Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken

Rating: G

Movie Release Date: May 24, 1991

DVD Release Date: June 17, 2006

Plot 411: A young girl dreams of excitement and longs to be part of a traveling horse diving show.

Review: This movie is a tragedy . . . not because of anything in the plot, but because this is Michael Schoeffling's (aka Jake Ryan in Sixteen Candles) last acting role to date. Sigh. The film is based on the true story of Sonora Webster (Gabrielle Anwar), a teen who headlined a traveling show of diving horses during the Depression. After many difficult weeks of proving herself to Dr. Carver (Cliff Robertson) and training with his son Al (Schoeffling), she trains for the show. The film highlights her determination, guts and passion. It adds a dose of romance when Al and Sonora fall for one another. It adds a touch of drama when Sonora loses her sight in an accident. But, overall, it's a nice, feel-good movie that's great for Disney. I remember watching this as a kid and enjoying it. As an adult, it just feels like an afterschool special-type movie. The CGI effects of the diving horse and rider are pretty lame, but it was the '90s. No Avatar technology was available. Anwar is beautiful amidst the grass, dirt and sunshine that surrounds her character's poverty.

Watch It: For a sweet love story and an inspiring female empowerment flick.

Skip It: And pop in Sixteen Candles instead.

For Love Or Money

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: October 1, 1993

DVD Release Date: August 12, 2003

Plot 411: A concierge with all the right moves has dreams of bigger and better things but his lifelong drive toward his goals takes a detour when he falls for a perfume girl.

Review: Isn't it always the case? You think you know where you're headed until you meet someone who knocks your socks off and you find that your life's plans are all out of whack? Doug (Michael J. Fox) is a concierge for a large hotel in New York and is the who's who of concierge people. He knows everything that's going on in the hotel and has many, many contacts outside of the hotel to make things happen. But, Doug's got big dreams and a solid plan to one day own his own hotel. When his friend introduces him to wealthy Christian Hanover (Anthony Higgins), Doug really thinks his dreams will take off if he can only convince Christian to finance his hotel. Doug becomes Christian's go-to guy, providing him with hotel stays for his affair with perfume girl Andy (Gabrielle Anwar) and any other favor that is requested of him. Andy is in love with Christian and holding on to his promise that he will divorce his wife. While Andy lives in this dreamworld, Doug is firmly rooted in reality. He needs Christian and will do anything to get the money for his hotel, even giving up the girl he likes and allowing her to possibly get her heart broken. The movie had a similar feel to it as Pretty Woman. I guess it has to do with the hotel setting, powerful men and inappropriate affairs. Also, the materialism and capitalism of the time was translated through the wants and desires of the characters. Some of the camera angles were interesting and the New York skyline never looked better.

Watch It: If you like to root for the underdog and enjoy Fox's upbeat style of dialogue delivery. For some reason, he'll always be Alex P. Keaton to me - no matter what role he's in.

Skip It: If you're just looking for a rom com because Pretty Woman delivered that a lot better.