The Day the Earth Stood Still **

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Jaden Smith, Kathy Bates, John Cleese, Jon Hamm
Director: Scott Derrickson
Running Length: 1:43
MPAA Classification: PG-13

The alien Klaatu (Reeves) arrives on Earth in a giant sphere that he lands in New York’s Central Park. Earth’s greeting party, led by Dr. Helen Benson (Connelly), attempts to make contact, but that is derailed when Klaatu is shot. They take him to a secret medical lab for surgery and also interrogate him on his intentions. Klaatu wants to speak to the leaders of the world to advise them that the end has come for the people of the Earth – he is there to save the planet from us.

“The Day the Earth Stood Still” is a middle of the road, average film. The effects are good, but they aren’t always necessary. The acting is ok, with Keanu Reeves’s usual wooden performance actually working for the alien Klaatu. Jaden Smith’s character Jacob is annoying and a hindrance to the story. This could have been better, I suppose. I have not seen the original, so I cannot compare the two, but I get the feeling that aside from the special effects, this version brings noting new or worthwhile to the table. I would wait for DVD if you must see this.

Bolt 3D ***

Cast: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton, Malcolm McDowell, James Lipton, Greg Germann
Directors: Dan Fogelman, Chris Williams
Running Length: 1:36
MPAA Classification: PG

Bolt (Travolta) the dog is the star of a television show about a girl named Penny (Cyrus) and her super-powered dog who battle the evil Dr. Calico (McDowell). A mix up sends him across the county and way out of his element. See, Bolt doesn’t know he is the star of a television show. He thinks that he is actually super-powered. On his journey to get back to Penny, he teams up with a cat named Mittens (Essman) and a hamster named Rhino (Walton), and begins to inspire them to be more than they are despite learning that he is not as powerful as he thought.

“Bolt” is a step in the right direction after the last few animated films for Disney. The opening sequence grabs the viewer and takes tham on an action packed thrill ride worthy of the best summer blockbusters. The voice talents of Travolta, Essman, and Walton breathe life into their characters and make them likeable and relatable. The animation is solid, as one would expect from Disney, with the 3D effects crisp and clear. Finally, “Bolt” is a movie that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Four Christmases ***

Cast: Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Jon Favreau, Tim McGraw, Mary Steenburgen, Kristen Chenoweth, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight
Director: Seth Gordon
Running Length: 1:22
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Brad (Vaughn) and Kate (Witherspoon) are heading to Figi for Christmas so they do not have to spend time with their family. A dense fogbank grounds all flights out of San Francisco and destroys their plans. A local television report from the airport seals their fate, and soon they are off to see their families – Brad’s divorced mom and dad and Kate’s divorced mom and dad. Brad’s dad (Duvall) and brothers (Favreau and McGraw) are hell on Brad, but Kate finds amusement in his discomfort. Kate’s mom (Steenburgen) is a bit of a cougar, making things uncomfortable for everyone. By the time they have survived Brad’s mom (Spacek), their relationship is hanging by a thread. Kate’s dad is not so bad, but by then it may just be too late.

“Four Christmases” is a pretty funny holiday film. Vaughn and Witherspoon are two likeable, funny leads. A star-studded supporting cast keeps the humor coming as well. The humor is of the squirmy, uncomfortable kind. You feel bad for these two as they are forced to deal with their families. This is an entertaining film for fans of holiday movies. If you are in the mood for something Christmassy, check it out.

Quantum of Solace ***

Cast: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Gemma Arterton, Jeffrey Wright
Director: Marc Forster
Running Length: 1:46
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Picking up where “Casino Royale” left off, James Bond (Craig) is taking Mr. White back to M (Dench). White is not giving up the goods on his employer, and when the interrogation goes awry, Bond is tracks down a woman by the name of Camille (Kurulenko), who in turn leads him to Dominic Green (Amalric). Greene is attempting to control Bolivia’s water supply. His role in Vesper’s death puts him in the crosshairs of Bond, who is bent on revenge. Meanwhile, M has orders to rein Bond in, but that is easier said than done.

“Quantum” has a lot to live up to after “Casino Royale”, almost too much. And, as such, it falls short. There is plenty of action, and Craig is once again great as James Bond, but the direction is seriously lacking. Forster is a good director, but does not know how to film action scenes, and the result is a confusing mess at times. It is nice to see an actual sequel in the series, especially since “Casino Royale” set “Quantum” up so nicely. Wright reprising his role as Felix Leiter is also a nice touch. It is clear that the producers wanted to set up a new bad guy organization for Bond to deal with and that is done fairly well. However, it would have been nice to have some info on them disseminated. Sure, they are probably waiting for the next Bond film, but they needed to give the audience something. Not the best Bond, but a solid effort nonetheless.

The Secret Life of Bees ***1/2

Cast: Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifa, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, Paul Bettany
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Lily Owens (Fanning) is a 14-year old who, as a young child accidentally killed her mother, and now lives with just her dad T. Ray (Bettany). The killing of her mom has shaped her life, along with knowing very little about her. T. Ray is not a good parent, and her only “family” is her nanny Rosaleen (Hudson). The combination of T. Ray badmouthing her mom and Rosaleen being beaten up by a bunch of white men causes Lily and Rosaleen to flee to a town where she believes her mother went at one time to get away from T. Ray. They end up at the home of the Boatwright sisters: August (Latifa), June (Keys), and May (Okonedo).. Together, these sisters make some of the best honey in the area. They also have a connection to Lily’s mom.

“The Secret Lifeof Bees” is a solid movie. Strong performances by Fanning and Latifa carry the sometimes heavy weight of the story. Race relations and the search for one’s self are the main themes, and the cast and director pulls them off almost effortlessly. Lily’s story is a story of redemption. It is powerful without being preachy. This is not a film for everyone, but it is well worth checking out.

Role Models ***1/2

Cast: Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bobb'e J. Thompson, Elizabeth Banks, Jane Lynch
Director: David Wain
Running Length: 1:39
MPAA Classification: R

Wheeler (Scott) and Danny (Rudd) work for a high energy drink company as spokespersons. They travel from school to school promoting the drink as an alternative to drug use. After a disasterous proposal to his girlfriend, Danny gets a little crazy and drags Wheeler down with him. When the dust clears, Wheeler and Danny have been sentenced to 150 hours of community service, specifically being big brothers to troubled kids. Wheeler gets Ronnie, a foul mouthed youngster who goes through big brothers like clean shirts. Danny gets Augie, a nerdy kid who likes medieval reenactments. Nothing goes smoothly at first, but soon they need to make this work or face jail time.

“Role Models” is a genuinely funny movie, and the majority of the credit goes to Scott and Rudd. Scott is channeling his inner-Stiffler (from “American Pie”, and Rudd is utilizing his Judd Apatow-related freedom to improvise. They work well off each other and carry the movie. Supporting roles by Mintz-Plasse and Thompson, as the kids, also add to the fun. Finally, Jane Lynch, as the head of the big brothers organization steals every scene that she is in. The story is good, even sweet. This is a film that will be enjoyed by most and I highly recommend it.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno *1/2

Cast: Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Mewes, Katie Morgan, Traci Lords, Brandon Routh, Justin Long
Director: Kevin Smith
Running Length: 1:41
MPAA Classification: R

Platonic best friends, Zack (Rogen) and Miri (Banks) live together and are in a financial crisis that threatens to put them on the street. They cannot afford to pay the rent. Zack comes up with the idea to make a porno to make some money. Sure, they will have to cross a line in their friendship, but it will help them get back on their feet again. After all, it is just sex. They enlist the help of some friends, and set up at the local coffee shop where they work. Of course, things never go as smoothly as planned.

I had somewhat high expectations for “Zack and Miri”, and was let down. That it is no where as funny as I had hoped was the biggest problem. Rogen, who has had a string of successful comedies over the past few years is finally working outside the Judd Apatow group, and he is a bit flat. Perhaps it is the material that they provide that makes him work. The story is predictable and disappointing. Director Kevin Smith has been struggling with his last few films, and “Zack and Miri” will not help his resume. If you need to see this, wait for DVD.

W. ***

Cast: Josh Brolin, James Cromwell, Elizabeth Banks, Richard Dreyfuss, Ellen Burstyn, Scott Glenn, Toby Jones, Jeffrey Wright, Thandie Newton
Director: Oliver Stone
Running Length: 2:09
MPAA Classification: PG-13

“W.” is a look at the 43rd President of the United States (Brolin), and is told in a non-linear fashion. The main story takes place from about 2002 onward, while flashing back to key points in Bush’s past, including his time at Yale, meeting Laura (Banks), working for his father (Cromwell), and his decision to run for governor of Texas. In the “present”, Bush is dealing with the Iraq war and its ramifications.

“W.” is an odd film that sometimes tries to be a serious drama, and other times branches off into satire territory. It is interesting, looking at Bush’s “daddy issues” and their motivation for the man he becomes. But then, performances like Newton’s Condoleezza Rice are downright campy and take away from the overall effect of the film. Also, dream sequences undermine the factual elements of the film, since it is unlikely that President Bush had any input into this film. Brolin’s performance is solid enough to make this worth seeing. Bush does not really come off that bad, the same cannot be said for Cheney. Liberals will think it doesn’t go far enough, conservatives will think it went to far, and those in the middle will probably find it the most interesting. Any way you look at it, “W.” will have you talking.

Max Payne **

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Chris O’Donnell, Donal Logue, Amaury Noalsco, Olga Kurylenko
Director: John Moore
Running Length: 1:28
MPAA Classification: PG-13

NYPD detective Max Payne (Wahlberg) has worked on cold cases since the murder of his wife and child. He is consumed with trying to find their killer. There aren’t many leads to follow, and most of them are dead ends. Following one up, he meets Mona Sax (Kunis), whose sister may have been murdered by the same killer. With the help of his father’s former partner (Bridges) and an Internal Affairs cop (Ludacris), he finds himself drawn into a drug ring whose leader (Noalsco) sometimes shows almost superhuman qualities.

“Max Payne” is disappointing. It is a case of style over substance, and one can’t help but wish that there was a better story. The most interesting part is seeing the world through the eyes of the drug dealers – a world full of demons and monsters. Unfortunately, the real world part of the movie is less than compelling. Wahlberg seems to be going through the motions here, and Kunis really isn’t given much to do except show up and save the day in a key scene. This is one that you can skip.

Appaloosa ***

Cast: Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons, Renée Zellweger, Lance enrickson, Adam Nelson, Ariadna Gil
Director: Ed Harris
Running Length: 1:54
MPAA Classification: R

Outlaw Randall Bragg (Irons) and his gang do whatever they please in the Old West town of Appaloosa, but all that is about to change. The town leaders have had enough of him, and decide to bring in gunman Virgil Cole (Harris) and his associate Everett Hitch (Mortensen) to clean things up. As marshal, Cole demands some leeway to take care of things his way, and that is granted by the town. Soon, Cole and Hitch are able to stage a midnight arrest of Bragg at his hideout, but getting justice is not that easy. Bragg’s men are out to get him back.

Not many westerns make it to theaters these days, but “Appaloosa”, Ed Harris’ second directorial effort does not disappoint. The leads all produce real characters that are not perfect people. There is an understated humor that keeps things from getting to heavy, and everything in the film looks authentic. “Appaloosa” is an entertaining film that will satisfy any thirst for a fresh western. I recommend it.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist ***

Cast: Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, Ari Graynor, Alexis Dziena, Aaron Yoo, Rafi Gavron
Director: Peter Sollett
Running Length: PG-13
MPAA Classification: 1:30

It has been a while, but Nick (Crea) is still trying to get over his ex-girlfriend Tris (Dziena). One night, he and his friends head out into New York City to look for the secret site where his favorite band, Where’s Fluffy, is playing. Norah (Dennings) is going on the hunt as well, with her friend Caroline (Graynor). Norah has a bit of a crush on Nick through an inadvertent sampling of mix cds he had made for Tris. At a club, to overcome not having a boyfriend when questioned, she gets Nick to play the part. Together, they set out to find Where’s Fluffy and Caroline, who is drunk and missing in NYC.

“Nick and Norah” succeeds because of two things: the chemistry between Cera and Dennings, and the quality of the screenplay. Nick and Norah are likeable characters that belong together, even if it takes them a little while to figure it out. The relationship develops slowly, and pays off nicely. The script is smartly written with clever dialogue. The movie is fresh and enjoyable. I recommend “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.”

Eagle Eye **

Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Billy Bob Thornton
Director: D.J. Caruso
Running Length: 1:58
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Jerry Shaw (LaBeouf) is a Stanford drop-out who isn’t living up to his full potential. He makes money working at a copy store and playing cards. One day he discovers $750,000 ion his bank account, and returns to his apartment to find it filled with illegal weapons. A phone call warns him that he will be arrested if he doesn’t get out of there ASAP. Rachel Holloman (Monaghan) is hanging out with her girlfriends when she receives a call that her son’s life is in danger if she doesn’t do as she is told. The instructions bring her face to face with Jerry, and together they must follow the instructions if they are to ever return to a normal life.

“Eagle Eye” is less interesting than it initially seems. Once you find out who is pulling Jerry and Rachel’s strings, the movie loses any originality. This movie has been done before, and better. Also, given what this mystery entity can do, you would think a more straightforward plan would be the logical choice. Jerry and Rachel really aren’t needed at all. There are plenty of loud action scenes to distract the viewer from all this, but even they venture a bit over the top. I cannot really recommend “Eagle Eye”, and have to admit to being disappointed by it.

Burn After Reading ***

Cast: George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins
Director: Joel & Ethan Coen
Running Length: 1:35
MPAA Classification: R

Osborne Cox (Malkovich) would rather quit his job with the CIA than be demoted. His wife, Katie (Swinton), thinks this is a mistake and is irritated with his decision. Her lover, Harry Pfarrer (Clooney, an ex-secret service agent, is trying to decide weather to divorce his wife to be with Katie. Harry is a bit of a player though, and has been known to search the internet for dates. On the internet, he meets Linda (McDormand), a gym worker who is desperate to get some money to have cosmetic surgery done. Linda and her co-worker Chad (Pitt) find a way to get that money: sell CIA secrets from some unpublished memoirs found at the gym and belonging to Osborne Cox to the Russians.

This is the type of movie that the Coen brothers do best: idiots with a plan that goes horribly wrong. “Burn After Reading” delivers the goods with solid performances all around. Brad Pitt is probably the stand out, but Malkovich also gives a strong performance. The stories are interwoven effectively so the pieces come together at the right time for maximum drama and humor. This is no “No Country For Old Men”, but it many ways it will appeal to a wider audience, if only for the star power. “Burn After Reading” is another solid effort from the Coen brothers.

Traitor ***1/2

Cast: Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Neal McDonough, Jeff Daniels, Said Taghmaoui, Archie Panjabi
Director: Jeffrey Nachmanoff
Running Length: 1:55
MPAA Classification: R

Samir Horn (Cheadle) is supplying detonators to an Islamic terrorist group when a FBI raid kills or captures everyone at the compound. FBI agents Roy Clayton (Pearce) and Max Archer (McDonough) take the survivors into custody. While in prison, Samir and the terrorist leader Omar (Taghmaoui) form a bond, and when Omar makes his escape, he takes Samir with him. Now, Samir is an inside man who can stop an major attack on U. S. soil. He is so deep undercover that only one person, Carter (Daniels) knows about him. Now, he must find a way to stop the attack and get out before it is too late.

“Traitor” is a top notch drama with some action sprinkled in. Don Cheadle is excellent as always as the conflicted Muslim who can stop a massacre. The story is timely and intelligent. A focus of the movie is the difference between fundamentalist Islam and the non-violent Islam. Cheadle’s Samir is of the non-violent type, and as violence becomes necessary, it is interesting to see his character deal with things. The supporting cast is also well-cast, playing characters that are more grey than black or white. I highly recommend “Traitor” and encourage checking it out.

Hamlet 2 **1/2

Cast: Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, Joseph Julian Soria, Skylar Astin, Phoebe Strole, Melonie Diaz, David Arquette, Elisabeth Shue, Amy Poehler
Director: Andrew Fleming
Running Length: 1:32
MPAA Classification: R

Dana Marschz (Coogan) is a bad actor who has been relegated to teaching high school drama. There are two kids who want to be in his class, but the rest are there because they are “trouble” kids and the principal had to put them somewhere. Dana, however, wants to make a difference and challenge these kids. Previous plays that class performed were adaptations of movies, and garnered little accolades. Dana decides to write something original, and “Hamlet 2” is born. This musical sequel to Shakespeare’s masterpiece soon raises the ire of the principal. After he attempts to shut it down, Dana and the class take the play off of school grounds, and soon the community is clamoring to see exactly what all the buzz is about.

“Hamlet 2” is an interesting idea that is only somewhat effective. I almost wish that there was more shown of the actual play, in which Hamlet goes back in time to become friends with Jesus. The play is never fully flushed out, and we are only treated to snippets, including the musical number, “Rock Me Sexy Jesus.” (They actually give a good reason why this song is not blasphemy). Coogan is good and the talent-challenged Dana, the poor schlub with a good heart. The problem with the movie is its unevenness, alternating between really funny and not that funny at all. This is one to wait for on DVD.

Wanted ***

Cast: James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Terence Stamp, Thomas Kretschmann
Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: R

Wesley Gibson (McAvoy) is an accounts manager with no excitement in his life. He doesn’t seem to even like himself too much. Then, one day he meets Fox (Jolie), and his world is turned upside down. Fox is a member of a thousands-year old secret society of assassins. Wesley’s father was also a member, with a lot of talent when it comes to killing people. Wesley believed his dad to be dead for years, but it turns out he was just murdered by Cross (Kretschmann), and the fraternity wants Wesley’s help in delivering justice. Soon, Wesley discovers that he has special skills like his father, and is learning the ways of the fraternity. But all is not as it seems, and Wesley may be in deeper than he realizes.

“Wanted” is an interesting action film. It is reminiscent of both “The Matrix” and “Fight Club”, but resembles neither. It is full of interesting, logic-suspending fight/assassination scenes that are visually impressive to watch. McAvoy brings life to Wesley and makes him someone that the viewer can relate to. The storyline is different enough and interesting to make it an above average action film. The supporting cast gets the job done as well. Can Morgan Freeman do any wrong? Overall, “Wanted” delivers a pretty intense 110 minutes, and is not a mindless summer action movie. This is worth checking out.

Tropic Thunder ***1/2

Tropic Thunder ***1/2Cast: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Brandon T. Jackson, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Steve Coogan, Nick Nolte, Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey
Director: Ben Stiller
Running Length: 1:46
MPAA Classification: R

On the set of a Vietnam movie, the start are proving difficult for director Damien (Coogan) to handle. Those stars include: Speedman (Stiller), a one time action star whose better days are behind him; Portnoy (Black), a heroin-addicted funny man whose fame is a result of fart jokes; and Lazarus (Downey Jr.), an Oscar-winning method actor that has received “pigment alteration” to play a black soldier. Damien decides to take the stars to the jungle and shoot the film guerilla style, hoping for realism. A land mine and some drug dealers change the equation, and soon the line between fiction and cold hard reality are blurred.

“Tropic Thunder” is a satiric look at the movie industry on all levels. Director Stiller obviously knows the industry and is not afraid to show the less glamorous side of things. Somewhat surprisingly, of the three leads, the non-comedian Downey gets the biggest laughs. Tom Cruise is also excellent and almost unrecognizable as a studio executive. There is plenty of action here too. This is a really funny movie that gives a non-flattering look at the movie business. I highly recommend this film.

Pineapple Express ***

Cast: Seth Rogan, James Franco, Gary Cole, Rosie Perez, Danny R. McBride, Kevin Corrigan, Amber Heard
Director: David Gordon Green
Running Length: 1:51
MPAA Classification: R

Dale Denton (Rogan) is a process server and a stoner. He has a girlfriend in high school (Heard), and likes to hang out with his dealer, Saul (Franco). One evening, Dale witnesses a murder. The murderers, a drug lord (Cole) and a crooked cop (Perez) are soon on his tail. They trace a joint left behind at the scene, a variety called “Pineapple Express” back to Saul, and soon Dale and Saul are running for their lives.

“Pineapple Express” is yet another film from the Judd Apatow machine, and on par with “Superbad.” Rogen and Franco have good chemistry and comic timing. Franco is more at home in dramas, but is genuinely funny here. Despite being a “stoner movie”, it is a buddy movie at heart. Action is not what you would expect from Rogen, and although he handles it well, especially in the last 30 minutes, the action packed ending does run a bit long. Overall, “Pineapple Express” delivers what it promises: a funny stoner comedy.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor **

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Michelle Yeoh, Luke Ford, Isabella Leong
Director: Rob Cohen
Running Length: 1:51
MPAA Classification: PG-13

In ancient China, Emperor Han (Li) united the country. The only thing left for him to conquer was death. The witch Zi Juan (Yeoh) is said to have that power, but when Han kills her lover, she curses Han and his men turning them into stone. In 1947, Alex O’Connell (Ford) discovers their tomb. Soon, the forces looking to return Han to power are able to revive him and his army. Now, Alex, with the help of his parents Rick (Fraser) and Evelyn (Bello) must stop Han from becoming immortal and return him to his grave.

It has been seven years since “The Mummy Returns”, and that is too long for the O’Connells. One could even argue that a third movie was never necessary, even five years ago, as “The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns” were a complete story. This time around, Alex has been aged into his 20’s and looks too old to be Brendan Fraser’s son. The recasting of Evelyn also makes her appear older than Rick. Maria Bello is a solid actress, but she is out of her element here, and it shows. She is better than this silly movie, and should shy away from any possible sequels. The story is weak, lacking the charm of the first two. If you have to see this, wait until it is out on DVD.

Mamma Mia! **1/2

Cast: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Dominic Cooper, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Running Length: 1:48
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Sophie (Seyfried) is about to get married to Sky (Cooper). She lives on a small Greek island with her single mother Donna (Streep). She does not know her father, but has a plan to find him. After looking through her mother’s diary, she has sent wedding invitations to three possible candidates: Sam (Brosnan), Harry (Firth), and Bill (Skarsgård). Her hope is that upon their arrival, she will be able to tell instantly who her dad is. Things never go as easy as planned though…

“Mamma Mia!” is the latest musical to make it’s way from Broadway to the big screen. The result is somewhat successful, I suppose. The story itself if a bit on the silly side, created to bring the songs of ABBA together (unlike most musicals whose songs serve the story). If you like ABBA’s songs at any level, you will find some enjoyment in this film. Streep and Seyfried sing very well, although the guys are on the opposite end of the singing talent spectrum. Fortunately, the ladies sing the vast majority of the songs. This isn’t a great movie, but there is some enjoyment to be had. I would recommend it for fans of musicals and fans of the music of ABBA.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe ***

Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly, Alvin 'Xzibit' Joiner, Callum Keith Rennie, Mitch Pillegi
Director: Chris Carter
Running Length: 1:44
MPAA Classification: PG-13

FBI agents Dakota Whitney (Peet) and Mosley Drummy (James) are investigating the disappearance of an FBI agent with the help of a psychic pedophile priest, Father Joe (Connelly). Father Joe is having visions, and Whitney turns to Fox Mulder (Duchovny), who has worked with X-File cases before. The FBI agrees to drop any charges against him for his help, and he is soon drawn in. Dana Scully (Anderson) is less receptive to helping out, but does help out Mulder, who she has been living with for the last six years (since the TV show ended). As they get closer to finding the agent, it becomes clear that something strange is going on.

After all this time, it is good to see Mulder and Scully back together again. Duchovny and Anderson slip back into the characters almost effortlessly. The movie itself shies away from the alien mythology of the TV show and focuses on a standalone story. The movie comes feels like a long TV episode, but that is OK. It works, and the story is bizarre enough to be interesting. It will work for long-time fans and people who have no previous X-Files experience. I recommend this film and hope that they make more.

The Dark Knight ****

Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, Eric Roberts
Director: Christopher Nolan
Running Length: 2:30
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Batman (Bale) has become Gotham City’s hero, meting out justice to criminals. Some citizens question whether he is a hero or a menace, and some copycat “Batmen” are popping up pretending to be the Caped Crusader. Over all, Batman is gradually stopping the mob of criminals in the city. The new D.A. Harvery Deny (Eckhart) is taking them on in court, and Lieutenant Gordon (Oldman) is cracking down as well. An understanding of sorts is formed between the three, and then a lunatic enters the mix. The Joker (Ledger) has sights on Gotham to usher in a wave of chaos. All he wants is Batman to remove his mask, and when that does not happen, he unleashes a whirlwind upon Gotham City of unimaginable proportions. Now, Batman must decide how far he can go to take down The Joker, without crossing the line.

“The Dark Knight” is a worthy successor to “Batman Begins”, that mostly exceeds its predecessor in all areas. Bale once again embodies Bruce Wayne/Batman, a man driven to make morally questionable decisions to defeat a psychopathic enemy. Ledger steals all the scenes he is in, giving a more twisted performance than Jack Nicholson did so many years ago. It is a shame that we will never see another appearance of this Joker, but Heath Ledger’s final completed performance is spectacular. Eckhart is perfect as Harvey Dent, a man also pushed to the edge and then over. The greatest asset to this film though, is not in front of the camera, but behind it. Christopher Nolan has crafted yet another great film. His direction and writing (with his brother) are what make this film as great as it is. He is one of the most gifted filmmaker around today, and brings a “comic book movie” to a whole new level. This is great filmmaking, and I highly recommend seeing it.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army ***

Cast: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, John Alexander, James Donn, Luke Gross, Anna Walton, Jeffrey Tambor, John Hurt
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: PG-13

The government has a bunch of freaks working for it in New Jersey. They consist of Hellboy (Pearlman), a large devil-like being who is a wise-guy; Liz (Blair), Hellboy’s girlfriend who has the ability to create flames around her; Abe Sapien (Jones), an amphibian; and Johann Kraus (Dunn), a gas creature stuffed into a human shaped suit. They need to stop Prince Nuada (Gross), who wishes to control the Golden Army, indestructible warriors who he can use to wage war against humanity. Nuada’s twin sister Nuala (Walton) is opposed to him, and steals a piece of the controlling crown and flees to Hellboy and his friends for protection. She might not be a safe as she thinks, as Nuada seeks her out with a vengeance.

“Hellboy II’, like its predecessor, is a strange superhero/fantasy hybrid. That and its quirky characters make this a different moviegoing experience, and raise it above a standard. Also the direction by Guillermo del Toro is top notch. He has fantasy films down pat, and is able to bring all the mythical creatures to life with ease. The acting is good too. All the principals make the characters their own, much like they did in the first film. They all seem to be enjoying themselves, and that translates well to the characters in the film. Story-wise, there are some big plot holes, but the journey is fun enough to make you not think about them. “Hellboy II” is well worth seeing, and I am sure we will be seeing more of Hellboy and friends in the years to come.

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3-D **

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem
Director: Eric Brevig
Running Length: 1:32
MPAA Classification: PG

Professor Trevor Anderson (Fraser) believes that the tale told by Jules Verne in “Journey to the Center of the Earth” is a true story. When the opportunity arises, he, his nephew Sean (Hutcherson), and guide Hannah (Briem) set out on the path in Iceland set forth in the book. Misfortune sends them down a tunnel to the center of the Earth, where the find a world of man-eating plants and dinosaurs. Soon, the rising heat of the underworld necessitates that they find an escape route before being burned up. Along the way, Trevor and Sean, who aren’t close, develop a bond, and Trevor and Hannah feel sparks begin to fly.

“Journey” is the first live-action film to use the new 3-D technology that has been used for animated films. In fact, the movie is just an excuse to show off what can be accomplished in 3-D now. The story is thin and the acting is not strong. But, the film sure does look nice. The 3-D is crisp and clear. If this is a movie you want to see, be sure to see the 3-D version, and not the 2-D version. Young kids will most like be the most entertained here.

Hancock ***
Cast: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Jae Head, Eddie Marsan
Director: Peter Berg
Running Length: 1:32
MPAA Classification: PG-13

John Hancock (Smith) is a superhero that just does not care about anything. He is a drunk bum. Sure, he saves the day sometimes, but at a staggering cost to the city. The D.A. wants him in prison, but no prison will hold him. He is the focus of lawsuits, but he doesn’t have the money to pay for any damages. One day, he saves Ray Embrey (Bateman) from getting hit by a train. Ray, who is in the public relations business, decides to help Hancock improve his image. His plan involves some time in prison, rehab, and a superhero costume. Hancock is reluctant at first, but soon gives in. Hancock is on the way to turning his life around, when he is blindsided by a revelation that will cause him to question his abilities and the kind of person he really is.

“Hancock” is an interesting idea for a superhero movie. After seeing all those heroes that are saviors of the world, Hancock is one that just doesn’t give a damn. Will Smith has the charisma to be that superhero, and make the jerk actually likeable. This is another movie that is saved by Smith’s charm. Without him, this movie would probably not work. The story itself is really two stories sandwiched together. Director Peter Berg would have been better off focusing more on the first half of the film and doing away with the second half which explores Hancock’s origins. The second half has been completely ignored in all advertisements for the film, and at least provided a bit of a surprise. The surprise would have been greater without all the pointed looks in the first half between Hancock and another character, but you take what you can get here. “Hancock” is an entertaining film for the most part that could have been more. Still it is worth seeing.

WALL•E ****
Cast: (voices) Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy, Sigourney Weaver, Fred Willard
Director: Andew Stanton
Running Length: 1:37
MPAA Classification: G

700 years into the future, Earth is uninhabited. Humans have left its wasteland and now live among the stars. Left behind to clean up the mess are WALL•Es (Waste Allocation Load Lifters-Earth class). After all this time only one WALL•E (Burtt) remains. He goes about his insurrmountable job, collecting and compacting trash. One day, things change. A spaceship arrives and a robot named EVE (Knight) emerges. She is on a mission of her own, but soon becomes friends (of a sort) with WALL•E. When the time comes for her to leave, WALL•E hitches a ride, and is off on a new adventure that may just save the human race.

Pixar has done it again. WALL•E is an amazing film that introduces one of the most loveable characters in recent memory. The animators humanize the robots through their actions, making the audience care for them. There is very little dialogue in the film, especially in the first half, and the high quality animation drives the story successfully. There is an ecological message to be found here, but it isn’ forced. There is enough humor and action to entertain the whole family. WALL•E is probably the best family film of the summer, and I highly recommend seeing it.

Get Smart ***
Cast: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin, Terrence Stamp, James Caan, Ken Davatian, Dalip Singh
Director: Peter Segal
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: PG-13

CONTROL is an American intelligence agency led by Te Chief (Arkin). Maxwell Smart (Carell) is their best analyst, but is not a field man. When arch-enemy KAOS attacks CONTROL headquarters and takes out the majority of the field agents, Max is elevated and given the designation “Agent 86.” He is partnered with Agent 99 (Hathaway) to stop whatever scheme KAOS is up to.

Steve Carell is the perfect choice for Maxwell Smart. He does not try to imitate Don Adams, and yet is reminiscent of him. Don Adams would be proud. Hathaway, Arkin, and Johnson are also good in their respective roles. There are plenty of laughs, and a surprising amount of action to be found too. One does not picture Carell as an action star, but with “Get Smart”, he is. Faithful to the television show, long time fans will not be disappointed. This is one TV to movie upgrade that works. I recommend this film for a good laugh.

Kung Fu Panda ***
Cast (voices): Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Seth Rogen, Randall Duk Kim
Director: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson
Running Length: 1:30
MPAA Classification: PG

Po the panda (Black) wants to be a martial arts expert. Unfortunately for him, he is working for his father (Hong) making noodle soup. One day, at the nearby temple, Master Oogway (Kim) has a vision that the evil Tia Lung (McShane) will escape from prison and wreak havoc. Now Oogway must determine who will be the Dragon Warrior, and defeat Tia Lung. The five contenders are: Monkey (Chan), Tigress (Jolie), Viper (Liu), Crand (Cross), and Mantis (Rogen), all apprentices of Master Shifu (Hoffman). Somehow, all of them are overlooked and Po is chosen. Now, Po must find it within himself to save the village, as Tia Lung has just escaped.

“Kung Fu Panda” is an entertaining, action packed film. The voice talents are all well chosen, especially Jack Black as the titular panda. The humor works, and adults and children will enjoy this film. The animation, while good, is about what one has come to expect in animated films. The animation bar is high, and “Kung Fu Panda” makes it over, but does not blow it away. “Kung Fu Panda” is a good family movie, and I recommend it.

The Happening **1/2
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo, Ashlyn Sanchez, Betty Buckley
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Running Length: 1:30
MPAA Classification: R

In New York City, people begin committing suicide and acting disoriented. They kill themselves with whatever is available. Some jab themselves with knitting needles, some jump off buildings. Soon, the phenomenon is spreading throughout the northeast, hitting Philadelphia and Boston. At first, it is believed to be a terrorist attack, but soon the people come to believe it is something more elusive. Four individuals, Elliot (Wahlberg), his wife Alma (Deschanel), his friend Julian (Leguizamo), and Julian’s daughter Jess (Sanchez), fled the city just as the outbreak started, and find themselves momentarily safe in eastern Pennsylvania. There, they try to figure out what is happening, and how they will deal with it when it reaches them.

“The Happening” is a somewhat successful thriller. The success lies in the genuine creepiness that pervades the film. The methodical suicides that are shown in R rated detail are disturbing. They are shocking and powerful. The problem here is that the story has nowhere to go. Any explanation is going to feel like a letdown (and it is). The best film I can compare “The Happening” to is “The Birds”. Creepy, but ultimately unsatisfying. Wahlberg and Deschanel are adequate in their roles, but Buckley steals the show when she is on screen. Shyamalan has produced a film that is better than his last effort, “Lady in the Water”, but he needs a real hit to stop his downward slide. Recommended for DVD viewing only.

The Incredible Hulk ***
Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt, Tim Blake Nelson
Director: Louis Letettier
Running Length: 1:52
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Dr. Bruce Banner (Norton) is in hiding in South America, searching for a cure to a hulk sized problem he has. An accident at the factory where he works alerts General Ross (Hurt) to Banner’s location, and he sends a team led by Emil Blonsky (Roth) to capture him. He is able to elude the team by turning into the Hulk, and heads back to America to retrieve data from his accident that his ex-girlfriend Betty Ross (Tyler) has. Meanwhile, General Ross has Blonsky injected with a super soldier serum to help him capture Banner, not counting on Blonsky being somewhat unstable.

Unlike many, I was a fan of Ang Lee’s “Hulk”. “The Incredible Hulk” reboots the franchise and takes a more action oriented approach that will satisfy most fanboys out there. This film works in different ways than its predecessor, and brings us all one step closer to an eventual “Avengers” movie. Norton is adequate as Banner, but his acting skill is somewhat lost on the part. No one wants to see Banner onscreen, only the Hulk. Tyler is forgettable as Betty, and there is minimal chemistry with Norton. Hurt and Roth are both excellent in their roles as well as Tim Blake Nelson as the mysterious “Mr. Blue”. Nods to the TV show are there in appearances by Lou Ferrigno and even Bill Bixby. The effects are good, but not great. Overall, “The Incredible Hulk” is worth seeing, and enjoyable. It does not reach the lever of “Iron Man” earlier this year, but is a solid entry into the Marvel lineup. Well worth seeing, if only for Rober Downey, Jr.’s appearance as Tony Stark.

You Don’t Mess With The Zohan **
Cast: Adam Sandler, John Turturro, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Nick Swardson, Lainie Kazan, Ido Mosseri, Rob Schneider, Michael Buffer
Director: Dennis Dugan
Running Length: 1:53
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Zohan (Sandler) is an Israeli special agent who is tired of the Middle East conflict and dreams of moving to America to become a hair stylist. He is able to fake his own death in a battle with his arch enemy, The Phantom (Turturro), and moves to New York City. Once there, he affects a disguise and goes to work Dahlia (Chriqui), a Palestinian hairdresser, and soon becomes popular with the ladies for the extra service he provides in the backroom of the salon after the styling. Soon, The Phantom learns that Zohan is still alive and comes looking for him to finish him off for good.

“Zohan” is mediocre Sandler that runs way too long. 20 minutes could have been cut and would have improved the overall film. The last half hour drags. Sandler is amusing as Zohan, the super agent who can do just about anything, including style hair. Turturro is always entertaining, and his Phantom is no exception. Sadly, this film also suffers from having the best parts shown ad nauseum in previews. The scenes still get laughs, but one cannot help but think that they would have been more effective had they not been played to death beforehand in previews. Sandler fans will probably enjoy “Zohan”, but non-fans will tire quickly. Wait for DVD if you must mess with the Zohan.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull **1/2
Cast: Harrison Ford, Shia LeBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent
Director: Steven Spielberg
Running Length: 2:17
MPAA Classification: PG-13

In 1957 Nevada, Indiana Jones (Ford) and his sidekick Mac (Winstone) have been kidnapped by Irina Spalko (Blanchett) and her Soviet henchmen. They break into an American military facility and Spalko enlists Indy’s help in finding something. Indy manages to escape, and soon finds that he has been given a leave of absence from teaching. Before leaving town, “Mutt” (LeBouf) enlists his help to find Professor Oxley (Hurt), who has gone missing while looking for crystal skulls in South America. They set off, and soon find themselves face to face with Spalko again, as well as a face from the past – Marion Ravenwood (Allen).

“Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” could never live up to the hype surrounding it. One would have hope that is was less disappointing than it is though. It is good to see Indiana Jones back in action. George Lucas’s desire for the perfect story/script has been the major factor in the delay, and it is ironic that the story/script is the weakest point of the film. In fact, it is downright silly at times. Sure, it is good to see Harrison Ford back in action as Indy, but that can only carry a movie so far. LeBouf and Blanchett are adequate in supporting roles, and it is good to see Karen Allen again. Marion and Indy recapture some of the magic from “Raiders”, but it is not enough. “Kingdon” will make a bunch of money, that is certain, but it is likely to leave a bit of a sour taste in the viewers’ mouths as they leave the theater.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian ***
Cast: William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, Ben Barnes, Sergio Castellitto, Peter Dinklage, Warwick Davis, Vincent Grass, Liam Neeson (voice), Eddie Izzard (voice)
Director: Andrew Adamson
MPAA Classification: PG

One year after the events of “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy find them drawn back into Narnia. 1300 years have passed there and their former castle is in ruins. They have been summoned by Prince Caspian (Barnes), who is in hiding from his uncle, King Miraz (Castellitto), who has marked him for death. If the Pevensie kids can help him reclaim his throne, all the creatures of the land will be able to live in peace. If not, Miraz will rule ruthlessly.

“Prince Caspian” brings the Narnia series to the next level. The effects are improved, the action is improved, and the actors seem more comfortable in their roles. Ben Barnes, as the titular character, is average however. He lacks enough personality to make us care about Caspian, but that is a small quibble in an otherwise entertaining film. Director Andrew Adamson has learned from the first film and improved the finished product. Although rated PG, it is more in line with {G-13 fare due to a load of violence. That’s not a bad thing, just a warning. I recommend this film.

Made of Honor *1/2
Cast: Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin McKidd, Kadeem Hardison, Busy Philipps, Kathleen Quinlan, Sydney Pollack
Director: Paul Weiland
Running Length: 1:41
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Tom (Dempsey) and Hannah (Monaghan) meet during their senior year in college. At first, she is put off by him, but soon they become best friends in a completely platonic relationship. Tom is a player, and is with a different woman every night. He even has rules for dealing with the revolving door of women in his life. With Hannah, he has companionship and someone to talk to. It is a good life for him until Hannah goes on a six-week business trip to Scotland. While she is gone, Tom realizes that he loves her, and plans to ask her to marry him upon her return. Unfortunately for him, Hannah returns engaged to Colin (McKidd), who is just about perfect. Hannah asks Tom to be her Maid of Honor, and he agrees seeing it as an opportunity to drive a wedge between her and Colin.

“Made of Honor” is an unimpressive romantic comedy that is pretty cookie cutter. There is nothing here to set it apart from any other romantic comedy. Dempsey and Monaghan are uninspired leads with little chemestry, and Dempsey’s Tom is an ass. McKidd’s Colin is so perfect, one cannot help but hope that Tom fails to win Hannah over. Stay away from this stinker.

Iron Man ****
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leslie Bibb, Shaun Toub, Faran Tahir
Director: Jon Favreau
Running Length: 2:06
MPAA Classification: PG-13

While visiting Afghanistan, billionaire arms supplier Tony Stark (Downey) finds his caravan overrun by terrorists and himself captured. Injured in the kidnapping, he finds a n irremovable piece of shrapnel in his chest. He must wear an electromagnet to keep it from piercing his heart. The terrorists want him to replicate his latest and greatest missile for them to use. Stark has other plans, and is able to fashion a suit of armor that allows him to escape captivity. Back home, he decides to stop his company from making military weapons, and focus on perfecting his metal suit.

“Iron Man” is a great film, and as a superhero film it rates up there with “Batman Begins” and “Spider-Man 2”. It has action, drama, fumor, and great special effects. The story of the self-made superhero is different and interesting. Robert Downey, Jr. is inspired casting. He IS Tony Stark, and he is at least as responsible for the greatness of this film as director Jon Favreau. Favreau would not be the obvious choice for a film of this nature, but he pulls it off spectacularly. “Iron Man” is a great movie for all ages. I highly recommend it.

The Forbidden Kingdom **1/2
Cast: Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Michael Angarano, Yifei Liu, Bingbing Li, Collin Chou
Director: Rob Minkoff
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Jason (Angarano), a high school student who likes kung fu movies, likes to hang out at a local pawn shop in Chinatown. One day, while there, bullies attack him and soon the owner of the store is shot and Jason is transported to ancient China by a magical staff. The staff belongs to the Monkey King (Li), who needs it to defeat the Jade Warlord (Chou). The Jade Warlord sends his minions to get the staff, but Jason has help in protecting it from Lu Yan (Chan), Golden Sparrow (Liu), and the Silent Monk (Li). Together they embark on a journey to help the Monkey King and free his kingdom from tyranny.

“The Forbidden Kingdom” plays more like a Jackie Chan film than a Jet Li film. The tone is light and it is a bit on the hokey side. Those looking for an epic matchup between Chan and Li will be sorely disappointed. As a family film it works fairly well, illustrating Jason’s struggle for inner strength and confidence. The acting is average, but the fight scenes are well done. This film won’t be at the top of either’s best of lists though. Wait until DVD if you must see it.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall ***1/2
Cast: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand, Bill Hader, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: R

Peter Bretter (Segel) has just been dumped by the love of his live, Sarah Marshall (Bell). She is the star of a CSI-type show that Peter does the music for. While she is ready to move on, he isn’t, and is devastated. For a change of scenery, he decides to take a vacation in Hawaii. Once there, he discovers that Sarah is there, at the same hotel, with her new boyfriend, Aldus Snow (Brand). His only support is the hotel’s receptionist (Kunis), who attempts to help him out. Maybe she will even help him forget Sarah Marshall

Another movie from producer Judd Apatow, this time written by star Jason Segal follows the proved Apatow formula. Romantic comedy meets raunchy comedy, and a very funny and enjoyable movie is the result. The characters are all well developed and real. The acting is excellent, and the audience feels for poor Peter. Segel isn’t afraid to bare all to get the laughs either. This is a really enjoyable and funny movie, and I highly recommend it.

The Ruins ***
Cast: Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramsey, Joe Anderson
Director: Carter Smith
Running Length: 1:31
MPAA Classification: R

Four friends on spring break in Mexico,; Jeff (Tucker), Amy (Malone), Stacy (Ramsey), and Eric (Ashmore); meet Mathias (Anderson) while lounging around the hotel pool. Mathias tells them of a pyramid that has just been discovered, and they all decide to go exploring. In the middle of nowhere, cut off from civilization, they find the temple. Once there, they are surrounded by the locals wo make it clear that they will kill them if they try to leave. They head up to the top of the pyramid with their meager supplies to figure out what to do, but soon find that the villagers below are the least of their problems.

“The Ruins” is a great horror story of survival. Death lurks on top of the pyramid for the characters, and is very much a character itself. The sense of having no way out permeates the film. Adapted by the author himself from the great novel, Scott Smith has rearranged the kills and story elements to keep everything fresh for the readers of the book. Despite that, the film is faithful to the spirit of his book. The cast effectively handles the mental deterioration that their characters endure. The film is tense and suspenseful and one of the better horror movies to come out in the last few years. I recommend this film.

Leatherheads ***
Cast: George Clooney, Renée Zellweger, Jonathan Pryce, John Krasinski
Director: George Clooney
Running Length: 1:54
MPAA Classification: PG-13

In 1925, professional football is struggling to survive. They play where they can, in front of few people. There is no future for someone who wants to play after graduation from college. Dodge Connelly (Clooney), an aging player has a plan. He wants to recruit college star Carter Rutherford (Krasinski) with the help of C.C. Frazier (Pryce), a sports promoter. Rutherford is a war hero, and is offered $10,000 per game. With the deal made, football becomes suddenly important. But there is a problem. Newswoman Lexie Littleton (Zellweger) is digging into Carter’s past to uncover the truth about his service in WWI, which may have been embellished.

“Leatherheads” is an amusing film that is a throwback to older screwball comedies. It is not perfect, but it does have its moments. Clooney and Zellweger play off of each other well, with quick witty dialogue. Krasinski is also credible as the young hero whose star is on the rise. Finally, the film is not all fluff, as it explores the making of a hero and the turning of a sport from being just for fun into being a business. The movie is always light and enjoyable.

21 ***
Cast: Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Aaron Yoo, Liza Lapira, Jacob Pitts, Laurence Fishburne, Jack McGee
Director: Robert Luketic
Running Length: 2:03
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Ben Campbell (Sturgess) has a problem. He is graduating from MIT and has been accepted to Harvard Med School, but he doesn’t have the $300,000 it will cost him to attend. Then, along comes Professor Micky Ross (Spacey). Mickey offers him a place on his “team”. This team visits Las Vegas on weekends, and by counting cards makes a lot of money. After initially refusing, Ben is swayed by the need for money and the affections of Jill Taylor (Bosworth), a member of the team. In Vegas, Cole Williams (Fishburne), the head of security of one of the casinos is about to figure out the team’s scheme. Ben may be in for more than he bargained for.

“21” is the fictionalized account of college kids who really did beat one of the most sophisticated anti-crime systems in Las Vegas. The story is interesting, even if it has been Hollywoodized. The plot points toward the end are predictable, but the fact that these kids were able to get away with this for so long sustains the interest for the majority of the movie. Kevin Spacey is good as always, radiating intenseness. Sturgess and Bosworth get the job done, while not providing memorable performances. “21” is an interesting, enjoyable film.

Drillbit Taylor ***
Cast: Owen Wilson, Nate Hartley, Troy Gentile, David Dorfman, Alex Frost, Leslie Mann, Valerie Tian
Director: Steven Brill
Running Length: 1:40
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Wade (Hartley), Ryan (Gentile), and Emmitt (Dorfman) are three nerdy kids in need of protection. School bully Filkins (Frost) has decided to make their lives a living hell. After about a week of dealing with this, they decide to hire a bodyguard. Constrained by money, they opt for Drillbit Taylor (Wilson), an ex-military man who is currently homeless and trying to make enough money to get to Canada. Drillbit is less than impressive though, and has to come up with a plan quickly if he wants to help the kids and himself as well.

“Drillbit Taylor” fits the mold of the Judd Apatow-produced films, albeit in PG-13 form. Think of it as Judd Apatow-light, and that is fine because he knows what makes good movies. Sweetness, likeable characters, and raunchy comedy make up the mix, and for “Drillbit Taylor”, the raunchiness is toned back to give it a PG-13 rating. Wilson is very good as Drillbit, a con-man of sorts that really isn’t that good at things. “Drillbit Taylor” is an amusing addition to the Apatow family of films.

Horton Hears a Who! ***
Cast (voices): Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, Carol Burnett, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Isla Fisher, Amy Poehler, Jaime Pressly, Charles Osgood
Director: Jimmy Hayward, Steve Martino
Running Length: 1:28
MPAA Classification: G

Horton (Carrey) is an elephant who one day discovers a talking speck of dust. Of course, it is not really the speck that is talking, but the people living on it. He catches the speck on a clover and manages to talk to the Mayor of Whoville (Carell). The mayor begs Horton to find a safe place for the speck so his world isn’t destroyed. Horton agrees, but must deal with the Kangaroo (Burnett) who does not believe in anything she cannot see.

“Horton” is the best motion picture adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ work. Better than “Granch” and far better than “Cat in the Hat”. The computer animation better suits the characters created in childrens’ books many years ago. Carrey and Carell do solid jobs as the two leads, and the rest of the voice talents are good as well. This is a movie geared more towards kids, but adults will find enjoyment in it as well. Son’t be surprised if we see Horton again in a few years, trying to hatch an egg. I recommend this film.

10,000 B.C. *1/2
Cast: Steven Strait, Camilla Belle, Cliff Curtis, Joel Virgel, Affif Ben Badra, Mo Zinal, Nathanael Baring
Director: Roland Emmerich
Running Length: 1:45
MPAA Classification: PG-13

D’Leh (Strait) and Evolet (Belle) are destined to be together, but are kept apart by clan politics. Evolet wants to run away with him, byt D’Leh will not because his father left the tribe when he was a child. His father’s act made D’Leh an outcast of sorts, and he has worked hard to restore his name. When a roving band of warriors raid their village and take most of the tribe, including Evolet, D’Leh makes it his mission to save his people and the woman he loves.

At the very least, “10,000 B.C.” has good special effects. Not great, but good. The story itself is nothing special, even silly. The acting is about the same. There does not appear to be any factual basis for anything that occurs in the film either. A key point at the end of the film even elicited an audible groan from me. There was a time when director Roland Emmerich made movie that were somewhat engaging, but those days seem to be long gone. My recommendation is to stay away from this film.

U2 3D ***1/2
Cast: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr.
Director: Catherine Owens, Mark Pellington
Running Length: 1:25
MPAA Classification: G

“U2 3D” is an example of just how great a 3D movie experience can be. Mostly shot in Buenos Aires, this concert film puts you in the audience and on the stage at a concert from one of the best bands of the last 30 years. Actually shot at a number of concerts and meshed together, the illusion is seamless. At times, the band seems so close you could reach out and touch them. The set list is a good selection of old and new, hits and lesser known songs. The band members themselves are great showmen, and each get their own close-up. Fans of U2 will definitely want to check this out. If you are not a fan, see this movie and become one. The band is great, the 3D is great, the film is great. Highly recommended.

Set list:
Vertigo
Beautiful Day
New Year’s Day
Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride (In the Name of Love)
Where the Streets Have No Name
One
The Fly
With or Without You
Yahweh

Atonement ***
Cast: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Romola Garai, Vanessa Redgrave, Saoirse Ronan, Harriet Walter, Brenda Blethyn
Director: Joe Wright
Running Length: 2:10
MPAA Classification: R

In 1935 England, 13-year old Briony (Ronan) lives with her family in the countryside. Her older sister Cecilia (Knightley) is developing a relationship with Robbie (McAvoy) the servant. Cecelia herself has a crush on Robbie and is a bit jealous. She does see him as a seducer and wants to protect Cecelia. When a friend of the family is raped on the grounds, Briony offers up a lie that will change the three of their lives forever.

“Atonement” is an interesting, if tragic, movie. It straddles a thin line between youthful misunderstanding and jealous maliciousness. Briony is a tragic figure, played well by Ronan, Garai, and Redgrave, who spends her life trying to make up for a wrong that may or may not have been intentional. McAvoy is solid as Robbie, the person whose life is most directly affected by her actions. Director Joe Wright does a good job bringing war torn Europe to life. The problem with “Atonement” is that, aside from having a main character in Briony that is mostly unlikable, the film is a bit of a downer. This will not be a hit with mainstream audiences, and really was the weakest of the Best Picture nominees in 2007. This is definitely not a film for everyone.

Vantage Point **
Cast: Dennis Quaid, William Hurt, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker, Eduardo Noriega, Edgar Ramirez, Said Taghmaoui, Ayelet Zurer, Sigourney Weaver
Director: Pete Travis
Running Length: 1:30
MPAA Classification: PG-13

At an anti-terrorism summit in Spain, an assassination attempt is made on President Ashton (Hurt). After the president is shot, chaos reigns. During the pandemonium, there is a distant explosion followed by one in the arena. Secret service agent Thomas Barnes (Quaid) must find the assassin before its too late.

The movie’s hook is that is shows the events from multiple points of view. First, through the eyes of a news broadcast, then through Barnes’ eyes. Next is a police officer’s (Noriega) point of view, a tourist’s (Whitaker), and then the President’s. There is backtracking to show perspectives from the same starting point, and each point of view takes the story a little further into the future.

“Vantage Point” has two large drawbacks. First, the very nature of the film reduces all the roles to extended cameos. None of the characters feel like the focus of the film, and none have any real development. Quaid and Hurt do what they can, but they aren’t given much to work with. The other problem is that for a movie built around the novelty of seeing the characters’ point of view, they abandon that approach in the last 30 minutes, reverting back to a “normal” movie. What does work is the level of intensity that is maintained through much of the film. There is enough action to make one forget about some of the absurdities of the plot as well. Overall, this was a movie that could have been better with some tweaking.

Jumper **1/2
Cast: Hayden Christensen, Jamie Bell, Rachel Bilson, Samuel L. Jackson, Diane Lane, Michael Rooker, AnnaSophia Robb, Max Thieriot
Director: Doug Liman
Running Length: 1:28
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Nerdy high schooler David Rice (Thieriot) really likes Millie (Robb). One day, when trying to give her a gift, the local bully intervenes and tosses the gift into a frozen river. When attempting to recover the gift, David falls through and is trapped. At least, he is until he teleports into the middle of the Ann Arbor library. Everyone believes him to be dead, and he sees it as a chance to start over. He hones his skills as well. To get some money, he robs a bank, and that is when NSA agent Roland (Jackson) notices him. Roland doesn’t like “jumpers.” As an adult, David (Christensen) lives a good life. He returns home to see Millie (Bilson), and she notices that something is different about him. He also finds out he is not alone. There are other “jumpers” that are being hunted by “paladins” whose only desire is to kill them. When Roland finds David, David is in for the fight of his life, because Roland is out for blood.

“Jumper” is an interesting idea that is poorly executed. Christensen has proven himself to be a wooden actor, and this is no exception. He is a poor choice for David. The action and the effects are top notch. The origin story is well told, and I’m not a fan of origin stories. The powers and the war between jumpers and paladins is left vague enough to make you want more. The biggest problem with the movie (aside from Christensen’s acting) is the fact that the movie doesn’t end so much as it just stops. The last five minutes leave a nasty taste in your mouth as David confronts one of the bad guys and is given a head start. He decides to take a leisurely direction even though he is still the hunted. Clearly, “Jumper” is set up for a sequel, but when that sequel is not a given, a movie needs to provide some closure. This is one to wait for on DVD.

Complete list of 80th annual Academy Award winners:

Best Picture:
No Country for Old Men

Actor:
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood

Actress:
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose

Supporting Actor:
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men

Supporting Actress:
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

Director:
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men

Foreign Film:
The Counterfeiters, Austria

Adapted Screenplay:
Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men

Original Screenplay:
Diablo Cody, Juno

Animated Feature Film:
Ratatouille

Art Direction:
Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Cinematography:
There Will Be Blood

Sound Mixing:
The Bourne Ultimatum

Sound Editing:
The Bourne Ultimatum

Original Score:
Atonement, Dario Marianelli

Original Song:
Falling Slowly from Once, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

Costume:
Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Documentary Feature:
Taxi to the Dark Side

Documentary (short subject):
Freeheld

Film Editing:
The Bourne Ultimatum

Makeup:
La Vie en Rose

Animated Short Film:
Peter & the Wolf

Live Action Short Film:
Le Mozart des Pickpockets (The Mozart of Pickpockets)

Visual Effects:
The Golden Compass

The Spiderwick Chronicles ***1/2
Cast: Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, Mary-Louise Parker, David Strathairn, Joan Plowright, Nick Nolte, Martin Short (voice), Seth Rogen (voice)
Director: Mark Waters
Running Length: 1:30
MPAA Classification: PG

Helen Grace (Parker) and her kids Mallory (Bolger) and twins Jared and Simon (both Highmore) are starting fresh after Helen’s separation from the kids’ father. They are moving into the Spiderwick Estate, a mansion that Helen inherited from her Aunt Lucinda (Plowwright). The estate has an interesting history though. 80 years ago, Arthur Spiderwick (Strathairn) wrote a “field guide” to the world around him. This guide includes all kinds of fantastical creatyres. By writing it, he unleashed some terrible forces and now an army of goblins is amassing. Led by the ogre Mulgrath (Nolte), they seek to take the book away from the protection of the house. The kids are all that stands between Mulgrath and world domination.

“The Spiderwick Chronicles” is a surprisingly well done movie. For a movie that covers five books, there isn’t a feeling that much was lost in the translation. There is a lot of action that keeps the moving quickly. The child actors do a good job in the roles, especially Highmore in dual roles. The story is not complex, but is not simple either. Plus, it deals with serious issues like divorce, a topic that many kids will relate to. “The Spiderwick Chronicles” is an excellent move for kids from about 6-7 on up to adults. I highly recommend this film.

Definitely, Maybe ***
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Weisz, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Derek Luke, Kevin Kline
Director: Adam Brooks
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Will Hayes (Reynolds) is almost divorced. After picking up his daughter, Maya (Breslin), they head to his house where she asks him to tell her the story of how he and her mother met. Her hope is that his memories will deter him from signing the divorce paperwork. He agrees, but decides to change the names of those in the story so that Maya will have to guess who her mom is. The three main choices are Emily (Banks), Summer (Weisz), and April (Fisher). Emily is Will’s college sweetheart, Summer is Emily’s ex-lover, and April is a co-worker at the Clinton campaign.

“Definitely, Maybe” is a surprisingly good romantic comedy. The reason it really works though, is because of the uncertainty of who Will will end up with. It isn’t your typical romantic comedy. Even if you pick out who Maya’s mom is, you may not predict the ending. The trio of actresses are all good in there roles, and manage to help Reynolds along. Kevin Kline even turns up for a scene stealing role as Summer’s professor/lover. “Definitely, Maybe” is a solid date movie that will be enjoyed by both men and women. I recommend it.

There Will Be Blood ****
Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Dillon Freasier, Ciarán Hinds, Kevin J. O'Connor
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Running Length: 2:38
MPAA Classification: R

In 1898, Daniel Plainview (Lewis) is digging in the ground, searching for a gold. Instead, he finds oil. Years later, he has a team working for him to pump the oil. When one of that team is killed in an accident, Daniel takes the man’s son as his own. By 1912, Daniel is a well-known oil man. He follows up a lead in California, only to find himself at odds with the evangelist preacher Eli Sunday (Dano). Sunday wants $10,000 for the church before he sells the land. After a contract is signed, Daniel reneges on the deal, and the church is left without the money. An enemy is formed. As Daniel continues his rise in the oil industry, the more corrupt he becomes.

“There Will Be Blood” is a fascinating character study. Daniel is many things: friendly, ruthless, kind, violent, manipulative, and charismatic. He knows how to get what he wants, and rises from nothing into a wealthy businessman. Daniel Day Lewis is excellent in this part and is the film’s biggest selling point. He makes a long movie pass quickly. The film itself is fascinating, showing the rise and fall of an oil tycoon. The ending may turn some off, but I find it appropriate given what has gone before it. I highly recomment “There Will Be Blood”. It is easy to see why this is an Oscar favorite.

Fool’s Gold **
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, Donald Sutherland, Alexis Dziena, Ewan Bremmer, Ray Winstone, Kevin Hart
Director: Andy Tennant
Running Length: 1:52
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Finn (McConaughey) is looking for a lost Spanish Galleon in the Caribbean. He believes he has found the location, and has it marked by his own sunk ship. He enlists the help of his ex-wife, Tess (Hudson), who is intrigued until she finds he has no real proof of the Spanish ship’s location. Fate puts them together again on the boat of multi-millionaire Nigel Honeycutt (Sutherland) and his daughter, Gemma (Dziena). He is fascinated by Finn’s stories, and wants to help him find the treasure. Also looking to find the treasure are Moe (Winstone), Finn’s old mentor and gangster rapper Bigg Bunny (Hart), who Finn owes money to.

“Fool’s Gold” is a moderately entertaining film. McConaughey and Hudson are trying to recapture the chemistry from “How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days” with moderate success. Sutherland is sporting a poor English accent. Dziena stands out because her character is so incredibly stupid. She seems to steal the scenes she is in. The action is pretty good, especially in the last half hour. Overall, “Fool’s Gold” is forgettable though. Check this out on DVD if you must.

Untraceable **1/2
Cast: Diane Lane, Billy Burke, Colin Hanks, Joseph Cross
Director: Gregory Hoblit
Running Length: 1:40
MPAA Classification: R

When the website Killwithme starts up and shows the cruel killing of a kitten, FBI agents Jennifer Marsh (Lane) and Griffin Dowd (Hanks) are on the case. They work for the cybercrime division of the FBI, and are skilled at tracking down criminals over the internet. One week later, the site is back up, this time with a human being tortured. To make matters worse, the more traffic the site gets, the quicker the victim dies. The killer has somehow made the site untraceable, and the FBI can’t stop it and as the public finds out about it, it gets more and more visitors. Soon, the killer’s game becomes personal, and if Marsh cannot stop him, she might be the next victim.

“Untraceable” is an average thriller with moments of greatness. It starts out well, but spirals downward as it progresses. That’s not to say it is bad though, just that it could have been better. Clearly the movie is criticizing the type of material available for viewing on the internet. That being said, the director has no problem showing the audience exactly what he seems to be rallying against. Sometimes less is more, and this would have been a good opportunity to leave things to the imagination rather than providing torture scenes worth of a “Saw” movie. Again, this is not a bad movie, just one that is flawed and could have been better. Wait for the DVD.

Cloverfield ***
Cast: Michael Stahl-David, Jessica Lucas, Lizzy Caplan, T.J. Miller, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman
Director: Matt Reeves
Running Length: 1:18
MPAA Classification: PG-13

All is well at the going away party for Rob (Stahl-David). The next day he is heading to Japan, but tonight he is having fun with his friends. Those closest to him are his brother Jason (Vogel), Lily (Lucas), Marlena (Caplan), and Hud (Miller). Hud is videotaping the events when all hell breaks loose outside in downtown New York. Buildings fall down, others explode, and the Statue of Liberty’s head comes rolling down the street. Hud keeps the camera rolling because “people will want to know what happened.” Soon it becomes apparent that the source of the commotion is a giant monster that is scared and apparently immune to anything the army uses against it. Rob and his gang must rescue Rob’s crush Beth (Yustman) and get out of town before the army takes extreme action.

“Cloverfield” is “Godzilla” meets “The Blair Witch Project”. The hand-held camera approach brings a fresh experience to the monster in a big city story. Some may dislike the jittery camerawork, but it adds an immediacy to the story and makes you feel like you are in it. The movie doesn’t cheat either with shots of the monster. It is shown in all its ugly glory a number of times from a distance and very close up. It is like no movie monster previously, and it is a scared creature making its way through a strange world. And that only makes him more dangerous. “Cloverfield” is a fresh take on an old story, and I recommend checking it out.

The Bucket List **1/2
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes, Beverly Todd, Rob Morrow
Director: Rob Reiner
Running Length: 1:37
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Edward Cole (Nicholson) and Carter Chambers (Freeman) have terminal cancer. They are opposites, with Edward being a rich CEO and Carter being a car mechanic. They are sharing a room at the hospital, and share the same diagnosis: six months to a year. Carter begins making a “bucket list” – things to do before he dies. Edward gets in on the list, and having the money funds their attempt to cross everything off that list. They see the Pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal, and the Great Wall of China. The skydive and drive race cars. They share their stories and become good friends. Soon they realize returning home will help them more than traveling the world.

Nicholson and Freeman are always good, and “The Bucket List” is no exception. They give their usual standout performances. On the downside, this is a movie that sets out to make views shed a few tears. This gives the film a feeling of trying to be more important than it really is. If that could somehow be toned down, this would be a better movie. There are some good laughs though, and that is the films saving grace. As it is, it is a harmless diversion for just over two hours. I would probably recommend this one for DVD viewing.

Complete list of 80th annual Academy Award nominations:

Best Picture:
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Actor:
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises

Actress:
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Laura Linney, The Savages
Ellen Page, Juno

Supporting Actor:
Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton

Supporting Actress:
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

Director:
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Jason Reitman, Juno
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood

Foreign Film:
Beaufort, Israel
The Counterfeiters, Austria
Katyn, Poland
Mongol, Kazakhstan
12, Russia

Adapted Screenplay:
Christopher Hampton, Atonement
Sarah Polley, Away from Her
Ronald Harwood, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood

Original Screenplay:
Diablo Cody, Juno
Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava and Jim Capobianco, Ratatouille
Tamara Jenkins, The Savages

Animated Feature Film:
Persepolis
Ratatouille
Surf's Up

Art Direction:
American Gangster
Atonement
The Golden Compass
Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
There Will Be Blood

Cinematography:
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Atonement
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Sound Mixing:
The Bourne Ultimatum
No Country for Old Men
Ratatouille
3:10 to Yuma
Transformers

Sound Editing:
The Bourne Ultimatum
No Country for Old Men
Ratatouille
There Will Be Blood
Transformers

Original Score:
Atonement, Dario Marianelli
The Kite Runner, Alberto Iglesias
Michael Clayton, James Newton Howard
Ratatouille, Michael Giacchino
3:10 to Yuma, Marco Beltrami

Original Song:
Falling Slowly from Once, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Happy Working Song from Enchanted, Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz
Raise It Up from August Rush
So Close from Enchanted, Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz
That's How You Know from Enchanted, Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz

Costume:
Across the Universe
Atonement
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
La Vie en Rose
Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Documentary Feature:
No End in Sight
Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience
Sicko
Taxi to the Dark Side
War/Dance

Documentary (short subject):
Freeheld
La Corona (The Crown)
Salim Baba
Sari's Mother

Film Editing:
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Into the Wild
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Makeup:
La Vie en Rose
Norbit
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Animated Short Film:
I Met the Walrus
Madame Tutli-Putli
Meme Les Pigeons Vont au Paradis (Even Pigeons Go to Heaven)
My Love (Moya Lyubov)
Peter & the Wolf

Live Action Short Film:
At Night
Il Supplente (The Substitute)
Le Mozart des Pickpockets (The Mozart of Pickpockets)
Tanghi Argentini
The Tonto Woman

Visual Effects:
The Golden Compass
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Transformers

Charlie Wilson’s War ***1/2
Cast: Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Amy Adams, Ned Beatty, Om Puri
Director: Mike Nichols
Running Length: 1:37
MPAA Classification: R

Democratic congressman Charlie Wilson (Hanks) is a bit of a playboy who never met a party he didn’t like. In 1980, he is named to the Defense Appropriations subcommittee in Congress, and becomes aware of a situation in the Middle Eastern country of Afghanistan. The US is funding the “freedom Fighters” to fight against the USSR with $5 million. Charlie has that amount doubled, but his friend Joanne Herring (Roberts) informs him that more is needed. Soon, Charlie is visiting the region and seeing how things are going firsthand. He returns to the US determined to win this war. With the help of CIA operative Gust Avrakotos (Hoffman), he is able to get the funding significantly increased, and soon the US is spending $500 million to help Afghanistan.

“Charlie Wilson’s War” has a top notch cast, including three Oscar winners and two nominees. As one would expect, Tom Hanks is excellent as the womanizing Wilson. Over the course of the film, his Wilson develops a conscience and becomes something more than just a playboy. Hoffman steals the scenes as Avrakotos, and should be a serious contender for another Oscar nomination. Up-and-comer Amy Adams also makes a solid appearance as Wilson’s assistant. The story is interesting and even funny at times. In fact, the majority of the film has a lighter tone despite being about war. This is an enjoyable, smart film that is worth checking out. I recommend it.

The 15 Best Movies I Saw in 2007
1. Gone Baby Gone ****
2. The Queen **** (from 2006)
3. Michael Clayton ****
4. No Country For Old Men ****
5. Juno ****
6. Babel **** (from 2006)
7. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ****
8. Zodiac ***1/2
9. Notes on a Scandal ***1/2 (from 2006)
10. The Bourne Ultimatum ***1/2
11. 1408 ***1/2
12. 300 ***1/2
13. Pan's Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno) ***1/2 (from 2006)
14. The Last King of Scotland ***1/2 (from 2006)
15. Knocked Up ***1/2

Juno ****
Cast: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons, Olivia Thirlby
Director: Jason Reitman
Running Length: 1:32
MPAA Classification: PG-13

After taking three pregnancy tests, sixteen year old Juno MacGuff (Page) accepts that she is indeed pregnant. Her and her boyfriend Paulie (Cera) only had sex once, but that is all it took. After initially considering an abortion, she decides to put the child up for adoption. Her parents (Simmons, Janney) are supportive, and soon she meets Vanessa (Garner) and Mark (Bateman). They seem to be ready to adopt, but things are not always as they seem. Soon, Juno must decide whether to continue down this path or explore other options, but her nine months is almost up.

“Juno” is a smart and engaging film. The screenplay is solid, telling a good story with humor and drama. It is smart and provided likeable characters. Ellen Page is perfect as Juno, a girl with a witty comeback for everything. The supporting cast, especially Simmons and Janney as Juno’s parents are also great. This is a film that is all around enjoyable that leaves you with a good feeling. Teen pregnancy is a serious topic and it is handled well. I highly recommend “Juno”. You will not be disappointed.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets **
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Ed Harris, Jon Voight, Helen Mirren, Harvey Keitel, Bruce Greenwood
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Running Length: 2:10
MPAA Classification: PG

When treasure hunter Ben Gates (Cage) has his great-great grandfather accused of participating in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, he sets out to prove the man’s innocence. That innocence lies in finding the lost City of Gold, located somewhere in the United States. On the way, he will have to get at the Queen’s desk in Buckingham Palace as well as its twin in the Oval Office, and kidnap the President of the United States (Greenwood). Fortunately, he has the help of his father (Voight), his mother (Mirren), his former girlfriend (Kruger) and his sidekick (Bartha). Meanwhile, Mitch Wilkinson (Harris) is looking to find the city first and make a name for himself.

The first “National Treasure” was enjoyable, even though it was a bit of a rip off of “The DaVinci Code”. The plot was a bit far-fetched, but one could mostly suspend disbelief. “Book of Secrets” on the other hand is over-the-top ridiculous. It asks the viewer to believe an awful lot of implausible things, and that is its downfall. Its almost as if the screenwriters decided to see how unbelievable of a story they could craft. Sure, its nice to see the characters we met in the first one back in action, but that’s not enough to make this movie work. If you must see this, wait until it is out on DVD.