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.

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.

Secret Window ***1/2

Cast: Johnny Depp, John Turturro, Maria Bello, Timothy Hutton, Charles S. Dutton
Director: David Koepp

Author Mort Rainey (Depp) is on the brink of a divorce and living a deeply depressed life in his cabin in the woods, trading everyday interaction with people for a comfy sleeping spot on his sofa. Every once and a while he might even write something. One day, his life is disrupted by the appearance of a stranger, John Shooter (Turturro), who claims that Rainey stole his story, and he wants Rainey to "make it right". Initially dismissing this claim, Rainey soon finds that his story and Shooter's story are almost identical, and Shooter will not be ignored. Shooter begins to turn up the heat, and Rainey finds himself racing against time to prove himself. Depp, fresh off of Pirates of the Caribbean, is back in a Johnny Depp-like role in the quirky, unkempt Mort Rainey. Turturro, who is always good playing the weirdo does an excellent job as the mysterious Shooter. Well directed by Koepp, with subtle clues as to the answer of Rainey's delimna, this adaptation of a Stephen King story is very well done. And for those who have read the story, the movie actually improves (in my opinion) on the ending.

The Cooler ***

Cast: William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin, Maria Bello, Shawn Hatosy, Rong Livingston, Paul Sorvino, Estella Warren, Arthur J. Nascarella
Director: Wayne Kramer

Bernie Lootz is a loser. He is so much a loser that he makes the people around him have bad luck. And that comes in handy in his job as a "cooler" at the Shangri-La Casino in Las Vegas. Whenever someone is getting a little too lucky in the casino, in comes Bernie, and the hot streak is over. But then a funny thing happens...Bernie finds love in a cocktail waitress at the Shangri-La, and all of a sudden, Bernie's cooling powers are failing him. This is not good news for the owner, Shelly Kaplow who is feeling pressure from a mob boss to update his business methods. William H. Macy has sort of perfected the loser guy roles, so it is no surprise that he gives a good performance as Bernie, and when things start to go right for him, you feel happy for the poor guy. Alec Baldwin does a great job as the casino owner clinging to an antiquated way of doing things. All in all, a surprisingly enjoyable little movie.