*Lightning McQueen: After a while, why didn't you go back?

Sally: I fell in love.

Lightning McQueen: [disappointed] Oh...

Sally: Yep.

Lightning McQueen: Corvette?








Cars
Starring Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt
Written by John Lasseter, Joe Ranft, Jorgen Klubien
Directed by John Lasseter & Joe Ranft


THE CASE: In this animated adventure from Pixar, a cocky race car named Lightning McQueen learns the real definition of happiness and success when he gets lost traveling down Route 66 and ends up in a small-town filled with colorful characters.


THE GOOD: If Cameron Crowe were to ever do an animated film, it would look a lot like Cars. Considering how close the tone of the film is to Crowe’s latest, Elizabethtown -- I am almost definite that it would look like Cars. Unfortunately for Crowe fans, John Lasseter was in charge of this gem of a film. It is a wonderful film filled with colorful and complex characters that teach us lessons in a non-preachy and totally entertaining way. The film looks great and the script is tighter than most of the live-action films that came out with Cars in the summer of 06. Oh, and the soundtrack is pumping with tunes from the likes of Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, James Taylor, and Rascal Flatts.


THE BAD: As with all animations with the name Disney attached, expect your fair share of kid friendly humour and sweetness. Sit through it and you will be rewarded with a surprisingly mature story.


THE LAW: Cars is a must-see and must-own. The DVD has some great behind-the-scenes features and is a great addition to any DVD library. Cars is a true classic.

Ted, The Man with the Yellow Hat: George is gone. It's all my fault.

Miss Maggie Dunlop: You're right.

Ted, The Man with the Yellow Hat: Huh?

Miss Maggie Dunlop: Ted, do you want to hear what you want to hear, or what you should hear?

Ted, The Man with the Yellow Hat: Uh... Could you run that by me again?

Miss Maggie Dunlop: Do you want to hear the truth which you should hear and I'll tell you, and not just what you think you want to hear? The truth is that George is gone and it is you're fault. Now the question is, what are you going to do about it?



Curious George
Voices of Will Ferrell, Frank Welker, Drew Barrymore
Written by Ken Kaufman and Directed by Matthew O’Callaghan


THE CASE: The big-screen adaptation of the popular Curious George books featuring the infamous Man in the Yellow Hat and his curious and trouble-seeking monkey, George.


THE GOOD: This film is such a joy to watch. The style of animation is very relaxed, simple, and very inviting. The story of the developing friendship between Ted (Man in the Yellow Hat) and his extremely cute and lovable monkey, George, is one that people of all ages can enjoy. Will Ferrell, Drew Barrymore, and Eugene Levy lend their voice talents and really make the characters come to life. With a soundtrack by Jack Johnson, this film really makes you smile and forget your worries for 86 mins.


THE BAD: I found the character of Miss Maggie Dunlop (Drew Barrymore) quite lovable and the romance between her and Ted was adorable. I wish the film could have explored their relationship a little bit more, but I guess children don’t really care about romance as much as George, so fair enough. Besides that, there is not too much I can say that is bad about this film -- except for the fact that I wish it could have been longer.


THE LAW: This film was fun and oh-so-cute. If you have children, they must see Curious George and if you feel like being a child again, you also must see Curious George.

*Dave Bristol: [to Nick] You keep your shit together. Okay? I can't have you pop another brain fart and fuck this thing up.



The Butterfly Effect 2
Starring Eric Lively, Erica Durance, Dustin Milligan
Written by Michael D. Weiss and Directed by John R. Leonetti


THE CASE: Eric Lively (American Pie) and Erica Durance (TV’s Smallville) star in the sequel to the 2003 cult film starring Ashton Kutcher about a man who can change the past through some paranormal blackouts where he is able to basically time travel to alternate realities.


THE GOOD: Considering the film is a quasi-remake/sequel -- it is actually pretty entertaining. The cast is easy on the eyes (especially the nicely shaped Erica Durance) and their performances are as good as the material requires. Whenever the main character, Nick, goes on one of his time and reality bending blackouts, the special effects are actually quite good and fun to look at. Considering the film was shot in just 20 days in the cold conditions of Vancouver, Canada -- it really delivers.


THE BAD: Like all quasi-remake/sequel films, The Butterfly Effect 2 suffers from comparison. There is no question the budget and the stars are a lot smaller than the first Butterfly Effect starring Ashton Kutcher. The pacing could have been a bit tighter and the ending is way too hokey.


THE LAW: I liked it. Check your wallet, if you have an extra six bucks in there -- go rent it tonight.

*Santa: I've been to New York thousands of times.

Buddy: Really?

Santa: Mm-hmm.

Buddy: What's it like?

Santa: Well, there are some things you should know. First off, you see gum on the street, leave it there. It isn't free candy.

Buddy: Oh.

Santa: Second, there are, like, thirty Ray's Pizzas. They all claim to be the original. But the real one's on 11th. And if you see a sign that says "Peep Show", that doesn't mean that they're letting you look at the new toys before Christmas.



Elf
Starring Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel
Written by David Berenbaum and Directed by Jon Favreau


THE CASE: Will Ferrell stars as a man raised by elves in the North Pole who goes in search of his real father in the Big Apple.


THE GOOD: There are some great comedic minds at work here: Will Ferrell, Jon Favreau, and Bob Newhart. Surprisingly just as funny is James Caan’s portrayal of a father who discovers his love-child from his days in college is a giant elf. If you are a fan of fish-out-of-water films or just plain silly slapstick fun -- there is a lot of that kind of action in Elf. The film is silly, but unlike most silly films, Elf has some heart behind it (credit Jon Favreau for that). A new yule tide classic that is to be added to the television roster at Christmas time.


THE BAD: You will probably see this film on TV around Christmas time until the day you die. Some people may find Ferrell’s antics a little annoying after awhile (he is as much as an acquired taste as early Jim Carrey). Zooey Deschanel looks a little too retarded at times (what’s up with her eyes?) and would have been a better love interest had she not looked so retarded.


THE LAW: Only watch Elf around Christmas time, the film only works during that season. It could be because people are just a little bit more open minded around Christmas time or it could just be the alcohol in their egg nog.

*Rocky Balboa: Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!



Rocky Balboa
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Milo Ventimiglia, Burt Young
Written and Directed by Sylvester Stallone


THE CASE: Rocky Balboa, the ultimate underdog, comes out of retirement and puts on his boxing gloves again to prove that it ain’t over til it’s over.


THE GOOD: Rocky the man and Rocky the film franchise have both found their hearts once again. Rocky Balboa, the 6th and final installment of the popular boxing franchise is probably the best since the first. The story is told with no gimmicks and remembers that audiences love Rocky because he represents the underdog in all of us. Sylvester Stallone gives an honest performance and connects with the audience again after years of heartless blockbusters and reminds us why we were such big fans of him when we were growing up in the 80s. The film’s supporting cast is made up of a lot of familiar faces from the previous Rockys like Burt Young, Tony Burton, and Pedro Lovell.


THE BAD: Like all inspirational stories, Rocky Balboa may seem a little cheesy and corny at times. A cameo by Mike Tyson is also a little unnecessary.


THE LAW: If you have ever been beaten down or looked down upon (which I believe is probably most of the population) -- go see Rocky in his final and most triumphant battle.

*Jedadiah: No problemo, Gigantor.

Larry: Um, my names Larry, first of all okay, Jed? See I call you Jed, I don't call you tiny.

Jedadiah: Whats that supposed to mean?

Larry: Hey teeny, how does that sound?

Jedadiah: I... I don't like it. It hurts my feelings.

Larry: Okay, well Gigantor makes me sound like a freak.



Night at the Museum
Starring Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Carla Gugino
Written by Ben Garant & Thomas Lennon
Directed by Shawn Levy


THE CASE: Ben Stiller stars as a bumbling rookie security guard at the Museum of Natural History who find his hands full when an ancient curse causes all the displays at the museum to come to life and wreak havoc.


THE GOOD: Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson are funny as usual. Carla Gugino is very pretty to look at. Together they manage to pull off a couple of very laughable moments.


THE BAD: Night at the Museum is nothing new. The special effects are good, but there is nothing spectacular about them. We have seen them a million times and are no longer fooled by them. Robin Williams looks like he is taking another paycheck role and the rest of the cast looks like they are well paid for their sleepwalking efforts as well.


THE LAW: This is a kid’s movie. If you have kids, go see it. If you don’t -- don’t.

*Amanda: You know Graham, I just broke up with someone and considering you just showed up and you’re insanely good-looking and probably won't remember me anyway... I'm thinking we should have sex... If you want.

Graham: Is that a trick question?



The Holiday
Starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black
Written and Directed by Nancy Meyers


THE CASE: After two woman who have decided they are fed up with men swap homes (one is in England and the other is in California) they find themselves falling in love yet again with some local men.


THE GOOD: This film is very comedic and very romantic. Coming from the mind of Nancy Meyers, it is rom-com at its best. The characters are relatable and very lovable. They speak with great sincerity and make us all believe in love again. Setting the film during Christmas and New Year’s really helps heighten the romance and actually releasing the film during the holiday season heightens it even more. All you have to do is pick which character you are most like in the film and sit back and swoon.


THE BAD: Again, with this kind of genre, you can expect the mountains of cheese, corn, and sweetness. But hey, we all need a little cheese, corn, and sweetness now and then.


THE LAW: Go see this film if you are in the mood for love. I saw it on Christmas Eve with someone I love very much and it was one of the best times I have ever had at the the movies.

*Al Gore: Should we prepare for other threats besides terrorists?



An Inconvenient Truth
Starring Al Gore, The World
Directed by Davis Guggenheim


THE CASE: Former Vice President of the United States, Al Gore’s campaign to make global warming a recognized threat is documented.


THE GOOD: Al Gore is very charismatic and surprisingly funny as he warns us of the imminent end of the world due to global warming. He provides the audience with some really good information about global warming and does so in a very entertaining way with hilarious cartoons, crazy-ass graph charts, and some wicked disaster simulations.


THE BAD: It is a documentary and as a documentary it does have its moments of absolute boredom.


THE LAW: Of all the documentaries out there, this is one of the better ones. It is for the most part, very entertaining and helps us realize that we better start recognizing global warming as a real threat and start doing something about it. Go rent it tonight.

*Nacho: Ok. Orphans! Listen to Ignacio. I know it is fun to wrestle. A nice piledrive to the face... or a punch to the face... but you cannot do it. Because, it is in the Bible not to wrestle your neighbour.

Chancho: So you've never wrestled?

Nacho: Me? No. Come on. Don't be crazy. I know the wrestlers get all the fancy ladies, and the clothes, and the fancy creams and lotions. But my life is good! Really good! I get to wake up every morning, at 5 AM, and make some soup! It's the best. I love it. I get to lay in a bed, all by myself, all of my life! That's fantastic! Go. Go away! Read some books!



Nacho Libre
Starring Jack Black, Ana de la Reguera, Hector Jimenez
Written and Directed by Jared Hess


THE CASE: A Mexican friar who dreams of more for himself and the orphans in his monastery, dons a mask and some tights to moonlight as a Luchador wrestler.


THE GOOD: Jack Black is hilarious as usual. He has no humility and that is his greatest strength. He goes all out as a Luchador wrestler and even does an uneven, but absolutely hilarious Mexican accent. The wrestling matches are loads of fun and the premise is simple and sweet.


THE BAD: The comedic timing is a little off throughout the film (Jared Hess did a better job with Napoleon Dynamite) and a lot of the gags fall flat. The trailer makes the film appear funnier than it actually is.


THE LAW: If you like wrestling or Jack Black, Nacho Libre is definitely worth checking out. If you liked Napoleon Dynamite and are expecting the same kind of laughs, I advise you to avoid this film and just go watch Napoleon Dynamite again.

*XXXX: [over the phone] Dragan?

Dragan: Yes.

XXXX: I've got an idea... Why don't you come 'round for breakfast? I'll squeeze some orange juice and grind some coffee and we can talk about this like adults. How's that sound?

Dragan: Sounds very hospitable.

XXXX: Do you know where I live?

Dragan: No.

XXXX: Well, fuck off then.
[hangs up]



Layer Cake
Starring Daniel Craig, Tom Hardy, Jamie Foreman
Written by J.J. Connolly and Directed by Matthew Vaughn


THE CASE: A slick and very successful British cocaine dealer is forced to hold off his plans for an early retirement after his boss gives him two more assignments.


THE GOOD: Daniel Craig. Daniel Craig. Daniel Craig. The only thing good about this film is Daniel Craig. His performance is full of confidence and bravado. Other than a few artistically violent scenes, there isn’t anything really special in this film other than Daniel Craig.


THE BAD: This film is a mess. The pacing is horrible and the storytelling is just plain sloppy. It tries to be a Guy Ritchie film (Matthew Vaughn produced Ritchie’s films), it tries to be a Tarantino film (Ritchie copied Tarantino), and it tries to be raw and gritty (it fails miserably).


THE LAW: Only watch this film for Daniel Craig. Ignore everything else and you should have a good time. Oh, wait, Sienna Miller in teeny weeny black lingerie is nice to look at as well.