RELEASED: April 24
RATING: PG-13
THE PLOT: Life is good for Derek Charles (Idris Elba), his wife, Sharon (Beyonce), and their baby until new assistant Lisa (Ali Larter) becomes obsessed with Derek.
MY THOUGHTS: Beyonce did a good job in a role other than the singer role she usually plays. The movie wasn't fantastic, but it was above average. The plot and dialogue were cliched, but the cast did a good job bringing flavor to the scenes. It's worth going to see.
MY Grade: B
-- William Fleming
'Hotel for Dogs'
RELEASED ON DVD: April 28
MPAA RATING: PG
SUMMARY: Siblings Andi and Bruce hide in an abandoned hotel to evade police. They find two dogs in the hotel, and with the help of their friends, and Bruce's technological ability, create a "hotel" for stray dogs to keep them from being euthanized.
MY THOUGHTS: A poignant tale of children in the foster care system trying to save dogs from slaughter by a group of dogcatchers.
At times, though, the movie seems to push a social agenda through quasi-brainwashing children into believing that euthanizing dogs is evil and the foster-care system is horrific.
Still, it's a great family film, especially for those younger than 14.
GRADE: B
-- John Klement
'Ghosts of Girlfriends Past'
RELEASED: May 1
RATING: PG-13
THE PLOT: Matthew McConaughey stars in this movie as womanizing photographer Connor Mead. Connor is asked to be best man at his down-to-earth brother's wedding, where he runs into his childhood sweetheart, Jenny (Jennifer Garner).
Connor is visited by ghosts of past, present and future girlfriends who show him that his way of life will leave him lonely and hollow.
MY THOUGHTS: This movie has a plot similar to It's a Wonderful Life without the feel-good emotions that come with it. The chemistry between Mr. McConaughey and Ms. Garner is OK, but definitely not great. The plot is easy to follow and expected: Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy swears off love, boy regrets it, boy finds girl again. Though this movie isn't great, the stars are fun to watch.
MY Grade: C
-- Lindsay Garrick
