"The Da Vinci Code" Anagrams being an oft-used device in this bloodless tale of bloodlines, rose lines and poorly-scripted flatlines, the urge to join in was too great to resist.  Unwittingly (and that's part of the film's problem), the letters of "The Da Vinci Code" ("DC") spell out its own secret warning - DC: Avoid it Hence. For the three of you who have been stuck in some sarcophagus since the international bestseller of the ... [full story]

A mutant matinee!  Starring "X"-treme, altered egos of derring-do … but with much more BANG! for that proverbial buck than "X"-pected.   Not just on screen, but the filmmaking team of superheros have driven this film to "X"-hilarating heights.  Only superheros could move the action along at a breathtaking pace, keeping the audience riveted in suspense, unsure of any predictable outcome.  Only superheros could throw around such weighty themes as absolute power, homophobia and forced genetic ... [full story]

It's a shame that Vince Vaughn went to such great lengths to gain 50 pounds in order to portray the character of Gary.  Redundant, really.  The script of the "The Break-Up" is so ponderous, no one needed to add so much as a feather to this elephantine creation.  Go on a diet, Vince, but first things first:  Lose this flick.  "The Break-Up" is billed as a comedy.  Wrong.  Comedies about couples inflicting punishment upon each ... [full story]

MORE DRAG THAN RACE Attention all units, attention all units!  Requesting immediate backup.  The pace, the plot and the protagonist of "Cars" have all been carjacked.  Any-one with information regarding this theft is asked to contact the Highway Patrol immediately.     Photo: CNS courtesy of Eric CahrbonneauPixar knows how to do great graphics, and is a genius at creating animated worlds we've never seen before.  Pixar is also brilliant at utilizing performers, capturing their spirit and often ... [full story]

Movie Review of "The Lake House"           "The Lake House"  Directed by Alejandro Agresti  Screenplay by David Auburn  Cast: Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves, Shoreh Aghdashloo, Christopher Plummer  Rated: PG  Running Time: 105 minutes  Grading: C plus "Lake:  A large, inland body of fresh or salty standing water. Over time lakes may evaporate or fill up with sediment, leaving a bog or swamp in their place." Like a lake, this is a film of a slow-moving, picturesque quality.  The good news:  There is no ... [full story]

Movie Review of "Superman Returns" "S":  Not just an initial emblazoned on a famous chest, but as the "S" curves back upon itself, so does the Summer Sequel for Superman--again and again and again.  Upon first glance, all the ingredients are here:  John Williams' enduring theme; the familiar flying credits; the dashing through the streets, tearing at one's clothes to get at the girl.  (Wait, that's a different movie, probably not PG.)  Even Marlon Brando, ... [full story]

Movie Review of "The Devil Wears Prada" "All right, everybody, gird your loins!"  The employees of Runway Magazine (an ersatz Vogue) react in a well-orchestrated, mindful panic: Secretaries slip out of their flats and back into heels while checking their lipstick; documents fly, ultimately landing in perfection position on the boss's desk; beneath buried assistants, apparel seems to fly on its own.  And the cause of all this hysteria?  Meryl Streep's fashionista Editor-in-Chief Miranda Priestly ... [full story]

YOU, ME AND DUPREE … DOESN'T ADD UP I have a theory:  Maybe after the success of "Wedding Crashers," Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn met for a fancy-schmancy Hollywood lunch near the intersection of Warner Bros. and Universal.  Toasting, they announced that with their next projects, each would produce and star in weak comedies with poor writing, little direction and underdeveloped characters.  Call it wacky, but my explanation is as good as any for a) "The ... [full story]

Movie Review of "Lady in the Water" Even with the creation of a beautifully-wrought film of contemporary fantasy, it seems as if M. Night Shyamalan can't win.  Like a musician who's biggest hit keeps haunting him, Shyamalan's detractors keep mumbling, "well, it's no 'Sixth Sense.'"  The flip side would be, "gee, it's just like 'Sixth Sense.'"  Four films later, it's no wonder Shyamalan responds by writing an acerbic film critic into this latest venture.    ‘LADY ... [full story]

Movie Review of "The Night Listener" "The Night Listener" is advertised as a psychological thriller.  Psychological, yes.  Thriller, no.  After the first two-thirds of the movie, after a constant barrage of such time-honored devices as creaking stairs, spooky cellars, and furtive expressions on bit players, I finally surrendered the edge of my seat for the much cushier center.  Question:  Is it still considered foreboding, if there's ultimately no boding? Robin Williams stars in 'The Night ... [full story]

Movie Review of "World Trade Center" When watching a movie about men buried for twelve hours actually feels like twelve hours … you know you're in trouble.   Nicholas Cage stars in "World Trade Center" "World Trade Center" is based on the true life events of Port Authority Sergeant John McLoughlin, a 21-year veteran, and Will Jimeno, a 9-month rookie.  On September 11, McLoughlin takes a group of Port Authority policemen down to the World Trade Center ... [full story]

Movie Review of "The Illusionist" With one flick of his cinematic wand, writer/director Neil Burger has created some enchanted evening.  From the opening image of a kaleidoscopic butterfly, followed by sepia-colored scenes of Vienna, circa 1900, with Philip Glass' music as an understated yet elegant accompaniment, Burger promises a magical, mystery tour in theater-seats-turned-time-machines.  He does not disappoint.   Edward Norton and Jessica Biel star in The Illusionist    Paul Giamatti (L) and Edward Norton (R) Based on Steven Millhauser's ... [full story]

Movie Review of “Invincible” Right before the opening of the 2006 NFL season, Disney has tackled a "Cinderfella" story with enough heart to thrill the most hardened of sports-satiated movie fans•including the two guys sitting to my right in the theater, alternately arguing and cheering for every gripping, gridiron moment.  100-yard story short: In 1976, in bleak economic times, schoolteacher Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg) finds himself deserted by both the job market and his wife.  Meanwhile, ... [full story]