"Ghost Town"

... movie with Ricky Gervais, Tea Leoni, and Greg Kinnear in a comedy about a lonely dentist who dies for 7", returns from the dead with the ability to see ghosts, and is constantly annoyed by them.

Ricky plays the dentist; Tea and Greg are a maried couple. Greg dies unexpectedly leaving Tea a grieving widow. Greg becomes a ghost with unfinished business and uses Ricky to contact Tea.

Despite the familiar storyline, movie does a good job of entertaining viewers. A first date movie that is cleverly played out. Check it out some time!-JM

"Death Race"

... Action movie with Jason Statham as a convict fighting for his freedom. Framed for murdering his wife, Jason is sent to a maximum security prison that uses death sentences and a racing game to create a spectator sport that dispenses justice at a profit.

With the usual stroyline - a hero marked for death fights a corrupt warden and her henchmen to gain freedom, the movie's outcome is a given. Would not rate it as a first date movie but consider is a decent rental because of the racing action and fight scenes. -JM

"Burn After Reading"

Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, and George Clooney come together in a comedy with twists and turns to leave you dizzy. Directed by the Coen brothers, who brought you "No Country for Old Men", it is an entertaining movie that keeps you chuckling.

Storyline takes viewers through a series of events that bring each of the characters together. All tied together by an attempt by Brad and Frances to blackmail a CIA Agent played by John Malkovich.

Not a bad movie, safe for a first date. Expected more but still felt okay for watching it in the end.-JM

"Stop-Loss"

Movie with Ryan Phillippe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Channing Tatum as returning veterans from the Iraq war. Ryan is a decorated hero finishing is tour of duty with the Army. Joseph and Channing are members of his squad. Ready to resume the life he left behind, the Army orders him back to duty in Iraq for another tour. Unwilling to return, he makes plans to desert.

Interesting story that tests the bonds of family, friendship, and honor. Not a bad one to rent but would not consider it a first date movie. Better to wait till later in the relationship.-JM

"Yes Man"

Comedy with Jim Carey as a man drowning in self pity. He has a boring job, is divorced, and is ready to say no to every opportunity. Until an old aquaintance convinces him to attend a self-help seminar. He leaves the seminar a new person. He must say yes to everything.

Did not expect the movie to be so entertaining. A definite first date movie. Especially enjoyed Zooey Dechsael as the carefree girlfriend. Check it out when you get a chance.-JM

"House Bunny"

... comedy with Anna Faris as a Playboy Bunny who is let go from the mansion. Seeking a job and new place to live, Anna finds employment as a House Mother for a sorority whose members are somewhat homely. Hired by the sorority to improve their popularity and save their house from sale, Anna uses her experience as a Bunny to get things shaking.

Funny moments but not enough to save this one. Skip this one especially for a first-date!-JM

"Step Brothers"

Will Ferrel and John C. Reilly are 40 year old live-at-home "boys" who become step brothers late in life. Forced to live in the same home as their newly-wed parents, Will and John must go through growing pains to build a relationship as brothers.

Watch the language and the sexual overtones. Not a first-date movie. Had its funny moments but not the same chemistry that the "Will-John C" duo delivered in The Story of Ricky Bobby.

"Hancock"

Action movie with Will Smith, Justin Bateman, and Charlize Theron. Will plays super-hero Hancock, a homeless bum with super powers. Justin is a not to successful Public Relations Representative. Charlize is Justin's wife.

The three meet after Will saves Justin from certain death by a train. Will is a super-hero with a bad reputation; he tends to cause a lot of damage when saving the day. Justin invites Will to dinner to discuss plans to build a more positive image.

Safe first-date movie given the PG-13 rating but story was lacking something. Save it for a rainy day and skip it over other options.-JM

"Transporter 3"

... Another in the Transporter franchise with Jason Statham. Better than Transporter 2 and on the same lines as Transporter 1. Our hero must battle bad guys, save a woman, and deliver as promised a pacakage.

A lot of action, fast driving, and great fighting moves. All with a plot to keep your attention. Check it out when you get a chance. -JM

"Four Christmases"

... comedy with Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, and others. Vince and Reese are a couple who choose not to marry. Instead, they live together knowing they love one another. No need to tie the knot to formalize their relationship.

They are content in their arrangement having come from divorced parents and strained family ties. That is, until their vacation plans go wrong and they must spend Christmas visiting their parents.

Funny movie with a lot of moments to keep you laughing. Short in length, running less than 90". Still a decent one to see in theaters.-JM

War Games - The Dead Code

... A sequel to the original War Games that pits two super computers against each other.

JOSHUA plays a deadly game with his modern day counterpart named RIPLEY after two college kids hack into a virtual online game to win money.

A chain of events escalate into a crisis that must be stopped or else....

Not as good as the original. Save for a rainy day when nothing else is available. -JM

Rambo

... another movie from the Sylvester Stalone franchise that brought us John Rambo.

A B-movie definitely with a plot that is wanting. Still you have to root for Rambo as he overcomes his inner turmoil and proceeds to wipe out a battalion of bad guys!

Don't watch as a first-date movie and not a first rate rental. Regardless, had to watch it to cheer for our Hero!-JM

"88 Minutes"

... Al Pacino is a forensic psychologist and college professor who must battle wits with a serial killer he helped put in prison. The serial killer has master-minded a plan to appeal his execution and extract revenge on Al Pacino. All while in jail.

A complex plot is put into play after Al recieves a call that he has 88 minutes to live. Working with his team and the police, he frantically searches for answers.

Good movie with a lot of suspense to keep viewers interested. Check it out some time! -JM

"The Love Guru"

Mike Myers' comedy with Mike Myers, Jessica Alba, and Justin Timberlake. Mike is Guru Pitka, the Love Guru. Jessica is the owner of a hockey team. Justin is the goalie for a rival hockey team.

Jessica hires the Love Guru to reunite her star hockey player and his wife as they enter the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Love Guru accepts the assignment and soon finds out that the opposong team's goalie - Justin, has moved in with the wife.

Like the Austin Powers fanchise, light comedy with a lot of sexual innuendos. If you like Ausitn Powers, then you should be okay. If you did not, skip it. -JM

Movie Review - "The Promotion"

...comedy with Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly.  Seann and John are Assistant Managers at a national grocery story chain.  Both are competing for a promotion as a Manager of a new store opening nearby.

 

Funny moments with a slow to develop storyline.  Not the "American Pie/Talladega Nights" style comedy that Seann/John are known for; would wait to rent this one. -JM

Movie Review - "Baby Mama"

... comedy with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.  Tina is a career-minded woman who decided climbing the corporate ladder was more important than marriage and raising a family.  Unfortunately, the biological clock kept ticking, and she longs to have a child.  Unable to conceive a child, she opts for a surrogate mother, played by Amy.

 

Funny moments but not the "Non-stop Laughs" noted on the DVD box.  Even with its slight twist, did not keep me interested. Find another movie to rent if given other options.  -JM 

Movie Review - "What Happens in Vegas"

... comedy with Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz as two single people on the rebound in Vegas.  They arrive single; they leave married.  Not an issue, just get an annulment.  Except, what about the $3M in winnings?

 

Funny movie, light-hearted and witty.  Check it out some time and rent it!-JM

Movie Review - "Rocker"

... movie about a Drummer who gets ousted from his rock band just on the brink of its discovery to fame and fortune.  Spending decades to forget what happened, he goes aimlessly from job to job.  That is, until he gets fired from his job as a customer service representative and goes to live with his sister's family until he can get back on his feet.  Through a stroke of luck, he gets pulled in to his nephew's garage band to fill in as a drummer.  Subsequently, the band A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Disorder) is born!

 

Good movie.  Thought it would be a rehash of "School of Rock"; turned out to be better. Check it out some time.-JM

Movie Review - "A Good Year"

... movie with Russell Crowe as a power stockbroker who inherits a vineyard from his Uncle.  Everything seems to be going well for Russell.  His job is his passion, and he is making a lot of money.  But is he really happy.  He thought he was happy until he goes to France to sell the vineyard that he inherited.  Through a stroke of events and reliving old memories as a child, Russell gains an understanding of happiness.

 

Enjoyable movie that started out slow but will eventually grab you.  Check it out and rent it when you get a chance.  Consider it a first date movie! -JM

Movie Review - "Tropic Thunder"

... Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, and a host of others in a hilarious comedy about a movie crew having issues with making a big budget Vietnam War flick.

Look for Nick Nolte, Tom Cruise, and Matthew Maconauhey. Be ready to laugh loudly and beware of some raunchiness.

Check it out at the movie theater if you get a chance. -JM