Definitely, Maybe

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: February 14, 2008

DVD Release Date: June 24, 2008

Plot 411: A dad tells his daughter the real story of how he fell in love with her mother, but it's complicated.

Review: Will (Ryan Reynolds) is in the process of divorcing his wife when his daughter Maya (Abigail Breslin) asks him to tell her the story of how he met her mother. Besides being intrigued by what happened, Maya also hopes this will reunite her parents. Will decides to change all the names and some of the things that happen in this retelling, forcing Maya (and the audience) to guess which woman is her mother. As the story goes, Will has three relationships with women who could possibly be Maya's mother: his college sweetheart (Elizabeth Banks), a journalist (Rachel Weisz) and his best friend (Isla Fisher). As the tale unfolds, things get more and more complicated but Maya is determined to figure out who her mother is. This film took a unique stab at the rom com genre and actually made it a lot more interesting. Because of how the plot, the audience really becomes invested in the characters - if not for Will's sake but for Maya's. As each piece of the puzzle is revealed, your anticipation mounts. I also enjoyed the twists and turns of how each relationship played out. While some things were still predictable, many aspects of the relationships were utterly true to the real world. Rather than wrap things up nicely, this film showed us all the loose ends. It didn't pull its punches - just as real life never will. Reynolds does a really good job playing a concerned father and his on-screen relationship with Breslin is great. As usual, he is good looking and funny, but now his affection for his daughter really makes him a dream catch. It's just the thing to pull in female viewers.

Watch It: For the unique storytelling hook of the plot.

Skip It: If you like your romances straightforward and passion filled. This one would be described more as sweet and endearing.

Just Friends

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: November 23, 2005

DVD Release Date: March 7, 2006

Plot 411: A successful music producer returns home for the holidays and must face his high school nightmares all over again.

Review: Chris (Ryan Reynolds) has really made something of himself out in L.A. But, when a trip to Paris with an up-and-coming pop star (Anna Faris) takes a detour, Chris finds himself back home in New Jersey. At home, all his high school insecurities return and only gets worse when he reunites with his best friend (and secret crush) Jamie (Amy Smart). Between babysitting the pop star and trying to get the nerve to declare his love for Jamie, Chris fumbles through the holidays and being home with his parents. This is another cute (and brainless) rom-com that's good for snuggling up in front of the TV during the holidays. It tackles issues like self-esteem and high school stereotypes. I guess you're never too far from your high school self, despite all that you may have accomplished in the world. This movie is a perfect example of the traumas of high school and their effect on you the rest of your life. Sure, it's a bit extreme but I still think it's possible. That's why there are shows like Bully Beatdown. Chris Klein and Chris Marquette also star in this film. Both Faris and Klein are pretty hilarious in their roles. Faris is notable for her normal eccentricities and over-the-top physical humor. Klein's laughs are more low key, but it's his appearance that really makes your belly ache. How did this guy go from being the jock boy in American Pie to the nerd in this one? Amazing . . . or is that just amazingly sad?

Watch It: For another run-of-the-mill chick flick.

Skip It: And spend some time with your family instead.

Adventureland

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 3, 2009

DVD Release Date: August 25, 2009

Plot 411: A Columbia-bound master's student must work his first summer job at a local theme park for money.

Review: When James (Jesse Eisenberg) finds out his parents can't support his post-graduation trip through Europe or his college education, he must take a summer job in order to go to Columbia in the fall. The only job he's offered is at a local amusement park running the game booths. This, in and of itself, is almost hell on earth but the people he meets there impact him more than he expects. Em (Kristen Stewart), another college student home for the summer, befriends the newbie James and he soon falls for her. Em is a troubled chick with a very unstable home life that affects how she interacts with the world. Combined with James' awkward nature, they make for an interesting couple. Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig and Ryan Reynolds also add some humor and irony to the mix. I wouldn't call this an outright comedy as it is pretty heavy at times. However, the humor is dry and sarcastic, which I love. The plot seems more like a biography than scripted. It's fully imbedded in the '80s and actually avoids being completely cheesy. It's a coming of age story that portrays a main character that is an Everyman.

Watch It: For Stewart's brooding emo-ness that isn't as annoying as her Twilight character Bella.

Skip It: If you're expecting a repeat of Superbad, despite being directed by the same guy - Greg Mattola.

The Proposal

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 19, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: When faced with a denied visa and a deporation notice, editor-in-chief Margaret Tate takes drastic measures to remain at the top of the publishing industry.

Review: Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds have great chemistry in this romantic comedy about a devil of a boss Margaret Tate and her dedicated assistant Andrew Paxton. Margaret is a career-driven publishing exec and her entire office walks on eggshells around her. They openly IM each other warning of the witch's presence. But when Margaret announces her engagement to Andrew to avoid a year's long exile to her home country of Canada, everyone, including Andrew, is stunned. However, he decides to see this fake marriage through to the end because she has the power to make or break his career. However, when the immigration official tells them that they'll be quizzed about their relationship, the two take their act all the way to Alaska for Andrew's grandmother's 90th birthday party. Reynolds' silver-tongued quips really bring humor the show and add to the physical comedy for which Bullock is known. Together they're a pretty intereting duo. While this rom com isn't groundbreaking by any means, it does reflect society's growing trend of older women with younger men. Alaska's scenery is truly beautiful. Other notable performances come from Craig T. Nelson, Andrew's dad; Mary Steenburgen, Andrew's mom; and Betty White, Andrew's grandma. Also, this is the first movie I've seen Malin Akerman in where she is playing the plain Jane character and not some spoiled little rich girl or a sex kitten.

Watch It: For a typical Sandra Bullock flick that molds slapstick comedy and tender romantic moments together.

Skip It: Because it doesn't really break any barriers or address new motives.