Indiana Jones and the Kingdom...

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Dir. Steven Spielberg (2008)

Harrison Ford dusts off the old fedora and whip as he plunks Indy right into the middle of a 1950's B-movie.

Descends into one long, CGI-fueled carnival ride with plenty of missed potential. Yet, still a fun popcorn film.

Don't go in with high expectations.

Charlie Wilson's War

Charlie Wilson's War - Dir. Mike Nichols (2007)

Puff piece on world history with a crackling, whip-smart script from Aaron Sorkin.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman is hilarious in his supporting role.

Needs more Amy Adams. Then again, what doesn't?

Semi-Pro

Semi-Pro - Dir. Kent Alterman (2008)

Will Ferrell continues the same old schtick as the owner/coach/star player of a crappy ABA basketball team.

If you've seen Talladega Nights and Blades of Glory, you've seen this one.

Baby Mama

Baby Mama - Dir. Michael McCullers (2008)

Tina Fey wants to get pregnant. Amy Poehler gets pregnant for her.

Far too bland and middle of the road to have any bite.

Tries to be Apatow-style bawdy, over-the-top wacky, and squeaky clean rom-com at the same time. Fails on all fronts.

Walk All Over Me

Walk All Over Me - Dir. Robert Cuffley (2007)

A naive and unsure girl is introduced to the world of BDSM.

Leelee Sobieski's boobs are a thing of beauty.

Oh...the movie? Yeah, it sucked.

High Plains Drifter

High Plains Drifter - Dir. Clint Eastwood (1973)

Clint Eastwood is 31 flavors of badass in this one.

He rides in, kills three people, then rapes a woman. So, of course, the town puts him in charge.

How awesomely awesome is that?

Speed Racer

Speed Racer - Dirs. The Wachowski Brothers (2008)

A cinematic sugar rush that's more eye sore than eye candy.

Like playing Mario Kart after snorting a line of pixie sticks and mainlining Jolt Cola.

In the Valley of Elah

In the Valley of Elah - Dir. Paul Haggis (2007)

Suffers from a heavy case of didacticism. Further proof that Paul Haggis knows not the definition of subtlety.

Tommy Lee Jones gives a commanding performance to an otherwise tepid picture, even if it's the same world-weary, grizzled old man deal he always does.

Macbeth

Macbeth - Dir. Geoffrey Wright (2006)

Shakespearean classic remade into a plodding and pretentious, modern-day gangster pic.

A tedious, self-important bore.

Dans Paris

Dans Paris - Dir. Christophe Honorè (2006)

A film that is maddeningly French in every way.

Pastiche of traditional French themes such as turbulent romances and familial malaise.

Honorè homages everyone from Godard to Truffaut, Demy, Rivette, Rohmer and Agnès Varda in his futile attempt to imitate those New Wave masters.

Away From Her

Away From Her - Dir. Sarah Polley (2007)

Touching melodrama.

Polley obviously sat under the learning tree of Atom Egoyan, but thankfully jettisons his usual pretentious trappings.

Julie Christie is etheric and sublime.

Iron Man

Iron Man - Dir. Jon Favreau (2008)

More than just a great popcorn film thanks to impeccable performances from an A-list cast.

Just might be THE best comic book superhero movie ever. At least, until The Dark Knight...

Videodrome

Videodrome - Dir. David Cronenberg (1983)

Behold the programmable sex kink assassin and his mighty vaginal death orifice.

Come to Nicki...

The Savages

The Savages - Dir. Tamra Jenkins (2007)

Original Thoughts: Interesting, yet ultimately hollow character study of whiny, upper middle-class literati.

Upon 2nd Viewing: Funny, touching, and sometimes heart-wrenching slice of life. Such a smart, realistically written script carried by the performances of Linney and Hoffman, but Bosco is the true star.