Alpha Dog

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: January 12, 2007

DVD Release Date: May 1, 2007

Plot 411: When a guy won't pay his debt, his dealer kidnaps his kid brother to get back at him.

Review: I just don't know what went wrong with this one. The previews looked good and the cast includes some of Hollywood's up-and-coming young actors, but this just wasn't a good movie. A young drug dealer named Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch), who I think is just a rich poser, is insulted when Jake Mazursky (Ben Foster) refuses to pay his debt and breaks into his house. Truelove and his gang decide to confront Mazursky but run into his little brother Zack (Anton Yelchin) instead. They throw him in a van and kidnap him, but they don't really know what to do with him. The gang kicks back and Zack enjoys their company. He even refuses to leave when given a chance. But things soon get real when Truelove decides to kill Zack rather than ask for a ransom. His gang must man up to the task and try not to get caught or automatically face time in jail if they let Zack go. The script was based on real events that happened in Santa Barbara County. The kids involved were seriously just kids. The oldest was only 21. How could they cause the death of another person? Was it just a disconnect between life and death? Were they so drugged out that they didn't feel remorse or guilt or shame? It's just crazy. What the movie did get right was the nonchalant attitudes that the boys had. Life seemed to be one big party that never ended. Also starring in this movie was Justin Timberlake, Sharon Stone, Fernando Vargas, Lukas Haas, Amanda Seyfried and Bruce Willis.

Watch It: For an interesting look at the inner workings of a quasi-gang atmosphere.

Skip It: If you have a low tolerance for youthful stupidity.

Milk

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: November 26, 2008

DVD Release Date: March 10, 2009

Plot 411: A gay San Francisco merchant runs for political office and becomes a leader in the gay community.

Review: This was an inspiring and touching movie about the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office. Sean Penn plays the lead and completely reinvents himself in his portrayal of a man who changed lives. Milk's life was a testament to what one person can do to evoke real change in a community, political system and world. Fighting not only for gay rights, but for minorities, seniors, the disabled community and everyone in between, Milk ultimately died for his cause. The film's mix of reenacted and historical footage added to the authenticity and emotion of the characters and setting. This movie's focus was not primarily on gay rights, but something much more universal - human rights and equality. Also starring in this film are Josh Brolin (whose career has definitely skyrocketed since his time on the series "Young Riders"), Emile Hirsch (who I loved in Into the Wild and Lords of Dogtown), James Franco (who is quite possibly cuter as a gay man in this film than he is as a rich one in Spiderman) and Diego Luna (who I loved along with Gael Garcia Bernal in Y tu mama tambien).

Watch It: To be inspired to get up and make a difference and to learn about a social leader not covered in text books.

Skip It: Only if you absolutely must. Stick it in your queue until you find some time to watch it.

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