Movie & DVD and Independant Film Reviews for Santa Cruz, Santa Clara , Monterey, San Mateo Counties and the World. Movie reviewers Karin Leonard & Daniel Robin provide unique perspectives on films that give you the message value in addition to the entertainment value of the film reviewed.

To have your Independent Film, Movie or DVD reviewed, send your flick to Connection Magazine, 7960 B Soquel Dr. #355, Aptos, CA 95003.

Movie & DVD Reviews

by Karin Leonard & Daniel Robin

Each month, we select our favorite or otherwise important films to be featured on this page. We rate them, subjectively, on a scale from 1 (worthless) to 5 (awesome) in terms of their entertainment and message. We leave the plot details and storytelling to the filmmakers and instead attempt to characterize, highlight strengths and flaws, and hint at purpose. Click here to email Daniel & Karin. Enjoy!

Read New Movie Reviews on this page or Select Older Movies Alphabetically:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Blades of Glory

With Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler, Jenna Fischer

Entertainment: 3 Message: 2

Take an intermission from the seriousness of life with this extremely silly parody of the colorful world of figure skating. Just let yourself laugh, even though the humor gets a bit thick and off color (or just “off”) at times. Will Ferrell is in his element as machismo in spandex on ice, touting egomaniac Chazz Michael Michaels, juxtaposed rival to Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) as angelic, sweet-faced, can’t-hurt-a-fly Jimmy MacElroy. Raunchy humor and sexual innuendo laid on thick, and non-stop ridicule all make for a weighty slapstick shtick (1 hr 33 min).

Blood Diamond

With Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4.5 Graphic violence and abuse

A superbly executed thriller, powerfully delivered with an important social message. The decades-old unconscionable practice of smuggling illegal gems during times of conflict has historically had a disastrous impact on certain African countries. This film is to the conflict diamond trade what The Constant Gardner was to pharmaceutical drugs. Extremely violent and intense, this disturbing portrayal packs a wallop courtesy of the “controlled chaos” and fine performances, especially from DiCaprio as South African mercenary Danny Archer. Hard to watch, but worth it (2 hrs 18 min).

Casino Royale

With Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Mads Mikkelsen, Eva Green

Entertainment: 4 Message: 2

The James Bond brand at its essential best! Daniel Craig makes a fine Agent 007, just the right combo of arrogance, skill and testosterone poisoning. Fans of this franchise will not want to miss it (2 hrs 24 min).

Charlotte’s Web

Voices of Dakota Fanning, Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4

Innocent, charming, and delightfully wise, this remarkable creation stays true to the original story brought alive with the same special effects that made Babe famous. Robert Redford horses around and John Cleese feels a bit sheepish, but it is Charlotte (Julia Roberts) who is determined to save our young hero pig, and the results are miraculous and quite touching. What more could you want from a beautiful adaptation of the classic children’s tale? (1 hr 53 min).

Children of Men

With Clive Owen, Michael Caine, Julianne Moore

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4.5 Graphic violence and gore

Soulfully beautiful while abysmally dark, this is an evocative cautionary tale of what the world could be like in the not-so-distant future (2027) if we utterly failed to act as stewards of the environment and our global society. What would become of us if women could no longer bear children? This near apocalyptic, violent and disturbing vision is painted through intense struggle for autonomy contrasted with the miracle of new life when a woman finds that she is pregnant with what would be the first child born in decades. Deeply metaphoric with the archetype of the savior child in the midst of death, destruction and loss of meaning, this visionary artpiece affects profoundly with masterful cinematography and profound storytelling (1 hr 54 min).

Deja Vu

With Denzel Washington, Val Kilmer, Paula Patton, Bruce Greenwood, Adam Goldberg

Entertainment: 3 Message: 2.5

It’s hard not to enjoy a movie that stars Denzel Washington and is reasonably well crafted. With his usual enigmatic charisma he takes you on an adventure with a far out premise that stretches imagination and plausibility, yet stays engaging throughout. Set in post-Katrina New Orleans, the hard hit community receives some much needed attention and support as we witness the deconstruction of a crime that presses a lot of buttons. The premise is rather wild, and technologically silly, but it makes for a great story (2 hrs 8 min).

The Departed

With Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg

Entertainment: 3 Message: 2 Warning: Brutal violence and gore

Set in South Boston, the state police force wages war on organized crime and here are the results: everyone dies. Questions? For the genre it represents, this is fine. If you are a fan of crime/gangster films (we’re not), and interested in the blurred boundaries between crime-fighter and criminal, then you may find this worthwhile. Director Martin Scorsese does a fine job, especially in the first half, in this show stuffed full of great actors … Jack Nicholson – as usual – excels as the perennial bad guy. Matt Damon and even Leonardo are great. But the song remains the same, even as it runs a bit long (Jack, have another cup of coffee). Okay, not everybody gets killed. Some gain power and get even. Fabulously constructed and simply not our thing (2 hrs 30 min).

Dreamgirls

With Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Jennifer Hudson

Entertainment: 4 Message: 3

Amazing performances throughout (who knew Eddie Murphy could sing?!) with plenty of dazzle and Hollywood glitter along the way. This adaptation to screen of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical from 1982, tracks singing trio The Dreamettes from R & B into mainstream (and more lucrative) pop genre, but there’s a price to be paid. Is it worth the climb? Though at times uneven and over-the-top, the riveting stagecraft and star power make this musical hit the mark. Jennifer Hudson is purely amazing and Eddie Murphy delivers a stunning performance, while Beyonce’s striking beauty radiates throughout. If you love musicals, don’t miss this one! (2 hrs 5 min).

Eragon

With Edward Speleers, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Djimon Hounsou

Entertainment: 4 Message: 3 Note: violent battle scenes

Based on a fantasy novel by Christopher Paolini, written when he was a mere 15 years old, the screen adaptation of this coming-of-age tale has the power to enchant – if you let it. Some have said this it essentially Lord of the Rings light, but it has its own story to tell and is remarkably imaginative and original. There are epic battles and plenty of graphic war-like violence, but the film delivers the sense that you have developed a close relationship with the dragon, which makes it quite a ride. We found it so satisfying we’re wondering how soon the story can continue (1 hr 39 min).

Fracture

With Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling, David Strathairn, Rosamund Pike

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 2

Yet another masterful performance by the one-and-only Sir Anthony Hopkins, always fully inhabits his often sinister character, he manages to get under your skin and make it crawl. Ryan Gosling plays a hot-shot attorney who is both confident (bordering on arrogant) and distracted, helped make this crime thriller quite tense and suspenseful. Well crafted twists and turns in the plot keep you guessing what’s next, while sparks fly between the protagonists, both equally committed to winning. This is a battle of strategy and intellect, with the perpetrator seemingly holding all the cards. Still, it engages right up to the final checkmate, with the “fracture” revealed, you may wonder why you should care about either character, neither of which are particularly likable (1 hr 52 min).

Happy Feet

With voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman

Entertainment: 4 Message: 4

Penguins are at the height of their game in show business these days, and now that the animated variety sing and dance, who can resist them! Add Robin Williams’s hilarious multiple personalities to the mix, whip up some amazing animation, likeable characters and fabulous music that features tap dance genius, and you’re sure to have a winner. Chock full of powerful messages, even though a bit heavy handed, and especially thick towards the end. Perhaps this was to compensate for the ethnic and sexual stereotyping? Okay, we’ll lighten up. While you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy this happy extravaganza, it sure helps to bring some little ones (1 hr 40 min).

The Holiday

With Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach

Entertainment: 4.5 Message: 4

There is a lot to like here – fine actors and enjoyable characters, charming locations (great contrasts between small-town England and the thick of LA) and an engaging storyline. A very human, feel-good romantic comedy that’s well worth watching (1 hr 40 min).

I Think I Love My Wife

With Chris Rock, Chris Rock, and somebody else

Entertainment: 2 Message: 3.5

A strong message about fidelity, delivered over and over again with no mercy. Chris Rock has developed his own filmmaking “style”, a bombastic, take-no-prisoners rawness that is reminiscent of early Spike Lee. Not really. Rock’s State of the Union was a bit better than this. A few decent laughs, but mostly not meant to be particularly comedic (wildly successful at that), with a relevant and important message. Though not a long film, it seemed to end … and then continue on…. Perhaps just our fantasy that it would stop sooner than it did.

The Illusionist

Entertainment: 4 Message: 4

Treat yourself to an alluring mix of magic, romance and intrigue, masterfully blurring the line between illusion and reality. Superb acting – featuring Ed Norton as mesmerizing magician Eisenheim and an amazing Paul Giamatti as his police investigator counterpart, along with Rufus Sewell as madman Prince Leopold and Jessica Biel as the love interest – together deliver not-to-be-missed performances in this well paced, romantic mystery. Gorgeous photography set in turn-of-the-century Vienna provides offer another artistic touch … the results are spellbinding and dreamy, entertaining from beginning to end. Don’t be surprised if you become completely entranced in the web of illusion yourself… even though you know it’s “just a movie” (1 hr 49 min).

In the Land of Women

With Adam Brody, Meg Ryan, Kristen Stewart, Olympia Dukakis

Entertainment: 3 Message: 3.5

An intimate window into lives briefly intersecting at crossroads of fate, and a tale of maturation and the complexity of love, featuring strong dialogue and great acting. Writer/director Jon Kasdan gives us a lively portrait of three generations of women, full of chutzpah, true beauty and emotion, as each grapples with life’s challenges. The story is experienced through the eyes of recently heartbroken Carter Webb (Adam Brody), who has been hiding at his grandma’s house (brilliantly played by Olympia Dukakis) to forget his Ex and “find himself.” This may well be a romantic, comitragic “chick flick,” but at least it’s a fairly good and worthwhile slice of life (1 hr 37 min).

An Inconvenient Truth

With Al Gore; by Davis Guggenheim, director

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4.5

An excellent compilation of the facts providing powerful evidence for unimagined consequences of greenhouse gases on climate change – a much needed wake-up call – based on his book and slide show of the same title. Combining science, dramatic flair and brilliantly clear and entertaining explanations, we also gain an understanding of how he came to tell this cautionary tale, his roots and motivation. This is a startling and sobering presentation. He speaks with more energy and passion than he ever did while on the campaign trail (thank to the film’s director, Davis Guggenheim?) and the results are at once engaging and awakening. Though some of Gore’s conclusions and interpretations are debatable, the film manages to bring the message home, building a lawyerly case for the importance of talking immediate corrective action without sounding too alarmist. There’s already enough consensus in the scientific community to inspire willful and broad-based action. Gore may have muddied the water by implying that we will see a meltdown or signs of a coming ice age within the next few decades (an area that deserves further debate and discussion), which detracts from the power and credibility of his core message. Certainly will catch such wide audiences that this film could mark an important and long-overdue shift in the political agenda going forward (1 hr 40 min).

The Last Mimzy

With: Rhiannon Leigh Wryn, Rainn Wilson, Joely Richardson, Megan McKinnon, Marc Thomas Musso

For purist fans of the 1940's classic novelette "Mimsy Were the Borogroves" by Lewis Padgett (a pen name for the married SF writers Henry Kuttner and C.L. Moore), this modern film adaptation isn't going to fly. But the rest of us will find much delight, even if the story ends up a mish-mash of other themes borrowed from E.T., AI: Artificial Intelligence, and Tibetan spirituality. The film's purpose has something to do with learning and growing and not letting the ordinary constraints of our mind-numbing society keep you from dreaming big and acting on those dreams. More-or-less a kids empowerment message, but a positive if not weird story well told. There are many flaws (the Intel product placement was funny and sad at the same time), but still full of magic and wonder for anyone who can still believe (1 hr 30).

Little Miss Sunshine

With Steve Carell, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Alan Arkin, Paul Dano

Entertainment: 4.5 Message: 4

An ordinary 7-year-old girl dreams of competing in a beauty contest, but what if her family consists of well-meaning losers, is flat broke, with each member inhabiting separate dreamworlds? The results would be (and are) quite hilarious and heart-warming. This is Olympic-scale family dysfunction, couched in self-help-for-those-quite-beyond-help, but family may be the best way we have of dealing with a greater society that is our mirror. The bitter-sweet, edgy humor works fabulously, from the prodigal son and suicidal brother to the oversexed granddad, we relax in the knowledge that they’re far worse off than the rest of us. The cast is so perfect and oddly charming that a beauty all its own begins to emerge, taking your heart by storm. These lunatics are determined to fulfill her Big Dream no matter what! There’s no sugarcoating here … this is as raw and thoughtful as you could imagine. The film grows on you as you realize they are so screwed up that it has to be about the journey – the destination may be beside the point. But hold on to your hair piece for the surreal Little Miss Sunshine competition itself … the glory of its ugly unnaturalness. One of the best films we’ve seen this year, we laughed and cried until we stopped – and so will you. (1 hr 40 min).

Man of the Year

With Robin Williams, Laura Linney, Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum, Lewis Black

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 2.5

Robin Williams for president – there’s a solution! Robin Williams almost pulls it off in this funny but misguided fantasy about what would happen if a comedian ran for the office of president and actually won?! Williams is among the few that could be funnier than the current administration. The film is engaging and there are some great laughs, but sadly it drifts into thriller mode (electile dysfunction, how improbable is that?!), and other distractions from what could have been a powerful message. Perhaps we were expecting a punchy political satire from Barry Levinson (Wag the Dog), but alas, the film loses itself and washes out. It’s great fun to see Williams in this mainstream role, but why does Levinson allow the screenplay to pull a “Ralph Nader,” claiming that there are no differences between Dems and Republicans, knowing quite well that this is neither practical nor an effective message? For those with a political backbone it is hard to watch the tragedy of this opportunity lost, but it is nonetheless an interesting and effective comedy. You’ll find plenty of laughs – if you love Robin Williams (1 hr 55 min).

Music and Lyrics

With Hugh Grant, Drew Barrymore, Kristen Johnston

Entertainment: 3 Message: 3.5

Although at times formulaic, the basic plot of this charming romantic comedy as well as the dynamic between sweet Drew Barrymore and hilariously dry Hugh Grant are simply delightful. Not quite believable as a romantic couple, they work well together as a comedic duo, both witty and engaging. You may have to overlook some of the story’s details, but there are layers of parody, fun and romance, … a wonderful Valentine any time of year (1 hr 36 min).

Night at the Museum

With Ben Stiller, Carla Gugino, Mickey Rooney, Dick Van Dyke

Entertainment: 2.5 Message: 3

While hokey for adult audiences, this may be perfect entertainment for some youngsters, creating a fantasy world of museum characters and prehistoric animals waking up at night. What would happen if characters throughout history suddenly came to life? Possibly giving museum visits new life (for kids, anyway) it also provides free history lessons along the way. Dumb and Dumberer for history buffs? (1 hr 48 min).

O Brother, Where Art Thou

With George Clooney, Holly Hunter, John Goodman, John Turturro

Entertainment: 4 Message: 2.5

Making a return to the big screen, George Clooney delivered one of his best performances in this adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey takes us to 1920’s bank robbin’, pickin’ and a’ grinnin’, politician tour through the back country is search of the “gold.” The music is wonderful, and there’s so many layers to this one, don’t think too much, just go see it, if you haven’t already (1 hr 46 min).

Open Season

Voices by Paul Westerberg, Gary Sinise, Jon Favreau, Ashton Kutcher

Entertainment: 2.5 Message: 4.5

Hunters are portrayed as beasts, and the animals get civilized in this animated urban jungle tale. It’s formulaic and hokey, but lots of fun anyway. Everything looks (and smells) like you’ve seen it before – because you probably have. Recycled or composted, there are still moments of great humor, some reminiscent of Monty Python’s Holy Grail zaniness. Coupled with impressive CG visuals, it almost works. Not sure you’ll relate to it? Bring a young, nature-loving child or two. The messages are great (about friendship and leaving animals where they belong), but someone fired the Innovation Dept at Sony Pictures too soon … originality has become an endangered species (1 hr 40 min).

Over the Hedge

Voices by Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, William Shatner

Entertainment: 4 Message: 3.5

This computer animated comedy is a charming tale about family, loyalty and integrity. Wit and humor of the adorable hodgepodge animal clan will lift your spirits, without being too Disney saccharine. The real genius of this DreamWorks film is the behind-the-scenes matching of “ani-matals” with actors’ voices. Imagine a sly, manipulative overly confident raccoon that sounds like Bruce Willis. Typecasting? Absolutely. It’s a kids’ movie, no doubt, but “mature” viewers will enjoy overlaid messages about materialism and greed versus deeper values, and leading by strength rather than from fear. Great fun for the entire family, especially if you live near suburban sprawl or are a nature lover; go see it before the animals take over (1 hr 27 min).

Pan’s Labyrinth (El Laberinto Del Fauno)

With Maribel Verdu, Ivana Baquero, Sergi Lopez

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4 Extended scenes of violence and brutality

This hauntingly beautiful and dark fairytale casts a powerful spell, with metaphoric, sociological and psychological depth, as well as masterfully artistic film making. At the heart of the story lies the stark contrast between a cold, heartless military uprising (against the postwar repression of Fascist Spain) and a child’s imaginative, fairy tale world, full of wonder and possibility. With Fascism at its height, the quintessential little girl must come to terms with her stark environment through a fable of her own creation, a world filled with fantastical creatures and secret destinies. The result is a heartbreaking story, better suited to adults than kids, with dark depth similar to the more sinister Grimm’s fairy tales. Affecting multiple layers of the psyche, this stunning work of art immerses in symbolism and shadowy mystery, and leaves a lasting impression (1 hr 50 min). Spanish with English subtitles.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End

With Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom

Entertainment: 4 Message: “Take it all, give nothing”

The third in the series is ridiculously violent and macabre, but what would you expect from dealing with not-so-scrupulous pirates and other-worldly stakes. This isn’t so much about life and death as it is death and undeath. Somehow, more honor and meaning crept in with the character development. Ingenious visuals drive the storyline and creative creatures are characters in their own right (but hey, enough about Keith Richards). These dreamlike and romantic notions of piracy and meaningful misadventures within end-of-the-world conflict, going well beyond the Disneyland attraction themes. This lengthy installment swims in deep mythological currents and archetypes, There are complex metaphors in all the ghoulish tendrils and costumery and makeup. Johnny Depp, as always, has a swagger with a bit too much rum in it. Perhaps the best of the series (so far). If you are a fan of this genre, we won’t even try to stop you (2 hrs 45 min).

The Prestige

With Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, David Bowie, Scarlett Johansson

Entertainment: 2.5 Message: 1.5

Similar in theme to The Illusionist, this dark tale can’t quite hold a candle to its predecessor. While the acting and characters are admirable (David Bowie as scientist Nikola Tesla is a treat), the storyline is asinine and loses its charm rather quickly. It’s about two Victorian-era magicians who spark a powerful rivalry building into an escalating battle of tricks, and an unquenchable thirst to uncover each other's trade secrets. Why should we care? Where’s the humanity within the rivalry and all the gadgetry? Where’s the intrigue within the trickery? At a time when magicians are idols and celebrities of the highest order, these two performers both need help and good advise, but get neither. Someone needs to make this film disappear (2 hrs 15 min).

The Pursuit of Happyness

With Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Jaden Smith, Dan Castellaneta

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4.5

Will Smith shows some acting muscle in this high-impact tale based on a true story about dreaming of a better life and dealing with being economically marginalized and nearly destitute. Smith plays Chris Gardner, an everyman having a tough time getting on his financial feet; Gardner’s five-year-old son is played by Jaden Smith, real life child of Will Smith; both performances come straight from the heart. It’s about believing in yourself even in the most dire of circumstances, seemingly against the odds. Sad, but inspiring (1 hr 53 min).

Scoop

With Scarlett Johansson, Hugh Jackman, Ian McShane, Woody Allen, Kevin McNally

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 2.5

Woody Allen’s sense of humor gets darker and darker, but his story-writing skills are no less in evidence in Scoop, where a young reporter takes her sources to the grave. Scarlett Johansson gives a smart performance (probably despite Mr. Allen’s usual directorial request of her to act like Dianne Keaton), and this metaphysical, slightly screwball, murder mystery playhouse comes alive with intrigue and foolery. Of course, none of Woody’s past few films are destined to become classics nor will they match his earlier work for pure comedic value, but this one comes closer than most (1 hr 36 min).

Shrek the Third

Voices: Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, Antonio Banderas, Rupert Everett, John Cleese, Eric Idle

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4

The Shrek series continues to live up to the high standard of entertainment, message and originality that it now stands for. Chock full of creativity, laugh-out-loud gags and great dialogue, this third installment will keep you engaged, as you find yourself back in the company of hilarious characters, who by now are old friends. Surprises and so much fun at every turn, as well as many clever twists, make for many a belly laugh. Besides thy hilarity, the messages are layered thick and make for meaningful entertainment, a delight for children of all ages (1 hr 33 min).

Spider-Man 3

With Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, James Franco

Entertainment: 2.5 Message: 3

While the first installment was a powerful metaphoric rite of passage, painted with depth and sensitivity, and the sequel was halfway decent entertainment, this newest Spiderman imposter disappoints. There’s a milking sound as the multimillion dollar genre has sucked out any remaining originality. We found it flat and over-the-top, as sensibility-numbing violence left us in a web of hollow special effects – albeit state-of-the-art and technically impressive. Kirsten Dunst gives a rather boring performance, and Toby McGuire seems self-conscious and without the sensitivity that made the initial movie so three-dimensional. It will undoubtedly kick itself all the way to the bank. The schlock outweighs all the talk, but in the end, fans will defend the film’s right to be dumb because it is, after all, based on a comic book (2 hrs 20 min.)

Step Up

With Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Rachel Griffiths, Drew Sidora

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4

The theme is familiar: inner city teenagers on the wrong side of the tracks, get a lucky break to develop hidden talents (in this case, dancing, as a symbol for living a larger life). However, if you like this type of story, Step Up is easily worth watching. Awesome dance performances jump off the screen, and inspiration and creative tension lead to turnaround transformation, showing that opportunity is something you must step up to, seize. There’s great chemistry between bad boy Tyler and privileged Nora, allowing the film to serve up a spicy and intriguing mix (1 hr 38 min).

Stomp the Yard

With Columbus Short, Brian J. White, Ne-Yo

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4 Initial brief violence

Even though the themes and plot are familiar and predictable at times, message and performances are strong. A troubled youth from LA starts over at Truth University in Atlanta to find himself. Dance becomes a powerful means of belonging and tribal identity, as well as for learning the true meaning of brotherhood and fraternity. And what amazing moves and choreography we are treated to! The style of dance shifts from the initial “Battle” of LA – ritualized combat – to “Step,” which is a remarkable dance tradition all its own – an unlikely blending of Irish Riverdance with elements of Flamenco and Break dancing. If you have never seen Step, the moves alone are worth your time in the movie seat (1 hr 54 min).

Stranger than Fiction

With Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Queen Latifah, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman

Entertainment: 4 Message: 4

SNL alum Will Ferrell shows an amazingly sensitive side in his skillful performance as the star of this refreshingly original film. Awesome performances by Emma Thompson as eccentric writer Karen Eiffel, and Dustin Hoffman as a quirky professor add to the appeal of this oddly innovative existential love story. Tackling big questions and concepts with a light and entertaining touch, this seamless blend of comedy, metaphysics and romance engages from start to finish. You will come away with a better understanding of the quandary of our human condition (1 hr 53 min).

The Queen

With Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4

Whether you endorse the English monarchy or not, this is a masterful portrayal of Queen Elizabeth and a candid inside look into the secret world of British royalty. When watching Helen Mirren, you may forget she is actually not Queen Elizabeth, so convincing is her performance. A witty and nearly comic drama, we are transported back to the time of Princess Diana’s tragic 1997 death. Through this lens, we are given a peek into the conflicted lives of the “Royals” and provided a compassionate perspective of lives forged and controlled by over one thousand years of tradition (1 hr 43 min).

Wild Hogs

With John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy, Marisa Tomei

Entertainment: 1.5 Message: Who cares?

Make it stop! Uneven wouldn’t begin to describe the ride, unpolished the look, and sophomoric the results. No, this is an insult to sophomores. The only reason anyone will consider seeing this “buddy film” is the stellar cast of buddies, and that’s just not enough. Each player is proven in so many other films, what happens in this sad attempt is the movie equivalent of road rash. Do not waste your time or hard-earned money on a film we are still trying to forget (1 hr 39 min).

World Trade Center

With Nicolas Cage, Michael Pena, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Maria Bello, Stephen Dorff

Entertainment: 4 Message: 4

Oliver Stone handles a difficult subject with great sensitivity, giving viewers a gripping experience of what it might have been like for two Port Authority police officers on 9/11 when they rushed into the burning World Trade Center to help rescue people. There is much more here than you might expect, as these officers become trapped themselves and struggle to maintain hope in this true-to-life account. Through an up close and personal view into the suffering of the 9/11 horror, and the triumph of our recovery, this film may help establish a sense of community around the healing and courage of those who were touched by that fateful day, allowing us all to discover meaning in the midst of the madness. The film is more a human portrait than an exploitative drama or sensational documentary … though it may stir up the same feelings that got our Fed into the so-called War Against Terror(ism). If you can endure the pain and suffering of others, go see it (2 hrs 5 min).

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