Eat Pray Love

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: August 13, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: After a bad divorce, a woman travels to Italy, India and Indonesia to find her balance.

Review: Liz (Julia Roberts) realizes one day that the life she lives with her husband Stephen (Billy Crudup) is not the life for her anymore. She has grown apart from him despite her love for her. She files for divorce and struggles to find herself but ends up falling into the arms of another man (James Franco). She struggles to find herself after years of co-dependency and decides to take a yearlong vacation to revitalize her spirit and give herself a new perspective. Unfortunately, even Julia Roberts cannot save this movie. I was hoping to walk away refreshed and inspired with a feeling that I could fulfill my dreams. I was hoping this movie would show me that Liz overcame her obstacles and was able to climb mountains afterwards. But this movie was a lot more subtle than that. It was a lot more introspective than I was expecting. The movie didn't profess any kind of wisdom. It didn't call to my spirit of adventure like a lone wolf howling into the night. I think this kind of journey is something that can only be experienced firsthand. It definitely was not captured on film. Also in this film are Richard Jenkins and Javier Bardem.

Watch It: For a quick trip around the world to three very different countries.

Skip It: And get out there and have your own spiritual journey.

Finishing The Game: The Search For A New Bruce Lee

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: October 5, 2007

DVD Release Date: May 20, 2008

Plot 411: After the death of Bruce Lee, a production company tries to find an actor to finish the film.

Review: This movie will be freakin' hilarious if you grew up during the hype of kung fu mania in the U.S. (aka the 1970s). It shoots like a documentary following the casting process of a company trying to find a body double for the late Bruce Lee. The mission is to find an actor to replace him and finish his movie Game Of Death. From the clothes and hair to the messed up sync between audio and visual when actors are talking, this movie spoofs the best of the worst about those '70s kung fu flicks. There's even a dude with a fu man chu. I mean, how could they not include that? The best part of the movie is all the Asian actors - Dustin Nguyen, James Franco, Leonardo Nam, Sung Kang and Roger Fan. Even MC Hammer and Ron Jeremy make a cameo!

Watch It: For a nod nod, wink wink at everything that was awesomely bad about the '70s.

Skip It: If one time through was enough for you.

Never Been Kissed

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: April 9, 1999

DVD Release Date:October 26, 1999

Plot 411: A copyeditor gets her chance to prove herself as a reporter when she's assigned to go undercover at a high school.

Review: This is a sweet romantic comedy starring Drew Barrymore as Josie Geller, an awkward young copyeditor with dreams of becoming a reporter. When her editor (Garry Marshall) gives her a chance to write, she jumps at it even though she must return to one of the worst times in her life. To get a feel of today's youth, she must go undercover at the local high school and make her way into the popular crowd. Unfortunately, Josie doesn't have much experience with the popular crowd because she was and still is a geek. With the help of her brother Rob (David Arquette), who was a popular jock in high school, Josie is able to tread through the social politics that is high school. Josie does well in English and develops a friendship with teacher Sam Coulson (Michael Vartan). But, because of her supposed age of 17, a relationship is forbidden. This is a fun high school rom com - one of many during the late '90s and early '00s. Barrymore is a good selection for the role of Josie because she has a youthful and innocent look about her. She still speaks with a short tongue though but that doesn't seem to keep her from acting jobs. Arquette is funny as her slacker brother. For this genre of film, I think Never Been Kissed is a pretty decent entry. This movie was also the training ground for some of young Hollywood's elite - Jessica Alba, James Franco and Leelee Sobieski - as well as the playground for established actors like Molly Shannon, John C. Reilly and Octavia Spencer.

Watch It: If you dream of being a reporter one day because this is the kind of commitment it'll take.

Skip It: If the lisping Barrymore is more than you can handle.

Annapolis

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: January 27, 2006

DVD Release Date: June 27, 2006

Plot 411: An underachiever is accepted into the Naval Academy and is confronted with obstacles that he faces head on.

Review: The movie focuses on Jake Huard (James Franco), a working class guy who lives with his father Bill (Brian Goodman). The two butt heads constantly and barely have anything in common despite working together building ships for the Navy. When Jake gets accepted into the Naval Academy, he goes across the river to study and isn't prepared for what that really means. The Academy is tough and strenuous, mentally and physically. He becomes friends with other plebes (first-year students), but everyone is very intent on succeeding themselves. Jake clashes with one of the instructors, Cole (Tyrese Gibson), who is an active-duty Marine. Cole takes all drills and tests seriously because he knows that one of these kids could save his life one day and preparation is key. This pushes Jake to the limit and he must learn respect and chain of command. Hazing and punishment is part of the rituals at the Academy but is also shown to be a necessity to toughen up students for real life. I thought it was interesting to see the inside of such a prestigious institution. Who knows if this is really what it's like though. Perhaps it's even worse in real life? The movie demonstrated the mental and physical acuteness one must possess to find success in the military. It might even be responsible for encouraging people to appreciate service men and women a bit more. Overall, I thought it was a good little movie with a decent plotline. It's nothing groundbreaking but was entertaining nonetheless. Others in the film include Donnie Wahlberg and Jordana Brewster.

Watch It: If you're into the tough love scene where "no pain, no gain" is the motto.

Skip It: If you're expecting Donnie Wahlberg to go big with this movie. He was more of a supporting actor.

Pineapple Express

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: August 6, 2008

DVD Release Date: January 6, 2009

Plot 411: A stoner witnesses a murder and must get away from the perps before he is killed too.

Review: This movie was actually pretty funny and the action wasn't half bad. Seth Rogen plays Dale Denton, a process server who witnesses a murder. When he figures out that the killers might trace him back through his dealer/friend (played by James Franco), the two must get their ass in gear to avoid them. In a bumbling, stoner way the two somehow find themselves in the midst of a drug war. Franco is extremely funny in his role as Saul. I don't think we've really seen him bust out his comedic chops like this, but it turns out he's really good. The fact that the casting for Dale and Saul are reversed and seem counterintuitive makes the duo work even better together. There's also cameos by Bobby Lee and Ken Jeong (both hilarious in Kims of Comedy).

Watch It: For a new and improved version of what Cheech and Chong made famous.

Skip It: If you can't see yourself getting into the drug humor. It, at times, can be really stupid.

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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.

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