Eagle Eye

Apart from his acting skills, Shia LeBeouf can really run. He's run in "Transformers", "Indiana Jones", and "Disturbia" (limited in range due to ankle bracelet). He's making a career out of running and in "Eagle Eye", he's at the top of his running game.

This is an exciting chase film that leaves much logic behind but is action packed and very suspenseful. It's a perfect Indian summer popcorn movie. Besides Mr. LaBeouf, the film stars Michelle Monaghan (his running "partner"), Billy Bob Thornton (the FBI agent running after him), Rosario Dawson ( the Military agent running after everyone), and Michael Chiklis (the Secretary of Defense who doesn't run at all but he does enough running on "The Shield").

The film borrows liberally from movies like "Enemy of The State", "any Bourne film, the last "Die Hard", "Wargames" and especially the 60's film, "Collosus:The Forbin Project" but still manages to put a spin on current technology and character twists and turns. Like it's lead character, it's not that smart but still fun to watch. One thing is for certain, you will leave the theater with a high level of paranoia.

Burn After Reading

Following the dramatic masterpiece, "No Country For Old Men", the Coen Brothers return to familiar waters in this silly, yet violent, comedy. The film plays like a cross between "Blood Simple" and Intolerable Cruelty".

Featuring an all-star cast, many of whom are Coen Brother regulars, the film is a twisted tale of cheating spouses, unlikely blackmailers, and inept CIA agents. Frances McDormand, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Tilda Swinton, J.K. Simmons, Richard Jenkins and John Malkovich all seem to be really enjoying themselves as they lie, steal, cheat, and sometimes kill with reckless abandon.

There is no depth to the screenplay. The story is set in motion when a former CIA agent, played by Mr. Malkovich decides to write his memoirs and they end up in the wrong hands. It's all superficial fun (except when 2 major characters are killed) and doesn't ask much of it's audience except to sit back and enjoy the shenanigans. It's fun to watch but 90 minutes later, you'll probably "forget after viewing".

Righteous Kill

Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino together for an entire film....Critic proof! And a good thing too because this is more ill than kill.

The pairing of these two screen icons is too good to pass up but someone should have thought about a plot worthy of acting legends, rather the the ridiculous, implausible, obvious bore that is "Righteous Kill". The film creeps along with both actors mugging their way through a serial killer plot filled with simply laughable dialog.

Along for the ride is Carla Gugino as a NY CSI, Brian Dennehy as the tough talking police Lieutenant and Donnie Wahlberg and John Leguizamo as fellow detectives following cops DeNiro and Pacino on the same case. Also in a key role is rapper 50 Cent playing a drug dealing club owner...big stretch there, Fitty.

The fast forward plot device points to one person responsible for all the murders but if you are still awake and paying attention, the identity of the killer should be pretty obvious anyway.

I expected more from the writer of "Inside Man", Spike Lee's excellent bank heist film from last year and obviously more from Mr. DeNiro and Mr. Pacino but this one is all about a paycheck. If you are a fan (and who isn't), save time and money and rent it later this year on DVD.

Hamlet 2

Written and directed by Andrew Fleming, Hamlet 2 is this year's "Napoleon Dynamite". It is most definitely a left of center comedy with flashes of brilliance but not for everyone.

The film stars the British actor, Steve Coogan, as an American drama teacher trying to keep it together in Tucson Arizona. His life is a mess. His acting career never got off the ground, his student can't stand him, his wife has become distant, and his plays (based on movies) are a flop. Things start to change as he decides to stage his original work, Hamlet 2.

Catherine Keener co-stars as Mr. Coogan's unsupportive wife. She always shines in quirky films like this and is very well cast. David Arquette plays a man sharing their home for extra income and Amy Poehler has a very funny part as an lawyer, named coincidently, Feldstein.

Mr. Coogan is terrific in the film playing a very odd character. This is a very original story with what appears to be a logical plot that veers off in a bizarre direction. It makes a great double feature with the aforementioned, "Napoleon Dynamite".

Traitor

This suspenseful new film explores what makes a terrorist and questions loyalty and religion with a conflicted lead character intelligently played by Don Cheadle.

As the film opens we meet Mr. Cheadle's character, Samir Horn as he is selling weapons to an unnamed terrorist group. Samir is a Muslim who's father was killed by a car bomb and his motives may not be all them seem. Soon he finds himself being pursued by two FBI agents played by Guy Pierce and Neal McDonough.

The action moves globally and makes for quite the travelogue as the two agents chase Horn around the world in an attempt to stop further acts of terrorism. There are some major twists that we've seen before in other films but they are used very effectively here and the film ratchets up the suspense as the terrorists plan an attack on US soil.

"Traitor" is an effective thriller heightened by the always excellent Don Cheadle. It's an intelligent film (despite some plot holes) with themes that don't always have easy answers but it's compelling just the same. It did leave me feeling uneasy as it hits close to home and could give the wrong people real ideas.

Vicky Christina Barcelona

A light summer romp from writer/director Woody Allen. "VCB" is a visual treat both in terms of the scenery and it's leading actors. The film stars Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, and Penelope Cruz as friends and lovers all romantically involved over a summer in Barcelona.

Filming in a new city seems to have refreshed Mr. Allen and the film succeeds on many levels. The cinematography paints a lovely picture of Barcelona.The dialog is fresh, clever and intelligent. The acting is perfect as everyone is very well cast. Ms. Cruz, in particular, ignites the second half of the film as Maria Elena, Mr. Bardem's unstable ex-wife. Rebecca Hall is also terrific as the conflicted, Vicky.

The film is one of Mr. Allen's sexiest, while still within PG-13 limits. To call it a comedy is a stretch but it does have some fine comedic moments and is far lighter in tone than "Matchpoint", one of Mr. Allen's most recent successes.

American Teen

A new documentary better suited for television viewing, this is the real "Breakfast Club. Directed by Nanette Burstein, the film follows a group of High School kids as they complete their senior year of school in Warsaw, Indiana.

As in "Breakfast Club", we have a jock, an outcast, a rich spoiled girl, and a misfit but these stereotypes are real kids with real dreams and real problems. The film works like most reality TV shows, taking us into their lives as they go about their daily routines. What is hard to accept is where the reality ends and where the manipulation begins. Just how much of what we are seeing is unscripted becomes the question.

While a bit long (2 hours), the film's subjects win us over as we cheer for them, cry for them and root for our favorite teen. There are lessons to be learned, love won and lost and basketball games to win.

I imagine an inner-city version would give us a different cast of characters but every school contains these stereotypes. Stay for the credits as each major teen gets their own epilogue.

Tropic Thunder

Ben Stiller sets out to make a satirical film within a film about Hollywood excess and goes over the top himself.

The film is offensive, gross, loud and very funny. There are plenty of quotable lines and great sight gags but in the end, Mr. Stiller and his partners really go to extremes and the overkill dampens the spirit in which it was made.

The film stars Mr. Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Nick Nolte, Steve Coogan and a thinly disguised Tom Cruise as well as a few memorable cameos. Mr. Downey Jr. ends the summer as he started it (in Iron Man), on top. His acting is just perfect as he creates an amazing character in Kirk Lazarus. Tom Cruise is hysterical as a fat, bald over the top studio executive who's dialog alone warrants the "R" rating.

The opening moments of fake ads and trailers are genius. It's a shame that the rest of the film can't sustain that creative energy. It tries very hard and there are lots of laughs but in the end, it's one explosion too many.

Pineapple Express

Seth Rogan and James Franco star in the first of it's kind stoner/action movie. Cheech and Chong made a career out of stoner movies but Mr. Rogan and Mr. Franco take it to another level.

This is a very silly but funny film about male bonding and smoking lots of dope. There is actually one positive anti-drug message in the film, when Mr. Rogan points out they can't get anything done because they are always stoned. The action is fast and cartoonish but the growing relationship between the two men is genuine and it is quite sentimental. Danny McBride co-stars as Red, the resilient middleman who almost steals the film. Also appearing are Rosie Perez and Gary Cole as the cartoonish villains.

Mr. Franco is the one who actually steals the film. His portrayal of Saul, the kind hearted drug dealer is terrific. He shows a new side as a comic actor and when he's in the spotlight the film really shines.

Much of the dialog seems improvised and everyone seems to be having a terrific time. It's not the funniest comedy of the summer but it's worth the time if you are looking for something light and silly. Be warned though, there is a fair amount of gunplay and violence especially in the second half of the film.

"Journey To The Center of The Earth 3D"

Brendan Frasier stars as a scientist looking to prove his brother's theories about the center of the earth. He takes his nephew, played by Josh Hutchison on a trip to Iceland following his brother's information. Before you can say, "look out below", they are falling to the center of the earth along with their cute Icelandic guide.

The film has a long set up, some terrific action sequences in the middle and wraps everything up neatly. What really makes the film entertaining is the 3D. It is truly exciting and fun to watch with the newest of 3D technology. Everything from yo-yo's to flying killer fish and dinosaur spit come flying off the screen and seemingly into your lap. The CGI backgrounds make for a visually stimulating environment and once our heroes begin their "journey", the action is pretty non-stop. They do borrow liberally from other films, like the ride through the mine in Indiana Jones & The Temple of Doom" but the 3D takes it to another level.

Definitely a fun summer film for the whole family as long as you leave your logic at the door.

Frozen River

A new independent drama starring Melissa Leo, "Frozen River" is a bleak yet gripping drama of life in New York State, on the Canadian border.

Ms. Leo stars as Ray, a mother of two boys struggling to make ends meet. When circumstances pair her with Lila, an Indian woman who smuggles illegal's across a frozen river from Canada, their lives become intertwined in a unlikely yet necessary relationship.

Life is hard near the border and the film pulls no punches. Ms. Leo gives a raw and powerful performance as a woman running out of options to protect her family. Misty Upham co-stars as Lila, who also gives an terrific performance. The bond that develops between these two woman is the core of the story.

There are many suspenseful moments in the film and the winter cinematography will have you chilled to the bone. The subject matter may be bleak but propelled by the strong acting, "Frozen River" won't disappoint if you like good drama.

The Dark Knight

Dark is not the word. Black would be more like it. While entertaining, this film is very, very, grim. Heath Ledger is brilliant and carries the film, but his untimely death adds an aura of additional darkness to an already bleak tale.

As Batman, Christian Bale continues to prove he's the best choice for the role. He does a terrific job as the tortured cape crusader but is overshadowed by Mr. Ledger. Most of the supporting cast from "Batman Returns" are also back although Maggie Gyllenhaal has replaced Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes and Aaron Eckhart is introduced as DA Harvey Dent. Both welcome additions to the film.

The action sequences are very exciting and well staged. The plot tends to get very thick though and is a bit confusing at times. Was a sequence in Hong Kong really necessary? The themes of the film are very adult and the visuals can be scary for children, especially in a scene where a child is directly in harms way( but makes an amazing recovery in the next scene).

For my money, the top superhero of the summer remains Iron Man.

Mamma Mia

Unless you are an Abba fan, there really is no reason to see this film. It's got some star power (Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Christie Baranski, Julie Waters and Colin Firth) but the flimsy plot collapses under the weight of everything Abba.

It's perfectly entertaining if you don't expect much but upon closer examination, it leaves little to desire. Meryl Streep looks like she's having a blast but she's embarrassing to watch. Pierce Brosnan is always dashing but when he sings, there are lots of unintentional laughs from the audience. The film turns on a plot point that is never satisfied but rather made immaterial. The cinematography is very spotting and it's poorly edited. When in doubt, turn up the music to mask another flaw.

There are some fun production numbers and Ms. Streep does an excellent job on "The Winner Takes It All" but overall, it just doesn't work as well as the Broadway show.One of the biggest charms of the show was audience participation which just doesn't work (although Ms Streep tries hard during the credits) on film.

Hellboy II : The Golden Army

Hellboy II The Golden Army is strictly for the fans. It is a visual treat written and directed by Guillermo del Toro based on the comic character created by Mike Mignola. Ron Perlman returns as Hellboy as does Selma Blair, Doug Jones, and Jeffrey Tambor in all their respective roles from the first film.

This time around the art direction and fantastic creatures are left overs from the imaginative world of "Pan's Labyrinth". The story is silly and rather dull (shoot the giant plant...yawn). The "Golden Army" of the title look interesting enough but in the end, don't pose much of a threat. A good deal of the film looks like it takes place in the Cantina from "Star Wars IV". The best part is the opening moments in the auction house. It goes downhill from there.

The actors try hard but the script brings them down. Still, it all looks pretty cool and will definitely appeal to a young male teen crowd.

Tell No One

Absolutely one of the best films of the year. Run, do not walk if this film is playing in your area. Based on the American novel by Harlan Corban, the film version has been made in France but retains all the twists, turns and suspense of this terrific thriller.

Eight years after Alex is beaten and his wife murdered on their country property, two more bodies are discovered. This sets off a chain of events that lead the police to think Alex may have murdered his wife and Alex to believe his wife may not really be dead at all.

The film works on every level. The direction and editing are superb. The acting is first rate and even the songs and music add and blend perfectly into the story.

The film is an adult rollercoaster ride that will have everyone discussing it long after it's over. I'm telling everyone to see "Tell No One". In French with English subtitles.

Wall-E

I must admit I had reservations about seeing this and wrote it off as another cute summer kids flick that didn't deserve my time. After reading all the positive reviews, I changed my mind and I'm certainly glad I did.

This film is simply brilliant. The animation is superb. There are times it doesn't even seem animated, especially in the early sequences on a desolate earth thousands of years in the future. The plot starts as a simple boy meets girl story (substitute robots) but soon you come to realize there is a much larger message here.

It is a story that is heartfelt and tender yet filled with gentle laughs and surprising action. What the film has to say about consumerism and ecology is deliberately scary and will go over the heads of small kids. In fact, "Wall-E" really shouldn't be seen by anyone under 10 years old.

"Wall-E" doesn't pander to it's audience and is filled with many stunning sequences. It is a film that adults can appreciate even without bringing the kids.

The Wackness

An Indie favorite from this year's Sundance Festival, "The Wackness" is a snapshot of NYC during the summer of 1994, seen through the eyes of Luke, a teenage drug dealer just trying to get by.

Luke is a white middle class 18 year old trying to find himself in the short time between high school and college. He deals pot for a living and looks for meaning through visits with his shrink, played by Ben Kingsley. Framed by a great rap soundtrack, we follow Luke, played by Josh Peck (all grown up now) through his life pursuing the girl of his dreams, Stephanie, played by Olivia Thirlby.

Mr. Kingsley has lots of fun with the role of Dr. Squires, a shrink who is in dire need of his own analysis, taking pot as payment from Luke's sessions. The film soon turns into a twisted kind of buddy comedy between the two and there are some very funny moments.

This is a fond remembrance to New York when it was both "dope" and "wack" and a heartfelt glimpse of a young man finding himself.

Hancock

Will Smith is a very engaging actor but even he can't save this meandering script. The first half hour of Hancock delivers on the promise of the trailer, a boozy bum of a superhero who doesn't seem to really care about anything. This premise is fresh and there is plenty of action and some good laughs as well. The problem is where the story goes from there.

The plot quickly takes a very strange twist and the film heads down an entirely different road. The tone becomes darker, the comedy is gone and suddenly we have a serious drama unfolding. The last act of the film introduces a ridiculous villain, a less than a spectacular fight scene, and an unlikely hero in a character that up until the end seemed to be in a different movie. The ending just fizzles away like extinguishing a firecracker before it explodes.

Jason Bateman is perfectly cast as the PR man who tries to change Hancock's image but he's basically playing Michael Bluth from "Arrested Development". Charlize Theron overacts because she is a serious actress miscast in a confusing role. Will Smith tries to carry the weight of the film on his shoulders but this time out, it just collapses back on him.

I'm sure this will be a huge audience favorite, easily #1 at the box office but...it's just not that good.

Wanted

Check your logic at the door and strap yourself in for quite a ride. "Wanted" borrows liberally from the stunt work begun in "The Matrix" but raises the bar considerably.

James McAvoy plays Wes, a nobody in a dead-end cubicle job who is recruited by Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman into a secret society of assassins. The plot is secondary to the action and there is plenty of it. Ms. Jolie basically plays the same role as she did in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" only with more of an edge. Mr. McAvoy is well cast as the assassin in training who slowly comes to believe in himself.

The stunt work is nothing short of spectacular and you will do yourself a disservice if you don't see this on a big screen. An early car chase is breathtaking and a train crash later on, while just impossible to believe, is still amazing to watch.

"Wanted" is a perfect action packed summer "popcorn" movie.

Get Smart

Way too many TV shows get remade as feature films and fail miserably. I'm happy to say, "Get Smart" doesn't fall into that trap. It is a fun, updated homage to the TV show starring Don Adams but it "smartly" avoids the pitfalls that have caused so many to crash and burn at the box office.

Steve Carrell is the perfect choice to play Maxwell Smart, Agent 86. Mr. Carrell doesn't try to mimic Mr. Adam's role but instead finds an original voice while staying true to the character. Even the familiar catchphrases are spoken as casual remarks without any forced fanfare. Ann Hathaway assumes the role of Agent 99, originally played by Barbara Felton and she too breathes new life into the character while remaining true to the spirit. Alan Arkin plays the Chief as more of a departure from the original but is still quite effective. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is well cast as Agent 23 and there are quite a few surprise cameos.

Taking a 1/2 hour comedy to the big screen requires the filmmakers to up the ante for action and special effects. The film delivers on all fronts. There is plenty of action, terrific stunt work and lots of legitimate laughs.

A very enjoyable summer comedy that works... and sets up the inevitable sequel.