Action & Adventure: KICK-ASS- 2010

Inspired by his love of comic books, high school student Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) decides to transform himself into a masked crime fighter -- a decision that eventually thrusts the teenager into Internet stardom. Soon, Dave's antics inspire a wave of would-be heroes to don costumes and live out their superhero fantasies. Nicolas Cage, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Chloe Moretz also star in this comic book adaptation from director Matthew Vaughn. (Netflix.com)

Grade: B+

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that this movie is not the seemingly family friendly, lighthearted movie that the trailers make it out to be, which definitely isn't a bad thing, unless you've already started watching it with the kids (which luckily for me wasn't the case). This movie is brutally violent in some spots, and almost downright sad in others. The story was pretty good, and like most super hero stories, fallowed the format, with a little bit of a twist, the main bad-ass character is an 11 year old girl! The entire cast was great, and the acting was wonderful, but I must say, Chloe Moretz was so awesome, she had me wishing that I had grown up with a girl like her to look up to! The entire movie was great, and if you don't mind your kid seeing gratuitous violence you don't have to take this one off the table completely.

Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Surroggates- 2009

Based on Robert Venditti's graphic novel of the same name, director Jonathan Mostow's sci-fi thriller is set in a futuristic world in which humans hibernate at home while living their lives vicariously through robot surrogates. When a series of mysterious surrogate murders occurs, FBI agent Greer (Bruce Willis) ventures out into the world for the first time in years to investigate. Radha Mitchell and Ving Rhames co-star. (Netflix.com)

Grade: B

This was certainly an interesting concept to say the least. To imagine a world where real human interaction is so minimal it's almost nonexistent is bizarre, but compelling non the less. The acting was great, and the action scenes were awesome too. This was a really cool look into an original idea, and worth the watch.

Action Adventure/ Thriller: Quantum of Solace- 2008

Picking up an hour after the events of 2006's Casino Royale, this James Bond adventure finds 007 (Daniel Craig) tracking a traitor who's infiltrated Britain's MI6. The trail leads to Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), the charismatic head of a world environmental agency. But behind this seemingly legitimate facade, Greene runs Quantum, a powerful terrorist organization whose plot to overthrow a Bolivian dictator masks an even more sinister scheme. (Per Netflix.com)

Grade: B

Trying to describe what an action movie is to someone who's never seen one? Well, this definitely falls into the category of high-impact action, and would be a great example of it! I mean, from the first moments of the movie and on it was a series of fast-paced, ass-kicking moments, a total guys movie, which may explain why I gave it a B. This movie was somewhat lacking in a solid story line, I mean, I watched it for about 30 minutes, if not MORE, before the plot of the movie was explained by Bond, in a tidy little bundle too. It seemed like the plot was nearly an after thought to the myriad of different ways they could show people getting beat up and things getting blown up. But, if you can look past that little flaw, and enjoy the action, it's worth the watch!

Action/Martial Arts: Ninja Assassin- 2009

After being raised since childhood to be a bad-ass ninja, Raizo decides, after seeing his first love murdered by them, that he is not like them at all, and vows revenge on the entire Ozunu Clan. Meanwhile, the government is getting close to cracking down on the clan completely, and with Raizo's help, and skills, it might even happen.

Grade: B

Ok, This movie had some pretty brutal scenes. I mean, the opening sequence alone was a bloody massacre that was really only the tip of the ice burg of what was to come. The story line was ok, the acting was ok, but the action scenes, and the overall feel of the movie was great. Good watch. Anytime there is killing with swards it gets way more than a little messy!

Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen- 2009

Unlikely hero Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and his foxy girlfriend, Mikaela Banes (Megan Fox), return with tough-as-nails Capt. Lennox (Josh Duhamel) to assist the Autobots in another epic battle against the evil Decepticons in this supercharged sequel to the 2007 megahit. Blockbuster impresario Michael Bay brings his trademark pyrotechnics to the proceedings, while comic whiz Rainn Wilson joins the cast as a college professor. (Per Netflix.com)

Grade: C+

There are a few good aspects to this movie, this is for sure, it's fun, loud, lots of action, and comedy, but the story line was wishy-washy, at best. I think they really tried this time (after complaints from the first one I'm sure) to make the fight scenes more clear, and easy to watch. In other words, they were much less blurry and close up than before. This is a great one to watch with the kids, especially boys, and what can I say, Megan Fox IS a fox, and that makes it worth watching to me! ;)

Suspense/Drama: The Hurt Locker- 2008

Fallow the journey, and conflicts that take place during war in Iraq, for a team of IED dismantlers in this edge of your seat thrill ride.

Grade: A+

Well, it's no question why this movie won best picture of the year, and was so wildly popular, it was amazing! I don't think I've watched a movie that LITERALLY kept me on the edge of my seat, with my stomach in my throat for so much of the movie. This movie was really able to convey the emotions of the army squad, and allows the viewer to place themselves in their shoes. This was a total roller coaster of emotions; fear, anxiety, anticipation, relief, humor, and back again. This was a great movie, on so many levels.

Action: Taken- 2008

A retired government agent, whose job title was "preventer", reluctantly allows his daughter to go to Paris only to have her be randomly chosen by a sex-slave ring "scouter", and kidnapped. This, of course, leaves him with only ONE choice: Find his daughter and kill EVERYONE in his path!

Grade: B-

Ok, ok,..... This movie DEFINITELY had it's "edge-of-your-seat" moments, and was certainly a fun watch,.... buuuuuuut,.... it was pretty cliche and pretty predictable. I DO have to say that I enjoyed Liam Neeson in this role, and thought he was pretty bad-ass, I enjoyed the immense amount of neck karate chops, and pistol whipping that went on, I can say I got my fill! Was ALL of the acting great? I wouldn't say there were Oscar worthy performances in it, but it was fun to watch, and pretty entertaining!

Action: Punisher: War Zone- 2008

What would you do if your wife and two kids were murdered during a family picnic in the park? For Frank Castle, the answer was to go on a "bad guy" killing spree, killing off the murderers of his family, and organized crime rings all together! The ultimate "good guy" who also happens to be a total bad ass!

Grade: A+

This story was TOTALLY awesome! I mean, vigilante justice against REALLY bad guys- how great is THAT? They made Jigsaw look SO gross, and his brother Loony-Bin-Jim is SCARILY psychotic! Their acting was great!! If you are looking for an action-packed, vengeance-filled, thrill ride, THIS is the movie for you!!

Action/Thriller: Domino- 2005

Born from actor parents and after a life spent pursuing a modeling career, Domino Harvey decides to become a bounty hunter. Little does she know how her decision will play out in some pretty unexpected and shady ways.

Grade: B

This movie was definitely an entertaining watch, with plenty of interesting twists and turns. I personally enjoy watching movies where the woman is a total bad ass, and Keira Knightley played the part wonderfully. In fact the entire cast, including 90210 co-stars Ian Ziering and Brian Austin Green playing themselves. The story was easy to get into, and definitely a fun watch.