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.

Blood In, Blood Out / Bound By Honor

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 16, 1993

DVD Release Date: June 13, 2000

Plot 411: A story about the lives of three young men growing up in East L.A.

Review: This movie was recommended to me by a co-worker, and dayum was he right about it being awesome. It's the story of three guys who grew up in the barrio of East Los and how their lives turned out. Miklos (Damian Chapa) is half white and half Mexican. Because of this, he's always been an outsider and had to prove his loyalty and heritage. With his brown hair and striking blue eyes, he's had to fight for his respect even within his own family. Because of this he ends up in San Quentin and hooks up with the Spanish gangs. Miklos' cousin Paco (Benjamin Bratt) starts off as a punk who doesn't back down from anything. He's an instigator and not afraid to take revenge on a rival gang when his young brother Cruz (Jesse Borrega) is jumped and severely injured. Rather than go to jail, Paco joins the Marines and becomes a cop patrolling his old 'hood. After the attack, Cruz becomes hooked on drugs and uses his injuries as an excuse. When their kid brother accidently overdoses using one of Cruz's needles, he spirals even further. As the plot unfolds you realize how great this movie is because of its authenticity. From the gangs and drugs to the importance of family, this movie really works on many levels. It expertly weaves together different themes for each character. It'll leave you wanting more. Also playing supporting roles are Delroy Lindo, Billy Bob Thornton, Ving Rhames and Danny Trejo.

Watch It: Because this movie will make you rediscover all that is Benjamin Bratt. Where the heck has this guy been lately? He needs to get out of TV and get back into movies!

Skip It: Because despite Bratt's appeal, it's hard to get past all of Chapa's close ups. I know his character's an intense dude, but the expression on his face used to portray this is just painful. His earnestness, while definitely touching, is completely over the top. Dial it down homes.