Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on half-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo. It opens in 1972, as the three are members of an East L.A. gang known as the “Vatos Locos”, and the story focuses on how a violent crime and the influence of narcotics alter their lives. Miklo is incarcerated and sent to San Quentin, where he makes a “home” for himself. Cruz becomes an exceptional artist, but a heroin addiction overcomes him with tragic results. Paco becomes a cop and an enemy to his “carnal”, Miklo. Written by Anonymous

If you’re wondering whether “Jarhead” is a message movie, you’ll find your answer in a line from the film. When the Marines in his sniper unit begin discussing the reason behind America’s involvement in Desert Storm, Troy (Peter Sarsgaard) says, “To hell with politics. We’re here now.” That sentiment sums up what “Jarhead” the movie is all about. To hell with politics, arguments over whether or not America should have been involved in protecting Kuwait from Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi troops, and other concerns over the justification of sending Americans to fight in Desert Storm.

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John Triton is a heroic Marine who returns home after being discharged–against his will–from the Iraq War. Stateside, he finds himself back in action, when a group of murderous diamond thieves on the run led by a merciless criminal named Rome has kidnapped his wife and John goes on a chase through the South Carolinian wilderness to retrieve her. With everything on the line, the Marine will stop at nothing to carry out his toughest and most important mission. Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}

“Stateside” is supposedly based on a true story. Because of that, we’re supposed to care what happens to the messed up people who populate this movie. At least I’m assuming that’s the point of the film. I’d really hate to believe it’s an hour and a half or so of mind-numbing storytelling without any purpose.

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In this film, muckraker Michael Moore turns his eye on George W. Bush and his War on Terrorism agenda. He illustrates his argument about how this failed businessman with deep connections to the royal house of Saud of Saudia Arabia and the Bin Ladins got elected on fraudulent circumstances and proceeded to blunder through his duties while ignoring warnings of the looming betrayal by his foreign partners. When that treachery hits with the 9/11 attacks, Moore explains how Bush failed to take immediate action to defend his nation, only to later cynically manipulate it to serve his wealthy backers’ corrupt ambitions. Through facts, footage and interviews, Moore illustrates his contention of how Bush and his cronies have gotten America into worse trouble than ever before and why Americans should not stand for it. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com