"The Narrows"

Kevin Zegers
Vincent D'Onofrio
Sophia Bush
Eddie Cahill
Monica Keena
Roger Rees
Michael Kelly
Titus Welliver
Tony Cucci
Anthony Fazio




R           106min           2008




A 19 year old Brooklyn boy who is torn between two worlds when his photography portfolio wins him a partial scholarship to NYU. He must figure out how to balance his Italian neighborhood roots with the expansive, sophisticated world on the other side of the East River. This compelling coming-of-age story combines suspense, murder and loyalty. Based on Tim McLoughlin's novel "Heart of the Old Country." Written by Anonymous on IMDB.com

“The Narrows” I totally found by accident. I was previewing movies for next weeks release when I came across this film. I like all the main starts so I watched and was surprised by this drama. I could relate to this drama. I think most people could relate to the realism of the drama based on Based on Tim McLoughlin's novel "Heart of the Old Country.

The way its told is somewhat disconjunctive like NCIS at the breaks. Certain defining moments are out of place and in black and white; then everything leading up to it is told. If you watch NCIS is old hat but for this film it felt interesting and it worked for “The Narrows” because it got you wondering happening.

From the special features the original source material took place in the seventies. I think the way the updated and made it relevant and modern worked. Like Sophia Bush said in the special features you can imagine this happening right now somewhere in the city. I'm hoping that “they” can make it out just as Mike did.

If you in the mood for a good gritty drama then this will film that hunger. It had great acting from Vincent D'Onofrio, I don't think he's every met a part he couldn't play. The drama is sound, intelligent and relevant. “The Narrows” will not disappoint movie fans.

I give “The Narrows” 3 out of 5.

"Law Abiding Citizen"

Jamie Foxx
Gerard Butler
Bruce McGill
Colm Meaney
Leslie Bibb
Regina Hall
Michael Irby
Gregory Itzin
Christian Stolte
Annie Corley
Richard Portnow






R           108min           2009



A brilliant sociopath who orchestrates a series of high-profile murders that grip the city of Philadelphia - all from inside his jail cell - and the prosecutor assigned to his case who realizes he is the only one who can end the reign of terror. Written by Overture Films


Butler's performance had me gripped and rooting for him. Most would call him the villain of the story but I found him to be an anti-hero. He is charismatic and makes valid points. I felt that Foxx's Rice was too arrogant and never truly learned his lessons. Its more lip service to Butler's Shelton.

I think people will walk away from this film missing the point, Shelton was trying to make. I think people are too jaded to get the message. If Shelton were a real life person and had held Philadelphia in that kind of siege, it would have greater impact.

I was entertain from beginning to end. This was one of the better written thrillers. This films stays together from beginning to end. The ending made sense even if I didn't agree with it.

“Law Abiding Citizen” is a tour de force. Its one of those film that reminds me of that John Travolta speech at the beginning of “Swordfish”. If you don't remember or did not pay attention, go back and watch it. That speech and explosive are worth the viewing.


I give “Law Abiding Citizen” 5 out of 5.

"The Rebound"

Catherine Zeta-Jones
Justin Bartha
Lynn Whitfield
Art Garfunkel
Joanna Gleason
Jake Cherry
Kelly Gould











R           97min           2010


25-year-old Aram Finklestein (Justin Bartha) is hired as babysitter by 40-year-old mother Sandy (Catherine Zeta-Jones) for her son Frank and her daughter. They start to love each other.

This one of the best romantic comedies I've seen all year. It was modern breaking many of the stereotypes out there today. This is a movie that felt real and made me laugh when I needed to laugh. It never felt like a fake relationship.

If you did not know, “cougars” have become main stream and popular. Ladies I do use the term affectionately. This was a that has not been seen in many romantic comedies. I hope the success of this film will open the door to more “cougar rom-coms”. Because God knows Older men and younger women have been done to death.

This is a comedy that works the comedy in realistically. The situations of life that are funny. It never tried to hard to be funny it just was.

This is one of the more realistic relationship I have seen on screen. From the development, climax, and to its demises it all seem real. Even the rekindling of the relationship seem real. It left you feeling hopeful for the relationship but never telling you how this relationship was going to work. Its for you to decide.

I give “The Rebound” 4 out of 5.

"The Kingdom"

Jamie Foxx
Chris Cooper
Jennifer Garner
Jason Bateman
Jeremy Piven
Danny Huston
Richard Jenkins
Ashraf Barhom
Ali Suliman
Kyle Chandler
Frances Fisher
Ashley Scott
Anna Deavere Smith

R           119min           2007

When a terrorist bomb detonates inside a Western housing compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an international incident is ignited. While diplomats slowly debate equations of territorialism, FBI Special Agent Ronald Fleury quickly assembles an elite team and negotiates a secret five-day trip into Saudi Arabia to locate the madman behind the bombing. – from Universal Pictures

“The Kingdom”is one of my personal favorite war movies. It is not only a good drama but it’s a good action film. It brought to light situations about the war and the country of Saudi Arabia that I never knew. It contains an outstanding cast that brought what it took to make this film what it is. It is a film, I think, everyone will love; it is just that good.

This film pleases both sides of your brain. The action is gritty, realistic, and in your face. The drama and plot is intelligent and believable. It pulls no punches.

One of the elements that make “The Kingdom” works is that uses realistic culture situations to move the drama. From how much we have influence there technologic, grow to the second-class citizenship of women. It showed how we all have cultural biases, which influence our thinking and the way we interact with other cultures. However it also shows how much cultural similarities we also have.

Peter Berg does a great job of directing this film. He uses an outstanding cast to tell his story and shots that bring the audience into the film. The cast is at the top of their game and melded together excellently. They capture the emotions of the audience. Let the audience get lost in the drama. The action makes you film like you are a fly on the wall of a drama that just a small piece of a bigger picture.

There is a feature commentary with director Peter Berg. There are a few deleted scenes. There are four behind the scene featurettes, Character by Character: The Apartment Shootout, Constructing the Freeway Sequence, Creating the Kingdom, and History of the Kingdom, an interactive timeline. There is only one movie preview “White Noise 2”.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

"Illegal Tender"

Rick Gonzalez
Wanda de Jesus
Dania Ramirez
Tego Calderon
Gary Perez


R           108min           2007



College student Wilson de Leon, Jr. never stood up for himself until the gangsters who killed his father came to settle a score. In a gripping, adrenaline-pumping showdown, Wilson and his mother decide to settle that score on their own terms in order to protect the people they love and earn back their family’s honor.

“Illegal Tender” is an salute to sing mothers everywhere and the children they raise. It’s tale of the American dream and the price that must be paid to achieve it. It’s also a cautionary tale of what “the game” can cost you.

Wanda de Jesus does a great job of portraying the single mother trying to raise her children to do better and have a better life than herself. She shows that single mothers can be the protector and provider, if she has too. Even without a formal education, she played the game before the game played her. Wanda de Jesus gives a perfect voice to the single mothers out there.

Wilson de Leon, JR. is a shelter person, who takes his good fortune for granted. When the assassins come and open his eyes. He steps up to take responsibility for protecting his family and find a solution to his family’s problem. When the dust clears, Rick Gonzalez portray of his evolution makes this film more entertaining.

What makes “Illegal Tender” stand out in my mind is that is about achieving the American dream and about facing the demons fo the past. Millie de Jesus took her money and made it work by investing in profitable stocks which in turned provide a life style better than the one she had. It’s something everyone things about at some point in life thinking of how to provide for the future.

The second thing that sticks out in my mind is that once the all the while Millie kept running from the demons of the past. But once they came into the light and Wilson was old enough to confront them she had enough confidence in her son to let him become a man. Wilson in an old gunslinger way came out fighting; fighting to protect the life of his family and the ones they love.

The special features on “Illegal Tender”are minimal at best. There are deleted scenes and a making of featurette. There is an making of and music video for “Dame Dome” by Que No. There are previews for American Pie Presents Beta House, Battlestar Galactica: Razor, The Kingdom, and White Noise 2.

I give it 4/5 Gs.

"Mr. Fix It"

David Boreanaz
Alana de la Garza
Scoot McNairy
Pat Healy
Lee Weaver
Terrence Evans
Rodney Rowland
Herschel Bleefeld
Gemini Barnett
Daniel Smith
Paul Sorvino


R           95min           2006


Lance Valentine (David Boreanaz) makes a living as “Mr. Fix It”, a man who gets hired by men that have just recently been dumped bu their girlfriend. Lance dates the guys’ ex-girlfriend and becomes the worst date possible, sending then girl back into her ex-boyfriend’s arms. But when Lance gets hired by Bill Smith (Pat Healy) to get Sophia Fiori (Alana de la Garza) back, Lance, for the first time, starts falling for one of his marks. – from imdb


Mr. Fix It is a film that under-performed to its potential. It just did not click with me. I expected more. This film needed more work before its release.

The acting clashed with the script. The lines, action, and plot was cheesy and over the top. Boreanaz and de la Garza did not have any chemistry on film. It was just two beautiful people acting and that is what it felt and looked like.

Nothing in Mr. Fix It seemed believable. The low budget of the film hurt the film. As a viewer you become accustom to certain things in the films and when they are missing its comes blaringly across. Most of all the scenes felt artificial.

If you only familiar with Boreanaz as Angel or Booth you should check out this film, it gives another character in his resume. If you are a fan of Alana de la Garza, you will not be disappointed but she does set the on fire.

I give it 1/5 Gs.

"The Contract"

Morgan Freeman
John Cusack
Jamie Anderson
Alice Krige
Megan Dodds
Bill Smitrovich
Ned Bellamy




R           96min           2006


While on a hiking trip to reconnect with his son, Ray Keene (John Cusack) stumbles into a nightmare scenario of paid assassins and ex-military guns-for-hire. Frank Cardin (Morgan Freeman) is attempting to fulfill a contract to assassinate a high profile businessman when things go awry and he ends up he ends up in the custody of the U.S. Marshals. After an ill-fated attempt by his compatriots to free him Frank, finds himself in the custody of ex-lawman Ray and his son (Jamie Anderson). As they try to make their way back to civilization Franks’ friends who are intent on freeing their leader in order to collect on the contract relentlessly pursue them. But one may be move foe than friend. – from the back cover

"The Contract" is a bland action adventure masquerading as a character drama. Showcasing some of Hollywood’s veteran character actors trying to be action stars. The story was very predictable and yet still unbelievable. Only if you are a fan of Morgan Freeman or John Cusack would I recommend this film to others.

Morgan Freeman and John Cusack show their acting skills but the plot of the film does lend itself to their strengths. Freeman is supposed to be a bad ass black ops agent that could kick the average man ass. Cusack is supposed to be a former cop turned gym teacher. Both miscast in their respective parts.

The story is truly predictable. You know that the lowly John McClain wanna be is going to save the day. The guy is supposed to be able to take on former special ops soldiers turned black op killers in open terrain no less. I could never truly believe the luck Keene faced during "The Contract".

There is just one featurette on the behind of the scene and many movie trailers. The following trailers are on the DVD: “10 Items or Less”, “Journey to the End of the Night”, “The Propositiion”, “Relative Strangers”, “The Dead Girl”, “The Breed”, and “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints”.

I give it 2/5 Gs.

"Reign Over Me"

Adam Sandler
Don Cheadle
Jada Pinkett Smith
Liv Tyler
Saffron Burrows
Donald Sutherland
Robert Klein
Melinda Dillion
Mike Binder

R           124min           2007


Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith and Liv Tyler star in this heart-rendering story about Charlie Fineman (Sandler), who has slipped away from reality after the sudden loss of his wife and children. But Charlie’s life takes a turn for the better when he runs into his old college roommate Alan Johnson (Cheadle), whose life is torn between the demands of career and family. Their renewed friendship rekindles their long-forgotten bond, and both men emerge enriched and enlightened.

"Reign Over Me" is the best Adam Sandler film I have seen in the last few years. I think this is a story that resonates will everyone who was alive during 9/11. This is a film that should not be missed.

Adam Sandler gave a rousing and moving performance. You truly believe that Charlie Fineman is struggling by normal standards to come back from that day. He ‘s coping his way and every thinks they know what’s best for him. Sandler makes you believe he’s a man broken by that day.

Since 9/11 Americans are living in a different world now. The problems of the world have touched us and made us stronger and more resilient from the pain. "Reign Over Me" has a pain that is universal and at the heart of this film. I personal don’t know some like Charlie Fineman but I know that there are Charlie Finemans out in the world.

No one should miss “Reign Over Me”. Although technically not a 9/11 film, it is right up there with the other ones, “World Trade Center” and United 93. They dealt with the ordeal of the day and “Reign Over Me” deals with the aftermath of that day. A day that hurt so many people yet many Americans can’t tell you the exact date. I remember the exact moment when I saw heard about the first plane, saw the second plane hit, the chaos and panic that my mind felt afterward.

As for the special features there is a jam session featurette with Don Cheadle and Adam Sandler. There is a behind the scenes featurette about the film. The final feature is a photo gallery of set stills running to the music of Love, Reign O’er Me by ‘The Who’. There are movie previews for: “Click”, “Vantage Point”, “Spider-Man 3”, “30 Days of Night”, “Sleuth”, “Angel-A”, “Interview”, “Spanglish”, “The Company”, and “Close Encounter of the Third Kind”.

I give 5/5 Gs.

"Unhitched"

Stuart Townsend
Amy Smart
Seth Green
Kate Ashford
Jodhi May
Steve John Shepard
David Oyelowd
Anna Chancellor
Philip Jackson


R           96min           2005

When a man learns his worst enemy is about to marry the woman his best friend loves, he vows to break up the wedding any way he can in this outrageous romantic comedy.

"Unhitched" is an romantic comedy with a funny premise. Seth Green takes a mundane part and turns it into the most memorable part of this movie. Stuart Townsend is miss cast as this leading man. This is a film greater than the sum of its parts.

When I think of think about a best friend is trying to breakup a wedding just so that his best friend can come in and get the bride. For me it a funny thought and what’s at the heart of this film. This is a film more of a buddy film than a romantic comedy. The friendship between Seth Green and Stuart Townsend is what makes this film work.

Seth Green takes a mundane part and makes it his own. With his bad British accent, he makes devious look fun. At first you think everything Green does comes from a superficial place and by the end you realize that he’s just a good friend. HE would done everything anyway to help make his friend happy.

Think Stuart Townsend was miss cast as the lead. Every time I see him I think of him as Lestat from “Queen of the Damned”. Even when he’s supposed to have lost his confidence; it never works on screen. It’s worst when he’s supposed to be clumsy and uncomfortable around women.

"Unhitched" works better when you look at it as a whole. Breaking down the individual performance makes this film worst than it really is. Their like a chorus that with each individual singer they sound a little off key but once you put all of them together they make a harmonious song, with friendship at the heart of the film.

There are no bonus features but there are previews for movies: “Crank”, “Employee of the Month”, “The US vs John Lennon” and “Farce of the Penguin”.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"Resident Evil: Extinction"

Milla Jovovich
Oded Fehr
Ali Larter
Iain Glen
Ashanti
Christopher Egan
Spencer Locke
Matthew Marsden
Linden Ashby
Jason O'Mara
Mike Epps


R           95min           2007


Years after the Raccoon City disaster, Alice (Milla Jovovich
) is on her own; aware that she has become a liability and could endanger those around her. She is struggling to survive and bring down the Umbrella Corporation led by the sinister Albert Wesker (Jason O'Mara) and head researcher Dr. Isaacs (Iain Glen). Meanwhile, traveling through the Nevada Desert and the ruins of Las Vegas, Carlos Olivera (Fehr), L.J. (Epps), and new survivors K-Mart (Spencer Locke
), Claire Redfield (Larter), and Nurse Betty (Ashanti) must fight to survive extinction against hordes of zombies, killer crows and the most terrifying creatures created as a result of the deadly T-Virus that has killed millions. Written by Akoksum2003

"Resident Evil: Extinction" was interesting in its own right but it wasn’t what I expected. It played more like the interlude between films. I think this film set the events of a much better film. At the conclusion it set up the film that I expected to see.

Even with the under whelmed expectation it was a par science fiction action film. It was less about the horror and more about the action. The plot was explain and there wasn’t anymore explanation of it. Characters from previous film are absent without any explanation and maybe they are being saved for future films.

For future films decide what the film is going to be. If the film is going to cater to the horror fans then make it about the horror as they did in the first. If you’re going to cater to the action then define the action. But the most important part is to always keep in mind the development of the characters. The film didn’t know what it wanted to be and that hurt the film for most people

The theatre that I saw this "Resident Evil: Extinction" only showed trailers for “Saw IV” and “30 Days of Night”.

I give 3/5 Gs.

"Alpha Dog"

Ben Foster
Shawn Hatosy
Emile Hirsch
Chris Marquette
Justin Timberlake
Anton Yelchin
Sharon Stone
Bruce Willis
Amanda Seyfried
Olivia Wilde

R           118min           2006


They grew up together in the suburbs of LA, living their own version of the American dream, with every day a blur of partying and looking for the next thrill. Johnny (Emile Hirsch, “Lords of Dogtown”) is the leader in their sordid world of drugs, greed, power and privilege. But when he is double-crossed by another dealer, things quickly begin to spiral out of control, and an impulsive kidnapping leads to a shocking conclusion. – from the back cover

Inspired by the life of Jesse James Hollywood and the kidnap and murder of Nicholas Markowitz. It’s a stark reminder of what happens when parents don’t take the time to get involved in their children’s lives. Several people along the way had chances to change the outcome and that is what is so tragic about this story. It’s also one of the reason everyone should see this movie.

"Alpha Dog" is heartbreaking cautionary tale. It should be a wake up call to parents and make kids realize that they are not invincible and should be mindful of their surroundings. But the fact that nearly forty people knew he was kidnapped and didn’t report it is an egregious criminal negligent on their part. Some of that forty should be charged to. Evil prospers when good people do nothing.

For his part Nick Cassavetes does a great job of capturing the heart of this story. He shows that negligence comes in many forms and that we must be mindful of them. If just one person would have decided to be an individual and notified the police, Marzursky would be alive. Even with knowning how this story ends it still a gripping thriller.

"Alpha Dog" is one of those film that I just could not believe that it happened. Once I took a step back and just analyzed the individual step it just show the darker side of man’s potential. Man’s nature is to be self-serving until the day he dies. It also showed that the destructive nature of man is like dropping a pebble in a pond it has everlasting ripples.

This DVD has only two special features. One special feature is a making of featurette on “Alpha Dog”. The other special feature is a timeline of the eyewitnesses. The also have clips from the movie. There are movie previews for “Breach”, “Children of Men”, “Smokin Aces”, “Hot Fuzz” and “The Hitcher”.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

"Cherry Crush"

Nikki Reed
Jonathan Tucker
Julie Gonzalo
Michael O'Keefe
Haviland Morris
Dennis Boutsikaris
Frank Whaley


R           99min           2007


Privileged teenager Jordan Wells finds himself expelled from prep school after taking provocative photos of his female classmates. Now enrolled in the local high school, he becomes helplessly blinded by the beauty of Shay Bettencourt, a stunning temptress from the other side of the tracks. She is everything he wanted, everything he needed, and nothing he expected. As the relationship heats up, Jordan finds himself wrapped up in the web of her fatal beauty… and an accessory to murder – twice. "Cherry Crush" stars Jonathan Tucker (“Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, “Hostage”) and Nikki Reed (“Thirteen”, TV’s “The O.C.”) – from the back cover

Another film that shows that film noir has morphed and found new life with a teen genre. The modern film noir works well with teens in the lead. Setting them in the teen world show the dark, complicated, and twisted world than teens face.

I found that "Cherry Crush" comes across as a little vague in nature. I don’t know if it was meant to set up a sequel but it certainly does. I would like to see how this second act would play out. I think the crossing and double cross possibilities could make an interesting sequel.

Jonathan Tucker holds the lead and he comes across as the victim caught in the web of a black widow. Nikki Reed plays a femme fatale to perfection I never really got her angle. When I final realized it I would have already stepped into the shit but would have never keep going as far as Jordan did. In the end, Jordan Wells ended up in a nightmare of his own design because he could detach from her web.

I think if you love film noir you will like "Cherry Crush". It’s interesting and tells a good tale. Leaving the view wanting more but still satisfied with the tale told to them. Another good film noir is “Brick”, film that I saw a in 2006.

This DVD is essentially bare to the bone. It contains on featurette of the behind the scenes making of “Cherry Crush”. The only other special features is movie previews for “The Contract”, “Earthstorm” and “Kovak Box”.

I give it 4/5 Gs.

"I Think I Love My Wife"

Chris Rock
Kerry Washington
Gina Torres
Steve Buscemi
Edward Herrmann
Cassandra F. Freeman
Welker White
Wendell Pierce
Christina Vidal
Eliza Coupe


R           94min           2007


Fearless funny man Chris Rock directed, co-wrote and stars in this laugh-out loud comedy, about the pleasures and perils of wedded bliss. No-nonsense banker Richard Cooper (Rock) has it all: a great career, and adoring wife (Gina Torres), and two beautiful kids. There’s just one problem – he’s bored out of his mind!

Richard’s occasional thoughts about other women seem harmless enough, until free-spirited Nikki (Kerry Washington), a stunningly sexy friend from the past, appears at his office door, prompting a fox-and –mouse game that puts a smile on Richard’s face… and his marriage to the test. – from the back cover

"I Think I Love My Wife" is based on the motion picture “Chloe in the Morning”. Rock proves that “Head of State” funniest was not a fluke. It’s a hilarious comedy that has an ending against type.

Rock found was to make normal situations that Cooper would face funny. Sometimes the comedian came out in his performance, which is distinct when he shows his colors and almost works for the character. One of the many things Rock uses in making "I Think I Love My Wife" funny is punctuating scene through the music. The soundtrack is a blend of many different genres.

Once I started laugh I could not stop. I could say how much was improvised and how much was just plain scripted. Cooper finds himself in situations of his own destiny that are comedy at it’s best. He knows that it’s dangerous and can lead to no good but Nikki is a force that is magnetic drawing him in.

"I Think I Love My Wife" is a comedy that is true in its portrayal but finding the humor in the situations. Finding an excellent cast to the film and pull some funny performances from them. Chris Rock shows that he can make funny films.

This is a double-sided DVD featuring a version on either side, one on in a fullscreen and one in a widescreen. It has a audio commentary by Chris Rock. On side A is the alternative and deleted scenes, bloopers and Fox Movie Channel: Casting Session. One side B is a featurette ‘I Do Love Making This Movie’ and a Music video by ‘The Brand New Heavies’ called “I Don’t Know Why (I Love You). Also on side B are movie previews for “Roll Bounce”, “Brown Sugar”, “I, Robot”, and “Man on Fire”.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas"

Patrick Fugit
Olivia Wilde
Fran Kranz
John Cho
Clark Gregg
Cheryl Hines
Matthew Lillard
Reid Scott
Greg Pitts


R           80min           2006


When a sexy co-ed (Olivia Wilde) steals a book of mind-blowing theories written by brilliant but troubled college student Bickford Shmeckler (Patrick Fugit), his world is turned upside down. From the creators of American Pie, this wild rollercoaster ride to reclaim his book is an award winning clever comedy starring some of today’s hottest stars. – from the back cover

"Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas" is a funny little comedy with quirky performances. This is a film with a story that been shown before but capture me do to the “prop of the movie”, The Book. It’s an old reliable comedy end predictably more about the journey that the destination.

Throughout the movie it has the obligatory jokes, the standard comedic situations, and the plot for a teen comedy. ‘The Book’ is the comic prop of the movie. This book gave most everyone that read it the funniest reaction. It was a book that I would love to have read. What were Bickford Shmeckler’s Cool Ideas?

"Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas" is a comedy the journey more than about the destination. You know who’s it’s going to end but its everything that happens before that is interesting. Like why he gets so bent out of shape when the things in his life happen? There is so much happening within this small window of time in the lives of these characters. I think it would make a funny comedy.

I felt Fugit underplays Bickford’s troubles until you find out what they are and what caused them. Matthew Lillard plays a mentally unhinged homeless person that finds the funniest of cures when he comes to Bickford for help. John Cho and the merry band of Reality Isn’t Club are complete hilarity. Yes there are some over performances but they work in the confidences fo this film. Olivia Wilde again plays a believable smoked-out co-ed, who precipitates the drama of this story.

"Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas" is a bare DVD. It has a featurette “Living With Lew” talking about the director’s life with ALS. There is DVD-ROM content showing the ‘Dungeons and Dragons Character Sheet’. It has movie previews for “I’m Reed Fish” and “Rx”.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"Bobby Z"

Paul Walker
Laurence Fishburne
Olivia Wilde
Keith Carradine
Joaquim de Almeida
Jason Lewis
JR Villarreal
Jacob Vargas
M.C. Gainey

R           94min           2006

Marked for death by a biker gang, ex-Marine convict Tim Kearney (Paul Walker, Into the Blue) just got one last chance to walk out of jail alive. A scheming DEA agent (Laurence Fishburne, Mission: Impossible III) needs somebody to impersonate recently deceased drug lord Bobby Z… and Tim happens to be a dead ringer. It’s a risky proposition, but if Tim plays his part right, he may be able to claim Bobby Z’s smoking hot ex-girlfriend (Olivia Wilde, Alpha Dog) and a cool fortune in illegal profits. Unfortunately, taking on Bobby Z’s name also means taking on his bloodthirsty enemies. Caught in the crossfire, Tim runs for his life as he tries to find a way out of his deadly masquerade.

It’s based on a book "The Death and Life of Bobby Z" by Don Winslow. It wasn’t released in the theatres or for limited release. This was better than I expected. Paul Walker is in another part that plays to his strengths as an action star.

This is an example of the growing straight to DVD market. This film that may not have done well at the theatre but it had everything I look for in an entertaining film. It had action that didn’t overwhelm the film, and a cohesive story with a plausible ending.

“Bobby Z” showcased Paul Walker’s action star status. The action I think was choreographed with his martial arts training in mind. The fight scenes were dynamic. They looked like they really could have in real life.

Laurence Fishburne plays a corrupt FBI that was a reminiscent caricature of his cowboy character from Pee Wee’s Playhouse. The stand out in this film though was Olivia Wilde, she was stunning in every scene and you could see why every character on the screen coveted her. Joaquim de Almeida an under used actor in Hollywood films plays a Mexican Don that has a tone that you just know that he’s a man that is not to be cross.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"The Lookout"

Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Jeff Daniels
Matthew Goode
Bruce McGill
Isla Fisher
Carla Gugino
Alberta Watson
Alex Borstein
Laura Vandervoort


R           99min           2007


Acclaimed screenwriter Scott Frank (Minority Report) makes a mind-blowing directorial debut in, a gritty, high-tenison thriller starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt(TV’s Third Rock From the Sun, Brick), Jeff Daniels(The Squid and the Whale) and Isla Fisher(Wedding Crashers). Chris “Slapshot” Pratt (Gordon-Levitt), whose once-bright future has been dimmed by a head injury, is a night janitor at a bank. Lonely and frustrated, Chris falls prey to a con man’s seductive promise of romance and a better life, and agrees to help rob the bank where he works. Filled with heart-pounding action, edge-of-your-seat suspense and a twist you’ll never see coming. “The Lookout” will grip you and never let go… It’s “immensely satisfying. A blast of suspense.” – from the back cover.

"The Lookout" is an intelligent thriller. It has a talented cast. Its characters are flawed and seem real. It’s an indie film that should not be missed.

This is a thriller that does play down to the audience. Many of the characters are not explained, but a fleshed out by the performance of the actors. Many things are left opaque and as a viewer you are left to you own devises.

"The Lookout" is lead by the “Indie King” Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He has a supporting cast of Jeff Daniel, Matthew Goode, and Isla Fisher. Daniels plays Chris’s a blind roommate that complements each other. Matthew Goode is sort of a puppet master manipulating Chris for his own means. Fisher plays a girl that falls for Chris.

You could meet these characters anywhere in the USA. They have flaws and are complex. Nothing in this film is black and white. It plays respect to people living with Chris’s condition. Showing that his life is complicated and finding his happiness is in the eye of the beholder.


The DVD is slim on features. There is a making of featurette and a feature highlight the character Chris Pratt. There is only an audio commentary with the writer/director Scott Frank and Director of Photography Alar Kivilo. There are movie previews for “Being Jane”, “Eagle vs. Shark”, “The Invisible”, “Renaissance”, “Neverwas”, “The Hoax” and “Our Very Own”.

I give it a 5/5 Gs.

"300"

Gerard Butler
Lena Headey
David Wenham
Dominic West
Vincent Regan
Michael Fassbender
Tom Wisdom
Andrew Pleavin
Andrew Tiernan
Rodrigo Santoro


R           106min           2007

The epic graphic novel by Frank Miller (Sin City) assaults the screen with the blood, thunder and awe of its ferocious visual style faithfully recreated in an intense blend of live-action and CGI animation. Retelling the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, it depicts the titanic clash in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his mssive Persian army. Experience “300”, history at sword point and moviemaking with a cutting edge – from the back cover

Having only glanced the history behind the battle and never having read the graphic novel I watch this film with virgin knowledge. It grabbed me and held tight, having me watched it three times consecutively. It’s easily in my top ten. Even with the historical inaccuracies this is a battle beyond history and a film for the ages.

“300” has an unique visual style that lends itself to it’s source material. It thoroughly exciting with carnage that is in your face and unrelenting. This is one of those movies that changes the way you to see the genre of comic book action films in a different light.

This is a film that transcends the gender barrier. This is one of the first films that even appealed to my sister on a maniacal level. For weeks after watching this film she would quote lines from the films. Even now talking to her I can start one of the phrases and she will finish it.

If you missed it in the theatre then you really want to purchase this film immediate. You will never be able to use “300” for a report on the Battle of Thermopylae, but you will be able to watch an entertaining historical movie.

As this is only the single disc version it only has a commentary with Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstan, and Larry Fong. It contains movie previews for “Trick R Treat”, “The Brave One”, “300: The Video Game” and “Superman: Doomsday”.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

"Babel"

Brad Pitt
Cate Blanchett
Gael Garíca Bernal
Rinko Kikuchi






R           148min           2006


Pain is universal… but so is hope. From acclaimed Director Alejandro González Inárritu (Amores Perros, 21 Grams) comes the third film in his trilogy, “Babel”, a critically celebrated and emotionally gripping film about the barriers that separate humankind.

A tragic accident in Morocco sets off a chain of events that willl link four groups of people who, divided by cultural differences and vast distances, will discover a shared destiny that ultimately connects them. Brad Pitt (Mr. And Mrs. Smith, Oceans 12), Academy Award Winner Cate Blanchett and Gael Garíca Bernal lead an outstanding international ensemble cast in this breakthrough film. – from the back cover

Let’s start by saying babel is defined as 1 a city in Shinar where the building of a tower is held in Genesis to have been halted by the confusion of tongues, 2a a confusion of sounds or voices, and 2b a scene of noise or confusion. Understanding the definition lends itself to the name of the film. Only knowing that it was critically acclaimed when I watched it I was thrown for a loop and truly lost in confusion.

“Babel” for the most of the film its told in a foreign language. Only about ten percent of this film is in English. This lends to the films name and the power of the film. For me it show how elitist me as an American has become.

Understanding only one language English I still understood the film. It’s told from four different perspectives that is nonlinear in its telling but intersect into one with a devastating event. It could almost be said that this is a examples of “Butterfly Effect” and Six Degrees of Separation Theories. I never truly grasped what had happened until I watched it with the close caption.

Once I watched “Babel” with the caption on I realize that no matter where you are in the world we are connected. Everything you touch affects something and someone in the most mundane to the most extreme of situations. It’s a powerful connection that can be used to change the world in numerous ways.

It features movie previews for “Black Snake Moan”, “Things We Left In the Fire”, “Perfume”, “Flags of our Fathers” and “An Inconvenient Truth”.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

"The Good Shephard"

Matt Damon
Angelina Jolie
Alec Baldwin
Tammy Blanchard
Billy Crudup
Robert De Niro
Keir Dullea
Michael Gambon
Martina Gedeck
William Hurt
Timothy Hutton
Mark Ivanier
Gabriel Macht
Lee Pace
Joe Pesci
Eddie Redmayner
John Sessions
Oleg Steton
John Turturro

R           168min           2006

Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, and Robert De Niro star in this powerful thriller about the birth of the CIA. Edward Wilson (Damon) believes in America, and will sacrifice everything he loves to protect it. But as one of the covert founders of the CIA, Edward’s youthful idealism is slowly eroded by his growing suspicion of the people around him. Everybody has secrets…but will Edward’s destroy him? With an all-star cast including Alec Baldwin, Billy Crudup, William Hurt, Timothy Hutton and John Turturro, “The Good Shepherd” is the gripping spellbinging story. – from the back cover

Chronicling the birth of the C.I.A. Robert De Niro brings to film a story that is a definite dramatization that is entertaining, engaging, provocative. If you didn’t know how dangerous and powerful the C.I.A. is then watching this film will give you an idea. Mr. De Niro give the viewer a complete picture into a small window of a world that most Americans will not want to peer through.

Matt Damon truly is one of Hollywood’s leading men. Damon leads an all-star cast and shows why he’s the best bargain in Hollywood. Damon captures the many facets of Edward Wilson from the ideal young college student to the paranoid amoral man that’s “the heart of the C.I.A.” Coming in at nearly three hour you never grow tired of this film and the next star that shows up on the screen.

It has sixteen minutes of deleted scenes. They only distracts from the perfect film that De Niro created. This is a must see film for anyone into films, history or looking for a great film to watch.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

"Tracks"

Chris Gunn
Ice T
John Heard






R           86min           2004

The true story of a suburban teenager whose one mistake leads to a life changing punishment. Peter Madigan, a 15 year old from the suburbs commits a senseless act of violence, causing a commuter train to derail killing the engineer.

In a controversial decision, Peter becomes the first juvenile in New Jersey state history to be sentenced to serve time in a maximum-security adult prison. While in prison he becomes interdependent and friends with correction officer Clark (Ice T). “Tracks” is the ultimate story of survival and redemption.

Although it tells his true story it was a little on the dull side. The characters were never truly flushed out. It does give their motivations but they characters seem wooden and hollow. Even after going to jail he seem to never learn his lesson until the very end. He reformed and found redemption but failed to help his love ones on the outside.

I don’t know how much of “Tracks” was dramatized and how much is authentic. The ending of this film was unsatisfying. It left you to figure out what happen to him and everyone around him. It left many questions unanswered and felt like it was a film rushed into production.

This is a bare DVD with no special features. It has movie previews for “The Contract”, “The Black Widow”, “Cherry Crush”, “The Far Side of Jericho”, “Kovak Box”, “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saint”, “The Breed”, and “The Dead Girl”.

I give it 2/5 Gs.