X-Games: The Movie

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: August 21, 2009

DVD Release Date: January 12, 2010

Plot 411: A documentary about X-Games 14 that focuses on rally cars, skateboarding, snowboarding and motorcross.

Review: This movie is probably unbelievable on a 3D screen, because even watching it at home was pretty spectacular. The massive tricks that these athletes are doing are jaw-dropping crazy. I would've liked more commentary from them and a bit more about their history. However, I suppose anyone watching this type of film is probably familiar with its players. These adventure sports athletes are indeed nuts. Some of the stunts they're pulling are simply insane! After watching this, you'll never equate a skater with a slacker as these guys are training to do the impossible. The movie is narrated by Emile Hirsch and focuses on Shaun White, Travis Pastrana, Ricky Carmichael, Danny Way, Bob Burnquist, Kyle Loza and Jake Brown.

Watch It: If you're an extreme sports fanatic or you want to see just exactly how crazy some people can be.

Skip It: If you're looking for a true documentary. This one focuses more on the competition aspect than interviews with people.

Into The Wild

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 21, 2007

DVD Release Date: March 4, 2008

Plot 411: Based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, a guy who gave up almost all of his possessions to finally be free.

Review: Holy crap, I cannot believe I haven't reviewed this movie yet! It is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Perhaps it's because it tugs at the hidden idealism within me? Perhaps it's because it calls to my hidden adventurer? I don't really know, but when I first saw this film I had to learn more about Christopher McCandless, the person upon which this movie is based. I watched the documentary, The Call Of The Wild, and set Google ablaze with all my searches. Emile Hirsch plays the starring role, and for me, this is his best effort to date (even though I like him in many other films). Chris was a college student who embarked on a journey of self-discovery, independence and freedom. Being disillusioned with the capitalist world he lived in, he donated half of the money his parents gave him for college and took off to see the world. He hitchhiked around the U.S. and took odd jobs here or there. His life alternated between solitude and society. His ultimate goal was to test himself in Alaska. The themes are pretty heavy in this movie, but I found them quite inspirational. On one hand, Chris is the ultimate dreamer who went after those dreams. He didn't let anything stand in his way. Leaving all your worldly possessions behind, overcoming society's pressure to live a certain way and creating situations where you can only depend on yourself are all pretty huge deals. The fact that this guy did it is pretty amazing. Of course, the rational part of your brain is shouting what an idiot Chris was. Also in this film are Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart and Zach Galifianakis.

Watch It: If, like me, you're not normally a risk taker or even an idealist. This will give you something to think about.

Skip It: If, perhaps, you're more of a realist as some of Chris' actions are definitely illogical and foolhardy.

The Air I Breathe

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 13, 2007 (Greece) / January 25, 2008 (USA)

DVD Release Date: May 20, 2008

Plot 411: A vignette of four interwoven lives based on the principles of happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love.

Review: This movie is a drama that tells the story of four people by interlocking their fates. The first part is about a stockbroker (Forest Whitaker) who doesn't take any risks. When he finally bets on the horses, he loses a ton of money and the bookie (Andy Garcia) has only given him two weeks before he collects. Playing the collection agent is Brendan Fraser, whose character can see the future through visions. However, because of his gift he feels numb to the world. He is neither able to change the future nor avoid it. When his gift fails him for the first time, he meets a singer (Sarah Michelle Gellar) whom the bookie now owns. Deciding for the first time to attempt to make a difference, he tries to help her escape from the bookie. Another character (Kevin Bacon) is a doctor who throws caution to the wind in order to save the woman he loves (Julie Delpy). I enjoyed this movie because it questioned our ideas of happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love. it poked holes in the stereotypes of each emotion and allowed us to see them from a different perspective. Is happiness merely being rich? Or is it being free to feel alive? Is pleasure all about the physical aspects of a relationship? Or maybe it's being surprised by what you thought was mundane. Is sorrow death? Or is it the knowledge that what you've finally found is gone? Does love mean that you live happily ever after? Or does it mean that you're happy to stand on the sidelines to watch others be happy? Also in this movie are Emile Hirsch and Kelly Hu.

Watch It: For the different truths that are revealed and ponder how they may relate to your own life.

Skip It: Because its multiple layers may not be what you're looking for in what appears to be a crime drama.

Alpha Dog

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: January 12, 2007

DVD Release Date: May 1, 2007

Plot 411: When a guy won't pay his debt, his dealer kidnaps his kid brother to get back at him.

Review: I just don't know what went wrong with this one. The previews looked good and the cast includes some of Hollywood's up-and-coming young actors, but this just wasn't a good movie. A young drug dealer named Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch), who I think is just a rich poser, is insulted when Jake Mazursky (Ben Foster) refuses to pay his debt and breaks into his house. Truelove and his gang decide to confront Mazursky but run into his little brother Zack (Anton Yelchin) instead. They throw him in a van and kidnap him, but they don't really know what to do with him. The gang kicks back and Zack enjoys their company. He even refuses to leave when given a chance. But things soon get real when Truelove decides to kill Zack rather than ask for a ransom. His gang must man up to the task and try not to get caught or automatically face time in jail if they let Zack go. The script was based on real events that happened in Santa Barbara County. The kids involved were seriously just kids. The oldest was only 21. How could they cause the death of another person? Was it just a disconnect between life and death? Were they so drugged out that they didn't feel remorse or guilt or shame? It's just crazy. What the movie did get right was the nonchalant attitudes that the boys had. Life seemed to be one big party that never ended. Also starring in this movie was Justin Timberlake, Sharon Stone, Fernando Vargas, Lukas Haas, Amanda Seyfried and Bruce Willis.

Watch It: For an interesting look at the inner workings of a quasi-gang atmosphere.

Skip It: If you have a low tolerance for youthful stupidity.

Milk

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: November 26, 2008

DVD Release Date: March 10, 2009

Plot 411: A gay San Francisco merchant runs for political office and becomes a leader in the gay community.

Review: This was an inspiring and touching movie about the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office. Sean Penn plays the lead and completely reinvents himself in his portrayal of a man who changed lives. Milk's life was a testament to what one person can do to evoke real change in a community, political system and world. Fighting not only for gay rights, but for minorities, seniors, the disabled community and everyone in between, Milk ultimately died for his cause. The film's mix of reenacted and historical footage added to the authenticity and emotion of the characters and setting. This movie's focus was not primarily on gay rights, but something much more universal - human rights and equality. Also starring in this film are Josh Brolin (whose career has definitely skyrocketed since his time on the series "Young Riders"), Emile Hirsch (who I loved in Into the Wild and Lords of Dogtown), James Franco (who is quite possibly cuter as a gay man in this film than he is as a rich one in Spiderman) and Diego Luna (who I loved along with Gael Garcia Bernal in Y tu mama tambien).

Watch It: To be inspired to get up and make a difference and to learn about a social leader not covered in text books.

Skip It: Only if you absolutely must. Stick it in your queue until you find some time to watch it.

Trailer: