Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events ***
Cast: Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep, Jude Law, Emily Browning, Liam Aiken, Kara & Shelby Hoffman, Billy Connolly, Timothy Spall, Catherine O'Hara
Director: Brad Silberling
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: PG

Yet another popular children's book series has now been made into a movie. The subject of the first movie in this series are the first three "Lemony Snicket" novels. The movie opens with the Baudelaire children, Violet (Browning), Klaus (Aiken), and Sunny (Hoffman twins), finding out that their parents were killed in a fire that also destroyed their house. Now, they are being sent to live with their nearest relative, Count Olaf (Carrey). Unfortunately for them, all Olaf wants is The Baudelaire fortune, and he makes the children's lives a living hell as he works out a scheme to get the money.

Jim Carrey plays Count Olaf with a maniacal glee. His goofyness extends far beyond that of the source material, but that suits Jim Carrey just fine. The child actors are all excellent in their respective roles, and are about what I imagined when reading the books. The adaptation is a bit jumbled for the movie's sake, but works fairly well. There are also "additions" to the movie that are not in the first three books, and one has to wonder if they were let in on some future secrets of the novel series or if the director was just filling in the story points with items of his own choosing.

"Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" is an entertaining family movie that can be enjoyed by all. It is not a great movie, but it shows potential that could be realized in future installments. Let's just hope that they make more movies before the kids grow up!

Finding Neverland ***
Cast: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, Nick Roud, Radha Mitchell, Joe Prospero, Freddie Highmore, Dustin Hoffman, Luke Spill, Kelly Macdonald
Director: Marc Foster
Running Length: 1:41
MPAA Classification: PG

"Finding Neverland" is the story of playwright J.M. Barrie (Depp) attempting to find his muse and create a successful play after a bomb. He finds that muse in the Davies boys, Peter (highmore), George (Roud), Jack (Prospero), and Michael (Spill), one day in the park when he comes across them and their mother, Sylvia (Winslet) enjoying the day. They quickly form a close friendship mush to the dismay of Barrie's wife and Sylvia's mother. While playing make-believe with the kids, ideas start to form in his mind for the story that he will be best known for, "Peter Pan".

This fictional biography is a very entertaining movie to watch. The director has chosen to incorporate the imagination of the characters into the movie, and as viewers we see the world change back and forth between England and Neverland. This is used just the right amount, and never becomes distracting.

Depp is his usual excellent self, portraying Barrie as a slightly quirky individual who makes a connection with the Davies family. The children do decent jobs as the source of his inspiration as well. The greatest treat for fans of "Peter Pan" will be in how story points take shape, and what outside factors influence the story in progress. "Finding Neverland" is well worth checking out, although it may be difficult to find as it is currently in limited release.

Ocean's Twelve ***
Cast: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Elliott Gould, Carl Reiner, Shaobo Qin, Eddie Jemison, Bernie Mac, Vincent Cassel
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Running Length: 2:10
MPAA Classification: PG-13

The Eleven are back with a few extras in Steven Soderbergh's s "Ocean's Twelve". The Eleven from the first film find themselves tracked down by a very irate Terry Benedict (Garcia). He wants his money back ($160 million to be exact), and if that means the Eleven have to come out of "retirement" to do it, then so be it. They have two weeks before he enacts his revenge. That is enough to get the gang back together to plan a couple of heists to return Benedict's money to him. As the capers progress, they find that another thief, by the name of the Night Fox, is out to prove that he is better than them. Of course, this throws a wrench into their plans, and they must make a deal with him if they want any hope of getting the money they so desperately need. Also on their trail is Europol agent Isabel Lahiri (Zeta-Jones), who has a history with Rusty (Pitt) that may prove his downfall.

"Ocean's Twelve" is almost everything its predacessor was. Plot is secondary to the interaction of all the big names who seem to be having the time of their lives making this fun film. And it is a fun film to watch. Pitt, Zeta-Jones, Clooney, Damon, and Roberts are the "stars" of the film, hogging the majority of the screen time. Also, there are some surprise cameos that work very well. Some of the best jokes come at Julia Roberts' expense, and she is a trooper for going along with a story point that some viewers might not truly appreciate. I think it works.

All in all, "Ocean's Twelve" is an enjoyable film that falls just short of its predacessor. It is an entertaining heist movie that works really well. And of course, the end gives them the opportunity to have thirteen the next time around.

2004 Golden Globe Awards nominees

MOVIES:
Picture, Drama: The Aviator, Closer, Finding Neverland, Hotel Rwanda, Kinsey, Million Dollar Baby.

Actress, Drama: Scarlett Johansson, A Love Song for Bobby Long ; Nicole Kidman, Birth, Imelda Staunton, Vera Drake ; Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby ; Uma Thurman, Kill Bill: Vol. 2.

Actor, Drama: Javier Bardem, The Sea Inside ; Don Cheadle, Hotel Rwanda ; Johnny Depp, Finding Neverland ; Leonardo DiCaprio, The Aviator ; Liam Neeson, Kinsey.

Picture, Musical or Comedy:Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,The Incredibles,Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera,Ray,Sideways.

Actress, Musical or Comedy: Annette Bening, Being Julia ; Ashley Judd, De-Lovely ; Emmy Rossum, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, Kate Winslet, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Renee Zellweger, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.

Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jim Carrey, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind ; Jamie Foxx, Ray ; Paul Giamatti, Sideways ; Kevin Kline, De-Lovely ; Kevin Spacey, Beyond the Sea.

Foreign Language:The Chorus, France; House of Flying Daggers, China; The Motorcycle Diaries, Brazil; The Sea Inside, Spain; A Very Long Engagement, France.

Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, The Aviator ; Laura Linney, Kinsey ; Virginia Madsen, Sideways ; Natalie Portman, Closer ; Meryl Streep, The Manchurian Candidate.

Supporting Actor: David Carradine, Kill Bill: Vol. 2 ; Thomas Haden Church, Sideways ; Jamie Foxx, Collateral ; Morgan Freeman, Million Dollar Baby ; Clive Owen, Closer.

Director: Clint Eastwood, Million Dollar Baby ; Marc Forster, Finding Neverland ; Mike Nichols, Closer ; Alexander Payne, Sideways ; Martin Scorsese, The Aviator.

Screenplay: Charlie Kaufman, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind ; John Logan, The Aviator ; David Magee, Finding Neverland ; Patrick Marber, Closer ; Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Sideways.

Original Score: Clint Eastwood, Million Dollar Baby ; Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, Finding Neverland ; Rolfe Kent, Sideways ; Howard Shore, The Aviator ; Hans Zimmer, Spanglish.

Original Song:Accidentally in Love from Shrek 2 ; Believe from The Polar Express ; Learn to be Lonely from Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera ; Million Voices from Hotel Rwanda ; Old Habits Die Hard from Alfie.

Blade: Trinity ***
Cast: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Ryan Reynolds, Jessica Biel, Parker Posey, Cascy Beddow, Natasha Lyonne, Dominic Purcell, Callum Keith Rennie
Director: David S. Goyer
Running Length: 1:45
MPAA Classification: R

Those pesky vanpires are at it again in "Blade: Trinity". This time they are trying to frame Blade (Snipes) for the murder of a human, as well as trying to resurrect an ancient enemy named Drake (Purcell). The two schemes are related, and Blade soon finds himself alone and on the run until he meets up with Whistler's daughter Abigail (Biel) and a former vampire named Hannibal (Reynolds). Together, they will try to stop the vampires once and for all. But, their plan could also spell the end for Blade because of his mixed heritage.

"Blade: Trinity", while entertaining, is certainly a step down after Guillermo Del Toro's "Blade II". That movie was stylish and well made. "Trinity" is filled with the choppy editing and loud music that has become popular in movies as of late. And while Del Toro had established himself as a good director, Goyer is in the director's seat for the first time - and it shows. Jessica Biel is good as the tough chick who enjoys hunting vampires, and Ryan Reynolds adds humor to the movie with almost everything he says and does. Wesley Snipes slips easily back into the role of Blade, the vampire hunting bad-ass. While not as good as "II", "Trinity" will appeal to fans of the series, or anyone who likes action movies. It's not Shakespeare, but it doesn't try to be.

Ray ***
Cast: Jaime Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King, Clifton Powell, Harry J. Lennis, Bokeem Woodbine, Aunjanue Ellis, Sharon Warren, C.J. Sanders, Curtis Armstrong, Richard Schiff, Larenz Tate
Director: Taylor Hackford
Running Length: 2:32
MPAA Classification: PG-13

"Ray" is the story of Ray Charles from when, at the age of 21, he left home for Seattle to play in a lounge club to the time he gives up drugs for good about two decades later. He starts out small, but clearly gifted. People try to take advantage of his blindness, but he always finds a way around this, including demanding to be paid in singles. As his star begins to rise, he finds love, drugs, and a mistress. He even gets banned from playing in Georgia. I knew very little about Ray Charles, and I found the details of his life (although tweaked for the movie) to be fascinating.

Jamie Foxx disappears into the character of Ray Charles. He looks, sounds, and moves like Ray to the point where he is almost indistinguishable from the real deal. This is his second solid performance of the year (see also "Collateral"), and he is almost certainly guaranteed a Best Actor nomination. His performance is what makes this movie worth seeing. It is far superior to the movie itself, which is lacking and feels somewhat incomplete and choppy, not to mention long. That's not to say "Ray" is a bad movie - it isn't. It is just not as good as it could be, and given Foxx's performance, that is a shame.

Sideways ****
Cast: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Hayden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh
Director: Alexander Payne .
Running Length: 2:03
MPAA Classification: R

A week before Jack's (Church) wedding, his best friend Miles (Giamatti) takes him on a road trip to northern California for a week of wine tasting and fun. While Miles is looking forward to teaching Jack the subtleties of wine tasting, Jack is looking for one last chance to sow his wild oats. If he can help Miles find some action as well, more the better. Enter Maya (Madsen) and Stephanie (Oh). Jack quickly hooks up with Stephanie (not telling her he is engaged), and Miles gravitates toward Maya, who he has met before and has a crush on. The ladies share a love for wine tasting too, and as they hit the vineyards, one cannot help but notice that as Miles describes the wine, he is also describing himself.

Both Jack and Miles are going through a mid-life crisis, just in different ways. The movie really is about Miles, who somewhat poorly masks is alcohol problem under the guise of wine tasting. He is a divorced writer who cannot seem to get his large book published, and feels sorry for himself. Maya is the chance for something better, if only he can get the courage to take a chance again.

"Sideways" is an excellent buddy movie. Both Miles and Jack are likeable and unlikeable at the same time, and the whole time feel real. Paul Giamatti is his usual excellent best as sad sack Miles, and Thomas Hayden Church gives a surprisingly good performance as the randy Jack. Alexander Payne has crafted another funny, touching movie, and is easily one of the best directors around today. I highly recommend this movie.

The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie ***
Cast (voices): Tom Kenny, Alec Baldwin, Rodger Bumpass, Mr. Lawrence, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Scarlett Johansson
Directors: Stephen Hillenburg, Sherm Cohen, Mark Osborne
Running Length: 1:30
MPAA Classification: PG

SpongeBob finally hits the big screen in this highly enjoyable story. When SpongeBob is passed over for a promotion to manager of the Krusty Krab II, things start to go bad for the gang. When King Neptune's crown disappears, and Mr. Krabs is framed all looks dark for Bikini Bottom. Everyone's favorite sponge, SpongeBob SquarePants (Kenny) must embark upon a quest to find King Neptune's crown, save Mr. Krabs, and defeat Plankton's evil plan for world domination. That sounds like a lot of work for a simple sponge, but he is aided by his sidekick, Patrick Star (Fagerbakke).

If you like the television show, you will not be disappointed by this big screen adventure. SpongeBob comes to life with bright, vivid colors and a story that will provide laughs for both children and adults alike. There is a mix of animation and live action sequences, and they work well together and fit the story perfectly. "The SpongeBob SquarePants" is as good as any animated movie currently in theaters, and is well worth checking out.

National Treasure ***
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Christopher Plummer
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Running Length: 2:10
MPAA Classification: PG

"National Treasure" is a blatant rip-off of books by Dan Brown like "Angels and Demons" and the more recognizable "The Da Vinci Code". The only real change instead of the controversial religious themes of the books, "National Treasure" centers around a treasure hunt. Considering that this movie comes from the unholy duo of Jerry Bruckheimer and Walt Disney Pictures, it is no surprise. Bruckheimer has been turning out crap for years, and Disney's glory days are well behind it.

That being said, "National Treasure" is an entertaining (but unbelievealbe) movie. Ben Gates (Cage) believes that the founding fathers have buries a treasure somewhere and have laid out clues to finding it. In fact, his family for generations have believed it. When Gates finally figures out a key clue, he is off to the Arctic in search of the treasure. A double cross by one of his team (Bean) leaves him for dead and the bad guy after the treasure. From then on, it is a race from clue to clue to find the hidden treasure. Along the way, they even steal the Declaration of Independence.

The action is fast paced and engaging, and the clues are woven into real world items. Nicholas Cage does nothing special with Ben Gates, lapsing into standard Nicholas Cage mode. Fortunately for him, that works (as it does in most of his movies). The supporting cast also does a good job, but nothing spectacular. "National Treasure" is an entertaining movie that most will like despite the Bruckheimer connection.

The Polar Express **1/2
Cast: Tom Hanks, Leslie Zemeckis, Eddie Deezen, Nona Gaye, Peter Scolari, Michael Jeter
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Running Length: 1:30
MPAA Classification: G

"The Polar Express" is the story of an unnamed boy who does not believe in Santa anymore. On Christmas Eve night, while lying in bed, hears a train outside his window. When goes outside to see what it is, he finds the Polar Express, which is on its way to the North Pole. So begins his adventure. Along the way, he will meet other children, a mysterious hobo, and have some amazing adventures, before arriving at the North Pole in time to see Santa off on the busiest night of his year.

"The Polar Express" is both impressive and disappointing at the same time. The characters are animated using motion capture performance, mostly done by Tom Hanks. The characters look somewhat real, but are just enough off to look creepy at times (specifically the little girl, the elves, and the waiters). The movements seem a little odd at times, and that is difficult to explain because they are based on real movements. Perhaps it is just the animation. The overall animation is impressive though. The Polar Express and North Pole are fully realized in all their glorious detail.

The songs are unmemorable, but the performances by Tom Hanks are good. He gives life to numerous characters, some of them children, in such a way that you believe that they seem real and true to their age. The story has been modified from the book in order to accomidate a longer running time, and it works to some extent. The movie moves swiftly for the most part.

In the end, "The Polar Express" will probably become a childrens' holiday classic. I would not call it the best Christmas movie ever, but more likely than not, children will find enjoyment in the story of a child who learns to believe again.

Birth ***1/2
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Cameron Bright, Danny Huston, Lauren Bacall, Alison Elliot, Arliss Howard, Anne Heche, Peter Stormare
Director: Jonathan Glazer
Running Length: 1:40
MPAA Classification: R

Ten years after her husband's death, Anna (Kidman) is engaged again, and her life is going well. She has gotten over the husband she has lost and found another man, named Danny (Huston), that she loves. Then, in walks 10-year old Sean (Bright), throwing her world upside down. He claims to be her dead husband. Skeptical at first, Anna blows him off, but before long she realizes that young Sean knows way too much to be making things up. Or does he? Anna's family takes turns trying to get to the bottom of the mystery, and through it all, Anna and Danny's relationship suffers. Just what will Anna do, especially if Sean is who he claims to be?

I really liked this movie. Though not perfect, "Birth" is highly compelling as it explores the possibility of reincarnation. (The dead husband Sean ironically did not believe in it.) Nicole Kidman gives an excellent performance as the woman torn between loves. If there is any doubt that Nicole Kidman can act, all you have to do is view the three minute long close up in which her face goes through a wide range of emotions. Director Jonathan Glazer does an excellent job, filling the film with nuances that give the characters great depth. "Birth" is a very good movie, but one that will not appeal to all. In fact, I think that this is a movie that will be loved or hated. That being said, it is worth taking the chance that you will love it. I highly recommend.

The Incredibles ***
Cast (voices): Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee, Wallace Shawn, Spencer Fox, Lou Romano, Sarah Vowell, Elizabeth Peña
Director: Brad Bird
Running Length: 1:55
MPAA Classification: PG

Times change, and superheros begin to have lawsuits filed against them. When the burden is too much for the government to bear, the Incredibles are forced into retirement and into normal life through the "Superhero Relocation Program". But, working as an insurance salesman doesn't hold the same thrill for Mr. Incredible/Bob Parr (Nelson), and he finds himself listening to the police scanner with another former superhero by the name of Frozone (Jackson). That way they can still offer their help to the police. When a mysterious stranger enters his life, Mr. Incredible finds himself presented with an opportunity to regain some of his lost glory. Now, he is working on the sly with his wife (Hunter) unaware of what is going on, but a secret like that cannot be kept forever.

With "The Incredibles", Pixar goes the way of the big studios by making a superhero movie. Despite some similarity to the Fantastic Four, this idea works pretty well. It is fun to see the out of shape Mr. Incredible stuff himself into his costume and fight the bad guys. The cartoon violence ups the rating to PG (a first for a Pixar movie), but there is nothing too over the top here. "The Incredibles" is not as good as "Toy Story" 1 or 2 or "Finding Nemo", but kids and adults alike are sure to enjoy the majic that Pixar brings to the screen.

The Final Cut ***1/2
Cast: Robin Williams, Mira Sorvino, Genevieve Buechner, Stephanie Romanov, Leanne Adachi, James Caviezel, Thom Bishops, Mimi Kuzyk
Director: Omar Naim
Running Length: 1:45
MPAA Classification: PG-13

In the indeterminate future, people can choose to have a chip, called a Zoe implant, embedded in their brain that will record their memories. Upon their death, a cutter will edit those memories down to a two hour movie called a Rememory for loved ones to view. Alan Hackman (Williams) is not only a cutter, but he is one of the best. He can make a low life criminal look like a saint, and there is no job he will not take. He is a sort of Sin Eater, taking all the bad events of a person's life upon himself. He is somewhat antisocial, with a kind of-girlfriend named Della (Sorvino). Their relationship suffers because of his dedication to his job, and while she is not happy, he seems somewhat content.

Hackman is hired to do a Rememory for a wealthy man with a shady past. His widow wants the Rememory to make him look good, and knows that he can do it based on his reputation. Enter Fletcher (Caviezel), a former cutter who now is a leader of a group opposed to Remories. He wants to take the rich man's Zoe implant and use it for his own purposes. Hackman naturally refuses, and so begins a cat and mouse game to see who will end up with the implant.

Finally, interspersed with the story is a memory from Hackman's childhood that may have shaped his career path and the person he is today.

This is an interesting and entertaining movie. Once again, Robin Williams shows that he is excellent in more serious roles. Cabiezel is good as the bad guy, and Sorvino does her best with the small part that she has. This is an intelligent science fiction story that will make you question the nature and truthfulness of your memories. "The Final Cut" is a pleasant surprise that is in very limited release, so search it out and see it.

Saw ***1/2
Cast: Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell, Danny Glover, Ken Leung, Dina Meyer, Michael Emerson, Monica Potter, Makenzie Vega
Director: James Wan
Running Length: 1:40
MPAA Classification: R

Lawrence (Elwes) and Adam (Whannell) wake up chained to pipes in the world's filthiest bathroom. They have little freedom of movement and cannot even come close to reaching each other. They do not remember how they got there or know each other. Their captor (presumably) has left them two saws, an unloaded gun, a tape recorder, two cigarettes, and a dead body in the middle of the room. They are victims of the Jigsaw Killer, and that same killer is holding Lawrence's wife and daughter hostage. At the same time, an ex-cop (Glover) is hunting down the killer, bent on revenge for the murder of his partner.

"Saw" is an intense, twisted movie. It is reminiscent of "Seven" in both mood and atmosphere, and leaves you with about the same feeling when it is all over. For me, that is good, because I believe "Seven" to be an excellent movie. "Saw", however, is not at that level...but it is close. Director James Wan ratchets up the tension with each passing moment until the final scene. And while the explanation might not hold up as well as the the viewer might like, it was still a hell of a ride. Elwes especially does an excellent job as a man first confused by his situation, then terrified for his family, then resolute in what needs to be done.

"Saw" is a great Halloween movie, and if you are looking for a good scary movie at this time of the year, "Saw" is your best bet. Highly recommended for horror fans.

Surviving Christman **1/2
Cast: Ben Affleck, James Gandolfini, Christina Applegate, Catherine O'Hara, Josh Zuckerman, Bill Macy, Jennifer Morrison
Director: Mike Mitchell
Running Length: 1:32
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Drew (Affleck), after being dumped by his girlfriend, finds himself in the position of being alone for Christmas. Having some money, he returns to his childhood home, and ends up offering the family that lives there, the Valcos, a healthy paycheck to play his "family" for Christmas. Although reluctant at first, they reluctantly agree when the amount of money offered gets to be pretty insane. At first, he rubs them the wrong way at almost every turn, but eventually they settle into a somewhat peaceful coexistence. That is, until Alicia, his "sister", arrives.

Ben Affleck has not had a good movie in a while, and while this is an entertaining movie, it will not be setting him back on the blockbuster path. Affleck plays Drew with, at times, a maniacal glee, forcing the holiday cheer upon the Valcos with reckless abandon. These are the funniest scenes, but are not enough to carry this movie. James Gandolfini is good as Tom, the father that gets his family into this mess and cannot seem to get them out.

Given that this was released before Halloween, one can't help but think that the studio is writing this one off. And while it is not a great movie, it does provide enough laughs for me to give it a very marginal recommendation. If the previews look good to you, you will probably enjoy it.

The Grudge ***
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jason Behr, Clea DuVall, William Mapother, KaDee Strickland, Bill Pullman, Grace Zabriskie
Director: Takashi Shimizu
Running Length: 1:36
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Karen (Gellar), an American exchange student in Japan, is asked to fill in for a caretaker that did not show up for work. Arriving at the house, she begins to take care of the lady that lives there only to find that they might not be the only ones in the house. Footsteps can be heard running around upstairs, a cat can be heard meowing, and something does not seem right. It seems that the house may be haunted. A discovery in the attic sends Karen on an investigation to discover the story behind the mysterious goings on.

This movie was creepier than I anticipated when I saw the PG-13 rating. With no blood or gore, director Takashi Shimizu has crafted a eerie movie that will be scary for most. Shimizu should know what he is doing here though, having directed the Japanese version of "The Grudge" right before starting up on this American version. Sarah Michelle Gellar does nothing remarkable in a role that could have been played by anyone. The biggest surprise for me was Bill Pullman, who at first glance seems to have a very minor part. The "ghosts" are also effective, appearing from nowhere and looking suitably creepy (the actors are also holdovers from the Japanese version).

This is not a great horror movie, but it is a solidly good one. If you are looking for a few scares this Halloween, go and check out "The Grudge".

Friday Night Lights ***1/2
Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Garrett Hedlund, Derek Luke, Jay Hernandez, Lee Jackson, Lee Thomspson Young, Tim McGraw
Director: Peter Berg
Running Length: 1:57
MPAA Classification: PG-13

"Friday Night Lights" is the true story of the 1988 Odessa-Permian high school football team and their quest for the state championship. They are one of the best teams in West Texas, and Friday nights are for high school football. Everything in town stops so that all can go to the game. Tremendous pressure is put on the kids and the coaches to win. The star of the team is James "Boobie" Miles (Luke), a cocky kid who definately believes all the hype about him until a early season knee injury turns his world on end. Stepping up to fill the void are quarterback Mike Winchell (Black) and running backs Don Billingsley (Hedlund) and Chris Comer (Young). But will they have what it takes to fill that void? Coach Gary Gaines (Thornton) thinks so, and as the season moves on, he finds himself receiving both the love and the hatred of the town depending on whether they are winning or losing.

There is a lot going on in this movie, both on and off the field, and the story flows smoothly back and forth. After all, everything going on off the field is still football related, and plays into the story quite prominently. Running through it all is the immense pressure to win. This is not your typical sports movie, and the final game drives home the point of the whole movie. This is a very good movie, with solid performances all around, expecially by the mostly unknow actors playing the kids. This movie is for anyone who has ever been involved in the phenomenon of high school football. For those people, it will strike a real chord. For everyone else, it will still be an enjoyable, emotional experience that should not be missed.

Wimbledon ***
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Paul Bettany, Sam Neill, Jon Favreau, Bernard Hill, Eleanor Bron, Austin Nichols
Director: Richard Loncraine
Running Length: 1:38
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Peter Colt (Bettany) is a professional tennis player whose career is winding down. He is ranked #119 in the world, but that is nowhere near the #11 he was ranked in 1996. He has decided to announce he will retire after Wimbledon, in which he is a wild card. While at Wimbledon, he meets Lizzy Bradbury (Dunst), an up and coming tennis star, and a whirlwind romance begins. Of course, she has to hide this from the watchful eye of her father (Neill), who wants her focused on the task at hand. Of course, the romance lifts him up, and soon he is advancing through the tournament. But, Lizzy begins to be distracted, and her game suffers. Will things work out for the couple? What do you think? This a romantic comedy after all.

Bettany and Dunst have good chemistry together, and you do root for things to work out between them. Neill does a credible job as the father who is just looking out for his daughter's interests. The tennis matches are well crafted, employing some really cool point-of-view shots from the ball's perspective as it soars across the net. All in all, this is a really likeable movie, wheather you are looking for romance, comedy, or even a little sports.

Shark Tale **1/2
Cast (voices): Will Smith, Robert De Niro, Renée Zellweger, Jack Black, Angelena Jolie, Martin Scorsese
Directors: Bibo Bergeron, Vicky Jenson, Rob Letterman
Running Length: 1:30
MPAA Classification: PG

Oscar (Smith) the fish leads a normal life. He is just an average guy working at the Whale Wash. One day, he wanders into shark territory and is chased by Frankie. Unfortunately for Frankie, the chase ends in his death, not at Oscar's hands, but by pure accident. Oscar sees as an opportunity to "be someone", and quickly takes the credit. The fish world begins to call him the "Shark Slayer", two female fish begin to show their interest, and the shark godfather (DeNiro) makes it his business to find the murderer of Frankie...his son.

"Shark Tale" is yet another animated movie that will appeal to both children and adults. The difference is, this time it almost seems made for adults first and kids second. The most obvious references are to "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas", two movies that no kids should have seen. Also, advertising placement has run amok in this movie. Every way you turn in the city, there are obvious "fake ads" for real products that is very distracting. Most everything in this movie is overkill, in fact.

The voice talents are credible and the animation is good, although I found Oscar to look kind of creepy with his near human-looking face. "Shark Tale" also is nothing like "Finding Nemo", which is both good and bad. Good, because it is not retreading material that is not too old yet. Bad, because "Finding Nemo" was so much better. "Shark Tale" is a decent movie that will be enjoyed by most, and I did laugh a number of times while viewing it, but my advice is to wait for DVD.

Napoleon Dynamite ***
Cast: Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries, Aaron Ruell, Tina Majorino, Haylie Duff
Director: Jared Hess
Running Length: 1:26
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Napoleon Dynamite (Heder) is a nerdy, antisocial teenager who lives with his brother Kip (Ruell) and his grandma. That is, until grandma gets hurt and Uncle Rico (Gries) steps up to take care of them. They are a bunch of weirdos...Uncle Rico is living in the past, vidoetaping himself playing football; Kip spends most of his time in internet chat rooms. Napoleon himself is on the bottom rung of the food chain at school. His only friend is Pedro (Ramirez), a student that just moved to town.

There is no real plot to this movie. It is more of a slice of Napoleon's life, jumping right in at the beginning of the movie, and jumping right out at the end. A lot of things happen in the movie, a school dance and a class election chief among them, but it is all just part of his life and not really the focus of the film.

Jon Heder plays Napoleon with a low-key nerdiness. He is both funny and sad at the same time, and Napoleon isn't always the most likeable. That's ok though, because you still want to root for him. "Napoleon Dynamite" is a very interesting and hilarious (at times) movie. If you are looking for something a little different, something a little off-center, this is definately the movie for you.

The Forgotten **1/2
Cast: Julianne Moore, Anthony Edwards, Linus Roache, Gary Sinise, Dominic West, Alfre Woodard, Christopher Kovaleski
Director: Joseph Ruben
Running Length: 1:29
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Telly Paretta (Moore) has been mourning the death of her son for over a year. She has a supportive husband (Edwards) and a capable psychologist (Sinise), and is making progress towards acceptance. Then, suddenly, little things start to happen. Her car is parked in a different space than where she left it. A cup of coffee she is drinking disappears. These events concern her, but it isn't until her son's things start to disappear that she really freaks out. All of a sudden no one seems to remember her son, although the memories are quite clear to her. Teaming up with the father of a girl who was killed in the same accident as her son, Telly sets out to figure out just what is going on. And that is as far as I will go story-wise, because I don't want to give too much away.

Moore does a good job as the grieving mother who is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. In fact, she gives the stand out performance in this movie. The special effects, when used are very effective, especially the "snatching" effect seen in the previews. The story is interesting, but fails somewhere along the way to really make sense. When everything is revealed, it does not entirely support what has gone before, and the "happy ending" that is tacked onto the end really makes no sense at all...it just serves as a giant "reset button" that seems cheap. The point of the story is nice though, and that gives it some points in my book. All in all, I would recommend waiting for DVD on this one.

Vanity Fair **1/2
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Romola Garai, James Purefoy, Rhys Ifans, Gabriel Byrne, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Bob Hoskins, Eileen Atkins, Jim Broadbent
Director: Mira Nair
Running Length: 2:20
MPAA Classification: PG-13

""Vanity Fair" is the story of Becky Sharp (Witherspoon), a social climber, who attempts to rise from poverty to the British high society. This is done through a marriage to Rawdon Crawley (Purefoy). And once his gambling problem threatens their status in society, Becky quickly seeks to maintain here newfound stature.

Based on the classic novel by William Makepeace Thackeray, "Vanity Fair" is definately not my type of movie. That being said, fans of period pieces and classic novels will probably be satidfied. I found it difficult to get into and even more difficult to care for any of the characters. Finally, at 160 minutes, this movie runs far too long. This is not a movie for everyone, but a small few will find it highly entertaining.

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow ***
Cast: Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Gambon, Bai Ling, Omid Djalili, Sir Laurence Olivier
Director: Kerry Conran
Running Length: 1:47
MPAA Classification: PG

When giant robots invade Manhattan, Joe "Sky Captain" Sullivan (Law) is called in to save the day. After stopping those robots, he is reunited with Polly Perkins (Paltrow), an old love and reporter. Apparently, the robot attack is tied to the disappearance of prominent scientists. Some research by Polly points to the mysterious Dr. Totenkoph (Laurence Olivier, in a computer-aided performance - he has been dead for a while now). Sky Captain embarks on a quest to find Totenkoph, and Polly will not be left behind.

To some extent "Sky Captain" is an exercise in style over substance. That's not to say that there is no story, it is just that the story serves to give the audience all those glorious visuals. The effects are amazing, and provide the movie with a look that I have never seen before. "Sky Captain" plays like a movie from the early twentieth century made with the effects technology of today. It is an original idea, and it is flawlessly executed. The effects are so great to look at that you do not realize the story is not the greatest. Perhaps it just seems a bit hokey in today's movie age...I am not a huge fan of old movies.

Law and Paltrow do good jobs in the lead roles. Angeline Jolie makes an appearance later in the film, but is by no means one of the leads. The most memorable role is Dex Dearborn, Sky Captain's sidekick played with a bit of quirkiness by Giovanni Ribisi. "Sky Captain" is a good "escape" movie, worth checking out, especially on the big screen.

Cellular ***
Cast: Kim Basinger, Chris Evans, Christian Olsen, William H. Macy, Jason Statham, Adam Taylor Gordon, Rick Hoffman, Richard Burgi, Eddie Driscoll, Jessica Biel
Director: David R. Ellis
Running Length: 1:34
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Like "Phone Booth", "Cellular" was written by Larry Cohen. But, while "Phone Booth" kept the main character trapped in a phone booth for the entire movie, "Cellular" allows the good guy freedom to rove all over the city as long as he has his cell phone with him. Ryan (Evans) receives a phone call on his cellular phone from Jessica (Basinger). She tells him that she has been kidnapped and has managed to get the smashed phone that she has working. She needs his help. She has no idea why she has been kidnapped, bur is worried about her son and husband. When Ryan finally comes to believe her, he sets out to save her and her family.

"Cellular" keeps the tension at a high level throughout its running time, and that is its saving grace. It is not until later, looking back, that you realize that some of what has gone before stretches credibility. And that is ok. Basinger and Evans are very good in the lead roles, and William H. Macy is his usual excellent best in a supporting role as a cop who does not believe Ryan at first. They work well together, and the bond that they form is believeable. The reasons for the kidnapping are also plausible.

"Cellular" is a pleasant find in the doldrums of September cinema. It is 94 minutes well spent, and most people will find something to like in it.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse **1/2
Cast: Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory, Oded Fehr, Thomas Kretschmann, Jared Harris, Sandrine Holt, Raz Adoti, Mike Epps
Director: Alexander Witt
Running Length: 1:33
MPAA Classification: R

"Apocalypse" picks up right where this first "Resident Evil" left off. In fact, it backtracks a bit to explain how the ending of the first came about. And then, we are off, as Alice (Jovovich) hooks up with some others (Guillory, Holt, Fehr) trapped in the city. The city has been locked down because the virus from the first movie has gotten out of the Hive. The group is offered assistance in getting out if they can find and rescue the daughter of an Umbrella Corp. employee. Added incentive comes in the form of a nuclear cleansing of the city that is on its way. Along the way, they will deal with zombies, more of the creatures from the first movie, and the Nemesis (a really big, ugly mutant with a creepy smile).

"Apocalypse" falls short of the confined terror of the first film. The underground nature of the original added to the rising tension, while here the players have the run of the city. Plus, to some extent, there is not much new here. The Nemesis is a creepy adversary, but he introduced fairly early on, and his eventual end is no surprise, given the events of the first film. There is also another cliffhanger of sorts at the end to set up another sequel.

Chances are, if you liked the first film, you will like this one as well. If you did not like the first one or avoided it completely, you would be better off looking elsewhere for entertainment. What you think you will get out of this film is exactly what you will get. I liked it, but only enough to recommend on DVD.

Hero ***
Cast: Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Donnie Yen, Chen Daoming
Director: Zhang Yimou
Running Length: 1:36
MPAA Classification: PG-13

"Hero" is the apocryphal story of the uniting of warring kingdoms in Asia into the country of China. Three assassins who have sought to murder the king have themselves been murdered by the Nameless warrior (Li). Now, Nameless is brought before that king (Daoming) to be rewarded for his heroic deeds. While there, he recounts the tales of his battles with these assassins, and then the king offers another perspective on things that turns everything that has gone before on its head.

"Hero" is an interesting movie that will not appeal to everyone. It is in many ways reminicent of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", but also very different. Filled with vibrancy and color, every frame of this movie is amazing to look at. It is very easy to get lost in the images presented by director Zhang Yimou. The fight scenes are beautifully choreographed and surreal. Utilizing the "Wire-fu" first seen be American audiences in "Crouching Tiger", the characters leap and spin with no regard for gravity or any laws of physics. The story itself seems straightforward, until the king offers a possible alternative for the way things actually happened. Then, the movie takes a number of twists and turns that are mostly satisfying.

"Hero" is not your typical action movie, and I cannot recommend this movie for everyone. That being said, I think that this movie could be a pleasant surprise for some people looking for something a little different.

Suspect Zero **1/2
Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley, Carrie-Anne Moss, Harry J. Lennix, Kevin Chamberlin
Director: E. Elias Merhige
Running Length: 0:99
MPAA Classification: R

FBI agent Thomas Mackelway (Eckhart) is called to New Mexico to investigate a murder that left the dead body in a car on the Arizona-New Mexico border. As the investigation begins, Mackelway soon finds himself being taunted by someone via faxes of drawings of the victim. Soon, there is another murder, seemingly at random. But, the second victim is a serial killer, and it turns out that the killer might be one as well. Could there be a serial murderer going around killing serial murderers? Well, that is where the movie falters a bit. There is no real mystery here, and if you have seen the trailer you know that. Ben Kingsley plays Benjamin O'Ryan, an ex-FBI remote viewer who is plagued by horrible images that are compelling him to act. Kingsley does the best he can with what is given him, and the movie is interesting enough, but one cannot help but wonder if this movie would have been better if the killer's identity had been more of a mystery. Of course, then you would have less screen time for Kingsley, and he carries the movie to some extent. Good movie, but not as good as it could have been.

Exorcist: The Beginning ***
Cast: Stellan Skarsgård, Izabella Scorupco, James D'Arcy, Remy Sweeney, Julian Wadham
Director: Renny Harlin
Running Length: 114 min
MPAA Classification: R

The classic movie, "The Exorcist" established a backstory for the older priest, Father Merrin. Now, "Exorcist: The Beginning" looks to provide the full story of Merrin's first exorcism. As the story opens, Merrin (Skarsgård) is a archeologist and has quit the priesthood after World War II. He is tormented by the War and it has caused his faith to falter. Merrin is summoned to Africa by the Catholic Church to investigate the discovery of a church buried in the sand. When it is unearthed, strange things start happening, and Merrin must find his faith to exorcise the demons that threaten to consume himself and the whole excavation team.

This movie does not live up to the original, but there really is no way that it could. Considered a classic by many, "The Exorcist" sets a high bar that the two previous sequels could not surpass. This is better than 3, and I have not seen 2. A lot of the problems with this movie are external to some extent. The original director was fired after he did not give the studio the blood and gore that it wanted, and Renny Harlin came on board to do reshoots and piece together a "scarier" version. Of course, blood and gore are not necessary to make a movie scary, and at times it seems like overkill.

Skarsgård fills the role of Merrin well, and brings to him a haunted quality that is necessary to his character for reasons that become apparent quickly. All in all, this is a good movie that could have been great, but is still highly entertaining and enjoyable for horror fans. I would recommend it, and also recommend looking for it on DVD when it comes out, because the rumor is that both versions will be included on it.

Without a Paddle **
Cast: Matthew Lillard, Seth Green, Dax Shepard, Ethan Suplee, Abraham Benrubi, Burt Reynolds, Bart the Bear
Director: Steven Brill
Running Length: 1:40
MPAA Classification: PG-13

When a childhood friend dies, Jerry (Lillard), Dan (Green), and Tom (Shepard) are reunited at the funeral. While reminiscing about old times, they remember a treasure hunt that they were all going to go on. Discovering maps and plans in their now-dead friend's treehouse, they decide to embark upon a quest for the treasure in the deep woods. These city boys are way out of place and soon find themselves facing a bear, and two rednecks that are up to no good.

After seeing this, it seems that they movie is trying to capture the sweetness/grossness of the "American Pie" movies. The problem is that with a PG-13 rating, the grossness does not reach the hilarity that was in "American Pie", and the sweetness comes off as cheesy. These "serious" scenes just do not work. My recommendation is to wait for DVD. You will get some good laughs out of this movie, bu not enough.

Alien Vs. Predator ***
Cast: Sanaa Lathan, Raoul Bova, Lance Henriksen, Ewan Bremner, Colin Salmon, Tommy Flanagan, Joseph Rye
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Running Length: 1:30
MPAA Classification: PG-13

AVP is a movie that has been in the making for a long time. Ever since an alien head showed up in "Predator 2", fans have been craving this match up. Now it is finally here, but do fans get what they have been waiting for? Yes, and no.

The discovery of pyramid in Antarctica prompts Charles Bishop Weyland (Henriksen) to mount an expidition there. When his team enters the pyramid, they set off sensors that seal off the pyramid and set the wall into motion. Quickly they discover alien eggs that begin to open and predators that are looking for some aliens to hunt. It seems that this temple is used every 100 years as a rite of passage for the predators. Now, the humans are caught in the middle and must choose a side if they want to have any hope of getting out alive.

AVP does deliver some good battles between the aliens and the predators, but even the best of them suffer from what is my biggest complaint with this movie. The director and producers have taken two R-rated franchises and joined them up into a PG-13 battle royale. The only possible reason to deliver a PG-13 movie is to get a lot of teenagers into the audience, and it is a shame that this movie is watered down because of it. The mythology of the two creatures is changed a bit for the movie, but that did not bother me. The actors did serviceable jobs, but they are not why you would go see AVP. Better than last year's "Freddy Vs. Jason", AVP is worth checking out for those seeking a good monster match up.

Collateral ***1/2
Cast: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Berg, Bruce McGill, Irma P. Hall
Director: Michael Mann
Running Length: 1:55
MPAA Classification: R

It started out like any other night. Cab driver Max (Foxx) picks up Vincent (Cruise) who tells him that he has a few stops to make, and offers him $600 to get him to agree. When a body falls out of the first stop and lands on his cab, Max realizes he is in for more than he bargained for. As it turns out, Vincent is a killer for hire who has arrived in Los Angeles to wipe out five people that are causing some trouble for his employer. Max has just become his personal chauffeur for the evening. Vincent's domineering, confident attitude is enough for the most part to keep Max in line. Gradually dragging Max into the "action" also serves to make Max an accomplice of sorts. Vincent also serves as a mentor of sorts, telling him that he needs to get off his butt and take action in his life. In the end, this could be Vincent's downfall, if Max can get it together and make a stand.

I was pleasantly surprised by "Collateral". While not action-heavy, the action scenes are very effective. The more pervasive interactions between Max and Vincent are gripping at times, as a strange relationship forms between the two. Cruise's Vincent is a bit of a departure for him, but he fills Vincent's shoes convincingly. Foxx as Max is equally effective as his character gradually develops some strength of character.

This is not your typical action movie, but if you like a some thought in your movies, you will not be disappointed. This is a gem in the doldrums of the August box office. Check it out.

The Manchurian Candidate ***1/2
Cast: Denzel Washington, Liev Schreiber, Meryl Streep, Jon Voight , Kimbery Elise, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright
Director: Jonathan Demme
Running Length: 2:10
MPAA Classification: R

In an election year, a political thriller like "The Manchurian Candidate" packs an extra punch and delivers enough plausible story points to make one wonder if the events in the movie could really occur. In pre-Desert Storm Kuwait, Captain Ben Marco (Washington) and his convoy are attacked and captured. Three days later, they are found alive - supposedly rescued by Raymond Shaw (Shreiber), a member of the convoy. He is awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor, and thirteen years later his is running for vice-president. But Marco is having nightmares about those three days; days that are blurry in his memory. He comes to believe that Shaw may not be the hero that everyone believes he is (himself included), and begins an investigation into matters. When he finds others in the convoy are also suffering from nightmares, his paranoia increases.

I have never seen the original, but this remake, from director Jonathan Demme, delivers a sufficient amount of mystery and intrigue to keep you on the edge of your seat almost until the credits roll. My only complaint is that they attempted to deliver a type of "happy ending" to the film. To some extent, it takes away from what has happened just before it. That is all I can say without giving it away, but if you have seen the movie, you know what I mean. Denzel Washington gives another excellent performance as the tormented Ben Marco. Meryl Streep offers up the right amount of bitchiness and creepiness as Raymond's Hillary Clinton-like mother, Eleanor. This movie was definately better than I anticipated, and I would highly recommend it.

The Village **1/2
Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Brendan Gleeson, Judy Greer
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Running Length: 1:48
MPAA Classification: PG-13

M. Night Shyamalan's latest movie takes us to the late-19th century town of Covington. A town surrounded by woods that have creatures prowling in them. It seems that the townspeople have an understanding with these creatures: if the townspeople stay out of their woods, they will stay out of their town. And so, this community has thrived safely for many years. But, there are younger folk in the village that think they can safely pass through the woods into the outer towns if their intentions are pure. They reason that the creatures will see this pureness and let them pass. This is the argument that Lucius (Phoenix) presents to the elders. Of course, the elders forbid it, fearing for not only his safety, but the villagers' as well. When Those We Don't Speak Of enter the village one night, the elders take this as a sign that they must stay out of the woods. Soon it becomes a matter of life or death that the blind girl Ivy (Howard) pass throught the woods on a quest to the towns, and she must muster up her courage to deal with the beings in the woods.

If you have seen the trailer for this movie, and thing you know what the movie is about, you are wrong. There are few scary moments in this movie, but they are very effective. Instead, the movie focuses on the love triangle (of sorts) between Lucious, Ivy, and the town idiot Noah (Brody). Their relationship drives the events of the movie, and all three do an excellent job with their characters. The biggest role of the three, surprisingly, is Ivy's. Bryce Dallas Howard (Ron Howard's daughter), in her first starring role is what makes this movie work. As for the expected Shuamalan twists, there are two. One did not surprise me and one sort of did. There is no revelation here along the lines of "The Sixth Sense", and that is probably what everyone will be waiting for. Despite the good acting, there really is not too much here. It is not a bad film, but it is not great either. Instead, it falls somewhere in the OK range. Unfortunate, but at least it gives Howard a platform to show that she has what it takes to be a great actress.

Here are some cool movie posters for "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie" coming only to theaters in November 2004. Personally, I can't wait!

Big Action

Big Drama

Big Twists

Big Romance

Big Evil

The Bourne Supremacy ***
Cast: Matt Damon, Brian Cox , Joan Allen, Franka Potente, Julia Stiles, Karl Urban, Oksana Akinshina
Director: Paul Greengrass
Running Length: 1:48
MPAA Classification: PG-13

It has been two years since we last saw Jason Bourne (Damon), and in that time he has been trying to live a "normal" life with his girlfriend Marie (Potente) in India. But quickly, two things go wrong for him. First, someone has killed a CIA agent and planted clues that point to Bourne as the murderer. Second, an assassin has arrived in India to kill him.

While dodging the assassin, he attempts to track down the CIA team that is after him. While the team leader, Pamela Landy (Allen) is new to the situation, Bourne's old boss, Ward Abbott (Cox) is also in the mix. What follows is basically a revenge movie filled with action and intense chase scenes. The final chase is expecially edge-of-your-seat cinema.

Almost all the cast and crew are back for the second installment of the Bourne series, and that provides a nice feeling of continuity. Certainly, the third novel in the series will be made into a movie, and hopefully the same continuity will be preserved with that one as well. Matt Damon once again is the surprising action hero, a role that one would not have thought possible of him a few years ago. Brian Cox is his usual delisiously evil self playing a character whose motives are unclear.

If you found "The Bourne Identy" entertaining, you will not be disappointed with "The Bourne Supremacy". It is a good, smart action movie that keeps you involved from beginning to end. Bring on "The Bourne Ultimatum"!

CATWOMAN

While I normally do not post other people's reviews, some of these are just to good to pass up on sharing....

"Catwoman sucks mightily on every level--it has the power to unite audience members in the way any great calamity unites strangers in a common trauma. Tremble before this ambassador of dreadful. It doesn't make you a coward, it just makes you human."
--Walter Chaw

"Halle just hacked a hairball all over the summer boxoffice. And it ain't pretty."
-- David Foucher, EDGE BOSTON

"Catwoman meows, purrs, and hisses, but mostly just sucks."
-- Alex Sandell, JUICY CEREBELLUM

"It's bad enough that not only are careers over, but somebody should be slapped."
-- Walter Chaw, FILM FREAK CENTRAL

"She can do everything a Spider-Man can, but worse. Much, much, much, much worse."
-- Willie Waffle, WAFFLEMOVIES.COM

"As poorly written, ineptly directed, and hideously acted as Catwoman is, its biggest sin is that it's boring. This movie does not offer a single worthwhile, interesting, or exciting scene. The action is dull, predictable, and repetitive. Ever thought a catfight between Sharon Stone and Halle Berry could rival a dose of valium as an effective sleep-inducer? I suppose Pitof deserves a measure of respect for being able to achieve something I would have argued was not possible. "
-- James Berardinelli, REELVIEWS

"The only real redeeming quality of Catwoman is the cheap summer camp value. In fact, Catwoman is so bad that I actually recommend you see it. It's the movie you and your friends will rip on all summer long."
-- James Brundage, FILMCRITIC.COM

"[A] sloppy, dull, brain-dead waste of a movie."
-- Phoebe Flowers, SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL

"If one good thing can come out of this film, it's that this should provide an everlasting blueprint for what not to do with a comic book film."
-- Jeff Otto, IGN FILMFORCE

"I've never cared much for cats anyway, but this clinches it. Next time I see one, I'm going to kick it into the river."
-- Eric D. Snider, ERICDSNIDER.COM

These were found on the great website RottenTomotoes.com.

I, Robot ***1/2
Cast: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Alan Tudyk, James Cromwell, Bruce Greenwood, Adrian L. Ricard, Chi McBride
Director: Alex Proyas

Knowing that this movie started out as a script entitled "Hardwired", and then only became "I, Robot" after the rights were acquired and the original script had been Asimov-ed, is enough for anyone to expect disaster. But, director Alex Proyas has created a solid movie that provides science fiction, action, humor, and something to think about. This would have been a good movie with or without the "I' Robot" link (the script is "suggested" by it), but the extras that that suggestion provided is enough to make this a thoroughly entertaining and smart movie.

When Dr. Lanning (Cromwell), the head of research ar US Robotics commits suicide, Detective Del Spooner (Smith) is called in to investigate. He quickly comes to believe that the good doctor was murdered by a robot named Sonny (Tudyk), a robot that is much more than he seems. Of course, Spooner has a distrust of robots that may or may not be coloring his judgement. He believes that Sonny has found a way around the Three Laws of Robotics, which would prevent a robot from killing a human. Aided by Dr. Calvin (Moynahan), an employee of USR, they set out to find who or what is behind Sonny's actions.

The action scenes in this movie are an amazing sight, whether they involve a few robots or many. Chicago 2035 is brought vividly and realistically to life without the special effects taking over. Will Smith does anexcellent job as the tormented Spooner. This is a smart movie filled with science fiction action, adventure, and mystery. This is also one of the biggest pleasant surprises movie-wise that I have seen in a long time.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy ***
Cast: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Fred Willard, Chris Parnell, Vince Vaughn
Director: Adam McKay

Will Ferrell's star is on the rise. With hits like "Elf", "Old School", and now "Anchorman" under his belt he seems to have made a life for himself beyond "Saturday Night Live". Ferrell plays Ron Burgundy, the number one news anchor in San Diego in the 1970s, who is somewhat of a living legend in the area. He is the face that everyone looks to for the news. Enter Veronica Corningstone (Applegate), a woman with high aspitations, and a determination that set off a war between herself and Burgundy. She wasnt to be an anchor, and he does not see how a woman can do what he does. When fate steps in, and Bergundy finds himself late for a broadcast, he finds his world turned upside down as Corningstone fills in for him...and does well.

"Anchorman" is a very satirical look at the news world of the 1970s as women are trying to break into a man's game. Will Ferrell disappears into Ron Burgundy, and carries the movie completely. The supporting case (along with a few surprise cameos) lend their own quirkyness to the supporting characters. If the previews looked funny to you, you will enjoy this movie. There are plenty more laughs to be found...and be sure to stay through the credits!

King Arthur **1/2
Cast: Clive Owen, Ioan Gruffudd, Ray Winstone, Keira Knightley, Stephan Dillane, Stellan Skarsgård
Director: Antoine Fuqua

Coming off of last year's "Pirates of the Caribbean", Disney's hopes had to be high for Jerry Bruckheimer's supposed factual retelling of the Arthur legend in "King Arthur". Instead, they get something that is hit and miss, no doubt in part to a studio mandated editing that turned a n R-rated violent and bloody movie into a PG-13 family affair.

Arthur (Owen), is presented as Arturius, a commander for the Roman empire. On the brink of gaining freedom for himself and his knights, he rescues Guenivere (Knightley), turns on Rome, and alighns with the Guenivere's people, the Woads. Eventually, this turn will lead to him becoming the ruler of all the Britons.

This movie is filled with action and fighting, but as I mentioned earlier, it has been toned down and sometimes feels choppy. Clive Owen does not have enough screen presence or noteriety to carry the role of Arthur. Kiera Knightley is most likely the only recognizable name in the cast to Americans, and she does not show up until almost halfway through the film. She also seems to be a little too small to be wielding the swords that she does, especially against some very large men. I like the idea of Guenivere being a warrior, but perhaps they should have chosen someone that fits the part.

Perhaps I nitpick too much, but this movie for the most part did little for me. That fault does not lie on any one person's head, and perhaps I will have a different opinion when the R-rated version comes out on DVD, probably this fall.

The Terminal ***1/2
Cast: Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stanley Tucci, Chi McBride, Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana
Director: Steven Spielberg

When Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks work together, you know you are getting a quality product. "The Terminal" is no exception. Inspired by a true story, it tells the tale of Viktor Navorski (Hanks), a native of Krakozhia who finds himself trapped at JFK Airport after a military coup causes his Visa to be revoked. He cannot return home, and he cannot leave the terminal. What follows is a fish out of water story, as Viktor makes a home for himself in a part of the terminal under construction. His exploits are at times funny and sad. He makes some friends, and meets a stewardess named Amelia (Zeta-Jones), who he becomes interested in.

This movie works, in large part, because of Tom Hanks. He carries the movie, and make it entertaining like very few actors can. Spielberg, turning out another lighthearted movie, is gearing up for more serious movies, but makes the humor work in this one, and draws the viewer into Viktor's plight. "The Terminal" is a highly entertaining picture that can be enjoyed by all.

Spider-Man 2 ****
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Donna Murphy
Director: Sam Raimi

"Spider-Man 2" is easily the best comic book movie in the last decade, and possibly the best ever. Combining a great hero and villain with a great story and amazing special effects, "Spider-Man 2" is a great movie, period. It picks up a few years after the original, with Peter Parker (Maguire) still pining after the girl he will never let himself have, Mary Jane Watson (Dunst). He is fighting internally between what he wants and what he feels he should do, and not seeing a way to have both. His friend Harry Osborn (Franco) is getting steadily more and more bitter with him because he will not give up Spider-man, the person who killed his father. Add to that the fact that he is juggling so many other things in his personal life, and you have a pretty miserable Peter Parker. When is powers start to fail him, he decides to be Spider-Man no more.

As all this is happening, Doctor Otto Octavius (Molina) is perfecting a fusion process for OsCorp that will be a great advance in the field. An accident fuses four mechanical arms to his spine and sends him on a course of destruction that can only be stopped by Spider-Man.

Working from a story by "Smallville"'s Miles Millar and Alfred Gough, and Pulitzer-prize winning author Michael Chabon, Sam Raimi has crafted a sequel that far outshines its solid predecessor. Maguire has made Peter Parker his own, and Alfred Molina breathes intelligent menace into Doc Ock. The special effects, especially during the fight scenes, and incredible. These are easily some of the best fight scenes ever put on film. This is a movie that can be enjoyed by anyone...the perfect summer blockbuster.

And finally, mark your calendars for May 2007, when "Spider-Man 3" will hit theaters. "2" will be difficult to top, but if Raimi continues to pour his passion for the character into the movies, he will have a good shot. Bring on "3".

Top 12 Movies -- First Half of 2004

OK...so I did end up seeing Spider-Man 2 last night, and I have updated this list accordingly. Look for the full review next week.

1. The Passion of the Christ ****
2. Spider-Man 2 ****
3. House of Sand and Fog **** (from 2003)
4. 21 Grams **** (from 2003)

5. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ***1/2
6. Secret Window ***1/2
7. Dawn of the Dead ***1/2
8. The Ladykillers ***1/2
9. Miracle ***1/2

10. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story ***
11. The Chronicles of Riddick ***
12. The Punisher ***

And if you did not read my review..."The Stepford Wives" would be the worst movie that I have seen so far this year.

Anyway, let me know what you think

Top 12 Movies -- First Half of 2004

OK...so here are the 12 best movies I have seen in the first half of 2004. Why 12? Well, two of them came out last year, and I wanted the list to have ten from this year. Also, I have not seen Spider-Man 2 yet, so that is why it is not in the list. But never fear, I'm sure it will be on the list come year end.

1. The Passion of the Christ ****
2. House of Sand and Fog **** (from 2003)
3. 21 Grams **** (from 2003)

4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ***1/2
5. Secret Window ***1/2
6. Dawn of the Dead ***1/2
7. The Ladykillers ***1/2
8. Miracle ***1/2

9. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story ***
10. The Chronicles of Riddick ***
11. The Punisher ***
12. 13 Going on 30 ***

And if you did not read my review..."The Stepford Wives" would be the worst movie that I have seen so far this year.

Anyway, let me know what you think!

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story ***
Cast: Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Rip Torn, Justin Long, Stephen Root, Joel David Moore, Chris Williams, Alan Tudyk
Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber

It's the battle for Average Joe's Gym, played out in dodgeball form. Good guy Peter LaFleur (Vaughn) enters is team of marginally talented clients in a dodgeball tournament in order to get the $50,000 prize. An amount that just happens to equal the amount need to stop the forclosure on his gym. On the other side is White Goodman (Stiller), who is entering the tournament to stop the underdogs from paying off the bank so that he and hi company Globo can take over Average Joe's. "Dodgeball" embraces every sports movie cliche and runs with them, providing consistent humor throughout the movie's 92 minute running time. And of course, there are plenty of dodgeballs to the face (as well as wrenches). This is one of the funniest movies to come out in a long time, and I highly recommend it.

The Chronicles of Riddick ***
Cast: Vin Diesel, Colm Feore, Thandie Newton, Judi Dench, Karl Urban, Alexa Davalos, Linus Roache, Nick Chinlund, Keith David
Director: David Twohy

In 2000, we were introduced to Riddick (Diesel), a criminal who can see in the dark. With the video success of "Pitch Black" and the interest of Vin Diesel, a sequel was inevitable. "Chronicles" finds Riddick five years later, and still on the run from bounty hunters. When he crosses paths with old friend Inam (David), he learns that he may be the only one who is able to stop the Necromongers, lead by Lord Marshall (Feore). The Necromongers are gearing up to destroy Inam's planet, and Riddick has landed there just in time. He soon is on his way to save Jack (Davalos), a friend from the previous movie that may be able to help him out. Throw in Dame Judi Dench, and you even have a touch of class in this sci-fi action extravaganza.

Vin Diesel could very well have a real franchise on his hands here if "Chronicles" is able to make a dent at the box office. Filled with action and amazing special effects, "Chronicles" seems poised to do just that. The ending also provides a jumping off point to further adventures, so don't be surprised to see more of Riddick in a few years.

The Stepford Wives *1/2
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler, Matthew Broderick, Christopher Walken, Faith Hill, Glenn Close, Roger Bart, Jon Lovitz
Director: Frank Oz

With all these big names attached to this movie, you can't go wrong, right? WRONG! "The Stepford Wives" is the biggest disappointment of the year (so far). The horrific story of men replacing their wives with robots that are perfect little wives has been turned into a comedy that lessens the impact of the story. The brains behind this remake have also changed the ending, essentially putting the blame back on the women! And most irritatingly of all, the wives seem to go back and forth between robots or just being the real wives with microchips in their heads that allows them to be controlled. This movie seems to be slapped together just to be able to get a few laughs out of the situation, with no regard for the audience's intelligence. All the talent in this movie is wasted. Save your money and stay away from this stinker.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ***1/2
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, David Thewlis, Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman, Emma Thompson, Tom Felton
Director: Alfonso Cuarón

It is year number three at Hogwarts, and Harry Potter (Radcliffe) and his friends are faced with a new menace: Sirius Black (Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison, and is supposedly looking to kill Harry. That has Hogwarts under the guard of the dementors, beings who bear an uncanny resemblance to the Ghost of Christmas Future). Also in the mix is a new professor of the dark arts by the name of Lupin, who also has issues of his own to deal with.

HP# has a very different look and feel to it than HP1 and HP2. A dampened color palette makes everything look gloomy and mysterious, even the once familiar Hogwarts. Alfonso Cuarón has replaced Chris Columbus in the director's chair, and tightened up the story. Where HP1 and HP2 tried to include everything from the books, HP3 is content to include only what director Cuarón deems necessary. Harry Potter fans should not be worried though, as some of the missing material will find its way into later movies. The three primary child actors seem more comfortable than ever in their roles, and have grown up a bit since HP2. Whether or not they will ride it out until the end of the series remains to be seen, but I think it would be difficult to see anyone else in their roles.

HP3 is also the first, and probably only movie to not have You Know Who in it, and that gives a nice breather before things to come. HP3 is an excellent movie that will not disappoint fans of the series. Now, only a year and a half to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, but I am sure it will seem much longer.

The Day After Tomorrow **
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, Sela Ward, Ian Holm, Emmy Rossum, Dash Mihok, Jay O. Sanders, Austin Nichols, Tamlyn Tomita, Kenneth Walsh
Director: Roland Emmerich

The latest disaster movie to hit theaters finds the world being overcome by another ice age as the result of global warming. The effects are amazing, as New York and Los Angeles are pummelled with uncharacteristic weather. While LA is torn up by tornadoes, NY is overcome by a rising ocean and extreme cold. Trapped in the NY library is Sam (Gyllenhaal) and some friends. They are there on a field trip and are suddenly forced to fend for their lives. Sam's dad, Jack (Quaid), is a climatologist who has warned the government many times about the dangers of global warming, to no avail. In the midst of all the chaos, he and some friends embark on a trek to get to his son. Of course, he has always let Sam down before, choosing job over family, but this time it will be different.

The father-son story is pretty standard, with nothing too remarkable happening there. The special effects, however, are awesome. Even after all the disaster movies that have come out, movie audiences always seem to enjoy seeing cities torn apart my forces beyond their control, even if the science behind the global warming is iffy. If you are interested in good special effects and do not need a terribly original story, this one is for you. But, if you are looking for something that is somewhat original, you may want to stay away.

Shrek 2 ***
Cast (voices): Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Julie Andrews, Antonio Banderas, John Cleese, Rupert Everett, Jennifer Saunders
Directors: Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, Conrad Vernon

Newlyweds Shrek (Myers) and Fiona (Diaz) are summoned to meet Fiona's parents (Cleese and Andrews) in the kingdom of Far, Far Away. This causes some unease in Shrek, who worries about what they will think of him and their now-ogre daughter. Compounding the problems is Prince Charming (Everett), who wants Fiona as his wife. Back are the voices from the previous movie, with a few extra stars added to the mix. The most noticeable new addition is Puss in Boots, voiced by Antonio Banderas. He is a Zorro-like assassin sent by Charming's mother to do away with Shrek, but eventually comes over to the good side. And he is just so adorable with his big eyes.

"Shrek 2" is about as good as its predecessor. The writer find a way to continue a story that was really complete in one movie, and it doesn't feel unnecessary. Kids and adults will find humor and enjoyment in the misadventures of Shrek and his gang. This is much better than Disney's "Home on the Range" and a good destination for a family night out.

Here are some very cool and new "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" movie posters:

Everything Will Change

Character Will Be Tested

Darkness Will Descend

Mysteries Will Unfold

Secrets Will Be Revealed

Godsend **
Cast: Greg Kinnear, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Robert De Niro, Cameron Bright
Director: Nick Hamm

When the Duncan's son is killed in a car accident, Paul (Kinnear) and Jessie (Romijn-Stamos) are approached by Dr. Richard Wells (DeNiro). It seems that he has perfected the ability to clone someone by using just a single cell. He is interested in doing that for the Duncans, giving them a second chance with a genetically identical child. After some initial unease, the Duncans agree, and Adam #2 is born nine months later. The first eight years are great, with both Paul and Jessie feeling like they did the right thing to get that second chance. But, when Adam reaches the age the he had originally died at, he begins having night terrors and acting strangely.

At first glance, "Godsend" seems like it will be a movie that looks at the issue of cloning, but in the end, the movie side-steps the issue all together, opting for essentially what is an "outside" explanation. And that is disappointing, to say the least.

Troy **1/2
Cast: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Diane Kruger, Sean Bean, Peter O'Toole, Brendan Gleeson, Brian Cox, Julie Christie, Saffron Burrows, Julian Glover, Rose Byrne
Director: Wolfgang Petersen

Homer's "The Illiad" comes to life in this epic reenactment of the fall of Troy. Banished are the Greek gods, who are referred to a lot, but never seen. And that is probably for the best, although that is probably the most noticeable change from the source material.

Hector (Bana) and Paris (Bloom) from Troy are on a peaceful mission to Sparta, when Paris falls for the beautiful Helen (Kruger). Paris takes her back to Troy, enraging her husband Menelaus. Menelaus enlists the help of his brother, King Agamemnon (Cox), and his army to retrieve her. Agamemnon sees this as a opportunity to increase his empire, and is more than willing to help, summoning his prized warrior Achilles (Pitt). Achilles, we find out, will fight for Agamemnon, but only when it suits him.

The battle scenes are grand in detail and the special effects mesh seamlessly with the live actors, and one has come to expect in movies these days. The problem lies more in the characters. With the exception of Hector, the characters seem rather flat and unlikeable. One could argue that Hector is the most noble character in the whole movie, and that is something that really gets him nowhere in the end. All in all, "Troy" is enjoyable, but not as good as it could have been.

Home on the Range **1/2
Cast: Roseanne Barr, Judi Dench, Jennifer Tilly, Cuba Gooding Jr., Randy Quaid, Charles Dennis, Steve Buscemi
Directors: Will Finn, John Sanford

"Home on the Range" may be the last hand-drawn Disney feature for the foreseeable future. Disney is going the way of computer animation and forsaking the old ways. That being said, "Home on the Range" represents Disney's animated films going out with a whimper. Well not a bad movie, it is not a great one either. It falls somewhere in the "who cares?" range, and will probably be easily forgotten.

The Patch of Heaven ranch is facing foreclosing, and the owner will not sell her cows because they are like family. The cows get the bright idea to track down Alameda Slim, a wanted outlaw, and collect the reward that just so happens to match the amount needed for the ranch.

The voices are middle of the road too. Roseanne Barr voices the main cow, and she is just as obnoxious sounding as ever. Judi Dench gives us a British sounding cow, and Randy Quaid voices the bad guy. The songs are average as well.

In the end, kids will probably enjoy it, but it may wear on adults patience. Some adult humor is sprinkled in (giving the film a PG rating), but it actually seems out of place. The best bet on this one would be to wait until it comes out on video.

Mean Girls ***
Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Tina Fey, Lizzy Caplan, Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, Daniel Franzese, Tim Meadows, Jonathan Bennett, Amanda Seyfried
Director: Mark S. Waters

Cady Heron (Lohan) has traveled all around the world and has been home schooled for most of her life by her parents. But, when her parents finally settle down, she is introduced to the harsh world of high school. Janis and Damian, two of the less cool kids, befriend her and teach her the ways of the school and explain the various groupings of students. One group, the "plastics" is the prettiest, most popular, and bitchiest in the whole school. When Cady gets invited into this group, she decides to bring them down from within, with the help of Janis and Damian. And while most of their schemes backfire, the plastics eventually suck Cady in and make her truly one of them.

Although not based on a "Saturday Night Live" skit, this movie is swarming with SNL players. Lorne Michaels produced it and Tina Fey wrote and stars in it as Cady's math teacher. And unlike most SNL movies, this one is actually quite good and funny. My one complaint is that instead of having a bit more edgy ending, they opt to take a more "happy" route. I think that this movie will appeal most to teens, who will definitely be able to relate to the high school atmosphere in the movie, but adults can enjoy it as well. In fact, they might even come to understand their kids a bit more, for good or for bad.

Spider-Man 2 posters

Here are some fairly new movie posters for the new Spider-Man movie that comes out at the end of June. They are all very cool, but it think "Destiny" is my favorite. Check them out!

Sacrifice

Choice

Destiny

Van Helsing ***
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, David Wenham, Shuler Hensley, Elena Anaya, Will Kemp, Kevin J. O'Connor
Director: Stephen Sommers

With the Success of "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns", it was no surprise that Universal Pictures gave writer/director Stephen Sommers the green light to use the big three: Dracula, the Wolfman, and Frankenstein's monster, in a big budget action/horror movie. And while "Van Helsing" is more action and less horror, it is still an entertaining ride.

Van Helsing (Jackman) is a monster hunter that secretly works for a religious organization that polices the supernatural. He is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula (Roxburgh). Dracula is searching for Frankenstein's monster, because he holds the key to bringing Dracula's evil spawn to life. Aided by a local vampire hunter by the name of Anna (Beckinsale), they venture forth to stop the evil blood sucker.

"Van Helsing" is a very loud movie that is relentless in its action. There is very little down time for the viewer to catch his breath. While that would be good in a shorter movie, at 135 minutes it is a bit tiring. The special effects are on par with the Mummy movies, that is to say, good but not great, and that suits the tone of the movie just fine. "Van Helsing" is a great start to the summer blockbuster season.

13 Going on 30 ***
Cast: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Christa B. Allen, Jack Salvatore Jr., Kathy Baker, Phil Reeves, Judy Greer
Director: Gary Winick

In 1987, after a disasterous thirteenth birthday party, Jenna Rink wishes she could just be 30 years old and skip the next seventeen years. A sprinkle of pixie dust gives her that wish, and when she awakens, she quickly finds out that her with has come true. The year is 2004, and Jenna (Garner) is an editor for Poise magazine and best friends with Lucy (Greer), the popular girl from her teenage years. In a panic, she seeks out her childhood best friend Matt (Ruffalo). Unfortunately for her, their friendship ended badly years ago. Reluctantly, he agrees to help her, and Jenna soon discovers feelings for him that she never had before.

Yes, we have seen this movie before. Big, anyone? But what this movie has that really makes it enjoyable is Jennifer Garner. She imbues thirty year old Jenna with the spirit of a thirteen year old. Her channelling of her inner child is what really makes this movie work. Also, the movie doesn't take itself too seriously. After all, the "time travel" is accomplished with pixie dust. This is a sweet and funny movie that shows Jennifer Garner can do comedy as well as action.

The Punisher ***
Cast: Thomas Jane, John Travolta, Will Patton, Laura Harring, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Ben Foster, John Pinette, Samantha Mathis, Roy Scheider
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh

Federal agent Frank Castle's (Jane) last mission before retirement goes wrong, and the son of local mob boss Howard Saint (Travolta) is killed. Saint is not above revenge, and on the advice of his wife, targets Castle's entire family. The massacre at a family reunion leaves everyone dead, or at least presumed dead. The sole survivor, of course, is Castle, who embarks on a quest to deliver punishment to Saint and his lackeys. Yet another movie that is based on a comic book, The Punisher manages to be depressing and horrifying in parts, and humorous in others. The lighter moments make the heavier ones easier to take and provide some relief. Thomas Jane, a relatively new face in movies, does an excellent job as a man bent on revenge...make that punishment.

Kill Bill: Volume 2 ***
Cast: Uma Thurman, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen, David Carradine, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Gordon Liu (Pai Mei)
Director: Quentin Tarantino

The Bride (Thurnman) is back, and set to continue her revenge streak in Volume 2. Her targets: Elle (Hannah), Budd (Madsen), and of course, Bill (Carradine). Along the way, we get flashbacks of her training and the wedding massacre that would set her on her course of revenge. This is a better movie than Volume 1, focusing more on characters than action. Volume 2 is also a (marginally) better film than Volume 1. It can stand on its own, and feels more like a Tarantino film, despite being essentially a love story. To me, David Carradine was the scene stealer as the titular Bill. Whereas in Volume 1, he was a mysterious figure, he is probably the most developed character in Volume 2. Tarantino has made two interesting films that really could have been shortened down into one that might have been better than the sum of its parts.

Walking Tall ***
Cast: The Rock, Neal McDonough, Johnny Knoxville, John Beasley, Barbara Tarbuck, Kristen Wilson, Khleo Thomas, Ashley Scott, Michael Bowen
Director: Kevin Bray

Special Ops veteran Chris Vaughn (The Rock) returns home with hopes of working at the local sawmill, but soon discovers that his hometown has changed quite a bit in his absence. The sawmill has closed, and the main business in town is a casino that is run by his old friend Jay Hamilton (McDonough). They quickly become enemies, with Hamilton's casino being trashed, and Vaughn being beaten and left for dead. Vaughn is able to clear himself and then runs for sheriff. His victory over the old sheriff all but ensures another showdown with Hamilton.

"Inspired" by a true story, Walking Tall is a remake of a movie of the same name that fictionalizes the true story more than the original did. This is a movie that really did not need to be made, but The Rock once again steps up and salvages some enjoyment out of it. He has the charisma and presence to be the next big action star. He is really the only reason to see this movie, and one can easilly see this as another stepping stone in the movie career of The Rock.

The Ladykillers ***1/2
Cast: Tom Hanks, Irma P. Hall, Marlon Wayans, J.K. Simmons, Tzi Ma, Ryan Hurst, Diane Delano
Director: Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

Professor G. H. Dorr (Hanks) arrives in the southern town of Saucier with the intent of robbing a riverboat casino. He makes arrangements to stay with a elderly widow named Marva Munson (Hall), whose house just happens to be close to the casino's vault. Under the guise of practicing their music, his "band" members begin holding practice sessions in the basement. Little does Marva know, they are tunnelling their way to a fortune. The characters alone are pure Coen brothers, each imbued with their own wacky traits. And everything seems to be going well for the team of crooks, but the best laid plains often go awry. This is one of the Coen brothers' funnier efforts, even though it is a remake of a 1955 British film. The are able to make it their own with the character s and the execution. I would highly recommend this movie.