Blood: The Last Vampire

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 2, 2009 (Japan) / July 10, 2009 (USA)

DVD Release Date: October 20, 2009

Plot 411: A secret government group pairs up with a vampire to find and destroy demons.

Review: Saya (Gianna Jun) infiltrates a U.S. military base on the pretense that she is a typical high school student. But she is far from ordinary. She is the last vampire in the world and has teamed up with a secret agency whose mission is to kill demons. Through her work, she hopes to confront and destroy the demon who killed her father. I didn't realize that this was based on anime, but the cinematography made it clear from the start. The special effects were extremely exaggerated, which I found a little off putting. I'd prefer blood to look like real blood. But because Saya was killing demons, I chucked the notion of "real" blood and figured the chunky blood was purely a demonic phenomenon. If you're into a lot of samurai-sword wielding, this movie is great. Jun does a good job at using the sword to dismember and kill literally dozens of demons. It's a sight to see. She does it with flair and skill. Most of the other characters are inconsequential, even the main human character Alice (Allison Miller). It's like they're just set decoration. Even when their actions have a major effect on Saya, it doesn't really seem like a big deal. Somehow I couldn't get emotionally invested in this film and didn't find myself rooting for Saya. In my opinion, everything just unfolded disjointedly. I was also confused about the title of the movie. For the entire film, I thought that Saya was a demon too (even though she drank blood from a bottle several times). Somehow I just didn't connect it because she never actually bites anyone or shows off her fangs. That's slightly weird for a vampire flick in my book.

Watch It: If you're knowledgeable about the anime and TV series. This may squish the apathy I felt while viewing it.

Skip It: If you're looking for a really good plot about demons and vampires. This is more action oriented.

The Town

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 17, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: Four townies rob banks for a living until one of them falls for their hostage.

Review: Doug (Ben Affleck) and his crew, which includes Jim (Jeremy Renner), Gloansy (Slaine) and Desmond (Owen Burke), are bank robbers from Charlestown. Just as their fathers before them, these boys are part of the community's continuous wave of criminals. Due to a mess up during their latest robbery, they are forced to take a hostage - the bank manager named Claire (Rebecca Hall). They let her go unharmed, but Doug volunteers to watch her to make sure she doesn't provide info to the cops. However, Doug doesn't only watch her. He ends up dating her, which puts his crew in additional danger. Even with the constant heat from the FBI (Jon Hamm), the boys continue their crime spree and may be pushing their luck one time too many. I really admire the fact that Affleck gives back to his home state by bringing Hollywood to the east coast. I love that he doesn't shy away from the grittier sides of Boston (in this movie and in Gone Baby Gone). He chooses to represent them as they are - flaws and all - and is able to capture the atmosphere to vividly. I think The Town could just be Affleck's come-back movie. He hasn't had many great roles recently. It seems that he's got to create his own roles in order to be cast in them. Renner was also good in his role as the badder of the two friends. I don't think he achieved the same kind of greatness as he did in The Hurt Locker, but at least his character was memorable. The other two thugs were almost non-existent in this movie. Despite having essential skills to carry out the jobs (one had NASCAR skills and the other knew how to work the electrical systems), they were really just props for the relationship between Affleck and Renner's characters. Also putting in a great performance is former The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants actress Blake Lively.

Watch It: For another good realistic thriller written and directed by Affleck.

Skip It: If whacks to the head make you turn your head.

G-Force

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: July 24, 2009

DVD Release Date: December 15, 2009

Plot 411: An experimental team of guinea pigs must save the world from disaster and prove they are skilled FBI agents.

Review: Ben (Zach Galifianakis) is heading an experimental program for the FBI that trains common rodents to be special agents. He has put together a team consisting of three guinea pigs and a mole. Led by Darwin (Sam Rockwell), Blaster (Tracy Morgan), Juarez (Penelope Cruz) and Speckles (Nicholas Cage) go on a mission to take down a suspected international arms dealer (Bill Nighy). Avoiding capture from FBI agents who want to stop their program, the team ends up in a pet store and gets a taste of what life as a pet is like. This movie wasn't as bad as I was anticipating. There was a lot of action that made it a lot of fun. However, the dialogue was a bit forced. They kept referencing famous movies and pulling lines out left and right. I guess that was supposed to be for the adults. Unfortunately, it wasn't really put together well enough to capitalize on that. The animation was pretty good, but I found it hard to connect with it. They just didn't seem real at all.

Watch It: For one of the few action animated flicks out there.

Skip It: Because it's not really one of those memorable movies with a lot of impact.

Takers

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: August 27, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: A con reunites with his crew after serving four years and wants in on the game one more time.

Review: This movie tries to lure in its audience with the ensemble cast of beefcakes. From Paul Walker (John) to Idris Elba (Gordon), Hayden Christensen (A.J.) to Chris Brown (Jesse), there's gotta be a bad boy for you. Even the cops are notable heartthrobs - Matt Dillon (Jack) and Jay Hernandez (Eddie). However, even this isn't enough star power to rock this movie. Oh, it was okay for a shoot 'em up flick, but it didn't have the same charisma as Ocean's Eleven. There was just no style or clever humor in this one. I don't think anyone, even Elba, could command a stage like George Clooney. The movie opens when Ghost (T.I.) is released from prison after serving his time for a robbery. He immediately contacts his boys and offers up an armored car job he's been planning since prison. The crew is hesitant, but the money is good (isn't it always?). They decide to risk it because that's what they do their entire lives. There's some great hand-to-hand action by Christensen (during which time I realized how thin he is). Chris Brown also does a good parkour act as he evades capture. But, some of the acting is really bad. The lines are pretty stilted. I mean, you can't necessarily blame T.I. for this because he's a newbie and all, but what excuse can the others give?

Watch It: For some ramped up action toward the end.

Skip It: Because despite the big names there are other movies of this ilk that are more exceptional.

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 30,2009

DVD Release Date: March 9, 2010

Plot 411: Two vigilantes come out of retirement when a priest is killed in cold blood.

Review: Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus reprise their role as Connor and Murphy, two brothers who at one time took the law into their own hands and became heroes in Boston. However, since that time they, along with their father (Billy Connolly) have retired to their motherland. When a priest is murdered, the brothers are drawn out of seclusion and head back to the States to take right some wrongs. Along the way, they take on a sidekick named Romeo (Clifton Collins Jr.) and must avoid capture by FBI special agent Bloom (Julie Benz). Unfortunately, this movie doesn't live up to the original. Yes, the first movie was campy as all hell, but this one is way, way worse. Plus, the awesome fight scenes and recreations from the first movie are no where to be seen in the second. When they are shown to the audience, they're boring and unimaginative. The snappy one-liners aren't so snappy in this movie. Even the relationship between the brothers isn't captured with the same enthusiasm. The best part of this film is Collins as he plays a bad guy with a lot of heart.

Watch It: If you're looking for a campy action flick to complement your beer.

Skip It: And do yourself a favor by re-watching the first one.

Rescue Dawn

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: July 4, 2007

DVD Release Date: November 20, 2007

Plot 411: A U.S. pilot is shot down while on a combat mission and is taken prisoner.

Review: In 1966, Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale) is out on his first top secret mission when his plane is shot down. Barely surviving the crash, he wanders the jungles of Laos and is captured by the local army. He soon meets a group of POWs who have been captured for years. The group consists of fellow armed forces members as well as the flight crew of a commercial airline. Dengler immediately begins to plot their escape to the disbelief of everyone else. They have been physically and psychologically tortured to the point that they have become complacent and do not believe they can survive outside the torture camp. This is an intense portrayal of the human spirit and one's will to survive. The events are almost too horrible to be true and yet they are based on real events (though there is some contention to the accuracy of the movie). As the movie unfolds you witness how easy it is for your spirit to be broken. Simple things that are taken for granted in every day life are treasured and longed for in extreme situations. People's true natures are revealed under such stressful situations. The actors did a tremendous job dropping their weight to portray the starving POWs. Physically being able to embody the extremes really enhanced the visual effects. This, in addition to the set dressing and surrounding landscape, really helped center the movie and bring the audience back in time. This really is an excellent film. Also in this film are Steve Zahn and Jeremy Davies.

Watch It: For a really intense and harrowing depiction of life as a POW.

Skip It: And brush up on your history before watching the film. This may really help to enhance your understanding of the film and make the experience better.

3:10 To Yuma

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 6, 2007 (Russia) / September 7, 2007 (USA)

DVD Release Date: January 8, 2008

Plot 411: A former soldier joins a band of lawmen to escort an outlaw to the train that'll transport him to jail.

Review: Even if you're not particularly a fan of Westerns, you might like this one. It stars Russell Crowe as Ben Wade, the leader of a gang who steals from stagecoaches. Wade and his gang cross paths with soldier-turned-farmer Dan Evans (Christian Bale) when he steals Evans' horse in order to escape the law. Evans is desperate to save his home but is behind on payments. When he is offered money to help transport Evans to jail, he agrees. Along the way the two banter back and forth and you soon realize that the men are actually quite similar. Despite their divergent lives, the two live by a code of honor. While the set up to the movie is a bit slow, it soon picks up and becomes action packed. Gun fights and chases help liven up the movie and are interspersed with quiet moments between the two main characters. Both men try to outsmart and out think each other, and in another life may have been great friends. Also in this film are Luke Wilson, Ben Foster and Alan Tudyk.

Watch It: For a gun-toting good time.

Skip It: Perhaps in favor of the original?

Hot Fuzz

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: February 14, 2007 (UK & Ireland) / April 20, 2007 (USA)

DVD Release Date: July 31, 2007

Plot 411: When a cop becomes too good at his job, making his fellow officers look bad, he is transferred to the safest town in England.

Review: Simon Pegg and Nick Frost join forces once again and the end product is one gut-busting comedy. Pegg plays Nicholas Angel, a hot shot cop who has all the right moves. Because of this, his superior packs him up and sends him to a small town. Frost is Danny Butterman, a young cop in town who is awe-inspired by being Angel's partner. This set up creates scenes that are hilarious, like when the two are called in to investigate missing swan. The banter between the two partners volley back and forth. Frost does a great job at playing the fool once again. If you liked Shaun Of The Dead, then this movie is for you. It has a lot of the same comedic beats that'll have you rolling. You've got to be in tune with the British sense of humor though as it's a bit different than American movies. Also in this film are Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent and Timothy Dalton.

Watch It: And check out the blooper reel

Skip It: Because it's not completely a comedy or an action flick that most people are used to.

I Am Legend

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: December 7, 2007 (Japan) / December 11, 2007 (USA)

DVD Release Date: March 18, 2008

Plot 411: A cure for cancer mutates and turns humans into monsters leaving those who are immune to the mutation to fight for their lives.

Review: Robert Neville (Will Smith) has made an important discovery, the cure for cancer. However, a few years later, this cure turns into a curse as the strain kills most of Earth's population. The remaining people evolve into light-sensitive beings who have increased agility and speed but decreased mental capacities. Neville, who is immune, finds himself alone in New York desperately trying to find a cure. His only companion is his dog Sam, but he hopes to find other survivors and broadcasts a message on the radio each day in hopes that someone will hear him. I really enjoyed everything except for the ending of this film, which I found illogical. However, other than that, this movie was highly entertaining and kept me on the edge of my seat. I suppose the movie plays on some of our basic fears - the fear of the dark and the fear of being alone. These are essentially very simple concepts but are completely effective in this situation where Robert is alone in the world. We immediately empathize with him and the situation in which he finds himself. What could be worse than knowing that the world is dead and every night is a struggle for you to survive? Injected into such a grim life are the every day routines that Robert manages to complete in an effort to remain normal. Since it's Will Smith, you know it'll be funny.

Watch It: Because it's a good end-of-the-world thriller.

Skip It: Because the end ruins the entire thing.

Kung Fu Panda

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: June 5, 2008 (Russia, South Korea, Ukraine) / June 6, 2008 (USA)

DVD Release Date: November 8, 2008

Plot 411: When the Valley of Peace is threatened, a master must select a kung fu master who can protect the special scroll from falling into evil hands.

Review: I had a great time watching this animated action comedy starring Jack Black as Po, a fat, uncoordinated panda who dreams of becoming a kung fu master. Po, the son of a noodle shop owner (James Hong), and doesn't have training in martial arts. But when a prophecy predicts that Tai Lung (Ian McShane) will come to their village in search of the Dragon Scroll, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) must find someone worthy enough to protect it. Among the talented martial artists are Po's heros, the Furious Five - Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Crane (David Cross). The reason I enjoyed this movie is because it engaged the entire audience. Mimicking live action kung fu movies out of China or Hong Kong, this plot is driven by Po's transformation from a nobody to a somebody. His journey is filled with ups and downs, and it isn't till he finds it within himself to be the best that others begin to respect him. Both adults and children can understand the desire to be more than one appears. Rarely do we have the chance to prove ourselves like Po does, and the audience is able to accompany him on his hero's journey.

Watch It: For a fun, action-packed movie for the entire family.

Skip It: And you miss a movie that simply, yet effectively, promotes good moral themes for kids.

The Mask

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: July 29, 1994

DVD Release Date: March 26, 2007

Plot 411: An unassuming man finds a mask that gives him extraordinary powers.

Review: Stanley (Jim Carrey) is a nice guy who everyone walks all over until he finds a magical mask. When he puts it on, he turns into Mr. Popular, the complete opposite of his personality. With his newly found bravery, he seeks comical revenge on all his bullies. With the mask, he can bend reality and make all his desires appear. However, the police become suspicious about the mask's power and of Stanley's connection to it. The mob also wants to get their hands on the powerful maks. Can Stanley still come out on top and win the girl (played by Cameron Diaz)?These were the days when Jim Carrey was at his best. His comical facial features are hilarious, proving he was in top form. The wacky fantasy animation just adds to the hilarity of each scene and pushes everything over the top. While the animation techniques look dated, I think they're acceptable because this movie is very cartoonish. It's a fun movie that kids will still enjoy for its outrageousness. The dog is also cute.

Watch It: For classic Jim Carrey lines like, "Smokin'!" or "Somebody stop me!"

Skip It: If you like more of Carrey's sophisticated works like Eternal Sunshine Of A Spotless Mind.

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.

Salt

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: July 23, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: CIA agent Evelyn Salt is accused of being a Russian spy involved in an assassination plot.

Review: Just as Russian expert Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) and her boss Ted Winter (Liev Schreiber) head home for the day, they're called back to interrogate Russian ex-pat Vassily Orlov (Daniel Olbrychski) who claims to have information about a plot to start a war between America and the world. As Salt interviews Orlov, he tells her a story about Russian children who are trained for the ultimate act of terrorism. These children were inserted into American society many years ago and await activation. One of those children was named Evelyn Salt. After this revelation, Salt must prove her innocence and allegiance to America. Despite a few plot holes and a plot that was predictable, this was an enjoyable action-packed thriller that I think many people will like. Jolie is in top physical form and doing a lot of activity - from hand-to-hand combat to riding atop moving vehicles. Despite being out of the game since 2008's Wanted, she's still got her girl power on. One thing I liked about this character is that she didn't use her sex appeal (by way of revealing or skin-tight clothes) to get the job done. She just kicked ass on her own. I found Schreiber to be just as creepy as always. For some reason, he just gives off that vibe to me. Even though I realize this is an action movie and erratic camera movement creates a sense of urgency, I found some of the shots distracting. It's hard to see the true beauty of some fights because the camera is shaking so much and so tight on the subjects. I long for the day when directors reintroduce the wide angle action sequences. C'mon directors! Take a page out of John Woo's action book. Also in this film is Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Watch It: For the wide array of action sequences that go nonstop.

Skip It: If you're susceptible to motion sickness.

Pandorum

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 29, 2009

DVD Release Date: January 19, 2010

Plot 411: Two members of a spaceship flight crew awaken after a long sleep and are completely disoriented and must figure out what happened.

Review: Bower (Ben Foster) wakes up suddenly and frees himself from a hyper-sleep capsule in a ship that has lost its power. At first he doesn't know who he is and his memory is fragmented. An hour later, his superior officer Payton (Dennis Quaid) awakens as well. The two decide to explore the ship and find the nuclear reactor in order to jump start the power. On Bower's journey, he meets exceptionally powerful humanoid creatures that are quick and deadly. He also meets surviving ship members and they must piece together their collective memory in order to figure out what has happened. This was an awesome sci-fi action thriller. It even leans toward horror more than most sci-fi movies. The practical effects used for the creatures are great. Unfortunately, it's difficult to see much of them until almost the end. The movie did a good job creating a feeling of isolation, desperation and confusion. As a viewer, I felt caught up in Bower's world. What's happening? Who are these people? Where are they? Is it an alien? The audience can definitely relate to his situation because it's as baffling for us as it is for him. They even include a foreign language, which I'm pretty sure is Vietnamese, without subtitles to add to the confusion. Also in this film are Antje Traue, Cung Le and Cam Gigandet.

Watch It: Because the general concept is pretty awesome and there are so many possibilities.

Skip It: If you're into the technical aspects about space flight and things of that nature. Who knows how accurate this is even if it is set in the future?

Predators

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: July 7, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: A group of killers are dropped into a foreign jungle and come face to face with even bigger killers.

Review: The movie opens as a man (Adrien Brody) awakens to find he is falling through the air and unable to open up his parachute. What a way to kick off this film! We soon learn he is not the only person to live through the experience when he meets up with seven other people. They are all fierce soldiers in their own way, some who are traditionally trained, like Nikolai (Oleg Taktarov), and others who are just bad asses, like death row inmate Stans (Walton Goggins). There's also a female operative (Alice Braga), a doctor (Topher Grace) and some other trained killers. As the group tries to figure out where they are and what is going on, they are attacked by foreign creatures. They learn that the tables are switched and the hunters are not the hunted. I thought this was a really good way to reboot the Predator franchise. It's a new imagining of an old favorite. I found some of the action hard to follow though because of all the shaky cam jerkiness. Also, the plot and dialogue wasn't all that great. My biggest critique is that despite being named Predators, it takes a long time for a predator to show up on screen. How is this possible? The special effects aren't mindblowingly good either. Also in this movie is Laurence Fishburne and Danny Trejo.

Watch It: If you're a fan of sci-fi action flicks.

Skip It: If you're expecting this new film to make incredible use of technology.

Inception

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: July 8, 2010 (United Kingdom) / July 13, 2010 (USA)

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: A team of extractors are hired to insert themselves into a man's subconscious in order to alter his behavior.

Review: This is truly a masterpiece in the sci-fi thriller arena. The main character, Dom Cobb, is played by Leonardo DiCaprio. He is the team leader of a group of hired extractors who can insinuate themselves into your dreams to unlock your deepest secrets. Cobb is hired by Saito (Ken Watanabe) for a job that most think is impossible. He must plant an idea into the mind of Robert Fischer, Jr. (Cillian Murphy), the heir to a corporation that rivals Saito's. Cobb's team consists of Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Ariadne (Ellen Page), Eames (Tom Hardy) and Yusuf (Dileep Rao). Together the create a labyrinth of dreams and must synchronize their descent into the subconscious. This is definitely a movie that is worth watching more than once. It is a cerebral film that manipulates reality and fantasy until you're not exactly sure which world you're in. The concepts are quite complex to wrap your mind around and you will leave the theater changed just a little bit. I like how DiCaprio continues to push the boundaries of fact and fiction in this newest forray into the mind.

Watch It: For an excellent effort by DiCaprio, whose performance here is a few steps better than Shutter Island.

Skip It: Because it really is a mind bender.

Surrogates

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 24, 2009

DVD Release Date: January 26, 2010

Plot 411: In a society where people live via their surrogate robot selves, a new weapon is unleashed that can kill the human operators when their robots are killed.

Review: This was an interesting sci-fi thriller starring Bruce Willis as Tom, a cop who is put on an unusual case. He and his partner Peters (Radha Mitchell) arrive at a crime scene with two damaged surrogates, one of them unmarked. They chase down clues to discover that the operators linked to the surrogates are dead. Now the pair must find the weapon and people responsible for this before all of mankind is killed. The idea that people no longer live their lives in their physical form and use robot replacements instead is interesting. It's a comment on our society's reliance on and fascination with technology. The movie highlights how we've actually become crippled by technology as more things are automated and done for us. The deterioration of our human bodies is already reflected in the rise in obesity. I imagine that we aren't too far away from lives as portrayed in the film. Also in this film are Rosamund Pike, Boris Kodjoe, James Cromwell and Ving Rhames.

Watch It: For a glimpse into our future?

Skip It: Because the plot is predicatble. I think they could've done a better job at storytelling.

Heartbreak Ridge

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 5, 1986

DVD Release Date: October 1, 2002

Plot 411: An old war horse whips some unruly Marines into shape despite their slacking ways.

Review: Gunnery Sergeant Highway (Clint Eastwood) avoids forced retirement by being sent back to his old unit. There he is assigned the task of turning a platoon of Marines into real soldiers. The group under his command includes Stitch (Mario Van Peebles), a wannabe rocker, Profile (Tom Villard), a geeky radio man and a muscle-bound Swede (Peter Koch). Highway works to cure their disobedience through routine exercise and keeping them on their toes with his unpredictable behavior. I enjoyed this movie quite a bit despite the fact that there wasn't much action. Even though it's a military flick, most of the movie takes place on base as Highway trains the men. Eastwood is convincing as this old school Marine who seems to clash with the younger men and newer techniques. His age and style are a point of contention for the upper brass.

Watch It: For multiple scenes of Van Peebles singing.

Skip It: If you're looking for a hardcore war movie. I prefer the likes of Apocalypse Now, Saving Private Ryan and Full Metal Jacket.

AVPR: Alien Vs. Predator - Requiem

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 25, 2007

DVD Release Date: April 15, 2008

Plot 411: When an alien bursts from a dead predator's body, the battle between the two species continues and humanity is once again caught in the action.

Review: This movie takes place right after the original Alien Vs. Predator ends. Aliens burst from the dead body of a predator within the predator spaceship. In the ensuing battle, the ship crashes in the Colorado wilderness, and aliens escape. They quickly reproduce by implanting embryos into humans. Receiving the ship's distress signal, one predator is sent back to clean up the mess and do battle with the aliens. Once again, the two species duke it out and human casualties occur. This one wasn't as brainy as the first tried to be, and instead used a different tack. This movie went with more action and more carnage. The plot was just a feeble attempt to link one sequence with the next. The characters are pretty forgettable as well and barely distinguishable from one another. Again, this movie mostly happens at night (of course) and it's hard to see some of the action. I wish they'd just make a villian who was bright yellow so he'd stand out at night.

Watch It: For the carnage and kills.

Skip It: Because despite the action, it's pretty unbearable.

From Paris With Love

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: February 5, 2010

DVD Release Date: June 8, 2010

Plot 411: An intelligence operative gets activated for his first real field assignment and is partnered with an unorthodox cowboy of a spy.

Review: James Reece (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is a young spy who moonlights as the American ambassador to Paris' personal aide. In addition to his duties as an aide, he spends time working small jobs that assist other field agents. However, when he is tasked with getting a senior agent named Wax (John Travolta) out of customs, he is quickly schooled in the ways of international spydom. Travolta and Meyers play well off each other and are able to portray their characters in believable and likeable ways. Wax is incredibly free-spirited and dead bodies pile up fast around him. You can't say he isn't effective. Reece's inexperience reflects the audienece's shock at Wax's method. In an almost carefree manner, Wax shoots up an entire room without flinching. Together Travolta and Meyers are a pretty entertaining comedic duo. The movie's pace was slow going at first as it's trying to establish the scene, but it quickly got into gear. The combination of direcctor Peter Morel and writer Luc Besson worked well in my opinion. When the action blew up, it reall went for it. There were multiple gunfights in close quarters and some decent action sequences.

Watch It: Because it's pretty entertaining and there's a cool scene where Travolta slides down a pole upside down. Wonder where he learned that trick? Carmen Electra's pole dancing video?

Skip It: Because it's probably highly inaccurate as far as the special ops world is concerned. The body count keeps rising and no one blinks an eye.