: For a severe look at war's effects on man and the bureaucracy of the military.

Skip It: If you're looking for an uplifting account of human nature. For this, turn to The Diving Bell And The Butterfly.

I'll Be There

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 13, 2003 (United Kingdom) / August 1, 2003 (USA)

DVD Release Date: January 7, 2004

Plot 411: An aging 80s rock star discovers he has a 16-year-old daughter after a motorcycle mishap leaves him in a psych ward of a hospital.

Review: Craig Ferguson plays an 80s rock star named Paul Kerr, who discovers that a smashing weekend in 1986 resulted in the birth of his daughter Oliva (Charlotte Church). Rebecca (Jemma Redgrave) has done all she can to keep her daughter away from the life of a musician, but it's been a difficult road to travel since her own father is in a touring band. This is a teen comedy in the vein of What A Girl Wants, starring Amanda Bynes. But where Colin Firth is stuffy and aristocracit in What A Girl Wants, Ferguson is wild and uninhibited. The movie is about confronting the past, overcoming obstacles and learning who you are. All of these themes are very motivating and typical for this genre. There isn't anything to spectacularly unique about this movie. It's a feel-good flick that's easy to watch.

Watch It: For the many musical performances.

Skip It: If you fall out of the tween/teen demographic.

Five Easy Pieces

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 12, 1970

DVD Release Date: December 14, 1999

Plot 411: Bobby works in the oil fields and dates a redneck waitress to avoid his former life as an upper-class musical savant.

Review: To be honest, I gave up on this movie at about the midpoint. It just didn't hold my interest, and I ended up on Facebook with the movie playing in the background. From what I could gather, Bobby (Jack Nicholson) grew up in a well-to-do musical family where he was a piano legend. He escaped their conformity and buried himself in a blue-collar existence. However, even this life doesn't satisfy him. When he learns his dad is ill, he and his pregnant girlfriend Rayette (Karen Black) make the trip to Washington to visit and his two worlds collide. Bobby is a disgruntled, angry person who seems to be hiding his low self-esteem by lashing out at people. Rayette is overly needy and anxious for Bobby to love her. Rather than being endearing, it's annoying. There seemed to be no point to the entire plot. It was like a snapshot of Bobby's life and none of the issues are resolved. This, I suppose, is the movie's point. I will give it a nod for avoiding conventions.

Watch It: Helena Kallianiotes as Palm go off on the filth of man. Absurdly amusing.

Skip It: If an entire film of Nicholson ranting is just too obnoxious.

G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: August 7, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: Duke and Ripcord get recruited into an elite military group when their convoy is ambushed by the enemy.

Review: Duke (Channing Tatum) and Ripcord (Marlon Wayans) and their battalion are assigned to escort warheads to its destination when they are ambushed by Ana (Sienna Miller), Duke's former fiancee. A group of Joes, including Scarlett (Rachel Nicols), Heavy Duty (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Snake Eyes (Ray Park) and Breaker (Said Taghmaoui) come to their aid. The ensuing battles that follow are action-packed hand-to-hand and weapons combat. Multiple histories are also revealed - Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow (Byung-hun Lee); Duke, Ana and Cobra Commander. This was one action sequence after another with barely enough time to catch a breath between scenes. I loved it. I was hoping it'd be a lot funnier than it was though. But I suppose a movie can't have everything. Unlike most of his movies, Wayans didn't bring too many laughs to this movie. Tatum played the straight man again with just minor ribbing of his bud Ripcord. I noticed that no matter what role he plays, Tatum seems to exude a rebellious attitude, which he had in Step Up. Wonder if it's just part of his true nature? I'd definitely recommend this movie, especially to all you '80s kids. My fave character is still Snake Eyes.

Watch It: For a thrilling action adventure with all you favorite Joes on board.

Skip It: If you're in favor of practical effects rather than green screen.

Never Back Down

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: March 14, 2008

DVD Release Date: July 29, 2008

Plot 411: A new kid in town takes up mixed martial arts to regain his honor.

Review: This movie was definitely timely as the mixed martial arts craze seems to be at its peek. Newcomer Jake (Sean Faris) is lured to a secret brawlfest and is whooped by an experienced MMA fighter. He enrolls at a gym to learn how to fight, but it's for all the wrong reasons. He is mentored by Jean Roqua (Djimon Hounsou) and he teaches Jake more than just fighting. They're relationship is an interesting one. Sometimes there is respect but others it's very one-sided. If you're an MMA fan, this movie is worth a look see. There are a couple of fight scenes that are entertaining. The plot, of course, is pretty thin, but most audiences for this genre are coming for the fights. Hounsou is pretty much the only semi-big name in this film, but it's still entertaining. It's a modern-day The Karate Kid set in 90210-land.

Watch It: For the action.

Skip It: For the real thing.

It's A Boy Girl Thing

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: May 21, 2007

DVD Release Date: September 7, 2007

Plot 411: A boy and a girl switch bodies in a Freaky Friday-ish teen rom com.

Review: Oddly enough, I'm not surprised that I thoroughly enjoyed this simple film. It's got everything I like in a good rom com. There are frustrating moments and tender ones between the lead characters. There's misunderstanding, hurt feelings and reconciliation. There's a bitchy chick and a goodie two shoes. There's a jock and a geek. Many of the main plot points have been done in other shows and probably done better. Still, this movie hits the right beats and results in a cute, not-to-complicated teen comedy. Nell (Samaire Armstrong) and Woody (Kevin Zegers) are neighbors who couldn't be more different. Nell is from an upper-middle class family where education and getting into Yale is the most important thing in the world. Woody's family isn't as well off and he must rely on his sports prowess for success. Their two worlds collide when a spell is cast by a statue, and they must literally walk in each other's shoes. Sharon Osbourne stars as Woody's mom.

Watch It: If you're interested in Freak Friday crossed with Drive Me Crazy with a little She's All That.

Skip It: If teen flicks aren't your thing because I can promise you this one won't change your mind.

Bottle Rocket

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: February 21, 1996

DVD Release Date: November 25, 2008

Plot 411: Three friends plan a heist and spend some time on the lamb.

Review: This is the first time I can say that I actually like a Wes Anderson movie. I've tried The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and The Darjeeling Limited and still didn't get it. This one was a lot more entertaining, which could be attributed to the optimistic naivity of Dignan (Owen Wilson). Dignan has a 75-year plan during which he and his best bud Anthony (Luke Wilson) will pull some heists together. The purpose of these robberies is to get in with a crew run by Dignan's former boss and landscaper Mr. Henry (James Caan). Then they'll be in the big leagues and live in luxury. Together with their friend Bob, their getaway driver and the only one with a car, they plan their heists. This is a quirky comedy that focuses on Dignan's hopes and dreams despite how unrealistic and senseless they are. He somehow manages to wiggle his way into your heart, even though you know he's a nut job. For a crazy guy, he's surprisingly noble and somewhat heroic. For most of the movie, Anthony doesn't have the heart to let him down, and this is why he's led into all sorts of situations. The humor increases when you see how important these heists are to Dignan. Life is an adventure and risks are worth taking.

Watch It: If you haven't enjoyed a Wes Anderson movie yet. I feel ya. Try this one out for kicks before you write him off.

Skip It: If Owen Wilson's annoyingly nasal-sounding voice is too much for you. He does a lot of talking, and even though most of it is out his ass, his twang is undeniable.

Wendy And Lucy

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 10, 2008

DVD Release Date: May 5, 2009

Plot 411: Lucy is on her way to Alaska but runs into hard times in Oregon when her dog Lucy goes missing.

Review: Michelle Williams is Wendy, a girl from Indiana making her way to Alaska for work. She's taking this journey with just her dog Lucy and her Accord. When she reaches Oregon, she gets arrested for shoplifting dog food, and while she's in jail Lucy goes missing. This is a really sad look at her life as she tries to recover her beloved pet. Williams is really good at portraying the emotional turmoil she faces during this experience. It isn't only the desperate loss of a missing pet, but the overwhelming obstacles she faces along the way that really wreak havoc on her. She is a brave girl who I think can make the trek on her own. However, she has so much invested in the animal. Lucy keeps her company, loves her and makes her feel safe. She gives Wendy confidence. Wendy is lost without her and it's heartbreaking to see the desperation in her eyes as she tries to locate her.

Watch It: Because it doesn't sugarcoat life on the road.

Skip It: Because it is a slow character drama that's basically Williams and the camera.

Ghost World

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: August 3, 2001

DVD Release Date: February 5, 2002

Plot 411: Two outsiders, Enid and Rebecca, must decide what to do next after graduating high school.

Review: Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) don't really fit in with the cheerleader crowd at school. They are both more mature than their age, yet their actions still reveal them to be the teens that they are. When the girls respond to a personal ad they meet music-obsessed outsider Seymour (Steve Buscemi) and have a good laugh at his expense. As Enid gets to know him though, she discovers that she has more in common with him than first thought. Her fascination with him slowly pulls her away from Rebecca and strains the lifelong relationship. This movie isn't your typical teen comedy, although there are some quirky indie moments. Although many of the characters in this film are portrayed as outsiders and different, I think many people can relate to their feelings in one way or another. Another common theme is the painful but real situation of two friends who grow apart. People you've know your entire life can all of a sudden be completely different, especially at that age, and it's a difficult thing to reconcile. Dreams and goals change, and change is a big part of this film. What I found absurd is how Johansson could be cast as a social misfit. At 17, she was already a beauty. She should've been cast as Miss Teen Spirit rather than a social deviant. Also in this film are Brad Renfro and Illeana Douglas. David Cross also as a small part in this movie.

Watch It: If you normally like these indie teen flicks. It's got a pre-Juno sort of feel to it.

Skip It: In favor of Napoleon Dynamite (which I didn't particularly like but still think is better than this film) or Juno (which I enjoyed tremendously).

Rebel Without A Cause

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: October 27, 1955

DVD Release Date: September 21, 1999

Plot 411: The new kid in town must stand up for his honor against a local gang and his parents.

Review: James Dean plays Jim Stark in this classic movie about teen angst and generational differences. Jim and his parents move to a new town to escape gossip everytime he gets into trouble. His mother refuses to see acknowledge his bad behavior and his father doesn't possess enough of a backbone to oppose her. His first day of school Jim is confronted by a gang of greasers who taunt him by calling him chicken. To uphold his honor, he must challenge their leader in a race toward a cliff. Not only does this movie call forth a renewed idea of the meaning of dignity and honor, it blatantly shines a spotlight on the lack of a strong family unit and moral code. Surprisingly, this film seems to be more a comment on the social structure of the family than the rebellion of a teen. It takes a serious look at the miscommunication between parent and child, and I can only assume this was a problem especially significant during that time (not that it does not exist today). Also in this film are Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo and Dennis Hopper.

Watch It: For a pointed commentary on the vast differences in thoughts and values of people in the same family.

Skip It: If you think it's all about romanticizing the rebel.

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?

Before Sunset

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: July 2, 2004

DVD Release Date: November 9, 2004

Plot 411: Jesse and Celine from Before Sunrise are reunited nine years after that fateful night.

Review: You cannot watch one movie without the other. They go hand in hand. This is why I had to watch this movie after watching Before Sunrise. I just had to know what happened next for these characters. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy reprise their roles as Jesse and Celine. The two meet again in a bookstore where Jesse is doing a book signing and interview. He's become a bestseller and this is the last day of his European book tour. The book's plot? Of course, that one fateful night nine years ago. I love how the characters instantly reconnect despite all the time and life that has separated them for so many years. You can see how they've both grown and aged, yet they are essentially the same two twentysomethings from years ago. This movie really reveals the fallout of that one night they spent together and how it effected them emotionally. It's gut-wrenchingly realistic but poetic in a slightly tragic way. Again, this movie lets the audience wonder what will happen next.

Watch It: Because these movies are like bookends and you cannot watch one without the other. It'd be a sin.

Skip It: If you haven't already seen the first movie. DO NOT watch them out of order. It's so much more meaningful as a two-part series.

Before Sunrise

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: January 27, 1995

DVD Release Date: November 30, 1999

Plot 411: Two strangers meet on a train, get off in Vienna and spend the night walking and talking together.

Review: God, this is one of the most romantic movies in the world to me and has, with its companion Before Sunset, jumped onto my favorite movie list. Jessie (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) meet on a train in Europe. He's going to Vienna to catch a flight home to America. She's on her way home to Paris. On an impulse, he convinces her to get off the train and spend the night walking around Vienna with him. They have this one unforgettable night together that changes their lives. The movie is seriously heavy on the dialogue, but that's what is so wonderful about it. It's about two people connecting as they discuss love, life and dreams. It's about how one fateful moment can impact your life forever. It feels like an intellectual romance, because there is so much meaning behind the words they speak to each other. The time Jesse and Celine spend together is almost as if they're living in a dream world. Time is standing still, yet it still ticks closer and closer to the moment when they must part from each other. This is a sweet, heart-wrenching movie that leaves the audience to draw its own conclusions.

Watch It: If you don't put much stock in fate and true love. While this might not change your mind entirely, it might just give you hope.

Skip It: If you still hope to see complexity in camera techniques and special effects. All of that "wow" factor is in the dialogue. Some of it also just naturally exudes from the landscape of the city.

Late Marriage / Hatuna Meuheret

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: October 24, 2001 (France) / May 17, 2002

DVD Release Date: February 18, 2003

Plot 411: Trapped by years of tradition, Zaza is forced to meet prospective brides even though he is already in love.

Review: This film was interesting because it is so different from the American culture in which everyone is free to choose who they marry. Zaza (Lior Ashkenazi) is a 31-year-old doctorate student whose family is determined to see him married to a girl from a good family. As a family unit, they meet young women and interview them and their families. It is similar to an arranged marraige, but the groom does have the power to refuse the match. To please his parents and family, Zaza continues to make the rounds of eligible women's homes even though he is already in love. His love, however, is someone who he absolutely cannot marry. She is a divorcee, a mother and older than he is. All of these things are no-nos in their culture. It was exasperating for me to watch this movie. I felt like yelling, "Why don't you just grow a pair?!?!?" or "Damn it, man up for once in your life!" It's just very hard to relate to the constraints in which the main character lives coming from the good ol' US of A. However, with that said, there were some humorous scenes that made this downer of a film a bit more bearable.

Watch It: For an intriguing look at the Israeli culture when it comes to love and marriage.

Skip It: If you're into Hollywood endings.

Perfect Stranger

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 13, 2007

DVD Release Date: August 21, 2007

Plot 411: An investigative journalist uses technology and good old undercover work to find the killer of a childhood friend.

Review: Halle Berry plays as journalist Rowena Price, a hard-news reporter who goes deep to uncover conspiracies and crime. When a childhood friend is murdered, she uses those same skills to find her killer and bring truth to the surface. With the help of her tech guru, Miles (Giovanni Ribisi), Rowena becomes a temp at a prestigious ad agency owned by Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis), who she suspects is the murderer. Hiding behind online pseudonyms, Rowena tries to prove Hill killed her friend. This is a thriller with so many twists and turns that you'll come out of it dizzy. Berry is, as usual, beautiful to watch onscreen. Willis and Ribisi both give off equally off-putting and creepy auras that have you suspicious from the get-go. Still, the outcome of this film will surprise you.

Watch It: If you like murder mysteries with a twist.

Skip It: If Willis just creeps you out normally because this will just tip the scales and it'll be over for good.

Local Hero

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: February 17, 1983

DVD Release Date: September 21, 1999

Plot 411: A Texas oil company exec goes to a small Scottish fishing village to negotiate the purchase of their land.

Review: This movie is definitely from the '80s. The first obvious fact is multiple references to a telex. What exacty is a telex? LOL Anyway, the film was about a Knox exec named Mac (Peter Riegert), who is sent to Scotland by his boss (Burt Lancaster). His mission is to buy up all the land so an oil refinery can be built. Mac is all about the money and power, which I suppose is a typical '80s attitude. He's thrilled to be climbing the corporate ladder, and this land negotiation is his ticket to the top. However, when he arrives in Scotland, he falls in love with the slower pace and simple lifestyle. His yuppy mentality soon changes as he begins to enjoy the eccentric townspeople. Mac comes to a crossroad as the deal nears its conclusion because he's torn between preserving the quaint town and stomping upon it in the name of progress. Interestingly enough, the people who live there are not opposed to the buyout. They shrewdly try to out-negotiate the negotiator in order to squeeze the most money out of the American company. The movie forces you to question if natural beauty is worth preserving or if development of society is always the way to go. It takes a look at the wonders of technology and the wonders of nature. It's actually quite appalling to see capitalism in all its glory.

Watch It: For a whimsical tale about a big fish in a small pond.

Skip It: If you always back the little guy and always oppose "The Man."

Night At The Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: May 22, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: When the exhibits are moved to the Smithsonian, Larry the night guard finds himeslf in the largest battle never to be known.

Review: Ben Stiller reprises his role as Larry Daley, the former night guard at the museum. In recent years, he's made a successful career as an inventor and entrepreneur. However, when he discovers that his museum friends are being shipped to the Smithsonian to be stored in the underground archive and are being replaced by the latest technology, Larry vows to save them. An adventure of epic proportions ensues as Larry is once again confronted with historical figures in his effort to save Jed (Owen Wilson), Octavious (Steve Coogan) and friends. This movie is one laugh after another and is probably worth watching twice just so you catch all the one-liners. New characters are introduced, such as Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria) and General Custer (Bill Hader). Azaria is probably the funniest of them all. Quick cameos are made by Jonah Hill, the Jonas brothers and Ricky Gervais.

Watch It: If you really enjoyed the first Night At The Museum.

Skip It: As it's mostly the same gags as before.

Legend Of The Black Scorpion / Ye Yan

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: September 14, 2006 (Hong Kong)

DVD Release Date: February 26, 2008

Plot 411: The emperor's death leads to a battle for the throne between his brother, his widow and his son.

Review: Like many Chinese films, this one was exceptionally beautiful to watch. Everything unfolded before the audience - from the lush wardrobe worn by the court to the dance-like choreography of fight scenes. Slow motion cinematography and crane-mounted camera shots crafted wonderful vantage points to look upon the action. The emperor's death causes a stir because there is a struggle for power between the crown prince, the emperess (Zhang Ziyi) and the emperor's brother. In addition to corruption within the court and betrayal by those thought to be loyal, a tangled love triangle is revealed. This is the twisted story of how power corrupts and can kill despite the strong ties of love.

Watch It: For a good Chinese period piece with flourishes of drama, romance and martial arts.

Skip It: If Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and other films aren't your style.

Message In A Bottle

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: February 12, 1999

DVD Release Date: August 3, 1999

Plot 411: A woman on vacation finds a bottle washed up on the shore that contains a letter, and she is moved by its contents to uncover the author's true identity.

Review: This is another one of Nicholas Sparks' books that was made into a movie. If you know his material, the plots are always about an undying, eternal-type love that is in some way bittersweet. This movie does not deviate from the formula. Robin Wright Penn plays Theresa, a researcher for a Chicago paper. On her vacation in the Cape, she discovers a bottle buried in the sand. The bottle contains an incredible letter to someone named Catherine and is written by "G." Intrigued by this letter, Catherine discovers that the author is Garret (Kevin Costner) and tracks him down. I love the interaction between Penn and Costner, especially during his visit to Chicago. Their characters are so different from each other, yet they find themselves being drawn closer. The love story in this film wasn't as moving as say, The Notebook; however, that's not to say that there won't be a few tears shed. I always did like how Sparks manages to break down everyday life and get to the heart of the matter. He isn't afraid to show death, sadness or regret. He gives us the lives of regular people with realistic issues to overcome. Love is always the centerpiece of his books (and films). Most of the time, his films wrench all the feelings out of you whether you like it or not. Yes, he's that good.

Watch It: For a tear-jerker of a movie and very pretty sunsets on the water.

Skip It: If you're really in the mood for a Nicholas Sparks movie. My order of preference is: The Notebook, A Walk To Remember, Message In A Bottle and Nights In Rodanthe. In that order.

The Ramen Girl

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: October 23, 2008 (Russia)

DVD Release Date: May 26, 2009

Plot 411: When an American girl gets dumped by her boyfriend in Japan, she becomes an apprentice to a ramen chef as she tries to straighten her life out.

Review: This appears to have been a straight-to-DVD flick in the U.S., but I really enjoyed it. There was a lot of tamashii (spirit) in this little movie starring Brittany Murphy. Abby has recently moved to Japan to be with her boyfriend only to be dumped after her arrival. Without any friends or family or even a purpose in life, Abby searches for her way in a strange place. She goes to a ramen shop just around the corner from her home and soon sets her sights on becoming a ramen chef. She endures a foodie version of The Karate Kid training. What're moviemakers trying to say about the ways of older Japanese men? Stereotype much? Despite that, this film is super-duper funny because of all the cultural differences and the language barrier. Murphy always did play clueless really well. I think the movie is worth a viewing because its theme of, well basically, girl power is rare in movies. Abby's character arc is complete and an example for young females out there.

Watch It: For a sweet film about perseverance and independence steamed in a bowl of dashi (soup base).

Skip It: If you're looking for award-winning acting or scriptwriting. It's a simple tale about life.

Boogie Nights

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 10, 1997

DVD Release Date: April 7, 1998

Plot 411: The ups and downs (literally and figuratively) of one kid's porn career, which spans the '70s and '80s, and how it affects his life.

Review: Mark Wahlberg plays down-and-out, 17-year-old teen Eddie Adams whose gifts in certain areas allow him to break into the porn industry. He changes his name to Dirk Diggler and becomes a star for director John Horner (Burt Reynolds). As the movie unfolds, we're privy to insider info and goings on, which really turn out to be a host of humorous events. The sex industry is really a backdrop for the characters. Many of them are flawed in ways that everyone can relate to, such as being separated from a child, having an alcoholic parent or dropping out of school. We learn that everyone in Horner's company uses the film industry as a escape from the real world. For the most part, it's just a job that they do. We see the rise and fall of people as fame and drugs are introduced, then abused. What I loved the most was the transition in clothing and hairstyles. The changes were very distinct and recreated that period of time easily. Other adult film stars in Horner's stable were Rollergirl (Heather Graham), Amber Waves (Julianne Moore), Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly), Becky Barnett (Nicole Ari Parker) and Buck Swope (Don Cheadle). The actors all serve as a disfunctional family unit, supporting each other during rough times and celebrating successes together.

Watch It: For a humorous look at the steamy sex business. It's all smoke and mirrors.

Skip It: If you're already turned off from the Plot 411. It's a different kind of movie than most so it does take a certain kind of audience to enjoy it.

American Graffiti

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: August 11, 1973

DVD Release Date: September 16, 1998

Plot 411: One last wild night filled with love, cars and rock and roll before two friends leave for college on the east coast.

Review: To use an era-appropriate saying . . . This movie was boss. For me, the plot was second to the rock and roll soundtrack that permeated throughout the film. There were barely any other sound effects besides the jump and jive music. I loved it all and will probably pick up the this soundtrack real soon. This George Lucas film showed us his love for cars and cruisin' the strip. It was like an homage to his days in high school and junior college, when main street was the place to be on a Friday or Saturday night. The movie is a coming-of-age film that takes place during one night in 1962 and touches upon a lot of different issues that young adults still face today. High school sweethearts, Steve (Ron Howard) and Laurie (Cindy Williams), are confronted with the prospect of being separated for long amounts of time. Will their love survive the separation? It also focuses on Curt (Richard Dreyfuss), who has dithered about whether or not he's going to college. Is it right for him right now? Another interesting character is John (Paul Le Mat), who is a few years older than everyone else and seems to be stuck in a time warp with no real future. The choice between staying at home or venturing off into the world is a heavy one for these kids as it continues to be today. Despite the idyllic world captured in this film, with all its burgers, fries and cherry cokes, I think it still remains current. Teens still seek out excitement on the roadways to test out their engines and their egos. They still try to fit in with everyone else or tease others when they don't. They still stay out late, sneak sips of booze and try to go all the way. This film really captures the vibrancy of this era in all its neon glory.

Watch It: For the bitchin' soundtrack and righteous hot rods.

Skip It: If you're looking for sex, drugs and rock and roll.

Some Kind Of Wonderful

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: February 27, 1987

DVD Release Date: August 20, 2002

Plot 411: A story of teen angst involving a tomboy who is in love with her best friend.

Review: This is a John Hughes film that I wasn't familiar with until watching He's Just Not That Into You. It's used in the dialogue and there's a small clip in the film so I figured I'd watch the movie to get the whole picture. It was surprisingly good because the characters were all pretty complex, especially for a teen film. The movie stars Mary Stuart Masterson as Watts, a tomboy who is in love with her best friend Keith (Eric Stoltz). Both live their high school lives outside the popular kid's club and are from the wrong side of the tracks. However, Keith is intrigued with Amanda (Lea Thompson), who has been accepted into the club because she's pretty. This is one of those films about searching for one's identity, growing up amidst peer pressure, longing and teen angst. Despite this, the characters, especially the three main ones, are fully developed and you can picture them in kids you grew up with. Their problems, although not particularly important to anyone but them, are issues that all teens face. At the time, these problems are critical to your survival and may seem powerful enough to kill you. I like that the movie doesn't demean teens by downplaying the crucial nature of these life experiences. Again, Hughes seems to capture a time in everyone's lives that usually becomes idyllic or completely forgotten with age and recreates the highly charged atmosphere that was growing up.

Watch It: For a snippet of John Hughes brilliance.

Skip It: If Pretty In Pink and Sixteen Candles is enough teen angst to last a lifetime.

Public Enemies

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: July 1, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: The story of John Dillinger and how he motivates J. Edgar Hoover to create the F.B.I.

Review: Johnny Depp plays John Dillinger, a notorious bank robber during the 1930s who was seen as a threat by law enforcement officials and a celebrity by the public. Dillinger and his friends planned and executed bank heists across the nation while the F.B.I.'s Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) tracked him down by the orders of J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup). This film seemed to delve deeper into Dillinger's character to uncover the real man. I don't know if any of it is true, of course, but it really felt more like an introspective documentary than a shoot 'em up gangster film. Because of this, the beginning was pretty slow going as if trying to build sympathy for the character. Despite being a killer and bank robber, Dillinger is also portrayed as a protective and respected friend; a showman and master publicist; and a loyal and trustworthy lover. His love interest Billie is played by Marion Cotillard. She does a good job of conveying the inner turmoil of a woman who is tempted to give in to her desires for excitement and love and embrace all the consequences that go along with that choice. Also making an appearance in this film are Stephen Dorff, Channing Tatum and Giovanni Ribisi.

Watch It: For a refreshing new look at Depp.

Skip It: If you're looking for a really good gangster flick with tons of machine gun action.

Lost In Austen

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: 2008

DVD Release Date: April 14, 2009

Plot 411: A modern twist to the classic tale of Pride and Prejudice.

Review: From what I gather, this was originally a British tv movie, but I'm not quite sure. In any case, period pieces are one of my greatest loves. The clothes, landscape, architecture and romance are somehow emphasized and their effects are heightened dramatically because the plot is based in such a drastically different time than the one we live in. I realize that most of this is romanticized for our benefit and that the lives of the women in this era were quite repressed. However, it's a movie and so I allow myself to believe that everything's as romantic as can be. This film twists the Jane Austen classic on its head and introduces a new character into the lives of those at Longbourn. Amanda Price, a modern girl, switches places with Elizabeth Bennet and is transported back in time. Her contemporary attitudes affect the drama that unfolds and new developments in Austen's world occur. What follows is deliciously irreverent of Austen's work, yet still manage to proceed in her spirit. There are some incredibly funny moments in the film when the characters really come alive. As Amanda adjusts to this familiar, yet completely foreign, world so does the audience. We are both encouraged and disappointed with her as she ventures to live a life she's only read about. After reading Pride and Prejudice, every girl has wondered about Mr. Darcy. This movie brings that dream to life and the audience is able to live this fantasy through Amanda Price.

Watch It: For a different take on one of the greatest literary loves of all time.

Skip It: If you're a die-hard Jane Austen fan. As mentioned in the film, Austen probably rolled over in her grave at the liberties this film took with her work.

C.R.A.Z.Y.

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: May 27, 2005 (Canada)

DVD Release Date: August 21, 2005

Plot 411: A coming-of-age story about one boy and his love for his father.

Review: This moving drama is about the relationship between Zac (Marc-Andre Grondin) and his strict Roman Catholic family. Raised in a household with four brothers, Zac has always felt different. He is born on Christmas day and is a modern Jesus in his ability to heal people by thinking of them. However, this isn't the only way in which he feels different. Early on he begins to suspect that he is gay, but he tries to surpress his feelings and ends up living a lie. I liked how the audience is able to see the confusion Zac feels about himself and his need to fit in. As a teen, he is still trying very hard not to disappoint his parents and he struggles to become their perfect son. Everyone goes through a period like this. It is a fight between who you are and who everyone thinks you are. Michel Cote plays Zac's father, a stern individual who believes he can convince his son that he is not gay. He is determined to change Zac's mind because he believes no one is born gay. Despite the denial and unwillingness to accept his son, you can see that the father loves his son. His reactions are probably very similiar to other parents during this period (1960-1980s) and it shows that even parents fear being different from everyone else. Zac's relationship with his mom is completely different than with his dad. She seems to understand him better, even if she doesn't outwardly discuss his homosexuality. The film addresses religion, sexuality, identity, unconditional love and the meaning of family in a unique way.

Watch It: For one boy's incredible journey from childhood to young adulthood as he experiences some of the very same pitfalls you may have lived through yourself.

Skip It: If you're still hooked on phonics. The dialogue is in French and the subtitles zip by really quickly.