Stuff by Steve

Invincible (Great)
Philadelphia bartender Vince Papale tries out for the local NFL team. Based on a true story.
The moody 1970’s-era Philadelphia setting provided the perfect backdrop for an inspirational film that can be enjoyed by everyone, sports fan or not. An understated performance from Mark Wahlberg proved to be right on the money. And it was pretty clean, too. Loved this movie.

Click (Good)
A middle-aged man receives a unique gift - a universal remote control that literally “controls his universe.”
Adam Sandler gets a universal remote that does some amazing things - mutes the dog, fast forwards through fights with his wife, skips to his next promotion. However, he quickly realizes that fast-forwarding his life has dire consequences. It’s really an above-average Scrooge tale, just not at Christmas (you know, the kind where a guy has his priorities screwed up and need a little divine help to figure things out).

The Break-Up (Crap)
Due to a misunderstanding, a man and a woman attempt to save their marriage by treating the other badly.
You know that uncomfortable feeling you have when you get caught in the middle of a relationship fight that isn’t yours? Now imagine having that feeling for an hour and five minutes. I spent most of the movie with my teeth clenched. The odd funny bit simply didn’t compensate enough. Blah.

Take the Lead (Good)
A dance instructor attempts to teach ballroom dancing to a detention class at a New York high school. Inspired by a true story.
Loosely based on the real-life story of dance instructor Pierre Dulain, except instead of a new program to teach elementary school kids the art of ballroom dancing, we have teenagers filled with angst who must be inspired to leave their lives of crime and gangs. Kind of like “Dangerous Minds,” it was really pretty good, but if you want the real story of Mr. Dulain, watch “Mad Hot Ballroom.”

Step Up (Good)
A juvenile delinquent performs community service at a school for the arts and discovers a chance to better himself - and fall in love.
I will only admit that I liked this movie if everyone shuts their eyes right now. Okay then. I would give this chick flick a lower rating were it not for the throngs of gushing women, my wife included, who think this is the best dance movie of the year. I can’t argue - it was pretty good. All that and a good moral, too.