The American

Matthew Modine, Diana Rigg, Aisling O'Sullivan, Andrew Scott

Directed by Paul Unwin

Rating: D

Christopher Newman (Modine) is an American who travels to France a fresh start after the Civil War has ended in America. Many of the French refer to Newman as "The American" who is ignorant to the French customs and is searching for a wife. Newman sets his eyes on unattainable Claire Bellegarde (O'Sullivan), who's old family name prevents her from marrying just anyone. The Bellegarde's live a proud life, where everyone knows to leave them in peace.

"The American" does not give a good first impression at the start. The film is cheaply made, which may be a result of it being a product of PBS Pictures. The film is "supposed" to take place in France but none of the area in which the film takes place looks it. Everyone in the film has an accent other than France, so where are the French people of the film?

Christopher Newman, the main character, who is snobbish and because he has money, thinks he can get what he wants. He's determined to speak to Claire and gets her brother, Valentin (Scott), to help. There was nothing admirable about Newman, except maybe that he wouldn't give up on Claire when she admits she loves him.

The only reason I watched this film was for Andrew Scott, who's character is a little reckless. He's tired of living the life his family is used to and is the rebellious one in the family. This wasn't the best role Scott has played but if you're as infatuated with him as I am at the moment, then he makes it worth watching at least once in your life. I don't recommend this movie for anyone to watch unless you're trying to watch all the Andrew Scott movies. At least "The American" isn't a long movie and the ridiculous ending makes up for it.

Once

Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova

Directed by John Carney

Rating: A-

"Once" is not a true story, though it gives the appearance of one. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova aren't named in this movie besides "guy" and "girl" but these two are what make the movie worth watching. Glen Hansard is a singer/songwriter, playing guitar on the streets of Dublin while also working with his dad at a vacuum repair shop. Marketa is entranced by Glen's music and is happy to find out he can fix her broken vacuum cleaner. While the two get to know each other, Marketa mentions she learned to play the piano from her father. When the two enter a music shop, the real chemistry grows between them when they play and sing one of Glen's songs. Marketa isn't looking for a relationship, as she's raising a little two-year-old girl with her mother, and Glen is troubled between his new feelings for Marketa and going back to an old girlfriend he loved.

What I loved about "Once" is the music you hear all throughout the movie. You hear a few songs repeatedly but they find a way to stay in your head and refuse to leave. From the lyrics to the melody, these songs are in their way romantic. That's one word to describe this movie. "Once" makes you want to hear more from these two and you can. Glen and Marketa went on tour together for a little while, forming the band "The Swell Season".

I highly recommend for anyone to watch this movie, but you have to watch it twice. (Or at least listen to the soundtrack a few times to appreciate the music before watching.) The first time around is a little bit slow, mainly because you're trying to figure out if there's any plot and what kind of movie it is. After you get to listen to the songs in the movie, the second time you watch it is best because you're familiar with the songs and it means more to you than the first time. "Once" doesn't have a plot besides a musician who misses a woman who left him but it does leave you with a morose, yet satisfied feeling at the end.

Catfish

Yaniv Schulman, Angela Wesselman

Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman

Rating: C

In late 2007, Yaniv Schulman began corresponding with an eight-year-old girl, Abby, and her mother after seeing her paintings she drew based off his photographs. Yaniv made regular phone calls with the mother, Angela, and began getting involved with the family, making contact with Angela's oldest daughter, Megan, and talking on Facebook. After eight months of getting to know each other, Yaniv starts to become suspicious when a song Megan claimed she wrote sounded exactly like another artist. Yaniv decided to visit Megan, Abby, and Angela in Michigan to get the story straight.

"Catfish" is a real documentary and sheds light on how easy people can deceive you through means of Facebook and phone calls. Yaniv would call Megan fairly regularly and they had a romantic relationship through talking on the phone and texting, yet they have never met each other. Yaniv starts to put the pieces together after investigating Abby's art gallery and finds out the building is vacant.

I think in most situations, people wouldn't have handled Yaniv's situation as calmly as he did. Yaniv finds out that Angela is the one who painted the pictures and while Abby and Megan are really her daughters, Angela hadn't talked to Megan in years. It's sad and it makes you pity Angela for the life she lives and for making up such a huge story. She led Yaniv on to think Megan was really someone interested in him but it makes you pity her because she must be a desperate person to do that. Yaniv doesn't think so. He spends a few days with her, getting the story straight but never expressing anything other than sympathy.

I'm not quite sure why anyone would want to watch this documentary. It's a little slow and in the beginning there's not much of a point to watch it until you get wrapped up in the drama. I wouldn't recommend watching this unless you want to experience the drama yourself.

The Hot Chick

Rob Schneider, Anna Faris, Rachel McAdams, Matthew Lawrence

Directed by Tom Brady

Rating: B

A popular young high schooler trades bodies with an older man and learns that her popularity has cost her quite a bit with her mean comments on students. Jessica (Schneider) reveals herself to her three close friends and they help her track down the person responsible for causing the switch, along with a few tough lessons on how to be a better person.

"The Hot Chick" is the movie to watch if you grew up watching TV shows in the 90s. This movie has a range of familiar characters from Anna Faris, who is no stranger to these ridiculous comedies, to Tia and Tamara Mowry from the Disney channel show "Sister Sister", to Matthew Lawrence who played older brother to Shawn Hunter in Disney's "Boy Meets World".

"The Hot Chick" is like your typical Adam Sandler movie (who also cameo's in this film). It's slapstick humor yet if you've been a high school girl, you can sympathize with Jessica's problem. It's humorous because as a girl you can sympathize with her having to adjust to a man's body, especially one who is older than her.

Rob Schneider steals the spotlight with his comedic impressions of being a young teenage girl. He portrays a believable character of a girl stuck in a man's body. Though his performance may not be "Oscar" worthy, Schneider does a pretty good job with his role.

Overall I think the movie had some pretty funny parts, albeit some were kind of gross. It's definitely worth watching and I think it fits more with the younger generation.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Vanessa Hudgens, Michael Cain, Luis Guzman

Directed by Brad Peyton

Rating: B

Having to pick up your life and start it somewhere new is never easy. Sean (Hutcherson) has a new step-father he would rather not take the time to know and a mission to accomplish. Sean is looking for a new journey and when he hears an encrypted message play over the radio waves, only his step-dad, Hank (Johnson), can help him out. The message is from Sean's grandfather who has disappeared for years and Hank agrees to let Sean go find him if he can come along. Reluctantly, he agrees and the two embark on a mission in addition with a pilot and his daughter to a mysterious island where things are not as they appear.

"Journey 2" brings new adventures and a mysterious island that is on the brink of going under water. I think this sequel pulled it off well and kept the excitement alive of watching the main characters find an uncharted island. While the characters may have some cheesy lines, like Hutcherson trying to impress the pilot's daughter and Johnson making his pecks 'dance', the movie has a decent plot to keep it interesting.

It might be necessary to watch "Journey to the Center of the Earth" before watching the sequel because there are a few moments that make you wonder what you missed. Sean repeatedly mentions how the men in his family don't stick around and it's been a while since I last saw the first movie. I can't remember what happened to the father and it's mentioned that the grandfather has always been searching for an adventure rather than being there for his family.

This sequel brings along new scenery, new animals (large animals are small and small animals are large!), and a volcano that erupts gold. The characters are put in danger and take to flying bees to reach their destination. "Journey 2" is not just a movie for children, but for those who are fans of classic literature like "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" or "Gulliver's Travels". This film brings a different kind of thrill that you can't get from repeated plots such as the over-done vampire movies or action films. I would recommend giving this movie a try if you can handle some cheesy lines and enjoy lost continents (Atlantis!).