Tattoo, A Love Story

Tattoo, A Love Story Trailer

Sorry, guys. I can't find a trailer to embed into the review. I've only got a link (above) to the IMDB trailer.

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 11, 2002

DVD Release Date: September 28, 2004

Plot 411: By-the-books Sara takes a walk on the wild side when she meets Virgil, a tattoo artists brought in by one of her students for show-and-tell.

Review: Sara (Megan Edwards) is a control freak and overachiever vying for Idaho's teacher of the year award. She lives an orderly, perfect life with her long-time boyfriend (Benjamin Burdick). When one of her students brings a tattoo artist (Virgil Mignanelli) to class, she quickly gets on her high horse and judges him as a bad influence on the kids. But curiosity killed the cat, as they say, and she soon finds herself very curious about Virgil. She's never met anyone like him before and soon she's able to let her hair loose (metaphorically and physically speaking). This movie had a fairly common plot, but I liked the honesty of the actors. They portrayed real life as opposed to some fictionalized, dramatized life on screen. For the most part, the characters were likable and the love story is sweet. Was there a lot of action in this movie? No. Was there tremendous heartache and heartbreak? Somewhat, but it was more realistic than the overly dramatic mainstream rom coms. Would I recommend this one? Probably not.

Watch It: If you're a fan of indie flicks and like giving small filmmakers a chance.

Skip It: If you're not.

Amelie

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 25, 2001 (France/Belgium/Switzerland) / November 16, 2001 (USA)

DVD Release Date: July 16, 2002

Plot 411: An isolated girl devotes her life to making others happy and eventually finds happiness for herself.

Review: Audrey Tautou stars as Amelie, a young woman who works in a cafe. She has spent her entire life separate from other people and is always on the outside looking in. She is shy and quiet. When she finds a tin box hidden in the wall of her bathroom, she decides to find its owner and return it to him. Once she sees how much joy this causes, she decides to continue to help people and act like a guardian angel. She receives joy through their joy, even if she is unable to experience it for herself. This movie is pretty amazing from a visual and creative standpoint. One could say that this movie is odd or quirky, maybe even weird, but I think it's intriguing. It's completely obvious that Americans would never be able to make a film like this. This movie is light and funny, charming and sweet. It's almost dream-like in some scenes. I love the colors of the sets and costumes. They're so vibrant sometimes that they seem unreal, and yet this film is set in modern Paris. It's interesting how the every day is woven with the fantastical.

Watch It: If you've ever felt like you're different.

Skip It: If you're one of those mainstream-only moviegoers. This is indie AND foreign. Take that!

Long Life, Happiness & Prosperity

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: 2002 (according to imdb but 2004 according to Netflix)

DVD Release Date: January 1, 2005

Plot 411: A young girl uses Chinese charms to help her lonely mother find love.

Review: Mindy (Valerie Tian) is concerned that her mom Kin (Sandra Oh) is working too hard. Mindy tries to make her happy using charms and spells she learns from a book. However, her charms go awry and affect other people in town, including a man who loses his job (Chang Tseng) and another who wins the lottery (Ric Young). This was an interesting look at the differences between traditional and modern Chinese beliefs. It also touched on some requisite Asian issues like filial piety, honor and religion. I think it's wonderful that Asian cultures are portrayed in mainstream media, so in that aspect this movie is a success. I don't know where the setting was for this movie (probably somewhere in Canada), but it was good to see a Chinese community and so many Asian actors playing leading roles. What was really interesting was the contrast of joy and sorrow and how sometimes what may seem to be a positive experience can really be a negative one (and vice versa). Most of all, this film shows you the importance of making sure you appreciate your life despite the ups and downs that come your way.

Watch It: For a great performance from Tian and Oh.

Skip It: Because the plot meandered along slowly and never really realized its potential, in my opinion.

In A Day

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: May 9, 2007 (Spain) / August 24, 2007 (USA)

DVD Release Date: January 26, 2010

Plot 411: A girl has the best day of her life with a man who frequents her sandwich shop.

Review: This is one of those indie rom coms in the vein of Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, but it's not done as well. That's not to say it isn't good. It's just not as good as the other two. The a movie is dialogue heavy and conversation flows between the two main characters, Ashley (Lorraine Pilkington) and Michael (Finlay Robertson). They walk or ride around in the city, and just about everything happens within the timeframe of one day. Ashley meets Michael after experiencing a horrible incident and is hesitant when he offers to take her to lunch. However, despite the anxiety caused by the previous scenario, she agrees and ends up spending the entire day with him. He takes her from one place to the next and continually surprises her with treats. He's quirky and mysterious, and Ashley isn't sure what to make of him. Like good indie movies, the plot seems like it comes straight out of real life. The characters seem genuine (and aren't absurdly beautiful) and relatable. What I love most about films like this is the authenticity. Between Ashley and Michael, there are awkward pauses, self-conscious gestures, stuttering, verbal falters and other embarrassing, yet natural, faux paus.

Watch It: For a somewhat heavy plot twist (for a rom com).

Skip It: Because the build up of the twist is a lot better than its resolution, which happens too quickly in my opinion.

Wake

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: Can't find a date so I'm not sure it ever had a wide release.

DVD Release Date: April 20, 2010

Plot 411: An emotionally stunted woman finally opens herself up to someone she meets at a funeral.

Review: Carys (Bijou Phillips) doesn't cry. She doesn't feel any emotions really. Through her friendship with mortician Shane (Danny Masterson), she is able to get the scoop on all the good funerals and attends them in an effort to feel something. This strategy to induce emotions doesn't work despite all of her efforts until she meets Tyler (Ian Somerhalder). Tyler is mourning the loss of his fiancee. In an awkward moment, Carys lies to him and we all know what a slippery slope that is. When Tyler becomes a suspect in his fiancee's death, Carys doesn't know whether to come clean or keep her moouth shut for fear of her safety. This is an interesting little picture about everyday people and how they deal with their world. Some of the scenes and acting are a bit hokey, especially between Phillips and Somerhalder. With different actors, perhaps the lines would be more entertaining and funny. Things were just too predictable. I think Masterson's performance was the best thing about this movie. He's deadpan delivery is exceptional. Also in this film are Ian Gomez, James Eckhouse and Jane Seymour.

Watch It: Specifically for Somerhalder's piercing blue eyes. Other than that, skip it.

Skip It: Because I think it the movie didn't have a vision and meandered between the mainstream and indie versions of a rom com. I say pick a side and stick to it.

Once

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: March 23, 2007 (Ireland) / May 16, 2007 (USA)

DVD Release Date: December 18, 2007

Plot 411: An Irish vacuum repairer and a Czech florist embark on a musical journey.

Review: This was a great example of an indie flick because it had a very intimate and real feeling about it. The guy (Glen Hansard) is a struggling musician playing for pennies on the sidewalk. He and his guitar sing about lost love and heartache. The girl (Marketa Irglova) hears him one day and is intrigued by his music. When the guy finds out she's a pianist, he convinces her to make music with him. Now that's not some newfangled jive that the kids are using these days. What I mean is that they literally make music together, and it's all performed on film. It's a modern-day musical and I definitely loved it. The guy and the girl (who are never named) spend the next few days getting to know each other and doing something they both love. The fact that the main characters are unnamed enhances the idea that they represent every man/woman.

Watch It: For the songs, which are really awesome. "Falling Slowly" won an Oscar for Best Original Song. Makes me wanna learn how to play it on the uke :)

Skip It: Because it doesn't have any bells and whistles. It's low budget.

Modify

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: 2005

DVD Release Date: August 28, 2007

Plot 411: Documentary about all kinds of body modifications.

Review: Dayum, this movie is definitely not for the faint of heart. Surprisingly though, I was more queasy watching the regular plastic surgery bits than the "radical" body modifications. This doc interviewed a ton of people within and outside of the body modification world. This included plastic surgeons (because boob jobs and face lifts are mods), bodybuilders (because ginormous arms, legs and chests are body mods), tattoo/piercing artists (because they're actually responsible for the mods) and industry innovators (the grandfathers of the movement). Overall, it was amazing to see what people do to their bodies and the lengths to which they take it. I found the mohawk implants pretty cool looking to be honest. Also, tattooing has come such a long way that it really is an artform now. For me, this doc was more about personal liberties and freedoms than about the extreme ways in which people demonstrated this. However, you gotta admit that subdermal implants on your arms, legs and head are pretty in-your-face ways to show this. Some people have taken it pretty far and have changed the way they look to imitate animals. There's a lizard guy and a tiger guy. Amazing to look at! There were also clips of people doing performance art (ie. hanging from hooks, sticking sharp objects through their faces and mouth, etc.), which slightly resembles the freak shows from yesteryear. I'm sure the performers get some sort of gratification by shocking people, but I also think there's a lot of them who do it for other reasons too, such as spiritual, mind-over-matter-type phenomenons. The lizard guy made a good point - that humanity exists on a sliding scale of normality. What one person does to modify themselves (like coloring their hair to cover up their greys, pumping iron or tattooing their entire body) is subjective and normalcy and/or extremes can only be determined by the individual. Why should one type of modification be more accepted than the others? I guess to quote lyrics from an En Vogue song, "Free your mind and the rest will follow."

Watch It: If you can handle surgery clips of breast augmentations, breast reductions, liposuction, tummy tucks, hair implants, genital piercing, tongue splitting (I have no clue what this is officially called), branding, scarring and subdermal implanting.

Skip It: If you've already fainting by this point.

The Wedding Weekend

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: May 27, 2007

DVD Release Date: May 5, 2009

Plot 411: An a capella group reunites after 15 years when one of the guys gets married.

Review: This movie apparently went through a lot of title changes (aka Shut Up And Sing and Sing Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace), but you should see any version you can. The movie is about a close group of college friends who reunite to sing at one of their upcoming weddings. Not having practiced in years, they get together before the ceremony at a lodge in the Hamptons. They bring their wives and girlfriends and kick back before the wedding. Not only does the movie show a significant amount of singing, but it's funny as all get out. The guys all have distinct personalities and are equally hilarious. You can't help but feel the IQ and maturity levels drop when they're all in a room together, which is probably an accurate depiction of real life. You feel like you're a part of their group. It reminds you of your own crazy friends and the special bond you have. The movie was thoroughly enjoyable. Despite the fact that the guys are the main focus of the film, I don't really recognize any of them. In fact, I recognize their significant others a lot more (Elizabeth Reaser, Molly Shannon and Rosemarie DeWitt).

Watch It: For an rollicking good time.

Skip It: If you find the somewhat cheesy, a capella vibe annoying.

The Tournament

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 8, 2009

DVD Release Date: October 20, 2009

Plot 411: Every seven years a tournament of the world's best assassins is held for money and pride.

Review: From what I can tell, this is a straight-to-DVD affair starring Kelly Hu (Lai Lai), Ving Rhames (Joshua) and Robert Carlyle (Father MacAvoy). Seven years ago, Joshua participated in and won the tournament of assassins. He was the last man standing and walked away with the money. Now, seven years later, he enters the tournament for a different reason - to avenge the murder of his wife and unborn child. Lai Lai and 28 other of the world's best are also playing the game, and they eliminate each other until there is only one left standing. The man running the show uses all kinds of high tech gadgets to monitor the players from a confined room where others bet on the winner. When unsuspecting Catholic priest Father MacAvoy gets caught up in the game, Lai Lai attempts to keep him safe while avoiding her own elimination. As far as action thrillers go, this one is not bad. There are some terrific special effects as you can imagine since there are 30 people's deaths up for grabs. A lot of the kills are creatively done, which makes the effects that much more awesome. From sniper shots to face-to-face battles, this movie offers up some kick-ass ass kicking. The plot is nonexistent and is just in place to set up the next kill. Still, isn't that just what we want? Also in this film is Ian Somerhalder.

Watch It: Definitely for all the action set pieces and the quirky characters.

Skip It: Because, really, if you want blood and guts you can just turn on your TV and watch the news.

Brief Interviews With Hideous Men

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: September 25, 2009

DVD Release Date: March 16, 2010

Plot 411: A grad student interviews men for her thesis and learns more about herself in the process.

Review: Julianne Nicholson plays Sara, a woman who has recently burned by love and is focusing her efforts on her research project to uncover the motivations of men. Through interviews with subjects, she gathers information about their fears and desires. Their anecdotes help her analyze her own situation with her ex, played by John Krasinski. Even after watching this, I don't really understand what it's all about. So, if you've seen this flick definitely leave a comment and demystify it for me. The movie is quirky because the interviews make it seem like a documentary but there are also characters that speak directly into the camera and serve as narrators. What's the movie really trying to say? Does it even know? The movie featured cameos by Timothy Hutton, Chris Messina, Will Arnett, Will Forte, Dominic Cooper and Christopher Meloni.

Watch It: And help a sistah out by 'splaining it to me.

Skip It: If you don't want to bust your brains on one of these high concept endeavors.

Nights And Weekends

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: October 10, 2008

DVD Release Date: August 25, 2009

Plot 411: A long-distance couple are confronted with the realities of living in two different cities and having two different lives.

Review: Greta Gerwig and Joe Swanberg are Mattie and James, a couple whose relationship spans many cities. Mattie lives in New York and James lives in Chicago. All they have are quickie weekend trips to and fro to make their relationship work. The film explores, in a very realistic way, the joy and hardships of long-distance dating. I liked how the film presented the utter ecstasy of reuniting as well as the awkardness of getting reacquainted. The bickering and squabbles that Mattie and James endure are perfect examples of real life. The dialogue is authentic and honest, complete with stuttering and pauses. The characters feel so real. There are no body doubles. There is no hair and makeup. It's as if a real couple's lives are being filmed. This is what makes this movie unique. Gerwig is a really great actress who is able to transform her emotions in mere seconds. The discomfort and uneasiness that Mattie and Joe experience each time they meet reminds me of those weird high school moments. You don't really know the person except that you do. You're dating the person but you're not really. That limbo is so beautifully portrayed.

Watch It: If you like mumblecore because this is pretty typical of the genre.

Skip It: If you're hoping there's a resolution to anything.

The Vicious Kind

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 11, 2009

DVD Release Date: February 23, 2010

Plot 411: An intimate look at the relationship between two brothers and their father.

Review: This was an awesome little indie film that was disturbing, heartbreaking, realistic and hopeful. Adam Scott is Caleb, a construction worker who is tortured by his ex-girlfriend. He is emotionally shattered and unable to sleep at night. Caleb is afraid that his younger brother Peter (Alex Frost) will also be hurt because he is bringing his new girlfriend Emma (Brittany Snow) home for the first time. Caleb's actions toward both Peter and Emma are rude and obnoxious without just cause. He also does not have a good relationship with his father Donald (J.K. Simmons) and the two haven't spoken for eight years. At first, you believe Caleb is just another asshole, but as the plot unfolds you realize that there's more going on. Just like every family, this one has its secrets. Then the line between right and wrong is crossed, making it difficult to see who is the real victim in this situation. Scott puts in an amazing performance and portrays a broken man who is torn between reality and fantasy. You should watch this just for his facial expressions alone, which are extremely revealing and honest. The movie focuses on emotional and psychological health without actually analyzing it. It doesn't judge the characters' actions or motives and lets the audience decide for itself. You realize that things are not always black and white.

Watch It: Because it's got some great character moments and the plot makes subtle twists and turns.

Skip It: Because it's a bit raw at times.

Peter And Vandy

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: October 9, 2009

DVD Release Date: February 9, 2010

Plot 411: One Manhattan couple's saga of love and all of its ups and downs.

Review: Jason Ritter and Jess Weixler play the starring roles in this indie romantic comedy about love. Every aspect of their relationship is covered - from the awkward first moments to comfortable coupledom - and filmed in a way that captures the good and bad in equal measure. The plot unfolds in medias res and continues non-linearly so you're never quite sure which space in time is the present time. This technique adds to the uncertainty that is inherent in many relationships. Ritter's performance is charming in all his stumblings and sometimes socially inept behavior. Weixler comes across as having certain insecurity and control issues. Both characters are lovable because they are genuinely like people you know. While you stare at the trainwreck that is their relationship, you also see how meant to be they are. This film captures modern-day romances in an honest, unforgiving light that appealed to me. I recognized many people I know in these characters and situations that it's almost scary how realistic this movie is.

Watch It: For another amazing performance by Ritter. I hope he continues his indie trend and stays away from all the mainstream B.S. that's out there.

Skip It: Because there's no real point to the film. It's like every other relationship you know with an indefinite start and end point.

Lovely & Amazing

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: August 31, 2001

DVD Release Date: November 26, 2002

Plot 411: Life lived in a family dominated by women and all of their insecurities.

Review: I really enjoyed this quirky indie flick about the lives of a mother and her daughters. Everything was based in reality and nothing was sugar coated. Life is lived one day at a time and you take the ups and downs as they come. This movie came across as very genuine and honest. There were no easy answers or solutions to the issues that confront the characters. Brenda Blethyn plays Jane, the matriarch of a family of daughters who decides to get lypo done. During this time, she asks her daughters, Michelle (Catherine Keener) and Elizabeth (Emily Mortimer), to look after her youngest, Annie (Raven Goodwin). Annie is a black girl who Jane adopted, and she struggles with ideas of beauty. Michelle is a artist who canot sell any of her crafts and is unhappily married to man that's cheating on her. Elizabeth is an insecure actress constantly questioning her self worth. All the characters are threatened by their own personal demons, and the film comments on the fact that these insecurites are passed from one generation to the next despite all the love that the family has for one another. Also in this film are Jake Gyllenhaal and Dermot Mulroney.

Watch It: For the realistic portrayal of the absurdity that is life. People are really messed up.

Skip It: Because it's one of those movies that doesn't really have a beginning, middle or end. You walk away without a resolution because life can't just be wrapped up in 90 minutes.

The Debut

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: May 18, 2000

DVD Release Date: September 9, 2003

Plot 411: A Filipino-American boy struggles to accept his culture and rebels against his father's attempts to control him.

Review: This is a unique movie simply because of its topic and the people who came together to see it get made. It stars Dante Basco (otherwise known as Rufio in Hook) as Ben, a Filipino-American teen who is caught between two worlds - the culture and beliefs of his parents and the culture in which he lives right now. He is a great artist and wants to go to college to pursue his art, but his father (Tirso Cruz III) wants him to go to medical school. Father and son both think they know best and fight each other without really listening to one another. Caught in the middle are Ben's mom (Gina Alajar) and sister Rose (Bernadette Balagtas). Desperately trying to distance himself from his family and roots, he emmerses himself in the American culture and befriends to white guys. He's ashamed of who he is and doesn't want to expose his friends to the weirdness of his family. It's not until Rose's debut party that Ben finally opens up and experiences what being Filipino means and just who he is because of it. Most of the acting done in this film is amateurish, except for the some of the supporting roles that are done by well-known Filipino actors. However, a lot of the interaction done by the younger actors is quite stiff and obviously not subtle at all. Despite this, the movie is worth a look see because its themes are still prevalant, especially in Hawaii where so many cultures and immigrants converge. The idea of filial piety conflicts with the American notion of independence. Do you sacrifice your dreams in order to comply with your family's hopes for you? Because, look how much they've sacrificed for you. How spoiled you are to disagree with plans and a life that has been set for you. Or do you hurt the people closest to you by following your dreams - dreams that do not quite fall into their idea of what a successful person is?

Watch It: If you're an immigrant's child. No matter what color you are, you'll be able to relate to the struggle for identity.

Skip It: If you can't see beyond the so-so storytelling and bad acting. I mean, the acting is really pretty bad at some points.

Only The Brave

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: February 17, 2006

DVD Release Date: November 10, 2009

Plot 411: During WWII, many Japanese Americans volunteered to fight for their country despite facing outright racism in many parts of the country. This is their story.

Review: This was a great portrayal of the lives of the men in the 100th/442nd regimental combat team in both civilian and military life. Starring Lane Nishikawa, Jason Scott Lee, Mark Dacascos, Yuji Okumoto, Tamlyn Tomita and Pat Morita, this film was set in France as they soldiers tried to save a stranded Texas unit that was surrounded by Germans. Through flashbacks, the audience gets a glimpse of what life was like for many of the soldiers. The use of Pidgin is highly entertaining and carried out pretty authentically for the most part. However, on occasion, it sounds forced. I think this has more to do with the actors' abilities than their grasp of the slangs. Movies like this are a necessity in a world that sometimes fails to recognize or remember its past. Lessons can be learned through past actions if only we pause to acknowledge them. It's quite sad that this film didn't get a wider release. It seems to have made the film festival rounds but was not picked up for a wide release.

Watch It: If you have relatives who perhaps were part of this elite group of men for a better understanding of what they may have gone through and why they may not talk about it.

Skip It: If you're already a history buff and perhaps have already done your research on this group of men. I'm not sure how accurate any of this is and it might set off warning lights in your mind if you're proficient in all the goings on.

Everybody Wants To Be Italian

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 5, 2008

DVD Release Date: February 3, 2009

Plot 411: A romantic fishmonger who was dumped by his girlfriend eight years ago still believes she is his soulmate until he becomes friends with a veterinarian and the definition of fate becomes hazy.

Review: Jake (Jay Jablonski), the owner of a fish market, has been chasing his married ex-girlfriend for eight years trying to convince her to get back with him. His friends think he's crazy and introduce him to a nice girl named Marisa (Cerina Vincent) at an Italian singles event. The unique thing is that neither Jake or Marissa are Italian, but they are surrounded by well-meaing Italian friends and neighbors that add a ton of humor to this film. After an awkward first date where Jake tells Marisa about his "girlfriend," things become rocky. However, Jake challenges her to be friends and she accepts. As they get to know each other, misunderstandings between them occur, but in a cheeky rom com way, everything wraps up in the end. The best part of this film is the banter between Jake and his two friends at the market Steve (John Capelos) and Gianluca (John Enos III). These two guys are totally unabashed by what they say or how they act. They're two of the most real characters in the film - just guys being guys. While definitely not the worst rom com I've seen, it's nothing to write home about. There really isn't any chemistry between Jablonski and Vincent despite all of their physical beauty. In reality, the Jake character is quite obnoxious and annoying. Penny Marshall and Dan Cortese have small cameos in this film.

Watch It: If you're a fan of Boston because the film seems to take the audience to many different neighborhoods.

Skip It: If you're looking for an emotional rom com with some feeling behind it.

American Pastime

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: May 13, 2007

DVD Release Date: May 22, 2007

Plot 411: The Nomura family is relocated from Los Angeles to Topaz Relocation Camp in Utah during World War II and finds comfort in baseball.

Review: This film is about the lives of Japanese Americans during WWII who were interned in camps because of the color of their skin. It follows the Nomura family from L.A. to Utah as they settle into barracks behind barbed wire fences. They face discrimination by society and by the military guards that oversee them. However, with their dignity in tact, they manage to form a life within the fences that is as close to normal as possible. Depsite the injustice they continue to hold their heads high and never complained about their situations. Aaron Yoo plays Lyle, the youngest son of Kaz (Masatoshi Nakamura) and Emi (Judy Ongg), who gave up a college athletic scholarship when the war broke out. He is angry and bitter and pulls away from his family, including his older brother Lane (Leonardo Nam). He finds comfort in the jazz music he plays and befriends Katie (Sarah Drew), the daughter of one of the guards (Gary Cole) and music teacher to the children.

Watch It: For a rare film that openly addresses the atrocities that happened on U.S. soil during WWII and manages to do it with dignity.

Skip It: If you're purely looking at it from a movie perspective. While the subject matter is compelling, the storytelling is weak. It wasn't as poignant and emotional as I think it could've been. With a topic like this, why not "go for broke?"

2 Days In Paris

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: May 17, 2007 (Germany) / August 10, 2007 (USA)

DVD Release Date: February 2, 2008

Plot 411: After a romantic vacation, a quick stop in Paris to visit family should be easy, right?

Review: In this quirky, indie rom com, Marion (Julie Delpy) and Jack's (Adam Goldberg) relationship face many obstacles when they make a stop to visit her parents. As they walk through the streets of Paris, they meet many of Marion's former lovers. Jack, who is quite neurotic in everyday life, gets extremely paranoid about the stability of their relationship. After two years together, he finds that he doesn't really know the person he loves. The film cleverly portrays a love story that is more genuine and relatable than most. It's use of scenes with heavy dialogue will probably bore some viewers, but in those overly talkative scenes I found so much humor and truth. Delpy and Goldberg work well together and have a great chemistry with one another. The vibe I get from this film is similar to Delpy's Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, films that play like a peek into people's lives. The wittiness and irreverent way in which it looks at relationships cuts away at the rose-tinted romances of other movies.

Watch It: For its honest look at two people's insecurities and imperfections.

Skip It: If your idea of a romance is heart-wrenching like The Notebook.

Away We Go

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: June 5, 2009

DVD Release Date: September 29, 2009

Plot 411: One couple's cross-country journey in search of home.

Review: Burt (John Krasinski) and Verona (Maya Rudolph) are soon-to-be parents searching for a place to start over and raise their family. On their journey, they visit friends and family across the US in hopes of finding the perfect location. As they travel, they encounter a diverse selection of parenting styles, child-rearing issues and potential marital problems. This is a sweet road movie about a couple who is ready for the next big stage in life. They begin by looking toward others for advice about how their lives should be. They wonder if they're screw ups. However, as they go along they grow as a couple and realize that nothing matters besides their family. There's no need to conpare notes with anyone because each family's goals are different. There are some great performances from supporting actors, like Catherine O'Hara, Jeff Daniels, Jim Gaffigan, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Chris Messina. But the best supporting role was performed by Allison Janey.

Watch It: For the very cool music by Alexi Murdoch.

Skip It: If you're not into indie romantic comedies because I'd say this is a pretty good representation of that genre.