Angels and Demons ***

Cast: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer, Stellan Skarsgård, Pierfrancesco Favino, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Thure Lindhardt
Director: Ron Howard
Running Length: 2:14
MPAA Classification: PG-13

The mourning over the death of the pope has ended in the Vatican, and the time has come to choose a new leader for the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, the four leading candidates have been kidnapped by people claiming to be the Illuminati, an underground society bent on taking down the Church. They threaten to kill the candidates and then blow up Rome with an antimatter bomb stolen from the CERN Large Hadron Collider. Enter Robert Langdon (Hanks), an expert on the Illuminati and Vittoria Vetra (Zurer), one of the scientists who created the antimatter. With the support of Commander Richter (Skarsgård), head of the Swiss Guard and Camerlengo Patrick McKenna (McGregor), they set out to solve the clues left behind to stop the Illuminati.

“Angels & Demons” is the sequel to “The DaVinci Code”, and provides more action and less talking than its predecessor. It is also marginally better (unlike the book which is far superior). Hanks is once again slipping into Langdon’s shoes, and seems comfortable there. (Rumor has it they are already planning an adaptation of the new Langdon novel). The story is entertaining despite being a little on the unbelievable side. The ideas presented are compelling though, and that soothes the more outrageous moments. “Angels & Demons” is definitely worth your time, especially if you enjoyed “The DaVinci Code.”

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.