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Ocean's Thirteen  •   Fantastic Four   •    Evan Almighty  •   Live Free or Die Hard  

Surf's Up   •   Nancy Drew  • 1408  •   Ratatouille  

Gracie    •     Knocked Up  •  Mr. Brooks

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (PG-13)
The final movie in the Pirates trilogy, finds the familiar cast of characters in a series of ever more exotic locales. William Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), who joined forces with Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) at the end of the second movie, have to find a way to recover Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from the depths of Davy Jones's (Bill Nighy) locker. The pirates are making a last stand against the East India Trading Company, a ruthless organization led by Lord Beckett (Tom Hollander) which is hunting the pirates to extinction. Jack, as one of the pirate lords, completes the circle and gives the lords the power to unleash a force that could cripple the trading company. However, as pirates do, every member of the crew is trying to meet his or her own agenda. Will Turner, in particular, wants only to save his father "Bootstrap" Bill Turner (Stellan Skarsgard) from servitude on Davy Jones's Flying Dutchman, no matter what the cost, and it seems for a long time during the movie that his relationship with Elizabeth might indeed be the price. Naomie Harris reprises her role as the fortune teller Tia Dalma, and Chow Yun-Fat plays a new enemy and sometime ally, Singapore pirate lord Captain Sao Feng. Jonathan Pryce also returns to play Elizabeth's father, Governor Weatherby Swan.
If you haven't seen the first movie but more particularly the second, things might be a bit confusing. However, in the chaos of the plot, everything does end up a bit confusing, but in an entertaining way. Johnny Depp's portrayal of Jack Sparrow when locked in the purgatory of Davy Jones's wasteland is particularly amusing. The action sequences are glorious, and while so many characters appear that it's difficult to manage that much development, in the end I think we do get to see some growth and maturation. If the ending of the movie intrigues you, you might want to stay through the credits, as there's apparently a final scene after. The rating is for the action sequences, but not much more; Jack doesn't even have enough time to drink a gallon of rum, this go-round. I highly recommend it, as long as you can manage the running time, just shy of three hours. — Ashley Merrill

Shrek the Third (PG)
Stars the familiar Mike Meyers as the voice of Shrek and Cameron Diaz as the voice of Fiona. Shrek did not realize when he married Fiona that he would be next in line for the kingship of Far, Far Away. King Harold, Fiona's father (voiced by John Cleese), suddenly croaks (he is a frog), and Shrek is tapped to become the next ruler. On top of that, Shrek finds out he's about to become a father. Fiona's cousin Artie Pendragon (voiced by Justin Timberlake), a high school student at the Medieval school, is next in the succession, and Shrek sets out to bring Artie back to rule Far, Far Away. Prince Charming (voiced by Rupert Everett), on the other hand, thinks he should take the throne. This is a humorous children's movie that is fun for all ages. -- Malissa Graham

28 Weeks Later (R)
The movie picks up where 28 Days Later left off. In the original, a group of survivors joined and eventually led by Jim (Cillian Murphy, who went on to play Scarecrow in Batman Begins) escaped the rage-virus-ravaged city of London, searching for an answer or cure. 28 Weeks opens with a similar group of refugees, but these fare rather less well. Don (Robert Carlyle, of Trainspotting and The Full Monty) and Alice (Catherine McCormack, Braveheart) are hiding from the infected, when Don loses Alice in an attack. Six months later, Don has survived to welcome his children, Tammy (Imogen Poots, V for Vendetta) and Andy (Mackintosh Muggleton), back to the American-established London "safe zone." Everyone thinks that the virus has been eradicated, and that things can finally get back to normal again. Predictably, they are wrong.
When the nightmare of rage infection breaks out again, Tammy and Andy have to trust in two American soldiers who can't justify their own participation in the eradication protocol: Doyle (Jeremy Renner, North Country) and Scarlet (Rose Byrne, Marie Antoinette). Doyle has convinced one of his soldier buddies to help them (Harold Perrineau, Romeo + Juliet), but first, they must escape the brutal countermeasures put in place to ensure that the infection doesn't spread again.
This movie is extremely brutal and gory, gritty and superviolent. The infected rip into screaming humans with gleeful, horrible abandon, repeatedly, especially for the last half of the film. The director, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, employs a shaky handheld camera technique that could make viewers a bit queasy, if the zombies haven't already managed to. In the end, I think this movie managed to do what most sequels can't: it lived up to the spirit and quality of the original, even though I think Cillian Murphy would have been a welcome, if unnecessary, addition. – Ashley Merrill

Georgia Rule (R)
It should be named Lindsay Rules, as it is mostly about Lindsay Lohan’s character. She has about 80% of the screen time, and she clearly dominates this film.
Rebellious sex kitten Rachel (Lindsay) is sent from her San Francisco home by her mother to live with her grandmother (Jane Fonda) in conservative Utah, and she starts shaking up the community, seducing the simple hunk (Garrett Hedlund) and playing for the veterinarian (Dermott Mulroney) who lost his wife in a wreck two years previously.
Along the way, she makes an allegation that her step-father (Cary Elwes) has been molesting her that shakes up her alcoholic mother (Felecity Huffman), only to later say that it was a lie. Is she manipulating her mother for attention, or telling the truth?
Director Garry Marshall offers a portrayal of a disturbing young lady who I was hoping at the end could cut through some of the scars of old hurts to start real healing in some hearts and relationships.
There’s some awful language and sexual references, but no nudity or violence. – Barry Merrill

Delta Farce (PG-13)
Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall, and DJ Qualls (New Guy and the Core) are the trio starring in this movie. The main plot is that Larry, Bill and DJ's characters are mostly losers that are part of the State Militia Reserves. They are activated and ordered to Iraq.  Instead, they accidentally land in Mexico. In fact, it takes some time before they realize it is Mexico. While there, they defeat a group of bandits terrorizing a small town. After they realize they are Mexico, they decide to stay and defeat the local bandit leader.
  On the whole a pretty good movie. The language is pretty rough at times. If you like the Blue Collar Comedy and you don't find that language offensive then it shouldn't be a problem. No nudity to speak of. - John Joyner

Spiderman 3 
Three times the action.  Three times the suspense.  Three times the villainy.  Spiderman 3 packs a lot of web-slinging fun into a 2-hour movie.  Toby McGuire reprises his Spidey role for the third installment of the franchise, and with Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson and James Franco as Harry Osborne, the super trio delivers an unforgettable performance.  In this episode, we see our hero, Peter Parker, living the high life.  He has the woman of his dreams, he is doing well in college, and he is managing his double life famously.  Enter the New Goblin.  Harry Osborne has it in for old web-head, thinking that he was responsible for father Norman’s death and aims to finish the wall-crawler with an arsenal of new weapons and gadgets.  Meanwhile, a new villain appears; Flint Marko, a.k.a. Sandman, who killed Peter's Uncle Ben.  Now, Peter Parker has a vendetta of his own to settle.  In the middle of Parker's chaotic life, a symbiotic life form attaches itself to him and makes Peter/Spiderman reckless and overconfident.  Not caring who is hurt in the wake of his acts of boldness, Peter manages to incur the wrath of Eddie Brock (Topher Grace) by getting him fired from the Daily Planet.  Soon, Eddie takes on the symbiotic suit and becomes Venom, the third villain trying to squash the Spider.  With a well-written script, a lot of graphic eye-candy, and a good mix of emotion and comic relief, Spiderman 3 is the blockbuster movie event of the summer that deserves a nod from this franchise fan.  Spiderman 3.  Rated PG-13. – Thomas Garrou

Lucky You (PG-13)
Professional poker player Huck Cheever (Eric Bana) was taught the game by his father, the legendary L.C. Cheever (Robert Duvall). But he carries anger against his father for leaving his mother years ago. Huck’s a blaster – goes all in all the time – he wins big and loses big. He loses his temper and money he needs for the upcoming World Series of Poker, the game that his father has won twice. Huck plays in low and high level games, working his way to the entry fee of $10,000 and when L.C. is in a game, Huck gets rattled.
Billie Offer (Drew Barrymore) arrives on the scene and Huck works on a relationship with her while going after the seat at the big game and struggling with his feelings towards his father. Unfortunately he handles his relationship the way he plays poker, bluffing and hiding his feelings. Huck’s self destructive behavior leads him to steal from Billie. Ready Eddie (Horatio Sanz), Roy Durucher (Charles Martin Smith), and Michelle Carson (Jean Smart) also star. Director Curtis Hanson, was also director of "L.A. Confidential" and "Wonder Boys." Bob Dylan’s "Huck's Tune" is the curtain song.
The movie was good, not great but good. I enjoyed it. It’s for mature audiences, probably over the heads of youth.
PG-13 for some language and sexual humor, but little violence. – Steve Edwards

Condemned (R)
In a world where internet means “see it now, live”this movie played off that concept. A high level producer, Ian Breckel (Robert Mammone) purchases prisoners condemned to death (hence the title) to fight to the death on camera. The plan is for ten prisoners to begin and only one will be left standing.
WWE wrestling superstar Steve Austin (the wrestler formerly known as Stone Cold), is a real stinker.
Lots of action, some cheesiness, worn out story line and dialog. It was okay, not the best, but I was interested. Movies like this one would be The Running Man, Surviving the Game, To Kill or Not to Kill.
R for an action thriller with pervasive strong, brutal violence and for language. – Matt Wright

Next (PG-13)
Starring Nicolas Cage as Cris Johnson, Jessica Biel (Mary on 7th Heaven) as Liz, and Jullianne Moore as FBI agent Callie Ferris. Cris Johnson has the ability to see two minutes into his future. His ability includes playing out various scenarios before actually choosing a course of action. After eluding security officers in a Las Vegas casino, Cris comes to the attention of the FBI, who need help to find a nuclear device planted somewhere in Los Angeles. Cris uses his ability to get the attention of Liz, about whom his future vision extends beyond two minutes. The story line combines Cris’s developing relationship with Liz and the efforts of the Callie Ferris and the terrorists to get to Cris and his abilities.  Action and suspense keeps one on the edge as Cris leads the FBI to the terrorists, who plan to execute Liz and detonate the nuclear device, or so it seems. The flash forwards are at times confusing but are necessary as the movie progresses. Crude language is minimal.  There is implied sex but no sensual scenes as Cris and Liz share a bed. Next is a great action, adventure movie with a little romance.  – Steve Ruberg

The Invisible (PG-13)
As the movie had the same producers as The Sixth Sense, I was expecting to find a similar film with The Invisible, but this movie had an entirely different atmosphere. Starring Justin Powell as Nick Powell, the main character, the movie opens with Nick living with his overprotective, overachieving mother after the death of his father. When the local "bad girl," Annie Newton (Margarita Levieva) and her gang of youthful thugs wrongfully assume Nick turned Annie in to the police for her involvement in a jewelry theft, they take him out into the woods and attack him, leaving him for dead. He's not quite dead, though, and he returns as a spirit only to watch the investigation into his disappearance from a frustrated, invisible viewpoint. His last and only chance for survival is to convince Annie to do the right thing and tell the authorities where his body is before he dies.
The performances were pretty good, but the themes at times were a bit melodramatic. There were some pretty good special effects, but if you're looking for a movie with the same air as The Sixth Sense, this isn't quite it. Rating is for violence, criminal activity and language, all involving teens. All in all, this was a decent film, worth watching. – Debra Malarchik

Kickin’ It Old Skool (PG-13)
You could classify this one as directed towards middle school males.
Jamie Kennedy plays a break dance crew leader who, trying to impress the judges, tries the impossible stunt, but knocks himself into a twenty-year coma. He plays the 12-year old in a 30-year old body, and the 1980’s guy trying to catch up in the new century. He finds his old nemesis still around (Smallville’s Michael Rosenblum) along with his old heart-throb (Maria Menounos). Cameos are turned in by That 70’s Show’s Debra Jo Rupp, Emmanuel Lewis and David Hasselhoff and his famous car, KITT.
Yes, the plot is predictable, and there was too much bathroom humor for my taste, but in his nerdy way, Jamie Kennedy is likeable and for the most part, this is 90 minutes of harmless fun. I liked the 80’s music, too.
It’s rated PG-13 for the bathroom humor, no nudity other than implied, no sex, but plenty of sexual jokes, and some bad language. – Barry Merrill

In the Land of Women (PG-13)
Carter Webb is in love with the perfect girl, then she breaks up with him. Carter (Adam Brody, formerly of "The O.C.") thought Sofia (Elena Anaya) was the one he had been searching for his whole life. When Sofia dumps him, Carter thinks his life has ended. With nothing to keep him in Los Angeles, he decides to travel across country to Michigan, to care for his sick grandmother. His grandmother tends to have a negative outlook on life, but she assures Carter that his whole life is ahead of him. Shortly after his arrival, Carter meets the family living right across the street: a mother, Sarah Hardwicke (Meg Ryan), and her two daughters, Paige (Makenzie Vega) and Lucy (Kristen Stewart, Panic Room and Zathura); each of them have their own issues to deal with. Getting to know these women and his own grandmother, and helping them cope with their issues, Carter soon realizes that his life isn't ending, it's just beginning.
This movie has lots of laughs, some drama, and romance. It's a great mother-daughter movie. I really enjoyed it. But take some Kleenex; you'll need them. - Mary Wadsworth

Vacancy (R)
A wrong turn and car problems lead David and Amy Fox (Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale) to a run down motel with a very odd and wiry manager on duty. Putting their uneasiness aside, they get a room for the night and try to settle in. Of course, that’s where the trouble begins. First the TV doesn’t have reception so they decide to try the video collection displayed. After flipping through a few of the unmarked tapes they discover that they are witnessing multiple planned murders that took place in the exact room in which they reside.
They quickly figure out that they are to be the next victims and the remainder of the movie is spent in their escape, which I might say was very well written with all the details that make a great scary movie, great suspense filled moments that will make you jump out of your seat along with a fast pace and an ending that will leave you rather mystified. I would highly recommend this as a must see. - Jeanette Pigford

Fracture (R)
Ted Crawford (Anthony Hopkins of Proof, All the King’s Men, Silence of the Lambs) is a very successful engineer with a beautiful home and wayward wife. Willy Beachum (Ryan Gosling of Half-Nelson) is a young hotshot assistant district attorney about to move on to corporate law. The two collide when Crawford is brought in on charges that he attempted to murder his wife, to which he confessed twice, verbally to the arresting officer and in writing in the presence of the same.
Beachum takes the case, sure that it’s a done deal. Crawford pleads not guilty, becomes his own counsel and the evidence begins to crumble. Hopkins entertains with courtroom hamming and his facial expressions remind you of his Hannibal days. As for Gosling, he's playing an arrogant young man, not quite polished enough but offered a position in corporate law, who’s already packing and mentally left, causing him to get taken by surprise.
I really enjoyed the movie. Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling do a great job entertaining. The plot is obvious and the twist is not that hard to figure out. Directed by Gregory Hoblit who directed "Primal Fear", I thought the scenery of L.A. was well done by photographer Kramer Morgenthau.
Rated R for language and visuals of the crime scene. - Marilyn Merrill

Slow Burn (R)
This drama portrays ambitious District Attorney Ford Cole (Ray Liotta) preparing to run for mayor. His assistant DA and sometime lover, Nora Timmer (Jolene Blalock), claims that a man tried to rape her. However, witness Luther Pinks (LL Cool J) says Nora tried to seduce the victim to gather information about a mob leader. Nora looks neither white nor black and uses this to play the gangs against the courts.
Also starring are Mekhi Phifer, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Bruce McGill, Guy Torry, Taye Diggs, Joe Grifasi, Frank Schorpion, Donny Falsetti, Barbara Alexander, Richard Jutras, Arthur Holden, Fisher Stevens.
I went in blind and had no idea what it was about, and still I was not impressed. This movie really wasn’t good at all. - Matthew Wright

Pathfinder (R)
The movie is set a thousand years ago, as American Indians are beset by a Viking horde intent on conquering the American continent. Karl Urban (Eomer from “Lord of the Rings”), plays Ghost, a Viking child orphaned years before when his father’s raiding party perished. Ghost was taken in by the local tribe, but remains traumatized by the ritual butchery by both sides. Fifteen years later a second raiding party arrives and begins slaughtering his adoptive community. With his prowess as a Viking and his cunning as a brave, Ghost sets out to avenge the massacre of his Native American “family.” Ghost begins his revenge, but is captured by the barbarian Norsemen and subsequently forced to lead them to the Native’s villages in order that the invaders may pillage, plunder, and pummel the weaker foe. Pathfinder is not exactly an exciting movie. Although there is a lot of gore and violence, the movie lacks a bit in the area of a solid story. The dialogue is not great and the acting is fine, but not spectacular. There are some points of good cinematography, but the editing of the movie where it counts--the fight scenes--was kind of a hack-job. What kept my interest is whether Ghost would return to his Viking roots and betray the family that raised him or double cross his Norse heritage. Even though the movie was mediocre, I still give it a nod for its entertainment value—it was a typical Hollywood “popcorn movie.” Adults only in this movie with plenty of graphic violence and some language. Be advised that the Viking dialogue is subtitled. - Thomas Garrou

Perfect Stranger (R)
While it is a mystery, it’s not very thrilling. Rowena Price (Halle Berry), is a high profile reporter stopped in her tracks by the killing of a story she broke, when an old childhood neighbor shows up. Price is given a lead on another story by this friend and decides to investigate, despite having quit her job. Her friend is suddenly murdered and Price goes after the lover, Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis), advertising executive who married rich but loves the ladies. Price is determined to prove Hill killed her friend, no matter what. Her former co-worker agrees to work with her on the case. He does all computer hacking and seems to be smitten with Price but she is so focused on her agenda, she misses it. She assumes a new identity and goes to work as a temp at the ad agency and also goes online to chat with Hill, pretending to be a former employee. Close calls are unbelievable and this movie just doesn’t get exciting. I didn’t have sympathy for any of the characters - no emotional hook. Also starring are Giovanni Ribisi, Gary Dourdan, Richard Portnow, Patti D'Arbanville, Clea Lewis, Jane Bradbury, Jared Burke, Jay Wilkison, Nicki Aycox, Jason Antoon, Tamara Feldman, and Paula Miranda. As with all the R rated movies, children need to stay home. - Marilyn Merrill

Disturbia (PG-13)
This movie is about a young teenaged boy named Kale (played by Shia LeBeouf), whose father dies tragically. Kale rebels a little and ends up under house arrest; while confined to the house he has nothing else to do but spy on his neighbors. Disturbia is a really funny movie, with just enough silliness and freakiness to make it worthwhile to watch. While Kale suspects one neighbor (played by David Morse) is a serial killer, he falls in love with another neighbor, and gets even with yet another one. I took my fifteen year old daughter and her boyfriend, and I feel it was suitable for them to view. The movie had very little bad language and no nudity to speak of. We enjoyed the movie. - Angie Tucker

Are We Done Yet? (PG)
In this sequel to Are We There Yet?, Ice Cube reprises his role as Nick. Along with Suzanne (Nia Long), Lindsey (Aleisha Allen), and Kevin (Philip Bolden), Nick moves from a city home to the country. What could possibly go wrong with a new house and new family? The answer is "almost everything," as the family has to endure many challenges, facing country life and remodeling a new home. This hilarious movie is fun for all ages. There is no foul language but there are some mild sexual references, which give this movie its rating. - Malissa Graham

Grindhouse (R)
This is the brainchild of two directors: Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Sin City) and Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill). The movie is a double feature of seventies-style movies which even include their own mock trailers, harkening back to the cheesy, scratched-up films that would have played at drive-in theaters. Rodriguez’s movie is Planet Terror, a scifi-inspired zombie movie starring Rose McGowan (The Black Dahlia, “Charmed”) as Cherry, the stripper with a heart of gold (and, if you’ve seen the trailer, a leg made of machine gun), and her love interest, Wray (Freddy Rodriguez, of “Six Feed Under” and Harsh Times). Tarantino’s contribution, besides cameo roles in both movies, is Death Proof, the tale of Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell; Escape From New York, Backdraft) and his titular stunt car, a “100% death proof” Chevy Nova. A whole host of familiar faces also appears, including some old favorites from Tarantino and Rodriguez’s work (James and Michael Parks, Marley Shelton, Danny Trejo) and some new (Bruce Willis and Rosario Dawson, in particular). Fans of either director will find something to love here: Rodriguez and Tarantino each have their own visual and storytelling style, and Tarantino’s dialogue in particular is unmistakable.
I thoroughly enjoyed both stories, but be warned: this movie contains practically every bit of objectionable material imaginable. The language is graphic; the car crash and zombie scenes in particular, while cheesy, are bloody, gory, and over-the-top; and the scenes of sexuality, while brief, still manage to be more than enough. If you couldn’t handle Kill Bill or Once Upon a Time in Mexico (or the graphic scenes in Sin City, for that matter), you might want to skip Grindhouse. Rodriguez and Tarantino lovers are in for a treat, but please leave the kids at home for this one. - Ashley Merrill

Firehouse Dog (PG)
Hollywood’s most famous pooch, Rexxx, is separated from his owner, Trey (Dash Mihok), by taking a nose-dive out of an airplane while performing a stunt for a movie - portraying a secret agent by the name of Dewey. He is saved by landing in a truckload of tomatoes. Befriending a motherless 12-year-old boy, Shane (Josh Hutcherson), Dewey eventually becomes - after several mishaps - the mascot of Dogpatch, the fire station, whose captain is Shane’s father (Bruce Greenwood). Rexxx/Dewey and Trey are reunited - presenting the problem of who will get to keep Rexxx/Dewey, Shane or Trey? You will have to see the movie to find out who has the happy ending. Language is generally non-offensive. Fire scenes could be scary to young children. Dewey is rather comical throughout the movie - keeping children laughing. Good family movie. Daniel says, “I like it a little but not whole much.” - Daniel Talton

The Reaping (R)
Starring Hilary Swank, AnnaSophia Robb, David Morrissey, Idris Elba, and Stephen Rhea, this movie is based on the ten Biblical plagues. No one thought it could ever happen again, until now. A former Christian missionary investigates a small town which appears to be suffering from the ten plagues. They finally realize that science does not explain what is happening. The story leads you to believe one thing, yet something else happens. The movie is more suspenseful than scary. There is no foul language. Some sexual content, disturbing images, and violence give this movie its R rating. - Malissa Graham

Blades of Glory (PG-13)
The movie stars Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) as Jimmy MacElroy and Will Ferrell (Anchorman) as Chazz Michael Michaels, two male figure skaters whose rivalry escalates until they are so out of control that they are banned from male figure skating. However, the ban leaves a loophole: they can still skate, in pairs. With time running out before the national skating finals, Jimmy finds Chazz and, under the direction of Jimmy's former Coach (Craig T. Nelson, The Incredibles), the two get into shape in time to go to the finals. Will Arnett (Arrested Development) and Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live) also star as a competing brother-sister pair out to defeat Chazz and Jimmy, and Jenna Fischer (The Office) as their reluctant sister.
This movie could easily be billed as a figure-skating version of the NASCAR-themed Talladega Nights, also starring Will Ferrell, but the jokes seem fewer and the character development even less. Heder and Ferrell play off each other frequently, and their skating scenes are impressive until they turn cheesy. Clocking in at an hour and a half, it isn't too long, and usually doesn't rest long enough to let the viewer consider the spectacle of the tall Ferrell skating like Heder. The movie is rated for the occasional curse word, sight gag, and vague sexual reference. Children will most likely enjoy it. - Ashley Merrill

Meet The Robinsons (PG)
This is one terrific family movie. The Disney Pixar animation, as always, is top-of-the-industry-caliber, but that only begins to describe the reasons people of all ages will enjoy it. It has a broad appeal, thanks to its witty script and rapid pace. It can be confusing to keep up with what is going on at times, because of the movie’s quick tempo, but the writers do a great job of revisiting key points and tying them all up neatly at the end. Stephen J. Anderson directs the rollicking flick, and not only rides herd on a cleverly-executed movie, but also lends his own talents to it by voicing the dimwitted pseudo-villain, Bower Hat Guy. This bad guy lends a great foil to the movie’s real villain — and I don’t want to give that away. The Robinson familt is a collective group of wackos with hearts of gold. Vocal talents from Adam West – yes, Batman — Harlan Williams and Tom Sellick improve it even more. Sellick is the butt of a cute joke written into the dialogue, as well. Virtually nothing objectionable in this fantast thriller that is part Back To The Future, part Jetsons, part slapstick. Go see it, and take a young friend – I did. — David Williams

TMNT (PG)
Voices by Chris Evans, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mako , Kevin Smith, Patrick Stewart, Ziyi Zhang, Laurence Fishburne, James Arnold Taylor, Mikey Kelley, Mitchell Whitfield, Nolan North, John DiMaggio, Paula Mattioli, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Fred Tatasciore. The movie is about the four Ninja Turtles — Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello & Raphael — reuniting after being apart for a little while. Strange things begin to happen when Max Winters, an old enemy of the Turtles, tries to bring back monsters from the past. The Ninja Turtles have to save New York from total chaos. I think this action adventure movie is fun for the whole family. — Jennifer Avalos

Shooter (R)
Not too much is new with the plot of this movie. We have another disgruntled veteran, Swagger (Mark Walberg), who is asked to return to the military for one last mission. Walberg plays the quintessential laconic military type who served his country faithfully, but was later let down. Swagger retreats to his mountain hideaway trusting no one until Colonel Isaac Johnson (Danny Glover) asks him to accept the mission. Col. Johnson, obviously connected at the highest levels of the U.S. government, explains that the U.S. intelligence has gotten wind of an assassination plot against the president. As a genuine sharpshooter, Swagger is asked to help the government foil the attempt on the president’s life. You can just about guess that the developing theme places our hero on the run and fingered for the crime himself. Swagger relies on help from Sara Fenn (Kate Mara), who was married to one of his Marine buddies, and Nick Memphis, a sympathetic FBI agent (Michael Pena), to stay one step ahead of the authorities. Wahlberg, who comes off his recent Oscar-nominated performance in The Departed, is actually upstaged by Pena who delivers the movie’s most well rounded performance. Pena does an outstanding job of creating an intelligent character with a determined commitment to discovering the truth that is built around a conspiracy reaching upwards to the highest departments of the government. If you want a popcorn movie that has a lot of action and requires little thought, than Shooter is the one for you. This movie is R-rated for strong graphic violence and some language. I give Shooter a no-no because although it is loaded with muscle and action, it fires blanks when it comes to originality of plot and dialogue. - Thomas Garrou

The Last Mimzy (PG)
The Wilder Family of Seattle head to their beach home, minus dad (Timothy Hutton) who is seemingly always called back into work. The two kids, Noah (Chris O’Neill) and Emma (Rhiannon Leigh Wryn), find a mysterious box that has washed ashore, and when they bring it ashore, it opens to offer a prism that begins teaching Noah and imparting deep and mystic knowledge to the middle schooler. He wins the science fair and draws a “map to the past and the future” that intrigues his science teacher (Rainn Wilson of Scrubs) and his fiancée (Kathryn Hahn of Crossing Jordan). The teacher is having dreams and visions that tie in with the kids, and his fiancée is seeing Noah’s drawings in ancient Tibetian mystical knowledge. Emma, meanwhile, has gone back to the mysterious box to find a stuffed rabbit, named Mimzy, and some stones which hold even deeper secrets.
While you have traditional heart-tugging messages of a geekish kid who wins acceptance, dads who work all the time, and an environmental warning, this is not a well-told tale. I didn’t care about the characters, the plot was confusing, and the clueless adults (including Michael Clarke Duncan of The Green Mile) were not credible. It was disappointing.
It is rated PG, but there was nothing I saw as objectionable other than the teacher and fiancée obviously living together. - Barry Merrill

Pride (PG)
A remarkable true story about a young black Philadelphian who took an ignored and neglected urban city recreation center and built one of the country’s top swim teams in the 1970s. The story bumps up against social injustice and racial conflict almost from the beginning, as Terence Howard portrays Jim Ellis, a collegiate swimmer who fought prejudice when he competed. Ellis faces the same prejudices when he coerces a small group of youth to start the swim team and compete in a recreational sport dominated by upper-class whites. The story is good, but the movie suffers from a peachy script that is extremely tilted in its perspective. If the storyline is to be taken literally, Philadelphia of the 1970s was no better than the Jim Crow south in it’s enlightenment.
Bernie Mac provides a few smiles as the center’s maintenance man and Brandon Fobbs was solid in his role as the swim team’s captain facing the troubling choices urban youth had to deal with. Howard was credible, but not impressive, holding back the temptation to take Ellis to a bigger persona that he might have been. Tom Arnold is totally forgettable as the coach of the white prep school swim team that provides the rivalry Ellis needs to motivate his kids. The movie was a bit too long – nearly two and a half hours – and I struggled with the youth’s motivation to take up competitive swimming, but it was an average movie that tried to make you think. At least it pointed out another positive role model, and we could use more of those, regardless of race. - David Williams

Reign Over Me (R)
stars Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda) as Dr. Alan Johnson, a dentist who runs into his old college roommate, Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler, Punch Drunk Love), after losing touch with him years earlier. Charlie lost his family in 9/11, and his life is devoted to forgetting the pain he suffered on that day. Johnson, in the meantime, has built a successful practice and has a loving family, but is feeling stifled by his confined existence. By reconnecting with Charlie and helping him recover from the tragedy of his past, Alan finds a purpose and meaning in that friendship which was missing from the rest of his own life. Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings) also stars as a psychiatrist, and Donald Sutherland (Pride & Prejudice) as a judge, with Jada Pinkett Smith (Collateral) as Johnson's wife Janeane.
Reign Over Me is a movie first and foremost set in New York, and the director makes good use of its setting. Charlie and Alan often wander around the city at night, on Charlie's small scooter, in search of Chinese food. It's also about feeling lost, and rediscovering a sense of purpose and self. Charlie, in forgetting his entire life, has filled the empty space with music and video games and his ritualistic remodeling of the family kitchen; Alan's family fills his entire life, and although he loves them, he still needs to find his own space to move. Although there is little explicit content, there is some sexual and strong dialogue. Children would probably not appreciate either this or the rather mature pacing and subject matter of the film. Those who enjoy Adam Sandler in his less comedic roles would probably enjoy this movie, as well as those who appreciate Don Cheadle's acting. - Ashley Merrill

Dead Silence (R)
Big giant cheese fest. Imagine all the cheesiest movies you've ever seen, combine them, put a decent twist at the end, and you've got this movie.
There is even a line in the movie "We don't even speak her name."
The premise of the movie is that the malevolent spirit of an evil dead puppeteer lives on through her dolls. Familiar, ain't it?
No name actors, not very much gore, little bit of language, other than that, a four-year-old could watch it and laugh themselves silly.
Another one I didn't like. I just want to be impressed like I was when I was younger, and movies were better. - Matthew Wright

Amazing Grace
Starring Ioan Grufford as William Wilberforce, Benedict Cumberbatch as William Pitt, Albert Finney as John Newton, and Romola Garai as Barbara Spooner, this movie chronicles the ending of the slave trade in the British Empire in the mid-19th Century. William Wilberforce led the political drive to abolish the slave trade. His efforts continually failed until a switch in strategy (“cheating”) provided a bill which was passed by Parliament that undermined those sailing the slave ships. As a historical drama it was rich in history and exposed the inhumane treatment of the slaves. The role of John Newton, slave ship captain turned preacher who wrote the hymn Amazing Grace, was portrayed as being filled with torment over his role in the death of 20,000 slaves. The movie held my attention; actually I was riveted to the screen even though there was not any real action. The adventure was in the political maneuvering necessary to overcome such an abominable practice as the slave trade. A little romance, a little history, a little Christian influence, and a little humor combined to make this a memorable movie. While it may not receive great critical honors it provided two hours of good decent entertainment with honor. A few words of coarse language were used but less than one hears in an hour of typical television. - Steve Ruberg

Premonition (PG-13)
Linda Hanson’s (Sandra Bullock) life is perfect (So she thinks). She has a lovely home and wonderful family. But then she receives news that her husband Jim has been killed in a car accident. Devastated by this news, she falls asleep, only to wake to find him alive and well. This is one of many circumstances that happen in her perfect life. This is a thriller movie that will keep you wondering from beginning to end, what will happen next. Come and see Premonition and find out if you can change fate or if faith can change you. Good story plot – I was focused on the out come all the way through – not boring anywhere at all. - Mary Wadsworth

Premonition (PG-13)
Stars Sandra Bullock as Linda, housewife and mother, whose life is thrown into chaos not only by her husband (Julian McMahon, Nip/Tuck) Jim's death, but by her premonition of the event. She wakes one morning and receives the news that he has died in a car accident; when she wakes the next morning, her husband is still alive. As she goes through the days and events surrounding Jim's death, both before and after, she pieces together the events and, in the end, has to decide whether she wants to save the life she has with her husband, or leave him to the fate she's already foreseen. Amber Valletta (Hitch) and Peter Stormare (Constantine, Prison Break) also star.
Although the previews and commercials clearly outline the plot, the brief scenes don't do justice to the mood and framing of the movie itself. Sandra Bullock delivers a strong, understated performance as the grieving mother and wife who must puzzle through her experiences, and the camera angles and editing help convey her disorientation and shock. While Deja Vu covered some of the same territory, with flashier results, Premonition succeeds as a portrait of an individual and her struggle to make sense of her life. In the end it's how hard we try to hold on what's important to us, that makes all the difference. - Ashley Merrill

I Think I Love My Wife (PG-13)
Starring Chris Rock, who both wrote and directed this movie. It reminded me of the Seven Year Itch. Rock plays an investment banker married for seven years to Gina Torres (of Firefly TV and the movies Serenity and the Matrix Reloaded and Revolution). He has a house in the suburbs and two children.  His wife doesn't want to have sex with him, so he started fantasizing about other women.  A friend arrives (Kerry Washington of Boston Legal and the Fantastic Four Movies). She is a wild and free spirit that Rock enjoys, and he helps her out from time to time.  At the office, everyone thinks they are having an affair, but Rock plays it off since they are not having sex. It culminates in him getting nearly fired and his wife leaving him. But he can't seem to help himself and when Washington comes by, Rock goes with her. Rock faces an ultimate test of his faithfulness to his marriage. He realizes that he needs his woman, not just a sexual partner - a life partner. 
  The language is pretty rough at times and graphic. There are lots of scenes of scantily clad women. I thought the movie was okay, but not something I would take the kids to, or on a first date.  I liked how it ended with Rock's character realizing how important his wife and family was to him.  — John Joyner 

Pan’s Labyrinth (R)
Magical and frightening, dark and cerebral, suspenseful and exciting, Pan’s Labyrinth (R) is a fairy tale in the truest sense of the word. This movie uses incredible elements to get the heart of bigger truths going on in our world. The movie opens in the wake of the Spanish Civil War and Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) has come to live at a mill in the countryside with her mother (Ariadna Gil), who has married a military captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez) and is about to give birth to his son. Like most children, Ofelia has a vivid imagination and an insatiable curiosity. So, when faeries lead her into a stone labyrinth, she immediately sets out find where providence would lead her, while keeping it hidden from the grown-ups. Meanwhile, the adults are engaged in the most repulsive acts of humanity in the fighting of a War. How Del Toro manages to mingle fantasy with reality makes Pan’s Labyrinth an unforgettable classic. The story line of Pan’s Labyrinth is not exactly a new one, but you will do worse to find a movie that can deliver the theme as emotionally powerful as Del Toro has. Unlike most Hollywood fantasies, Del Toro does not believe that every story needs to have a happy ending in order satisfy its audience. There are fairies and monsters and giant toads running about in Pan's Labyrinth, but to dismiss the movie as a kid’s movie would be a mistake. I actually caution parents as this movie has gruesome elements and language. I give it a nod for a fun-filled and exciting fantasy. - Thomas Garrou

The Ultimate Gift (PG)
This is a powerful and absorbing movie that underlines the idea that money is not the root of all happiness. Jason is a trust-fund baby from a dysfunctional family, led by patriarch Red Stevens, played superbly by James Garner. The oil tycoon has died, and in his will he leaves Jason a series of challenges, which he calls “gifts.” Jason has to accomplish each “gift” in a month’s time, and if he accomplishes all of them, he will receive the “ultimate” gift – and he has no idea what the gift is. Through the journeys Jason takes on his challenges, he goes from being wealthy to destitute, from the streets of Charlotte, to a farm in Texas, to a small county in Central America. He is captured by drug lords, shunned by his rich friends and embattled by his greedy family. He meets a young woman and her daughter and gets entangled in their lives, as well. He and finds friendship, love, and compassion for his fellow man along the journeys his grandfather laid out for him. A lot of outstanding acting abounds, including Drew Fuller, who is stellar in the role of Jason. Abagail Breslin is simply amazing in her role, and Bill Cobbs, a longtime character actor, is outstanding as Red’s lawyer, who is executor of the will and Jason’s touchstone for challenges. Veterans like Lee Meriweather and Brian Dennehy add their talents expertly. This movie is worthy of far more than an Oscar. This is another in a rapidly growing line of outstanding films from Fox Faith. I am seeing this one again, and will gladly pay for the privilege. - David Williams

300 (R)
300 stars Gerard Butler (Phantom of the Opera) as King Leonidas, ruler of Sparta, whose kingdom is under threat from the advance of conqueror Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro, currently on Lost) and his enormous army. To protect their freedom and way of life, Leonidas decides to lead three hundred men to meet the force and engage them, against overwhelming odds. David Wenham (Lord of the Rings) co-stars as one of the three hundred soldiers, and Lena Headey as Queen of Sparta.
This movie comes from a graphic novel by Frank Miller, who also wrote the source material for the Sin City movies. The cinematography is similar, but where Sin City was billed as a film noir, 300 is a sweeping period piece, a glittering fabrication of a sepia-drenched Sparta that is less historical than comic-book ideal. The visual effects are seamless and shocking, in both their beauty and their brutal violence. The three hundred Spartan soldiers kill all in their path, and the camera lingers lovingly on each bloody stabbing and decapitation. Imagine a dreamy rendition of Gladiator with a cast of men who want nothing more than a glorious death, and you have some idea of how this movie plays out. Rating is definitely for the mostly unrealistic violence, although there are some scenes of sensuality, nudity, and a few instances of questionable language. Children should definitely stay home for this one. - Ashley Merrill

Wild Hogs (PG-13)
stars Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, and William Macy as four middle-agers seeking to recreate memories and experiences from their youth on a cross-country motorcycle trip.  Mishaps and unfortunate circumstances caused by these macho-wannabees create many hilarious incidents. When they cross paths with a hard-core motorcycle gang, the Del Fuegos, Woody, played by John Travolta, sabotages their bikes to get revenge. The men are then the target for a beating by the gang.  When they hole up in the quaint town of Madrid, N.M., they give the town courage to stand against the Del Fuegos who have intimidated them.  Humor, a little romance, and adventure make this an enjoyable movie especially for middle-agers. A few male bare buns scenes, some crude language, and a few gay male scenarios detract from an otherwise entertaining movie. A surprise makeover at the end added to the humor.  Mature adults will enjoy this movie though many young adults were in the audience as well. Children will probably not find as much humor as adults.  It is not a serious theatrical production. It is fun and funny. - Steve Ruberg

Black Snake Moan (R)
Despite its raw, earthy exterior, it is a solid story with good acting and a feel-good honesty to it. The film revolves around Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson) an ex-blues musician who has lost his dreams of a family and is battling his demons. He finds Rae (Christina Ricci) half-dead on the side of the road in her underwear and takes her in. After discovering her own tormented secrets, he decides to “cure her of her wickedness” by chaining her to the house so she cannot sneak away and continue her destructive habits. The two develop a father-daughter bond that both have missed out on. Justin Timberlake does a credible acting job as Rae’s boyfriend, who also has his personal struggles. The music is great for blues lovers, and Law and Order fans will enjoy seeing S. Epatha Merkerson in a minor role. It is very raw — bad language and sexual content abound, and Ricci is nude or sensually posed in many scenes. If that offends, do not see this movie. But if you can get past it, the movie becomes a touching display of broken people reaching out to one another. I liked it, and did not think that I would. — David Williams

Zodiac (R)
This movie was not so much about the infamous serial killings in California in the 1960s and 1970s as it is as about the people who investigated it and reported on it. Many of them spent the rest of their lives running from the images they encountered as they tried to unravel the identity. Robert Graysmith, who was a cartoonist at the San Francisco Chronicle when the Zodiac killer was on the hunt, wrote a gripping story of lives that spiraled downwards and one mans obsession with the case. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Graysmith, while Mark Ruffalo plays the obsessed detective. Anthony Edwards and Robert Downey Jr. round out a cast that did an excellent job of bringing out the effects of the long investigation on the people charged with its resolution. The movie is very long — nearly three hours — and it is not particularly violent, as the director gets through the murder scenes quickly without a lot of gore and gruesome detail. The language was just slightly salty and there was some drug use, but nothing sexual at all. It is a well-acted suspense picture, and while the crime has no resolution — Zodiac eventually died before he was captured — the movie will hold a lover of suspense. — John Joyner

The Astronaut Farmer (PG)
If you have ever had a dream, this is a movie you do not want to miss. The story centers around a former astronaut, Charlie Farmer, played by Billy Bob Thornton. Even though he was forced to leave NASA because of a family illness, he never gave up on his dream to fly into space. Farmer, along with his son Shepard, built a rocket in their barn on their cattle farm in Texas.  Even though it got tough trying to launch it, he never gave up. It’s about a father setting examples for not only his children, but also for all the people in his town that doubted him.  There are as many laughs as there are tears. Watching Farmer try and fulfill his own dream may be just the inspiration you need to fulfill yours. I really enjoyed this movie, and I know you will too. - Mary Wadsworth

The Number 23 (R)
Walter Sparrow (Jim Carrey) becomes obsessed with a book named “The Number 23”. The book is about a man who is obsessed with the number 23. Everything in his life adds up to the number 23. Soon the character in the book becomes a murderer. While Walter keeps reading this book he realizes that this book is about him. His date of birth, social security number and other numbers in his life add up to 23 - just like the man in the book. Also starring Virginia Madsen, Logan Lerman, Danny Huston, Rhona Mitra, Mark Pellegrino, Michelle Arthur, Patricia Belcher, and K.T. Rowe.
The movie in my opinion was great! I loved the role Jim Carrey played because it was so different from his other movies. I would recommend it to anyone.
Not a movie for kids, this is rated R for violence, disturbing images, sexuality and language. - Ginger Wright

Reno 911!: Miami (R)
Based on the Comedy Central series. It's rather an update of the Police Academy series, based on brief sketches, with inept police officers, and an unhealthy dose of gross and crass sex and humor.
Thomas Lennon as Lt. Jim Dangle continues to lead our bungling officers as they head to Miami Beach, only to be the only officers not confined to the convention center after a biomedical contamination. They patrol the streets, beaches and tattoo parlors, in various mis-adventures.
If you enjoyed the series, maybe this will meet your expectations, but I found little to laugh at here. Rated R for nudity, drug use, and terrible language. - Barry Merrill

Music and Lyrics (PG-13)
Stars Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore in a romantic comedy about a rock star, Alex Fletcher (Grant) whose band breaks up at the height of his career.  He reaches middle age and the current Queen of Pop, Cora Corman (Hayle Bennett) wants him to write a song that they can sing as a duet at a Madison Square Garden concert. Problem is, he hasn’t written a song in over ten years.  He gets the music down, but is having trouble with the lyrics. He has three days to finish, and starts looking for a lyricist.  He finds that person in the most unlikely places, his gardener, Sophie Fisher (Barrymore). She is coming off a bad relationship and doesn’t want to help, but Alex doesn’t let up on her and she agrees. With that their relationship blossoms into a full romance.  The music used for this movie was really good.  It’s a sitcom-type movie. This movie is good romantic comedy that I would recommend.  It’s PG-13 but it for the adult themes. There was no violence or nudity. — Steve Edwards

Ghost Rider (PG-13)
Chronicles of a teenaged Johnny Blaze (Nicholas Cage) who is tricked into making a deal with the devil (Peter Fonda) to save his stunt-riding dad from dying of cancer.  Knowing that the devil just cannot play fair, the deal doesn’t go as promised. Barton Blaze dies during a stunt and Johnny is beckoned to forget about his friends and family.  It is here that he leaves his beautiful girlfriend Roxie (Eva Mendez).  Years later Johnny Blaze is a world renowned motorcycle stunt rider. The fact is that the devil isn’t letting Blaze break their deal by allowing him to break his neck on some cycling stunt.  On the day of his greatest stunt, Johnny meets up with Roxanne and they make a date for dinner.  The devil, however, has other plans for Johnny when he offers him the chance to get his soul back if he transforms into the Ghost Rider and hunts down Blackheart (Wes Bentley). Although the devil, aka Mephistopheles, is evil, he pales in comparison to Blackheart. Johnny Blaze will need to use everything he learned about Ghost Riders from a mysterious cowboy (Sam Elliott) in order to defeat Blackheart.  Mark Steven Johnson, the director of Daredevil, delivers a highly entertaining comic book adaptation. With plenty of humor, action, and special effects, Ghost Rider is worth the 2 hours of viewing time. Be careful for children, as there are some scary images and jump scenes not fit for smaller eyes. I give this film a nod for simple fun. Can the Spirit of Vengeance win the day?  Is it possible for a happy ending when you deal with the devil? See Ghost Rider to find out. — Thomas Garrou

Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls
If it hadn't already been taken, this could have been titled "Do the Right Thing."
Monte (Idris Elba) has a dream of opening his own garage, but when his ex-wife's mother, who is raising his three girls, is dying with cancer, he takes charge for his girls and puts his dreams on hold. His ex (Tasha Smith), despite living with a drug dealer, grabs custody of the girls. A single aggressive black female lawyer (Gabrielle Union) agrees to help Monte get back custody and starts falling for Monte, who is a shining knight compared with the losers her friends fix her up with. Louis Gossett Jr. plays Monte's boss and a community leader.
Drug dealers have the bling, bling, and the hard-working people doing the right thing live modestly, but there are messages of hope and perseverance, and even a couple of church services to drive home the message. And the good guys win in the end.
You can pick some at this one, but I enjoyed the affirmation of positive life-style, and Union lights up the screen. There are several fight scenes, not particularly drawn out or explicit, no language worse than TV, no nudity, and nothing beyond some seductive kissing. I recommend it. - Barry Merrill

Bridge to Tarabithia (PG-13)
A sweet story of a fifth-grade boy, Jesse (played by Josh Hutcherson) from a struggling, big family who befriends a new girl in his class at school, Leslie. They are both social outcasts in school. They discover an old tree house fort in the woods and make up the imaginary world of Tarabithia. In this magical fantasyland, everything they imagine comes to life — including giant trolls, warrior dragonflies and the like. Just as their friendship deepens through their adventures in Tarabithia, Jesse takes a field trip with his teacher. While he is gone, Leslie falls into the river going to Tarabithia and drowns.  The children in the movie do an excellent job. The movie itself really caught the way a child’s imagination works on basing fantasy on the reality that is happening in their lives. The death in the movie is dealt with in a subtle, tasteful way that made the movie very sweet and tender. I liked the movie, as it put me in mind of the Chronicle of Narnia, but it had a more “real” feel to it. It’s rating comes from thematic elements, including bullying, some danger and mild language — but I did not feel anything in it was inappropriate for children, this is a good move for adults and children alike. — Debra Malrachik

The Last Sin Eater, (PG-13)
A FoxFaith film directed by Michael Landon, Jr., is a gripping story of a Celtic mountain people in the 1800s which must face and deal with personal sin and guilt. A “Sin Eater” was designated to “eat” the unforgiven sins of people upon their death. Cadi Forbes (Liana Liberato) harbors guilt for which she sought forgiveness. Cadi befriends Fagan who helps track down the Sin Eater. Along the way Cadi hears the story of the only One who could truly eat the sin of all people and grant forgiveness—Jesus. The sin of the previous generation was exposed and freedom from guilt was found for Cadi and her people. The “Sin Eater”was transformed.  There was suspense, a few violent scenes, a murder, and an intensely emotional conclusion to the story.  This was one of the best movies I have ever seen. The Gospel message was intricately woven into the story involving culture, human nature, conflict between evil and good, and moral dilemma. Small children need not view this movie but all other ages with parental guidance could benefit. I highly recommend this movie. - Steve Ruberg

The Last Sin Eater (PG-13)
is a look at a small group of 1850’s Welsh immigrants who come to the Appalachian Mountains to start a new life. All new beginnings are a mix of strengths and weakness and the old tradition known as “The Sin Eater” comes with them, a person who is chosen from the community to take upon the sins of the recently deceased. Like others who do the dirty work of society, he is an outcast, both loathed and feared for his close approximation with human evil and by extension, the Devil himself. Cadi Forbes (Liana Liberato) is a ten year old girl who needs his help now to absolve her of the guilt she feels for the death of her younger sister. Eventually, the community comes to understand another “Sin Eater”has already come to set us free and that redemption is not a burden given to one man, but a gift given to us all, long ago. “The Last Sin Eater”is an interesting concept, beautifully filmed, and well acted with a good sense of place. Still, I wish it would have done more to explore the themes of sin, forgiveness and the universal need for spiritual development. — Carl Brow

Norbit (PG-13)
Not a well-written movie, but it does what it was intended to do — showcase star Eddie Murphy’s talent at performing in multiple roles.  Norbit is a wimpy kind of guy, an orphan who marries a little-girl bully turned grotesquely obese, self-professed diva. Her brothers — three burly Mafioso-style guys who run Norbit’s hometown with intimidation — devise a plot to take the orphanage Norbit was raised in and turn it into a nightclub. Norbit has to foil the plot and win the girls of his dreams at the same time. Murphy’s best work is done in his third character, Mr. Wong, a wise-cracking Oriental. Murphy is sharp, and the computer work to bring his three characters onto the screen simultaneously is a notch above the Nutty Professor-era work. Eddie Griffin is a potential show-stealer, teaming with Katt Williams as a pair of pimps turned legit. And Cuba Gooding Jr. puts in a guest role as a Lothario who tries to steal the money of Norbit’s true love. The language is mildly bad, but a little too frequent, and there are a lot of physical body references. It is not his best work, but it is good work that will please nearly everyone. David Williams

Hannibal Rising (R)
Presented by the Dino De Laurentis Acting Company, this movie wasn’t the worst, but it was pretty bad. We do get to find out why Hannibal is the way he is. In his early life, he witnesses the deaths of his parents and a very bad ending for his sister. When young Hannibal Lecter (Gaspard Ulliel) flees to his uncle's home in Paris, he learns his uncle is dead, but the man's Japanese widow, Lady Murasaki (Gong Li) welcomes him. Hannibal eventually goes to medical school, where he hones the skills he needs to exact revenge for the atrocities he has witnessed. Hannibal swears revenge and the rest of the movie is a bunch of build up to nothing. Also starring are Helena Lia Tachovska, Rhys Ifans, Kevin McKidd, Martin Hub, Aaron Thomas, Charles Maquignon, Ivan Marevich, Hugh Ross, Nancy Bishop, Marko Igonda, Petra Lustigova, Ingeborga Dapkunaite.The ending stunk and left you feeling just unsatisfied.
Not for children or elderly, as it is not as gory as it could be, but it is pretty bad with the cannibalism, etc. - Matt Wright

Because I Said So (PG-13)
Starring Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore, portrayed the conflict and dependency between an interfering mother and a “loser at love” daughter. Daphne Wilder (Diane Keaton) attempts to find a life mate for her daughter who has been unsuccessful in previous relationships. As her daughter Millie (Mandy Moore), determines to give up looking for a relationship, her mother plots to find a candidate by placing an ad on the Internet. Meanwhile, Millie finds love with a man from the sidelines while also forming a relationship with a young executive arranged by her mother. Steven Collins (Seventh Heaven) is also starring. There were many humorous moments but much of the movie contained sexual innuendos, situations, and descriptions. Some swearing and one scene of female thong-clad buns are included.
Parental guidance is a must for teens. Young children need not view this movie.
One must enjoy romance surrounded by an overdose of sexual content to like this movie. Why? Because I said so. What do you expect from a man reviewing a chic flick?  - Steve Ruberg

The Messengers (PG-13)
Placed on a sunflower farm in North Dakota, Jess (Kristen Stewart) begins to encounter unseen forces that seem to be trying to get the attention of both her and her toddler brother, Ben. Soon these forces reveal themselves to the children, striking fear and chaos in the already dysfunctional household. The parents, played by Dylan McDermott and Penelope Ann Miller, determined to make their new life work, meet their fears with unbelief, thinking the issue may be all with their daughter and not the house.  However, they soon realize the truth, but not before it’s almost too late. This movie featured many suspenseful moments and well-placed close ups to keep you on the edge of your seat, along with an interesting story line that concluded quite well. The movie’s rating is PG-13 but has mature themes, disturbing violence and terror. — Jeanette Pigford

Epic Movie (PG-13)
Four full-grown orphan rejects, played by Kal Penn, Adam Campbell, Jennifer Coolidge and Jayma Mays. They find out that they are all siblings, and they happen upon winning tickets that land them together at the Willie Wonka Chocolate factory. They soon tumble on the magical wardrobe to all the big-screen movies, and they are thrown into a fight with an evil ruler in a battle to save good. It was seriously stupid, which is not my taste, and I did not find myself laughing a lot. But it was a really funny movie. There was no real nudity to speak of — a lot of swimsuit scenes — but there was a lot of bad language. If you do not mind the bad language, it will keep you laughing. I took my 15-year old daughter, and she thought it was “hilariously stupid.”  I would recommend it for an audience slightly older then the PG-13 rating would indicate. — Angie Tucker

The Queen (PG13)
The quintessential British film The Queen (PG-13) gives us excellent performances, engaging dialogue, and a story about individual relationships that will have national implications. The storyline occurs during the days immediately following the death of Princess Diana.  Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) has her own opinion of Diana as a troublemaker who is no longer a member of the royal family. She mistakes her feelings as being held by others, but the public is deeply touched by the death of “The People’s Princess” and the royal family is seen as aloof, detached and possibly even irrelevant in modern times. British Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) helps the royal family to understand and navigate the crisis. It is a thoughtful look into the private lives of a very public family that experiences conflict when centuries of tradition and modern sentiments collide. For thoughtful family drama, this is as good as it gets. The Queen has been nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and for Mirren as Best Actress. — Carl and Charlotte Brow

Smokin' Aces (R)
This was actually a better movie than I expected.
When Vegas entertainer Buddy "Aces" Israel (Jeremy Piven) is negotiating with the FBI to rat out his mob buddies, the head of the Vegas crime family puts out a $1 million bounty on Buddy's head with instructions to bring him Buddy's heart.
As Buddy's manager (Curtis Armstrong) completes the negotiations, we see Buddy locked away in a penthouse suite as teams of killers begin to close in on their target and the FBI tries to protect their witness. Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Andy Garcia, Wayne Newton, and Ray Liotta, among many others have parts along the way.
Buddy is an illusionist, and he says in one scene, "you see what I want you to see." This is a twisty plot that is confusing at times (I got frustrated in the middle trying to understand what they wanted us to see). It's a lot deeper than just a shoot 'em up.
Worst language I can recall, some female nudity, no explicit sex, but references to orgies, and strong drug use references. There are many people killed, but the violence and gore was not, at least for me, overly emphasized. While a better than expected trip, I didn't think it was that good, particularly with some disturbing references. - Barry Merrill

Blood and Chocolate (PG-13)
This movie is very different, but will capture your heart.  The movie centers around a girl named Vivian (Agnes Bruckner).  She works days in a chocolate factory but has a secret night life.  All is well until she meets this guy named Aiden (Hugh Dancy) and falls in love with him.  However, she is afraid to tell him her secret — a secret that could change their lives forever.  Does he know what she really is?  Vivian, Rafe (her cousin), and his gang are all under the protection and control of Gabriel (Olivier Martinez).  He is the powerful leader of the group. Gabriel holds them to strict laws, one of which being that he must take a new bride every seven years. Vivian is to be his next bride, but she has feelings for Aiden. Come see how Aiden and Vivian struggle just to be together. — Mary Wadsworth

The Children of Men (R)
This movie presents a world dying, stricken down by mysterious worldwide infertility. Only Britain, under strict fascist rule, remains a semblance of its former self, a tarnished oasis in the chaos that the entire world has become. Theo (Clive Owen), a deadened low-level bureaucrat in this "elevated" society, is drawn into a plot involving an old flame, Julian (Julianne Moore) and her revolutionary group, the Fishes, who have united around a mysterious young girl named Kee (Claire-Hope Ashitey). While Theo tries to determine if he should risk his life of quiet desperation, and if he should trust Julian and her group's motives (specifically those of Luke, played marvelously by Chiwetel Ejiofor), he takes a spectacular journey through the deepest fears of the human race, and its highest hopes. Michael Caine also stars as Theo's friend Jasper, who adds a bit of humor to this otherwise very bleak film.
This movie was directed by Alfonso Cuarón, and if you saw Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the moody lighting and long cuts might already be familiar, since he directed that movie as well. However, in this infertile and hopeless world set twenty years in our future, violence and terrorism are a fact of everyday existence, and if I can't say anything else about this movie, it is that you will spend most of it in a state of nervous tension. Death and cruelty, senseless acts of barbarism and state-sponsored euthanasia, are so ingrained in this society that the characters walk through with it on every streetcorner, on every advertisement, and don't even see it anymore. Some of the cinematography is positively brilliant, with a particularly stunning long cut at the end of the film that will leave you in awe. Whether the movie itself is a visual masterpiece or a terrible statement on the excesses of a fascist society (or a comment on backlash against liberal politics), is left up to the audience. Due to its language, excessive, bloody and graphic violence, and themes, children should definitely be kept away. - Ashley Merrill

The Hitcher (R)
A remake of the 1986 film of the same name depicts a young couple on Spring Break. While driving to their destination, they (Sophia Bush as Grace Andrews and Zachary Knighton as Jim Halsey), pass a man whose vehicle has broken down, so they give hitchhiker John Ryder (Sean Bean) a ride. There is no reason to the plot. Ryder kills people that pick him up. He gets angry at this particular couple and chases them down, killing cops, people and animals — even cars. Neal McDonough stars as Lt. Esteridge
This movie was very cliché. I did not like it and would not recommend it to anyone looking for new and different.— Matt Wright

Stomp The Yard (PG-13)
A thoroughly watchable and very entertaining. It features D.J., played by Columbus Short, a dancer who has choreographed for Britney Spears and shows considerable acting ability. D.J. leaves Los Angeles for Atlanta, where he enrolls in Truth University. The social culture at Truth is dominated by fraternities and step dancing, a popular practice of historically African-American fraternities. D.J. is a talented but troubled dancer and he is a target of two popular fraternities who want him to be on their step lines as they prepare for nationals. He has rivals, a sweetheart, and will be affected by a past rivalry involving his uncle and the provost of the university - whose daughter gets into a relationship with D.J. The music is predictably hard and urban, and the stepping and dancing (the two are distinctly different) is very enjoyable. There were only two things distracting about the movie – the length, which came close to two hours; and the fact that the plot is alarmingly similar to “Drumline” – remove the band motif and insert step dancing, and you have “Stomp the Yard.”  But it is still an entertaining bit of cinema that stands on its own merits. Short is an understated hero that uses his brains more than his emotions, is a refreshing role model for urban youth. While nationally, “Stomp The Yard” reportedly finished at number one at the box office for its appeal to African–American audiences, the moviegoers I watched with was a distinctly mixed racial makeup. It appeals to everyone. - David Williams

Dreamgirls (PG13)
This was a very well done movie about the history and “who done its” of the record business. A marvelous cast includes Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Beyonece, Danny Glover, Eddie Murphy and others. Very well directed and produced. It follows the discovery and promotion of a group of R&B singers and the backstage and backhanded things that go on to get this done. I would recommend this movie for all people old enough to remember “The Temptations,” “Curtis Mayfield,” or The Supremes.” Excellent new songs obviously written for this movie. Younger audiences may not enjoy it as much (no Rap or Hip-Hop) but should realize that this is where current music came from. Movie contains language, sexual tones and drug use. Surely it’s Oscar material. - Steve Edwards

Arthur and The Invisibles (PG)
stars Freddie Highmore as Arthur, Mia Farrow as Granny, Madonna as Princess Selenia and David Bowie as Evil M. This is a great family movie, it is filled with action, adventure and love. It is the story of Arthur, who must travel to a land so small the people are considered Invisibles. He is in search of his grandfather and a treasure of rubies to save the family farm from developers. Arthur is able to ally himself with Princess Selenia in an attempt to find Grandfather’s treasure and to save the Invisibles from destruction by Evil M, who desires to rule the Seven lands of the Invisibles. This is a wonderful, exciting film. Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy it with your family. - Rhonda Poplin

Happily N’Ever After (PG)
Another comedic animated feature that has its moments, but not very many of them. The story is a twist on Cinderella, where the evil stepmother is out to totally re-evoloutionize the fairy tale world. Ella, voiced by Sarah Michelle Gellar, is the heroine-turned resistance leader who changes and becomes the leader and hero everyone needs to save the day. The movie does not seem to know at whom it is aiming — the animation and base plot draws the younger viewers, while the provocatively-designed stepmother (voiced by Sigourney Weaver) and a few well-placed innuendos will keep the parents. It does not work – the movie was not a waste of time, but simply did not deliver. The cast was solid — I am fast becoming a fan of the vocal talents of Patrick Warburton, who gets it done as the dimwitted, clumsy, typical hero. And just to get this said — Lions Gate Films uses less expensive animation techniques than the more popular Disney Pixar — and it shows. It is adequate, but not eye-popping — like video games from two years ago. The movie was all right, but I think people are getting tired of this fare. — David Williams

Thr3e
Starring Mark Blucas as seminary student Kevin Parson; Justine Waddell as police psychologist Jennifer; and Laura Jordan as Kevin’s “friend” Samantha, integrates suspense, mystery, and faith in an exciting thriller. Based on the novel by Ted Dekker, the movie began with the murder of Jennifer’s brother, then leapt into a sequence of similar style attempts at murder, which were thwarted by Kevin and his “friend” Samantha at the last second. The surprise ending portrays the potential result of child abuse. Embedded in the film are scripture verses, Biblical references, and faith statements. Morality between man and woman is upheld. There are scenes involving violence, though none are graphic. There are images that could be disturbing to young children. Graphic scenes of abusive situations, though not severely intense, do depict the reality that some children suffer.  The plot pits good against evil and the struggle with which all people must confront. The movie held my attention as many movies fail to do. If you enjoy thriller movies and want to see a movie without foul language, sexual connotations or scenes, this is a movie for you.  Support faith-based movies. — Steve Ruberg

Code Name: The Cleaner  (PG-13)
A pretty good movie, but not Oscar material. It’s a good way to spend an hour and half. Jake (Cedric the Entertainer) wakes up beside a dead FBI agent and $250,000, but he can’t remember anything.  Everyone is helping to find out what Jake does. Nicolette Sheridan’s character is posing as his wife, while Lucy Liu’s character is posing as his girlfriend. Jake thinks he is a super secret agent, but he is actually a janitor at a hi-tech gaming company and apparently he has stolen an important microchip — but he doesn’t remember where it is.  There is lots of foul language and strong sexual content that puts the movie on the edge of PG-13. It’s a good, funny movie — and the outtakes during the credits were as funny as the movie itself.  — John Joyner

Black Christmas (R)
This is a horror film that takes place in a house that was once the home of a severely abused/mistreated boy whose name was Billy Lenz.
Billy finally snapped one Christmas eve and murdered his family and ate them.
After years of being vacant, the house was sold and renovated for a sorority house and the week before Christmas, the girls and their house mother (Andrea Martin) were exchanging gifts and feeling festive, then they started getting harrassing phone calls. They realize that Billy Lenz is back home from the hospital for the criminally insane. The killing begins.
This movie was a remake of the 1974 horror film by the same name. If you ask me, it should have stayed in the seventies. I found it particularly disturbing that it was implied that the boy was sexually molested by his mother - not totally shown in graphic detail but you got the point. If I had not been covering the movie for the paper I would have left at that moment.
I do not recommend this movie for any one of any age. There was sexual content and a lot of profanity and blood. - Angie Tucker

The Good Shepherd (R)
This is the story of a man whose life consists only of secrets. Edward Wilson (Matt Damon, The Departed) is a good Harvard student who is slowly drawn into the OSS shortly after his hasty marriage to Clover Russell (Angelina Jolie, Mr. and Mrs. Smith), and from there into the tangled web of American politics and strategy after the Second World War. His home life is always second to his job, and his job takes more and more of him until he is put in a position of authority in the newly-formed CIA, but the cost of that professional triumph comes at a perilously high personal cost.
This movie works, in some respects, by showing the way one man's life parallels the formation and rise of CIA, but its length (nearly three hours) and somewhat labyrinthine plot, along with the occasional bursts of startling violence and sexuality throughout, would definitely detract younger viewers. However, the cast (including Michael Gambon, who plays Dumbledore in the most recent Harry Potter movies, and Billy Crudup of Big Fish, along with director Robert De Niro in a brief cameo) is usually excellent. If you like spy movies but prefer a more personal approach than the usual two hours' worth of exploding ships and gunfights, you'll probably like this movie, with its lessons about the price of patriotism and how improper priorities can lead to unimaginable human suffering. - Ashley Merrill

We Are Marshall (PG-13)
We are Marshall opens at East Carolina as the football team plays ECU. On the plane flight home, all but four members of the team die when the plane crashes.
It’s one of those movies, going up against all odds. Some are against having a football team, wanting to honor the memory of the deceased players, and other players are having to deal with grief from having missed the flight.
On the whole a pretty good movie, some teary-eyed parts. The plot was a little standard, sports movie stuff, though well done. Matthew McConaghey, who stars as the coach, comes across as a little bit of a goof ball, and that doesn’t really fit with the movie.
At the very end of the movie, they show pictures of the actors and the real life people they were playing, which was pretty neat.
Violence as you would expect in football, but not a lot of language, and no sex or nudity. - John Joyner

Rocky Balboa (PG)
The sixth chapter of the popular franchise, is a must-see for Rocky fans. Despite the disappointing fifth installment, fans will want to see this movie because of it’s resemblance to Stallone’s first Rocky script. Where the others were about Balboa’s reign and fame, these movies deal with the man.  In one corner we have the champ, Mason “The Line” Dixon, undisputed heavyweight champ (played by real-life champ Antonio Tarver), looking to change his reputation from that of a sheltered champ who’s fights are rigged, to one who is respectful of the sport of boxing.  In the other corner, we have Rocky Balboa, who is 54-years old and can hardly get a license to box.  In the opening segments of the movie, we see a humble and broken Balboa.  Adrian is dead and Rocky is estranged from his son.  Rocky Jr. (Milo Ventimiglia of Heroes) is trying to survive on his own, out from behind the giant shadow his dad casts.  The movie gets interesting when a computer extrapolates a fight between Balboa and Dixon based on the boxing careers of both fighters.  Balboa comes out on top and fight promoters and sports experts start talking.  Soon the “what if” scenario comes to life in an exhibition bout between the fighters.  What happens is up to you to find out.  Will Rocky win the day?  Or will Dixon’s ire concerning the hype cause him to punish the Italian Stallion?  However it turns out Rocky Balboa delivers a knockout performance that is sure to rattle your insides.  This franchise fan gives it a nod for a well written script and acting prowess. - Tom Garrou

Night at the Museum (PG)
Lions and cowboys and cavemen, oh, my! Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) accepts what appears to be the menial job of a graveyard-shift security guard at a museum of natural history, where the job is anything but dead.  During his late-night rounds, Daley witnesses bizarre things occurring:  Mayans, Roman gladiators, and cowboys awake from their hibernation to wage epic battles; cavemen burn down their own display in their quest for fire; Attila the Hun pillages his neighboring exhibit, and a T-Rex reminds us all why he is the fiercest predator in history.  They owe it all to a magic Egyptian tablet. Amid the chaos, the only person Larry can turn to for advice is a wax figure of President Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams).  Meanwhile, in another part of the museum, robbers are trying to steal precious artifacts and a frazzled Larry Daley is trying to control the dire situation before everything gets totally out of hand.  Night at the Museum is a funny and, often times, silly movie, enjoyable for most of the family.  If you want to laugh and be entertained, this is the movie to see.  Beware of jump scenes which may be too scary for younger eyes.  Otherwise, see how history literally comes to life at this museum. - Tom Garrou

Charlotte’s Web (G)
The movie stays true to the E.B. White children’s book it is based on. Dakota Fanning was wonderful as Fern, a young girl determined to save Wilbur the Pig, the runt of the litter, from becoming Christmas dinner. Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who — with Fern’s help — ultimately saves Wilbur from his fate. This movie features an all-star cast with Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey Reba McIntyre, Robert Redford and John Cleese voicing over the barnyard animals. A definite tear-jerker and a great movie for the entire family, It is highly recommended for all to see. - Jeanette Pigford

Pursuit of Happyness (PG-13)
The movie stars Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a father struggling to make ends meet in the early 1980s. His real-life son, Jaden Smith, stars as his son, and they have a powerful on-screen presence. Chris struggles to sell enough of a far-out product to survive, and along the way discovers an unpaid internship that could be the window to financial success he desires. The movie kept me on edge, and very involved, as things only seemed to get worse as the movie progressed.
The movie is inspired by a true story, and my movie watching experience was bettered by having seen some of the story on Oprah, I was assured that things would get better. If you go see it, keep that in mind as well. I enjoyed it and it has an encouraging message. The movie is PG-13 for some language, and while otherwise safe for children, it is not very lighthearted, and thus I would not recommend it to kids. - Kelly Merrill

The Holiday (PG-13)
It was a really good movie. It was about two women with totally different lives, but with on thing in common — men. They both have a man they need to get away from. So Amanda (Cameron Diaz) gets on the Internet seeking a far-off place to spend Christmas She meets Iris (Kate Winslet), in England, and they swap houses for their holidays. This turns both their lives around as they make new friends and start new relationships. Jack Black and Jude Law have strong roles that help to make the movie. It was refreshing that there was very little sexual content, no nudity and very little bad language. I recommend it for anyone that needs a little holiday spirit. It was definitely a good chick flick than my friend and I enjoyed. I plan to let by 15-year old daughter and her friend see it during their holiday break. — Angie Tucker

Eragon (PG)
The movie is based on the book by Christopher Paolini. It tells the story of a farm boy living in a village in a fantastic land. The main character, Eragon (Edward Speleers) finds what he believes to be a beautiful stone while out hunting. In a few days, the stone hatches a dragon, named Saphira. Her arrival turns his life upside down. First he tries to keep her a secret, but one day he returns home to find his family dead and he decides to use Saphira to avenge their deaths. He enlists the help of a wise storyteller, played by Jeremy Irons, who reveals to him the legend of the dragon riders. He learns the kills of swordfighting, magic and dragon-riding to prepare for his revenge, and he joins forces with Varden, determined to overthrow the king. He fights in the climactic battle at the end of the moive. The special effects were awesome and the scenery was as well. It is rated PG for mild violence but it is appropriate for teenagers. I really enjoyed the movie, but there was a lot from the book that was left out. — Drew Malarchik

Apocalypto (R)
If you liked Mel Gibson’s movie “Braveheart,” you should enjoy Apocalypto. The characters in Apocalypto speak in the Mayan language and subtitles have to be read. The movie is based upon the Mayan culture, the story of a tribe taken captive and removed to a temple, where human sacrifices are made. It focuses on the struggles of one man, Jaguar Paw, who is determined to return to the village, where his pregnant wife and son are trapped in a hole. Starring are Rudy Youngblood, Raoul Trujillo, Dalia Hernandez, Gerardo Taracena, Jonathan Brewer, Fernando Hernandez. The only thing I can recommend about this R-rated movie is that there is no adult language, but it has graphic violence and disturbing images. - Mary Wadsworth

Unaccompanied Minors (PG)
This is a very cute holiday movie that shows just how much craziness kids can get into — especially when they are stranded in an airport. A blizzard keeps these children away from their families, so they lean how to become a family together. Starring Dyllan Christopher, Tyler James Williams, Gina Mantegna, Quinn Shephard, Wilmer Valderrama, Lewis Black, Brett Kelly, Paget Brewster, Rob Corddry, and Dominique Saldaña, this is a funny, family-oriented movie that will really get you in the holiday spirit. - Beth Rigdon

The Nativity Story (PG)
This movie personifies the Christmas story in a wonderful way.  It takes a well-known story from the Bible which has sketchy details and uses theatrical license to fill in the missing pieces such as the possible daily life of Mary and Joseph, the treachery of King Herod, the behind the scenes thinking of the magi, the visible reactions to the angel visits by Mary and Joseph, and the adoration and worship of the Christ child by the shepherds and magi.  While scripture is closely followed the movie is not about theology or actual time lines (It is generally accepted that the magi came later than the nativity.).  The acting was good. The setting appeared realistic, and the story with its personification brought tears to my eyes at times.  There are short clips of soldiers searching for boys under the age of two to kill.  In one event a sword is thrust to kill a child, though not graphic nor seen, it might be disturbing for some children.  "Nativity" is a great movie to see this Christmas season to put the story of the birth of Jesus Christ in as prominent a place in the minds of all ages as the commercialism and other fantasy, entertaining Christmas movies. Please support family-friendly, faith-friendly movies. - Steve Ruberg

Facing the Giants (PG)
A movie where the good guys win, where there is a strong spiritual message, and yet it has the feeling this is something that actually could happen.
Grant Taylor is a football coach for a Christian high school in Georgia, Shiloh Christian Academy. Spirits are not very high anywhere on campus it seems.
The Taylor Home is no exception. His wife sinks in her car seat when once again their car won't start, he's struggling to make ends meet on his salary, and they are frustrated with not having children. As his team enters his sixth season as coach, they seem destined to have another losing season, and parents are calling for a new coach.
After prayer, he announces to the team a new philosophy: giving our best to God and leaving the results up to Him. He also reminds them, "Nothing is impossible with God." An incredible demonstration of strength by one of the team leaders and a contagious profession of faith helps to win hearts and God greatly blesses this group of believers.
A Georgia congregation made this movie with no professional actors, just members of the congregation as I understand, but that doesn't get in the way. You will feel good when you leave this inspiring message. - Barry Merrill

Deck The Halls (PG-13)
This is a typical holiday comedy in the vein of “Christmas with the Kranks,” with a little “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation "thrown in. It features a solid performance from Danny DeVito as the annoying new neighbor who puts enough lights on his house to hopefully be seen from space. This gets way under the skin of his neighbor, played a little stiffly by Matthew Broderick. The feud between the two men is a backdrop to their problems with dealing with Christmas, and how their families deal with their own eccentric ways. The lights on the house grow exponentially to include music and stadium scoreboard-like displays, which are quite beautiful in a Griswoldian way. I enjoyed the music, especially Aretha Franklin’s version of “Joy to the World” at the end, and the cast on “Oh, Holy Night” at the end. It’s good, but not the belly-laugh holiday movie of years past. - David Williams

Deja Vu (PG-13)
The movie has a strong cast with Denzel Washington and Val Kilmer, and a cutting-edge premise in this sci-fi thriller that the government can use a device to observe past time and find clues to solving crimes. Director Tony Scott lets us down by a confusing story line that comes out muddled and scrambled. Denzel is an ATF agent recruited to a special project following the bombing of a ferry full of Navy men and their families going on leave in New Orleans. The special team attempts through the device to warn of the disaster. There is only a four day window to succeed. On top of all this, Washington is entangled by a love interest. The plot was simply hard to believe, even for the most die-hard science fiction fan. The acting was good, and parents be warned that the language is rough in places and there is a brief nude scene. But the writing lets the cast down dramatically. Don’t waste your time, because I certainly felt I had wasted mine. - Steve Edwards

Happy Feet (PG)
A surprising tale, full of serious themes, but wrapped in a fun and entertaining animated movie. Mumbles the Penguin, voiced by Toby McGuire, is a misfit in his brood, because while penguins find a mate by matching songs to each other, Mumbles is unable to sing. But he can tap-dance — a talent that is wasted on his brood, who not only considers Mumbles a freak but blames him for keeping the fish away and endangering his brood. The clan exiles Mumbles, and he hooks up with a funny group of Latin penguins, who help Mumbles discover the real reason the fish are not available. In the end, Mumbles saves the day and is welcomed back to his world. The movie exhibits themes ranging from religious intolerance to humans being to blame for world eco-catastrophe, but wraps them in a slick animated movie with sharp computer graphics and a musical score that has something for every age group. Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman get special nods for their vocal work as Mumbles’ parents, Memphis and Norma Jean (Jackman does a great Elvis impression, matched by Kidman’s Marilyn Monroe). The appeal to kids is slightly tainted with the disguised mature themes in some cases, but it is a solidly good movie for just about anyone. - John Joyner

Casino Royale (PG)
Daniel Craig is the Bond for the 21st bond film, Casino Royale (PG) and for the 21st century. In this adaptation of the legendary Ian Fleming novels, we see Bond before he has his “00” status. The plot finds our hero having recently left the British SAS for a job in the 00 section of MI-6, uncovering a terrorist plot involving a British double agent.  Bond makes his 00 mark by taking out the double agent and his contact before they can assist the terrorist organization.  This assignment propels the brash, young Bond into his “license to kill” duty in MI-6. But Bond is not yet the man we all know and love.  He is a man whose ego causes him to make impulsive decisions, even though he always manages to win.  His ego only justifies his cavalier behavior. Bond prides himself on being able to read people. He knows all the angles, has it all figured out, but Bond soon learns how arrogant and incorrect that assumption is. This movie does a great job of humanizing the man who in earlier movies was unstoppable.  Gone are the scenes where Bond runs out into the fray with his Walther PP7 blazing, killing all the bad guys with impeccable accuracy, while dodging automatic weapons and not getting a scratch.  In Casino Royale, he gets hurt; and that goes for the affairs of the heart as well.  With the great writing, fast-paced story line, and the unforgettable characters, Casino Royale gets a nod from this franchise fan.  The action will leave you shaken and the story will certainly stir your emotions. -  Thomas Garrou

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (R)
is about a television news reporter from Kazakhstan coming to make a documentary in America. In actuality, Borat, (British actor Sacha Baron Cohen) and his video crew make a hilarious satire on American culture - some scenes with unknowing victims - from New York to the south, and west to California, on a quest for Pamela Anderson.
The movie is funny but the humor is raunchy, with graphic nudity and some language. I would definitely NOT take the kids to this one. There are also a lot of national and Jewish jokes, and some uncomfortable situations, but I think they are done in a minimally offensive way. Basically, be prepared to laugh hysterically during this fresh comedy. - Kelly Merrill

Stranger Than Fiction (PG-13)
is the story of Harold Crick (Will Ferrell), an IRS agent whose entire solitary existence is devoted to numbers: the number of strokes of his toothbrush, the number of tiles in a ceiling, and most specifically the finances of the people he audits. Harold wakes up one morning to find that his life is being narrated by an author, Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson). When the narrator inadvertently informs him that his death his imminent, Harold decides to do what he can to save his life, including enlisting the help of an expert on literary theory (Dustin Hoffman). Maggie Gyllenhaal (World Trade Center) plays an authority-challenging baker Harold has to audit; Queen Latifah (Bringing Down the House) and Tony Hale ("Arrested Development") also star.
While the previews for this movie seem to bill it as a straight comedy, they are misleading; Stranger Than Fiction is either a drama with its occasionally funny moments or a black comedy with its occasionally dramatic moments, but anyone watching this movie expecting to see Ferrell in his usual role as the master comedian will be disappointed. This movie is to Ferrell as The Truman Show or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind are to Jim Carrey: Ferrell turns in a nuanced, sometimes touching performance as a lonely man whose life only really begins when he's told it's almost over. Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman are also excellent in their roles, and Maggie Gyllenhaal and Tony Hale are also great despite their relatively brief screen time. Due to its adult themes and the occasional instance of bad language, I'd recommend this movie only to people aged about fourteen and up. - Ashley Merrill

A Good Year (PG-13)
was a good movie about an English businessman — played by Russell Crowe — who thinks of nothing but making money, He inherits the estate of a relative he had once been very close to, so he reluctantly heads to France to sell the chateau and vineyards. Although he only wants to get back to business, he is confronted by a long-lost cousin who also has rights to the estate. He falls in love in the end, and of course makes all the perfect choices to make all become well in the end. The movie takes place around lots of beautiful French countryside, There was no bad language, no nudity or sexual scenes. It was a great movie that I would recommend for anyone who likes a good, clean love story. I took my 15-yaear old daughter, and she enjoye the movie as well. Some of the other acting talent in the movie includes Albert Finney, Abbie Cornish, Didier Bourdon and Marian Cotillard. - Angela Tucker

Flushed Away (PG)
A great family movie. It stars the vocal talents of Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet and Ina McKellen. It is the story of an upper-class mouse, Roddy (Jackman), who is “Flushed” out of his townhouse and into the real mouse world under the sewer. Once you get past the entire sewer “germ thing,” it is easy to appreciate this romantic comedy and action adventure film. In trying to return to his quiet life, Roddy meets Rita, a smart, hard-working mouse. Together they fight Mr. Toad in a James Bond-style adventure to save the mouse world and to find true love. Flushed Away has everything your family wants in a movie - action, adventure and jokes — and singing slugs. Go and see it. — Rhonda Poplin

The Santa Clause 3 (G)
Tim Allen stars again in The Santa Clause 3. Santa is expecting to be a father again, and his wife is missing her family. Santa decides to bring her family to her for Christmas. Jack Frost is jealous that Santa gets all the attention and nobody knows who Jack is, so he tries to become Santa himself. This movie is as funny as the other two Santa Clause movies. It is definitely worth watching, especially if you are ready to get into the Christmas mood! - Beth Rigdon

SAW III (R)
was great to say the least. You will get your money’s worth before you even see the title of the movie. There are plot twists, new and more graphic scenes, and it fills in so many blanks from the first two movies in the series. The gore factor was there — I myself am not prone to get sick from a movie, but there are scenes in SAW III that would make even the strongest stomachs turn. I believe they left clues and made plot twists for a fourth movie, but I am not sure. I thoroughly enjoyed it — my wife did not, but my friends did. It was just great. I wouldn’t recommend that children see it, as I believe it should have been rated NC-17, but that is not my call. Great movie – I cannot say it enough. - Matthew Wright

Flicka (PG)
Set against a backdrop of the amazing mountains of Wyoming, Flicka is about a young girl, Katie McLaughlin (Alison Lohman) who returns from her private school to the family ranch in the summer. Unable to resist a midnight horse ride through the surrounding hills, she happens upon a wild black mustang and is immediately determined to break the horse and claim her as her own. This creates a huge conflict with her father (Tim McGraw), and most of the story is centered on Katie trying to prove her mettle to her Dad by taming the wild horse, whom she names Flicka. The movie is based on the book “My Friend Flicka,” and it has the family charm and heartwarming scenes reminiscent of older films. There are lots of scenes with little dialogue, set against absolutely beautiful mountains than turn the camera itself into a special effect. I really enjoyed this movie. It was funny at times, heartwarming, and very family-oriented.
My 13-year old son enjoyed the movie as well. It’s rated PG for mild language. It was refreshing to see a movie capture and hold my son’s attention without explosions, car chases or anything like that. This one is good for the whole family. I highly recommend it for young and old alike. — Debra Malarchik

The Prestige (PG-13)
stars Christian Bale (Batman Begins) and Hugh Jackman (best known as Wolverine in the X-Men) as magicians Alfred Borden and Rupert Angier respectively, at the end of the nineteenth century. Due to an accident during a magic trick, the two develop a rivalry which claims much of their lives and revolves around discovering each other's methods for performing their various illusions. Michael Caine (Batman Begins, Miss Congeniality) also appears as Cutter, Angier's behind-the-scenes man, and Scarlett Johansson (The Island) in a blessedly small role as Olivia, the female assistant.
This movie is directed by Christopher Nolan, the same director who did Batman Begins, Insomnia, and Memento, so the movie is told in a distinctly non-linear fashion. Nolan uses many flashbacks, sometimes so many that it's a bit disorienting, but everything makes sense at the end. While the movie does begin slowly, I think the pace serves to help the audience form an attachment to the characters, so that by the end, the climax of the movie actually does matter. This movie isn't really for children; while the language is usually pretty clean, there are many instances of violence and death which might scare younger children. - Ashley Merrill

Flags of Our Fathers (R)
It was done as close probably to the book as any movie I have seen. Cinematography was excellent and the acting was great. It dealt with the raising of the flag over Iwo Jima. It told the story, taking the soldiers from basic training to the taking of the island and beyond. There were a lot of unwilling heroes that suddenly made the from pages from the most popular war picture ever taken. One of the best war movies I’ve ever seen. Directed by Clint Eastwood and produced by Steven Spielberg.
It’s rated R for language, and for blood and gore. - Steve Edwards

Grudge 2 - (PG-13)
The movie takes place after the original movie, with the main character from the last movie, Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar) in a hospital, and her sister, Aubrey (Amber Tamblyn) determined to investigate the fire her sister set in "the most haunted place in all of Japan" (best heard with a bit of a Japanese accent). After seeing the first and not being so impressed, I wasn't too surprised when the second was even more hokey. Unfortunately, it didn't even have much of a jump factor. There were a few stories going on at once, with a connection made at the end, which made for some confusion for me.
There is no real gore or language, so parents shouldn't be too concerned about psychologically damaging their children by taking them to see it, though I wouldn't necessarily recommend Grudge 2 anyway, there are plenty of more promising options out there. - Kelly Merrill

The Departed (R)
has a heavyweight cast — Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DeCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg and Martin Sheen — and is directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese. It is about a war on organized crime in South Boston, where a young cop infiltrates a mob while a young mobster infiltrates the Boston Police. Throughout the movie it becomes apparent to both sides that there is a mole in the organization. Both men begin to find all that they can to expose the other. It becomes a brutal blood bath in the end. There are several nude scenes and way too much bad language in the movie for my taste. I do not recommend this movie for anyone under 18 and no one who hates violence. — Angela Tucker

Man of the Year (PG-13)
features Robin Williams as talk show comic Tom Dobbs, An audience members suggests he run for President since he is such a straight-shooting person, and he decided to do just that. At the same time, a computer company has designed a new program that makes voting easier. One of the company’s employees realizes the computer program has a glitch, but when she reports it, her supervisors tell her it was taken care of. Ton Dobbs win the election and shocks the nation. Even though people like him, Dobbs is clearly not presidential material. This is a funny movie that combines humor, romance, and truth. It s definitely a movie worth seeing! — Beth Rigdon

Love’s Abiding Joy (PG)
Erin Cottrell and Logan Bartholomew star as Missy and Willie LaHaye in a truly family movie in the spirit of Little House on the Prairie. Based on a series of books by Janette Oke and directed by Michael Landon, Jr. this movie is the fourth in a series chronicling the LaHaye family as they homestead land and face the trials of life and family in the wild west of the 1880s. In this story the family faces the death of a baby daughter and must cope with the grief of the mother and father. Financial struggles forces the father to take a job as the local town sheriff who then must face the greed of the town mayor who delights in foreclosing on the ranches of Willie LaHaye's friends. Throughout the movie the faith of the family is highlighted as their foundation and strength to help them cope with all their life circumstances. Though the story plot is slow moving there is suspense felt throughout the movie. There is no violence, no bad language, and no disparaging commentaries on family, fathers, or Christianity. Those who want to support good, clean, family values and faith in movies must see this movie. It may not be appropriate for very young children as the death of a baby and the grief reactions may not be understood.- Steve Ruberg

Love’s Abiding Joy (PG)
Starring: Brianna Brown, Erin Cottrell, Dale Midkiff, Kevin Gage. Based on the novel by Janette Oke, this movie is set in the mid west and centers on the pioneer Harget family, a mother, father, their three children and visiting grandfather. The first battle, which sets it all into motion, is the death of the youngest, infant child. It causes the family to fall into a deep depression which ultimately affects the daily decisions they make. But through it all they handled each conflict head on with dignity and faith, making this movie have a really good“Little House on the Prairie” feel to it. - Jeanette Pigford

Employee of the Month (PG-13)
Zack (Dane Cook) is a box boy at the local Super Choice store. He was a typical slacker until a beautiful girl (Jessica Simpson) came to work at the store and he is made aware that she only dates guys who win Employee of the Month. Zack becomes entangled in a competition with the head cashier to become Employee of the Month and win the girl’s affections. The two sabotage each other and the comedy goes full swing. The movie was very funny and I enjoyed every minute of it. I would recommend it to everyone! Also starring are: Dax Shepard, Andy Dick, Tim Bagley, Brian George, Efren Ramirez, Marcello Thedford, Danny Woodburn, Harland Williams, Sean Whalen, Shirly Brener, Barbara Dodd, Alison Raimondi, Z. Ray Wakeman - Ginger Wright

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (R)
Very much like the first re-release of the movie three years ago — cookie-cutter, cookie-cutter, cookie-cutter. I did not like it very much at all. The gore factor was great, but the story line is played out — crash, die, almost die, die, getaway, not-yet, die again, end of movie. It was not very good at all. Starring are: Jordana Brewster, Andrew Bryniarski, R. Lee Ermey, Lee Tergesen, Matthew Bomer, Taylor Handley, Diora Baird, Cyia Batten, Tim De Zarn, Heather Kafka, Marietta Marich, L.A. Calkins. — Matthew Wright

Open Season (PG-13)
Since I began taking my son to animated movies, I have come to enjoy them and usually laugh more than the kids. So, my son, my cousin and I took on Open Season. Things started out with a little jig from Boog the bear (Martin Lawrence) who was rescued by a forest ranger as a cub. He now lives in the ranger’s garage and performs tricks in a show for kids. He loves his life and the ranger who rescued him. Boog rescues a deer by the name of Elliott, played by
Ashton Kutcher, from a hunter and then can't get rid of him. Elliott talks him into doing things that get them both in lots of trouble. The ranger decides that it is time to take Boog the bear back to the wild. Boog and Elliott have one dilemma after another trying to get out of the wild and back home to the city. Then they realize it's hunting season! Meanwhile, I'm thinking that this is just one of those movies that gets off to a slow start and the laughter will begin soon. It never really did. (Maybe a chuckle here and there)
As with most of these animated movies, it has an ending that will make you smile. When these movies are released on DVD, I usually run out and pick one up for my son. I don't think I'll be adding this one to his collection. Still, it was time well spent together. - Michelle Connerton

The Guardian (PG-13)
is a good movie, but not a great one, Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher play the lead roles in a formulaic tale of the old guard passing the torch onto the new generation. Costner plays a highly decorated water rescue specialist for the Coast Guard, who considers retirement after a deadly encounter at sea, but is instead sent to the training school to teach new rescue swimmers. One of those new recruits is Kutcher, a swimming champion in high school who drops the sport for personal reasons. Costner takes Kutcher under his wing, and soon the new kid is breaking all of the old man’s records. The movie was enjoyable for the younger women, who adored Kutcher, and the older ladies, who still find Costner enjoyable, But the movie ran well over two hours, and drug in places. The cinematography was excellent and the action scenes were solid, but the movie just ran on too long. - Steve Edwards

School for Scoundrels (PG-13)
is a well-written screenplay, well-acted and well-produced. It does not come off as the second-rate comedy that many movies of this genre end up simulating. Billy Bob Thornton, while playing his usual foul-mouthed, blunt, in-your-face character you saw in Bad News Bears and Bad Santa, fits perfectly as the shady director of a under-the-radar self-improvement school for nerds and losers. Jon Heder — who rose to fame as Napoleon Dynamite — plays one of Thornton’s students. As the off-beat classes help him take charge of his life, he finds himself competing with Thornton in a battle for the affections of Heder’s girlfriend. Michel Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile) has a strong role as Thornton’s muscle man, and Ben Stiller makes a short cameo as a former student. The story line is tight and interesting, and the cast of losers who are Heder’s classmates make a solid ensemble. Thornton’s language is objectionable, and there is a running joke involving something distasteful, but other than that the film has little to disturb or take away from the plot. It’s for adults, and will appeal to the Napoleon Dynamite fans, although Heder’s character here is much more insecure in his nerdiness than Napoleon Dynamite was. - David Williams

Flyboys (PG-13)
Is an excellent movie. Set during World War I, the movie depicts the actual beginnings of the use of the airplane in war. Seven Americans find their way to France to learn how to fly the Sopwith Camel, the twin-winged biplanes used in the First World War. While the movie follows the relationship between the seven men chosen to form the squadron of fliers, it really shines in the scenes of dogfighting and close, precision flying. It was simply a solid war movie. There was no nudity or sex, and while a war movie is going to be violent, the gore and blood was held to a minimum. There was very little harsh language. Children old enough to understand about war would enjoy it.  - Steve Edwards

Jackass II (R)
The movie begins with a disclaimer stating not to attempt what you are about to see at home, and with good reason. The movie was in sync with their television program; a bunch of grown men thinking up weird pranks, stunts, and other things you never even envisioned seeing. It was rated R and if there were ratings beyond R that is what I would have given it due to full nudity, very gross stunts, (which I think I would have lost my popcorn if I did not close my eyes and hum through them), and of course lots of foul language. It kept with the Jackass mentality and made me laugh, gag, and stare in disbelief and my husband who accompanied me said he hadn’t laughed that hard in years. So if you like crude humor, this is one for you. - Jeanette Pigford

The Last Kiss (R)
A dramedy about Michael (Zack Braff), a nearing 30 architect whose live-in girlfriend of three years, Jenna (Jacinda Barrett), announces her pregnancy at a dinner at her parents’ house. The parents are obviously expecting them to announce they are marrying, but Michael is struggling with making that commitment, though he sees Jenna as a perfect woman.
At another friend’s wedding, a flirty co-ed (Rachel Bilson) exploits Michael’s angst of the moment when he clearly signals he is wavering in the relationship. She sees him as a great catch and sets her sights on him. And Michael is clearly interested.
Michael’s best buddies from grade school are also struggling with commitment, and Jenna’s parents also go through a marital crisis.
There is lots of sex, lots of foul language, and lots of belly laughs, but I think there are strong messages underneath about commitment. While I felt the lead actors were good, I also liked Blythe Danner and Tom Wilkinson as Jenna’s parents. I recommend it. -- Barry Merrill

The Black Dahlia (R)
Based on a notorious, vicious unsolved murder in Hollywood in the 40s, directed by Brian De Palma,. Former headline boxers Lee Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart) and Bucky Bleichert (Josh Hartnett) are detectives, partnered in a special unit to investigate the murder. Kay Lake (Scarlett Johansson) is the woman both men love. A woman with a past, but she was not impressive and seemed to spend too much time trying to think of something to say and lighting cigarettes.
Mia Kirshner plays Betty Short, the starlet. The film clips shown of her were the most disturbing of all - and this movie was mostly disturbing and dark.
Fiona Shaw, drunk, disoriented and off the wall in her portrayal of the rich Ramona Linscott, mother of Madeleine (Hilary Swank), a society dame of Raymond Chandler vintage. Swank is anyone’s partner and knew the mutilated actress known as the Dahlia.
Not quite as polished as L.A. Confidential but I thought it passed as a period piece. It was a mystery and the mystery was solved at the end. I missed the clues and was repulsed by some of the content. They were not able to pull off making you sorry for the murdered girl, you just didn’t know her because her acting clips - wasn’t she just acting?
Hartnett provides the voiceover narration which probably help the movie only last 2 hrs. R (strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and language). - Ashley Merrill

Gridiron Gang (PG-13)
Starring Dwayne " The Rock" Johnson, this movie portrays a unit supervisor, Sean Porter, at a juvenile detention center who tires of seeing the detention center be a revolving door for young offenders who upon release are soon back in confinement or killed on the streets as they return to the gang infested neighborhoods. In an attempt to provide an incentive to develop skill, self-confidence, and self-esteem Sean proposes to detention officials that they sponsor a football team of the detained youth. The story line follows a true story of a detention center. Problems, prejudices, and complications are portrayed as the team develops and begins shaping the otherwise aggressive, hate filled, and depressed youth into a team with team spirit. Forgiveness becomes a central theme as former gang enemies, mother-son and father-son relationships are healed through the power of forgiveness and love. L