Crank 2: High Voltage

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 16, 2009 (Germany) / April 17, 2009 (USA)

DVD Release Date: September 8, 2009

Plot 411: A guy with an artificial heart runs around the city trying to get his real one back and kicks some major ass along the way.

Review: This movie is a Jason Statham ass-kicking fest. Statham reprises his role as Chev Chelios, the man who just doesn't die. The Chinese Triads have sedated him, removed his heart and replaced it with a fake one just to keep him alive long enough to harvest his other organs. While this is happening, Chelios is quite vaguely aware of what's happening. When the Chinese docs go for his hoo-ha, he finally gets with the program because no means no. The rest of the movie follows Chelios across L.A. as he tries to get his heart back from one person or other. He leaves a trail of broken and dead bodies along the way. Making this even more difficult is that his fake heart is battery operated and needs to be charged frequently. But don't worry. Chelios finds unique ways to keep his old ticker ticking. Other notable peeps in this movie are Amy Smart, Dwight Yoakam, Bai Ling, Keone Young (Yay, a local boy), Clifton Collins Jr., David Carradine, Corey Haim (RIP) and Geri Halliwell (Girl Power?).

Watch It: For over-the-topness that is exploding silicone and sex at a racetrack.

Skip It: Because this movie is made by guys for guys. Everything you can think of that is demeaning to women is right here, yet somehow I still found this movie awesome.

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.

The Butterfly Effect

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: January 23, 2004

DVD Release Date: July 6, 2004

Plot 411: After living through horrible experiences during his youth, a man discovers he can travel through time to fix them.

Review: Ashton Kutcher is Evan Treborn, a guy who has lived through a lot and experiences blackouts especially when he's stressed. During therapy, he was instructed to keep journals in order to try to keep time straight in his mind. As an adult, he discovers that by reading his journals, he's able to go back to that time and keep the current knowledge he has acquired as an adult. Treborn tries to fix some bad situations that affect his childhood sweetheart Kayleigh (Amy Smart), but when he returns to the present he finds life as he knows it is changed. This movie is a mind trip and uses an idea from the chaos theory called the Butterfly Effect, which is essentially the idea that small changes that may seem insignificant will cause larger changes in the future. The notion is pretty incredible and by using it in this manner it's downright scary. The movie is pretty gruesome at some points and gritty in others. It deals with issues that make you feel uncomfortable and really pushes your ability to keep watching. Sick is an adjective that comes to mind when thinking about many of the scenes. This is probably one of the most defining roles Kutcher has played because it is so different from his usual lackadaisical characters. It's intense and gut-wrenching and proabbly one you won't soon forget.

Watch It: For a psychological thriller that'll leave your head spinning.

Skip It: Because it successfully makes you feel uncomfortable in all the right places and is not for the weak-stomached individual.