Sadly, Soul Men is getting attention for all the wrong reasons; it's the last film to feature Bernie Mac before the comedian's death this summer.
Moreover, Isaac Hayes, who also died in the last few months, appears briefly as himself in the comedy.
Also sadly, the closing-credit tribute that features Mac is more entertaining than the movie that precedes it.
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Quantum of Solace is different from past James Bond movies in two ways:
Both of these unusual aspects of the film play into the central plot, however: Bond is so focused on avenging the death of Vesper Lynd (from Casino Royale) that he doesn't have time to make his usual snide remarks, or even to bed the gorgeous Camille (Olga Kurylenko).
Indeed, viewers are treated to an even more intense agent than usual, but that only increases the action quotient in the film. Bond's mission of revenge takes him across Italy, Austria and South America, as he eventually tracks down Dominic Greene, who is also linked to the mysterious organization known as "Quantum."
In the interest of full disclosure: we love Paul Rudd. A lot. Dude seriously makes us laugh.
So we were attracted to Role Models before we even learned that Christopher Mintz-Plasse was also starring in the comedy. Yes, that's McLovin, folks.
Rudd and Scott star as Danny and Wheeler, a pair of troublemakers that end up being sentenced in court to serve as big brother-type dudes in a program called "Sturdy Wings." After this takes place, though, Danny and Wheeler almost cease to be the center of the film.
We never imagined saying this, but Changeling could use less of Angelina Jolie.
At least less of the actress in our face all the time.
The film needn't be shot in such an over-the-top, scary fashion. It's already based on the true story of Christine Collins (Jolie), a single mother whose young son disappeared in 1928. When he was returned to here six months later, there was a problem: Collins insisted it was not her child.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno isn't the perfect comedy. But it's definitely Seth Rogen's funniest film since Superbad and it shows that he and Banks - who got her break in The 40-Year Old Virgin alongside Rogen - have hilarious chemistry together.
The stars appear in the film as long-time roommates and best friends... who don't realize they are actually in love with each other. Indeed, take away the anal jokes and there's actually heart to the movie.
There's even a touch of realism: in these trying times, who isn't mired in debt? Then again, who would think to film a low budget adult movie and sell it to their high school friends? Not enough of us, perhaps.
Take a slice of American Pie, mix it with Superbad and add on Road Trip... and you've got Sex Drive!
For a film that borrows every sophomoric joke from predecessors such as these, the comedy isn't that terrible; though it certainly is way too long.
Josh Zuckerman plays the Jason Biggs character, traveling with friend across the country in order to lose his virginity to a girl he met over the Internet. But what if she's actually a guy? Ewww! Those are the sort of jokes one hears in the film.
But what other ones would one expect from a movie called Sex Drive? Those that buy tickets to it must be aware of what they're in for. On that level, the flick works.
Seth Green is especially funny as a glib Amish fellow that happens to know a lot about cars. We wish he had been the main character instead of little more than a glorified cameo.
If you're looking for laughs a level or two down from the comedies mentioned above, yet something mindless enough to take your mind off this economy business, then Sex Drive is perfect.
It's never a good thing when the best thing you can say about a movie is that you were impressed by its production design.
Still, just to get that out of the way: Max Payne looks incredibly cool. There's snow fall and rain storms that serve as the backdrop to violent encounters and vulnerable moments for various characters. Visually stunning, no doubt.
But the actual story telling - of a man seeking revenge for the murder of his wife and baby - is secondary to action that quickly gets stale. It seemed to us that director John Moore had difficulty creating a credible world couched between reality and fantasy.
Guy Ritchie's own worst enemy, when it comes to viewer reaction to his latest movie, is Guy Ritchie.
RocknRolla is simply the latest film on the resume of Ritchie, a resume that includes other films... just like RocknRolla.
Fans of Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels know what we mean. Ritchie specializes in supposedly cool criminals, in fun violence centered around British criminals.
The only problem is that he does it better in the two aforementioned movies that he does it in this one.
W. is a tough movie to market and a tough movie to review. It's certainly the first ever biopic about a sitting U.S. President.
Considering Bush's extreme unpopularity, though, along with the current state of the country, Oliver Stone's look at George W. Bush is actually rather restrained. Or, to perhaps put it better, it could be a lot worse.
It's hard not to wonder why the acclaimed director didn't wait a decade to release this movie, as it would have enabled him to gather more information, as well as avoid the difficult terrain of opening the film the week before election day. Then again, that was likely his intention.
Overall, Josh Brolin is a terrific Bush. This actor is slowly evolving into one of the more reliable stars in the business. And Elizabeth Banks is as likable on the screen as Laura Bush is in real life.
Oddly enough, our main criticism of the movie, is that it is too conventional. You'd think a film about someone such as George W. Bush would be a truthful, scathing critique or a raucous satire. W. is neither.
Of course, many conservatives will claim it's an unfair look at the President, but just as many liberals might say it doesn't go nearly far enough. In the end, though, it's best to leave party affiliation at the door.
Just walk in, looking for entertainment, and walk out wondering how this story will end.
Body of Lies is not a perfect movie.
But it stars two of the top actors alive, Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, the type of men whose mere screen presence is enough to turn almost any scene into something worthwhile.
DiCaprio stars as Roger Ferris, a CIA Intelligence Agent, while Crowe is Ed Ferris, the man behind the scenes. He actually spends a large portion of the film on a cell phone.
It's a good thing these actors are at the heart of the movie, because the action and plot twists come quickly and furiously. In less capable hands, viewers might be confused as to what's going on; or, more specifically, how each chracter is reacting to it. But DiCaprio and Crowe do a stellar job at reacting to various situations, both subtlely and overtly.
