Rating - B+
Saw on DVD

As a novelist (Emma Thompson) struggles with how to kill off her main character, IRS auditor Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) begins hearing her narration in his head and realizes he must prevent his own death. Crick's world turns upside down, and it's a life-or-death situation as he tries to persuade best-selling author Kay Eiffel to change the ending of her novel. Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman and Queen Latifah lead the fine supporting cast.

I am not a real fan of Will Ferrell's over the top comedies - but in this one he was much more subdued and subtle. It was great to see someone who is extremely anal break out and have a life - there is hope for us geeks.

Rating - B-
Saw on DVD

Hoping to snag some free beer by helping a brewery owner reclaim her business, goofy Canadian brothers Bob and Doug McKenzie (SCTV's Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) wind up battling criminal Brewmeister Smith (Max von Sydow), who plans to take over the world by releasing his hypnotic brew to the beer-guzzling population. Now, the fate of humankind lies in the hands of Canada's biggest "hosers" in this classic comedy..

A classic that I wanted to share with the boys. At first Landon was not too excited, but within the first 5 minutes he was laughing. Not a great movie, but one of the movies everyone should see at least once, eh. Now take off you hoser.

Rating - A-
Saw on DVD

Michael Moore sets his sights on the plight of the uninsured in this eye-opening documentary. In the world's richest country, 45 million people have no health insurance, while HMOs grow in size and wealth. Moore also explores the widespread use of antidepressants and their possible link to violent behavior. With his trademark humor and confrontational style, Moore asks the difficult questions to get to the truth behind today's health care.

I know that Moore's opinions will influence his filmmaking, so I have to take what he shows with some grains of salt. What he shows is upsetting and I am sure there is another side to the story - but it is hard to believe that we can have a system that is so critical to our lives be so screwed up. Makes me regret giving up my Canadian citizenship.

Rating - B-
Saw on DVD

After a multiyear hiatus from Metropolis, Superman (played by Brandon Routh and Stephan Bender) returns to find a city that's managed to survive without him, an old flame (Kate Bosworth) who's moved on and an old enemy (Kevin Spacey) who wants him destroyed. Parker Posey, Eva Marie Saint, Peta Wilson and Marlon Brando (through the magic of archival footage) co-star in this long-awaited installment of the superhero saga.

Nothing special.

Rating - A-
Saw on DVD

After Princess Diana's shocking death, Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren, in an Oscar-winning role) and Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) engage in intimate talks as Britain demands the princess be memorialized in a manner beyond standard protocol. This Oscar-nominated drama for Best Picture goes behind the scenes as the queen and prime minister try to manage Diana's death on a personal level while also dealing with a public calling for royal treatment for their beloved princess.

I could get use to Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth, but had harder time to see the actors playing Prince Phillip, Prince Charles, or Tony Blair as their characters. I think I have seen enough pictures of the Prince and Blair to know what they should look like and could not get past that. Mirren did a great job as the Queen, you could see the angst and turmoil she was going through as she tried to understand what was happening.
This one is a "thinking" movie - as opposed to a movie with lots of sex/violence that you can just float along with while watching.

Rating - B
Saw on DVD

An expert marksman (Mark Wahlberg) is coaxed out of seclusion by colleagues who need his help in preventing a plot to kill the president. But he soon realizes he's been set up when he's framed for the assassination attempt. Can he elude the law long enough to bring the real culprits to justice? Danny Glover and Michael Peña (World Trade Center) co-star in this political thriller based on a novel by Stephen Hunter.

Lots of things getting blown up and/or shot - what more can you ask for.

Rating - B+
Saw on DVD

All hell breaks loose when a woman reveals a secret to her fiancé in comedian-director Bob Goldthwait's edgy romantic comedy. Encouraged by her mother and co-worker, Amy (Melinda Page Hamilton) tells her husband-to-be about a rather shocking past sexual encounter. But her confession threatens to destroy the relationship, and what unfolds is a story of integrity, family ties, bravery and forgiveness. Bryce Johnson and Colby French co-star.

Was expecting a more main-stream romantic comedy. Not sure if I buy into the fiancé's reaction to her secret - thought he loved her.

Rating - B
Saw on DVD

Reality blurs with fiction in this psychological thriller adapted from Armistead Maupin's novel about writer and radio host Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams). While Gabriel's romantic life falls apart he receives a manuscript from a troubled young fan (Rory Culkin). Despite his friends' warnings, fragile Gabriel develops an unsettling relationship with the boy and his blind guardian. Based on a true story. Toni Collette and Sandra Oh co-star.

Not as creepy as I thought it would be and Robin Williams does a good job, but overall feeling was eh, whatever.

Rating - B+
Saw on DVD

Kirby Dick's provocative documentary investigates the secretive and inconsistent process by which the Motion Picture Association of America rates films. Dick questions whether certain studios get preferential treatment, exposes the discrepancies in how the MPAA views sex and violence, and reveals the association's efforts to control culture. Interviewees include John Waters, Darren Aronofsky, Maria Bello, Atom Egoyan, Kevin Smith and more.

Must have really pissed of the MPAA when he did this movie. Interesting how they are more lenient on violence, but sex is cracked down on - this reflects the excessive influence that the religious right has on society. Would be great if we could get movie rating similar to TV ratings - identifies what drove the rating - is it sex, violence, language.

Ashamed to admit I have never seen This is Spinal Tap - guess I need to add it to my Netflix list.

But for those of you have - a sequel is now available.

Rating - A
Saw on DVD

Convinced their little Olive is beauty queen material, parents Richard and Sheryl and the rest of the family embark on a life-altering road trip to a pageant in this madcap comedy. Struggling motivational speaker Richard pushes Olive to win, while her silent brother, depressed uncle and nursing-home reject grandpa add their own quirks to the mix.

Finally got around to see this - it is laugh out loud funny. Really enjoyed this one.

Rating - A-
Saw on DVD

Set in early 1900s Vienna, this romantic thriller centers on illusionist extraordinaire Eisenheim, who falls for an aristocrat well above his social standing. When she becomes engaged to Crown Prince Leopold, the master magician employs his powers to win her love. His daring scheme creates tumult within the monarchy and ignites the suspicion of Chief Inspector Uhl.

This one came out around the same time as The Prestige - two movies set in the early 1900's and focusing magic. Liked this one much better. Liked the love story and the fact that the magic remains just that - magic.

Rating - B
Saw on DVD

Like millions of kids around the world, Santiago harbors the dream of being a professional footballer. However, living in the Barrios section of Los Angeles, he thinks it is only that--a dream. Until one day an extraordinary turn of events has him trying out for Premiership club Newcastle United.

Did not cover any new ground - gets the B because of the football (soccer to us Yanks).

Rating - B
Saw on DVD

Chev Chelios is a professional assassin working for the West Coast crime syndicate. Chev's girlfriend Eve doesn't know what Chev does and Chev is planning to quit the crime syndicate so he can spend more time with her. But for Chev, things about to get very bad, when he learns he has been injected with a poison called "The Beijing Cocktail" by his rival Verona, which will kill him if his heart rate drops. Trying to stay alive and seeking help from friend, Kaylo and Doc Miles, to keep his heart pumping. Chev sets out to find answers as well as protecting Eve, and get his revenge on those who have betrayed him before the poison kills him.

Quite a thrill ride. Had the 2 things a movie needed to be a "guy movie" - gratuitous sex and violence. Liked Jason Statham better in The Transporter though

Rating - B+
Saw on DVD

A mysterious story of two magicians whose intense rivalry leads them on a life-long battle for supremacy -- full of obsession, deceit and jealousy with dangerous and deadly consequences. From the time that they first met as young magicians on the rise, Robert Angier and Alfred Borden were competitors. However, their friendly competition evolves into a bitter rivalry making them fierce enemies-for-life and consequently jeopardizing the lives of everyone around them. Set against the backdrop of turn-of-the-century London.

Liked the way the layers of the onion were peeled back - very Memento-like. Would have given it an A if the "prestige" would have been more realistic.