Underworld: Rise of the Lycans ***

Cast: Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Steven Mackintosh, Kevin Grevioux
Director: Patrick Tatopoulos
Running Length: 1:32
MPAA Classification: R

Hundreds of years before the first “Underworld” movie, werewolves were slaves to the vampires, led by Viktor (Nighy). The werewolf Lucian (Sheen) is the favored slave of Viktor. They maintain a respectable relationship despite their differences. Unbeknownst to Viktor, Lucian and Viktor’s daughter Sonja (Mitra) are in love. They sneak off to be together even though relationships between vampires and warewolves is forbidden. Their relationship prompts Lucien to remove his collar and go after when she is in danger. Despite saving her, Lucien is punished like the rest of the warewolves. This plants the seeds for their uprising.

“Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” is a movie that probably does not need to be made. The story was laid out quickly in the first “Underworld” movie. That being said, “Rise of the Lycans” is surprisingly entertaining. Nighy and Sheen are doing the overacting that fans of the series have come to love. There are plenty of actions scenes. And, this time, the film is a bit of a period piece. Shakespeare this ain’t, but I do not think that fans of the series will be disappointed.

Frost/Nixon ****

Frost/Nixon ****
Cast: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon, Matthew Mcfadyen, Sam Rockwell, Oliver Platt, Rebecca Hall
Director: Ron Howard
Running Length: 2:02
MPAA Classification: R

For three years after his resignation from the presidency, Richard Nixon (Langella) remained in seclusion in California. He made no appearances, he gave no interviews. Then, a British talk-show host named David Frost (Sheen) offered him $500,000 for a series of interviews. They would cover Domestic Policy, foreign policy, “Nixon the man,” and Watergate. Nixon accepted the deal, figuring he would get a series of easy questions, but Frost was going for something more. Assisted by three allies: John Burt (McFadyen), James Reston Jr. (Rockwell), and Bob Zelnick (Platt), he mounted interview sessions determined to get Nixon to admit he was wrong and committed crimes.

“Frost/Nixon” is a thoroughly engrossing movie, despite the ending being known. Langella and Sheen are great in their respective roles. The story is edge of your seat viewing. Director Ron Howard spends about half the movie reenacting excerpts from the actual interviews, and they are engaging showing a duel of wits where only one can be the winner. I highly recommend this entertaining and engaging film.