50 First Dates ***

Cast: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Sean Astin, Rob Schneider, Blake Clark
Director: Peter Segal

Veterinarian Henry Roth (Sandler) is a player. He has made a habit of seducing tourists coming to Hawaii, where he lives. That is, until he meets Lucy (Barrymore). After spending a day together, they agree to meet again the next day for breakfast. One problem: when the next day comes, she doesn't remember him! It seems that she was in a car accident that caused her to be unable to retain short term memory. She remembers everything up to the accident, but forgets everything from the previous day. But a funny thing has happened: Henry is genuinely interested in Lucy. He begins to show up for breakfast every day, hoping she will eventually remember him. Sandler and Barrymore have great chemistry together, even better than in their previous effort together, "The Wedding Singer". Sandler's Henry is sweet in his pursuit of the forgetful Lucy. There are some plot holes that can be forgiven for a movie of the type, and the end doesn't cheat the audience with an easy solution. And, of course, this is a good date movie for the Valentine's season.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ***

Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Miranda Otto, Bernard Hill, Andy Serkis, John Noble, Liv Tyler
Director: Peter Jackson

The trilogy based on the classic novels by J. R. R. Tolkien finally comes to an end as the forces of good and evil have the mother of all battles at the city of Minas Tirith. Bigger than than even the battle of Helm's Deep from LOTR 2, this is an impressive sight to behold. And while this battle rages on, Frodo and Sam, accompanied by Gollum approach Mordor and Mount Doom, determined to destroy the One Ring once and for all. ROTK is a well made and entertaining film, that is on par with the first to films. And while I do not consider these films the best ever made (like some people), it is well worth seeing. Now we just have to sit back and hope that Peter Jackson is able to get the rights to The Hobbit so that he can complete the whole story.