Fired Up!

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: February 20, 2009

DVD Release Date: June 9, 2009

Plot 411: Two football players ditch training camp to attend cheer camp instead.

Review: This movie is definitely not groundbreaking in either plot or genre, but it did have a couple of good laughs. Nicholas D'Agosto plays Shawn and Eric Christian Olsen plays Nick, two jocks whose goal in life is to hook up with as many girls as possible. When Nick suggests they go to cheerleader camp, the boys think they've hit the jackpot. They hope to seduce all three hundred girls during the three-week camp and continue on their way. What they don't plan for is Carly (Sarah Roemer), the head cheerleader who actually has some morals and brains. She intrigues Shawn because of her obvious distaste for all that he stands for. Nick, on the other hand, is still playing the field and even tries to come on to the cheer coach (Molly Sims). The rest of the movie is exactly what you think it is - young things prancing around in near nakedness and piercing, rhythmic cheering. The movie was actually better than I thought it'd be, but I didn't really have high standards for it anyway. It's a somewhat irreverent teen comedy with good looking people and a few gay male cheerleaders thrown into the mix. It's an interesting addition to the cheerleader genre.

Watch It: If you think you'll like a cross between American Pie and Bring It On.

Skip It: If you've got high quality film standards.

Just Friends

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: November 23, 2005

DVD Release Date: March 7, 2006

Plot 411: A successful music producer returns home for the holidays and must face his high school nightmares all over again.

Review: Chris (Ryan Reynolds) has really made something of himself out in L.A. But, when a trip to Paris with an up-and-coming pop star (Anna Faris) takes a detour, Chris finds himself back home in New Jersey. At home, all his high school insecurities return and only gets worse when he reunites with his best friend (and secret crush) Jamie (Amy Smart). Between babysitting the pop star and trying to get the nerve to declare his love for Jamie, Chris fumbles through the holidays and being home with his parents. This is another cute (and brainless) rom-com that's good for snuggling up in front of the TV during the holidays. It tackles issues like self-esteem and high school stereotypes. I guess you're never too far from your high school self, despite all that you may have accomplished in the world. This movie is a perfect example of the traumas of high school and their effect on you the rest of your life. Sure, it's a bit extreme but I still think it's possible. That's why there are shows like Bully Beatdown. Chris Klein and Chris Marquette also star in this film. Both Faris and Klein are pretty hilarious in their roles. Faris is notable for her normal eccentricities and over-the-top physical humor. Klein's laughs are more low key, but it's his appearance that really makes your belly ache. How did this guy go from being the jock boy in American Pie to the nerd in this one? Amazing . . . or is that just amazingly sad?

Watch It: For another run-of-the-mill chick flick.

Skip It: And spend some time with your family instead.

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).