Kick-Ass

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: March 26, 2010 (UK) / April 16, 2010 (USA)

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: Dave's just another comic book-loving kid . . . until he decides to be a real-life superhero and finds himeslf in over his head.

Review: Dave (Aaron Johnson) and his friends live mediocre high school lives and are neither popular or unpopular. But this all changes when Dave decides to live his life like a comic book superhero to help those in need. How hard can it be, right? He soon finds out when he meets the ass-kicking duo of Big Daddy (Nicholas Cage) and Hit-Girl (Chloe Grace Moretz). Dave becomes caught in a feud that Big Daddy is waging against the man (Mark Strong) who killed his wife. A deadly battle is brewing, and Dave is caught in the middle of something straight out of a graphic novel. After a slow set up, this movie kicked it into high gear. The action was outrageous and built all the way to the climax. It was also really funny in that geeky, fanboy way. Dave's superhero persona, named Kick-Ass, is awesomely hideous. Dressed in his mail order, rent-a-costume, he is exactly what you picture all superheroes to be. It's so cheesy that it's perfect. I was pleasantly surprised by Nicholas Cage's performance in this movie. I haven't enjoyed any of his recent offerings, but he won me over with this over-the-top role. Another great performance was put in by Christopher Mintz-Plasse, who plays Red Mist. He plays a snotty little rich kid who desperately seeks the approval of his father, a underworld figure.

Watch It: For some really cool martial arts and gun play. The laughs are right up there too.

Skip It: If you wonder why people laugh when they see other people getting hurt. It's that kind of humor sometimes.

How To Train Your Dragon

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: Marhc 26, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: A young Viking doesn't fit in with the rest of his people and befriends their long-time enemy.

Review: Jay Baruchel voices Hiccup, the son of a Viking leader named Stoick (Gerard Butler). Everything about Hiccup screams the antithesis of a Viking. He is scrawny and weaker than his peers, which adds to the ridicule he receives from just about everyone in town. He just isn't able to fit into his society depsite all his best efforts. However, this attribute turns out to be his saving grace. I won't say any more because it would ruin the already quite predictable plot for you. Needless to say, this film isn't touting any new moral lessons for us, or our kids, to learn. Still, the action was really enjoyable and there were some definite funny moments. Craig Ferguson is good as Gobber, an old warrior who must teach the next generation to fight dragons. The best part for me was the animation. How do they manage to make clouds, water and fire look so real? It even looks like you can reach out and touch Hiccup's hair as the ocean breeze blows it around. These tiny details make you realize that DreamWorks is definitely the studio leading the pack. Also providing voice support in this film are America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Kristen Wiig.

Watch It: Because it's definitely better than the trailers make it out to be.

Skip It: If you usually turn on the subtitles so you can understand all UKish dialects. You might want to wait for the DVD for this one.