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.