Stardust ***
Cast: Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sienna Miller, Peter O'Toole, Mark Strong, Jason Flemyng, Rupert Evertt
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Running Length: 2:02
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Tristan (Cox) loves Victoria (Miller). He would do anything for her, so when she asks him to retrieve a fallen star, he sets out across a magical wall and enters the realm of Stormhold. To his surprise, the star is actually a woman named Yvaine (Danes). She isn’t happy to be on the earth, and does not want to go with Tristan. He makes a deal with her to help her find a way back into the heavens if she just comes with him back to Victoria. Meanwhile, the witch Lamia (Pfeiffer) is looking for Yvaine as well. She wants to cut out the star’s heart to gain eternal life. Finally, Septimus (Strong) needs Yvaine’s necklace to claim the throne. Eventually, all will meet in a battle that will have consequences for the land of Stormhold.

“Stardust” is very much an adult fairy tale. Dark at times, and filled with adult humor, most kids will not like it. The cast, especially Danes, does an excellent job. The only two sticking points for “Stardust” are the running time (it runs 5-10 minutes longer than it needs to) and special effects (a little on the cheap looking side). But those are small quibbles for what is a thoroughly enjoyable movie. It’s not a classic, but it is done well, and for that I recommend it.

The Bourne Ultimatum ***1/2
Cast: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, Scott Glenn, Joan Allen, Paddy Considine, Albert Finney
Director: Paul Greengrass
Running Length: 1:51
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Jason Bourne (Damon) is still searching for his true identity, and is once again becoming a thorn in the side of the CIA. Noah Vosen (Strathairn), head of black ops targets him for elimination, and soon he is on the run again. This time around agents Pamela Landy (Allen) and Nicky Parsons (Stiles) are on his side, offering their assistance to stop the darker aspects of the CIA as well as help him find himself.

“The Bourne Ultimatum” is an excellent action movie, and a fitting end(?) to the Bourne trilogy. The best of the three and the best threequel of the summer, “Bourne” is nonstop action with a smart story. Matt Damon falls back into Bourne’s shoes easily, and the supporting cast is once again top notch. The “Bourne” series has delivered top notch stories and action from the beginning, and it would be a shame if it didn’t continue beyond this point. This is one of the best action trilogies ever made. I highly recommend this film.

The Simpsons Movie ***1/2

Cast (voices): Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Harrry Shearer, Hank Azaria
Director: David Silverman
Running Length: 1:27
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Homer’s (Castellaneta) new pet pig is producing a large amount of waste, and when Homer dumps that waste into Lake Springfield, the toxicity threatens the environment. The government decides to quarantine the city. The Simpsons are able to escape Springfield and their rioting citizens, and head to Alaska to start fresh. Soon, word reaches then that the government has far sinister plans for Springfield, and the family heads back to try to save their home.

18 years in the making, the Simpsons finally come to the big screen, and “The Simpsons Movie” does not disappoint. Written by 11 of the show’s best writers, the story is movie worthy, and not just three episodes cobbled together. Many secondary characters are present as well to please hardcore fans of the show. The animation is bigger, crisper, and brighter. They have gone out of their way to make this movie theater-worthy, and they have succeeded. Fans will not be disappointed, and non-fans will be able to follow the story. Hopefully, the next film will not take 18 years to hit theaters.