The Grudge 2 *1/2
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Amber Tamblyn, Edison Chen, Arielle Kebbel, Jennifer Beals
Director: Takashi Shimizu
Running Length: 1:35
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Aubrey *Tamblyn) travels to Japan to bring her sister Karen (Gellar) home after the events of the previous film. While there, she gets drawn into the mystery of the house and, along with a reporter (Chen), goes on a quest to find out the truth behind the ghost Kayoko’s anger. Also in Japan, three girls enter the house on a dare, and bring a bit of the grudge out with them. Finally, in America, a distraught girl returns home to an apartment complex, and strange things begin to happen.

All of these stories are related, and come together somewhat unsatisfyingly in this unnecessary sequel to 2004’s “The Grudge”. The story is weak, and the acting is nothing impressive. The ending almost certainly guarantees another sequel, this time more close to home. Anything creepy from the previews in tame when seen in context, and that means that “The Grudge 2” fails as a horror film. Stay away from this stinker.

The Departed ****
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin
Director: Martin Scorsese
Running Length: 2:29
MPAA Classification: R

Frank Costello (Nicholson) rules the streets of the Irish American community in Boston. Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Damon) both start out on those streets, but their paths diverge. Both enroll in the police academy, but while Costigan wants to be a state trooper, Sullivan is Costello’s right-hand man, and just wants to be help out the man who helped him while growing up. Costigan’s plans are changed when Captain Queenan (Sheen) and Sgt. Dignam (Wahlberg) hand pick him for a job getting into Costello’s gang. He succeeds, and soon is passing information to the police, but Sullivan knows that there is a leak, and soon both sides are looking for the rat.

“The Departed” is a great movie, and will definitely be in the running for best picture come Oscar time. The cast is great all around, with everyone bringing their best performances to the table. DiCaprio and Damon are the core of the movie, and they prove up to the challenge. Nicholson is excellent as always, especially when he is allowed to just be Jack. The story is great, and is an example of how a remake does not need to be bad. Scorsese makes is all flow smoothly, and the movie does not feel as long as it is. This is easily one of the best movies of the year, I highly recommend seeing it.

Gridiron Gang ***
Cast: The Rock, Xzibit, L. Scott Caldwell, Leon Rippy
Director: Phil Joanou
Running Length: 2:00
MPAA Classification: PG-13

“Gridiron Gang” is the true story of Sean Porter (The Rock), a detention camp officer who tries to make something out of the kids in the camp at which he works. He attempts to instill discipline, honor, teamwork, and pride through football. He feels that this will help to keep them from going back to their old lifestyle once released. He wants to help them break the cycle of violence. Initially met with some resistance, he manages to schedule a season and help the kids make something of themselves.

While being a typical “feel good” sports movie, “Gridiron Gang” feels less clichéd than the majority of these kinds of films. The acting is good all around, and The Rock is well suited for the role of Porter. It is truly remarkable what the real Sean Porter accomplished. I liked this film more than I anticipated, and recommend it.

The Black Dahlia **
Cast: Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank, Mia Kirshner, Mike Starr, Fiona Shaw
Director: Brian DePalma
Running Length: 2:00
MPAA Classification: R

LAPD detectives Bucky Bleichert (Hartnett) and Lee Blanchard (Eckhart) are partners. They are working a child rape case when their path intersects with the murder of Elizabeth Shore (Kirshner). Lee becomes obsessed with that case, and drags Bucky along for the ride. The investigation leads Bucky to Madeline Linscott (Swank), and soon he is in a relationship he shouldn’t be with a possible witness. At the same time, sparks are flying with Lee’s girlfriend, Kay (Johansson), but going down that path would be disastrous for his relationship with his partner. As Bucky and Lee get closer to the truth, things get dangerous, and neither of them might have long left to live.

“The Black Dahlia” is based on the novel by James Ellroy, and not the real-life unsolved mystery. This gives the movie free reign to actually solve the case, but perhaps their treatment of the solution was better left unknown. “The Black Dahlia” is a bit of a confusing mess. Add to that poor acting, for the most part all around, and this is a film that does not live up to expectations. Sure, it looks great, but that only goes so far. I cannot recommend this film.

Huo Yuan Jia (Jet Li’s Fearless) ***
Cast: Jet Li, Shido Nakamura, Betty Sun, Yong Dong
Director: Ronny Yu
Running Length: 1:43
MPAA Classification: PG-13

“Fearless” is the story of martial art master Huo Yuanjia (Li), from early childhood to his death. His father was a great fighter who did not want his son to follow in his footsteps, so Yuanjia was forced to teach himself. When his father refuses to deliver a fatal blow to end a match, Yuanjia is taunted to the point where he must defend his family’s name. He is defeated, but swears never to lose again. Over the years, he becomes known as one of the greatest fighters in China. Unlike his father, he becomes ruthless, and will have to pay the price for his actions.

“Fearless” is an entertaining and interesting movie. In what is supposed to be his final martial arts movie, Jet Li gives a good performance as this Chinese hero. The fight scenes are top notch, and there are plenty of them. The biggest drawback to this movie for most will be the subtitles, but if that does not bother you, “Fearless” is worth checking out.

The Covenant *1/2
Cast: Steven Strait, Laura Ramsey, Sebastian Stan, Taylor Kitsch, Chace Crawford, Toby Hemingway, Jessica Lucas
Director: Renny Harlin
Running Length: 1:37
MPAA Classification: PG-13

The descendants of the founding families of Ipswich, Massachusetts, Caleb (Strait), Reid (Hemingway), Sims (Crawford), and Pogue (Kitsch), are kids who have it all. Including witch-like powers inherited from their ancestors. At the age of 18, which Caleb will hit first, they will “ascend” into their mature powers. The catch is that every time they use their powers, it ages them. On the eve of Caleb’s ascension, the group finds that someone else is using their powers to cause trouble. Now, they must find out who it is and put a stop to it before people start getting hurt.

“The Covenant” is a disappointing movie. And to be fair, I was not expecting much. I suppose it is a horror movie, but it is never really scary. The acting is weak, and the action is less than impressive. Director Renny Harlin is far from his glory days of directing “Die Hard 2”, and one cannot help but wonder if it is time to retire from directing. He is clearly on a downward spiral that didn’t start too high to begin with. The only way I can recommend this movie, is to wait for its inevitable cable tv showing on the SciFi channel. And then only for laughs.

The Illusionist ***
Cast: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewel
Director: Neil Burger
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Eisenheim the Illusionist (Norton) is taking Vienna by storm. The year is 1900, and Eisen heim is so talented that his tricks are so good that his audience believes him to be supernatural. In fact, they may not be wrong. Crown Prince Leopold (Sewell) is a doubter though, and he gives Chief Inspector Uhl (Giamatti) the task of proving him a fraud. At a performance, Leopold sends his fiancée Princess Sophie (Biel) to the stage as a volunteer. Little does he know that Sophie and Eisenheim were in love as children, and this reunion will rekindle their romance. This only intensifies Leopold’s determination to end Eisenheim’s act for good.

Edward Norton is perfect as Eisenheim. He makes the character likeable and even a little mysterious. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Rufus Sewell makes Leopold a character that is easy to hate. Biel and Giamatti deliver solid supporting performances as well. The story is great, keeping the audience guessing about Eisenheim’s gifts until the final minutes. I recommend finding a theater near you that is playing “The Illusionist”, and check it out.