'Children of Men' Seeks A Future

Children of Men brings a spectacular look at a futuristic but childless world. Women are infertile, and the youngest person is about eighteen years old. Theodore Faron is out to protect the only pregnant woman in the world. Clive Owen portrays Theo and is outstanding. Julianne Moore plays Julian Taylor like a candle blowing in the wind. As Jasper Palmer, a friend of Theo's, Michael Caine is the perfect comic relief. You'll be on the edge of your seat as you fear for the lives of the main characters. Unfortunately, the film ends a bit abruptly as it leaves the story open for continuation. This is a MUST SEE FILM! Ten Factor: 9.5

History Lives At 'Museum'

Ben Stiller takes on the role of Larry Daley, a divorced father who cannot keep a job and begins work at The Museum of Natural History as a night guard. Curiousity strikes when all the displays come to life one night, and Larry must consult the former museum guards who hired him. Larry gets his son, Nick, in on the excitement to prove that he's a really interesting dad. Owen Wilson, Robin Williams, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, and Bill Cobbs take part in this fun-filled family adventure. All you history buffs and history lovers out there will enjoy this funny movie that makes you feel as though you are a part of ancient history. This is a historical MUST SEE for the whole family! Ten Factor: 9

'Rocky' Throws Knock Out Punch?

Rocky Balboa proves that he's always worthy of another fight. Sylvester Stallone can throw a knock out punch any day. When a computer program chooses Balboa as the over-all winner against the new heavy weight champion, Mason Dixon, Balboa takes him up on the offer of another fight. Milo Ventimiglia, of NBC's hit show Heroes, plays Rocky Balboa, Jr., who is slighty upset with his life as the son of Rocky Balboa. When life gets him down, he joins his father and does a great job. Burt Young returns as Paulie, trying to teach everyone a little something. Geraldine Hughes portrays Rocky's knew love interest and takes a job as the hostess at Adrian's Restaurant, owned by Rocky. This film seemed to have its rough edges, nearly leaving the audience in the dark on just about everything. Either way, you'll like the outcome. If you're a Rocky fan, you'll love this one. Ten Factor: 8.5

'Good Shepherd' A Good Egg?

Matt Damon proves himself worthy of corruption as a CIA agent in The Good Shepherd. This film explains the life of agent Edward Wilson, out to find the truth behind the Cold War paranoia around him. Angelina Jolie portrays Mrs. Wilson and does a wonderful job. She only holds a small part due to the other cast members who play various roles: Alec Baldwin, Robert DeNiro, Michael Gambon, John Turturro, and William Hurt. Timothy Hutton and Joe Pesci take on much smaller roles. Almost every character in this movie seems "friendly" to every other character or at least you think they are, as corruption surrounds the movie's reality. You'll leave the theater curious of those around you, those you know personally. Although, it may seem a bit sluggish and boring to some, this is good break from everyday life. Ten Factor: 8.5

'Happyness' Comes True

I was immediately turned away from this film, because it had Will Smith and his son, Jaden Smith, in it. When I think of Will Smith, I think of a bad-ass fighter pilot saving the world from aliens or a bad-ass member of a secret society protecting the world from...aliens. Or perhaps, a bad-ass cop taking down the villians his own way. Who out there thinks children are good actors? I usually don't. They are too young and inexperienced to work. I'll have to admit that I thought the Smiths did a great job. When I left the theater, I realized that anyone who watches this film will feel the drama of this true story. The fact that this was a true story is another flaw. The Smiths play father and son, Chris and Christopher Gardner, struggling to make ends meet. Chris spends his entire life savings on bone density scanners that no doctor wants or needs to buy. All the while, young Christopher sits in day care all day. Chris's wife leaves him, forcing him to take the biggest chance of his life, learning new skills for a job that he only has a five percent chance of getting. It all works itself out quite nicely in the end. This is another MUST SEE! Ten Factor: 9.5

'Blood Diamond' Worth Its Weight?

Blood and Diamonds. Who knew the two could create quite a stir? Africa. That's who. Blood Diamond is based the true events of how African rebels enslaved their own people to mine diamonds. Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, and Jennifer Connelly star in this intense, action-packed drama about smuggling diamonds in Africa. It will have you on the edge of your seat as you dodge bullets and shed tears. This is a MUST SEE! Ten Factor: 10

'Apocolpyto' Captures Mayan Civilization

Mel Gibson brings the truth and reality of Mayan culture to life. This is an action-filled adventure that brings Mayan brutality to the big screen. Blood will flow, heads will roll, and fear will fill the mind’s eye as Mayans are captured as sacrifices to their gods. It’s one man’s journey back to save his family after escaping near death. This is a MUST SEE FILM! Ten Factor: 10

'Fountain' Flows Curiously

It seems as though what is supposed to be three stories is really just one short story. Hugh Jackman plays three roles as the same man, with only a slight change in his name as Tom Creo. He starts out as a conquistador, then becomes a veterinarian, and ends as a spaceman in a spaceship, or what some would like to call a bubble with the Tree of Life. He sets out to find a cure for death after his wife, Izzi played by Rachel Weisz, is stricken with a disease. The whole movie seems more like an odd dream, searching for the end of a story started by his wife, while reliving the past. This movie is more like Darren Aronofsky's final fantasy, 'cause he's lost his mind. Don't even wait for it on DVD. Forget about it and catch it on one of the movie channels in about a year from now, if you decide to care then. Ten Factor: 6.3

'Casino' Proves Explosive

Bond...James Bond is back and more explosive. He's younger, but it's the beginning of his story. Most of the people I know said that Daniel Craig would be a horrible Bond, and oh, let's not forget that he's blond. So everyone, just overlook his hair. It's hardly noticeable.
This Bond is more vicious and less stylish. There's more shoot 'em up now and ask questions later. More take action before thinking. Did you say gadgets, 'cause Bond didn't. He does manage to crash an extremely nice, high-powered car.
Since Bond is back, Judi Dench is, too. Only, she doesn't have a large part in this new film. Usually when Kingdom of Heaven star Eva Green is on the screen, the laughs come out to play. She can't be mentioned without mentioning her beauty. Her beauty shines more in this movie than it did in Kingdom of Heaven. She out does herself this time around. Don't leave your seat or blink, 'cause you will miss something important or an awsome chunk of the action.
This is another MUST SEE FILM! Ten Factor: 10

Trumpets Fade for 'Flags'

Slow but powerful. That's how audiences felt about Flags of our Fathers, as it brought in just over $10 million when it opened in theaters this weekend. This film centers around three of the six survivors, who raised the flag in the famous photo at the Battle of Iwo Jima during WWII and the controversy over who raised it. The three surviving men, John "Doc" Bradley, Rene Gagnon, and Ira Hayes, were hand-picked to set off on a war bonds tour. During the film's duration, it jumps between three different stories: the war bonds drive, the Battle of Iwo Jima, and the interviewing of one of the narrators. It would have made more sense to show the entire battle first, with a tie-in to the narration, and then the war bonds drive. With that aside, the acting and the action were superb. Bullets, bombs, and granades fly and explode, as limbs are blown off, vehicles explode, blood splatters, and men scream out in pain. I only recommend the film for the acting and the action, not the entire story. Stars of the film include: Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach, Barry Pepper, Paul Walker, Neal McDonough, and Robert Patrick. The Beef: We could do without Adam Beach and Barry Pepper in their second WWII films. Beach starred in Windtalkers, and Pepper starred in Saving Private Ryan. Some movie-goers might look at these two stars and confuse them with the characters they played in their other WWII films. The Second Beef: There are too many flashbacks, flashforwards, and "flashsideways" that would make nearly every audience member check themselves into the closest mental institution. Ten Factor: 8.5

'The Departed' Leaves Astonishment

Martin Scorsese has directed a masterpiece! Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, and Anthony Anderson star in this thriller about two men from opposite sides of the law going undercover within the Irish Mafia and the Boston State Police. This film will hold your attention throughout its entire duration. It's filled with shootouts (which are extemely intense), blood, sex, drama, cell phones, and a lot of cursing. The characters obsessively use the word "fuck." For example, they tell each other to "go fuck yourself," or "fuck you." A couple of these various forms of the word "fuck" are quite humorous. Throughout the film, it may prove difficult, at least for some audiences, figure out or know who is on which side of the corruption...so stay in your seat and duck and take cover, 'cause bullets will fly and men will die. If you don't understand Dignam's (Mark Wahlberg's character) final action, then you didn't pay attention to the beginning of the movie. Dignam knew every cop and every undercover cop. For the women out there, a love story weasels its way into the film. But that doesn't matter, because there is too much blood and too many bullets whizzing around for the women to enjoy it. Unless, of course, your a woman who likes action films. The performances were awsome! Ten Factor: 10