"Australia"

Movie with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Nicole comes to Australia to meet with her husband Lord Ashley to sell their cattle station. Hugh Jackman is a cattle drover hired on by Lord Ashley. Set at the onset of World War II, the movie quickly sets the storyline in the first half-hour.

That is, Nicole's husband is murdered, Nicole inherits the cattle station and decides not to sell it, and then Nicole working with Hugh and others make an effort to turn the business around. Also, viewers quickly learn that assimilation of aborigines is not condoned by Australian law.

Safe first date movie. Not a block-buster movie but not a bad one either. Save it for a cold and rainy day when everything is already checked out.-JM

"Vicki Christina Barcelona"

Movie about two American women on vacation in Barcelona. They meet a Spanish artist who pulls them into his carefree lifestyle. One things leads to another, and "yada, yada, yada", each has sex with him, one french kisses his ex-wife, and the other gets married to someone else.

Not a big hit at the box office. Mainly rented it to confirm that Scarlett Johannsen and Penelope Cruz share a "tender kiss". Not a first date movie because it tended to drag along despite being only 96 minutes long. Choose another rental over this one.-JM

"Knowing"

Nicholas Cage plays an MIT professor struggling with life as a widower and a single parent. Questioning his purpose in life, he has a tendency to lose focus. In one case, he nearly misses his son singing at an elementary school activity.

The school is celebrating the opening of a time capsule sealed 50 years ago and contains letters from students about the future. One letter appears written without rhyme nor reason; it has numbers scrawled across the page.

Somehow Nicholas comes across the letter and accidentally stumbles across its meaning. The numbers represent dates of disasters that have occured over the past 50 years with the exception of three dates. Dates that have not occured but are fast approaching.

Safe first date movie. Good storyline with some corniness at the end. Not sure why it beat out "I Love You Man" this past weekend. Given a choice, would go to "I Love You Man" over "Knowing".-JM

"Electric Mist"

Mystery with Tommy Lee Jones as a Louisiana Detective investigating a series of murders in the bayou. John Goodman plays mobster "Baby Feet" Balboni, a crime boss that rubs Tommy Lee the wrong way.

Decent storyline, just the movie action seems slow and drags along at times. Stayed till the end to see how the mystery unfolds, else could have "changed channels" if it were TV.

Skip this one as a first date movie. Murder, corruption, and slow action do not make a good impression for a relationship that has yet to begin.-JM

"Cadillac Records"

Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, and Beyonce Knowles come together in a movie based on true events. Adrien plays Leonard Chess of Chess Records in Chicago. Jeffrey Wright is famed blues musician Muddy Waters. Beyonce Knowles is the great Etta James.

The storyline starts with Leonard Chess' decision to open a blues club and Muddy Waters leaving sharecropping in Mississippi to become a musician in Chicago. While in Chicago, Muddy hears Little Walter wailing on his harmonica and persuades Walker to form a band with him. Their band makes a lasting impression on Leonard that he decides to market Muddy's music.

Good rental and a safe first date movie. Enjoyed how the movie pulled in the recording artists into the story. Was not expecting much but was pleasantly surprised, even more since the movie was based on true events!-JM

"Goal II"

Santiago Munez continues living his dream of playing professional soccer. Fame and fortune shine down on Santiago but the road to success is not that easy. Personal and professional challenges threaten his new life. If he continues on the wrong path, all will be lost.

Good movie that picks up the story where "Goal" left off. Some corny moments but overall an entertaining movie. Cameos from real soccer players like David Beckham make for some realism. Safe first date movie. Check it out some time.-JM

"I Love You, Man"

... comedy with Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, and a strong cast of characters. Funny movie with a lot of "laugh out loud" moments.

Paul plays real estate agent Peter Klaven. He is the perfect girls' friend who is more at ease with women than men. As a result, he has no guy friends.

After proposing to his girl friend, Peter realizes that he has no one to tell or celebrate his upcoming marriage. So, he sets out to find a buddy!

After a string of "man dates", Peter meets Sydney, played by Jason Segel, at an open house that Peter is hosting for Lou "The Hulk" Ferigno.

Somehow it all comes together. Safe first date movie because it shows marriage and friendship are important in a relationship and does it using humor. Check this one out.-JM

"Role Models"

Two energy drink spokesman, played by Sean William Scott - the "Stifler" and Paul Rudd, get in trouble with the law and are forced to join a community service "Big Brother" program. One is assigned to a troublesome "tween"; the other is assigned a "fantasy role playing" teenager played by Superbad's Christopher "McLuvin" Mintz-Plasse.

If you enjoyed Superbad, American Pie, and Sean William Scott humor, this move is a safe bet. If you did not, skip it. As a first date movie, suggest skipping this one. Language and sexual references will not paint a good first impression.-JM

"Pineapple Express"

Seth Rogen and James Franco star in a stoner movie. Seth is a 25 year old dating a high school girl and serving subpoenas while getting high on marijuana supplied by his dealer played by James Franco.

Slow start with a lot of cussing and drug humor. Movie picks up but builds upon the "drugs are harmless" mentality. Save this one for later as it is not a first date movie.-JM

"Watchmen"

Comic superheros band together to prevent a nuclear war. Set in the 1980's where Nixon is President and Russia is the enemy, the movie takes you to the brink of war.

For an "almost 3 hour long" movie, it wasn't that bad given the storyline and the fight scenes. If you are into graphic novels and comic book heros, you should be entertained. If not, pass this one up.

Would not recommend as a first date movie unless your date is into graphic novels and comic books.-JM

FYI: Blueman aka Dr. Manhattan stays naked for most of his scenes.

"How To Lose Friends & Alienate People"

Comedy with Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst, and Jeff Bridges.  Simon is a journalist hired by the owner of Sharp Magazine played by Jeff Bridges.  Simon comes to work and finds that his "different" personality alienates the staff.  Luckily Kirsten Dunst is on his side providing support as Simon works his way up in the company.

 

Safe first date movie with a lot of humor that Simon can only bring - recall his performances in "Hot Fuzz", "Shaun of the Dead", and "Ran, Fat Boy Run".  Check it out some time! -JM

"Nights in Rodanthe"

Movie that brings Richard Gere and Diane Lane together again.  Last time they played husband and wife dealing with infidelity in the movie "Unfaithful'.  This time they are divorcees/soon to be divorced people who become lovers.  Four days together at a Bed and Breakfast Inn on the Outer Banks become a life changing moment for them.

 

Not a first date movie.  Why? The movie is based on the book written by Nicholas Sparks.  Same writer that brought you "The Notebook" and "Message In a Bottle"; expect a similar ending for "Nights in Rodanthe". -JM