Grade: A | Genre: Drama
Summary: This film was one of the year's best and deserves to be showered with accolades for Clooney and Reitman come awards season.

The Great Recession has claimed the heads of countless jobs as the days painfully snowball into months. The unemployment figure currently sits at 10% while the number of underemployed is a staggering 17.2%. We feel for our friends, family and neighbors as they bring news of being the latest to join the unemployment line, but have you ever thought about the person who is sitting on the opposite side of the table from them? I'm talking about the man wielding the rope to the guillotine. "Up in the Air" takes on that unenviable task through telling the story of Ryan Bingham, a hired gun who executives hire to fly in for the afternoon and take care of their dirty work. Just like Reitman's previous work, "Thank You for Smoking," "Up in the Air" does a fabulous job presenting Bingham as a character that we sympathize with and want to see grow as a person.

Grade: A | Genre: Romantic Comedy
Summary: "(500) Days of Summer" is a very good film that sheds the conventions of Hollywood to give us an honest look at why relationships work and why some don't.

Too often Hollywood gets too bogged down in its own 'happily ever after' mischief when approaching romantic comedies. Granted most people would rather leave the theater uplifted and happy than have our protagonists hurling plates at one another ala "the Break-Up," but shouldn't real life factor in to the movie making process? The reality is most relationships end badly or else we'd all be paired up with the first person who caught our fancy in kindergarten. That's what makes "(500) Days of Summer" so intriguing. It opens the movie telling us that this isn't a love story. Just like our title character Summer, we aren't held under any pretenses that these two characters will somehow back their way into love. It's just not in the cards for this couple, but watch your mind as it furiously tries to put the pieces together and somehow figure out how we can trigger that spark of love between these two wet branches.

Grade: A- | Genre: Drama
Summary: The film's essence is a boxing match comprised of words lasting four rounds. You have two men desperately fighting for their lives and looking to rewrite their futures. Losing just wasn't an option. .

The fascination with Richard Nixon seems to carry on with the years, and Hollywood certainly isn't immuned. In 1995, Oliver Stone directed his gaze on the fallen President, largely painting him as a man plagued by mental issues. Our most recent take Frost/Nixon doesn't focus so much on the life of Tricky Dick, but rather one moment in time -- a post resignation set of interviews he has with talk show host David Frost in 1977. It marked Nixon's one chance to tell his side of the story, and to reinforce to the American public that he wasn't the bad guy everyone had painted him out to be. He just got caught up in a massive smear campaign spearheaded by journalists that were hell bent on his political destruction. While Nixon is busy fashioning the interview to repaint his legacy, Frost saw this monumental interview as his key back under the American spotlight which dimmed for him years before. Frost stakes his entire fortune and reputation on his ability to make Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) accept his wrongdoings and fork over an apology the American public has been waiting for. A tall order indeed.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Comedy
Summary: While it may not have nailed immortal comic status like Old School or 40-Year-Old Virgin, I guarantee this will go down on the shortlist of the best comedies of the year.

The bachelor party is the ultimate rite of passage for modern man. It's that last hurrah before settling down and agreeing to be responsible and stable. It's also a time for the other men to revel in their buddies' last gasps of bachelorhood as if it were their own. Few evenings create more lasting memories even if the memories are the utter lack there of. Now the difficult part for a filmmaker and scriptwriter is to capture all that craziness in a way that isn't cheesy (Tom Hank's Bachelor Party) or disturbing (Very Bad Things). The Hangover managed to do it in spades and has introduced us to the comic talents of virtual unknown Zach Galifianakis and Bradley Cooper.

Grade: A | Genre: Drama
Summary: This is a great film, but its also a tough film. This family character study hits you on all levels.

Dysfunctional family life has rarely been approached as well as we see it in Rachel Getting Married. This film makes you recall 1980s Ordinary People that featured a family who looked rather bland on the surface but was stirring incessantly underneath. Rachel Getting Married features some fantastic acting at the hands of Rosemarie DeWitt and Debra Winger, but the tour-de-force performance here is Anne Hathaway. She has had the misfortune of landing her career in a pile of fluff films (Princess Diaries, Get Smart) and forgettable turns in quality flicks (Brokeback Mountain). Rachael Getting Married is the role that cements her as one of the premiere actresses of her generation. Her character Kym is cooping with a lifetime of disappointment fueled by the spark of addiction. On loan from rehab for the weekend so that she can attend her sister Rachel's wedding, Kym personifies someone who is uncomfortable in their own skin.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Drama
Summary: In all, Changeling is a very good film. Angelina Jolie's performance alone is worth the price of admission, and Clint's cinematic flare really props up this film. While its story makes it fall short of being a great movie, it is definitely one that needed to have been told.

There are a few things you can count on in this life outside of death and taxes. The Cubs will never win the World Series, no one will ever date Jessica Simpson for her brains and Clint Eastwood will always direct a quality motion picture. Whether it be Unforgiven, Mystic River or Million Dollar Baby, Eastwood never short sheets the bed. He faces a subject head on, and drops all those uncomfortable, real moments on the table to make his audience squirm like any great filmmaker should. Dirty Harry has a knack for telling the tough stories normally reserved for the likes of Scorsese and Coppola. With the release of each work, Eastwood continues to evolve into one of this generations great directors. The complex drama Changeling cuts at a parents worst nightmare -- losing a child.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Action/Adventure
Summary: In a time when we are battling wars abroad while dealing with the interminable credit crisis that seems to cinch Americans tighter by the day, its nice to check-in to Bond's world for a couple hours where the most dire of situations can be squelched with a swift right hook and a stiff Martini.

Isn't it nice to finally have an actor who embodies the essence of James Bond the way Daniel Craig does? He is what Bond was always meant to be. Tough as nails, steely good looks, acting depth deeper than a rain puddle. He just slides on the coat of James Bond so well whereas the others made it look like they were borrowing their older brother's suit. Since Sean Connery abdicated his throne oh so many years ago, we've been assaulted with a guy who perpetually looked like he had a rod stuck up his a$$ (Roger Moore), a Shakespearean actor (Timothy Dalton) and a skin deep pretty boy (Pierce Brosnan). When the Bourne Identity franchise waltzed onto the silver screen, it seemed to be filling the action/adventure void Bond had left like a gapping wound. No more. Bond is back and badder than ever. Quantum of Solace marks the second film staring Daniel Craig (Layer Cake, Casino Royale) that features the reinvention of James Bond. Its a satisfying action picture from the opening wild car chase to closing credits.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Political Drama
Summary: The Last King of Scotland constructs a fascinating story of a country in flux and the power of unchecked idealism. President Amin is the role of a lifetime for Whitaker, and he takes advantage of the ripe opportunities it presents.

Africa seems to be finding the spotlight more and more among Hollywood's savvy directors and screenwriters. Perhaps this is due to a lack of news coverage on pressing issues or the cyclical poverty that seems to huddle the region in darkness. Whatever the cause recent years have shown us riveting portraits of this continent in crisis from the genocidal struggle of Hotel Rwanda and the intrigue of the Constant Gardener to the mangled youth of Tsoti. With each passing day, we know the killing impulses strengthen in Darfur and the AIDS epidemic slowly toils away at its task of blotting out an entire generation. The Last King of Scotland aids us in answering some of the questions plaguing Africa today through the looking glass of Uganda in the early-70s. It is a film hinged on stirring performances and a gripping intensity that doesn't let you free.

Grade: A- | Genre: Action Adventure
Summary: Superman Returns is a thrilling rebirth of yesterday's "Man of Steel" for today's generation. The time spent in development was worth the wait and we can only hope that the following additions continue to build and stay true to the franchise.

Review: The "Man of Steel" has indeed come a long way since his Quest for Peace and finally returns to the big screen to soar over all those that get in his way (those that aren't Pirates of course). It seems director Bryan Singer was able to take the franchise back in time and drop it snugly between the second and third Superman installments just before Mr. Bulletproofs film career began to tank.

Clark Kent has continued to see some life on the small screen in the hit series, Smallville, but alas with not one glimpse of the red cape and blue tights. It took a while for Superman to take over the big screen where previous incarnations saw Rush Hour and X Men 3 director, Brett Ratner manning the helm and, get this, Nicholas Cage playing "The Man of Steel." With years wasted and millions of dollars lost, the studios finally got the right pieces in place to create a Superman fitting of today's movie climate. This time around, we are given a film that doesn't necessary reinvent the franchise but is a dedication to the legacy left behind by Christopher Reeves.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Comedy
Summary: Unfortunately, unless you know a bit about Steve Coogan and appreciate the realistic edginess of British wit, you could miss the laughs in this mockumentary about making a movie based on a novel that simply cannot be filmed.

Just to get this out of the way first, in case you do not know about one of England's funniest and most creative men, Steve Coogan, shame on you. Not only will this keep you from catching some of the jokes in this film, as some are based on his former TV character Alan Partridge, and one running gag is about a real-life tabloid headline that plagues Coogan, but you are missing really brilliant humor from a great comic actor. But enough of that, and onto the review of the movie, which is a film about making a film from a novel that is un-filmable. In fact no one in their right mind would attempt to make a movie about this particular novel. The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman is a weighty novel written by Laurence Sterne that is one of those great books famous for being owned but seldom actually read. The book itself is a perfect vehicle for a movie about a novel that one simply cannot film, for this piece of literature is the fictional autobiography of an eccentric English gentlemen that have more digressions, narrative segues and utterly exhausting contrivances than any postmodern works that have ever been written.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Documentary
Summary: The power of this film lies in its array of eye opening facts, coupled with a desire to let both sides be heard. It sidesteps the heavy-handed flash that Michael Moore would employee, insuring he'll never preach to anything other than the choir.

In the San Francisco airport, I was in search of reading material as I prepared to swallow the nation in my flight home. I ran across the latest US News and World Report profiling presidents at war. Basically, it was trying to remove some of that polish and shine the history books have glossed upon great emancipators like Lincoln or Nazi weed killer Roosevelt. After all, Roosevelt did authorize certain American citizens of Japanese descent be relocated to internment camps during World War II. A new BBC documentary looks to shed fresh light on America at war and, more specifically, why it is that we fight. Are we following the path of the once great Britain with our economic imperialistic ways? How much longer can we serve as the world's policeman, brandishing our guns? Are we destined to be dethroned by our own hubris like every great civilization that has come before us? Why We Fight puts these difficult questions on the table to identify what exactly is in the fabric of the American DNA that keeps us at war.

Grade: A | Genre: Drama/Thriller
Summary: If you think you dislike big oil companies and are suspicious of the feds now, you just wait until you see this flick. This film should be seen for its political insight and the sheer power of the message.

Syriana is an intelligent and masterfully crafted movie about the intrigue, politics, and underbelly of governmental involvement in the oil business. This movie possesses more plot lines than you can count on one hand, however, rest assured that by the end of the film all the dots will be connected, but you might not like the picture you are seeing. Syriana confronts the topics of big oil, shady government and the Middle East and demands that you think about those issues. This is a big, bold movie that is as complicated and as confusing at times as the subjects it is trying to cover, but somehow this film works. The writer/director, Stephan Gaghan delivers an ambitious piece of cinema which asks really tough questions about America's need for oil, in pretty much the same way he wrote about the drug world in his Academy Award winning screenplay Traffic, and amazingly enough, he succeeds. Gaghan forges a challenging, fictional thriller and solicits unaffected, honest performances throughout, but this film is not going to make you feel satisfied at the end, or comfortable, in fact you will feel quite the contrary.

Grade: A- | Genre: Action/Comedy/Crime
Summary: A witty, sprawling mess of a film about a murder in Los Angeles that is as absurd and bizarre as the city it openly makes fun of.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, is a flick as breezy, surreal and disjointed as Los Angeles and yet it happens to be my first guilty pleasure of the year. Shane Black, screenwriter of the Lethal Weapon series, directs his first feature film after a long absence from the screen and surprisingly charms me silly. With a touch of film noir, a shade of Pulp Fiction, a hysterical narrative, bizarre flashbacks and machine-gun dialogue, Kiss Kiss rolls into kind of snowballing mess, and while you are not quite sure of what it is, you really do not care once it gets going. It is the first film I have laughed out loud at in at least two years. The plot has more twists than a pretzel and can almost overwhelm you with its continual barrage of action, humor and darkness making one wonder what the inside of Black's head must look like. Yes, this film is a mishmash of everything, but it somehow cooks up into a completely edible feast of a movie, thanks to some brilliant writing, superior performances by Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr., and edgy direction by a man who truly knows the strangeness of Los Angeles inside and out.

Grade: A+ | Genre: Drama/Suspense
Summary: Munich is an important film that speaks as much about the world we live in as it does about the 1970s. It's a blast that is dehumanizing, leaves a litter of questions for every answer and opens up your mind to this senseless struggle that will outlive us all.

Its quite a chore to balance the books on Steven Spielberg's 2005. First, he revisited the sci-fi cornerstone Close Encounters of the Third Kind by importing War of the Worlds into the twenty-first century. It was a sorely lackluster experience, complete with a feel good, Hollywood ending and Tom Cruise battling aliens with his couch jumping skills in basements from sea to shining sea. It can only be described as silly Hollywood excess with Spielberg caught in the crossfire. Now he tries to make it all better, squeezing in his eleventh hour Oscar picture Munich. In doing so he's unveiling what is probably the most important film to come out this year. Munich is a tough film that looks to capture the eternal chaos fought between the Israelis and Palestines in the Gaza Strip, focusing on the impact wrought by one defining event -- Munich. These embattled peoples form one of modern times bloodiest struggles, and one that will never see a resolution as long as new generations of terrorists are born with every brother or father that is incinerated at the hands of a suicide bomber.

Grade: A- | Genre: Adventure/Drama
Summary: Another artistic feast by writer/director Terrance Malick, who delivers a visually lush, hypnotic film, that opens "new worlds" to John Smith, Pocahontas, and the audience (if they let it.) Why the warning light? This flick might not suit your taste.

Writer/director Terrence Malick has only released four films of note in his career, and while taking his sweet time in making each of them, he has created his own unmistakable style in the process. His films are almost meditations with plots, and The New World is no exception. Malick uses the same techniques and modes of operation for each of these movies, and this makes him one of the few directors around anymore whom not only have cult-like devotees, but you could recognize his movies even if the director's name was never in the credits. Do not count on a hard and fast plot for The New World, or intense dialogue between the characters, and the use of CGI to bombard you, but instead open yourself up for a different kind of film. Malick uses his take on the Pocahontas myth to create a movie about innocence, love and loss, and the miracle of experiencing new places and new ways of life.

Grade: A- | Genre: Action Adventure
Summary: M:i:III, in this writer's opinion, lived up to all the hype and seems to be bullet proof when going up against Cruise's current love lost with the media and public.

Tom Cruise's mission, should he choose to accept it, is to prove that he is still the world's biggest movie draw, and Mission: Impossible III is the vehicle that he will be riding all the way to the bank. The first Mission, directed by Brian De Palma, was more about substance wrapped around a story line too convoluted for us simple minded folk to follow. The John Woo sequel was an over done spectacle that showed that Cruise's ego is as big as his smile. Now, the third installment by J.J Abrams, finally brings it all together and does the franchise proud with a film loaded with action that makes the first two look like gymnastics on Oprah's couch. However, what fuels the film though is not the impossible action sequences, but rather the inner personal story that humanizes Ethan Hunt and engages you more in the man than the flash.

Grade: A- | Genre: Drama
Summary: Strong performances, interesting character dynamics and an intriguing storyline pull together one of 2005's most interesting films in Match Point.

Woody Allen has been jettisoning down this film roller coaster, bugs lodged in his teeth, for many, many years. I don't know if he's been too busy soaking up his own peculiar pallet of neurosis or just feeling stale in the streets of New York. Regardless, I think all film buffs have grudgingly resigned themselves to the fact that we'll never again see anything as clever and mischievous as Annie Hall, spilling from his chaotic mind. Last year's Melinda Melinda, starring Radha Mitchell, certainly showed a lot of promise through its story bending formula, but it was still heavily steeped in the baggage of Allen's lifetime of film. Match Point only looks like a Woody Allen film in its title sequences and its character interactions. Otherwise, it is a fresh, savvy piece of cinema far removed from Allen's beloved New York (filmed in London) that shows a spark in his step we feared was lost forever. Strong performances, interesting character dynamics and an intriguing storyline pull together one of 2005's most interesting films in Match Point.

Grade: A | Genre: Satire/Comedy
Summary: Thank You for Smoking is easily the best film to hit theatres thus far in 2006. Its savage commentary on cancer sticks, Washington lobbyists and a moral compass gone haywire is priceless.

It's been a while since Aaron Eckhart was really allowed the means to light up the screen. After a phenomenal breakthrough performance in Neil LaBute's savage take on misogyny, In the Company of Men, Eckhart has been languishing away in films that should have been tagged straight to video like Suspect Zero and the Core. It seemed he would be one of those actors with tremendous potential who never got a chance to take it around the block for a spin -- that is until now. Eckhart spearheads the most biting satire in years through the wily fun of Thank You for Smoking. As a lobbyist fighting for the rights of big tobacco, Eckhart transforms the slimiest being on the face of the planet into an unlikely hero to cheer for. The laughs are bold yet subtle, plastering a smile on your face for the duration over the utter ridiculousness of defending tobacco.

Grade: A- | Genre: Drama/Romance
Summary: The heart wants what it wants in this haunting love story which is made with a depth, passion, and sincerity that has not been seen in a romance in years. Phobias should be left at the door.

Despite all circumstances and societal pressures, a sensitive, tender love grows between two people caught in an era that, simply put, is not ready for them. Brokeback Mountain is the history of a romance that lasts through many seasons and changes, and this film demonstrates unflinchingly and painfully, the consequences of what can happen to people who fail to follow their hearts. In this movie based on a short story by Pulitzer Prize winning author E. Annie Proulx, two poor ranch hands take jobs guarding a flock of sheep on Brokeback Mountain in the lush Wyoming wilderness. Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) are stationed in this desolate world and come to know each other as men and eventually, out of loneliness, as lovers.

Grade: A- | Genre: Fantasy/Drama/Adventure
Summary: A beautiful, honest-to-goodness family film that has eternal messages to share and reminds us, through the presence of a saintly lion, of the reason for this holiday season.

If there is such a thing as an innocent movie these days, this film is it. Even entirely animated cartoon flicks have risque one-liners that are geared more toward adults than children, but not The Chronicles of Narnia. C.S. Lewis, a respected English author and close friend of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of the "Rings" trilogy, produced his seven-set chronicles after he returned from to his Protestant faith from a period of atheism. In fact, we have a devout Catholic to thank for his Christian-based works -- Tolkien himself. The story of their friendship is fascinating enough, but while both authors embraced spiritual themes in writing their epic works, C.S. Lewis was more unabashed in sharing Christian principles. In a time of strife across the world, it seems as if movies that have Christian-based themes are being welcome without shyness as this movie out grossed King Kong and most other films from this past year in its opening weekend. And guess what? You do not have to be Christian to appreciate the messages of sacrifice, forgiveness, unconditional love, and good triumphing over evil. For those who have read and loved The Chronicles of Narnia, the added plus is that the movie is utterly based on the book. Who knew Hollyweird had it in them? What a novel idea. Someone writes a tremendous book, and the director and producers stick to the story -- maybe this will start a new trend.

Grade: A- | Genre: Action/Thriller
Summary: One ape you will love, in fact, you will want one of your very own for Christmas. Peter Jackson, quite simply, has done it again.

After winning three Oscars for Return of the King, or in truth for the entire Tolkien trilogy, Peter Jackson has remade the first film he ever loved and created a tender monster movie that has painstakingly fleshed out the story and characters to the max, and to top it off, this flick possesses a soulful ape that can move you to tears. What more could you ask from a movie this holiday season? At a running time of slightly over three hours, you will need to hold off on the extra-large drinks, but you will get your money's worth out of this film. While a bit overindulgent in the detail and time, Jackson lovingly refashions a tribute to his favorite gorilla, who is breathtakingly created by WETA and given humanity by Andy Serkis, formerly Gollum from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Kong is the real star of this film. Every other element of this movie fades away against the humanity in Kong's eyes. Does this film match up to the famous Rings trilogy? Well not exactly, but then the genius of Tolkien is a hard act to follow, however, Jackson gives Kong his level best. This film possesses more story than the previous Kong movies, a breathtaking, 1933 New York City, amazing action sequences, and a monster gorilla you will adore. The movie is one of the two seasonal blockbusters and should be seen on a large screen. The other blockbuster I suspect will be The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. So there you have it this holiday season for your viewing pleasure, noble monkey love and a saintly lion.

Grade: A+ | Genre: Drama
Summary: Finally, a drama that delivers the goods on all fronts -- a tight story, flawless direction, and powerful acting. Give yourself an opportunity to get involved in a film again and discover this mesmerizing biopic about an event and an author that defines a piece of American culture.

Capote leads the pack of fall films as a powerfully crafted movie, with a shape-shifting performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman who morphs so completely into the skin of Truman Capote, that I could hardly tell the difference between Hoffman and the odd little man I used to see on old television talk shows. Bennett Miller and Dave Futterman forge a seamless film together with not one element missing. The scent of death in this film is palpable as the audience is ushered into another time and place in America. A physical sensation of the era, and the sense of desolation of Kansas itself descend upon you as the film opens, and never actually departs until you are out of the theater thanks to the powerful cinematography of Adam Kimmel. One can thank heaven for a film that actually permits for character development on all fronts and for all the characters in this film. Finally, a complete film, and unfortunately, one of the first I have seen in the current venue of films in a year that have made grey matter an optional requirement for viewing.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Suspense
Summary: A History of Violence is a slowly evolving, crafty suspense that toys with your expectations.

Director David Cronenberg is perhaps best known for taking on bold and daring scripts, even if the results prove largely uneven. He's known for the TBS special The Fly, from stage to screen adaptation M. Butterfly, and the twisted fetish piece where car crashes spark eroticism, Crash. He's managed to make a name for himself with his peculiar brand of sensibilities that he introduces to his works rather than a distinctive directorial style. This was never truer than with his most successful effort to date A History of Violence. Violence is a slowly evolving, crafty suspense that toys with your expectations.

Grade: A | Genre: Drama
Summary: Good Night and Good Luck is one of the year's best releases, marking an important film about journalistic responsibility. It really makes you wish we had an Edward R. Murrow to take down our McCarthy's.

Did you know that there was a time when news organizations actually covered the news? I know this seems like a baffling concept after watching the watered down broadcasts of CNN, MSNBC and the network news, but, I assure you, it's true. There was a time when facts were king, and newsmen like Edward R. Murrow had balls made of titanium, standing up to the gross tyranny of McCarthyism. He did battle with the Senator, knowing with certainty that he'd be labeled a Communist himself. In 1950s America, that's not a tag you wanted to get stuck with. Good Night and Good Luck is the story of Murrow and his team of journalists at CBS news. They were pitching a heated battle to unveil truth and justice in the face of a dark political landscape, busily stripping American citizens of their liberties by instilling fear. Does this sound vaguely familiar? The similarities between the current political climate and the red scare of McCarthyism shouldn't be lost on anyone.

Grade: A | Genre: Drama/Dark Humor
Summary: Just as he did with American Beauty, Director Sam Mendes finds humor within the human drama and takes Jarhead beyond the realms of the conventional war flick. Its boldness defines its brilliance and effectively displays a war of the human psyche rather than that on the battlefront.

"Welcome to the Suck." Based on Former Marine Anthony "Swoff" Swofford's best selling memoir about his experiences spent in Desert Shield, Jarhead is a wide-eyed look at what the anticipation of war can do to a group of young soldiers desperate to defend their country with the hopes of returning home as national heroes. What they never expected was that the reality of war in the Middle East would prove to be personal wars within themselves.

Jarhead is not your traditional war hero film. There are no real battle scenes and hardly a glimpse of the enemy. At the end of the day, these boys don't even get to fire guns with which they've been trained to kill. It's not about finding glory on the battle field but about how they spent their time preparing themselves for the worst when the worst isn't given time to even show itself.

Grade: A- | Genre: Biopic/Drama/Musical
Summary: Johnny Cash picked Joaquin Phoenix to play him in his biopic. Cash is looking down from heaven very pleased with his choice right about now.

'Tis the season of good movies, and it's about time after the previous famine of this year. Two biopics have released me from the doldrums of utter boredom recently. One flick that transported me was Capote, and now Walk the Line has made a believer out of me again. In both biopics the actors seemed to approach the roles from different paths, however, both movies deliver amazing, gut-wrenching performances. The major difference with Phoenix's performance was his wise decision not to attempt to speak exactly like one of America's symbols of rough and ready manhood, Johnny Cash. Phoenix knew where to "walk the line," so to speak. Hoffman became Capote, morphed into him, and that was appropriate for Capote was not worshiped like Cash. Phoenix's genius is that he captured the great man's soul, his essence, and gave it to us on film, and that is also the brilliance of this movie. The story it is a tad conventional but then most great love stories are. While it is not word for word Cash's biography, the film delivers a complicated love story and a look into the early life of an American troubadour. This film does not disappoint. James Mangold provides a faithfully reconstructed life of Cash, although he bends the facts just enough to make it more palatable for those who adore Cash.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Drama
Summary: Proof is a very good film. Gwyneth Paltrow really makes this film a must-see. She is inspired in a way we haven't seen in a long time.

Gwyneth Paltrow hasn't been basking in the Hollywood limelight for a while now. Proof marks her fourth movie in three years, and her acting caliber has been slight at best. I mean who was responsible for letting View from the Top escape from the studio lot? These days she's more known as the wife of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, mother of an Apple and for occasionally spouting relationship advice to her ex Brad Pitt from the cover of People. With all this superficiality, it can be easy to forget that she has a first rate actress rumbling about inside her, waiting for that one juicy role that she can let herself go. Remember Shakespeare in Love? Her portrayal of Catherine in Proof is evidence that her acting chops haven't dulled with the turn of years. They've just been quieted in hibernation, waiting to cat stretch and hungry to devour a rich character like this troubled mathematicians daughter.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Foreign/Erotic
Summary: Belle de Jour is one of the classics of French cinema as well as the library of erotica. It shows us that everyone has urges and desires that we're petrified for even those closest to us to discover.

Recently, I wrote up a feature looking back on the 1967 French film Le Samourai which took the concept of less is more to ridiculous lengths. Today, I'm continuing to wander the streets of Paris circa the late 60s as I duck into a den of ill repute to eye one of the classic works of erotic cinema, Belle de Jour. I first came across Belle de Jour as a freshman in college. I was green in my discovery of what films could be, and the enticing Catherine Deneuve, staring from the cover bare backed with those golden locks, ensured her an early stop on my route of discovery. Unfortunately, I couldn't escape the fact that I was also an undersexed college male so a film revolving around deviant avenues of sex that was stripped of any nudity seemed like ordering a hot fudge sundae and only getting the dish, edges stale where the fudge once was. Although this film on its first go around was about as appealing as a cold shower, it hit me on a deeper level, echoing in my mind for years to come. Now that I'm older, wiser and a shade less horny, its time to take another trip to Madame Anais' to check-in on the errant, bourgeois housewife who is drawn to prostituting herself to allow her untapped sexual fantasies to come into bloom. Belle de Jour is a voyeuristic look at where fantasy violently collides with reality.

Grade: A- | Genre: Documentary/Sports
Summary: Murderball is a fascinating adventure, unleashing your mind on how you think of paraplegic individuals. These men are stunning athletes possessing tremendous talents, coupled with an inextinguishable will.

When I say the word paraplegic, I would imagine a lot of people conjure up images of wheelchairs, hospitals, care nurses and a pretty limited life, constrained by their physical handicap. Even the most open minded probably wouldn't think of hard-hitting rugby players. Welcome to Murderball. This is full contact, pimp my wheelchair, no helmets, fiercely competitive action where they make the most of what they have to work with instead of pitying themselves for what they are not. This is a film pulsing with empowerment that shows the paraplegic community, and those of us that look on, a wheelchair is simply another one of life's obstacles that begs to be conquered.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Foreign/Classic/Crime
Summary: If your brain is ready for a workout, Le Samourai can be a very satisfying experience and is evidence that America doesn't hold a monopoly on classic cinema.

Something tells me the French really miss the days of the silent film. I can't speak for the entire film community on the other side of the pond, but those I've seen seem to be some mix of dark and brooding, quirky and visually stunning (The City of Lost Children, A Very Long Engagement) or deep character studies, served by torrents of inner storms (Belle De Jour, Bleu). They all seem to be very thoughtfully executed and artistically rich. They also seem to revel in the lost art of telling a story with an economy of words. Any writer worth anything knows its better to envelop the reader's senses, making their audience feel a scene rather than just spelling out the mundane details. The 1967 film, Le Samourai takes this minimalist approach to the extreme, telling the story of a contract killer with a Zen-like approach to his executions. The film is told almost without the benefit of words and it sits in stark contrast to modern American cinema.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Independent
Summary: Mysterious Skin is a rough film to take in and process, but just like enduring the pain of a marathon you get a strange sense of satisfaction from starring into the void of these lives to pull out the people buried inside.

The human mind is a complex bundle of neurons and synapses spastically firing away, serving as the air traffic control tower for the mess of complexity that is the human body. What happens when you take this finely tuned instrument and force it to digest images and actions no human was ever meant to experience? Does it reach its breaking point and simply sputter to a halt? Does it revolt, cutting into the fundamentals of personality and its own self-preservation instinct? How do you unbreak the egg and return the yolk to its shell? Gregg Araki's Mysterious Skin explores this topic with savage brutality and careful grace. This cross current of contradictions are what make Skin such a compelling portrait to behold.

Grade: A | Genre: Independent
Summary: Definitely not for the multiplex crowd, Me and You... will delight those who look for something a little different and something that will make them think as well.

Miranda July not only wrote and directed this oddly moving film but stars as the wannabe performance artist at its core. Centered on a handful of everyday people, their friends and acquaintances, Me and You and Everyone We Know looks at the nature of innocence in our contemporary society.

A divorced shoe salesman, Richard (John Hawkes) encounters Christine (July) as he struggles to raise his two young sons. Unlike anyone he has ever encountered, Christine's penchant for turning every moment and every experience of her life into an artistic statement first charms and then repels Richard.

Grade: A | Genre: Sci-Fi Action
Summary: Revenge of the Sith deservingly receives a PM rating of "A" not necessarily because of the engaging dialog, which it isn't, or the superb acting, which it lacks, but for harking back to the days of Empire when emotional story telling was the focus.

Admit it, there's a little Padawon geek in all of us. We've all owned at least one action figure or have experienced Star Wars in one form or another. Sure, we may think we're too cool to dress up on opening day but are secretly envious of others decked out in their storm trooper uniforms or waving their light sabers. When the fanatics get up and perform choreographed fight scenes, we cheer them on and are glad we got to see these geeks live out their fantasy for us all to see. That was the scene last night at the 12:01 AM showing of Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith. It was a gathering of Star Wars fans, young and old, bonded by our love for the "space opera" we've followed for so many years. The days leading up to the final installment of the intergalactic epic have been hard on all of us but rest assured young Jedi, your patience has finally been rewarded. I think I even saw that Star Wars Kid from the video that floated around the Internet in my theatre.

Grade: A+ | Genre: Action
Summary: Nolan resurrects the Batman franchise with stunning visuals, a stellar cast and a compelling script. Batman Begins is the new gold standard for the superhero genre.

Grade: A- | Genre: Documentary
Summary: You can't walk away from Born into Brothels and forget these children. Their faces burn into your mind until you start asking what can we do to stop this vicious cycle from robbing another generation from their childhood.

Last year saw documentary filmmaking enter the mainstream with Michael Moore's box office coup Fahrenheit 9/11. It stoked waves of controversy concerning his scathing take on the ineffectual Bush administration. The film was considered a sure fire win for the Oscar for best documentary filmmaking, yet he decided to bypass collecting his third artsy Oscar to instead take his chances at reeling in the big kahuna of Oscars, Best Picture. The gamble backfired, failing to even secure a nomination. If there is a positive to Moore getting overlooked, it was that the buffet table at the Oscar after-parties didn't run out by 8 o'clock. More importantly though, it blew the documentary category wide open, pulling in features from a man destroying himself with daily injections of greasy Big Macs (Super-Size Me) to Tupac's final words (Tupac: Resurrected). In between the fanfare lays this gem, shot in the streets of the red light district in Calcutta, India; Born into Brothels. Enter only if you are ready to take a hard look at poverty that knows no boundaries.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Suspense
Summary: Pollack creates a compelling, tense picture through the Interpreter similar to his work in the Firm. Hollywood should be busily taking notes here. This is how a big budget blockbuster should be done.

Sydney Pollack showed us with the Firm that he could string together a nail biting suspense rivaling the best of the post-Hitchcock filmmakers. His latest work, the political thriller the Interpreter, shadows real life drama in Africa to craft this intriguing work. It seems to crush its characters between a rock and a hard place. If a man killed your parents then went on to enact a massive campaign of genocide decimating your country, could you forgive him? If revenge were in your hands and all you had to do was look the other way, could you dig deep enough to find your principles in order to weigh out the right decision?

Grade: B+ | Genre: Comedy
Summary: Fever Pitch is a sharp romantic comedy that fits just about anyone's palate. The women will love to watch Ben and Lindsey fall in love, set to a crafty batch of relationship trials and tribulations. The men will love getting enraptured in what it means to be a dedicated sports fan.

So its date night and you are combing the movie listings for something to satisfy her tastes and yours. Hers tend to run sweet love story, woman triumphing over insurmountable odds or Disney. Yours tend to look for somebody kicking someone's ass, a hot female in as little clothing as possible or juvenile humor. Inevitably, compromise strikes, and one suffers this time so that the other can enjoy themselves, only to return the favor next time. It's been a while, but I've been there and I know its no fun when you're the one being drug into Ever After. Ladies why do you do this to us? I've got the ultimate comprise movie that both halves of the couple will love. Fever Pitch, on the surface, looks like a cute romantic comedy complete with girl-next-door Drew Barrymore and goof ball Jimmy Fallon. If you peer closer, you will see that this is really a cleverly disguised baseball movie. If you've ever painted your face team colors or just yelled at the TV in the heat of a game winning shot, this is your film.

Grade: A- | Genre: Comedy
Summary: It's "J-Lo vs J-Fo" in a heavy weight bout where only the stronger can survive. The extremes that the two take against each other are slap-stick entertainment, and you're laughing your arse off.

Gasp...an A- rating?! For a film I originally had no interest in seeing, I must admit that I had a great time and still find myself playing gut busting scenes back in my head. Jennifer Lopez may have received top billing, but the real star of the show was Jane Fonda who played the title character with such natural ability, you wonder if life imitates art. Also notable was Wanda Sykes who, like a bandit, stole the scene every chance she could get. The two make for an interesting pairing that totally works and is the latest incarnation of the "The Odd Couple."

The night of May 5, 2005 was an opportunity to attend a red-carpet premiere of Monster-in-Law to benefit G-CAPP (Georgia Campaign For Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention), a charity spearheaded by Fonda and a worthy cause that has educated and given so many young mothers an opportunity for a more fulfilling life. All of the film's primary stars were in attendance (minus Michael Vartan due to the filming of Alias), which had the star struck crowd happy and in good spirits going into Atlanta's Fox theatre.

Grade: A- | Genre: Comedy
Summary: This is a guy film with a heart, which is as hard a thing to pull off as Andy mastering the condom. The 40-Year-Old Virgin wraps that puppy around the banana with side splitting style.

Is there anything a teenage boy struggles with more than trying to pawn off his virginity? Forget the acne or the mouth filled with railroad tracks, these are simply well crafted hurdles that stand between him and that sex-obsessed touchdown. After countless solo flights and fumbling bra clasps on her parent's couch, that fateful day finally arrives and it's usually well...something a tad short of earth shattering. It usually takes practice, the loving relationship and yet more practice to get the rhythm and technique to the point where it's actually enjoyable for both parties. Sadly, you can't just lay this out to a hormonally challenged male. He came to the party to do a keg stand, and damn it if he's going to wait for some other party to get his drink on. So compound that by a hundred after living a lifetime of build-up and awkwardness. The 40-Year-Old Virgin is every teenager's worst nightmare. That he'll miss his window and end up with his prime a distant memory, still clutching onto his cherry that he's been furiously wagging before every woman who has ever pricked his attention. Be ready for some ridiculous laughs, likeable characters and moments decked out in brash sincerity in this shrewdly crude film.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Drama
Summary: Broken Flowers works because of its strong performances and small curiosities that Jarmusch needles into us.

With some films you can't just walk out of the theatre and emphatically say, "I liked it." Some prove to be slow burners that only start working you over the moment you pass into the blinding light. Basically, it's a red flag that the film has hidden complexities that don't allow you to easily quantify and categorize them. Hollywood usually hates these pictures because your average theatergoer is looking for a two-hour escape from daily existence rather than something you have to keep turning over in your head to keep up with the ambitious plot. Broken Flowers certainly qualifies as one of these multi-faceted films that wants to be more than what it is. Leave it to eccentric orator Jim Jarmusch (Stranger than Paradise, Dead Man) to shove us into the deep end without a life preserver.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Horror
Summary: This is a sequel that doesn't fall flat like most. It's a genuine horror flick full of thrills and chills.

Rachel Keller (Watts) and her creepy kid, Aiden (Dorfman), have moved to Astoria, Oregon hoping to start over and to forget the ghost of an even creepier little girl, Samara (Chase/Stable), who caused so much death and destruction in their lives back in Seattle, WA. Rachel has settled for a low-key desk job as a newspaper editor, away from Seattle's faster paced headlines on which she used to report. This affords her time to focus more on being a better and more attentive mother to Aiden. They've moved into a quaint little neighborhood, got a new couch, and are content to live quiet and peaceful lives. However, Samara and her spine tingling video have also made their way to Astoria and can't be pushed away as easily as they were the first time.

Grade: A | Genre: Foreign Drama
Summary: The Inheritance is a great film that really grows into its complexity well. Christoffer proves to be such an interesting character. Toiling around in his head is a full time job.

When I was in London last month, my path just happened to pass through Leicester Square several times, and I saw the Brits version of the multiplex theatre. There are massive billboards sprouted above them advertising the hot film of the moment from War of the Worlds to Batman Begins. When I surveyed the movie times, I discovered something very peculiar, a boatload of films I had never heard of. Now I consider myself a pretty savvy filmgoer, keeping up with the myriad of indie releases and the foreign features, but here was an entire crop of films I'd never heard a single inkling about. I guess I always pictured Hollywood as the 400-pound gorilla, and film development in other countries as more akin to cottage industries. It was a good wake-up call to my sheltered cinematic view. Since I got back, I've made a concerted effort to try to unearth some of these foreign jems, which brought us to my last review, Downfall, and the highly compelling Danish drama the Inheritance. I don't want to hear any whining about reading a film. Wouldn't you rather see an interesting foreign film than a droll domestic one? Did I just paint myself into a corner, more or less disavowing American cinema?

Grade: B+ | Genre: Foreign Drama
Summary: Downfall is a must for history buffs and anyone who has spent more than a few minutes pondering how a man like Hitler came to mesmerize an entire country into submission.

At first, I was thinking of writing up Alexander, but really what is there to tell. It's not as bad as everyone made it out to be, but it doesn't qualify as good either. It seems Oliver Stone was defeated by his own hubris more than anything. Instead, I've chosen to focus on another moment in history -- Adolph Hitler's last days. Downfall is an adaptation of two books on the subject: Inside Hitler's Bunker and Until the Final Hour. It chronicles every step that led to the end of Hitler's life, helping to shed some much needed light on this mysterious figure, and witness the struggle faced by the army commanders surrounding him. It is an intriguing journey that starts off like the best original feature the History Channel has ever produced and evolves into a first rate film with great performances, thick tension and a tide of change triumphing over radical ideology that could have ended the German people.

Grade: A | Genre: Foreign Comedy
Summary: Kung Fu Hustle is basically a parody on all the classic kung fu movies of yore yet unlike most parodies that I've ever experienced, its crafty and inventive rather than being lathered in cheesiness.

The only thing you can really say after watching this film is "Wow." Then go ahead and say it again to try to get it out of your system. This is one super interesting film. Kung Fu Hustle is basically a parody on all the classic kung fu movies yet unlike most parodies that I've ever experienced, its crafty and inventive rather than being lathered in cheesiness. The dialog is thoughtfully inane, the characters are oodles of fun and I would put the action sequences toe to toe with anything from the Matrix to Hero. I'm still trying to grasp how they pulled this magnanimous feat off. Time to stop questioning and sit back to take it all in.

Grade: A | Genre: Drama
Summary: Million Dollar Baby doesn't make life easy. There are times you will squirm in your seat, but it provides an immensely thought-provoking portrait that lingers long after the credits roll.

When Million Dollar Baby first made its debut in theatres, it left an impression on moviegoers, stirring up a torrent of emotions. Some left muddled in the feeling of sadness. Some walked away uplifted by what they saw as a life affirming message. Others were so incensed by the film, they did their talking with markers and poster board, picketing theatres in protest of the film's central theme. The Academy of Motion Pictures felt so strongly about the merits of the film they showered it with Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor (Morgan Freeman), Best Actress (Hillary Swank), Best Director (Clint Eastwood) and Best Picture. Regardless, the film exacted a strong emotional response from the viewer, which is the goal of any great piece of art. How does this film dig so deep into the audience's emotional core you ask?

Grade: A- | Genre: Comedy
Summary: Prepare a prime spot in your comedy collection for Vince and Owen because they've earned it with the uncontrollable laugh fest Wedding Crashers.

The sweltering days of summer are upon us. It's a time for lazy afternoons at the water park, sitting in the stands with a greasy dog rooting on your favorite ball team and, lest we forget, wedding season. Gentlemen start your engines. Now to most single men, weddings are about as pleasurable as nails raked across a chalkboard. I mean the sleepy ceremony, the prospect of being caught "white man" dancing, and looking around in general wonderment at how much your buddies' pocketbook got taken for in this flower filled extravaganza. Yet for every dark cloud there is a silver lining -- readily available women caught up in the moment. Wedding Crashers is the story of two individuals who turn weddings into the ultimate one night stand.

Grade: A | Genre: Drama
Summary: In what is sure to be one of the film highlights of 2005, Crowe and Zellweger are at their best as Ron Howard creates a stunning drama where the human spirit can't be contained

It was the last days of 1920s and life couldn't be more glorious. The American economy was booming along at breakneck pace, propped up by a speculative frenzy. Work was plentiful to all who wanted it and novel luxuries like the radio and the automobile were finally becoming part of the everyman's staple household items. Up and coming boxer, James J. Braddock was lighting up the boxing circuit with his lethal right jab with the look of a sure fire title contender. Four grueling years later, life couldn't be anymore different. The country was in the deepest throws of the Great Depression. 15 million couldn't find work, and Americans wondered where the money would come from to pay the mountain of bills. How would they feed their children? Braddock, once one of the most promising boxers of his time, was crippled by injury and encroaching age. Who would have an answer to the direst questions that seemed to stare through this generation without hope?

Grade: B+ | Genre: Drama
Summary: Coach Carter is no Friday Night Lights, but it is film with comparable heart and desire. It's success lies in our empathy for the players and the struggles that each go through to stay on the team and on the right path.

Hey Mister Kotta! Sure, it may not work as well for this film, but what Coach Carter has that does work is a very convincing presence on the screen thanks to the baddest mother f-er of them all, Samuel L. Jackson. Anyone who has the gall to have you include his middle initial as you speak his name has got to be a force to be reckoned with. Don't even say a word about Michael J. Fox.

Anyway, Coach Carter is a very engaging film about an inner city high school basketball program that not only lacks the ambition for the game but also in themselves. Ken Carter knows a thing or two about success by believing in oneself and brings his discipline to a group who can't even spell discipline. He'll give you respect until you lose it and is all about bringing out the best in you, physically and most of all academically.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Drama
Summary: This is an important film highlighting an essential figure in science. His significance wasn't in his findings so much as the influence he had on helping to relax America's Puritanical attitudes on sex.

"Let's talk about sex ba-by." Contrary to popular belief Salt-N-Pepa weren't the first ones to get us talking about sex. It was Alfred Kinsey. In the hyper-Puritan times of the 1950s, he published the groundbreaking Sexual Behavior in the Human Male that exploded in the American consciousness with the most comprehensive study of human sexual behavior at the time. Prior to its publication, the commonly held view was that everyone followed the traditional standards of the Puritanical society, and the very few who deviated from these norms lacked the proper moral fiber and willpower. The truth created shockwaves of awe and comfort as people kept asking "am I normal?" In a time that taught abstinence and propagated misinformation about sex, Kinsey flung open the doors to the bedroom to find out just what was going on.

Grade: A- | Genre: Comedy/Action
Summary: Mr. & Mrs. Smith takes the old adage that "love is war" and riddles it with bullets until it is delicate Swiss cheese. This is a highly enjoyable film that gets more laughs than I would have thought possible.

How long has the media storm surrounding Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie been pounding us? It must be close to absolute fever pitch with the release of their long awaited film Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Why everyone cares so much about their personal lives is beyond me, but on the same thought trying to get through this review without connecting it back to everyone's favorite non-couple is about impossible. So I'm going to go ahead and get this dirty business out of the way. Pitt and Jolie are two uber attractive people who look comfortable together. He with his suave Ocean's Eleven charm and good looks; her with that exotic, confident sexuality. There are sparks splintering all over the place when they are sharing the screen, and in this film, Jolie looks about as tempting as anything I've seen. With that out of the way, let's dig into this delicious film that curiosity alone will force everyone into the theatres.

Grade: A- | Genre: Drama
Summary: Although this film stands untouched as one of the classics of the age, it rests with me as a reminder of the brilliance of the talent present in James Dean. He seemed to carry the uncertainly of a generation in his eyes.

What is it about the bad boys that make the girls go weak in the knees? Is it the danger, the mystery, the snake tattoo? Us normal guys may never know, though we can take tips from the eternal bad boy, James Dean. He is getting the proper star treatment on the 50th anniversary of his death. This week, they released all three of his films on special edition DVD that will hopefully spur a new generation of Dean aficionados. While Rebel Without a Cause is the film that resonates in everyone's mind at the mention of his name, East of Eden was the shining moment of his career. He plays bad boy Cal Trask in this Steinbeck translation, which plays like a modern day story of Cain and Abel. It is about one young man's struggle to win his father's love after a lifetime of scorn. He's fighting to know who he is and he brings himself into odds with his brother Aron when Aron's girl starts to fall for Cal. The drama is thick and potent as James Dean gives the performance of his tragically brief career.

Grade: A- | Genre: Foreign
Summary: The Sea Inside is a deeply moving film that takes on the extremely volatile subject matter of euthanasia with knowledge and grace.

A man has been paralyzed from the neck down for 28 years. He decided long ago that life isn't worth living as he's deemed the quality of life to be basically zero. This isn't a rash decision that was haphazardly made upon awaking one gloomy morning or in a depressed state one drunken evening. It is an intention he's carried with him for the better part of his life, which he is unable to carry out himself due to his circumstance. He is of sound mind and discusses the topic rather matter of factly as you or I would the weather or whose turn it is to take out the trash. Is it really for any of us to say that he must keep living against his will? Is it right to prosecute someone who helps him carry out this deep seeded wish? The Sea Inside is a film that deals with the daunting issue of euthanasia, putting a face and a life on an issue that sparks much religious fervor and heated debate. This eloquent film looks to answer the question regarding if we really have the right to make someone live whose desire for life retreated long ago.

Grade: A | Genre: Documentary
Summary: Caouette is an extremely talented filmmaker who has created a deeply moving work in Tarnation. It is the portrait of a family in disintegration, ravaged by mental disease that afflicts each of its members in different ways.

There are certain films that come along ever so often that shrug off the words. They defy description and peel off the labels you try to stick to them. They are always tough works of art that make you question yourself and your world. They loiter around in your mind when the film goes quiet and life resumes. Sometimes we are better for having seen them, sometimes worse, but their impact leaves a divot in our brain that will never go back to the way it was before. Tarnation is one of these films. It is a hard, uncomfortable look at a family plagued by mental illness, shadowing three generations.

Grade: A- | Genre: Comedy
Summary: In Good Company is film of subtle intricacies. It's not an exaggerated attempt to woo the academy but an honest look into one's humility and how they are able to cope with the adversities that present themselves.

You may be too young and too sure of yourself to realize this, but in just a few years, when corporate America sees you for your age rather than your work, some hotshot rookie will swoop in and take over the position you worked so long and hard to build. Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid) is approaching 52 and has just found out that his company, Sports America, has been bought out by super media conglomerate, Globecom. The executive position that he has nurtured and developed over the years will now be handed over to 26 year old, Carter Duryea (Topher Grace), forcing Dan to cope with adjustments not only to his professional life, but to his personal life as well...all because of an inexperience but eager executive with age on his side.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Comedy
Summary: In all, this was a very enjoyable film. It isn't breaking any new comedic ground, but it stood up to the impossible expectations set by the initial one, faring extremely well.

Not too long ago, my sister brought together my parents with the parents of this guy she's been seeing. When I asked my mom how the dinner went, she said it was Meet the Fockers. Basically there is one scene in this film where free spirited Bernie (Hoffman) is first introduced to painfully uptight Jack (DeNiro), and he forgoes the traditional handshake to give him a heartfelt hug, planting one firmly on his cheek. The entire time, Jack is crawling in his skin at this outpouring of emotion. In three words, my mom defined the evening and didn't need to say anything else. My dad still bristles up when it's mentioned. How many movies can you say that about? Meet the Fockers is a clever sequel that doesn't fall prey to the inevitable cliches that go along with big budget repeat comedies.