Paranormal Activity (2007 & 2009)

IMDB claims that it came out in 2007, but the film wasn't released to everyone until 2009. I have to say out of all the films that have adopted the Blair Witch Trials style camera work and story, this is by far the best one I have ever seen. It might be one of the best horror films to come out in a long time. There are some great moments in this film and some that drag, but it really get's creepy towards the end. The end of the film is the scariest part of the whole film and I won't tell you what it is. The movie is about a couple named Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat) who are experiencing some paranormal activity in their new San Diego home. So, Micah decides to go out and get a camera to record some of it. The only thing is that they've really pissed it off. So go out and rent this because I really recommend it. Four Stars Out Of Five

Jennifer's Body (2009)

I really think that this movie was sort of a big piece of crap. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed watching Meghan Fox, but I'm glad it was rent 1, get 1 free. I thought Amanda Seyfried (Alpha Dog) and Megan Fox (Transformers) did a great job, but overall the whole story was stupid and I expected a lot more out of Diablo Cody (Juno). It was an excuse to exploit how sexy Megan Fox is and if your an adolescent teen, then you didn't get your Joly's off. I would have settled for at least a but shot, but you got nothing. It's the story of how Jennifer was supposed to be sacrificed to Satan by a rock band led by Adam Brody (The OC), but because she lied about being a virgin, she becomes a succubus and starts eating all the boys at the school. Amanda's character Needy suspects her and tries to stop Jennifer from eating anybody else. That is basically the movie. Enjoy, Two Stars Out Of Five

Beer League (2006)

I actually enjoyed watching this movie which you can rent or watch currently on the Movie Channel. It stars a lot of has beens and wannabe actors from Hollywood's past. Artie Lange (The Howard Stern Show) stars as Artie DeVanzo, a slacker who plays on a slow pitch softball league, who because of his mouth got his team into trouble. They need to win in order to stay in the league, but the only problem is that Dennis Mangenelli's (Anthony DeSando) team is the best in the league. Things look as they are about to turn around for Artie, he has the girl Linda (Cara Buono), his best friend Maz's (Ralph Macchio, The Karate Kid) bachelor part to plan for, and the team is Finally winning. The only thing is his jealousy for Dennis gets in the way of everything for him. So, go out and rent it and find out if the team can do it and if Artie will screw everything else up. The Movie also stars Laurie Metcalf (TVs Roseanne) as Artie's mom, Seymour Cassel (Colors) as Dirt, Jim Breuer (Half Baked), and Joe Lo Truglio (Pineapple Express) to name a few. Three Stars Out Of Five

Miami Vice (2006)

I have to say that I wasn't too impressed with this movie and that Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx didn't have the right kind of swagger to replace Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas. The other thing that bothered me is that it seemed that they wanted to make a big Hollywood production out of the TV series, but they make you wait till about the movie is almost over before you get any action. The movie is about our favorite Miami PD's Sonny Crockett (Farrell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Foxx) as they try to take down a big drug dealing ring that involves the Latin Americans and the Skinheads. In the meantime, Tubbs is dating one his partners in Trudy (Naomie Harris) and Crockett falls for one that they're investigating in Isabella (Played by the hot Gong Li). Like I said, it's a big love story wrapped with action at the end of it. Great performances as well by John Ortiz (Public Enemies), Ciaran Hinds (The Race To Witch Mountain), and Tom Towles (House Of 1000 Corpses).

Notorious (2009)

This is the compelling story of Christopher Wallace a.k.a Notorious B.I.G. (Played by Jamal Woolard) as he rises from a good kid to street thug to famous and biggest rapper of New York. Along the way you see the trials and tribulations that he goes through from dealing with his first girlfriend's pregnancy to his mom's (Angela Bassett) troubles of being a single black woman to meeting and having a relationship with Lil Kim (Naturi Naughton) and to top it all off dealing with drama from Tupac (Anthony Mackie) being his friend at one time and being his enemy the next. You see the sacrifices he makes as well as the sacrifices his friends make to see Biggie accomplish the dream. This was a great bio pic of a man that died way before his time and the craziness that was the mid 90's in the rap game. The movie also stars Derek Luke (Lions For Lambs) as Puff Daddy, Antonique Smith as his wife Faith Evans (Across The Universe), Sean Ringgold as Suge Knight, Dennis L.A. White (The Brave One) as his best friend Damion "D-Roc" Butler and a great performance from Biggie's actual son Christopher Jordan Wallace as the young Biggie Smalls.

District 9 (2009)

All I have to say is that this is a Monster Movie Awards nominee for best movie 2009. I was very impressed with the story behind this movie. The aliens came to earth and because of not having fuel and starving, they stay on earth. So, the South Africans put them into slums and you see the desperation behind these aliens as they try to live on earth. One day, Wikus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley) comes to inspect the slums and inhales some fluid and slowly starts changing into one of them. The whole movie you follow as Wikus has some tough decisions to make; should he help the aliens try to escape or follow his own concerns and try to change the process of turning into an alien because he is a hot commodity as the human race is trying to figure out how to use the alien weaponry that they can't seem to get to work. I seriously recommend this movie. Four And The Half Stars Out Of Five.

Bruno (2009)

What can I say about Bruno? Other than the fact that the movie is an hour and the half of puns on homosexuality. From beginning to end, the movie is scene after scene of Sasha Baron Cohen and his sick sense of humor. Their were some priceless moments in the movie, but overall I felt this movie was a waste of time and not as funny as Borat. Don't waste your time, One Star Out Of Five.

Aliens In The Attic (2009)

I know what your thinking and I'm going to stop you in your tracks because Aliens In The Attic was a great movie. The movie is about the Pearson family who is about to go on vacation to their summer cottage when Aliens invade their attic. Things are boring until Tom (Carter Jenkins, Bad News Bears) and his cousin Jake (Austin Robert Butler of Zoey 101) come across alien life form trying to take over planet Earth. With the help of the other kids in the family, they go to the extreme to try and stop them. At the same time, they're trying to keep it a secret from the parents and it's not an easy task. The movie also stars Ashley Tisdale (High School Musical), Doris Roberts (Raymond's mom in Everybody Loves Raymond), Kevin Nealon (Showtime's Weeds), Andy Richter (Late Night With Conan O'Brien), and Tim Meadows (Saturday Night Live Alum). This movie has everything the little ones will enjoy from some action and slapstick humor. Four And The Half Stars Out Of Five

Brittany Murphy R.I.P. (1977-2009)

The world lost a valuable actress to this generation in Brittany Murphy. I practically feel like I grew up with Brittany in a way. I remember her first big role in Clueless in 1995 as Tai. I then remember her blockbuster role in Girl, Interrupted with Angelina Jolie as a crazy girl. Then her other star studded role in Eminem's bio pic 8 Mile. She has also done voice overs as she had a re-occurring role in King Of The Hill to Happy Feet. She also had some great roles in Don't Say A Word, Just Married, and the sleeper classic The Groomsmen and I also will never forget her role in Sin City. I will definitely miss Brittany Murphy. God Bless

Public Enemies (2009)

I can understand America's obsession with gangsters especially when it comes to Hollywood. This I have to say was an excellent movie and Johnny Depp does an excellent job as 1930's depression era bank robber John Dillinger. The movie chronicles his escape from prison in 1934 and the FBI's struggles to catch this uncatchable criminal. Johnny gives the character of Dillinger a certain swagger and coolness (for lack of better terms) and makes him very charismatic. Overall I have to say they did an excellent job with the movie and you follow Dillinger through all of his struggles with losing compatriots while managing to escape prison twice and elude Christian Bale's character (FBI agent Melvin Puris). The FBI as you see in this movie was not taken serious and you see how they developed their tactics for getting witnesses to talk and how they started the idea of using informants. The movie also stars Channing Tatum (G.I. Joe: Rise Of The Cobra) as Pretty Boy Floyd, An excellent Jason Clarke (Death Race) as John "Red" Hamilton, Stephen Dorff (Blade) as Homer Van Meter, Billy Crudup (Watchmen) as J. Edgar Hoover, and an excellent performance from the beautiful Marion Cotillard (Nine) as John Dillinger's love interest Billy. The movie also features cameos by Giovanni Ribisi (Boiler Room), Shawn Hatosy (Alpha Dog), Former UFC fighter Don Frye, and Leelee Sobieski (Eyes Wide Shut). I highly recommend this movie to all to see. Four Stars Out Of Five

Fool's Gold (2008)

I came across this movie about a screw up in just about everything reunites with his ex wife and finds gold with a rich guy. They go against some other guys that are trying to find it as well that this screw up owes money to. That's all I can tell you without giving it all away. The movie has these key things going for it and it's the fact that the very hot Kate Hudson stars along heartthrob Matthew McConaughey and the veteran Donald Sutherland. Not to mention the movie also stars a very hot and young newcomer Alexis Dziena and funny man Kevin Hart (who stars in every spoof movie made today). The movie has it all in some great comedy, some action, and Kate Hudson in a bikini. Believe me, it's not the greatest movie in the world, but it's good enough to enjoy when there's nothing else on. I give it Three Stars Out Of Five

Enemy At The Gates (2001)

If you want to see a movie about World War 2 overall, rent Saving Private Ryan, but if you want to see a movie on World War 2 from a different perspective, then rent this one. The movie is about the real Soviet hero sniper Vassili Zaitsev (Played by Jude Law) and his contribution to the motherland that was weakening during the year of 1942 when Germany invaded Stalingrad. It all happens when a propagandist is saved by Jude Law and decides to build his character up to scare the Germans. It works until the Germans decide to send one of their greatest snipers in to battle Law. Ed Harris becomes the ultimate thorn in Law's side when he starts taking out everyone close to him in this game of cat and mouse. The Movie also stars Bob Hoskins, Joseph Fiennes, and a very beautiful Rachel Weisz. The only thing that bothered me was Law was the only one that spoke with a British accent and Harris with his American accent. Otherwise Four Stars Out Of Five

Hell Ride (2008)

When you think of bikers, you think it must be a bad ass movie. Well, this is definitely one for you fans of Sons Of Anarchy and Quentin Tarantino definitely delivers. The movie jumps back and forth from July 4Th, 1976 as we see a woman by the name of Cherokee being brutally murdered to set up what is a revenge themed movie. It centers around a biker gang named the Victors and their president Pistolero (played by Larry Bishop, who also writes the movie) as he's looking to get revenge on a group that is re-emerging called the Sixers. The sixers are run by Deuce (Played by the Late John Carradine) and Billy Wings (Played by Vinnie Jones) who is very ruthless. The whole movie pistol is trying to figure out who is with him or against him as he also is trying to find a certain someone as well. The movie also features Easy Rider himself Dennis Hopper as Eddie Zero. If you like Tarantino flicks, you'll love this as it has a over abundance of naked giels, sex, violence, and bad ass motorcyles. Four Stars Out Of Five

Star Trek (2009)

I was a little skeptical about see this movie as I was not the biggest Star Trek fan, but I was very surprised as to how well JJ Abrams takes this long running franchise and makes it a stunning visual effect masterpiece. It tells the story of all the beginnings of your favorite star ship enterprise crew like Captain Kirk, Spock (Zachary Quinto), Sulu (John Cho), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Scotty (Simon Pegg), Bones (Karl Urban), and Chekov (Anton Yelchin). A Romulan miner's vessel has disrupted time and it's up to our young crew to take the helm and save the earth before he destroys it. The movie is full of surprise appearances and a who's who of actors in Hollywood. The movie features Eric Bana (Munich) as the villain Nero, Leonard Nimoy reprises his role as Spock but an old spock. The movie is full of adventure and has an excellent story around it. I think Chris Pine (Kirk) does an excellent job in this movie and makes Captain Kirk's character very cool and more hip to this century. One of my favorite scenes in the movie was seeing young Kirk take his step dad's convertible out and somehow when he turns on the radio in the car it manages to be playing the Beastie Boys song "Sabotage" before he send it's it off a cliff. So go out and rent this classic. Four and the Half Stars out of Five

Santa Buddies (2009)

I know what you guys are thinking and I was forced to watch this by my newphews, but I have to say that I did enjoy watching this movie. It's a cute movie for the little ones and I highly recommend it. It's the story of a dog who is next in line to be Santa's faithful dog companion, but the only problem is that Puppy Paws doesn't want to be involved with Christmas and all the other things because he wants to be a real dog. So, he escapes from the north pole and tries to find these family of dogs that work together and are related. Budderball (Voiced by Josh Flitter), Buddha (Voiced by Field Cate), B-Dawg (Voiced by Skyler Gisondo), Rosebud (Voiced by Liliana Mumy), Mudbud (Voiced by Ty Panitz) as the dogs Puppy Paws hopes will teach him to be a real dog. The other problem is that a sacred crystal keeps all the magic of christmas and it's losing powers because people have stopped believing. What will they do to save Christmas? Rent it and find out. The movie also features Christopher Lloyd as Stan Cruge (Instead of Scrooge) and George Wendt (yes the fat guy from Cheers) as Santa Claus. Four Stars out of Five

30 for 30: The U (2009)

I was highly anticipating the fact that I wanted to watch this being a huge fan of college football. Not to mention, this was directed by Billy Corben (Cocaine Cowboys) who I believe is the new breed of documentary style movie directors. This movie was truly amazing from the interviews with acclaimed coaches like Jimmy Johnson, Howard Schnellenberger, and Dennis Erickson, to players like Michael Irvin, Bennie Blades, Bernie Kosar, and Alonzo Highsmith. It has interviews with current NFL stars like Jeremy Shockey and Jonathon Vilma and it even features Luther Campbell of The 2 Live Crew because he had something to do with putting the Miami Hurricanes on the map by coining the term "The U". This doc shows you the rise of a mediocre football team to the most successful and highly controversial university on the map. Catch it on ESPN or maybe just maybe, they'll release it on DVD. Christmas is around the corner! Five Stars Out Of Five