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"Off The Chain," is a dark comedy about a working wife and mother pushed to the edge by her husband Joe's utter shiftlessness and irresponsibility. In every sense, Joe is like her third child. He forgets to pay important bills, he doesn't help Susanna enough with the kids. He basically is just a warm body. He's not a life partner. He leaves his wife to carry not only the familial duties; she also has to take care of the house and the finances. When his financial recklessness wipes out there savings she is pushed to the edge and contracts a hired killer. Susanna doesn't want her husband dead. She regrets her decision and upon a meeting to finalize the details of her husbands hit she plans to call the whole thing off but instead she is arrested.

A lazy husband is no justification for murder. This is true, but it is a comedy, a dark comedy, but a comedy. The people who are overly critical of this film are taking it far too seriously. There are some jokes about men that men may find offensive. My own husband cringed at several of the jokes, but they are just that, jokes characters in the film make. The jokes may seem extreme and some of the characters in the film such as Big Tammy may seem a little over the top. Big Tammy, with her disdain for the male species is the opposite of the main character in many ways. Susanna doesn't think all men are evil or that Joe is that bad, all she really wanted was a life partner who contributed more around the house.

"Off The Chain" is a well written film that women will relate to more than men in most situations. However, I will say after watching this film with my husband he was a bit more sympathetic to my many responsibilities as wife and mother and offered to help out more around the house.

On The Outs is a gripping movie that every teen should see this season. The film is about three young girls living in Jersey City whose lives intersect at a juvenile detention center.

Oz is a 17 year old drug dealer. She is very butch and really carries herself as one of the guys. She fights like the guys, dresses like the guys, talks like the guys and sells drugs on the street corner with the guys. The only person she seems to have a real emotional connection with is her mentally disabled brother. In a case of irony, Oz despises drug use and people who use drugs--despite the fact that she is a drug dealer. On top of all of that, Oz has a mother who is addicted to drugs.

Suzette is 15 years old and meets a neighborhood boy named Tyrell. He shows just a little bit of interest in Suzette and she gets hot and heavy with him real fast. The two become sexually active and Suzette becomes pregnant, much to the dismay of her hardworking single mother. After becoming pregnant Suzette runs away from home to be with Tyrell, a street drug dealer who doesn't seem to have a place to live himself. On the streets Suzette finds trouble far beyond her unplanned pregnancy.

Marisol is a young mother and a crack cocaine addict. She spends much of her time on the streets. When she is arrested following an accident she is forced to face her demons face on. While in juvenile detention her daughter is put into foster care. Marisol thinks a quick fix will help her regain custody of her daughter. She is faced with the prospect of having to stay clean and become responsible to get her daughter back.

On The Outs is the best film created for young teen girls in years. Young women today are faced with so many obstacles and choices lead to consequences. This is an excellent film and the voices of the young girls seem authentic.