Mansfield Park

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: November 17, 1999

DVD Release Date: July 11, 2000

Plot 411: A poor girl grows up in a rich household and perseveres despite a different kind of rough upbringing

Review: In this film based on Jane Austen's book of the same name, poor Fanny Price (Frances O'Connor) goes to live with her wealthy aunt as a young girl. Her family sends her for the developmental and educational benefit as well as for the financial relief of having one less mouth to feed. Depsite being a relative, she is treated harshly like a servant. Everyone is horrible except for her cousin Edmund (Jonny Lee Miller), and they quickly become friends. As they grow up, Fanny's love for Edmund deepens. However, it is threatened when Henry (Alessandro Nivola) and Mary (Embeth Davidtz) Crawford, relatives of the local clergy, arrive and begin insinuating themselves into their lives. Again, I'm loving this period piece, especially because it's another adaptation of Jane Austen. Somehow, she just gets all the angst and turmoil surrounding love in these impossible situations. She understands strong female characters and is determined to see them succeed. Miller is lovable and sometimes so darned respectful that you just want to bop him on the head! O'Connor does a nice job as Fanny.

Watch It: For a slightly different take on things than what's in the novel.

Skip It: If you don't like Austen to begin with. Why waste your time?

Mind Hunters

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: May 7, 2004 (Thailand) / May 13, 2005 (USA)

DVD Release Date: September 20, 2005

Plot 411: A group of FBI profiler trainees are tested when their test becomes reality and people start dying.

Review: This is a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat. A serious contribution to the film world it is not. However, it is filled with lots of suspense and violence, and I dare say most CSI fans would enjoy it. Cops, killers, cop killers - what more could you ask for in a police thriller? A group of young FBI agents training to become profilers travel to a small island to take part in a simulated case. However, when their leader is killed and their boat to the mainland is destroyed, fingers reach for triggers as everyone now becomes a suspect. One by one the agents are killed. Each one dies a death specific to their personality. This makes the movie even more interesting as the killer is not just sick and twisted but also intelligent and devious. The movie is made of an ensemble cast: LL Cool J, Jonny Lee Miller, Kathryn Morris, Val Kilmer and Christian Slater.

Watch It: If you enjoy putting puzzle pieces together, blood and guts.

Skip It: If you think violence on tv is overrated.