Planet 51

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: November 20, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: An astronaut lands on an alien world but finds that he is like an alien.

Review: This was a cute animated film starring Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) as Chuck, the captain of a space shuttle, and Justin Long as Lem, the alien teen who discovers him. When Chuck's shuttle lands on a planet, he confidently bounds outside and stakes the American flag into the land to claim it. Little does he know, the land is already claimed by a group of little green beings who live in an idyllic world similar to Earth's 1950s. The green men quickly form a manhunt to capture him because they think he is trying to invade their world and turn them into zombies. The rest of the movie is about Lem's attempt to reunite Chuck with his ship and the obstacles that prevent this occurrence. The movie was mostly light-hearted fun and was filled with many movie and song references throughout. The highlight of the film was the 1950s music. The world of the little green people was a highly stylized version fo the 1950s with hippie protesters and secret government experiments. There was even a hidden base similar to all the Area 51 conspiracies. The movie was humorous and had a quick pace throughout. It didn't spend too much time setting up plot points, which I suppose is very good in a children's film. There were moments of cleverness, but it's mostly just adequate and nothing special. Seann William Scott was very unrecognizable as Skiff, Lem's best friend. Jessica Biel was almost nonexistent as Neera, Lem's crush. Her presence was barely felt and could probably have been eliminated altogether.

Watch It: For your kids beg you to go see this.

Skip It: If you don't have any kids. This isn't a must-see like Wall-E.

Into Temptation

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: April 26, 2009

DVD Release Date: October 27, 2009

Plot 411: A priest tries to save a woman who confesses that she will kill herself on her birthday.

Review: This was a pretty good movie, despite it being kinda slow going. I feel as though something more could've been done with the plot, but I suppose then I'd be making a completely different movie. Jeremy Sisto is Father John, a Catholic priest who takes the confession of a woman (Kristen Chenoweth) who plans to kill herself. Her story is one that is very compelling and heartwrenching, and it creates a desperate need within John. At first I thought it was a sexual need and that he would struggle with his vows. This would've been a good plot. However, as the movie progressed, it was more about his need to save people, which actually falls in line with his calling. This wasn't so exciting. Another theory could be that this search creates a diversion from his ordinarily boring life as a priest. It reminds him of his pre-priest life and demonstrates quite vividly the need people have for guidance and faith. John also reunites with his high school sweetheart who informs him that she is getting a divorce from her husband. This subplot was really unnecessary. John's search for his mystery woman brings him into some seedy areas that raise a red flag of concern by his archbishop. However, nothing really becomes of this because his priest friend (Brian Baumgartner) lies for him. Now that I'm doing this write up, I think I'm going to revise my original statement about this being a pretty good movie. Too many things just don't add up for it to be pretty good. I'll go with interesting but forgettable.

Watch It: If you're Catholic and perhaps might enjoy a reminder about all the rules and regs that go along with it.

Skip It: If you're really looking for a movie that'll keep you awake.

Iron Will

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: March 15, 1994

DVD Release Date: April 23, 2002

Plot 411: A boy enters a dangerous dog sled race to save his family from financial ruin.

Review: I loved this movie as a child because of the themes of honor, courage, sacrifice and friendship. I also loved that it had so many dogs. Hey, I was a kid. What can I say? Mackenzie Astin stars as Will Stoneman, a teen who watches his father fall through thin ice and die in a freak accident. Ridden with guilt, Will blames his father's favorite dog Gus. He also takes on the responsibility of providing for his mother and decides to enter a cross-country dog sled race for the prize money. Afraid he is too young, the race officials deny him access. However, when journalist Henry Kingsley (Kevin Spacey) intervenes the officials let it slide. Getting into the race is only the first of many battles Will faces in the cold wilderness. Through his experience and Henry's writing, Will becomes a star and people cheer for him when he passes through their town. But out in the woods on the snow and ice, all Will has for comfort is his dogs. The starkness of the snowy landscape, which can be beautiful in some films, is menacing and life threatening in this one. Frostbite and dying of the cold are real possibilities in the wilderness. This movie is about Will's inner strength and, in turn, the triumph of the human spirit. It's inspirational and at times can be quite emotional.

Watch It: If you liked White Fang or man's best friend or man vs. the wild-type movies.

Skip It: If you prefer a more light-hearted, snow and ice dog movie in which case you should try Snow Dogs.