"Karate Kid" (2010)

... remake of the 80's classic Karate Kid. This time Mr. Miyagi is played
by Jackie Chan and Danielson is played by Jaden Smith - son of Will and Jada
Pinkett Smith. Also, the setting is not Southern California; it is China.
Some similarities to the original storyline with changes made to better fit
the characters instead of the story! Does not have the charm of the
original but consider it a safe first date movie. (Still like the
original).

"Centurion"

... Picts attack a Roman frontier fort and kill everyone save for one Centurion named Quintus Dias.  He is tortured and beaten but somehow escape his captors.  While on the run he is saved by General Virilus' legendary Ninth Legion.  Quintus joins the Ninth Legion on its mission to attack the Picts and kills their leader, Gorlacon.  However, things don't turn out as planned.  Quintus survives a brutal Pict ambush that decimates the Ninth Legion.  Only a few survived the attack and must now evade the Picts....

Good movie with a lot of bloody fight seasons.  But,it is also the reason not to recommend it as a first date movie.  Do rent it though, just wait till you are past the first date!

"Due Date"

Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis star in this comedy about a road
trip from Atlanta to Los Angeles. It started out to be a plane trip but
circumstances from an incident on the plane result in Robert's and Zach's
assignment to the "No-Fly List"! Robert must be home for his pregnant wife
is scheduled for a C Section on Friday; Zach offers to drive them in a
rental car as he is bound for Hollywood.

Funny pair, funny storyline,... a first date movie (save for a scene
involving "self-fulfillment")! Liked the one liners, especially Zach's
eulogy scene where he says, "Dad you were like a father to me...."!

"Grown Ups"

Comedy with Adam Sadler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Rob
Schneider as old school buddies getting together after the Basketball Coach
dies. All grown up and a long way from childhood, the five of them and
their families come together for the funeral. This turns into an
opportunity to relive their childhood, experience new and old feelings to
pass on to their children, and to resolve old rivalries!

Funny movie and a safe first date movie! Do rent it when you get a chance.

"The Back-Up Plan"

Jennifer Lopez plays Zoe, a single woman who is ready to start a family but has no husband.  Taking matters in to her own hands, she decides on having one by artificial insemination.  That done, she meets - by chance, her soul mate!  There chance meeting grows into love - yada, yada, yada.  Funny moments, understanding that love is forever, and that no one is leaving.... then, the expected happy ending.  Would save this one for later; hold off as a first date movie.  Tough to relate Jennifer Lopez in the role.  Better suited for Katherine Heigl or Kristen Bell.

"The Chosen One"

Rob Schneider in a more serious role than his norm - an alcoholic used car salesman with a monk for a brother.  Somehow Rob loses faith in himself.  This is made worse when his father commits suicide.  Then, out of South America a group of Shaman show up at his door; they say he is the Chosen One - the only person on earth who can save mankind from its own destruction.  Good movie, hold as a first date though.  Was expecting the comedy and slap stick that Rob is good at....

"Get Him to the Greek"

.... Jonah Hill and Russell Brand team up in this comedy about a record company intern's troubles to bring famous rock star - Aldous Snow (Russell Brand), to Los Angeles for a concert!  A lot of funny scenes, especially liked Sean Combs portrayal of a "gangsta recording company President and Owner"!  Won't recommend as a first date movie mainly for the sexual references and heavy use of profanity.... But, it was still funny, even if you already know how it will end.

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid"

Jeff Kinney's illustrated novel about a sixth-grade student comes to life on the Big Screen.  Never heard about the books but heard from others that it is popular with elementary school kids.  Decided to check it out after hearing about it on a morning radio show that I listen to on my way to work.  Pleasantly surprised with the "Wimpy Kid's" antics and observations.  Specially liked the "cheese" scenes.  Safe first date movie that should show your "wimpy" side to your potential long-term friend!

"Cop Out"

... Movie with Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan as two cops struggling with their career, personal life, etc,.... Did not watch it all, funny moments but not enough to keep watching it.  Stopped the DVD after about 40".  Not a first date movie.

"The Losers"

... movie with Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chris Evans, Idris Elba, Columbus Short, and Óscar Jaenada as a CIA Black Ops Team betrayed and left for dead by an evil mastermind named Max (Jason Patric).  Stuck in Bolivia, they work on plans to return to the US.  Fortune comes their way when they meet the sexy Zoe Saldana, who hires them to find and kill Max!

 

A lot of shooting, killing, and fighting.  But, something was missing. Better to skip as a first date movie!

"The Other Guys"

... comedy with Will Ferrell and Mark Walberg as two "not so great" NYPD Cops.  Will is a transfer from the Accounting Department; Mark is the cop who shot a certain New York Yankee Baseball Player.  As partners, they are not in the same league as the dynamic duo played by Samuel Jackson and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.  However, things will changes once they solve a high-profile case that involves Wall Street, the SEC, and "foreign investors"!

 

Funny movie.... If you liked "Talladega Nights", then you will like this one.  Hold as a first date movie mainly for the reference to Will's side job that he had in college - a pimp!

"Kick Ass"

... movie about a high school nerd who yearns to be a superhero. He has no super powers, he is not a genius, he just wants to be one.  As fate has it, he gets his chance when he is injured in attempt to be a superhero.  The injury heals but leaves him unable to feel pain - something about damaged nerve endings.  With this inability to feel pain, he uses it to fight villains.  That is, he keeps fighting relentlessly....

 

Funny moments, lots of cussing, would not consider a first date movie.  But, still liked it.  Really liked "Hit Girl" and "Red Mist".  Also, good to see Nicholas Cage as "Big Daddy".  For more details, check out IMDB.

"The Runaways"

... movie with Kristin Stewart and Dakota Fanning as female rock star Joan Jett and vocalist Cherie Currie, respectively.  Joan wants to be a rock star but has a hard time breaking in to the industry as a female.  However, when opportunity finds her way, she seizes it by convincing a local music producer/agent on an idea - an all girl rock band!

 

Good movie, did not know that Joan Jett started in the industry in her teens. Glad to see the she learned from "The Runaways" to launch the "Blackhearts"!  Read more at IMDB!

"The Hangover"

... comedy with a number of recognizable actors.  Sort of a Tom Hank's "Bachelor Party" movie with a twist...  Four good buddies head to Vegas for a last hurrah before one of them gets married.  Everything starts out well enough except they lose the groom, they cannot remember what they did last night, and a lot of strangers seem to have met them, partied with them, and even married one of them!

 

Funny movie, hold as a first date movie.  Don't want to give the wrong impression especially on a first date.  Read more about the movie at IMDB!

"Clash of the Titans"

Remake of the 1981 movie of the same name.  Storyline relates to Greek mythology and the anger of the Gods towards Man. So-so first date movie that builds on the original through current movie special effects, else glad to have waited to see this one till it came out on DVD.  For more details, check out the link to IMDB.

"From Paris With Love"

... shoot'm up action movie with John Travolta and Jonathan Rhys Myers.  Jonathan is the US Ambassador's personal assistant assigned by a "Government Agency".  He longs for something more that involves more covert action.  After a comical stunt that involved planting a bug in a foreign diplomat's office, Jonathan is partnered with John Travolta, a Field Agent with attitude and lots of bullets!  Their mission is to thwart a terrorist attack on delegate to a summit being held in Paris.

 

Skip this one as a first date movie because of all the violent shoot'm up scenes.  But,for movie goers who enjoy action and shoot'm up scenes, check it out on your own.  Really liked the Myers-Travolta pairing and the "impossible" shots being made!

"Wolfman"

Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, and Anthony Hopkins play main characters in this rendition of a werewolf movie.  Storyline was promising but the movie tended to be slow and long winded.  Wait on this one as a first date movie rental.  PS: Pay attention to the Inspector's voice, it is the actor that played Mr. Smith in the Matrix.

"She's Out Of My League"

... comedy about a young "nerdy" man who meets, dates, and eventually becomes the love interested of a hot blond woman!  His buddies, family, and strangers cannot believe she is with him.  Her friends, family, and others think the same.  That said, there is chemistry in their relationship.

Funny movie and a safe first date movie especially how everything works out in the end.  Check it out when you get a chance!

"Despicable Me"

Animated movie with Steve Carrel playing the evil villain Gru.  On a quest to steal the moon, Gru concocts a plan:

• Steal a Shrinking Gun,
• Fly to the moon in a rocket
• Shrink the moon
• And then, ransom it for money.

Things start out well when he steals the Shrinking Gun; however, he soon loses it to a rival villain named Vector!  To steal it back, Gru enlists three orphaned girls who sell cookies.... Cookies that Vector likes!

 

Funny movie that the kids will like.  Enjoyed the storyline, really liked the "Minions", and the girls' characters play well against Gru's evilness.  Safe first date movie.  Just be ready to watch in a theater with lots of children.

"The Spy Next Door"

Jackie Chan plays a Chinese spy on loan to the CIA.  Robin Wright Penn is his significant other or at least, soon to be wife!  That is, if he can get past her three kids who think he is a "geek" pen salesman - Jackie's cover while he waits for his assignments.

 

Funny story with an expected happy ending since it is a Disney movie.  Not a bad rental but would wait for a rainy day to watch this one.  PS:  George Lopez and Billy Ray Cyrus play CIA agents that Jackie works with....