"Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker"

Sarah Bolger
Robbie Coltrane
Stephen Fry
Damian Lewis
Ewan McGregor
Bill Nighy
Sophie Okenedo
Alex Pettyfer

PG       93min      2006

“Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker” is totally a British produced film and was imported into American. It’s a quick paced film that you don’t realize 90 minutes has gone by. It’s entertainment for the whole family. As it’s British produced its imbued with British sensibility and an almost entirely British cast.

The book that the movie is based on was only about 200 pages, which lent itself to the quick pace. It moves by at lighting speed and having read the book I know some things that happen in the book that didn’t happen on screen. It could feel like a lot of things weren’t explained properly. If you watch the movie and don’t like it I suggest you read the book and then give it another shot.

I think where Anthony Horowitz made changes for the movie improved and moved the story along much better. As I have only read Stormbreaker, and don’t know what’s coming to Alex Rider in the future; I do know that Jack Starbright knows Alex is a spy sooner and one character is introduce in this movie instead of the third book.

Everyone in the family can watch it and enjoy it. Stormbreaker takes itself more serious that ‘Cody Banks’. There is not any foul language and relatively small amount of violent for an action film. It moves so fast that the kids will enjoy it also.

This movie was film entirely in England. The cast is English except for Alicia Silverstone and Mickey Rourke. They have their own sensibilities and it comes through in the film and it’s not a bad thing either. If you liked ‘Cody Banks’ you’ll like Alex Rider better.

The DVD is a little thin on extras. It gives you about six featurettes and that's it. There is one about where Anthony Horowitz talks about the reasons for the differences in the book and movie. Two features about stunts and the marital arts of the film and one feature about the special effect shots of the film. There are no delete scenes and no outtakes. Overall its a bare DVD.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"The Prestige"

Hugh Jackman
Christian Bale
Michael Caine
Piper Perabo
Samantha Hall
Scarlett Johansson

PG13           128min           2006

“The Prestige” is a story of two magicians in a bitter rivalry of one-up-manship in a race of ‘Who is the Best Magician’.

You hear ‘The Prestige’ and it sounds unremarkable but this movie is a gem in disguise. This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. This is no exaggeration. This movie is compelling and thought provoking. It has so many things happening all the same time. But just as with all magic tricks once its revealed it loses some flare and at the same time keeps you questioning the characters’ motives.

These characters take rivalry and demented to another whole level. The things that they do to each other are some times inhumane and insane. The answers to some of your questions are throughout the entire film. Some are in plain site and other are vaguely alluded to. A smart person will figure out some of the clues early on and others you will never be figured out even in the ending credits.

If you don’t like it is because it left you with too many unanswered question. This is one of the reasons I liked it. Watch again or debate it with a friend and you still will never have all your questions answered. I have never come out of a movie this satisfied and have so many questions unanswered. This is what makes the movie so entertaining.

The way Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale deliver their dialogue and the emotional state of the characters is key in this movie. This is some of the best acting I have seen from Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, and Michael Caine. This is acting at its best.

This one should be seen in the theaters. “The Prestige” should not be missed. If you don’t see this in the theaters you will kick yourself. Only blown up to 16 feet due you catch the clues laid out in front of you. It definitely should be up for some awards. This movie will not disappoint you.

I give it a resounding 5/5 Gs.

"All the King's Men (2006)"

Sean Penn
Jude Law
Kate Winslet
James Gandolfini
Mark Ruffalo
Patricia Clarkson
Anthony Hopkins

PG13           128min           2006

“All the King’s Men”, based on the novel by Robert Penn Warren, is about a man Willie Starks’s (Penn) humble beginnings to Louisiana Governor. How power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, and that destruction and betrayal goes hand in hand with corruption.

Sean Penn gives an Oscar worth performance. His performance stands out in a film with exceptional performances. Everyone in this film is excellent. All the Kings Men should get an Oscar for the entire ensemble.

This story is riveting and keeps you in your seat. The inspiration for Willie Stark is Huey Long, Louisianan State politician, Governor from 1928-1932 and Senator 1932-1935. It shows you that Willie Starks a good intended man is corrupted when politics comes into play. This one should not be missed its will worth its price.

This movie is better to be seen on DVD. The extras on the DVD are will worth it and enhance the experience of the movie. Never having heard of Huey Long it made me want to read up on him. It seems that he was a color full character that demanded the same reform as Willie Stark. Huey Long made it all the way to Senator with ambition of running for President.

Everyone loves a good underdog story. If you missed it at the movies or want to see it again, All the King’s Men, is worth giving a look to. It has strong performances from the entire cast. The story grabs you and keeps you intrigue. The DVD extras enhance the movie when you find out about the history behind this movie, inspired by 1946 Pulitzer Prize winning novel of the same name.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

"Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby"

Will Ferrell
John C. Reilly
Sacha Baron Cohen
Lesile Bibb
Michael Clarke Duncan
Amy Adams
Gary Cole


Unrated       122min       2006

“Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” is a Will Ferrell vehicle driven to absolute hilarity. Ferrell stars as Ricky Bobby, NASCAR’s #1 Racecar driver that lives by the motto “If you’re not first you’re last”. After being on top he has a devastating crash and has to pick himself up from the bottom.

This movie is totally hilarious with a few too many homoerotic moments thrown in. It was one moment after another. They would throw in a funny moment and then a homoerotic moment and if you were laughing at the funny moment you would miss the homoerotic moments.

Talladega Nights is a movie of total escapism. Will Ferrell and cast did a great job in this comedy. With all the homoerotic moments and it being the unrated, uncut version, I would have thought to have seen at least one pair of breast. It was hinted at several times but no cigars.

Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly played well together as redneck best friends. This movie screamed redneck pride from the beginning moments to the very end. This cast enjoyed making this movie. The “dinner pray” scene will go down as one of the funniest scenes of all-time. It’s like the Matrix you cannot be told about it you can only see it to appreciate how funny it truly is.

Overall it’s a totally hilarious NASCAR comedy full of homoerotic jokes that distracted me from the funny moments. It’s a comedy that will have you laughing you’re a** off because of the cast ability to bring the comedy. It stand right up their with other Will Ferrell’s movies like Old School and Anchorman.

This DVD is packed with special features. The outtakes are so hilarious you wonder why these weren't in the movie. Outakes of the product places. Featurettes of Will Ferrell at Talladega.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"The Butterfly Effect 2"

Nick Lively
Erica Durance
Dustin Milligan
Gina Holden
David Lewis
Andrew Airlie

R           92min           2006

“The Butterfly Effect 2”, is the same as the first movie. This time around Eric Lively plays Nick who a year after he loses the woman he loves, played by Erica Durance, of Smallville fame, his best friend and his girlfriend in a car wreck is left in a dead end job and headaches from the crash. When he realizes that he can look at a photo and go into the past he starts to change his life for personal gain.

The sequel just doesn’t work as well as the first. With such a great premise, you wouldn’t think that it could go wrong. The demise of this film sits squarely on the backs of NEW LINE CINEMA. This sequel is far inferior to the first but superior in the fact that the studio only gave the filmmaker 20 days to shoot this film. No film that relies heavily on the story can be cohesively filmed in twenty days. I don’t think any decent film can be shot in less than forty days, as always there are exceptions to the rule.

The entire conflict in contained a two-year period. The lack of time to film plagues it and it shows in the story told. In one instance Nick goes back one year and lands a promotion that causes him to become an asshole over night with no provocation or explanations. There is no way someone becomes an asshole that quick.

There are plot holes big enough to fit a hump back whale through. When Nick has a drastic change in his life he doesn’t remember the year as clearly as Evan did in the first. Several major events in his life that he should remember he doesn’t. There was some scene that did not play well in the film and it really didn’t move the plot along.

Next time a different approach should be taken. Maybe it should be a girl and take more than 20 days to film it. From these two films we learned that its genetic and the only way to get a grip on “the butterfly effect” is to commit suicide or give up trying to control everything. Something that would be interesting to see handled by a woman.

I not saying you will like it, but if seen enough of the The Butterfly Effect and are looking for a new take on it’s premise, give it shot.

I give it 2/5 Gs.

"Lady In the Water"

Paul Giamatti
Bryce Dallas Howard
M. Night Shyamalan
Jeffrey Wright
Sarita Choudhury
Bob Balaban
Noah Gray-Cabey

PG13           110min           2006

“Lady in the Water” is a movie written, produced and directed by M. Night Shyamalan that uses a bedtime story he tells his children as the plot device to a very interesting film about a man finding a woman swimming in the apartment pool after hours. This chance encounter drives this story of finding one’s true self and purpose in a chaotic world.

Mr. Shyamalan has brought another find tale to the screen. This one doesn’t shock you as the “Sixth Sense” and its more plausible than “The Village”. It’s an engrossing tale. I was halfway through it when I fell asleep…it will stay with you through the night. I woke up several times during the night with images from the movie in my dreams and I would think I should just finish it. It should be noted that it wasn’t that the movie was boring, it was just that I was that tire and shouldn’t have started it that tired anyway.

Bryce Dallas Howard, Opie’s little girl, brings in a strong performance and she’s believable in the part. I found that this film has a strong performance by M. Night Shyamalan, himself. In his other screen acting ventures him seemed small and meager. This time there was more of a confident in him, a strong sense of maturity. Paul Giamatti’s performance it what makes you care about the other character and the situations that each faces.

It ended kind of flat and left you think “this was it”, but you should not hold it against the movie. Most fairy tales are like that. It moved at a great pace, as one question was answered another one question would arise, until you were left with one ending question ‘What happens next?”. You want to know what becomes of these characters and you want to see their futures played out.

Overall it was another good film in a strong stable of works by M. Night Shyamalan. Strong performances by Paul Giamatti, M. Night Shaymalan, and Bryce Dallas Howard in her first lead or second if you count how she stole the movie from Joaquin Phoenix in “The Village”. It has a stirring “bedtime” story for adults as while as M. Night Shyamalan’s children.

I give it 4/5 Gs.

'Invincible'

Mark Wahlberg
Greg Kinnear
Elizabeth Banks
Kevin Conway
Michael Rispoli
Kirk Acevedo

PG           105min           2006

‘Invincible’ is the Disney dramatization of Vince Papale; From a bartender and substitute teacher in South Philadelphia to a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976.

Having taken place before I was born it was a great tale to learn about. It gives a great tale of following your dream and them coming true. You away from this tale with a enormous amount of admiration for Vince Papale. It was a great tale in the tradition of Walt Disney and their underdog takes in sports.

‘Invincible’ is a great tale for about fight to make your dreams come true. With everything against Papale, he fought tooth and nail and was given a shot by Dick Vermeil. If the first lesson this film teaches is never give up on you dream, the second is that everyone needs someone to give them an opportunity.

Watching this film you can relate to Vince Papale because of the acting from Mark Wahlberg. Wahlberg portrayed him as a guy trying to survive in the seventies facing his dream but never forgetting his friends and family. You will admire Papale because of that fact, where so many celebrities find fame and their dreams to forget who they were to begin.

‘Invincible’ is in that same caliber of ‘The Rookie’ and my personal favorite ‘Rudy’. This is a great inspiration film for anyone who has dreams of becoming a professional athlete. It shows hard work, sacrifice, dedication and opportunity make dreams come true. This film makes another fine addition to the Walt Disney tradition of underdog athletes.

I give it a 4/5 Gs.

'Jet Li's Fearless'

Jet Li
Shido Nakamura
Betty Sun
Yong Dong
Hee Ching Paw
Yun Qu
Nathan Jones
Brandon Rhea

PG13           103min           2006

Jet Li’s Fearless is the story of Chinese Martial Arts Master Huo Yuanjia (1869-1910). Huo Yuanjia was the founder and spiritual guru of the Jin Wu Sports Federation.

The only thing that this film can boast is that its Jet Li’s final martial arts epic. Maybe his acting translated be in Chinese market better than the American market because I have never found his acting that impressive. This film to me didn’t bring anything new in his resume. It kept me thing back to his film ‘The One’.

As a martial arts epic it wasn’t that impressive. May its suppose to be because its based on a true story. If it was then it got lost in translation. Some may find it impress and most of the people that I found who were impress have not seen may martial arts epic.

Another thing that I didn't like about 'Jet Li's Fearless' was the subtitle. I really didn’t care for them as they distracted me from the action and took my focus from the film to the subtitles. If you are a fan of Jet Li then you may like it. For me it seem Jet Li had already did this and better in other film.

I give it 2/5 Gs.

"Eragon"

Edward Speleers
Jeremy Irons
Sienna Guillory
Robert Carlyle
John Malkovich
Garret Hedlund
Djimon Hounsou


PG           104min           2006

"Eragon" is tale of, a farm boy who is chosen by a dragon's egg -- a discovery that leads him on a predestined journey where he realized he's the one person who can defend his homeland of Alagaesia against an evil king.

Eragon is reminisant of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings series and based off a novel by Christopher Paolini. It has characters with the British imagined names and tale of dragons, orcs, magic, dark sorcerers and kings. Filmed in Hungary it has scenes with the most striking landscapes that you forget to watch the movie.

Fairly well acted with a cast that features Jeremy Irons as Brom, Eragon's mentor, John Malkovich as King Galbatorix, Sienna Guillory, from Resident Evil: Apocalypse, as Arya, Djimon Hounsou as Ajhad, and newcomer, Edward Speleers as Eragon.

It’s an entertaining movie for with amazing special effects. The dragon, Saphira, voiced amazingly by Rachel Weisz, is a stunning work of computer animation. If by design or not Saphira overshadows the picture with is majestic poses and movement. The effects makes you want to ride her with her power and grace; “Only a rider may command its dragon”.

Just as the movie starts to pick up it ends. Eragon leaves you with a WTF feeling. There are definitely sequels coming. If you have never read the book it does make you want to see more. Having at this point never read the books I was entertained. As is with most movies based on books I maybe disappointed with this movie.

I give it a 3/5 Gs.

Having now finished Eragon and its sequel Eldest; I'm disappointed with this movie. Its one of the worst book to movie translations. I stand by my review but it could have been so much more. Only have reading Paolini's descriptive narratives due you realize that this film was too fast paced and skipped several major plot points that are crucial sequel hard.

If you have the time in your life to read check out this two books. They are part of a trilogy called Inheritance, with the third due out sometime in the future. You won't be disappointed with the books as they are so much more engrossing that the film.

I would still like to see a sequel just to see how they recover from the bludder that the film maker made of these books.

"Inside Man"

Denzel Washington
Clive Owen
Jodie Foster
Christopher Plummer
Willem DaFoe
Chiwetel Ejiofor


R 129min 2006

“Inside Man” is about a bank robbery and the cat mouse game played between the owner of the bank, the robbers, and the cops sent in to diffuse the escalating hostage situation.

Inside Man is Denzel Washington and Spike Lee’s fourth collaboration and is a more commercial movie than most expect from Spike Lee. It is an exciting film that puts a turn on the bank heist movie. As I watched this movie I wondered why it was never tried. Once you sit back and think about it so many things were left to risk, that things could have gone wrong and changed the outcome of this film.

This film works because of Spike Lee direction and the cast put together. Inside Man is lead superbly by Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, and Jodie Foster. The supporting cast is just as strong too featuring Christopher Plummer, Willem Dafoe, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, you may not know his name but you’ve seen his face. He was in Serenity, Four Brothers and Love Actually.

It made sense and was suspenseful to the end. It wasn’t black or white but the true color of life… gray. It’s your morality that should tell you who is good and who is bad. Even though Spike Lee clearly defines the good and bad.

Overall “Inside Man” is a good film, with patented Spike shot. It tales a very good story with a bank heist as a backdrop and a stellar cast. If you like and member of this cast you won’t be disappointed. The DVDs has twenty minutes of re-cut or deleted scenes and a nice little interview with Spike Lee and Denzel Washington talking about their 4 collaborations.

I give it a 4/5 Gs

"Brick (2005)"

Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Nora Zehetner
Lukas Haas
Noah Fleiss
Matt O'Leary
Meagan Good
Brian White

R           110min           2005

“Brick” places film noir in the setting of high school. After receiving a note and a phone call from his ex-girlfriend and her subsequent death. Brendan (Gordon-Levitt) sets out to find out who killed and why.

I caught this as a preview during a DVD I was watching and was immediately intrigued. I was not disappointed. Brick is a movie of its own cloth and Film noir is not for everyone and instead of it setting in the 40s and 50s, it set in modern time, in a high school, with a language of its own.

The language maybe off putting at first or put close caption on. The dialogue is key to figuring the mystery and as the movie progress it will come to you. Written and Directed by Rian Johnson, he created a tale of mystery and fil noir that reminds you of something William Shakespeare might write.

As this is his first feature film he set a great foundation to his directing career. This film should not be missed. The DVD is a little bare-bone but the commentary is a funny thing to hear. The commentary runs a talk show host by Rian Johnson, the end is the funniest as Rian Johnson and Noah Segan imitated the producer, instantly a classic DVD commentary.

I give it a 4/5 Gs.

'Idlewild'

Andre Benjamin
Antwan A. Patton
Paula Patton
Terrence Howard
Faizon Love
Malinda Williams
Cicely Tyson
Macy Gray


R           121min           2006

‘Idlewild’ is a musical set in the Prohibition-era American South, where a speakeasy performer and club manager contend with gangsters who have their eyes on the club while his piano player and partner must choose between love and his obligations to his father.

Not many musical groups could pull off what ‘Outcast’ did with this film. ‘Outcast’ has brought to the screen a modern musical for the ages. It’s not only is it entertaining but boasts some great acting from cast of some of the best African-American talent. The story isn’t that in depth but the musical numbers make up for it.

‘Outcast’ has brought to the screen that tailored to their strengths as a group. Antwan “Big Boi” Patton is the ruggish club owner doing what it takes to make his club a success. Andre Benjamin is a mortician by day and a piano player but night longing for something more. ‘Bug Boi’ for the most part brings to musical numbers to life while ‘Andre 3000’ a rising talented actor, carries the acting of the duo.

The musical numbers are modern, relatable and flow with the story. It’s complimented by the acting by Terrence Howard, Macy Gray, another rising actress in her own right, and Paula Patton. Neither overshadowed each other, which in most musicals one or the other does. This fact lends itself to being a widely acceptable musical.

‘Idlewild’ doesn’t have a in-depth story but it’s a complete and fulfilling story. If the musical number were taken out it would still hold up as a complete story but it’s the musical numbers that make it worth watching. You could skip this film but you would miss out on a surprising good film.

I give it a 3/5 Gs.

'Proud'

Ozzie Davis
Albert Jones
Jeffrey Nash
Eric LaRay Harvey




PG           87min           2004

‘Proud’ is the true story of the only African-American crew to take a Navy warship into combat in World War II.

This film is sad that more African-American veterans aren’t recognized for their war efforts in America’s campaigns. It is also riveting even with its low budget quality. It features one of Ozzie Davis’s last performances. It’s a tale that should be pasted on to other generations.

‘Proud’ is a great African-American tale of overcome the ignorant stereotypes. It must have been a major showcase for African-American at the time. It’s something that should never be forgotten and should be taught.

The film showed another instant of American prejudice toward African-American. I glad that they were recognized in the end. But it also man me wonder how many more veterans fought and died for America and aren’t recognized.

The tales and heroics of Veterans should be taught to future generation so that they can remember and learn from the mistakes of the past. I’m glad that Congress and President Clinton got around to recognizing this soldiers for their bravery and heroics. The British fleet should also commend them.

I give it 4/5 Gs.

"Superman Returns"

Brandon Routh
Kevin Spacey
Kate Bosworth
Parker Posey
Frank Langellan
James Marsden
Sam Huntington

PG13           154min           2006

"Superman Returns" is Bryan Singers re-launching of the Superman franchise. It stars Brandon Routh as Clark Kent/Superman returning to Earth after leaving for 5 years. The world has moved on without Superman and it finds Lois Lane played by Kate Bosworth, a mom and a fiancée to Richard White, Perry’s nephew. The world also finds Lex Luther played by Kevin Spacey, free and looking to cause chaos to the world again.

At first I was skeptical having been a child when Superman 1 and 2 came out, that Routh wouldn’t be up to the challenge of playing Clark Kent/Superman. Others will play the part but Christopher Reeves will always be Superman to me. Christopher Reeves really made believe a man could fly. I was totally wrong. Br4andon Routh embodied the role. There are several moments in the film when he looks and sound just like CR. If you watch Superman 1 and 2 and then watch Return you will see what I mean.

The movie felt like a prequel for another film instead of a continual. I’m unclear as to Brian Singer intention overall I enjoyed the movie very much. Superman Returns with all its technological advanced special effects is straight I candy for senses. Hearing Superman’s cape ripple in the wind is subtle but makes this movie worth its weight in gold.

If this was just a prequel to re-launch the franchise, “The Death and Life of Superman” should be two and three. It gives a most intriguing story to be told and it would probable take two movies to do it justice. The story if followed as in the comics gives characters to use in spin-offs. Superman Returns is a great addition to the franchise.

I give a 4/5 Gs. If you like this then you'll love Superman (1978) and Superman II: The Donner Cut.

'Shadowbower'

Helen Mirren
Cuba Gooding jr.
Stephen Dorff‘
Vanessa Ferlito
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Macy Gray
Mo’ Nique



R           93min           2005

‘Shadowboxer (2005)’ is about a female assassin, Rose, who is diagnosed with terminal cancer; she decides to carry out one final killing, assisted by lover and stepson, Mickey that changes their lives forever.

I didn’t know what to expect from this film, I rented because of Cuba Gooding Jr. It’s a stark departure from anything I’ve seen him in. ‘Shadowboxer’ is a compelling and sometime rough movie to watch. The casting is eccentric and not the ‘Hollywood’ choices. The performances by Gooding and Mirren are what drive this film.

‘Shadowboxer’ is a compelling drama that tells a tale that makes you wants to watch and at the same time turn away. There is some rough and shocking violence in this film. It’s violence that assassins who be adjusted to and off-putting to the average person.

The casting of this film is best described as eccentric; the actors cast in the part are so different that they complement each other and play to the actors’ strengths. Even with some of their over-the-top performance it works for the characters; lends to them being slightly psychotic and drives the story.

Helen Mirren and Cuba Gooding Jr. lead this stellar cast. Mo’ Nique is believable as a jealous crack addict. Mirren and Gooding make one of the most interesting pair from a psychological point of view. It their relationship that compels you to watch. Their like a car wreck that you know you should turn away from but can.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

'V for Vendetta'

Natalie Portman
Hugo Weaving
Stephen Rea
Stephen Fry
John Hurt



R 132min 2005

‘V for Vendetta’ is a shadowy freedom fighter known only as "V" uses terrorist tactics to fight against his totalitarian society in a future Britain. Upon rescuing a young woman, from the secret police, he also discovers an ally in her.

The fact that it was based on a comic book and the subject matter drew me to want to see this film. Having never read the comic, I found this film that stirred something dormant inside me. It reconfirmed to me how easily governments can lose touch and start to dominant the people.

How the people must keep checks on it government, lest we lose our rights. Patriots to their countries should what this and find relevance to their own situation. The government called V a terrorist. I feel he was a freedom fighter fighting to give people their rights back.

If you look at the political tones of ‘V for Vendetta’, they strike relevant in today’s world. This is the story plot that made me interested in this film and why it one of my favorites.

Hugo Weaving performance in the way he rattles off some of his monologue are a feature that should be awarded. Although you never see his face, his performance is mesmerizing and spectacular. Look at just his perform no one can be disappointed in this film.

Natalie Portman also gets a strong performance. I was too keen on the accent that she used but I did believe her emotion. It’s a world that me as an American would never want to live and its starting to take shape in America.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

'Take the Lead'

Antonio Banderas
Rob Brown
Yaya DaCosta
Alfre Woodard
Dante Basco
John Ortiz
Laura Benanti
Jenna Dewan
Marcus T. Paulk

PG13           108min           2006

‘Take the Lead’ is based on a true story, about a ballroom dance teacher motivating the troubled students in a school detention to make changes, in their lives, by introducing them to ballroom dancing.

A story about helping the “discarded” students find motivation, inspiration and hope in ballroom dancing. Antonio Banderas it the only person you can see playing this part. It a stirring drama with some amazing dance sequence. It an entertaining film that is over even before you know it.

‘Take the Lead’ is another tale of how someone takes it upon himself or herself to change the course for those students that are “discarded”. It is yet again another example of giving kids motivation to change and something to raise their self-esteem. When everyone else thought these kids were nothing he gave them something. It something that parents, teachers, and communities have been slacking in as of late.

Antonio Banderas is the only action that you can see playing this part. When you here what this movie is about the first actor that comes to mind is him. He is the only choice and does a good job in the role. Although he is the lead in this film the dancing its the star of the show.

What makes ‘Dancing with the Star’ so popular is what makes this film so good. The choreography is spectacular. You want to learn ballroom dancing. It shows the flexibility and the showmanship of it. The actors are believable in their dancing.

From the beginning you know ‘Take the Lead’ was successful because only happy ending are told in movie. This one is no different but what is entertaining is the journey that the students make during this film and the things that they have to overcome to see the light of day. It’s a dramatization of life that you will enjoy.

It has the standard stuff of featurette, deleted scenes, and trailers. It has nothing that stands out to make the special features original.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"Miami Vice (2006)"

Jamie Foxx
Colin Farrell
Li Gong
Naomie Harris
Luis Tosar


Unrated           134min           2006

“Miami Vice” is a grittier update of the 80s television show. This incarnation find Crockett (Farrell) and Tubbs (Foxx) drug running and blurring the undercover lines to bring down a drug kingpin supplying the eastern seaboard.

Those that loved the show may not prefer the movie. As a kid of the eighties and a post 9/11 world prefer the movie. It dramatized what the war on drug and what, even fictionalized, that those soldiers go through. This version is the one I would watch on television.

It was a good action drama, Under Michael Mann’s direction, Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell held their own. I didn’t see the theatrical release and cannot say what was added but I think the movie may have felt convoluted with anything missing.

The action in “Miami Vice” was action with suspense. The camera shot and use of hand-held made you feel that you were part of the action, which added to the suspense and kept you in the moment. Where it shines is that it feels more documentary that a movie. It added to the realism of it, just another case in these officers’ lives, going undercover in the war on drugs.

I give it 4/5 Gs. If you liked this you’ll like Rush (1991).

'Stay Alive'

Jon Foster
Samaire Armstorng
Frankie Muniz
Jimmi Simpson
Sophia Bush
Wendell Pierce
Adam Goldberg
Milo Ventimiglia

Unrated           100min           2006

“Stay Alive” is about a group of young adults, into video games, play a video game that starts to kill the players as they died in the game.

The things I seen in my life lend me to believe in the supernatural and I rarely watch scary movies. Its more shocking than scary but it left me leaving horror video games alone. I watched too many horror movies as a little kid that scarred my psyche.

‘Stay Alive’ was filmed in Louisiana it has that bayou feel. It just has that spooky feel. Having never been to Louisiana, it does seem to be a spooky place from everything I’ve read and heard about the place. It’s the birthplace of American voodoo.

The most disappoint thing about this film, there is no clear ending. It leaves an ambiguous ending. It’s either harmless or will leave the world decimated without young people as in 'Nightmare on Elm Street'. If it was done to setup sequels then it was a poor setup and made me question the relevance of these characters.

‘Stay Alive’ was inventive in its story. It was more suspense than horror. It was predictable from the moments you saw the characters interact with each other and the characters’ reactions to situations were really unbelievable.

A few featurerttes and some deleted and extended scene make up the special features. The standard boilerplate stuff.

I gave it 2/5 Gs.

'Accepted'

Justin Long
Jonah Hill
Adam Herschman
Blake Lively
Columbus Short
Maria Thayer
Lewis Black

PG13           90min           2006

‘Accepted’ is a comedy about a high school senior than doesn’t get into any college he applies to and instead of going to community college he decides to start his own.

It a funny film you enjoy even with the unbelievable plot. It’s so irreverent that you wish it were possible to pull off. Justin Long, of the Mac/PC commercial and Ed, stands out in this film of relative unknowns. It has all the comedic moments that make it just as memorable as the American Pies.

Every most high school senior are faced with rejection from a school, but at South Harmon Institute of Technology they say yes. Everyone is accepted. This is the college everyone wants to go to. Half the classes offered I would have taken. Then I wonder all colleges have to start somewhere

Justin Long leads this cast of characters that have comedic punch year ahead of their years. This cast did a great job of selling this movie. You believed these friends would get together and start a college, to get out of disappointing their parents.

‘Accepted’ gives that idea college experience with humorous moments. Not all the funny moments are in the trailer. Your constantly laugh wondering how they will pull the next crisis out. “Ask me about my wiener?” has an extended version on the DVD that is totally hilarious.

This DVD is packed with special features. The auto commentary is just down right funny. The featurettes get truly behind the scene and gives you the realization that it was a funny set to be on. The cast and crew were friends and had a good time making this film.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"The Lake House"

Keanu Reeves
Sandra Bullock
Shohreh Aghdashloo
Christopher Plummer
Ebon Moss-Bachrach

PG       105min      2006

“Lake House” had Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock reuniting again since Speed. Keanu an architect that buys a lake house to refurbish and finds a letter left by future tenant Sandra Bullock.

“Lake House” has a nice love story wrapped in a science fiction time travel film. It was a house built on a deck of cards. It loses some of its logic during the movie; this is the major problem, because of it the story gets implausible and loses it momentum. It changes it own theories to fit itself. Left major plot holes that you could drive a eighteen-wheeler through.

The science-fiction part loses some of its logic middle ways through the film. That as side you can still enough this movie but just a little less. The question left open nagged at me throughout the rest of the picture. It kept distracting me every time something contradictory came on the screen.

Once the time-travel logic unraveled the rest of the story started to not make sense. This the characters should have done and didn’t. People they met and should have remembered. Little things that gnawed away at the story.

At the end of the movie it left question to the story that took away from the enjoyment of the movie. It made you question ‘what you just saw’. I don’t think the writer gave his audience enough credit. Even a simple child could break the foundation of this movie.

Movie are about escapism in the post 9/11 world. Audiences want something that is grounded in reality. That mean that it has to be plausible even if its improbable. That’s why we send the dollars to see these films. Hollywood has lost its creativity and is suffering for it. In this era of time we anyone can setup a home theater, why spent the money going out when you can stay in for a fraction of the cost.

It’s basically a bare DVD. It has a few bloopers. A few behind the scene feature, but nothing extenisive.

I give it 2/5 Gs.