Any Given Sunday

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 22, 1999

DVD Release Date: September 1, 2000

Plot 411: A once-great football team has had several bad years and the new owner and veteran coach butt heads on coaching methods.

Review: Coach D'Amato (Al Pacino), who has led the Miami Sharks to several championships over the years, is caught in the crosshairs of new owner Christina (Cameron Diaz), who has just inherited the team from her father. Believing that D'Amato is over-the-hill and his teaching methods are outdated, she hires a new offensive coordinator (Aaron Eckhart) to breathe some life into the team. Christina is a shrewd woman and successful finances is a top priority for her. Because of this and many losing seasons, she plans on replacing D'Amato at the season's end. When injuries strike the team, third-string quarterback Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx) leads the team to several wins after some initial setbacks. He soon becomes arrogant and this causes friction between him and many of the other players. This movie gives audiences a good look at the inner workings of professional sports - the good and the bad. It comments on how the sport is promoted, scrutinizes the coaching and players, their motives and commitments, looks at the luxurious and lavish lives that the players' families are privy to and the corruption within the sport. It's a stark contrast to the typical fan's point of view and also parodies many within professional football. Also in this film are LL Cool J, James Wood, Dennis Quaid, Lauren Holly, Matthew Modine and John C. McGinley.

Watch It: For one of Diaz's few serious roles. She's actually pretty good in this one.

Skip It: If a straight football movie is what you're looking for. This is more about the people than it is about the sport.

Love Happens

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 18, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: A self-help guru needs help of his own to deal with the death of his wife.

Review: I found that this movie was more of a drama than a romantic comedy. The issues it dealt with - love and loss - were a great deal heavier than I expected. Aaron Eckhart is Burke, an author and self-help stud who is rocketing toward stardom three years after his wife's death. His book is about healing yourself after experiencing a loss. However, despite his positive message to others in person and through his book, Burke does not deal with his own internal struggle until he meets Eloise (Jennifer Aniston). She intrigues him and despite getting off on the wrong foot, they manage to develop a friendship. For me, the movie seemed to drag on and on. I think it could've been edited down a bit to minimize the drag. Also in this film are Judy Greer and Martin Sheen.

Watch It: If you're a big fan of Seattle because it plays as more than just the setting of the movie. It's gloominess seems to mimic Burke's attitude toward being in the city.

Skip It: If you're you're in the mood for an uplifting romantic comedy about people down on their luck. While this may seem like it on the outside, the inside is much, much different.