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.

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

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

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