Takers

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: August 27, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: A con reunites with his crew after serving four years and wants in on the game one more time.

Review: This movie tries to lure in its audience with the ensemble cast of beefcakes. From Paul Walker (John) to Idris Elba (Gordon), Hayden Christensen (A.J.) to Chris Brown (Jesse), there's gotta be a bad boy for you. Even the cops are notable heartthrobs - Matt Dillon (Jack) and Jay Hernandez (Eddie). However, even this isn't enough star power to rock this movie. Oh, it was okay for a shoot 'em up flick, but it didn't have the same charisma as Ocean's Eleven. There was just no style or clever humor in this one. I don't think anyone, even Elba, could command a stage like George Clooney. The movie opens when Ghost (T.I.) is released from prison after serving his time for a robbery. He immediately contacts his boys and offers up an armored car job he's been planning since prison. The crew is hesitant, but the money is good (isn't it always?). They decide to risk it because that's what they do their entire lives. There's some great hand-to-hand action by Christensen (during which time I realized how thin he is). Chris Brown also does a good parkour act as he evades capture. But, some of the acting is really bad. The lines are pretty stilted. I mean, you can't necessarily blame T.I. for this because he's a newbie and all, but what excuse can the others give?

Watch It: For some ramped up action toward the end.

Skip It: Because despite the big names there are other movies of this ilk that are more exceptional.

American Gangster

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: November 2, 2007

DVD Release Date: February 18, 2008

Plot 411: An honest cop goes after one of New York's most infamous drug dealers.

Review: Originally from the south but living and working up north as the right-hand man for a major drug lord, Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) quickly learns the ins and outs of running an illegal empire. When his boss dies, he decides to take over the territory and has no qualms about killing anyone in his way. He soon grows his empire by purchasing heroin directly from the source, something no one has done before, and marketing the product as blue magic. His product is cheaper and better than his competitors and he soon holds the largest market share. His nemisis in this movie is Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), who is an honest cop in a sea of corruption. Despite his failing marriage, undercover work and lack of popularity on the force due to his Boy Scout ways, he manages to be promoted and put in charge of stopping the spread of drugs in New York. This is a movie based on true life, which already makes it a lot more interesting than some other flicks. Washington and Crowe are like to seasoned heavy weights going at it. Even though they lead separate lives for much of the film, you can still see how they are connected. I love how the filmmakers contrast good and evil, right and wrong thoughout the movie. It makes you see that people are complex beings and cannot only be judged from one perspective. Also in this film are Josh Brolin, Chewetel Ejiofor, Ted Levine, Carla Gugino, Cuba Gooding Jr, Armand Assante and Idris Elba.

Watch It: For a gritty, noir-like film about drugs, corrupt cops and capitalism.

Skip It: And its unapologetic violence.

The Reaping

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 5, 2007

DVD Release Date: October 16, 2007

Plot 411: An ordained minister, who has turned her back on religion, investigates a town that seems to be experiencing all the plagues in the Bible.

Review: Hilary Swank plays Katherine, a former minister whose faith was tested when her family was killed in Sudan. Now she works as a professor and investigator of miraculous claims. With the help of her assistant Ben (Idris Elba), she goes to a small town called Haven to uncover a scientific explanation for a red river. In the town, she meets the local science teacher Doug (David Morrissey) and soon learns that the entire town blames a girl named Loren. Believing her to be the devil, the town wants to kill her. As more and more of the Bible's 10 plagues occur, Katherine must find out the truth and recall her faith. I found this movie a little confusing to follow and hard to deconstruct. Maybe that's because, as an audience, we're just supposed to have faith and believe? In any case, the movie contained your basic religious fanaticism, cult activities and paranormal occurrences. Personally, I didn't buy into it. Maybe I'm just too skeptical at this point?

Watch It: If you just want another religious thriller or Biblical horror film.

Skip It: If you like your plots to be well rounded rather than filled with holes.

Daddy's Little Girls

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: February 14, 2007

DVD Release Date: June 12, 2007

Plot 411: A hard-working single father fights for custody of his three daughters with the help of a well-educated woman.

Review: Idris Elba plays Monty James, a blue-collar worker with a strong sense of ethics. His three girls live with their grandmother as he and his ex Jennifer (Tasha Smith) sort out their lives. However, when the grandmother dies suddenly Jennifer sues for custody of the girls despite being unfit for the job. Monty takes a job as a chauffeur to increase his cash flow in anticipation of a long court battle. He ends up driving for a snooty uptown lawyer named Julia (Gabrielle Union). When he seeks legal help from Julia, she blows him off but shows up at the last minute to represent him in court. Their relationship takes a turn when Monty finds out it's Julia's birthday and takes her out. She sheds her uptight and rigid attitude and finally has some fun. Unfortunately, misunderstandings and miscommunication muddle their friendship and Julia falls back on her cynical view of life. When Jennifer is awarded custody, Monty is desperate to find a way to get them back. But, will Julia be there to support him and fight for what's right? This is another interesting slice-of-life movie by Tyler Perry. I like that he shows representations of African Americans in different strata of society. There are too many movies that only portray black people in ghetto-like situations. This movie shows us people in several different financial situatinos in life and the issues that come along with them. Like other Perry shows, this one deals with real problems that regular people face. The themes are universal and relatable, in some way, to everyone.

Watch It: For a heart-wrenching/heart-warming snapshot of one father's fight for his children.

Skip It: If you're so over Perry's preaching of family values.