The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: August 14, 2009

DVD Release Date: December 15, 2009

Plot 411: A high-volume car sales team is hired by a failing dealership to

Review: Jeremy Piven plays Don, the leader of a slick team of car salesman (and one woman) who are hired by low-volume dealerships to turn things around. They pull into the lot of Ben Selleck (James Brolin) to throw down a huge Fourth of July sale and school Selleck's guys on how to sell cars. They use all the gimmicks they can to bring in the crowds. Their sales goal is 211 cars. Otherwise, Selleck's future son-in-law Paxton (Ed Helms) and his father (Alan Thicke) are going to purchase the lot and turn it into a practice studio for Paxton's boy band. Don's band of bandits include Jibby (Ving Rhames), Brent (David Koechner) and Babs (Kathryn Hahn). I think most people will find this movie just a step above retarded, but somehow I actually enjoyed it. It may be because I worked part time at the front desk of a car dealership and can actually see some of the guys in these characters. Oh sure, they're not as suave as Don, but there are many similar traits. Piven does a tremendous job in this role. He's able to pull off being both arrogant and sympathetic at the same time. Nice. Also in this film are Jordana Spiro, Rob Riggle and Ken Jeong. I definitely think Jeong was under used in this one. What a waste.

Watch It: If you've got the faintest connection to car dealerships. You'll bust a gut.

Skip It: If you've ever had a bad experience at a car dealership. You'll probably just feel worse afterwards.

Last Chance Harvey

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: December 25, 2008

DVD Release Date: May 5, 2009

Plot 411: A short vacation to London turns into a life changing event.

Review: While I don't really fall into the ideal demographic for this film, I still found that it had a nice little message to take away. Harvey (Dustin Hoffman) is consumed with work and has let his relationship with his daughter slip away through the years. Now that she is getting married in London, he realizes just how distant they have become. A chance meeting with a British woman (Emma Thompson) opens Harvey's eyes and together they learn that it's never too late to begin afresh. Overall, the movie was a bit slow for me. I realize this is a character-based movie and character growth must occur, but everything was just so dull. I found the development of the relationship between Harvey and Kate (Thompson) a bit tedious. But maybe that's because most modern romances are whirlwinds. People no longer take the time to talk to each other . . . or walk. There was a lot of walking going on in this movie. Also in this movie are Eileen Atkins, Kathy Baker and James Brolin.

Watch It: If you're a bit more mature and perhaps feeling a little battered by life. This'll inspire you to take chances.

Skip It: If you don't have the patience for character building because it barely inches along in this movie.