Movie Critics R Us

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

RE: Movie Critics R Us

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Step Brothers (2008)

Brennan Huff (Will Ferrell) and Dale Dobeck (John C.Reilly) are two men pushing forty who find their pampered stay-at-home existences threatened when their single parents fall in love and marry. The joke is spread too thin and grows old too fast. A lot of the gags feel forced, and some of the ad-libbed stuff fails to fly. Ferrell is often not on the same comic wavelength as I am, so if you are a fan you may find this to be a scream. I do admire his willingness to reach for laughs, but to me this was a crass, raunchy misfire with some laughs, just not enough.

On The Doll (2007)

Balery (Brittany Snow) is a prostitute who who suffered an abusive upbringing, and now lives in a world with people who had similar pasts, only to draw clients who like to indulge in twisted perversions. The subject matter is disturbing as it exposes the seedy underbelly of society, but any impact is lost due too a preposterous conclusion that impossibly serves to connect the stories, with symbolic connotations nonetheless. It has to be seen to be believed, but is not worth doing so.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Swing Vote (2008)

Due to the mischievous actions of his precocious 12-year-old daughter Molly (Madeline Carroll), an apathetic man named Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner) finds himself in the position that his vote will decide the fate of the free world. With Kelsey Grammer as incumbent president Andrew Boone, Dennis Hopper as Donald Greenleaf running against him, and Stanley Tucci and Nathan Lane playing their respective campaign managers, you get a seasoned cast to compliment Costner and the refreshing young newcomer Carroll. The cynical tone towards politics is deserved and there is a lot of truth exposed through satire here. And while the political process is lampooned there is also an unuttered message to voters that voting is a civic responsibility not to be taken lightly, while a bipartisan approach is taken so that neither the right nor the left should take offense. Looking past that, this is an entertaining movie, with several chuckles and astute observations. Yes, the entire scenario is highly improbable, and the gloves off approach towards the ending perhaps gutless, but damned if I did not enjoy this one despite my pessimistic nature.

My Name Is Bruce (2007)

When an ancient curse besets a small town, the young inhabitants kidnap their B-movie hero Bruce Campbell (Bruce Campbell) in the hopes that the cowardly and egotistical actor will save the residents from a head-hunting demon. Campbell is all too willing to embrace his cult hero status and celebrate B movie horror flicks in this cheesy spoof, and thanks to his willingness to laugh at both himself and his audience, there is plenty to be amused by in this film. I cannot say it will play well to a wide array of viewers outside of his audience though if they are not in on the joke.

Desert Of Blood (2008)

Luis Diego (Justin Quinn) is a vampire freed from being buried for 50 years beneath the Mexican desert and finds himself falling in love with Maricela (Brenda Romero). The acting is awful, especially that of Quinn, and it looks every bit as low budget as it is. There is no suspense, ineffective and unconvincing kills, and the vampires failed to promote an air of invincibility and doom. It is so bad that at one point a character tells three others to stick together, whereupon they all dispersed in separate directions, leading to a conclusion that felt rushed.

El Cortez (2006)

Manny DeSilva (Lou Diamond Phillips) is a social introvert who becomes attracted to Theda (Tracy Middendorf), one of the guests in the hotel he manages, and through his new friend, Popcorn (Bruce Weitz), finds himself caught up in the dangerous dealings of others. Noir-ish and off the beaten path, rife with pulp fiction friendly characters, there is an attempt to revive a genre here, but it is only met with limited success. The varied twists serve to keep things interesting, but only to an extent. I view this more as a curious oddity than a fully realized nugget.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Eagle Eye (2008)

Bizarre events unfold after Jerry Shaw (Shia LaBeouf) loses his twin brother, a computer programmer for the military, and he is forced by a series of anonymous calls to join Rachel Holloman (Michelle Monaghan), a total stranger in a breakneck race to Washington with FBI agent Thomas Morgan (Billy Bob Thornton) on their trail. I was actually looking forward to this action thriller after seeing previews and noticing the cast on board, and although there is an abundance of great action, it is impossible to overlook just how ridiculous and impossible some of the things we are asked to believe are. Even the most paranoid schizophrenic would roll his eyeballs at times upon seeing this. It wants to be Enemy Of The State, but instead is its own worst enemy.

Jab We Met (2007, musical, subtitled)

Punjabi girl Geet Dhillon (Kareena Kapoor) and depressed Mumbai businessman Aditya Kashyap (Shahid Kapoor) meet on an overnight sleeper train bound for Delhi. They both get stranded in the middle of nowhere and she convinces him to accompany her back home despite the fact that she irritates him to no end. This is a refreshing Bollywood romantic comedy. The Kapoors are a good team, and the song and dance numbers actually provide the highlights of the film. The costumes, sets and cinematography are excellent. My one beef is that the movie does carry on for too long, especially with it being obvious how things will pan out.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Passchendaele (2008)

The lives of troubled veteran Sergeant Michael Dunne (Paul Gross), his nurse girlfriend Sarah Mann (Caroline Dhavernas) and her brother David (Joe Dinicol) intersect first in Alberta and then in Belgium during the bloody World War I battle of Passchendaele. This is a nice tribute by Gross to his grandfather, who lost his life at the site, and the battle scenes are the highlight, capture the dirty nature of war. It also examines the psychological toll battle can inflict on the men who engage in it. The trouble is, too much emphasis is placed on the romance angle, and that segment is not nearly as captivating. Then there was the symbolic inference to Jesus bearing the cross near the end which was a bit too much to bear, proving that Gross the director could stand for a lesson in subtlety.

The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants 2 (2008)

Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Bridget (Blake Lively), Lena (Alexis Bledel) and Carmen (America Ferrera) once again take turns wearing the magical pants as they struggle with relationships, their identities and the distance that draws them apart. If you enjoyed the first movie you will likely be pleased with the sequel, although it is not nearly as moving. The four girls are likable and well developed characters, and the dilemmas they encounter seem typical of people their age. But instead of having things tidily work out in the end, perhaps things would be more interesting if they had to cope with some worst case scenarios.

This Christmas (2007)

Reuniting beneath one roof for the first time in seven years, Ma'Dere Whitfield (Loretta Devine), her three daughters, Kelli (Sharon Leal), Lisa (Regina King), and Mel (Lauren London), and her sons, Michael (Chris Brown), Claude (Columbus Short), and Quentin (Idris Elba), discover skeletons in the closet and are reminded why it has been so long since they last broke bread together. I liked this black ensemble dramedy much better than the ones belched out by Tyler Perry recently. There is plenty of family conflict salved with a tinge of humour throughout to keep things light. Of course there is also a bit of the cheese factor, which requires a mild suspension of disbelief as the myriad crises are resolved, but the talented, sexy cast keep things interesting, and the soulful soundtrack is great. It will not go down as a holiday classic, but it is no lump of coal either.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Choke (2008)

Besides working at a colonial reenactment theme park and trying to hook up with everything on two legs, sex addict Victor Mancini (Sam Rockwell) courts the love and money of complete strangers via a demented con that might just kill him. But first, Victor must save his dying, delusional mother Ida (Anjelica Huston) by seducing and impregnating her comely physician, Dr. Paige Marshall (Kelly Macdonald), a task easier said than done. This dark and raunchy comedy certainly is out in left field, but it certainly is willing to push buttons and stray from the norm. Mancini is such a repulsive character that he is sure to elicit a reaction, and there are some pretty amusing moments here if your mind is even a little bit twisted. One thing is certain, this is pretty original material, and although far from perfect, mature audiences might want to check in if they want something funny that strays from the beaten path.

Life In A Metro (2007, subtitled, musical)

Rahul (Sharman Joshi) resides in an apartment owned by his uncle, and lets rich and influential people use it for their sexual escapades in exchange for personal benefits. The stories are pretty believable and the characters are varied and interesting enough to keep viewers attuned. The rock music interludes are unintrusive and a welcome compliment. But to me there was a lack of chemistry and passion in most of the romances, and some more humour would have been welcomed. A solid enough drama that probably should have been better.

Half Past Dead 2 (2007)

William Burke (Bill Goldberg) and Bernard 'Twitch' Washington (Kurupt) are two inmates serving time at Craton Prison, a notoriously tough and violent penitentiary ruled by rival gangs. When a riot breaks out and the prison goes into lockdown, the two must form an unlikely alliance to stay alive. The Twitch character and his mention of hidden gold is the thin tie to the original, and many may feel the absence of Steven Seagal here is addition by subtraction. However, this one arrives DOA and all efforts to resuscitate it fail. The plot is stupid. The dialogue poor. Even the action fails to raise a pulse. My low expectations were met.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

W. (2008)

This Oliver Stone biopic chronicles the life of George W. Bush (Josh Brolin). To the credit of Stone, it appears he tried to be as fair as possible, neither satirizing Bush or overly skewering him as many may feel he deserves. Some may even view him as a tragic, almost sympathetic figure, crippled by the shadow and expectations of his father. Brolin is very good here, as is most of the cast, especially James Cromwell as the senior Bush, Elizabeth Banks as Laura Bush, and Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney. The depiction of Bush pretty much fits in with my personal view of him, so I take this as a validation of my beliefs. Like Forrest Gump, only nonfiction.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

Eager to learn the identity of her father before her wedding, Sophie Sheridan (Amanda Seyfried), the daughter of her formerly free-spirited single mom Donna (Meryl Streep), secretly invites a triumvirate of possible fathers, Harry Bright (Colin Firth), Sam Carmichael (Brosnan), and Bill Anderson (Stellan Skarsgard), to her approaching nuptials in this film adaptation of the popular musical. Pure cheese, but the infectious songs by ABBA make this an entertaining romp. The singing is nothing to write home about, with the exception of Streep, who is actually not half bad. Brosnan has a long ways to go before he approaches good, but he scores points for risking humiliation. Detractors of the band need not apply.

Shredder (2003)

When snowboarders Cole Davidson (Cole Weinger), Kimberly Van Arx (Lindsey McKeon), Skyler (Billy O'Sullivan), Robyn (Holly Towne) and friends break into an abandoned ski lodge for a weekend of hot partying and heavy powder, they soon find themselves stalked by a psychotic killer who plans to put them all on ice. This misses the mark as a horror comedy because it is missing both of those elements. The gore is obviously amateurish, and the characters not developed enough to give a fig about any of them.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

The Stone Merchant (2006)

Alceo Bandini (Jordi Molla) lectures students at an Italian university about the potential dangers of Islamic fundamentalism. He was the victim of a terrorist attack in Kenya and lost both legs. He goes on vacation with his wife Leda (Jane March) to Cappadoccia, Turkey where they meet two gentlemen, Shahid (F. Murray Abraham) and Ludovico (Harvey Keitel). Although he first befriends the two men, he soon becomes suspicious about their true political allegiances, and worries that Ludovico is seducing Leda. It appears that this film was not well received, but it was not as bad the backlash at the IMDB led me to believe. The measured pacing may turn some people off, as may the dire warnings of Bandini, which may reflect the views of those involved in the production. And perhaps the plot could have been hashed out better. Still, I enjoyed the cinematography, believed the happenings as plausible, and found the acting and direction to be pretty good. It treads the line between potboiler and romance, for better or worse.

The Life Before Her Eyes (2007)

As the anniversary of a traumatic high school event closes in on a grown up Diana (Uma Thurman, Evan Rachel Wood), her survivor's guilt begins to tear apart her family life. I really do not know what this one was trying to achieve. The conclusion befuddled me and I have no idea what to make of it. It reduces all that went before it to a gimmick. The only redeeming element is the continued growth of Wood as an actress.

Legacy (2008)

Lana Stephens (Haylie Duff), Zoey Martin (Madeline Zima) and Mai (Monica Lo) are three popular sorority girls who become prime suspects in a murder case when a geeky girl rushee is found dead in the hottest sorority house on campus. The wig Duff wears is awful, making her look more like a drag queen than a beauty, and these girls are plain despicable. These characters and their lack of consciences do not resemble anyone in the real world. The cops here are ridiculous, especially a cameo by Tom Green that just does not work. There are so many better mean girl movies out there, so do not waste time on this one.

Space Chimps (2008, animated)

Ham III (voice of Andy Samberg), the slacker grandson of NASA's legendary chimpanzee astronaut, is recruited to help retrieve a lost space probe along with trained chimp astronauts Luna (voice of Cheryl Hines) and Titan (voice of Patrick Warburton). On their journey they encounter an alien named Zartog (voice of Jeff Daniels) who has harnessed the previous space probe for world-domination purposes. This one is uneven. There are some funny jokes that do hit the mark, but there should have been more. Some of the animation is decent, but I thought the look on the alien planet was pathetic. Surely young kids will eat this up, and older audiences will still find a few parts to enjoy.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Blind Date (2007)

Don (Stanley Tucci) and Janna (Patricia Clarkson) are two parents who talk, flirt, and fight with each other as they try and cope with the loss of their young daughter. They go on a series of pretend blind dates, each placing personal ads in the paper and acting as strangers when they meet. They do this over and over again, both playing a different series of roles, in a desperate attempt to overcome their buried grief and rebuild their shattered relationship. Sure, it is a gimmick, but at least it is a fresh idea, and it is hashed out by two veteran actors who sell you on the grief their characters must endure. At least there is enough humour injected into their escapades to provide some welcome levity, even if the whole exercise appears futile and not very therapeutic. Like Interview, this is a remake of a film first made by murdered Dutch director Theo van Gogh, who clearly had a knack for digging up interesting projects. The ending may not sit well with many, but then again, the same can be said for many real life events.

Let Him Be (2009)

An undergrad film student named Tim Bennett (Sean Clement) discovers a tape left inside a video camera containing footage that leads him to believe John Lennon is still alive. Tim is now on a quest to prove that Lennon is alive, and he is documenting it every step of the way with the help of his girlfriend Kathleen Joyce (Kathleen Monroe). The pair do seem to get a bit too fortuitous in uncovering the mystery man in quick fashion, and the whole concept asks viewers to suspend disbelief, but this is a mildly interesting exercise. Much of the appeal comes thanks to Mark Staycer, who plays mystery man Noel Snow and the original music, which is convincing enough to possibly pass off as that of Lennon. Less convincing is the Bennett character, who does not come across as much of a documentarian. This is pretty engaging as a small budget curiosity though.

Razzle Dazzle: A Journey Into Dance (2007, mockumentary)

Eager members of dance academies run by Mr. Jonathon (Ben Miller) and Miss Elizabeth (Jane Hall) compete at Australia's most prestigious dance competition amidst parental politics, petty rivalry, creative controversy and the hysterics of pushy stage mothers, like Justine Morgan (Kerry Anderson). If you like films like Best In Show and A Mighty Wind, this Aussie movie may be your cup of tea. It applies the same brand of sardonic wit to the competitive dance establishment to highly satisfactory effect. The three aforementioned actors are a hoot in their roles.

Sniper 3 (2004)

Tom Beckett (Tom Berenger) is the secret weapon of the National Security Agency. NSA agents William Avery (Dennis Arndt) and Richard Addis (William Duffy) hire him to kill a suspected terrorist who subsequently proves to be an old friend. Beckett starts questioning the motives of his employer once his curiosity is piqued. Berenger looks totally disinterested, and he was too chunky to be convincing in this role. And he would have been long since been put out to pasture by the military, especially as a sniper with an alcohol dependency. He looks almost comical trying to provide an air of authenticity to a movie that fails to even meet direct to DVD standards. Stick a fork in this franchise.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army (2008)

For centuries humankind has been kept safe by a treaty long since forgotten, but now elf lord Prince Nuada (Luke Goss) rises in defiance of the treaty, assembling an army of incredible strength, unstoppable to anyone but Hellboy (Ron Perlman), a reluctant red demon with a sweet tooth, aided by his girlfriend Liz (Selma Blair) and the U.S. Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense. Director Guillermo Del Toro is adept at immersing viewers into fantasy realms, and here he provides a sequel that is every bit as entertaining as its predecessor, if not more so. Perlman and his wise-cracking superhero is a breath of fresh air in a genre that can at times be downright dour. In fact, this is flat-out unadulterated fun!

Igor (2008, animated)

A gifted scientist is born with a hunchback that relegates him to the status of lowly assistant to the mad scientist community, but when his master dies, Igor (voice of John Cusack) seizes the opportunity to shine in the annual Evil Science Fair. This is not a cartoon for younger children, for much of the material is dark in nature, and there is a lot of appeal to older audiences who have a certain twisted sense of humour. The visuals are sharp, and there are a few good jokes, but I would put this one a tier or two below the classic Pixar and even Dreamworks animated features due to a slight lack of consistency.

Afghan Knights (2007)

Pepper (Steve Bacic) organizes a task force to send to Afghanistan on a rescue mission, but once there, his band encounter none other than Genghis Khan and a troop of warriors in this fantastical story. Cooper (Michael Madsen) has a role as mission operative, but he looks rough and is only on board for name recognition and because he is in dire need of money to pay off debts. The story is muddled and poorly hashed out, with the budget too small to create any kind of convincing effects after most of it likely landed in the pockets of Madsen. The acting is poor and most of the characters are not worth caring about. The whole project just seems ill-conceived.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Zach And Miri Make A Porno (2008)

Frustrated by their lack of income male and female best friends Zach Brown (Seth Rogan) And Miriam Linky (Elizabeth Banks) decide to enter the world of amateur pornography, only to realize in the process that they have real feelings for each other. First and foremost this is a gross out comedy with its fair share of scatological references, but it is also a surprisingly endearing romance movie from director Kevin Smith, who always has a knack for injecting some interesting dialogue into his scripts. Smith fans will be happy to see Jason Mewes and Jeff Anderson on board, and Justin Long and Traci Lords prove to be welcome inclusions. Although rather typical and predictable as a comedy, it manages to be better than much of the competition due to the talent involved.

Last Maneater: Killer Tigers Of India (2007, documentary)

This Discovery Channel documentary is about the last tigers in the world to hunt, kill, and eat humans. They live in the Sunderbans, the mangrove forest swamps in eastern India where up to eighty people every year are killed and eaten by tigers. Only forty-five minutes in duration, this fails to qualify as a feature, and although I was intrigued by the subject matter and learned a few things, I was annoyed at the repetition of a few of the facts. If I had to be poor and was forced to fish for a living to provide for my family, I think it would be anywhere but the Sunderbans.

Sky Fighters (2005, subtitled)

Captain Antoine Marchelli (Benoit Magamel) and Captain Sebastien Vallois (Clovis Cornillac) take to the skies to take out a Mirage 2000 that's been hijacked, the first stage of a mission of betrayal and espionage. I guess you can call this one France's version of Top Gun. I think the inclusion of two female pilots was an unnecessary plot device, especially when one performed an impromptu striptease. It took away a bit of credulity. I think it could have stood for some more action sequences, but the story is a pretty good one, with Magamel proving to be a good choice for the lead role. Although competently made and entertaining enough, I still feel like this should have been something more. An intense dogfight or two might have filled the void.

Dor (2006, subtitled)

Zeenat Fatima (Gul Kirat Panag) and Meera (Ayesha Takia) are very different women, who find themselves bonded together as their lives converge after a murder. This is a touching drama out of India which provides original subject matter and provides plenty of material for discussion. For one, it sheds light on the fate of widows in India, one I first became aware of after seeing Water. It is Meera who finds herself in that position, and it is impossible not to sympathize in her plight or wonder how you would respond given the ultimate decision she must make here. The spirits of these two strong female characters are infectious, yet the way things play out, viewers are not subjected to shameless manipulative techniques to win them over, a trait too many movies are guilty of. The joy lies in the journey, although it is one that will appeal to a limited demographic.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

The Mother Of Tears (2007)

In the heart of modern Rome, an urn is found and brought to a young archeologist, Sarah Mandy (Asia Argento). But what Sarah doesn't know is that the urn belongs to a powerful witch, Mater Lachrymarum (Moran Atias), the Mother of Tears. She unwittingly unleashes a demonic power intent on destroying the city and everything in its path. When the Mother's minions and henchman come after her, she takes refuge with Padre Johannes (Udo Kier), an old priest and discovers her legacy. I found this one from noted horror maestro Dario Argento to be ingenious for its ability to consistently straddle the line between good and laughingly bad. Some of the acting is downright campy, and the story is somewhat questionable, but the gore served up would make any horror movie proud. It is not often you can both praise and mock a movie at the same time, but here is a prime example.

American Crude (2008)

For years, Johnny (Ron Livingston) had been successful devising schemes that would help him achieve the American Dream, until the night he throws a bachelor party for his best friend Bill (Rob Schneider). Now, before the frantic evening is over, all his best-laid plans come crashing down as the paths of several highly eccentric characters converge. Yes, there is some crudeness in some of the subject matter, but I would not consider the film to be offensive to anyone. I actually liked it a lot more than the consensus seemed to. The ensemble cast is talented, with Missi Pyle, Amanda Detmer, Jennifer Esposito and Michael Clarke Duncan also on board. I liked a lot of the dialogue, and the madcap antics, although not gut-busting, were funny enough. As comedies go, you can do a lot worse.

Career Opportunities (1991)

Jim Dodge (Frank Whalley) is a fast-talking perpetual liar who finagles a job as a night cleaner in a department store, and wastes no time sampling the merchandise,when he discovers that his long term crush, Josie McClellan (Jennifer Connelly), is locked inside with him. This is a rather thin comedy, but with just enough substance to make it a winner thanks to the conversations between the two leads penned by writer John Hughes, who knows the formula for what makes comedies work. Whalley does his best Matthew Broderick impersonation, and Connelly is simply irresistible, not to mention criminally erotic in a scene where she rides a mechanical pony.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Meet Dave (2008)

A crew of well-trained miniature aliens comes to New York in a space ship with the form of a human man, Dave Ming Cheng (Eddie Murphy), which looks like the captain of the ship bearing his resemblance, in hopes of saving their planet. Dave befriends Josh (Austyn Lind Myers), a fifth-grade boy who is being raised by his artist mother, Gina (Elizabeth Banks), who together help change the perception Dave has of the human race. I look upon recent Eddie Murphy comedies with low expectations, but here, even though I may be in the minority, I see a return to form. I thought the concept to be rather original, and Murphy manages to wring quite a few laughs out of it, both through one-liners and physical comedy. This is one whole families can enjoy.

Le Banquet (2008, subtitled)

Bertrand (Alexis Martin) is a disillusioned professor who supports some students and their quest for change, but not their methods. Student leader Louis-Ferdinand (Frederic Pierre) is torn between following his heart and his head, and Natasha (Catherine de Lean), the daughter of university president Jean-Marc (Raymond Bouchard), tries to reinvent herself to escape her past. Gilbert (Benoit McGinnis) is a disgruntled student an unwelcome guest at a university banquet with an agenda to resolve the conflict. This is an accomplished drama that takes the time to establish who the characters are and the atmosphere of their environment as they head towards a final convergence that becomes volatile. This is confident film making on display, knowledgeable of its territory, and convincing in every aspect.

The Dogs Of War (1980)

Hired to stage a coup and overthrow a ruthless West African dictator, the mission of American mercenary Jamie Shannon (Christopher Walken) is interrupted when the government becomes suspicious of him and throws him in jail, only to get a second chance upon his release, whereupon he returns with Drew (Tom Berenger) and a few other soldiers of fortune. This is a gritty and entertaining thriller driven by the consistently reliable Walken in a memorable role. The story about the machinations of a coup holds up well to this day. The novel of the same name by Frederick Forsyth provided great, credible source material which was given its due by director John Irvin, so much so that I would consider this a classic.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Girl's Best Friend (2008)

Cynical music critic Mary (Janeane Garofalo) has never gotten over her failed marriage and refuses to open her heart again. But when she gets stuck on a cross-country road trip with her mother's Jack Russell, Binky, her heart begins to soften and eventually she manages to not only love the dog, but others in her life as well. This is a fairly predictable romantic comedy which falls short because the relationship between Mary and the dog just is not very warm or special. I did not feel any bonding, and as for the relationship with musician boyfriend Jake (Kris Holden-Ried), there are no sparks, and Mary does not even deserve him. Garolfalo gives a rather flat performance, and the road trip is not particularly memorable or eventful.

Humboldt County (2008)

At the edge of the continent and on the margins of society is a region of California known to some as "The Lost Coast." It is there, in Humboldt county, that Peter Hadley (Jeremy Strong), a promising yet disillusioned medical student failed by his professor father (Peter Bogdanovich), encounters a remote community of counterculture marijuana farmers and a warmly embracing, yet eccentric family after meeting a free-spirited girl named Bogart Truman (Fairuza Balk). A lot of the dialogue was too soft to catch even with my volume turned up, and whispered dialogue is a pet peeve of mine. One should not have to strain their ears while trying to take a movie in. I got the gist of the dialogue regardless, but the deliberate pacing of the movie might have caused me to tune it out anyway. This self discovery journey just was not very engaging. The script could have stood for more levity, and although it does not preach for the legalization of pot, it might as well be noted as one long public service announcement advocating it.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Red (2008)

Avery Allan Ludlow (Brian Cox) is a Korean War vet who now lives alone in a small town where he runs the local hardware store. His only companion is his 14 year-old ginger-haired dog, Red. When Red becomes the victim of a cruel, senseless act, Avery is determined to search for answers and justice. This is an enjoyable adaptation of a Jack Ketchum novel. Cox proves to be a good choice for the role, and Ludlow is a principled, likable sort that people can champion as he refuses to back down even when it appears his options are exhausted. The lengths he ultimately goes to may be a stretch, but not so absurd that it is impossible to believe.

Murder Party (2007)

A random invitation to a Halloween party leads Chris (Chris Sharp) into the hands of a group of pretentious Brooklyn artists intent on murdering him for the sake of their art. This one makes the most of its bare bones budget, and mixes in the gore and humour in sufficient doses, making it a perfect candidate to deserve a cult following.

Mulligans (2008)

Heading home for the summer, college student Tyler Davidson (Derek Baynham) invites his best friend Chase Rousseau (Charlie David) to spend the summer with his parents Nathan (Dan Payne) and Stacey (Thea Gill) at the lake, where the young man becomes so comfortable that he makes a revelation that will change all their lives. Yet the reaction to the revelation is tempered, and apparently water under the bridge in short order. Instead of a family torn asunder, they seem to rebound with remarkable aplomb. The makers did not have the balls to realistically confront the issue, happy to serve up tripe entertainment instead.

Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954)

Fossil-hunters David Reed (Richard Carlson) and Mark (Richard Cunha) venture into the Amazon where they discover a mysterious creature forgotten by time, a gilled humanoid with claws that they drug and capture before the creature revives and escapes with Kay Lawrence (Julie Adams), the sole female member of the crew. Credit director Jack Arnold for generating a tense atmosphere in what was a great horror flick for its time. By the standards of today, the guy in the rubber suit is not frightening in the least, but you have to take into consideration the limitations of the time. It is now over fifty years old, but still fun. And Adams is very becoming here, exuding sexuality, the object of affection of men and creature. A classic, just not scary anymore.

Revenge Of The Creature (1955)

The creature from the Black Lagoon is captured and shipped to Marineland in Florida for study by Professor Clete Ferguson (John Avery) and his colleagues. While in the aquarium he becomes attracted to scientist Helen Dobson (Lori Nelson). The creature escapes confinement in order to pursue her, leading to a frantic attempt to recapture the creature. Offers more of the same that the original did, including an ending that is a near carbon copy, and pretty anticlimactic.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

The Hottest State (2006)

William Harding (Mark Webber) is a struggling young actor from Texas who tries to make a career and romance with aspiring singer Sarah Garcia (Catalina Sandino Moreno) work in New York City. Written and directed by Ethan Hawke, this does resemble a relationship based in reality, only much of the dialogue seems a bit too calculated. And I am not sure how we are supposed to feel about Harding, but the term psychotic comes to mind, and as the Sarah character herself states, she is not very interesting. Neither of them are, and the two lack chemistry together, and the audience will figure out they do not belong together well before they do.

Into The Storm (2009)

Winston Churchill (Brendan Gleason) was an enigmatic world leader whose bulldog-like qualities made him a great leader during World War II, but led him to be voted out of power within weeks of the end of the war. This HBO picture is a fine tribute to one of the most important figures of the twentieth century. Gleason is outstanding and makes you believe he really is Sir Winnie.

The Boy Next Door (2008)

Sara Wylde (Dina Meyer) is a romance novelist with writer's block who relocates to a small town, and taking notice of the local scenery begins an online blog about the boy next door, but when he is murdered she finds herself the subject of a murder investigation. This is pretty well a fluff murder mystery of the made for television variety. When all is said and done, the motive is weak and the climax cliche, no more distinguishable than the conclusion of any other such movie.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Towelhead (2007)

Sent to live with her stern father Rifat (Peter Macdissi), Jasira Maroun (Summer Bishil) is a 13-year-old Arab-American girl who struggles to adjust to life in the suburbs while discovering racism and hypocrisy around every corner. This is an extremely difficult movie to watch due to the extreme discomfort it evokes. In that regard it accomplishes what it sets out to do with its shocking subject matter. It benefits from having a strong supporting cast which includes Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello and Toni Collette, but it is Bashil who makes this click with her portrayal of a young girl coming of age amidst all kinds of turmoil and very little productive guidance.

Ghosts Of Cite Soleil (2006, documentary, subtitled)

In the slum of Cité Soleil, Haiti, the most loyal supporters of President Aristide were ruling as kings. The five major gang leaders were controlling heavily armed young men known as the Chiméres, the secret army of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. This is the story of Bily (aka James Petite Frere) and Haitian 2pac (aka Winson Jean), two brothers and the gang leaders of the Chiméres. This is fascinating for the access it as to the inner cogs of a revolution in progress, but it lacks focus and helpful information, and its emphasis on music becomes a distraction. It does provide a shocking glimpse at poverty and chaos firsthand, but is also a victim of almost glamorizing its subjects rather than being a neutral observer.

Sordid Lives (2000)

Grandma Peggy dies after tripping over the wooden legs of her lover, G.W. Nethercott (Beau Bridges), the husband of Noleta (Delta Burke). Latrelle (Bonnie Bedelia) LaVonda (Ann Walker), Sissy (Beth Grant), Ty (Kirk Geiger) and Earl "Brother Boy," (Leslie Jordan) are among the colourful members of the white trash family in a small Texas town who now gather for the funeral of the family matriarch amidst much ado. This was almost painful to watch. The shocking revelations landed with dull thuds and all the attempted humour missed its mark with me. It looks as if it was made by rank amateurs and loudly drones on for much longer than it should. One of the worst movies I have ever seen.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Battle For Haditha (2007)

Iraqi insurgents bomb a convoy of US Marines, resulting in the death of their most popular officer. Enraged by this loss his young marine buddies under the charge of squad leader Corporal Ramirez (Elliot Ruiz) carry out a brutal retaliation. Director Nick Broomfield tries his hand at a drama rather than the documentary format he is noted for, and his interpretation of these real life events is hard hitting and memorable. It works as a good companion piece to Redacted, the Brian De Palma film based on the same incident, which was notoriously covered up by the U.S. military. Both are damning accounts against the marine corps, but here one gets a true sense of the dangerous circumstances the troops face, and how they must constantly be on guard against the unique threats posed in a war against unconventional opponents. It hardly excuses their conduct, but credit Broomfield for shedding some light on what can be considered a grey area.

The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert (1994)

Anthony "Tick"/Mitzi (Hugo Weaving), Adam/Felicia (Guy Pearce) and Ralph/ Bernadette (Terence Stamp) are two drag queens and an aging transsexual who leave Sydney, where their well received drag show has played for years, and travel to a remote desert town, encountering self doubt and homophobia along the way. Discovering this one after these three lead actors have further padded their resumes is a real treat. This was truly inspired casting, and they are all terrific here in a funny and surprisingly affecting film. The interactions among them are a hoot, and a lot of their one-liners are great.

Everybody Says I'm Fine! (2001)

Xen (Reehan Engineer) is a hairdresser who can read peoples minds as he cuts their hair, but discovers that his amazing blessing can also be a trying curse. This Indian offering is too uneven, not quite sure if it wants to be a drama or a comedy, and is ultimately unsatisfying as either.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Mulberry Street (2006)

The citizens of Manhattan are devolving into a new species of rat like creatures with a thirst for blood. At 51 Mulberry street, Clutch (Nick Damici), Kay (Bo Corre) and Coco (Ron Brice) are some of the tenants bolting the doors and latching the windows with what is left of Manhattan trying to find a way in. Here is a terrific little small budget horror movie, with genuine characters, and a real sense of immediacy to the danger thanks to the hand held camera work of director Jim Mickle, who also co-wrote the script. A sleeper that deserves a wider audience.

Just Buried (2007)

After inheriting a funeral home in a small town where no one is dying, Oliver Whynacht (Jay Baruchel) and his embalmer girlfriend Roberta Knickel (Rose Byrne) start bumping off townsfolk to drum up business. This is a quirky, often amusing dark comedy that is more fun than its subject matter deserves to be.

Nobody (2007)

Mortemain (Costas Mandylor) is an assassin being hunted through the dark streets of an empty city, pursued by Rolo Toles (Ed O'Ross), the mysterious man he has just killed. Very stylish and shot in film noir fashion, its nonlinear style can be confusing and likely to turn many off. But it is more conceptual and not open to literal interpretation, and really gets you thinking. I rather enjoyed the way it was cleverly pieced together before finally coming around full circle. Very rewarding for imaginative viewers who enjoy challenging their minds.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Stuck (2007)

Brandi Boski (Mena Suvari) is a compassionate young retirement-home care giver in-line for a promotion. Thomas Bardo (Stephen Rea) is a victim of the downsized economy, out of work and newly homeless. Their worlds collide when Brandi, driving home from a club after too many drinks and pills, accidentally hits Tom, the impact smashing his body head-first through the windshield of her car. If discovered, this accident will extinguish her bright future, so instead of saving him, her plan is to let him die and dispose of the body later. Faced with this reality, Tom knows he must escape if he wants to survive. This is based on a true story, but here it is given the full Hollywood treatment, with the liberties taken with the actual events proving to be too much to be believed. Still, it works by instilling discomfort in the viewers when forced to watch Rea trying to cope with his bizarre dilemma, while Suvari draws out contempt for her character. It all makes for a neat and dark horror story that would have been better served without its moments of comedy.

Shooting Gallery (2005)

Jericho Hudson (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) is a street smart pool player who joins a group of hustlers led by Carl Bridgers (Ving Rhames), who take him further into the life of the underworld. I would say that this is nothing more than a middling effort. None of the acting outside of that of Callum Keith Rennie could be considered good, with Roselyn Sanchez failing to add much sizzle as the female lead, and Prinze never was much of an actor before this attempt to revive his career. The story involves too many hustles for its own good, and one twist was apparent from its set-up. The actual pool scenes are not bad, but the lingo was unconvincing. Leagues away from The Hustler.

Disaster Movie (2008)

Will (Matt Lanter), Juney (Crista Flanagan) and Calvin (Gary Johnson) will do whatever it takes to save Will's girlfriend Amy (Vanessa Minnillo) and keep the world from collapsing due to any number of pending catastrophes in this film that spoofs films of the disaster genre. Never has a movie been more appropriately titled. Few of the movies spoofed are of the title genre. Instead, any recent movie was subject to reference, but simply referencing them does not make them funny. They go for all the obvious laughs, with none of them even approaching clever. Jason Friedberg and Adam Seltzer need to be stopped from making these parody movies.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

The Lucky Ones (2008)

Fred Cheever (Tim Robbins), T.K. Poole (Michael Pena) and Colee Dunn (Rachel McAdams) are three soldiers trying to make sense of their lives during an unexpected road trip across the United States after returning from Iraq. This one goes down well enough, with likable characters and a liberal dose of humour, but it comes across as too scripted, and in the case of McAdams, miscast. Mind you, it is well acted, and she is a joy to watch here, but I think the army would have eaten her alive. There is entertainment value here, but little basis in reality.

Moscow, Belgium (2008, subtitled)

Matty (Barbara Sarafian) is a 41-year-old mother of three who begins an affair with 29-year-old trucker Johnny (Jurgen Delnaet) after getting into a fender bender with him in a supermarket parking lot. This May-December type Belgian romantic comedy is smartly written, well-acted, and a real treat.

Valley Of Angels (2008)

Zachary "Zeus" Andrews (George Katt) is an outsider in Los Angeles who sells drugs to wealthy. He meets Lisa (Caroline Macey) who finally gives him the purpose he has long sought, but all that is put in jeopardy due to his ties to the underworld. I found this to be a decent drama that offered a flawed protagonist...his moral compass was not always true, but he had multiple layers. Katt deserves praise for revealing these through a performance that drives this smaller independent film that was better than I thought it would be.

Harold (2008)

Harold (Spencer Breslin) is a young teen with an early onset of baldness trying to fit in at a new school with the help of a school janitor named Cromer (Cuba Gooding, Jr.). The one-note joke fails to take off, and this comedy suffers from a poor storyline, a lack of originality, poor writing, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and his afro. Breslin does make the most of his lame duck role though.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

WALL-E (2008, animated)

On an un-inhabitable Earth, a cheerful waste collecting robot goes about the unending task of cleaning up. WALL-E falls in love with Eve, a reconnaissance robot sent to earth to find proof that life is once again sustainable, not knowing that his precious discovery of a living plant could save the planet, and send ripples of excitement across the galaxy. Pixar outdid themselves this time, so if you have yet to see it, feel free to believe the hype. They have managed to bring to life robots that are more animated than your average humans. And it is so creative, and funny enough, that whole families can marvel at the result together, with repeat viewings more likely than not welcomed.

In Search Of A Midnight Kiss (2007)

Having lived through the worst year of his life, Wilson (Scoot McNairy) decides to forego New Year's Eve and hide out at home, but when his roommate Jacob (Brian McGuire) convinces him to post a personal ad online, the result is an eventful trip through the streets of L.A. with Vivian (Sara Simmonds). Apt to draw comparisons to Before Sunrise, this small independent feature, resplendent in black and white, should take that as a compliment, because it is just as good, but anything but an imitation. The script is refreshing, although on occasion too seemingly scripted, and the people involved come across as authentic, vulnerable characters, with genuine problems and aspirations, just seeking human interaction at a time prone to make many of us feel lonely. Funny, charming and bittersweet.

Mail Order Bride (2003)

Nina (Ivana Milicevic) is a Russian mail order bride who manipulates bumbling mobsters Anthony Santini (Robert Capelli, Jr.) and his partner Ivan (Slava Schoot) to her bidding when they are sent to retrieve her after she duped a fellow mobster. Amateurishly directed by Capelli, the guy should stick to acting, but only if he avoids comedy at all costs. Perhaps this premise appealed to someone in theory, but here the execution is lousy.

The Neighbor (2007)

Jeff Wallace (Matthew Modine) is a guy whose life is in turmoil when falls for Christine Letellier (Michele Laroque), an attractive real estate broker who owns the condo next door, and who expects him to move out for her planned renovation. A few contrived bits of comedy fall flat, and although utterly predictable, the outcome is totally unconvincing. Too tame for its own good, and a lack of chemistry between the leads.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

The X-Files: I Want To Believe (2008)

Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) continues his unshakable quest for the truth, and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) is reunited with him when Father Joseph Crissman (Billy Connolly, a pedophile priest claims he is having psychic visions regarding the whereabouts of a missing FBI agent. I want to believe this was more than a cash grab, but the story was not compelling enough to convince me this was something diehard fans of the series were satisfied with. Instead of extraterrestrial musings, they served up theological debate and threw in a few political jabs. However, if an extended version of the same fare they offered weekly on TV is what you long to see, knock yourself out.

Saints And Soldiers (2003)

Corporal Nathan "Deacon" Greer (Corbin Allred), Sergeant Gordon Gunderson (Peter Holden) and British intelligence officer Oberon Winley (Kirby Heyborne) are among a small band of allied soldiers trapped behind enemy lines with invaluable intelligence. Out gunned and ill-equipped, they must now battle frigid wilderness and German troops to relay their info to their superiors. This small war film makes the most of its limited budget, and serves up a unique story with diverse characters, but the workmanlike effort pales when compared to the giants of the genre, and the soldiers seemed to meek to be believed, with the film having an obvious Christian agenda.

Slap Shot 3: The Junior Year (2008)

Orphans form their own hockey team in a bid to save their home from being taken over by greedy real estate developer Bernie Frazier (Lynda Boyd). To compare this to the original would have Paul Newman spinning in his grave. Doug Gilmour and Mark Messier look almost embarrassed to be seen here, Leslie Nielson should know better, and the Hanson brothers will obviously appear anywhere a paycheck is involved. They story is brain-dead, and the only appeal will be to younger children-an audience not suitable for the cult classic forbearer of the franchise.

Mutual Appreciation (2005)

Alan (Justin Rice) arrives in New York hoping to boost his rock and roll career, brainstorming with his old friend Lawrence (Andrew Bujalski), a grad student, and Lawrence's journalist girlfriend Ellie (Rachel Clift), and finding a supporter in radio DJ Sara (Seung-Min Lee).This is the cinematic equivalent of a long, awkward pause. If I had to spend any more time watching these people I might have considered slashing my wrists. The improvised dialogue and characters were dull and annoying. Epic fail.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Chaotic Ana (2007, subtitled)

Ana (Manuela Velles) leads a sheltered existence with her father Klaus (Matthias Habich) on Ibiza until a mysterious philanthropist named Justine (Charlotte Rampling) stumbles on her artwork and invites her to Madrid to develop her skills as a painter. There Ana meets Said (Nicolas Cazale), a Berber refugee, and suddenly their passionate relationship leads to a strange journey of self-discovery. This is certainly an imaginative and adventurous undertaking, with a unique story, and it is far from mainstream. Also it is confusing for those wishing to make sense of it all. But director Julio Medem chose well in selecting Velles, who is a delight to watch as she struggles to conquer her demons and find purpose in her existence. She almost single-handedly makes up for the lack of overall clarity.

Underdogs: Born To Lose (2009)

Buddy Clarke (Joe Gage) turns Joe Banks (Leon Chabot), his depressed best friend, into a suicidal stunt daredevil with a death-wish. The subject matter was simply not conducive to comedy, especially with the Buddy character being utterly insensitive, morally bankrupt, and an utter pig. By trying to deliver it deadpan it becomes an even bigger ill-conceived failure.

Perfect 10 (2005)

John Davies (Ed Byrne) suffers from multiple obsessive compulsive disorders which leads him to his pursuit of Czech supermodel Veronika Zemanova when his current model girlfriend Suki (Siri Steinmo) leaves him. If you are in the market for an overlooked comedy sleeper, you might want to give this a try. Byrne is pretty amusing as Davies makes his observations on life and cracks wise. Better than the majority of comedies released these days.

Sand Serpents (2009)

Eno (Michelle Assante), Stanley (Jason Gedrick), Henle (Tamara Hope) and Andrews (Elias Toufexis) are among a group of soldiers battling the Taliban in Afghanistan who face a second threat when they come under attack by giant man eating sand serpents. The Sci-Fi channel thought a reinvention of Tremors was necessary. Here is exhibit A why it was not. Killer slinkies! Run for your lives (or your remotes)!

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

The Family That Preys (2008)

Working-class Alice Pratt (Alfre Woodward) and wealthy Charlotte Cartwright (Kathy Bates) are friends and mothers who have supported each other through all that their families have gone through over the years. But now their families are embroiled in new turmoil, which puts their relationship to the test. This Tyler Perry offering plays too much like a soap opera, replete with defined heroes and villains, and plenty of melodrama. It is overly ambitious, trying to squeeze in too much, and suffers as a whole because of it. The cast is a strong one, and in the Perry tradition, expect good to ultimately triumph over evil.

Corporate (2006, subtitled)

Vinay Sehgal (Rajat Kapoor) and Dharmesh Marwah (Raj Babbar) head two rival corporations in the food sector as they go head to head to become international players in the beverage market with a mint based soft drink. In this struggle for supremacy rules become broken and morals forgotten as the corporations strive for success. This was a pretty good Indian film, but it is unnecessarily long, with a little too much time afforded to the business aspects, some of which may cause eyes to begin glazing over. Also, the songs seemed out of place and forced. This film by director Madhur Bhandarkar fails to have the impact his hard hitting Page 3 did, but he does expose the seedy underbelly of boardroom politics nicely, if not utterly convincingly.

Gangster (2006, subtitled)

Simran (Kangana Ranaut) is a lonely alcoholic and the girlfriend of gangster Daya Shankar (Shiney Ahuja), who after tragedy rips them apart, falls in love with Akash (Emran Hashmi), a singer in an Indian restaurant in Seoul. Things are further complicated by the fact that Simran is pregnant when Daya decides a reconciliation is in order. The story of this bizarre love triangle tragedy is a good one. The weak spot is the melodramatic acting of Ahuja, but the other performances are strong. Although the ending is partially revealed in advance, it still manages to be unexpected. I expect an American version will come about eventually.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Loving Annabelle (2006)

Annabelle (Erin Kelly) is the precocious daughter of a senator who is sent to a prestigious Catholic boarding school where her disobedience and bold advances on her female teacher, Simone Bradley (Diane Gaidry), force the devoted teacher into a decision that could destroy her career. This is an effective and convincing film that gets to the heart of a taboo romance. And it sells the development so you would be hard-pressed to argue that Simone is a predator and Annabelle a victim, whereas you can believe the reverse is true. Kelly is fantastic as Annabelle, and an actress to keep an eye on.

The Civilization Of Maxwell Bright (2005)

After experiencing an uncomfortable sexual escapade, Maxwell Bright (Patrick Warburton) decides to find his submissive and obedient fantasy woman by buying a mail-order bride from China. When Mai Ling (Marie Matiko) arrives she is everything he expected, until he humiliates her one night and she reveals who she really is, and the tone of the relationship changes drastically when Warburton receives bad news. This is a very interesting film. Bright is a misogynistic brute, and often despicable, and the film tries to explore whether such a lout is redeemable. Warburton is terrific, but the Mai Ling character has such depth to her, and portrayed wonderfully by Matiko, that she is the heartbeat of the movie. Her strength of character and sense of perspective are a fine counterbalance to the flawed character of Bright. Eric Roberts excels in a supporting role in this unconventional sleeper contender.

Brothers In Arms (2005)

Brothers Linc (Gabriel Casseus) and Zane Malone (Antwon Tanner) and their makeshift crew of outlaws and thieves find themselves cornered by Rob Driscoll (David Carradine) in the New Mexico territory, and must rely on their guile in order to survive. What a horrible, horrible idea. A black dominant old west with dominatrix bandits, female sheriffs and deputies, modern cuss words. No wonder Carradine asphyxiated himself.

The White Masai (2005, subtitled)

Carola Lehmann (Nina Hoss) becomes involved with a Massai warrior named Lemalian (Jackie Ido) while vacationing in Kenya. She decides to stay with her lover but finds the transition between European and Massai lifestyles difficult. It becomes obvious early on that the relationship is doomed to fail, and I honestly cannot see why Lehmann would put up with it for so long. This fish out of water tale serves up little passion, and more than a little friction. But it is an interesting story that immerses viewers into a near primitive culture. I think it suffers from time constraints, trying to cram the book it is based on into a mere two hours, therefore unable to develop fully.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Brooklyn Rules (2007)

Michael (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) and his friends, Carmine (Scott Caan) and Bobby (Jerry Ferrara) find themselves sucked into the Mafia life in Brooklyn controlled by mobster Caesar (Alec Baldwin). Leaving the streets for a better life for Michael and his society girl girlfriend Ellen (Mena Suvari) could prove to be a daunting task. The dopey persona of Prinze works for him while playing a Brooklyn native, and this film was surprisingly better than I expected. I enjoyed the camaraderie amongst the friends and the menace Baldwin brought with his supporting role. Coming of age tales while living in the mean streets are nothing new, but this one has its charms and carries a weight of authenticity.

Delta Farce (2007)

After a whirlwind training session under Sgt. Kilgore (Keith David), Bill Little (Bill Engvall), Larry (Larry the Cable Guy) and Everett (DJ Qualls) are three bumbling Army reservists bound for Iraq who are accidentally dropped off in a Mexican village besieged by hostile forces. This was worse than conceivably possible, with only the lowest common denominator brand of humour, some of it even lifted from old sources. It all falls flat. No one needs to ever see another Larry the Cable Guy movie. Dedicating this one to the troops was insulting to them.

Jean-Philippe (2006, subtitled)

Fabrice (Fabrice Luchini) is the biggest Johnny Hallyday fan in the world, but one day he wakes up to a subtly different reality where his music idol does not exist. So Fabrice sets out to discover what happened to Jean-Philippe Smet (Johnny Hallyday), the man known as Johnny Hallyday, in order to help him become the music sensation he was meant to be. This is an imaginative, amiable feature from France that should satisfy foreign film buffs seeking a little levity.

Ring Of Death (2008)

Burke Wyatt (Johnny Mesmer) is a former police officer who agrees to go undercover behind the walls of a maximum security prison where the sadistic Warden Golan (Stacy Keach) runs the Death Match, a killer sport where inmates fight to the death. This is typical of many other films in which people were coerced into fighting bouts in prison for entertainment, only this one completely jumps the rails with its gratuitous nudity and its complete out of control spiral in the final third.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Still Waiting... (2008)

All the best waitresses have bolted Shenaniganz to the new Ta-Ta's Wing Shack next door and customers are following. The heat is on the Shenaniganz team to outdo the competition. The mainstays from the original Waiting were only minor players in it, and that was not good enough to warrant a sequel, despite its more notable cast. Justin Long does return for a brief appearance, but only for name recognition. A rivalry that might have led to some fun never materializes between the two restaurants, and the juvenile antics and misogynistic attitudes do little to amuse.

Johnny Reno (1966)

Sheriff Johnny Reno (Dana Andrews) is ambushed, but manages to kill one attacker and captures Joe Conners (Tom Drake). As he brings his man in to town, it appears his troubles are just beginning as crooked mayor Jess Yates (Lyle Bettger) incites the town into a lynching frenzy. Not a classic, but a solid western featuring building tension as a stand-off is staged against determined town residents from within the jail, along with a horde of menacing natives looking to unleash their own brand of justice. The role of stoic hero suits Andrews, and an older Russell is good as a strong-willed saloon owner.

Teeth (2007)

High school student Dawn O'Keefe (Jess Weixler) works hard at suppressing her budding sexuality by being the local chastity group's most active participant. Her task is made even more difficult by the increasingly provocative behaviour at home of her step-brother Brad (John Hensley). A stranger to her own body, innocent Dawn discovers she has a toothed vagina when she becomes the object of violence. As she struggles to comprehend her anatomical uniqueness, Dawn experiences both the pitfalls and the power of being a living example of the vagina dentata myth. This is a rather refreshing, dark horror comedy that will likely leave many guys squirming in their seats. It does take a bit long setting up before kicking into gear, but manages to end on a high note. There is not much gore, but enough to make an impression. Viewer discretion is advised!

A Very Serious Person (2006)

Jan (Charles Busch) is an effeminate Danish caregiver who comes to spend the summer with Mrs. A (Polly Bergen), an elderly woman and her orphaned 13-year-old grandson Gil (P.J. Verhoest), and finds himself drawn into the role of mentor to the young lad. The film is certainly well-intentioned and optimistic, but hardly based in reality. It is a likable coming of age story with quirky characters and heart, but the kid was a bit too camp, and despite the optimism, the real world would eat him alive, shattering his rose-coloured view.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Virgin (2003)

Jessie Reynolds (Elisabeth Moss) is a rebellious teenage girl from a conservative Baptist family who finds herself pregnant after an evening of wild partying. Unable to remember her sexual encounter, she believes her baby to be the child of God. This is the case of a film whose reach exceeds its grasp, and by trying to be too much, it ultimately suffers for it. The symbolism seemed heavy-handed, and theological implications approached blasphemy. I think had things been kept simple, with Jessie just being a confused teen, the performance of Moss was strong enough to win over audiences, overcoming the unimpressive camera work. The premise was actually pretty good, the execution was not.

Chattahoochie (1989)

Based on true events, this is the story of Emmet Foley (Gary Oldman), a veteran of the war in Korea, who returns home to a cycle of poverty that puts him over the edge, landing him in a mental health facility in which conditions are sub-human. This film failed to grip me. It seemed rather uneven, not sure of the tone it wanted to set, and other than Foley, the characters were not very well defined. There are good supporting characters in Dennis Hopper, Frances McDormand and Ned Beatty, plus the usual quality star turn from Oldman, but beyond the strong opening scene, it is downhill from there.

Sid And Nancy (1986)

A magnet for trouble, chaos and heroin, Sid Vicious (Gary Oldman) rose to infamy in the punk community as bassist for the Sex Pistols when he met Nancy Spungen (Chloe Webb) forming a union that proved lethal for them both. This tragedy about a doomed drug-addled romance captures the essence of punk and is magnificently performed by Oldman and Webb.

The Detonator (2006)

Sonni Griffith (Wesley Snipes) is a homeland security agent who finds himself in Romania negotiating an arms deal with Romanian gangsters, and he must protect a mob widow, Nadia Cominski (Silvia Colloca), and track down the weapons dealer in order to stop him from detonating a nuclear bomb on US soil. This is about what you would expect from a straight to DVD action thriller. Disposable plot, a hot babe preening seductively, Snipes trying to remain relevant, lots of gunplay, some action, and cheesy graphics. Mission accomplished, except perhaps Snipes being relevant. At one point he tries to act gay, failing badly. One strong point is the stunt work in some pretty good action sequences.

bawdy · The Omnipotent One

Never Back Down (2008)

Beaten badly at a party, Jake Tyler (Sean Faris) is taken in by local Mixed Martial Arts instructor Jean Roqua (Djimon Hounsou), under whose tutelage he learns patience, discipline, reason and the meaning of true manhood. The Karate Kid gets a facelift here. Faris is the new Ralph Macchio, with Hounsou as his Mr. Miyagi. We have seen this template before, with no surprises thrown into the mix here, and so much smacking of cliche. But Tyler has a screen presence, and this one is surprisingly more watchable that it has any right to be due to its lack of imagination. You get exactly what you would expect here if you are in the market for a more youthful Fight Club.

Going My Way (1944)

Father Chuck O'Malley (Bing Crosby) is an irrepressible forward thinker who arrives at a heavily indebted parish and with great good cheer and attempts to turn the local hoods into a choir to perform in a fundraising tour. Winner of seven Academy Awards, including best picture, best director for Leo McCarey, best actor, and best supporting actor for Barry Fitzgerald, this is good, wholesome entertainment that families can enjoy. But it is corny too, and likely a weak year for competition because it does not quite compare to the best of the best, with its simplistic solutions to more weighty issues, it does seem rather naive and overly optimistic. You do get a good dose of Crosby crooning, which is not such a bad thing.

Taxi No. 9 2 11 (2006, subtitled)

Raghav Shastri (Nana Patekar) is a hot-tempered cabbie and Jai Mittal (John Abraham) is a spoiled young heir. Both are in need of money, run afoul of each other and end up in a private war. This is quite an engaging drama set in Mumbai, finely crafted and without the excess familiar to many Bollywood productions. Driven by two strong lead performances, both characters are flawed, so it is difficult to choose sides. To its credit is an unanticipated ending, which is likely to sway any critics who may have been on the fence up to that point.