Gone Baby Gone

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 19, 2007

DVD Release Date: February 12, 2008

Plot 411: A child is missing and a private investigator must wade through the sordid underworld of Boston to recover her.

Review: This is the movie where Ben Affleck's baby brother Casey proves he's a much better on-screen talent and where Ben's real talents behind the camera are revealed. Casey stars as Patrick, a street smart private eye who is enlisted by a woman (Amy Madigan) to find her niece Amanda (Madeline O'Brien). Amanda was abducted while her mother (Amy Ryan) visited a neighbor. Since the cops aren't getting anywhere, Patrick takes the case and uses his local sources to uncover the truth. However, the truth is never as it seems. This movie is a crazy-good cop thriller that is, in some ways, vey much like those noir films. The seediness of the circumstances, the fine line between cops and criminals and the city all mix together to form a truly great show. The movie excellently deals with tough topics that ask you to reevaluate your moral compass. Like many aspects in life, this movie slips into a grey area rather than remain firmly planted in either black or white. Also in this movie are Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris.

Watch It: For a dark and gritty cop movie that takes advantage of its neighborhood and its culture.

Skip It: If you're not prepared to question your own morals.

Eagle Eye

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 16, 2008

DVD Release Date: December 27, 2008

Plot 411: Jerry receives instructions from a mysterious caller and must follow her instructions or face being arrested.

Review: Jerry (Shia LaBeouf) returns home to find his apartment filled with bomb-building materials. Thoroughly confused, Jerry receives a call from a woman (Julianne Moore) who informs him that the FBI are coming and he must escape. Instead, he hesitates and is caught by Agent Morgan (Billy Bob Thornton). The next time the woman calls, Jerry listens and soon he finds himself partnering up with Rachel (Michelle Monaghan). This is a good movie for those who like action and suspense. I enjoyed it a lot more than Transformers: Rise Of The Fallen, but then again, that's not saying much is it? I'm still not convinced that LaBeouf is a good actor. He keeps picking these action films, but I don't think he has the right look for them. I thought it was very odd that the two main characters, Jerry and Rachel, didn't end up as a couple. Isn't that how all of these things work? Wonder what that says about me (or how society has condition me to think)? Anyway, the other aspect of this film that was overtly obvious was that technology is becoming too advanced for humans to control, and this is a cautioning tale about the evils of science and technology. Not really new and not really carried out in a new way. Also in this film are Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Ethan Embry and Anthony Mackie.

Watch It: If you like conspiracy theories and governmental cover ups.

Skip It: Because it's a little heavy handed with its socio-political message.

Mr. And Mrs. Smith

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 7, 2005

DVD Release Date: November 29, 2005

Plot 411: An unassuming married couple discover that they're spies for competing agencies.

Review: I know I should hate Angelina Jolie for causing the break up of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston with this movie, but somehow I just can't do it. Jolie plays Jane and Pitt plays her husband John. The couple live somewhere in suburbia, own a minivan and have a manicured lawn. However, despite appearances, Jane and John actually lead very exciting lives. They are both secret spies who work for secret agencies. They are so secret that they do not even know the other is a spy. Intriguing yes? The movie is filled with tons of action and humor. It's no wonder Pitt ran off with Jolie after making this film. Their chemistry is very apparent in this movie, which makes it all the more entertaining to watch. The lightning-quick action does not always occur with guns blazing. It's also present in their banter back and forth. Overall, a good time will be had by all. Also in this film are Vince Vaughn, Kerry Washington, Adam Brody and Michelle Monaghan.

Watch It: For the butt-kicking action sequences and witty humor.

Skip It: If you're on Team Jen. It'll only make you angry.

Made Of Honor

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: May 2, 2008

DVD Release Date: September 16, 2008

Plot 411: Tom realizes he's in love with his best friend Hannah only to discover that she's getting married.

Review: It was like watching the mirror image of My Best Friend's Wedding, except worse. Many of the jokes are forced and most of the plot has already been done before. Patrick Dempsey is Tom, a serial dater who follows strict rules when it comes to dating. His character is a confident and suave man who would be the ideal mate if it weren't for his fear of commitment. His best friend Hannah is swept off her feet while working in Scotland and embarks on a whirlwind wedding. It's only then that Tom realizes how much Hannah means to him. Michelle Monaghan does a good job of playing the sweet girl next door. Kevin McKidd is fine as the fiance but really doesn't have a huge role. The dynamic between Dempsey and Monaghan is good and their banter is realistic. However, none of this is new and ground breaking. It's predictable, even for the rom-com genre. Dempsey's charisma really shines, but I'd probably recommend Enchanted over this one.

Watch It: If you're a real rom-com fan.

Skip It: If you could go either way on the rom-com fence. This would probably get you off the genre completely.