Just Like Heaven

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 16, 2005

DVD Release Date: February 7, 2006

Plot 411: An overworked doctor awakens from her accident to find that she's a ghost of her former self.

Review: As if 13 Going On 30 didn't make all of womankind fall in love with Mark Ruffalo, he's gotta go and make Just Like Heaven. This guy, who appears to be like the average Joe, somehow gets it right in every movie he makes. I'm glad to see that after achieving some fame with these initial rom coms, he's moved on to other genres and spread his wings. Ruffalo (David) plays opposite Reese Witherspoon (Elizabeth) in this film set in San Francisco. Elizabeth is a dedicated doctor who gets into an accident. When she wakes up, she is shocked that David is living in her apartment. She does all she can to get him out while he does the same (although it's with some hocus pocus mumbo jumbo since he thinks she's haunting his home). David even consults new ager Darryl (Jon Heder) for help with getting rid of his ghost. The movie opens up and the audience is able to play off Ruffalo and Witherspoon's chemistry. This is a lovely romantic comedy, especially if you're in the mood for a movie about destiny.

Watch It: For Ruffalo's easy going performance. The guy never seems to overact in any of his roles.

Skip It: If you're not looking for a run-of-the-mill rom com. While I thoroughly enjoyed it, it's not much different than others of its kind.

17 Again

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: April 17, 2009

DVD Release Date: August 11, 2009

Plot 411: A guy in his 30s regrets a lot of things in his life and is given the opportunity to go back to high school and change things.

Review: On the surface, this is just another remake of 13 Going On 30 or Freaky Friday where a character relives the past. However, surprisingly this movie is a lot more and is better for it. Zac Efron and Matthew Perry play Mike, a guy who gave up his chance at a baskeball scholarship to support his pregnant girlfriend. (There is no way Perry looked like Efron growing up, but I guess we're supposed to overlook that and several other things to make this film work.) Despite believing that it was the right thing to do, Mike still has regrets about the things that could've been. His wife (Leslie Mann/Allison Miller) is on the verge of divorcing him when he magically reverts back to his 17-year-old self and gets a do over. Yes, the transformation is pretty farfetched, but whatever. This is Hollywood. Even though this is a cheesy teen flick, I've gotta admit that it had more substance than most films of this genre. It deals with adult issues despite taking place in a teenaged world. The movie also deals with those weird interactions between the character who goes back in time (Mike) and the real teens of that generation (his children). I think that's a first. And for the very first time, I see what millions of teens and tweens around the world see in Zac Efron - well, besides the pearly whites and crystal clear blue eyes that is. He's really good in this role and is more than just man (boy) candy. I might just go back and watch all those High School Musicals because of it. If he could only get away from the mainstream Disney stuff and try his luck with some real indies, we'd get to see his full potential. Oh well, I digress.

Watch It: To learn of the true beauty that is Zac Efron.

Skip It: If you're so over his sweaty basketball-playing bod.