Predators

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: July 7, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: A group of killers are dropped into a foreign jungle and come face to face with even bigger killers.

Review: The movie opens as a man (Adrien Brody) awakens to find he is falling through the air and unable to open up his parachute. What a way to kick off this film! We soon learn he is not the only person to live through the experience when he meets up with seven other people. They are all fierce soldiers in their own way, some who are traditionally trained, like Nikolai (Oleg Taktarov), and others who are just bad asses, like death row inmate Stans (Walton Goggins). There's also a female operative (Alice Braga), a doctor (Topher Grace) and some other trained killers. As the group tries to figure out where they are and what is going on, they are attacked by foreign creatures. They learn that the tables are switched and the hunters are not the hunted. I thought this was a really good way to reboot the Predator franchise. It's a new imagining of an old favorite. I found some of the action hard to follow though because of all the shaky cam jerkiness. Also, the plot and dialogue wasn't all that great. My biggest critique is that despite being named Predators, it takes a long time for a predator to show up on screen. How is this possible? The special effects aren't mindblowingly good either. Also in this movie is Laurence Fishburne and Danny Trejo.

Watch It: If you're a fan of sci-fi action flicks.

Skip It: If you're expecting this new film to make incredible use of technology.

The Brothers Bloom

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: May 15, 2009

DVD Release Date: September 29, 2009

Plot 411: Two brothers commit their last con ever.

Review: This is a quirky little comedy flick starring Mark Ruffalo as Stephen and Adrien Brody as Bloom, two orphaned brothers who found conning early in the game. As adults, they turned it into an artform and made their way around the world through it. The cons were always elaborate plays concocted by mastermind Stephen. Bloom, always the more reluctant participant of the two, usually ended up playing his roles superbly. When Bloom finally reaches the end of his rope and quits, Stephen entices him into doing one last con. With their silent but deadly partner Bang Bang (Rinko Kikuchi), the boys set out to pull one over on an eccentric millionaire named Penelope (Rachel Weisz). As the plot progressed, I found myself getting more intrigued. I think it's a well-written script and the actors were all great. I especially think Weisz did a wonderful job. Ruffalo and Kikuchi were master comedians, despite the fact that Kikuchi played a mainly silent role. The humor and witt of this movie was amazing. Because Stephen and Bloom's lives have been one continuous con after another, the line between reality and fantasy is blurred. You're never quite sure what's part of the plan, who's in on it and how things will play out. This is a testament to Stephen's ability for scheming. I also loved the overall feel of the movie - from the cinematography to the sound design. The set design was also great, especially since the brothers are ardent globe trotters.

Watch It: For really great stuff from Ruffalo and Brody.

Skip It: Because while it's definitely taking you on a journey, it takes a while to get there. You definitely need to wait for the reveal and some might not have that kind of patience.

Angels In The Outfield

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: July 15, 1994

DVD Release Date: April 23, 2002

Plot 411: Two foster kids who love baseball cause a sensation when one of them begins seeing angels.

Review: A young Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Roger, a boy who wishes on a star for the California Angels to win a penant, because this is when his deadbeat dad told him they'll become a family again. When Roger begins to see real angels like Al (Christopher Lloyd) helping the team, he informs their coach George Knox (Danny Glover). Whenever Roger sees an angel, he tells Knox. Against his better judgment, Knox does what Roger says and the team begins to win games. Can they win enough games to reunite father and son? You never know . . . because angels are always watching. This is a good family dramedy from the '90s that deals with some serious issues like the fostercare system and faith. Gordon-Levitt does a good job at playing the down-but-never-out Roger, who, despite life's circumstances, still believes in goodness. With a child-like innocence, he creates a fervor in the entire Angels team. Soon the team, who is down in the dumps, begins to have faith in each other and develops a will to succeed. Led by Mel, an ailing pitcher (Tony Danza), the team is soon better than ever. The film includes some now-famous actors like Adrien Brody and Matthew McConaughey. Why don't they make movies like this these days?

Watch It: For a throwback to times when good old fashion family sports movies were all the rage in Hollywood.

Skip It: If The Sandlot, Rookie Of The Year and all the other baseball films of the '90s seem to be playing the same song.