Atlantic City

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 3, 1908 (France) / April 3, 1981 (USA)

DVD Release Date: May 14, 2002

Plot 411: A girl with big dreams is caught up in a mess when her estranged husband shows up with drugs in tow.

Review: Susan Sarandon is Sally, a girl just trying to make it as a casino dealer in Atlantic City. However, when her husband Dave (Robert Joy) and her sister Chrissie (Hollis McLaren) turn up at her workplace, Sally is forced to give them a place to stay despite her personal feelings. Dave, a petty thief, has plans to sell drugs in Atlantic City but soon discovers that the thugs the drugs belong to are after him. Former runner for the mob Lou (Burt Lancaster) has secretly been infatuated with Sally, his next-door neighbor, for quite some time and is finally given the opportunity to interact with her when Dave asks for his help as a runner. He thinks she can make him feel young again because he longs for the old days when the mob ran the town. The lives of the characters all intersect as drug deals unravel. This movie had a lot to say about the changing of times, how people deal with aging, one's identity and self-esteem and the innocence of youth. It contrasted the lifestyles of hippies and of soon-to-be yuppies as progress and development changed the landscape of people's lives during this time period. Lou reminisces about how powerful he was when he had a purpose in life running numbers for the mob, but in reality, he was just a low-ranking errand boy. To be honest, I thought this film was quite slow going despite the great acting of Lancaster and Sarandon. Even with the addition of "bad guys," this film is more focused on the lives of the characters than on the action one assumes would be involved when drugs in the picture.

Watch It: For a character piece that has larger societal implications.

Skip It: Because everything just looked drab and disheartening. Although, I'm pretty sure this is what the filmmakers were going for, it was also gritty because of the age of the film and probably the film-to-dvd transfer wasn't all that good.

Stepmom

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: December 25, 1998

DVD Release Date: April 13, 1999

Plot 411: A woman struggles to win over her boyfriend's children despite all her good intentions.

Review: Isabel (Julia Roberts) is dating a man (Ed Harris) many years her senior and finds it almost impossible to become friends with his children (Jena Malone and Liam Aiken). The kids are hurt and angry due to their parents' divorce and think of Isabel as the enemy. They don't like her and don't respect her. The ex-wife, Jackie (Susan Sarandon), also despises her because she is so young and inexperienced. However, when push comes to shove, the welfare of the children take precedence and everyone learns to live, love and work together. This was an incredible movie that was made during Roberts' heyday. I feel like during this time she could do no wrong. Everything she touched turned to gold as she was America's sweetheart. The movie cleverly juxtaposes sadness and hope. It demonstrates the simple power of love and the importance of family. Sarandon and Roberts worked so well together. This is definitely a tear jerker.

Watch It: And you'll want to phone your mother just to tell her you love her.

Skip It: Unless you don't have any plans the following day. Otherwise, you'll have to find a way to make red, puffy eyes the hottest fashion trend.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: August 14, 1975 (United Kingdom) / September 26, 1975 (USA)

DVD Release Date: September 3, 2002

Plot 411: A couple runs into some car trouble on a dark and stormy night and takes refuge at a creepy castle.

Review: Y'all know I love me some music and dancing, but this is one film that I can honestly say I will never watch again. This movie stars Susan Sarandon as Janet and Barry Bostwick as Brad, two lovers who find themselves in an awkward situation when their car breaks down. No, the problem isn't that they're two unchaperoned young people. It's more like they're situation goes from bad to worse when they seek shelter at a nearby home. The home's owner is Dr. Frank N. Furter (Tim Curry), a scientist who has created a Frankenstein-esque creature. The movie only gets more bizarre from here on in. I don't even know what else to tell you. There's singing and dancing and lots of weirdly dressed transexuals, cross dressers and what have you. I don't totally understand what happened as far as plot is concerned. To ask about the deeper implications of this film would just be foolish. The movie is a cult classic though, so there must be something redeeming about it. Unfortunately, I thoroughly fail to see what that is.

Watch It: At a midnight madness showing so you can really get into the act. People in the audience get up and participate in the show.

Skip It: If you don't like spending an hour and a half watching a movie and walking away more confused than when you walked in.

Shall We Dansu? / Shall We Dance?

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: January 27, 1996 (Japan) / July 11, 1997 (USA)

DVD Release Date: February 1, 2005

Plot 411: A Japanese accountant takes dance lessons to meet a girl he sees from the train but discovers a whole new world.

Review: This movie was recommended back in January in a comment to my review of the 1937 Shall We Dance? I finally got a chance to watch this movie and thought it was great. The plot is completely different from the 1937 version though. There was a remake of this 1996 Japanese version in 2004 with Jennifer Lopez, Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon. The movie is about a guy who basically is a walking zombie. Despite achieving all that he desired, he still feels unfulfilled. On his way home every night, he sees a beautiful but extremely sad woman looking out of her dance studio window. He wants to meet her and finally gets the courage to go to the studio. He signs up for lessons so he can be near her (like many other students do), but when she calls him on it he decides to prove her wrong by continuing to dance. As he struggles to learn, he discovers that he is really passionate about it and it revitalizes him. Between the 1996 and the 2004 versions, I prefer the 1996 Japanese take on things. I think there's more of a personal struggle when the plot is set in the Japanese culture. It is more rigid and conforming in Japan than it is in America so it's a bigger deal for a man to break social and cultural tradition there.

Watch It: For a story about self-discovery and self-fulfillment.

Skip It: If you're looking for a lot of dancing. There's some but they aren't huge numbers like in the 1937 movie.

Trailer: