For a change, let's take a look at a few dvds.

I was able to watch a few rentals during the past week and I thought it would be fun to write a couple of paragraphs on each. On the plus side you, the reader, may have seen one or more of these and probably have formed opinions on the film or films. If after reading you agree or disagree, we love to know what other people think, so please feel free to comment by clicking the button at the bottom of the article. With that, let us begin!

We begin our list with a French foreign film: Priceless. The movie stars one of my favorite actresses Audrey Tautou of 'Amelie' and 'Da Vinci Code' fame, so now you know why I was drawn to it. Gad Elmaleh played in the male lead, and while he's a fresh face to me, there is no doubt he is quite popular in France. His resume is quite extensive.

The quick plot on this is as follows: Through a set of circumstances, a young gold digger mistakenly woos a mild-mannered bartender thinking he's a wealthy suitor. He doesn't dissuade her until the ruse is uncovered and she decides to teach him a lesson following his repeated advances.

Overall, this romantic comedy comes in right in the middle of the pack. Admittedly, I was a bit turned off with Tautou as a really despicable character. Sure, she thinks she's doing this guy a favor by teaching him a lesson, but overall, she's not the adorable pixie or unwitting victim that I've come to love and I just couldn't see the other side. Perhaps if there had been more comedy than unfortunate circumstances, it might have warmed me. Alas, no.

I'm giving 'Priceless' 2.25 Royal Suites out of 5 Royal Suites. While you feel for the "hero" of the film, I couldn't help but feel sad for just about everybody involved in the plot. If it's a very rainy Sunday, you don't mind subtitles, and you just can't watch 'You've Got Mail' on cable one more time, then give this a spin. Otherwise, go watch 'Love, Actually' and call it a day. On a personal note: sorry Jen Ren.

Next on the list is 'Eagle Eye'. This was a September entry to the theaters in 2008. That generally signals bad news for any movie, but when the film is billed as a thriller you can almost see the plot holes before you get in the car to drive to the theater.

That said, This movie which stars Shia Labeouf and Michelle Monaghan was actually able to hold my attention. Here's a brief plot summary from IMDB.com: Jerry and Rachel are two strangers thrown together by a mysterious phone call from a woman they have never met. Threatening their lives and family, she pushes Jerry and Rachel into a series of increasingly dangerous situations, using the technology of everyday life to track and control their every move.

This was standard popcorn fare and every situation is impossible to believe. That is what you should expect from a film like this and if you just let it go and enjoy the pace and increasingly difficult situations that they get in and out of then you won't be disappointed. Don't look for brilliance in this movie, it's not going to win awards. We're giving 'Eagle Eye' 3 scrap yard cranes out of 5 scrap yard cranes. Enjoy this film when the wife isn't around, I can't imagine her going for it. Unless she's a closet Shia fan.

Third, we have 'Ghost Town'. I was really looking forward to enjoying this movie. With Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, and Tea Leoni plus Kristin Wiig in a small supporting role... I really wanted to laugh along with this movie.

The IMDB.com plot: Bertram Pincus, is a man whose people skills leave much to be desired. When Pincus dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he wakes up to discover that he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts.

So, did I laugh? Yeah, for about the first half of the movie. I mean come on! Ricky Gervais is one of the funniest human beings on the planet right now; in short doses. The problem is that he's a one trick pony, everything he does is the same stammering and short sentences. He doesn't have anything else.

As it turned out, this actually ended up being a romantic comedy too. So look at Gervais and tell me if you can see that guy leading a romantic comedy with Tea Leoni. Maybe it's just my hang up, but I was stumped. I'm giving 'Ghost Town' 2.75 Egyptian mummies out of 5 Egyptian mummies. The actor I most wanted to watch ended up grinding me into a hole and the plot wasn't good enough to pull me out in the second half. I did love the first half and coincidentally, Kristin Wiig kept me laughing in all her scenes. She is just terrific. I can't really decide if you should see it or not. I'm leaving you to make your own decision on this one.

Finally, I give you 'The House Bunny'. It's exactly what you think it is. Stupid comedy with a lot of naked skin, but no nudity. There is a reason why I waited to see this list of movies as rentals, but let me assure you that I did actually enjoy this movie. I'm a guy, so that probably comes to no surprise to anyone out there, but I honestly did find myself chuckling throughout the film. Certainly not guffawing, but definitely chuckling.

Our plot from IMDB.com (as if you need one): When Shelly, a Playboy bunny, is tossed out of the mansion, she has nowhere to go until she falls in with the sorority girls from Zeta Alpha Zeta. The members of the sorority - who also have got to be the seven most socially clueless women on the planet - are about to lose their house. They need a dose of what only the eternally bubbly Shelley can provide.

Anna Faris has become the #1 slapstick movie comedienne in the business the last 5 years or so all starting with the 'Scary Movie' franchise. What did surprise me in this film is that the idea for the story was Faris', with her serving as a producer on the film as well. Teaming up with Adam Sandler's production company helps as well. They add their experience and we get to see a bunch of cameo's from that crew. I haven't even mentioned the cameo's by Hugh Hefner and the cast of 'The Girls Next Door', who must be included to add any credence to the story, right?

The person who put it over the top for me was Emma Stone. She's a relative new-comer to Hollywood with parts in the canceled tv show 'Drive', and a supporting role in last year's comedy 'Superbad', but I really like what she does here. As the leader of the sorority of misfits, she plays a great naive girl next door. I'm giving 'The House Bunny' 3.50 sequined back braces out of 5 sequined back braces. The cast really enhances the story and we get to see every female name that has graced a Hollywood gossip page in the last year. Except Paris Hilton. Thank God.

I'm just saying,

Elijah.