Nanny McPhee **1/2
Cast: Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Kelly Macdonald, Celia Imrie, Angela Lansbury, Imelda Staunton, Thomas Sangster, Derek Jacobi
Director: Kirk Jones
Running Length: 1:37
MPAA Classification: PG

The Brown children are always misbehaving. They scare away every nanny that their dad, Cedric (Firth), hires. He loves the kids, but does not know what to do. One day, Nanny McPhee (Thompson) shows up at the door, confident that she can restore order to the Brown house. Another problem for Cedric is Great Aunt Adelaide (Lansbury). She supports Cedric's family, and has decided to cut off funds if he does not marry within the month. Despite the obvious choice, Evangeline (Macdonald) - a maid who loves the children, Cedric makes a deal with Selma (Imrie), who will make an excellent Wicked Stepmother.

"Nanny McPhee" is a movie that will be enjoyed by kids. It is mostly harmless and reminiscent of "Mary Poppins." Adults may not be as taken with it, but I do not think they will find it impossible to sit through. I recommend this for DVD viewing.

The Pink Panther **1/2
Cast: Steve Martin, Kevin Kline, Beyoncé Knowles, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Henry Czerny
Director: Shawn Levy
Running Length: 1:35
MPAA Classification: PG

The coach of the French national soccer team is murdered on the field after the game, and someone steals his ring. The ring contains the Pink Panther diamond, a large and valuable pink diamond. Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Kline) decides to put an idiot in charge of the investigation so he can swoop in and solve the crime and gain all the glory. This idiot is Inspector Clouseau (Martin). Of course, Clouseau may just be dumb enough to solve the case in spite of himself.

This is a movie that probably did not need to be made. The character of Inspector Clouseau is so entwined with Peter Sellers that anyone taking on the role has his work cut out for him. Steve Martin is not up to the task, but he does not completely fail either. He does an ok job filling his predacessor's shoe, and does bring some laughs. Kevin Kline and Jean Reno are also OK in supporting roles.

"The Pink Panther" will be enjoyed by many, but it sat on studio shelves for over a year before release, and that is not surprising. This version has a lot to live up to, and I do not think it is successful overall. Check this one out on DVD.

OSCAR PREDICTION
Best Picture:
Brokeback Mountain -- WILL WIN -- overrated, but the awards favorite
Capote -- a great movie, but Hoffman will get all the attention
Crash -- my #2 pick for last year, would not be disappointed if this won
Good Night, and Good Luck -- well made and interesting, this one has the least chance of winning
Munich -- SHOULD WIN -- my pick for the best movie of last year, hands down

OSCAR PREDICTION
Actor:
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote -- SHOULD WIN and WILL WIN -- an amazing performance that made the movie as great as it was
Terrence Howard, Hustle & Flow -- DID NOT SEE
Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain -- a brave choice of roles, but will come up short
Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line -- another amazing impersination and great performance
David Strathairn, Good Night, and Good Luck -- solid performance, but does not have the exposure of the other candidates

OSCAR PREDICTION
Actress:
Judi Dench, Mrs. Henderson Presents -- DID NOT SEE
Felicity Huffman, Transamerica -- DID NOT SEE
Keira Knightley, Pride & Prejudice -- a surprise nomination, will not really have a chance despite her good performance
Charlize Theron, North Country -- solid but nothing special
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line -- SHOULD WIN AND WILL WIN -- great job acting and singing

Firewall ***
Cast: Harrison Ford, Paul Bettany, Virginia Madsen, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Robert Forster, Alan Arkin, Carly Schroeder, Jimmy Bennett, Robert Patrick
Director: Richard Loncraine
Running Length: 1:45
MPAA Classification: R

Jack Stanfield (Ford) is head of bank security at a bank on the brink of a merger. Bill Cox (Bettany) is a businessman that, after a business meeting with JAck, makes Jack an offer. If Jack helps Bill rob the bank of $100 million, Bill will let Jack's family live. He has taken them all hostage, and is pulling Jack's strings to accomplish the task. OF course, Bill is less than trustworthy, and Jack soon finds himself in a no-win situation as the crimes start to point to him.

"Firewall" is an entertaining thriller. Harrison Ford gets the job done as Jack, although the years are starting to show. Paul Bettany is a solid villain, and is believeable for his brains and toughness. Mary Lynn Rajskub and Virginia Madsen are good in supporting roles. This is not a perfect movie, but it will provide a couple hours of solid enjoyment.

OSCAR PREDICTION
Supporting Actor:
George Clooney, Syriana -- SHOULD WIN -- this is the Oscar that he deserves, but will likely be ignored
Matt Dillon, Crash -- great performance
Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man -- WILL WIN -- he has been passed over in previous years, and the Oscar voters feel they owe him
Jake Gyllenhaal, Brokeback Mountain -- the weakest of the Brokeback Bunch, the honor is in the nomination
William Hurt, A History of Violence -- perfect in his small role, addind some humor to a serious movie

OSCAR PREDICTION
Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams, Junebug -- DID NOT SEE
Catherine Keener, Capote -- solid performance
Frances McDormand, North Country -- Oscar always loves actors playing the disabled, but she has no chance with this field
Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener -- great job with limited screen time
Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain -- SHOULD WIN AND WILL WIN -- great performance in a difficult role

OSCAR PREDICTION
Director:
Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain -- WILL WIN -- the momentum for this movie will carry its director to victory
Bennett Miller, Capote
Paul Haggis, Crash
George Clooney, Good Night, and Good Luck
Steven Spielberg, Munich -- SHOULD WIN

OSCAR PREDICTION
Adapted Screenplay:
Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, Brokeback Mountain -- first story of its kind
Dan Futterman, Capote -- SHOULD WIN AND WILL WIN -- great telling of the writing of a classic book
Jeffrey Caine, The Constant Gardener -- well done, but a real downer
Josh Olson, A History of Violence -- great story of a man trying to put his past behind him
Tony Kushner and Eric Roth, Munich -- interesting story of a country's retribution

OSCAR PREDICTION
Original Screenplay:
Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco, Crash -- well done script that managed to not be preachy
George Clooney and Grant Heslov, Good Night, and Good Luck -- interesting look at McCarthyism
Woody Allen, Match Point -- DID NOT SEE
Noah Baumbach, The Squid and the Whale -- DID NOT SEE
Stephen Gaghan, Syriana -- SHOULD WIN AND WILL WIN -- complex story that is well put together and challenges the audience

OSCAR PREDICTION
Animated Feature Film:
Howl's Moving Castle -- DID NOT SEE
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride -- well done, but not good enough to beat Wallace & Gromit
Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit -- SHOULD WIN AND WILL WIN -- best children's movie of the year, and a favorite of most critics

Brokeback Mountain **1/2
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams, Anne Hathaway, Randy Quaid, Linda Cardellini, Anna Faris
Director: Ang Lee
Running Length: 2:15
MPAA Classification: R

In the summer of 1963, Jack Twist (Gyllenhaal) and Ennis Del Mar (Ledger) are hired to me sheepherders on Brokeback Mountain. This is the first time they have met, and gradually a friendship forms between the two. One cold night, the friendship turns into something more. They agree to keep things a secret, and really do not expect to see each other again.

Ennis marries Alma (Williams), and Jack marries Lureen (Hathaway). Despite trying to lead normal lives, they cannot forget their time together. Eventually Jack makes contact with Ennis, and their relationship is rekindled.

"Brokeback Mountain" is not a movie for everyone, and I was indifferent to it. The cast all do a good job, especially Ledger and Williams, who deserve the Oscar nominations they received. The story, however, was unremarkable to me. The only thing that makes it "special" is that the two leads are gay, or at least bi-sexual. And that will be the downfall of the movie for many. Finally, the movie feels longer than it is. 135 minutes is a lot to ask for this story, and that hurts the film too. I cannot recommend this movie, but I do think that it will find a appreciative audience with some.

The Matador ***
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, Hope Davis
Director: Richard Shepard
Running Length: 1:36
MPAA Classification: R

Julian Noble (Brosnan) is a hitman who is burned out and trying to get out of the business. In Mexico City, he meets Danny Wright (Kinnear), and makes a poor impression. Determined to make up for it, he takes Danny to a bullfight the next day. There, Julian confesses to Danny that he is a hitman, and tells Danny how to go about making a hit to convince him he is telling the truth. The two part ways, only to meet again months later when Julian shows up at Danny's house in Denver looking for help.

That is a fairly simple description of a very funny movie. Brosnan is doing his best to shed the James Bond image that he has cultivated over the last decade, and he succeeds. Kinnear is the straight man, an average Joe., and is believeable in the role. Danny and Julian's friendship is believeable, and that is what makes the movie work. All in all, "The Matador" is an entertaining buddy film that has a lot of humor. Fans of either of the stars will not be disappointed, and I recommend the film.