Elizabeth: The Golden Age ***
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Clive Owen, Abbie Cornish, Samantha Morton, Jordi Molla, Rhys Ifans, Adam Godley, Tom Hollander
Director: Shekhar Kapur
Running Length: 1:54
MPAA Classification: PG-13

A holy war has been declared against England’s Protestant Queen Elizabeth (Blanchett) by the Pope. Leading the charge is Spain’s King Philip II, who wants to replace her with Quenn Mary of Scotland (Morton), a Catholic who is imprisoned. On the home front, Elizabeth is being pressured to marry by her advisor, Sir Francis Walsingham (Rush). She rejects many possible husbands, but finds some interest in Sir Walter Raleigh (Owen).

“The Golden Age” is an entertaining but flawed movie. On the positive side, it is great to look at. The costumes, set design, and cinematography are gorgeous. The acting, while not as standout as in the first movie, is still impressive, especially by Cate Blanchett. On the negative side of things, the story isn’t that exciting. Historical fact is also compromised for cinematic value, but not much is added. The war with Spain comes and goes quickly, and without much excitement. “The Golden Age” is an adequate sequel, but by no means surpasses the original. It is worth checking out though.

Michael Clayton ****
Cast: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack, Michael O'Keefe, Ken Howard
Director: Tony Gilroy
Running Length: 2:00
MPAA Classification: R

At the law firm of Kenner, Back & Ledeen, Michael Clayton (Clooney) is the “fixer”. He can clean up anything, no matter how messy. He hates his job, but is well paid and very good at it. Also, his personal life is a mess. He owes money and has a strained relationship with his son. Then, friend and co-worker Arthur (Wilkinson) goes off the deep end. Arthur decides to blow the lid off a major class action lawsuit against one of the firm’s biggest clients, U/North. The evidence he has is damning, and U/North’s corporate lawyer Karen Crowder (Swinton) takes steps to remove Arthur from the equation. Michael’s boss Marty (Pollack) orders him to fix the situation immediately.

“Michael Clayton” is a well told, well acted, intelligent thriller. It burns slowly, but is very satisfying. Clooney is great as the brilliant but troubled fixer. Wilkinson’s crazy Arthur steals the scenes he is in. Swinton’s performance is solid as someone in way over their head. The story comes at the viewer from different angles, fitting together in the end, but not always clear in the build up. Yes, folks…you have to think a little in this one. That’s not a bad thing though, because in the end, “Michael Clayton” is a satisfying thriller. I highly recommend it.

The Jane Austen Book Club ***
Cast: Maria Bello, Hugh Dancy, Kathy Baker, Emily Blunt, Amy Brenneman, Maggie Grace, Jimmy Smits, Marc Blucas, Kevin Zegers, Nancy Travis
Director: Robin Swicord
Running Length: 1:55
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Five women and one man decide to start a book club, reading the works of Jane Austen. Bernadette (Baker), the organizer of the club, is a woman looking to add one more to her many marriages. Jocelyn (Bello) is single and happy with her dogs. Sylvia (Brenneman) is in a failing marriage to Daniel (Smits). Allegra (Grace) is their lesbian daughter. Prudie (Blunt) is unhappily married, and attracted to one of her students. Lastly, there is Grigg (Dancy), a science fiction fan who is in the club because he is interested in Jocelyn. Their lives all contain elements that echo Jane Austen’s stories, so their choice of reading is appropriate.

“The Jane Austen Book Club” is a female bonding movie that will also appeal to fans of Jane Austen. The acting is capable, but nothing outstanding. There is a little of everything relationship-wise here, and all the stories are handled pretty well. Jocelyn and Grigg’s story is probably the most appealing though. To the story’s credit, knowledge of Jane Austen isn’t necessary, but it helps. In all fairness, the title of the film is going to draw in the appropriate audience, and they will probably enjoy it.

The Kingdom ***1/2
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Chris Cooper, Richard Jenkins, Jeremy Piven, Ashraf Barhom
Director: Peter Berg
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: R

In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a community of foreign oil workers and their families, terrorists shoot and bomb the residents. More than 100 people die, including some FBI agents. In the US, Ronald Fleury (Foxx) gets his forensic team ready for an investigation. They consist of: Janey Mayes (Garner, a pathologist; Adam Leavitt (Bateman), a computer expert; and Grand Sykes (Cooper), an explosives expert. His team is allowed into Saudi Arabia, but they have to be watched by police-colonel Al-Ghazi (Barhom). Of course, he is more intent on keeping the peace than getting to the bottom of things, and as Fleury and his team get closer to the answers they are looking for, things begin to spiral out of control.

“The Kingdom” is an excellent movie that is both intelligent and suspenseful. It is well acted all around, and especially by Jason Bateman. He has the meatiest role, and gives a strong dramatic performance. He also gets the best one-liners. The story and direction are top notch. The movie is tense and urgent, pulling the viewer in with ease. I highly recommend this film.

Resident Evil: Extinction **1/2
Cast: Milla Jovovich, Oded Fehr, Ali Larter, Iain Glen, Ashanti
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Running Length: 1:35
MPAA Classification: R

Since the last “Resident Evil” movie, the zombie-making virus has spread across the entire planet. The world is a wasteland, but the Umbrella Corporation still exists underground. Alice (Jovovich) teams up with a group of survivors, led by Claire (Larter), who are heading to Alaska. Rumor has it that the infection hasn’t reached there yet. Soon, the Umbrella Corporation is targeting Alice and messing up the group’s plans.

“Resident Evil 3” is better than “2”, but not as good as the original. This time around, things seem more tame, with less blood and gore. That will upset some die hard fans. There is plenty of action though. Milla Jovovich seems to be enjoying herself as alice, and although she has said that this is the last film in the series, the ending opens up infinite possible sequels. This film is for fans of the series only.

In the Valley of Elah ***Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Jason Patric, Susan Sarandon, James Franco, Barry Corbin, Josh Brolin
Director: Paul Haggis
Running Length: 2:04
MPAA Classification: R

After returning from Iraq, soldier Mike Deerfield goes AWOL. His dad Hank (Jones), a retired officer, is given a courtesy call. Mike will be reported missing if he doesn’t return in a few days. Hank decides to head to the base and do some looking for his son. Once there, he quickly hooks up with Emily Sanders (Theron), a civilian cop. When Mike’s charred corpse is discovered, Hank must figure out who is behind the grizzly murder and what caused it to happen.

Tommy Lee Jones gives a strong performance in a movie that is above average, but not great. It cover no new ground, showing the audience that war changes people, and not for the good. Charlize Theron and Susan Sarandon both give credible performances but are underused. This is Jones’s movie to carry, and while the story takes some interesting twists, the ending will have many viewers rolling their eyes as they are beat to death with symbolism. Still, “In the Valley of Elah” is better than most movies out there and worth checking out.

The Brave One ***Cast: Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Naveeen Andrews, Mary Steenburgen, Nicky Katt
Director: Neil Jordan
Running Length: 2:02
MPAA Classification: R

New York City talk show host Erica (Foster) is on the brink of marrying David (Andrews). She is very happy. Then one night, they are attacked. David dies and Erica lives. Unfortunately, she is an emotional wreck. Just getting the courage to leave her apartment is a challenge. Once out, she buys a gun – for protection and revenge. When a few dead bodies start showing up, Detectives Mercer (Howard) and Vitale (Katt) are at a loss to what kind of a person they are dealing with. Erica’s friend ship with Mercer complicates things for her as well. As the police close in on her, Erica must decide of revenge is really worth it.

“The Brave One” is an interesting movie that doesn’t provide any easy answers. Jodie Foster gives an excellent performance as a character who is both vengeful and sympathetic. Howard and Katt are both good in supporting roles as the detectives. “The Brave One” is the type of movie to provoke a discussion on what is right, and by giving no real answer it makes itself more interesting. This is not a movie for everyone, but it is worth seeing.