She's The Man

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: March 17, 2006

DVD Release Date: July 18, 2006

Plot 411: A girl goes undercover as her twin brother and joins the boys soccer team to prove that girls can play.

Review: Yes, this is a teen movie, and yes, I did watch it . . . more than once if you'd like to know. But, I have an ulterior motive that isn't just to see Channing Tatum in all his glory. My real reason (or so I continue to tell myself) is that I used to play soccer and can never pass up a movie with soccer in it. I like to critique the actors since more often than not they don't know how to play. Fortunately, this movie hired a lot of extras who actually knew what they were doing and the main actors were athletic enough to pull it off. Unfortunately, Amanda Bynes didn't. Oh well, it'd be expecting too much for the entire cast to look good. Other than that, I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot (based on Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night"). It's a typical teen movie with love triangles and social hierarchy coming into play. David Cross is hilarious in his role.

Watch It: If you enjoy other films like "She's All That," "Can't Hardly Wait," "Cinderella Story" or any of the other popular teen movies in recent decades. Another two good reasons are Channing Tatum and Robert Hoffman.

Skip It: If you're over the whole "love him, hate him, love him again" whirlwind of teenage crushes and first loves.

Trailer:

Wanted

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: June 27, 2008

DVD Release Date: December 1, 2008

Plot 411: Wesley, a regular Joe Schmoe, is recruited by a guild of assassins to seek revenge on his father's killer.

Review: The action sequences and CGI in this movie were pretty interesting. It almost seemed to be breaking new ground with some of the tricks, but I'm not sure if that's really accurate. There was also a lot of humor despite the serious nature of training an assassin. I wouldn't exactly say that this is Morgan Freeman's best role but it was different, that's for sure. (The last time I'd seen him was in "Bucket List." This was a total departure from that character.) I also have to admit that Angelina Jolie is looking old in this film. Normally she looks very voluptuous, but she seemed a little skinny here. I wonder if that's because of Brad or because of the kids? Also, I've had a thing for James McAvoy ever since "The Last King of Scotland," but somehow he hasn't been able to live up to my expectations in any of his follow-up roles. This one was no different.

Watch It: If you're an action junkie or love Angelina (spoiler: there's a shot of her from the rear that is a must-see for you guys . . . and some girls too, I suppose.).

Skip It: If, like me, James McAvoy spoiled you with his performance in "The Last King of Scotland." He definitely doesn't live up to his Dr. Garrigan character here.

Trailer:

Wall-E

Rating: G

Movie Release Date: June 27, 2008

DVD Release Date: November 18, 2008

Plot 411: Humans have long since killed the Earth and left to live in outer space, but one robot remains to clean up their mess.

Review: Let me just say this now - I almost cried watching this movie with it's robot beeps and whirls. Yes, it was that touching. It's amazing how sound can create such emotion in animation as well as in humans. It was beautiful. That being said, this movie totally lived up to all the hype I had heard when it was first released. And yes, it seems to be the first animated film to address our environmental concerns. It was definitely part of the movie, but it honestly got overshadowed by the robot lovefest that was going on.

Watch It: For the sound effects, animation, message and love story.

Skip It: If you're looking to escape in a film filled with action and gore rather than be confronted with thought-provoking messages.

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