Scary Movie 4 ***
Cast: Anna Faris, Craig Bierko, Regina Hall, Leslie Nielsen, Charlie Sheen, Bill Pullman
Director: David Zucker
Running Length: 1:20
MPAA Classification: PG-13

If you have seen and enjoyed the previous three movies in the “Scary Movie” series, number four will not disappoint. Borrowing heavily from “War of the Worlds”, “The Grudge”, and “The Village”, with other movies and Tom Cruise’s craziness thrown in, “Scary Movie 4” is one of the better installments in the series.

Back again are Anna Faris and Regina Hall, mainstays in the franchise. Death in a previous installment does not even hinder their return. They do what they did before with the safe effectiveness. Added to the mix is Craig Bierko, who channels his inner Tom Cruise to be the leading man. David Zucker (of “Airplane” fame) is back again in the director’s chair, and he continues to throw jokes and gags at the viewer until they cannot help but laugh. There is not much more that can be said about this movie. If you like this type of spoof movie, you will not be disappointed.

Thank You For Smoking ***
Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Cameron Bright, Sam Elliott, Katie Holmes, David Koechner, William H. Macy, Robert Duvall, Kim Dickens, Rob Lowe
Director: Jason Reitman
Running Length: 1:38
MPAA Classification: R

Nick Naylor (Eckhart) works for the Academy of Tobacco Studies as a spin doctor. He is their primary weapon in defense of Big Tobacco, and that is not an easy job. Bribing the cancer stricken Marlboro Man (Elliot), making smoking sexy in movies, and spinning an expose about him are all on his agenda. Through it all, he has to baby sit his son (Bright) and show him what dad does for a living.

“Thank You For Smoking” is a funny, edgy movie. Aaron Eckhart is perfect as the somewhat soulless Naylor. His reasoning will make you cringe, but he is hard to argue with. The supporting cast is star studded, and all the actors do a solid job. Those on both sides of the smoking issue can enjoy this movie as well, and that is perhaps the most impressive trick that the movie pulls off. If you are looking for a thought provoking, funny movie, this one is for you.