The Hunger Games

In the distant future, a dystopian government has taken over the United States, now separated into 12 “districts.” Every year, as part of a punitive tribute, each district must “reap” a boy and a girl to fight in a lethal game, televised live, where the only way out is to kill or be killed. When little Primrose is chosen for the reaping in the poor, outlying 12th District, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to go in her stead. Based on the book by Suzanne Collins, the film benefits from her involvement in the screenplay, which will please readers of the popular trilogy. It might take fans some time to get used to a pretty, healthy-looking Katniss (in the book she comes across as more feral and malnourished) and it’s a little disappointing that the interesting political setting, described so vividly by Collins, has been brushed over broadly by passably futuristic decor. For those who haven’t read the book and are wondering what the fuss is all about? Well, if you like fast-paced action and an interesting plot, it’s well worth the admission price. But it’s best to spend a quiet evening reading the novel before you go. – M. Bennison

Mirror, Mirror

You can either yawn at this latest in an irritating trend of fairy-tale “reboots” or throw yourself into the fun wholeheartedly. I definitely recommend the latter. Julia Roberts, as the evil queen in this take on “Snow White,” certainly seems to be enjoying herself, so why shouldn’t you? It does take some effort, though. Resist the urge to get up and wipe the smug, self-satisfied smirk off “Mirror, Mirror’s” face and delve into the popcorn. You’ll roll your eyes at the “innovative” idea of the prince being an effete weakling and Snow White having all the balls, and you’ll huff and puff at the watered-down Monty Pythonisms and shameless plundering of “Princess Bride,” but you’ll find those moments to be surprisingly few and far between. What “Mirror, Mirror” does achieve is the supspension of disbelief — and it has loads of fun doing it. That’s no easy task for a version this silly; even harder when reworking a tale so ingrained in popular consciousness. Not a remake for the ages then, but a confident step in the right direction. – G. Figgis

John Carter

By now we’ve all heard what an enormous stinker this is supposed to be, and to be honest, all the negative reviews seem a bit  churlish and unfair. What do you want from film about a Confederate soldier embroiled in Martian intrigue? The fact is that “John Carter,” based on the wildly popular series of adventure stories by Edgar Rice Burroughs (he who gave us “Tarzan”), is a darn good sci-fi action film. Sure, it’s marred in a few places by some stilted talkiness and some cheesy tropes, but it’s no worse than any other CGI-laden fantasy flick out there. “John Carter’s” only sin — apart from its highly publicized, obscenely expensive budget — is that it got made too late. Burroughs’s swashbuckling character and fantastic vision have inspired everything from the original “Star Wars” to “Avatar” — and many more in between. All in all, it provides a good old-fashioned night out at the movies. Don’t fault it for being a day late and several million dollars short.  – R. Hughes

ACT OF VALOR

The fact that the principal actors in this film are actual Navy SEALs makes it a little difficult to critique. Another problem is that the title sounds like it was lifted from a late ’80s Chuck Norris vehicle that would more than deserve the wrath this Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh-directed project won’t receive. Having said that, “Act of Valor” is interesting on a number of levels. The story of a SEALs team on a covert mission to recover a kidnapped CIA agent, it makes fine use of the unprecedented access the directors were given to Naval equipment and procedures. Many of the stunning action sequences were based on actual missions  and skirmishes the men “acting” here were involved in. More than just a bang-’em-up action film, and much more than a clinical reenactment, “Act of Valor” is a volatile mixture of the best of both those worlds, and raises the bar for action films yet to come.

DR. SEUSS’S THE LORAX

Question: How to make a feature-length film out of a story it takes about 12 minutes to read? By filling it to the gasping gills with annoying pop culture references (à la “Shrek”), tired jokes, a cloying, unnecessary subplot geared more toward pre-adolescents than the innocent children Seuss wrote the story for, and lots of mind-numbing computer effects. Lots. If the 100-person animation team had spent as much time helping with the story as they did on making the surreal Truffula trees look paradoxically realistic, we might just have a halfway decent tribute to the great Dr. Seuss. As it is, “The Lorax” is an abysmal, shameful blot on the master’s legacy. Oh sure, kids will love it, but they’ll like anything you put in front of them these days, and this moving, classic story deserves far better treatment. One thing’s for sure, this will date long before the original story ever does.

WANDERLUST

As charming as director David Wain tries to make Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston seem, they never make this film worth watching for more than 5 minutes at a time. And even though it doesn’t know it, “Wanderlust” is, at heart, little more than a pallid remake of a far better film, Albert Brooks’s 1985 classic “Lost in America.” After Anniston and Rudd’s characters purchase their dream pad in New York, Rudd (George) loses his job. With no options left them, the pair pack up and head to Georgia with their tails between their legs to live with family. Along the way, they stay at a B&B that turns out to be a wacky, “hippie” commune and, well, you get the rest. They make friends, see the error of their materialistic ways, find themselves… and you get screwed out of $10. ($25 if you count some Raisinets and a medium Sprite.)

The Thing

Newcomer Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. has taken it upon himself to remake this old but not-forgotten horror classic, most famously remade by John Carpenter back in 1982. At a super-duper cold Antarctica research site, the discovery of an alien spaceship leads to a fight between scientists Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead of “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World”) and foreign guy Dr. Sander Halvorson (Ulrich Thomsen of “Hitman”). Initially I was afraid that it would turn out to be a cheesy, visual effects-driven letdown, but I was wrong on both counts. First of all, this isn’t what I would call a standard remake, but more of an homage to not only John Carpenter but also to the 1951 original. The effects were outstanding and did a great job of creeping the holy bejesus out of me. It also offers something different for sci-fi/horror lovers with some top-notch acting and directing. So we should all pat them on the head and give them a treat while saying “Good boy, Hollywood. Good boy…”

The Three Musketeers

Alexandre Dumas’s classic tale of swashbuckling and bountiful bosoms is here taken on by veteran horror and fantasy sci-fi director Paul W.S. Anderson (“Death Race;” “Resident Evil”). The cocky but tough D’Artagnan (played by Logan Lermanalong of “3:10 to Yuma”) joins forces with three has-been Musketeers to stop a sexy spy and her evil boss from gaining the crown and throwing all of France into war with the rest of Europe. But this version isn’t your basic 17th-century sword-and-dagger remake; this one is way more… leathery. I’m kidding, but I’m not — the leather’s cool and well, chicks in leather… c’est magnifique! I’m a sucker for any film that features fencing and wig-driven liaisons. This 2011 reboot is a new and fun twist on an old tale that I enjoyed greatly. But don’t just take my word for it. Go see it with two other friends and split the cost in three. I preferred paying with one for all.

Footloose

In this remake of the ’80s teen classic, Kenny Wormald plays Ren MacCormack, a cool kid from Chicago who moves to a small town where rock ‘n’ roll and dancing are illegal. His rebellious tendencies anger the town preacher (Dennis Quaid) and the insular community and battle lines are soon drawn between the fun-loving and prim-and-proper camps. I know you’re thinking that this remake was produced for a new generation of kids who have no idea what we had to deal with in the ’80s, what with all the rock censorship and fascist, no-dancing policies. But what the kids of today do bring to the table, with their lack of Kenny Loggins yacht-rock knowledge, is some far more masterful dance moves. And for those who’ve never had the opportunity to be a real American and see the original or could never believe the idea of a town banning a basic right, then make your way to the theater and occupy “Footloose.” Because even though this ain’t original, it’s still optional. Power to the people!

THE HELP

Tate Taylor (“Winter’s Bone”; “Queer As Folk”) takes a break from acting to direct this summer’s movie to think about, “The Help.” In this screen adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s 2009 novel of the same name, wannabe writer Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan (Emma Stone) conducts research for a book about African American housekeepers, the white families they clean for, and the hardships they go through daily. Set in Mississippi during the civil rights movement of the ’60s, the film takes on racism and the way it affects both blacks and whites of all backgrounds. As such, “The Help” often makes for heavy viewing. There were moments of levity here and there, but my girlfriend and I spent the majority of the film crying. The movie is great because the characters really pull you in and make you feel involved. You just have to remember that Bryce Dallas Howard (“The Village”; “Lady in the Water”) is just playing an evil character, so it would be irrational to actually hate her. She’s not really an ignorant southern bigot — at least that’s what I had to keep repeating to my girlfriend.

DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK

I went into this movie thinking that it was directed by Guillermo del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”; “Hellboy”), but that was just clever advertising. Del Toro just wrote it and produced it; first-time director Troy Nixey is the actual culprit. A young girl, played by Bailee Madison (“Just Go With It”), moves in with her dad (Guy Pearce of “Memento” and “L.A. Confidential”) and his new squeeze (Katie Holmes), and soon finds out that their new home is crawling with little monsters who want her all for themselves. I’m not sure if you knew this, but this film is a remake of a 1978 made-for-TV movie. Bottom of the barrel, right? At least that’s what I was thinking when I got my tickets, but I just didn’t care because Guy Pearce was a selling point for me here and man, did his casting pay off. I tend to scream like a little girl when I get scared, so I really connected with the main character. “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” is a great shocker overall, and more than delivered in the fright department.

APOLLO 18

This “really-could-have-happened” sci-fi horror works well probably because it was directed by relative unknown Gonzalo López-Gallego and employs similarly obscure actors. In it, classified footage found in a NASA footlocker reveals the secrets of the abandoned Apollo 18 mission, in which two American astronauts were sent on a dangerous expedition to the moon and never returned. The grainy film reveals the frightening reason why we’ve never gone back since. All right dorks, let’s get this out of the way — this movie only makes sense if you truly believe we even went to the moon in the first place and weren’t just trying to beat the Russians in the Space Race. I know what you’re thinking: “Alex, do you really believe that?” Well, I didn’t until this film showed me how easy it would be to fake a moon landing! And after seeing this, you may start to believe that there’s something very scary on that great big satellite in the sky. “Apollo 18″ is definitely worth seeing.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Director David Yates (who directed “The Order of the Phoenix,” “The Half-Blood Prince,” and “The Deathly Hallows: Part 1″ installments of the Harry Potter franchise) has again taken charge of the wizarding world to finish what I like to call J.K. Rowling’s “Encyclopedia Satanica.” In the last half of this chapter, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) searches with his pals for Voldemort’s remaining horcruxes in their effort to destroy the Dark Lord. So this is it, the final hurrah, the last broom ride, if you will (well, until they remake it). Of course you have to remember that this is simply the second half of a movie, but even picking up in the middle of this wizardly war is worth the ticket. Yes, there probably will be a bunch of kids in line wearing capes and wire-rimmed glasses casting spells on you as you buy your popcorn, but I’ve got to tell you that after this crescendoing plot of non-stop action, you’ll be wiping tears from your face when the credits roll. And as you exit, you’ll want to console every stripe-scarfed nerd standing soberly under the theater marquee waiting for their parents’ mini van. You will feel their pain, because this movie is just that good.

Captain America: The First Avenger

Director Joe Johnston (“The Wolfman;” “Hidalgo”) has put his experience to the test, matching brawn with patriotic vigilance in “Captain America: The First Avenger.” After being told he’s too scrawny to fight in WWII, Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans of “Street Kings” and “Fantastic Four”) signs up for a top secret research project that morphs him into Captain America, a heroic symbol for American justice and kick-buttness. I used to read Captain America comics, and this movie is pretty close to what was originally penned. Of course every comic lover dreams of a special machine that can not only make them buff and handsome, but also into a invulnerable fighting machine. And who better to fight than the Nazis? This film most definitely delivers, from the quick wit and humor of Evans and Tommy Lee Jones to the stunning special effects and fight scenes. “Captain America” pretty much captures essence of the Marvel adventurer to a tee. So while it might not be your duty as an American citizen to watch this at least once, it is, however, my civic duty to tell you to watch it twice.

Cowboys & Aliens

In this comic book thriller-turned-movie, directed by Jon Favreau (“Elf;” “Iron Man”), a spaceship arrives in the Old West. The aliens within are intent on world domination, and a bunch of six-gun toting cowboys are all that stands in their way. Is Daniel Craig the toughest man alive? Oh, I’m sorry. I misspoke: Daniel Craig is the toughest man alive (you’ll see what I’m talking about within the first ten minutes of the movie). I was surprised to see how many good actors were in his one — Sam Rockwell (“Moon”), Harrison Ford, Paul Dano (“There Will Be Blood”), and many more — and even though the premise is a little out-there, that didn’t stop any of them from playing their roles exceptionally well. “Cowbys & Aliens” does a good job of mixing the unfathomable idea of warfare between extraterrestrials and quick-drawing outlaws, and ultimately holds its own as a unique western/sci-fi flick. If you can’t decide whether to watch a high-noon showdown or an intergalactic war, then “Cowboys & Aliens” will definitely decide that summer flick coin toss.

BAD TEACHER

Keeping up with his hit comedy streak after “Walk Hard,” director Jake Kasdan now lends his talent to the entertaining “Bad Teacher.” In it, Cameron Diaz (“My Best Friend’s Wedding”) plays a crappy middle school teacher who, after being ditched by her loaded boyfriend, begins to mack on the school’s new hot guy — a move that pits her against a beloved instructor. I myself was a C student, and not because my teachers were all busted or nuts (which the majority were), but simply from lack of caring. But if Cameron Diaz was my instructor, my science project would’ve probably been a working time machine. Even though the poor plot might be a little hard to swallow, “Bad Teacher” sure makes up for it in laughs. And I think everyone should be a Jason Segel fan if they’re not already; he’s basically a laugh machine. On a side note, when I was a kid I’d already seen every R-rated comedy from “Porky’s” to “Animal House,” thanks to my Dad. So let’s make a stand. I say make ‘em all R, for the kids’ sake.

THE GREEN LANTERN
Directed by Martin Campbell

You might not know him by name, but director Martin Campbell (“GoldenEye;” “Casino Royale”) has turned his impressive skills toward making Ryan Reynolds (“The Amityville Horror”) believable as a flying, jewelry-wearing crusader in a whole new superhero franchise. Wait, the Green Lantern? The Green Lantern? Really? Is this the bottom of the superhero barrel? You know what, much like Iron Man and Thor, the Green Lantern might be a little unpopular on paper, but in the theater he’s making me feel like bad boyfriend — ’cause baby, you’re the best. And I can’t say that Ryan Reynolds didn’t make the flick better with his sarcastic humor. As an actor he’s hard to swallow, but as the Green Lantern he swooped in save the show. Now if my four-eyed, comic book reading, 12-year-old dork self ever heard me say this he’d clock me, but here goes: “I’m a Green Lantern fan.” And you should be, too.

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON
Directed by Michael Bay

The powerhouse team of Michael Bay (“Bad Boys;” “Transformers”) and Shia Labeouf (“Disturbia”) gear up for the third installment of this kids’ cartoon-turned-adult thrill ride. This movie is easy to sum up: it’s more than meets the eye! Okay, that was easy, but nothing says “summer sci-fi blockbuster” like an evil robot dug up from the moon that can change into whatever it pleases and drop buildings on you. This movie is war on the screen — and was on the set. Apparently when you compare the famously prickly Michael Bay to a certain fascist dictator, he transforms your character into an even hotter character played by a different actor that gets paid more than you did. The Bay don’t play. He certainly brings it, action-wise, so it’s nice to be able to count on him to bring the same quality blockbuster over and over. Upgrading the hot chick is something we can all live with.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Directed by Rob Marshall

Veteran Director Rob Marshall (“Chicago”; “Nine”) takes a crack at the cutthroat Disney fanchise with the fourth installment of “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “On Stranger Tides.” Ol’ Captain Jack (Johnny Depp) has got his compass pointed at the greatest treasure of all — the Fountain of Youth — and it will pit him and his high seas comrades against the most famous pirate of all, Blackbeard (Ian McShane). Something about the summer, the blue ocean, and a Jerry Bruckheimer-produced action flick just make me feel all warm and sweaty outside. First of all, I think we all know that Eroll Flynn ain’t got sh*t on Jack Sparrow, and I think that Ian McShane made a fantastically evil Blackbeard. And when it comes to Penelope Cruz, well… eres muy hermosa. But maybe a pirate’s life isn’t for you. Maybe you hate everything fun. Maybe you don’t like sword fights, artillery duels, or beautiful women. Maybe you don’t want to watch this movie, this weekend, in iMax… 3D. What’s wrong with you?!

The Hangover Part II
Directed by Todd Phillips

The boys are back and they can’t remember what they did again. This movie has “Home Alone 2″ written all over it. That’s right, “They did it again?” Yup. And it’s still awesome. You can’t believe it? Whatever. Is it so hard to fathom that you could be a poisoned amnesiac twice if Zach Galifianakis is your wing man? Yes, this movie is, plotwise, very close to the original, but trust me, that’s not a bad thing — especially if you love this kind of comedy. It’s in situations like this that I remember what an old wise man once told me: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Just do what you do in a different place and say different stuff.”  I will wise man, I will.

Kung Fu Panda 2
Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson

New up-and-coming director Jennifer Yuh Nelson takes on the highly anticipated animated “brick-breaker,” if you will, with “Kung Fu Panda 2.” In this followup, Po, aka “the Dragon Warrior” (voiced by Jack Black), sucks in his gut and wields a new weapon alongside a new batch of butt-kicking kung-fu yellow belts. Do you know why it is that kids these days have such rich and deeply plotted movies to go to? It’s because secretly this movie wasn’t made for them; it was made for you… Dad! This may look like your basic animated animal comedy, but it’s filled with enough action-packed sequences and double entendres to keep you and yours laughing at two totally separate things — at the same time. So even though it’s not a neck breaking, rated-X “Bloodsport 4,” it’s well worth it. And hey, Van Damme does have a part in it. That’s right, “the Muscles from Brussells,,” Mom!

Fast Five
Directed by Justin Lin

Justin Lin, who directed “Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” turns the inigtion on one more time with the dude-bro pentalogy, simply named “Fast Five.” Dom, played by Vin Diesel, and his gang royally break the law again when they try to rip off a Brazilian drug lord for a hundred milly and thwart the trail of a relentless federal agent. Firstly, this movie literally starts off where the last one stopped which is always cool, but I gotta ask: who can think up a movie with this much action? This movie was non-stop and definitely has the biggest body count of any “Fast and Furious” installment. And for as many high-speed car race/chases there are (as expected), there are just as many scenes with Duane “The Rock” Johnson beating the everloving crap out of someone. You might want to watch this movie during the day, because even though you might think you’re to old to be racing your hybrid, I guarantee a lead foot after watching this one.

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night
Directed by Kevin Munroe

Director Kevin Munroe (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”) has fired the animators for a crack at the real world — or the underworld, if you will — with the comic book craze called “Dylan Dog.” These are the exploits of underworld private dick, Dylan Dog, (played by Brandon Routh of “Superman Returns”), as he goes about detecting and hunting down the monsters of the Louisiana bayou, even if he has to raise the dead to do so. This movie basically covered every monster that has any reason to be in an action movie, and when it came to their dispatching, it was easy as a bullet to their zombie heads or silver/brass knuckles to their werewolf jaws. This movie is as comedic as it is gruesome and unholy, with some good comic relief supplied by Sam Huntington (“Detroit Rock City”), who plays Dylan Dog’s zombie sidekick, who proves to be just as gross as he is funny.  I love film noir, I love undead monster flicks, and I love one-liner action movies, so this is a no-brainer. Skip church and get your affairs in order to go see “Dylan Dog.” The kid in you demands it.

Water for Elephants
Directed by Francis Lawrence

In Water for Elephants, director Francis Lawrence (“Constantine;” “I Am Legend”) takes a break from turning R-rated horror books into high action PG-13 flicks so he can make a run for our hearts and make all our girlfriends cry. A veterinary collegian blows off his final exam because of his dead parents and jumps on the train of traveling circus, taking a job fixing up neglected animals, all while starting an affair with the wife of his insane boss. My girlfriend read this book, and I can say that they might as well sell the ticket to the movie with the book, because if she reads it, then we’re definitely seeing it. However, this time my woman’s choice in sappy romance books paid off. I don’t know if I just liked the scenery or the era, but I got into this movie. Of course, watching Christoph Waltz (“Inglorious Basterds”) play his signature crazy person is always fun. But whether it was the love of the timepiece, the story, or just my own dreams of taking a train around the states, I think the filmmakers knew what they were doing by mixing all of the above.

Limitless

Director Neil Burger (“The Illusionist”; “The Lucky Ones”) takes us on a fantasy thrill ride and forces us to open our minds — or watch someone open theirs — in “Limitless.” In it, a writer (played by Bradley Cooper of “Wedding Crashers” and “The Hangover”) is given a top-secret drug that allows him to think with superhuman abilities. First off kids: don’t do drugs and stay in school. Having said that, the sweet-ass drug in this film makes it so you don’t have to go to school at all, as it heightens one’s brain capacity and enables highly efficient multitasking. “Limitless” really surprised me; the subject matter was deep and the movie was full of twists and turns. Sure, DeNiro was good, as always, but it was also good to see Cooper really deliver — like a horse you put ten bucks on coming in first. “Limitless” looks like a real “think piece” from the trailer, but it’s also actually pretty fun. Now was that so hard to swallow? Don’t be stupid.

Paul
Directed by Greg Mottola

The director of “Superbad” and “Adventureland” had me laughing my butt off this weekend with “Paul.” In it, two English comic-book nerds played by Simon Pegg (“Shaun of the Dead”) and Nick Frost (“Hot Fuzz”) travel across the U.S. and encounter an alien (voiced by Seth Rogen) outside Area 51. “Paul” is essentially “E.T.” for college kids. I was not prepared for how funny and lighthearted this movie was, but it’s also a little raunchy and ridiculous in spots. Would it surprise you to know that Kristen Wiig stole the show as the recently un-born again Christian? Rogen was also delightfully on his game as the charming, burnout alien Paul. And if you love Pegg and Frost, you won’t be let down. Be aware, however, that there’s a lot of naked alien in this movie, so if you’re not up to it then maybe you should stay in. Not me though; I’m going to go see it again right now.

Sucker Punch
Directed by Zack Snyder

Taking a break from bouts of Superman anxiety, director Zack Snyder (“Dawn of the Dead”; “300″) offers up the extreme girl power manifesto in “Sucker Punch,” in which a young woman (Emily Browning) is institutionalized by her destructive stepfather. Retreating into her mind to cope, she envisions a plan that will help her escape from the mental hospital. When I first saw the trailer I thought, “No! Don’t make me go see a bunch of super-hot chicks shoot guns on a giant IMAX screen!” Don’t let the commercials fool you, “Sucker Punch” is not just bust sizes and bullets; this bad mother is deep. You have to hand it to Snyder; he delivers more eye candy than a green screen can cover. This movie might seem outlandish, but it’s all about context. …I’m sorry, did I say “context”? I meant to say “Carla Gugino”! Hot dang! So guys, if you meet a girl who lets you go see “Sucker Punch” and doesn’t give you any heartache about it, marry her.

Just Go With It

Director Dennis Dugan (“Grown Ups”; “Big Daddy”) does it again with Adam Sandler (and all those guys Adam Sandler usually makes movies with) in his most recent film, “Just Go With It.” On a weekend trip to Hawaii, a plastic surgeon (Sandler) convinces his loyal assistant (Jennifer Aniston) to pose as his soon-to-be-divorced wife in order to cover up a careless lie he told to his much-younger girlfriend. You know the trailer for this movie with the bikini blonde on the beach? That scene always makes me think of one thing (and no, it doesn’t start with “b” and end with “oobies”): it makes me ask myself whether this is going to be the kind of quintessential Sandler movie I love. Well, the answer my friends is YES, Yes, YESSSSS! This is one of the funniest Sandler vehicles I’ve seen in a long time. A great addition to the cast is the always funny Nick Swardson (“Grandma’s Boy”) who steals the show with his giving CPR to a semi-dead sheep. Good stuff. So if you’re a diehard Sandler fan, or new to his brand of comedy, trust me: try it out. It’s a good year.

Hall Pass
Directed by Bobby and Peter Farrelly

The Farrelly Brothers (“Dumb and Dumber”; “There’s Something About Mary”; “Kingpin”) give us yet another look at what an anti-romantic comedy should be with “Hall Pass.” A married man, played by Owen Wilson, is given permission to have an affair by his wife (Jenna Fischer of “Blades of Glory”) and his best friend, (Jason Sudeikis) comes along for the ride. But things get a little out of control when both wives start engaging in extramarital activities as well. First of all, I have to say that I myself have been offered a hall pass, and in that week of free love, never were there as many laughs, crazy drug use, or hot actresses as in this fictional endeavor. Sudeikis was the real anchor in this flick; his off-the-wall humor and quick-witted improvisational skills showed through with real flair, effectively putting his SNL caterpillar to rest and turning him into the comedic butterfly he’s meant to be. If you like laughing, then check this movie out — unless of course you have a hall pass. In that case, do …other things.

Drive Angry 3D
Directed by Patrick Lussier

Up-and-coming director/editor Patrick Lussier (“Dracula 2000″; “My Bloody Valentine”) has come out of the two-dimensional world and into the future with the hell-raising action of “Drive Angry 3D.” After an angry father (Nicolas Cage) bent on revenge escapes from hell, he sets out after the men who killed his daughter and kidnapped his granddaughter. I have a weird thing for Nic Cage; I watch everything he’s in regardless of what the Internet world might think. And I know that any movie with “3D” in the title can’t be taken seriously, but that’s only if you want to miss the almighty Cage pumping round after round of shotgun shells into your face. And, honestly, do you really want to miss that? Seriously? It’s not just the fast cars, the fast women, or the quick-draw guns that make this movie great, it’s also a religious experience. Just ask the Devil (played here by William Fichtner). Fun movies like this don’t come out all the time — they usually don’t even get made — so go see it in the theater while you get the chance.

THE RITE

In “The Rite”, Colin O’Donoghue (“The Tudors”) plays Michael Kovak, a young American priest who, after enrolling in an Italian exorcism class, meets up with Father Lucas Trevant (Anthony Hopkins), an aging exorcist who may or may not be possessed by the Devil. Exorcism movies usually scare the crap out of me, and this one didn’t disappoint, with Hopkins embracing every chance to creep the viewer out. But if I admit that I didn’t to church directly after seeing this, it’s only because it was closed. Overall, “The Rite” is succesful as a eerily atmospheric horror film. If you liked the original “Exorcist” or any of its predecessors, then you should definitely add this one to your viewing list — for the Bible tells us so.

THE GREEN HORNET
Directed by Michel Gondry

French Director Michael Gondry (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”) has upped the ante — and the budget — from his normal indie style for this blockbuster action remake of the popular radio, film, and television series of old. In this version, Seth Rogen (“Superbad;” “Knocked Up”) plays Brit Reid, a rich socialite who turns to his deceased father’s assistant Kato (Jay Chou) to help him take on the town menace. I was pleasantly surprised at how funny this movie was, and also at the action and thrills Seth Rogen was capable of delivering.  The kung fu fights and inventive camera angles made for an excellent 3D experience that was well worth the price. As with the late ’60s TV series, the real one to watch here is Jay Chou. Though he’s no Bruce Lee, he still puts on a great show. If, like me, you’re a fan of action comedies, then treat yourself to a great film. You could even go just to see Kato in action and still get your money’s worth.

THE MECHANIC
Directed by Simon West

Simon West (“Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”) brings us this heart-pounding rehash of the 1972 Bronson classic. In it, Steve McKenna, played by Ben Foster (“3:10 to Yuma;” “30 Days of Night”), is pulled under the wing of veteran hitman Arthur Bishop (Jason Statham of “Snatch,” and “The Transporter” franchise) after his father is assassinated. I’ve always been a big fan of the Bronson original, but trust me when I say that this update is not just a mirror-image of the original — it’s all kinds of new. Statham and Foster make a great pair as they deliver cool — and sometimes sick — new ways of killing the ones who deserve it. This is a new kind of assassin/retribution flick, the kind in which the hitmen take off their silencers and start throwing grenades. Go watch this one. It’s got great acting, great action, and a great plot. So, Charles Bronson, eat your heart out. (No disrespect.)

True Grit

The Coen Brothers have teamed up again to make their parents proud with the retelling of the classic John Wayne period piece, “True Grit.” In this newer — some would say better — version, Jeff Bridges plays Rooster Cogburn, a trigger-happy marshall who, when hired by a young girl to find her father’s killer, finds himself involved in a “who’s the better lawman” battle when a young Texas Ranger (played by Matt Damon) joins the hunt. I’m a huge fan of Westerns, and this movie did not disappoint the cowboy in me. On top of the vivid cinematography and excellent cast, this “True Grit” also offers some of the best dialogue I’ve heard in years. If you liked the original, or if you like John Wayne, then give this updated classic a look. You may find yourself liking the Coen brothers a lot more, too.

TRON: Legacy
Directed by Jospeh Kosinski

Disney has handed the keys to their titanium movie vault over to director Joseph Kosinski for the highly-anticipated sequel to 1982′s techno hit “Tron.” In “Tron: Legacy,” Garrett Hedlund (“Eragon;” “Four Brothers”) plays Sam, the son of famous software designer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), who is “dot-matrixed” into the digital world to find his father trapped by an evil digital twin. This is not your dad’s “Tron,” kids. Though the original was a glowing, special effects thrill ride, and we loved it, “Legacy” improves on it with a capably updated storyline and highly improved visuals. Yes, the woman are way more sexy, the villains are way creepier, and the effects go overboard at times, but wouldn’t you be “F-eckted” if you were struck in half by a glowing discus? Well you should be — it’s “Tron”! This is eye candy for the thinking man, so it’s high time you popped for the 3D glasses.

The Fighter
Directed by David O. Russell

Veteran filmmaker David O. Russell (“I Heart Huckabees;” “Three Kings”) tells the inspiring true story about would-be burnout turned boxing legend Mickey Ward. In this against-the-odds fight flick, Mark Wahlberg plays Ward, a down-on-his-luck boxer who, with the help of his ex-boxer half-brother, played by Christian Bale, goes on to become the light welterweight champ. I have seen the actual Ward/Gatti fights and the HBO “High on Crack Street” documentary, so I feel like I know these two men, or at least their passion and fury. It’s no small feat that Wahlberg and Bale’s performances endeared them to me even more. What’s more, the fight scenes inside and outside of the ring are gripping and heartfelt. This is a movie about overcoming fears, putting the past behind you, and fighting for a future. It is, after all, a new year, so we could all use a little bit of that.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

Seasoned Harry Potter director David Yates (“Order of the Phoenix” and “The Half-Blood Prince”) brings us the first of part in an epic two-part finale of J. K. Rowling’s popular saga. In this installment, Harry Potter is given the task of destroying Valdemort’s evil Horcruxes before the diabolical man-witch can summon the Deathly Hallows, a collection of three sacred objects that give the owner unlimited power. Man, this mess got out of hand really quickly… I think it’s safe to say that this movie just stepped up the Harry Potter franchise several notches, with way more adult-based content and the best plot line I’ve seen emerge from the series.  I’m not sure what’s going to happen in the next installment, a 3-D outing set to be released this summer, but I can safely say that for the first time since the films started coming out I actually can’t wait. So if you’re like me, and hate reading books — especially Harry Potter books — then check out this film version. It’s pretty good (I can’t believe I just said that).

Faster

The streets are lit up with the sounds of gunshots and screeching tires in this action-packed revenge thriller directed by George Tillman, Jr. (“Notorious;” “Men of Honor”). Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (“Get Smart;” “The Mummy Returns”) plays a released convict hellbent on killing the men who murdered his brother all while outrunning a cunning cop played by Billy Bob Thornton (“Bad Santa;” “Slingblade”). First off, I’d like to start by saying that I like The Rock. That’s right, I can smell what he’s cookin’ and to me it always tastes good, and I couldn’t wait for this movie to come out. The fact that it was also one of the Rock’s first R-rated films really helped push me into the theater. I’m not gonna beat around the bush; here’s my advice: Go see this movie! … ‘Cause I said so.

The Next Threes Days

This intense action/thinker is the brainchild of veteran screenwriter turned Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis (“Crash”).  In this tension-based plot, Russell Crowe plays John Brennan, a college instructor who, when his wife Lara (played by Elizabeth Banks) is accused of a murder she didn’t commit, is forced to go against the system and break her out of prison. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always wondered what limits I would go to for a family member or friend… There’s just something about a righteous prison break that gets the blood pumping, and on that count, this movie did not disappoint. Crowe did good approximating the fear of a first-time escape artist, and his honest effort helped did a lot toward grounding an otherwise outlandish plot. “The Next Three Days” is a smart piece — some might even call it “educational” — but don’t go getting get any ideas… Unless you absolutely have to.

Paranormal Activity 2

Director Tod Williams gives us the scary reprisal of Oren Peli’s “Paranormal Activity,” well-received documentary-style horror hit. ”Paranormal Activity 2″ stars Sprague Grayden as Kristi, a new mother, and Brian Boland as her husband Dan, both of whom are haunted by a devious entity that seems to want their newborn child. I soon came to find out that this is kind of a prequel — or I guess, a kind of “simulsequel” — to the first installment. Convenient? Well, not for this poor family. The scares in this film offer the same kind of nail-biting tension we came to love from the original. The storyline, while deep and demented, is very believable. And, if you ask me, it’s much more entertaining since you get to see more. Instead of just one camera setup, the family went all-out with the home Brinks security system.  Sadly, their plan doesn’t protect against murderous demonic spirits. If you like cheap thrills and getting scared, and don’t mind night vision cameras, then go see this movie. Just approach it as a demon defense training video that shows you what not to do.

Jackass 3D
Directed by Jeff Tremaine

Johnny Knoxville and his nutjob friends are back for the third installment of the MTV spin-off, wherein brutally hilarious pranks and stunts are put to the test. Since this is considered a documentary and is pretty much void of any plot, I’ll just say this: Bam Margera almost dies, Steve-O almost dies, and Ryan Dunn almost dies. Also, before I start to review this film, I think it’s important to note that you can literally look this movie up on IMDB by the keywords: “covered in feces.” You can also see a good amount of regurgitation; with the help of the “Super-Speed Phantom HD Camera,” the Jackass family are the first to offer super-slow-motion vomit coming at you in 3D. This movie doesn’t disappoint; the intro set piece alone had me rolling in my seat. There are many smaller inventive stunts that are hard to explain, like “The Rocky,” which involves punching a person in the face with a boxing glove while throwing water at them with another hand. Look, this movie isn’t just about what the human body can and can’t take, it’s also about friendship, laughter, and having a good time. …And it’s also about poop.

Saw 3D
Directed by Kevin Greutert

“Saw 3D” is the last installment of the most popular of the torture genre films, effectively ending the brutal reign of the “Halloween” box office franchise. In it, a group of Jigsaw survivors gathers to seek the advice of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen, played by Sean Patrick Flannery (“Boondock Saints;” “Simply Irresistible”). First of all, I have to say that I’ve never really been a fan of torture movies; they gross me out, and I spend so much of the movie looking away that sometimes I don’t even know what’s happening. But man, they really went all-out on this last “Saw” film. Any movie that features someone removing their own teeth without anesthesia is serious about turning things up to eleven. While the first film often made for some thought-provoking scenes, “Saw 3D” dispenses with all semblance of meaning and goes straight for the throat. Lucky for us it’s the final chapter in the series.

Machete

Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez (“Planet Terror;” “Spy Kids”) has given us yet another ultra-violent, star-studded exploitation flick with “Machete.” Danny Trejo (“Heat;” “Desperado”) plays Machete, an ex-federale working as a Texas laborer. Machete is helped along the way by Immigration Agent Santana Rivera (Jessica Alba) after a close encounter with evil Senator Senator McLaughlin, played by Robert De Niro. I would go into more detail, but the plot is extremely deep and there are just too many cast members to mention. This isn’t your basic shoot ‘em up, but it is a shoot ‘em up nonetheless. There are a lot of humorous references to past Rodriguez films here, so for a buff like me it was probably more entertaining than others might find. The highlight for me was — and stay with me here — was Machete’s archenemy, played by Steven Seagal. Yeah, that’s right, Seagal. And even though the role was small, it was hilarious, and intentionally so. Basically, you know what you’re going to get with “Machete” just by looking at the poster, and if you love over-the-top violence then this is the one for you… Or maybe you just want to see Lindsay Lohan take her top off. Either way, good flick.

Devil
Directed by John Erick Dowdle

Director John Erick Dowdle (“Quarantine”) and M. Night Shyamalan (“The Sixth Sence;” “Signs”) answers the age-old question: Does the Devil take the elevator or the stairs? In “Devil,” five people, including Bojana Novakovic (“Edge of Darkness”) and Bokeem Woodbine (“Dead Presidents”), are trapped in an elevator and soon realize that the devil is among them. Not only is “Devil” a very original story, it also had a lot of really good build-up and action at the right moments. Another plus was Chris Messina (“Julie and Julia”), who played Detective Bowden; he was really the main character here (other than Lucifer) — at least he commanded this film like he was. And of course with every movie that M. Night Shyamalan has something to do with, there is that late plot twist that we all not only expect now but require. So if you’re Christian, claustrophobic or afraid of heights, this one’s going to scare you. Plus, if you ever do get stuck in the lift with the Devil you’ll probably have wanted to see this. Might help break the ice.

The Town
Directed by Ben Affleck

A lot of people may think Ben Affleck is nothing more than a mediocre actor, but after watching “The Town” you’ll wise up to the fact that Affleck is an amazing director, writer, and actor. “The Town” will leave you begging for more. Affleck plays a longtime Charlestown bank-robber who has feelings for a bank manager connected to one of his earlier heists, as does the FBI agent (John Hamm of “Mad Men”) looking to bring him and his crew down. I’ve always wondered why after writing such a sharp movie like “Good Will Hunting” that Affleck has done nothing of note since. My eyes where opened after I saw “Gone Baby Gone,” and I finally had a new appreciation for “the Fleck.” But when I walked into the theater on Saturday morning I was nothing less than blown away by “The Town.” Not only was it a quintessential heist movie, but also a great drama/love story. The action had elements of realistic but out-of-this-world chaos, rattling the camera with gunfire and shell casings. Affleck was great as was Hamm. In every anti-hero movie the good cop always is always the bad guy, and man can Hamm play the hard-nosed stickler to a tee. It’s a given that if you’re from Massachusetts you’re gonna see this one; they probably let kids out early up there for it. My girlfriend is from Brockton, so I’m going have to see it at least ten more times — and that’s just fine with me.

Director Adam McKay (“Talladega Nights;” “Step Brothers”) and veteran funny man Will Ferrell have brought us yet another hilarious, action-packed comedy as only they could. ”The Other Guys” is a story about police detectives Allen Gamble (Ferrell) and Terry Hoitz (Mark Walberg), who are forced to sit at their desks as other cops pull in exciting busts. This all changes when top cops P.K. Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson) and Christopher Danson (Dwayne Johnson) are killed in a comedic accident while on the job. My first thought before seeing this film was that it might be the same kind of improv comedy we’ve seen in other McKay/Farrell flicks, and in many ways it is. Allen Gamble isn’t the average Farrell character we’re used to seeing, as he’s a very happy-to-do-paperwork kind of cop, but when stuck in sticky situations he loses his cool in typical Ferrell fashion. Walberg’s character is quite the opposite; he’s the quintessential top cop who is forced into mundane office work after accidentally mistaking baseball legend Derek Jeter for a petty thief and shooting him in the leg during the playoffs. Another plus for me was Michael Keaton in the role of Captain Gene Mauch. It’s great to see him in a high-budget comedy again. If you think this is just going to be another Will Ferrell schtickfest, you’d be right. But what the heck is wrong with that?

The Expendables
Directed by Sylvester Stallone

Sylvestor Stallone has pulled out all the stops, called in all his favors, and maybe blackmailed every star he’s ever worked with to bring us — and I can’t believe I’m saying this — a pretty damn cool action flick. Barney Ross, played by Stallone, leads a team of musclebound mercenaries (among them Jason Statham, Jet Lee, Randy Couture; the list literally goes on and on) to South America to do what they do best: kill hundreds of people. Okay, that wasn’t the best synopsis, but trust me, it’s pretty accurate. I was expecting this movie to be ridiculous, but I’ve got to tell you it had that old “Commando” meets “Rambo” 80′s flare that I loved as a kid. This time, it comes with all the modern special effects we’ve come to expect from a Hollywood shoot ‘em up. Each and every one of the actors in this movie had a special skill, which covered pretty much every weapon in the ’80′s action star arsenal; people got stabbed, people got shot, and the one-liners were delivered in perfect harmony. So if you don’t want to think about the movie you’re watching and just want to have a grand old bloody time, check out “The Expendables.” Well worth the expense.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Directed by Edgar Wright

Director Edgar Wright (“Hot Fuzz;” “Shaun of the Dead”) has given us another out-of-this-world comedy with the comic book-turned-movie version of “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” Michael Cera (“Arrested Development;” “Super Bad”) plays Scott Pilgrim, a simpleton bass player with has a fairly regular life. But when the beautiful Ramona Powers enters his world and his dreams, his life turns around — especially when he’s forced to battle her seven evil exes. To tell you the truth, I never read this comic; I didn’t even know it was a comic. When I saw the trailer, I thought I was watching a Japanese video game promo. But to my surprise, I really enjoyed the over-the-top, anime-style fighting scenes — so long as it was interrupted with that “Shaun of the Dead”-influenced comedy Edgars does so well. Another highlight of this film for me was the character of Lucas Lee, played by Chris Evans (“Sunshine;” “Street Kings”). I don’t why, but this kid makes me laugh in that hokey, slapstick kind of way. So basically, if you’re a teenager enthralled with the super-budget, Hollywood comic book re-make world, I don’t need to tell you to see this film. But if you’re that kid’s parent and you’re more interested in seeing that new Clooney flick coming out later this month, this movie can help you pass the time.

Predators

Producer Robert Rodriguez (“Sin City”; “Desperado”) has employed up-and-coming director Nimród Antal (“Control”; “Armored”) to direct the latest episode of the “Predator” franchise. Royce, played by Adrien Brody (“The Pianist”), leads a group of soldiers from different origins through an alien jungle after being sedated dropped into a Predator game preserve. At its core, this installment is a throwback to the ’80s Schwarzenegger original but with a few new twists. There’s nothing better than science fiction mixed with action, yet in this case, there’s so much more in the way of blood and thrills that it should be really be categorized as an alien slasher flick. The only things missing here are Action Jackson and Arnie, though “Predators” makes up for it with an impressive cast, including Topher Grace (“Spider-Man 3″) as Edwin, the young doctor, and Danny Trejo (“Heat”) as Cuchillo the cartel enforcer. Even veteran actor Laurence Fishburne (“The Matrix”) makes a small cameo as a hunted survivor from previous Predator excursions. Bonuses are all the imaginative futuristic weaponry on view, from the mini-gun and full auto shotgun Brody’s character carries to the Predators’ laser cannon and the arm-knife slashing thingy. It’s also exciting to see the little guy get the better of a Predator, even if it’s just for a moment before the Predator rips his spine out through his keister. If you’ve decided to see “Predators” you probably know what you’re getting into; if you’re new to the series, it’s okay to start with this one and work your way back later.

Eclipse
Directed by David Slade

Director David Slade (“30 Days of Night”; “Hard Candy”) brings us the third installment of Stephanie Meyer’s “Twilight” saga, in which a teenage girl named Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is in the midst of dating 100-year-old vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) while leading on Indian werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). Edward and Jacob are sworn enemies but are brought together to fight an army of newborn vampires bent on pillaging cities and turning any and every teenager they can find into one of their own. I have a lot of problems with this film — the werewolves are just dudes who morph into huge, cute Lassie-like dogs and the vampires don’t die but merely “sparkle” when exposed to sunlight — but it’s all in good, escapist fun, as the movies and books are obviously intended for teenage girls (and, apparently, my 29-year-old girlfriend). Bearing that in mind, “Eclipse” is filled with more action, cool flashbacks, and supernatural magic tricks than its predecessors. So what if there are over ten scenes in which Bella, Edward, and Jacob discuss the same topic as if they hadn’t already covered it before numerous times? Listen: if you’re a thirty-something guy who’s forced to watch this, there’s a good chance you may not hate it. If you’re a 15-year old girl, on the other hand, you’ll freakin’ love it.

Inception
Directed by Christopher Nolan

“Inception” asks the age-old question, “Are we living in a dream world?”… and proceeds to ask it like fifty-two times in two hours. I actually loved this movie; you can always count on Nolan (“The Dark Night”; “Insomnia”) to give you your money’s worth. “Inception” revolves around freelance “dream spy” Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) who, with the help of Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Ariadne (Ellen Page of “Juno” fame), is given a mission to spy on unsuspecting billionaire businessman Robert Fischer, Jr. (Cillian Murphy of “Batman Begins”) while he sleeps. This is one of those movies that layers plot upon a plot and revels in keeping you guessing for the duration. In a way, one could describe “Inception” as intellect-teasing fantasy noir, but I enjoyed it on a more visceral level. It’s visually striking and offers some great acting, especially from relative newcomer Tom Hardy (“RocknRolla;” “Bronson”) as a charismatic forger who can change his appearance within people’s dreams. The majority of my friends speak in hushed, reverent tones about this film, and describe it as the pinnacle of motion picture genius; in fact, I even heard someone shout out “Genius!” as I left the theater. In my opinion, “Inception” was very good and highly entertaining… though not as much Nolan’s “Dark Knight.” That said, if you’re going to the theater and don’t want to be let down, then put your hard-earned money on “Inception.”

The A-Team

Hollywood has brought us yet another television remake with “The A-Team,” but this time they’ve employed veteran indie filmmaker Joe Carnahan (“Smoking Aces;” “Narc”) to write and direct. Even though he’d cast two fantastic actors — Liam Neeson (“Batman Begins;” “Darkman”) as Col. John “Hannibal” Smith and Bradley Cooper (“The Hangover;” “Wedding Crashers”) as Lt. Templeton “Faceman” Peck — I was still on the ropes about this movie and was hesitant to watch another remake destroy my childhood memories. You see, when I was a kid, I loved the A-Team. I had it all — the t-shirt, the lunchbox — and I pitied all fools. So as I walked into the theater, the title credits appeared and I prepared myself for my inner child’s heart being broken. But I can tell you in all honesty that my anxiety was for nothing, as this was the best television adaptation of a film I have ever seen. The action was extreme and over-the-top, but was ultimately expected, and even appreciated because of the comedy it was sure to ignite between the Team. The highlight of the film was the lunatic-redneck-pilot Murdock (my favorite character from the show, played here by South African actor Shartlo Copley of “District 9″) whose crazy antics stole the show. Some people might be a little miffed about UFC champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s interpretation of Mr. T’s Cpl. Bosco “B.A.” Baracus, but what would you expect? He’s not an actor, he’s a UFC fighter, and Mr. T was a bouncer long before he was the original “Bad Ass.” Overall — even though you might not believe it — this film was well cast, well written, and fun. And I can safely say that I pity the fool who doesn’t see “The A-Team.”

Grown Ups
Directed by Dennis Dugan

Adam Sandler (“Little Nicky;” “Big Daddy”) brings us another of his Sandler-styled movies. This time, he’s called in some of his legendary friends from their SNL years: David Spade (“Joe Dirt;” “Lost and Found”), Chris Rock (“Down to Earth;” “Pootie Tang”) and, of course, Rob Schneider (“Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo”). When I went to see “Grown Ups” I have to say I didn’t expect much more than your basic, run-of-the-mill comedy. What I got was an old-school Sandler film that was a little weird and a little family oriented. I think the problem with my outlook on the film was that some of the roles where strangely cast — Rock as the whipped, stay-at-home dad and Rob Schneider as the holistic MD with a fetish for much, much older women. Spade and Kevin James (“Paul Blart: Mall Cop”) played the same roles they usually do — Spade as the woman crazy single guy and James as the overweight down-and-out dad. Of course Sandler has placed himself in the lead as Lenny Feder, the rich film agent with a way-too-hot-for-him wife and three spoiled kids. The overall premise of the movie was to teach the gathered children the kind of friendship and fun that can happen during an Indian summer, and that matters too. But did I mention that the movie was weird? Like the French kisses between Schneider’s character and his 65-year-old wife? Or when James’ 4-year-old son still breastfeeds? Not funny weird, just weird. I must seem like I’m coming down on “Grown Ups,” but it does have its upsides… like Salma Hayek as Sandler’s wife. I’m not sure what she did for the film, but hubba-hubba. Also, Sandler feels the need to insert the most direct circumstances — death; divorce – into his comedies, but he does have a great outlook and everything always seems to work out in the end. And I like that. If you like those quirky Sandler flicks many have come to know and love, then you’ll probably like this one. Just prepare yourself to be a little weirded out.

Get Him to the Greek
Directed by Nicholas Stoller

In “Get Him to the Greek,” director Nicholas Stoller brings us a sort of sequel/spin-off of “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” (his previous film). In the similarly-plotted “Greek,” young studio executive Aaron Green, played by Jonah Hill (“Superbad;” “Funny People”), talks his label owner Sergio Roma (Sean “P. Diddy” Combs) into putting on a reunion concert with failed musician Aldous Snow (British funnyman Russell Brand). First off, “Get Him to the Greek” is very funny and is definitely worth the ticket and popcorn. I’ve always loved Jonah Hill — not just from “Superbad,” but in almost everything I’ve seen him in. Even though his character here is a little more quiet and reserved, he still pulls out his trademark rampant outbursts of non-stop line delivery. Also, I’ve had a lot of my friends tell me about their hesitance to see this film merely because of P. Diddy’s casting, but I have to say that I was very surprised with how funny he actually was. (There’s one scene in particular involving him and a psychedelic drug called “The Jeffrey,” and Diddy had me laughing and rolling out of my seat.) However, I feel I must warn you that on a few occasions there were some very dramatic scenes that came out of Brand’s character due to his drug addiction; they were a little out of the box for this kind of comedy, yet they didn’t affect my favorable impressions of the film overall. “Greek” was one of those drug-induced adventure movies that had me in a catch-22; I had to go to the bathroom, but didn’t because I hated to miss anything. But with all the laughing, I had to go. Having said that, “Get Him to the Greek” almost made me pee my pants. Go see it.

Robin Hood
Directed by Ridley Scott

Ridley Scott, well known for directing stunning historical epics, has given us a new version of the classic Robin Hood tale. Previews of raging battle scenes and stars Russell Crowe (as Robin) and Cate Blanchett (as Maid Marian) had me filled with anticipation for this new twist on the popular legend. I was surprised to discover how different “Robin Hood 2010″ was from the tale I’m used to, especially in regards to critical positions of the commonly accepted story, and these key changes may be too much for some viewers. I think that if I hadn’t entered the theater with thoughts of the classic Robin Hood swimming in my brain, I’d have enjoyed the movie much more; if the studio had called it “The New Robin Hood,” I’d have been less shocked. Now if you can separate yourself from that issue, then you might just find yourself entertained by a pretty good battle flick. As it was, I did enjoy it, but still found my opinions bouncing up and down throughout the duration. Crowe did a terrific job most of the time, but seemed to be barely applying himself in several key scenes. Blanchett was awesome, in keeping with her knack for nailing each of her “strong woman” roles. Unfortunately, there just wasn’t enough cohesiveness throughout the “Robin Hood” to make it the great film it should have been.

Iron Man 2
Directed by Jon Favreau

I actually felt a strong buzz of anticipation for this hotly awaited sequel, which may just be the biggest movie of the year. But I think the buzz had everything to do with the charismatic Tony Stark character and the equally charismatic Robert Downey, Jr. and less to do with the gadgety Iron Man suit(s). Downey, Jr. did another terrific job in the role of Stark, so good that it seemed like the character was made expressly for him. More often than not, big budget movies have to decide between explosive special effects and great actors, but “Iron Man 2″ was perfectly well rounded — it offers great special effects and terrific acting. It has the same feel, sense of humor, and flashy style as the first, which is important to the overall success of any franchise (case in point: “Batman”), but went the extra mile by beefing up the supporting cast to include Sam Rockwell (“Choke;” “Matchstick Men”) as Hammer (Starks’ closest thing to a business competitor), Don Cheadle (“Brooklyn’s Finest;” “Ocean’s Thirteen”) is now the new Rhodes, and Scarlett Johansson (“Lost in Translation;” “The Island”) stars as Natalie, Starks’ sexy new personal assistant. The only negative criticism I have is that there was far too much advertising and crass product placement for my taste — but even then, the products themselves were really cool. Most sequels are never as good as the original, and that’s certainly the case with “2,” but the new cast and attention paid to character development make it pretty close to “Iron Man’s” equal. Do watch the first before seeing this one though, and you’ll enjoy it considerably more.

Date Night
Directed by Shawn Levy

At first, “Date Night” looked set to be your basic run-of-the-mill comedy stuffed into the can to turn a quick buck. The fact that it stars it Steve Carell (“The Office;” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”) and Tina Fey (“30 Rock”) gave me hope for some hilarious moments, and for the most part, I wasn’t let down. They’re both such comedic geniuses that they ably carry a boring plot while managing to make it much funnier than it must have appeared on paper. In the film, Carell and Fey are Phil and Claire Foster, a married couple who are both productive and extremely efficient parents and spouses. Both agree their life is a boring one, but they’re not quite sure what to do about it. Upon hearing that two of their close friends are getting divorced, Phil and Claire try to spice up their marriage, starting with a date night in the city. When they’re unable to get a table at an upscale restaurant, they decide to steal another couple’s reservation, which puts them in a rather sticky situation with an organized crime syndicate. The story itself is nothing worth leaving your house for, but the comedic synergy between these two talented comedians make this a laugh-filled ride, highly worthy of an average date night.

Clash of the Titans

The new remake of “Clash of the Titans” is sure to get bad reviews from most critics, and while I can’t disagree with their reasoning, I must admit that despite the poor acting and awful plot I enjoyed it tremendously. I have fond memories of the original and recall watching it on TV often back in the ’80s, as it seems to have been played twice a year between different stations. For those of you unfamiliar with the original version, “Clash of the Titans” is the story of Perseus, the son of Zeus. Perseus, who is no fan of the Greek deities, is caught in a power struggle between his father and Hades (god of the underworld). Though he detests both, he’s obligated to take sides in order to honor his adopted family and to keep Hades from destroying the earth. I once heard that the original was considered by some film authority to be the worst movie ever made. Even as a child I noticed its flaws, but loved it nonetheless; its clunky stop-motion animation and weak acting were the source of its charm. Director Louis Leterrier, whether by luck or concerted effort, took the same original approach with this modern-day version of the cult classic. Yet one of the problems I had with this remake was the lame attempt at making it 3-D well after the movie was in the can. With out the appropriate cameras and planning, the 3-D version seems hastily thrown together in order to capitalize on the current visual trend. Casting “Avatar” star Sam Worthington in the role of Perseus was another poor decision. I wasn’t sold on his talent in “Avatar” and was further convinced by his lackluster performance here. The crew obviously hadn’t intended to make a low-grade B-movie, but you certainly should approach it with that mindset. Taken with a grain of salt, “Clash of the Titans” is a good time, best enjoyed in good ol’ fashioned 2-D.

Kick Ass
Directed by Matthew Vaughn

The folks in Hollywood, true to their nature of milking trends until moviegoers can take no more, have made yet another superhero movie. “Kick Ass”, adapted from a comic created by Mark Millar and John S. Romita, Jr., is the story of everyday people who become vigilantes. While “Kick Ass” is essentially another unoriginal idea, it is does stand alone in its genre. This is the story of humans who decide to become superheroes, unlike those few who are traditionally born with innate superpowers. The film also acts as kind of a spoof, which is well-timed, considering the current onslaught of comic book-based movies. I found “Kick Ass” to be far more action-packed than I expected, and it earns its solid R-rating. This isn’t a child-safe Spidey-inspired offshoot, but a raw, violent, swear-filled film. As such, “Kick Ass” doesn’t warrant plot discussion or acting critique, but I don’t believe either subject was ever intended as a selling point. “Kick Ass” is all about attitude and teenage rebellion meant for a video game-obsessed generation. It is, however, a fun movie, and you’ll probably find yourself enjoying it when you’re not busy being disgusted by the violence and language spoken by the young actors. I will say that the film does aim to address the degradation and desensitization of America’s youth, and while it is food for thought, it doesn’t keep “Kick Ass” from being a something of a letdown.

The Losers
Directed by Sylvain White

“The Losers” is another film based on a comic book, one of same name by Andy Diggle. It revolves around a group of elite government operatives (among them Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Chris Evans, Idris Elba, and Columbus Short) who are double crossed and then hunted because of what they know. Of course, they are out for revenge, and fight to win back their lives. Director Sylvain White did a good job of taking a bland, overdone plot and making it cool. He saves “The Losers” from being forgettable by giving it a slick visual style, efforts that rescue it being a generic, “A-Team”-type outing. “The Losers” is pretty mind-numbing, filled with cheesy effects, bad one-liners, random, ensemble casting, and an utterly predictable plot, but somehow Evans manages to make it entertaining. If you like chaotic action films, you’ll like “The Losers”; it’s a bit like “Mission Impossible” crossed with one of the “Ocean’s Eleven” franchise films with out the stellar cast, budget, or high-quality special effects. If the senseless action genre isn’t your cup of tea, then it’s likely you’ll feel like a loser yourself once the ending credits start rolling.

Alice in Wonderland

“I’ve never been so captivated being let down.”

Once again, Tim Burton got me all wound up on hype, lured me in with Johnny Depp and the promise of visual spectacle… and left me utterly disappointed. The tool he used this time was his rendition of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Burton, who hasn’t really excited me since “Beetlejuice,” took what could have been perhaps one of the most amazing character-driven movies ever and stripped it of any soul by overdoing it in the CGI department and patching poor dialogue together. The acting, script, plot, and individual scenes offered such poor continuity that I had to ask myself whether Burton has any talents beyond an eye for set design. Luckily, when it comes to the purely visual, Burton is amazing. It’s such a waste not to have put the talent of the actors involved to better use, especially when one of them is Johnny Depp. Nonetheless, “Alice in Wonderland” is a spectacular feast for the eyes, and as such, works great in 3-D.

Brooklyn’s Finest
Directed by Antoine Fuqua

“What is it with Richard Gere and prostitutes?”

“Brooklyn’s Finest” is exactly what you expect it to be. Directed by the guy who brought us “Training Day,” “Brooklyn” is a classic cop movie, in which we get to see the human side of a bad cop. Loaded with great actors, including Richard Gere, Wesely Snipes, Ethan Hawke, and Don Cheadle, the movie offers a lot of appeal, and it will deliver — for the most part. It’s stocked with all the tried-and-true cop film tropes: backstabbing, secret agendas, moral crimes… Oh, and Richard Gere falls in love with a hooker. While there’s nothing spectacular about this “Brooklyn’s Finest,” there’s also nothing overwhelmingly bad about it. It will take its place among the other simply good representatives of the cop film genre, despite its horrible ending.

She’s Out of My League
Directed by Jim Field

“Oddly good and undeniably funny.”

With a cast of next-to-nobodies and unmentionables at best, you’d think this R-rated tangle of every date movie cliché in the book would be a surefire flop. However, I was shocked to find myself genuinely laughing a lot. The acting was as bad as the plot, but the actors had fun with what they were given, thereby saving the movie from being completely repulsive. I must congratulate the cast for taking horrible lines and making them hilarious. “She’s Out of My League” is definitely a sleeper; it will get a slow start, but people will hear that it’s funny, and before you know it, most of us will have seen it at least twice. Expect to see it floating around shortly on DVD and pay-per-view.

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief

“Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief” is the fun, heartwarming tale of a teenage boy who lives a in a low-income neighborhood with his loving mother in the home of a drunken and abusive man. Through the culmination of freakish events, Percy discovers that he is a demigod, part of an elite group of people (all of whom are teenagers, for some reason) who are the half-blood offspring of the Greek gods of mythology. If that were not amazing enough, Percy himself is also something of a rarity among the group, a son of Poseidon (god of the sea) and one of the three ruling brothers of Olympus. When Zeus discovers that his lightning bolt has been stolen, he blames Percy — which is probably due to the Olympian family’s tendency to be overthrown by their children. Percy, true to the demigods’ own peculiar tendencies to become heroes, must find and return Zeus’ lightning bolt in order to save the world from being torn apart by an Olympian war. The acting by Logan Lerman (Percy), and cohorts Catherine Keener and Brandon T. Jackson was on the level of one of the “Chronicles of Narnia” or “Harry Potter” films, and as such, should do well with that target audience. The movie did attempt to say something about the state of family values in the world today, but I don’t know if director Chris Columbus was trying to make a point about their degradation, or whether he simply accepting them for what they’ve become. Overall, “Percy Jackson” is a fun, quality movie that’s also safe for the kids.

The Wolfman
Directed by Joe Johnston

“The Wolfman” may just be the movie I’ve waited my entire life to see. Director Joe Johnston made all the right decisions while making this adaptation from the 1941 horror flick of the same name. During an era in Hollywood when every studio is clamoring over which movie or television show to remake and improve through their own skewed vision, Johnston wisely keeps the same spirit, look, and acting motivation of the original film. Casting Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins against each other was another great call. Del Toro did a great job of expressing the struggles suffered by his “inner beast” and Hopkins was amazing as his emotionless father. Both carried themselves in the mannered, antiquated acting style of cinema’s Golden Age, and with such expertise that they kept “The Wolfman” from deteriorating into corniness. The decision to use more makeup and less special effects could have been a dangerous one were it not for the skill of the ensemble cast. I will say that the love connection between Lawrence Talbot (Del Toro) and Gwen (Emily Blunt), his dead brother’s fiancée, could have been developed and portrayed better, but luckily for them, no one came to see a romance. People go to see a movie like “The Wolfman” to see a man change into a slathering beast and to see plenty of savage gore. On that count, the movie is a huge success. Go see “The Wolfman” and prepare to experience a new era of filmmaking that doesn’t let any of your modern expectations down.

Shutter Island
Directed by Martin Scorsese

I must admit that initially I was a little hesitant to see “Shutter Island.” I wasn’t looking forward to a scary, suspenseful film, but being unable to deny myself a dose Martin Scorsese, I gave in. I was relieved to find “Shutter Island” to be easy on my nerves and suspenseful in ways that only supported the plot. Leonardo DiCaprio did a great job (as he always does under Scorsese) playing the part of Teddy Daniels, a U.S. Marshal investigating the disappearance of a patient from the country’s most unique mental hospital. Teddy’s investigation soon deepens when other issues (such as the death of his own wife) come to light. This movie is certainly of the plot-twisting variety, but I am sorry to say that any film savvy member of the audience will quickly unravel the mystery far sooner than the film intended. That being said, “Shutter Island” is still an awesome effort thanks to Scorsese’s touch. Without his talent, “Shutter Island” might have been forgettable, but Scorsese seamlessly melds his creative passion and technical talents to captivate the audience — and it works. “Shutter Island” is a hard movie to review, because for one, it’s difficult to not give away any of the plot surprises, and secondly, because Scorsese has a knack for making movies that leave you thinking about them long after they’ve ended. Scorsese films are never cut-and-dry; there’s always room for interpretation and always plenty of food for thought. “Shutter Island” is absolutely absorbing, and a great film. Scorsese, its real star, lives up to his lauded reputation, and this is a stellar addition to his filmography.

The Book of Eli
Directed by Albert Hughes
In this post-apocalyptic action/drama flick, Denzel Washington wanders a scorched and barren earth as a man with a divine mission. Washington’s character, Eli, has possession of the last bible on earth, and he has dedicated his life to preserving the word of God. The plot of the movie is relatively slow (and doesn’t quite support the surprise at the end of the film), but an action scene always seems to pop up just in the nick of time to save “Eli” from being a terribly boring movie. I could have used less of the slow bits and more of the lightning-fast scenes, but the ratio is not too far out of whack. This is a good film, though not because of the plot or acting, but because of the cinematography. The movie is shot in sepia tones, giving it a very cool, grayscale feel. “Eli” should be seen in the theater in order to get the most out of what makes it such a great experience; viewed in any other medium might make it considerably less entertaining. Something like “The Postman” meets “Road Warrior” mixed in with a little bit of “Waterworld” and a dash of some old-fashioned John Wayne, “The Book of Eli” is a cool flick, and one well worth the admission price.

Up In The Air
Directed by Jason Reitman
There have been many movies of late that aim to entertain us with stories of let-downs, heartbreaks, and other glum events that either turn out to be turning points or devastations for the main characters. Jason Reitman’s (“Juno;” “Thank you for Smoking”) character-driven drama “Up In The Air” is the latest such film of a growing sub-genre. It’s far from exciting — and certainly lacking in “wow” factors — but the understated story is completely captivating. The familiar quirks of lead man George Clooney do a good job of keeping you entertained during what could otherwise be an unbearingly boring movie. “Air” is the story of Ryan (Clooney) who travels the country working for a company that is outsourced to do the dirty work of laying off employees of large firms. He loves his life of travel and lack of commitment, but all that is about to change when he meets someone he could see himself settling down with. To make matters worse, his company begins to evolve by streaming lay-offs via the internet, eliminating his traveling and throwing his comfortable life into a blender, thereby forcing him to rethink his beloved life philosophy. Anna Kendrick plays the role of Natalie, the young inspiring girl who is heading up the corporate transition and has to travel with Ryan to get a feel for what it’s really like to fire an employee. I was very much unsatisfied with Kendrick’s acting, but as the movie progressed and her role developed I became more forgiving. However, I still cite her as the lone sore spot in the film. Character dramas often work best as rentals, but I think “Up In The Air” is worth paying the money to see on the big screen. It offers plenty of the kind of funny only George Clooney can offer, and its emotional tone is highly entertaining. To see so many people loosing their jobs is hard to watch, especially considering the current economic climate, but it’s also something that makes this such a great movie — and so easy to relate to.

The Lovely Bones
Directed by Peter Jackson
“The Lovely Bones” takes an admirable shot at committing scarce and fleeting feelings about the unexplainable to film, and Peter Jackson pulls out his “Lord of the Rings” tool kit to make it a fascinating diversion. But despite Jackson’s talented touch, “Bones” did not sit well with me. I left it with a vaguely bad feeling, and I generally don’t enjoy feeling bad. I should also add that I don’t enjoy darkly scary or suspenseful movies. “The Lovely Bones” doesn’t strictly fit into either of those categories, but the feelings it evoked were similarly discomforting. If you’re a person who likes to experience maudlin emotions, then you may find this a masterpiece. Of all the well known actors in the film, Susan Sarandon’s role of the Ab-Fab alcoholic stepmother is the only one worth mentioning; there were times when she absolutely stole the show. The plot of the film is unique — thanks to its being adapted from the bestselling novel by Alice Sebold — and took a different turn than one might expect. It’s the story of a young girl’s horrible murder as portrayed from her afterlife perspective mixed in with the emotions of loved ones coping with the tragedy. Stanley Tucci plays the unnerving murderer, and fits the role perfectly, all the way down to the creepy mustache and glasses. “The Lovely Bones” is well made, and should count as a resounding success for all parties evolved, the viewer included — as long as that viewer enjoys wallowing in negative emotions.

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Ninja Assassin
Directed by James McTeigue
One of the best things about “Ninja Assassin” is that it doesn’t star Jackie Chan or Jet Li. Any attempt to make “something” out of a “nothing” film by casting it with well-known actors wouldn’t have allowed me to ignore its negative facets, and would have taken away from what the film was trying to accomplish. Though the obscure Sung Kang represented the spirit of a ninja well, it wasn’t his acting that made “Ninja Assassin” enjoyable, but rather the way it was filmed like a comic book is read. Director James McTeigue did a great job of capturing the comic book story-feel without many deliberately choppy scenes. “Ninja Assassin” certainly has many shortcomings, but is successful at least in its portrayal of a trained killer. The flashbacks of Kang’s training were highly entertaining, as were the ways in which it portrayed his cold-hearted emotion. “Ninja Assassin” isn’t a great film, but it is cool — simply because ninjas are cool. And it’s ninjas that make this movie fun, in the same way that jedis made the latest “Star Wars” films somewhat respectable.

Invictus
Directed by Clint Eastwood
“Invictus” tells the “inspiring true story” of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela (Morgan Freeman) knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid’s collapse. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team (Matt Damon and friends) as they make an unlikely run for the 1995 World Cup Championship. “Invictus” tries hard to be amazing, but never really grasps its essential message. The moments that came close to that goal failed to make up for the film’s many other shortcomings, thus making “Invictus” merely “good.” This being the latest Clint Eastwood offering, one can’t help but see it as the latest in a string of works that are never as great as the could be, i.e. “Letters from Iwo Jima” and “Grand Torino.” When it’s all said and done, you’re glad to have seen them, but wish you’d have gotten a bit more out of them.

The Men Who Stare at Goats

“The Men Who Stare at Goats” is a “sort of real” movie based on the book of the same name by Jon Ronson about a seemingly outlandish military program during the end of the cold war that saw the training of paranormal “Jedi” warriors. With a cast made up of such powerhouses as George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges, and Stephen Lang, I had high expectations for this film. I expected an off-the-wall comedy, but what I got was a film that was neither completely hilarious nor very action packed. The film just seemed to float around those genres. The movie opened up by stating that “More of this is truer than you will actually believe,” and that set the stage for the combining of two plots, one that involved Bob (McGregor), a journalist hoping to prove his mettle by getting a scoop on the war in Iraq, and Lyn Cassady (Clooney), a retired “Jedi” called back into service by paranormal powers. As the two plots twist into one, both Bob and Cassady experience some ridiculous adventures on the way to completing a vague spiritual journey. The film had moments of hilarity, but I was hoping for a lot more. Despite the letdown, “Goats” is completely entertaining. The entire cast seems to be having a great time with their characters, and makes the idea of a Jedi army whose main weapon is peace a believable concept. Something like every other Iraqi War movie mixed with a “Star Wars” spoof, “The Men Who Stares at Goats” is a funny film fans of the cast will enjoy.

2012
Directed by Roland Emmerich

In “2012,” Director Roland Emmerich teams up with $250 million dollars to give us what is essentially the King of all end-of-the-world movies. It’s based on the premise that the Mayans had it all figured out when they designed a calendar that stamped and expiration date of December 21, 2012 on the planet. The movie doesn’t go into the reasons behind the date’s actual significance, and I am so glad they didn’t; because after leaving the theater, you can’t help but feel like you’re part of a generation that will live to see the end of the world. Including scientific calendric details from a dead civilization that didn’t even have streetlights into the plot would have ruined that ominous feeling. The plot, such as it is, is simply the glue that holds all the actions scenes together. I will say that John Cusack and Amanda Peet do a great job of making sure that the flim evokes emotions other than just the shock and awe served up by the action scenes, but the acting, overall, is not fantastic. That said, there are plenty of reasons to pick the movie apart, but the truth is that “2012″ isn’t so much a story, but an experience — and one you won’t want to enjoy at home; it’s one you need to see on the big screen on a Saturday night with all the snacks you can afford. (It is a very long movie.) It does include a government conspiracy to go along with the natural apocalypse, which makes for something more interesting than just the typically freaky weather and catastrophic events. In fact, “2012″ was so entertaining that I wasn’t even bothered by Danny Glover being cast as the President. Rest assured, it will keep you on the edge of your seat. My only problem with “2012″ is that I wasn’t able to see it on an Imax screen.

New Moon
Directed by Chris Weitz

“New Moon,” the sequel to “Twilight” picks up right where its predecessor ended. The main character Bella (Kristen Stewart) is graduating high school, and is dealing with getting older… (I think she turned 17?) On top of everything, the teenage love of her life, Edward (Robert Pattinson), the vampire, has just dumped her. And what does a teenage girl do when she’s dumped by a vampire? Seek solace in the company of a werewolf, of course! “New Moon” is simply sticky with sappy teenage emotions. While it’s not hard to empathize with poor Bella, the drama created by the teenage mind is still hard to swallow, and left me feeling slightly sick. Of course the vampire comes back into Bella’s life, and like any guy, has a seemingly good excuse for leaving. This sets the stage for some vampire/werewolf tensions, and even more confusion for Bella’s adolescent psyche. One of my problems with “New Moon” is that I found myself empathizing with Bella a bit too much, and that left me somewhat annoyed with myself. So would I recommend seeing this movie? Of course! It’s got vampires and werewolves in it, doesn’t it?!

The Invention of Lying

Ricky Gervais, the British actor best known to Americans for his role in the original “The Office,” stars in this story set in a world in which no one has ever told a lie or been anything but completely honest. Loser Mark (Ricky Gervais) leads a miserably depressing life but discovers the concept of being dishonest, and soon becomes a kind of prophet among a deceit-free population who believe everything he says. Gervais is well supported by Jennifer Gardner and Rob Lowe who match his trademark subtle facial expressions with understated skill. The development of the love connection between Grevais and Gardner’s characters drives the plot, and both do a great job of adding an emotional layer to the comic proceedings. I had high expectations for this movie and thought it would be much funnier than it actually was, but I found myself smiling and chuckling frequently all the same. “Invention” is a good, wholesome matinee date movie and worth seeing for its clever comedic slant within the romantic comedy formula.

Where the Wild Things Are
Directed by Spike Jonze

“Where the Wild Things Are,” an adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic book, centers on the time in a young boy’s life where reality has yet to evolve from an imaginative concept into the cold, hard slog that confronts everyone on a daily basis. If you’ve read the book, then you’ll know the plot and direction the movie will take. If not, then recall your transition from childhood into adolescence and you’ll soon begin to empathize with the struggle of young Max, “King of the Wild Things.” Max (played by Max Records) is a boy who doesn’t understand the world he’s growing into, and his wild passion and imagination have a firmer grip on him than the world trying to force itself on his young mind. In the last mental journey of his childhood, Max sails halfway around the world to an island inhabited by terrifying yet wonderful creatures with personalities that help Max gain a better understanding of himself and what he’s going through. I watched this film with a deep fondness for the story I knew as a child and was not disappointed. “Where the Wild Things Are” is a great cinematic experience and an emotional movie that may help stir up some passions and wildness age and experience may have suppressed. Great for adults and as safe for the kids as the original story is, “Where the Wild Things Are” is sure to become as classic as the book itself.

Zombieland
Directed by Ruben Fleischer

“Zombieland,” the latest in a spate of undead comedies, is surprisingly watchable, and may even be better than “Sean of the Dead,” another example of the sub-genre you’ll be unable to help comparing it to. The story revolves around the four main characters: Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), who are simply trying to survive a zombie epidemic that has all but eradicated the human race. There’s nothing new about the plot, and it finishes in exactly in exactly the way you think it will, but an excellent Woody Harrelson is both believable and very funny, making “Zombieland” a bit more than your average knock-off. In fact, every character in the movie is well-cast; you really get the feeling that they all enjoyed working on this film. Eisenberg is extremely reminiscent of “Superbad” star Michael Cera, and while it seems the role was written for him (I may have even enjoyed the film more were he in it), Eisenberg carries it off with hilarious skill. There’s even a guest appearance by Bill Murray that’s a nice treat and is sure to please everyone. Overall, “Zombieland” is an “A” movie with a real B-movie feel. Even if you’re not a fan of zombie flicks, this is one worth seeing.

9
Directed by Shane Acker; 2009

“9″ is the post-apocalyptic story of nine burlap sacks created by a shamed scientist to carry the key for the continuation of mankind, or at least the essence of mankind. Director Shane Acker originally conceived “9″ as a silent short for his grad school thesis, and his original film won a student academy award. While that sounds a little something like a presidential award for physical fitness, it landed the silent project a shot with Focus Pictures and the help of dark genius Tim Burton. You can definitely feel the touch of Tim Burton here in the eerie darkness and the whirlwind of action and emotions the characters face. There was something at work in many of the scenes that reminded me of “Batman,” “Edward Scissorhands” or “Beetlejuice.” The plot isn’t all that amazing, but the visual effects of the animation and the underlying darkness of the movie were entrancing. Don’t be tricked into thinking this is a kid’s movie, though. While it is clean, it’s also very spooky. Overall, “9″ is worth seeing on the silver screen with a big bag of popcorn and butter juice.

The Informant
Directed by Steven Soderbergh; 2009

In “The Informant,” Matt Damon covers the screen of almost ever scene with poor acting, a crumby wig, dirty mustache and about 20 lbs. more weight than he should carry — and does an amazing job. At first casual reckoning, you might not have much to say for Damon’s acting, but when you realize that his character is pathological liar, you begin to see him as terrific and very believable in the role of Mark Whitacre, Archer Daniels Midland V.P., criminal, super spy, and loving husband. You’ll either like or hate this “based on a true story” movie, and while it’s unlikely you’ll love it, it’s certainly not a reason to stay away. The story itself does tend to drag in spots because of its focus on corporate whistleblower Whitacre, but ultimately succeeds by offering constant subtle plot twists that begin to snowball as the movie progresses. Director Steven Soderbergh certainly does a great job in evoking the early ’90s setting; it often reminded me of how that era was the ’70s of my generation (if you are under 30) — all the bad ties, awful hair and abundance of smoker-friendly establishments. Though the move may not perform that well in the box office, count this movie as a success for both Damon and Soderbergh.

Extract
Directed by Mike Judge; 2009

Joel (Jason Bateman), the nerdy scientist and owner of a flavor extract factory in “Extract,” is rich and unhappy. He has a stale job, a stale marriage, and life is beginning to wear him down. In his search for relief, he’s thrown off of his normally balanced routine by the arrival of sexy scam artist Cindy (Mila Kunis of “That ’70s Show”) and his drug-addled bartending friend (Ben Affleck). “Extract” contains a lot of potential hilarity, but writer/director Mike Judge (“The Office;” “King of the Hill”) steers it clear of outright guffaws in favor of dexterous plot twists and character evolution. To that end, Bateman is perfectly cast as a character who gives us the kind of funny we have to digest rather than one that bursts from our sides. A good cast of supporting characters helps keep you entertained while awaiting the next turn of understated comedic events. Knowing what you’re getting into before “Extract” cues up on the screen will enhance your enjoyment of it that much more.

District 9
Directed by Neill Blomkamp; 2009

In “District 9,” producer Peter Jackson takes a break from hobbitual bromance to give us a glimpse of what it’s like to live in a Cuban immigrant camp in the 1970s… whoops, I mean an alien internment camp in South Africa. The movie portrays an alien population whose spaceship broke down over Johannesburg. When the stalled-out vessel is boarded by qualified humans and T.V. cameras (I think Geraldo was there), they find the craft loaded with starving, scared aliens. Mankind, clearly moved by their pitiful state, immediately calls for humanitarian aid. The aliens are moved to a camp on the planet’s surface for better care, but as they slowly recover, the humans begin to find that they’re actually quit unruly and quickly shut them up in a concentration camp. The movie succeeds in portraying a wide range of emotions, from empathy to xenophobia, and through them, it almost seems conceivable that this situation could happen. Similarly, both Jackson and director Neill Blomkamp do a great job of making the movie visually entrancing. Even the main character, Wikus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley) is very believable, playing the cowardly desk jockey who’s placed in charge of evicting the aliens from their shanty town in the middle of Johannesburg to a tent city 200 kilometers out of sight and mind from the general public. In the process of evicting them, Van De Merwe meets alien Christopher Johnson and is infected with an extraterrestrial virus that makes him both a subject of public interest and public enemy number one. The relationship between Wikus and Christopher as he faces betrayal from his fellow humans adds depth to what at times can be a fairly thin plot. Something like a cross between “Enemy Mine” and “The Fifth Element,” “District 9″ is, however, packed with action, and might be the best film of the year so far on several levels.

G.I. Joe, Rise of the Cobra
Directed by Stephen Sommers; 2009

The movie adaption of the Hasbro toy franchise and cartoon is sure to bring back some fond memories to many people. It was not only one of a generation’s staple cartoons; the action figures were many a boy’s primary toys. The original cartoon wasn’t just another mind- numbing “electro-nanny;” it was filled with role models. Those elite soldiers were not only super rad, but they took time from saving the world to teach us valuable life lessons. It’s because of “G.I. Joe” that I know that kids should stay in school, that it’s dangerous to play on construction sites, and that I should never try to jump my bike over a power line that’s fallen into a puddle of water. So when you see the movie, you have to decide: are you going to be a nostalgia Nazi and be upset because Duke is in it and Flint is not, or are you determined to revive the feelings the original Joes gave you all those years ago? Taking the latter course, “G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra” is a spectacular action film. It’s packed with explosions, fights, and thrills. The characters lack depth, but they’re portrayed well for the most part, especially considering that each is based on an action figure. The most exciting part of the movie is the nonstop clash between Snake Eyes (Ray Park, who played Darth Maul in “The Phantom Menace”) and Storm Shadow (Korean actor Lee Byung-hun). Duke (Channing Tatum) falls short of the legacy he has, and Ripcord (Marlon Wayans) was just okay; he captured the character, but could have been played by a more believable actor. The plot is not something to be concerned with. It doesn’t matter. Cobra attacks, and the Joes thwart them. Don’t bother with the movie if you don’t care about the cartoon, toys, or comic books. Unless of course you absolutely love ridiculous action scenes. Now you know — and knowing is half the battle.

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
Directed by Neil Brennan; 2009

“The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard” is a comedy that seems hastily thrown together, and relies on a satirical style that’s been worn to tatters by every Will Farrell movie since the late ’90s. The story breaks down like this: Don “The Goods” Ready (Jeremy Piven; “P.C.U.,” “Entourage”) is the guy used car dealers call when they need vehicles sold. Ready travels with a motley crew of renegade used car salesmen and one woman to a small town to save a car lot that looks like every lot you’ve ever seen. That’s it. That’s the plot. Ready is haunted by a disastrous event that went down in Albuquerque, but that’s just flour in the gravy. The event is meant to connect you with the character, but fails miserably in its aim. All in all, the shortcomings of Ready are only there to give him a reason to run away at the most crucial moment so that he can return as a hero at the last second. But as the character always fails, the audience fails to think of him as a hero. Piven has been known to steal many a show as a number-two man, but he’s disappointing as the head honcho. The recipe for the movie is obvious: take as many small-time funny guys who happen to be hot right now, cram them into a movie, and try to ride the lightning. While each of these funny people (among them Ed Helms and Craig Robinson, both of “The Office”) are all people looking for their big break out, this movie may hurt their careers more than it helps. But it’s not these actors’ fault; we know them all to be hilarious. Lets just say “The Goods” is not director Neil Brennan’s (“The Chappell Show”) finest moment. You’ll get a few funny jokes, but not enough to save it from merely being a great reason to support your local video store.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Directed by David Yates; 2009

THE BEST PART of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” is that Dumbledore dies. That wrinkly old pedophile got what was coming to him. Nah — just kidding, Dumbledore rules. Which brings us to the real best part of the latest Potter installment: its comedy. Though arguably the most tragic of the films (Snape goes from lovably mean to awfully evil by murdering Dumbledore), the only memorable scenes in “Half-Blood Prince” are those when one of the kids is drugged up on potion (Harry on liquid luck and Ron on love potion-spiked chocolate are sights to see) or anytime the adorably absurd Luna Lovegood is around, speaking nonsense and wearing funny hats. Though enjoyable, but with none of the mystique or adventure of the previous films, the rest of “Half-Blood Prince” is really rather bland. Most of it involves Draco Malfoy brooding in shadowy corridors. Anyway, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM is that Harry doesn’t really do anything. Check that — he doesn’t really WANT anything. He does what Dumbeldore tells him to do, but never with the deep desire that seems to propel him through the other movies. What of the fear, the rage, the sadness, the isolation and the power that filled him in “Order of the Phoenix”? What of his unspoken but ever-evident personal mission, to avenge his parents and defeat Voldemort once and for all? It comes up, but only briefly, and only at the end. Perhaps we should just take this movie for what it is, a mostly reliable vanishing cabinet meant to transport us from the world of the first five films to the world of the final two. And those are sure to be magical.

Orphan
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra; 2009

THE BEST PART of “Orphan” is the reveal at the end, details of which this review has no intention of spoiling here and now. Let’s just say it comes at the right time, in a way that just kind of works. No, “Orphan” doesn’t have one of those “Sixth Sense,” “Usual Suspects,” or “Fight Club” moments that change your perception of the entire movie and give you the overwhelming urge to see it again if only to notice the clues you missed the first time around. It’s more like an episode of “House,” with one of those mystery solved blanks filled in, “but we still need to treat the patient and work on our own personal issues”-moments. “Orphan” offers no big “Wow!” but it certainly earns a respectable, “Ohhhhh…” at least. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM with “Orphan” is that there’s not nearly enough, as they say in high school English class, “falling action.” In other words, the denouement is wanting. “Orphan” does a commendable job at making you care about the family that is torn apart (quite literally) by the addition of little orphan Esther. So when she’s, er, out of the picture, it’d be nice to see the, er, remaining members settling back into their everyday lives. What happens to the deaf girl? The injured boy? Mom? Still, “Orphan” holds up as a decent thriller. It’s up there (or rather, hanging there in the middle) with films like “What Lies Beneath,” which is about as good as forgettable movies get. See it once, maybe on video, enjoy it, and never think of it again.

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
Directed by Michael Bay; 2009

THE BEST PART of “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” is that despite being a gargantuan steaming pile of absurd, inane, and profoundly disappointing tripe, it’s remarkably watchable. The plot might be ridiculous, the characters hackneyed, the humor second-grade at best, but something about this nineteen-hour CGI/Megan Fox extravaganza keeps the eyes — nay, the brain — nay, the entire body — utterly transfixed in a state of entertainment catatonia. “Revenge of the Fallen” is like a trainwreck that morphs into a giant gorilla that proceeds to destroy the nearest children’s hospital using its enormous penis as a battering ram. It’s tragic. Slightly sick. And such a high level of strange that you can’t help but find it deeply –almost chemically — compelling. Viewing this movie excites the senses and attacks the sensibilities so thoroughly, you can’t help but leave the theater feeling slightly less than human. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM with “Transformers: Revenge of Michael Bay’s Id” is not it’s hyper-masculine undertones or overall stupidity, but that much of it is just in bad taste. Forget the giant alien robot monster with wrecking ball testicles, and the fact that all the women are sexy bimbos or airheaded mothers — you can’t overlook the mind-blowing offensiveness that is the twin Autobots, Skids and Mudflap. This pair of slang-slinging clown cars are what you get if you mix slapstick violence, bad urban thug stereotypes and minstrel-show era racism, and animate it. Unforgivably awful, especially since it’s meant for kids.

The Hangover
Directed by Todd Phillips; 2009

“The Hangover” is the latest release from the guys who brought us “Old School,” and on that fact alone the release was preceded by high expectations for a gut-splitting good time. The cast doesn’t include any comedy heavyweights on par with Will Ferrell or Vince Vaughn, but they’re not completely unknown, and it’s reassuring to see Ed Helms (“The Office”) playing the part of Stu, the successful square of the group. Bradley Cooper (“Alias”) holds everything together as the somewhat nihilistic leader, and the little known Zach Galifianakis steals the show in his breakout performance as the oddly dim Alan. The plot doesn’t tread any unfamiliar territory either, as it centers on a drunken Vegas bachelor party, a kidnapping, and dramatic slide into the altar for a just-in-time wedding and the salvation of a happy life. What is unique about this movie and helps hold the audiences attention is the fact that we’re all just as clueless as the characters as they try to remember what actually occurred during the drunken bachelor party which resulted in the disappearance of the best man the day before his wedding. The real-time progression of the movie makes each new turn in the story wholly captivating. Some of the jokes may suffer from poor delivery and lack of support from other characters, but the twists — appearances of tigers in bathrooms; Mike Tyson; and the eccentric and vengeful Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong of “Pineapple Express”) — will keep you more than entertained. Though “The Hangover” lacks star power, inventive plot development and the extreme stretch of R-rated standards make it one of the funniest movies of the year so far.

Land of the Lost
Directed by Brad Siberling; 2009

“Land of the Lost” is yet another film adaptation of a popular ’70s television show from the folks in Hollywood, who seem to be perennially short of original ideas. It’s a little bothersome that the movie is only vaguely similar to the original on the surface. Ticket purchasers who are fans of the Sid and Marty Krofft series and hope to take their children to see an innocent movie: Beware. The film, which is on the edgier side of PG-13, is based on the salvation and vindication of paleontologist Dr. Rick Marshall’s career. Marshall (Ferrell) manages to shake his food addiction when Holly (Anna Friel) approaches him as a scientific peer and convinces him to complete his “Tachyon Amplifier,” a machine that mistakenly opens a vortex which takes him to a parallel dimension, along with Holly and the white-trash Will (Danny McBride) (“Pineapple Express,” “Eastbound and Down”). Ensuing events revolve around Dr. Marshall saving Earth from an invasion of lizard-like Sleestaks, but that’s not what’s important. What is important is that Marshall sticks it to Matt Lauer, who embarrassed him on the “Today Show,” and that Will gets to meet a lot of beautiful girls when it’s all said and done. The remainder of the movie basically involves Marshall being chased around by an irate T-Rex and humorously interacting with the indigenous caveman/monkey Chaka (Jorma Taccone). I don’t know how much longer we’ll all be able to put up with Farrell’s stereotype-laden humor; I think this one just manages to squeeze it in before the clock runs out. I’d recommend that you wait for “Land of the Lost” to hit the video store — but we are in a recession, and know how badly both the economy and Hollywood need your $7.50.

Up
Directed by Bob Peterson and Peter Docter; 2009

The latest in a string of filmic coups by the folks at Pixar, “Up” features yet another inimitable character in the curmudgeonly Carl Fredricksen, a 78-year-old balloon salesman who’s spent his life dreaming of South American exploration. When his wife Ellie dies, Carl (voiced perfectly by Ed Asner) finds himself faced with eviction from the house they shared. So, in the fantastic fashion only pure animation can deliver, he inflates an enormous bouquet of balloons and sends himself aloft in search of adventure and fulfillment. Joined by an incorrigible young Wilderness Explorer named Russell, Carl embarks on a incredible journey that finds him facing an old hero, a pack of culinary-minded dogs and a mythical talking bird who has a penchant for chocolate. As tangled as it all sounds, deft storytelling and heartwarming characterization lift “Up” far above its peers, and raise the bar for filmmaking — of any genre — miles higher than you’d expect. It also offers one of the most heart-wrenching scenes ever committed to celluloid: an inventive, sepia-toned montage of Carl and Ellie’s courtship and life together. If you’ve anything like a pulse in you, you’ll weep just like I did.

By Ryan Deiseroth
www.radiobackblast.com