The Review:

Lushly animated film that is over seasoned in spots.  Ratatouille is like sitting through an eight course dinner in a three star restaurant-- most of it will be wonderful, and some of it just barely tastey.  Bird hasn't quite made rats cuddly, and some of the scenes of rats scurring, cooking, and eating in a restaurant are still icky with the little leftover human  aversions we all share. Voice cast is nicely combined even though a little over simmered.  Still, Ratatouille is worth a well-prpepared B+.

The Plot: (from IMDB.com)

Remy is a rat, constantly risking life in an expensive French restaurant because of his love of good food, as well as a desire to become a chef. Yet, obviously, this is a rather tough dream for a rat. But opportunity knocks when a young boy, who desperately needs to keep his job at the restaurant, despite his lack of cooking abilities, discovers and partners the young Remy. Its up to the two of them to avoid the insane head chef, bring the rest of Remy's family up to his standards, win his partner a girl, and, of course, produce the finest Ratatouille in all of France.

The Review:

  Engaging but not especially demanding sequel that improves upon the original.  With all the juvenile character development and yah-nah-nah whining and one upmanship this really could be "The Incredibles 2", without the wit and visual panache-- a movie that keeps the little tykes absorbed and the big ones rolling their eyes.   A B-.

The Plot: (from IMDB.com)

With Von Doom back in his homeland of Latveria the fantastic four have new troubles when Galactus has decided that Earth is his next target. When his henchman, The Silver Surfer(Norrin Radd), is sent to Earth he discovers that he's getting more than he bargained for when he encounters the Fantastic Four. But that's not all when Dr. Doom decides that after two years in the homeland he is ready to return.

 The credits: (from The New York Times)

WITH: Ioan Gruffudd (Reed Richards), Jessica Alba (Sue Storm), Chris Evans (Johnny Storm), Michael Chiklis (Ben Grimm), Julian McMahon (Victor Von Doom), Kerry Washington (Alicia Masters), Andre Braugher (General Hager), Doug Jones (Silver Surfer) and Laurence Fishburne (voice of the Silver Surfer).

The Review:

If this movie doesn't convince you of the insanity of war than the world is a permanent grinch.  Moving, tragic, but oddly enough the ultimate christmas film.  Should be required viewing for soldiers everywhere.   A miraculous A.

The Plot: (from IMDB.com)

In 1914, World War I, the bloodiest war ever at that time in human history, was well under way. However on Christmas Eve, numerous sections of the Western Front called an informal, and unauthorized, truce where the various front-line soldiers of the conflict peacefully met each other in No Man's Land to share a precious pause in the carnage with a fleeting brotherhood. This film dramatizes one such section as the French, British and German sides partake in the unique event, even though they are aware that their superiors will not tolerate its occurrence.  

WITH: Diane Krüger (Anna Sorensen), Benno Fürmann (Nikolaus Sprink), Guillaume Canet (Audebert), Gary Lewis (Palmer), Dany Boon (Ponchel), Daniel Brühl (Horstmayer), Lucas Belvaux (Gueusselin), Alex Ferns (Gordon), Bernard Le Coq (The General), Steven Robertson (Jonathan), Robin Laing (William) and Ian Richardson (Bishop).

The Review:

Moderately entertaining but ultimately too long and confusing sequel. A whole lot of self-contented smirking doesn't make up for the loosey-goosey rapport of the cast. Unlucky 13 gives it a B-.

The Plot: (from IMDB.com)

The last time we saw Danny Ocean's crew, they were paying back ruthless casino mogul Terry Benedict after stealing millions from him. However, it's been a while since they've come back together, which is all about to change. When one of their own, Reuben Tishkoff builds a hotel with known casino owner Willy Banks, the last thing he ever wanted was to get cut out of the deal personally by the loathsome Banks. Banks' attitude even goes so far as to finding the amusement in Tishkoff's misfortune when the double crossing lands Reuben in the hospital because of a heart attack. However, Danny and his crew won't stand for Banks and what he's done to a friend. Uniting with their old enemy Benedict, who himself has a vendetta against Banks, the crew is out to pull off a major plan. One that will unfold on the night Banks' newest hot spot opens up, when the crew is out to bankrupt one of the city's most despised businessmen. But they're not in this for the money, but for the revenge.

WITH: George Clooney (Danny Ocean), Brad Pitt (Rusty Ryan), Matt Damon (Linus Caldwell), Catherine Zeta-Jones (Isabel Lahiri), Andy Garcia (Terry Benedict), Don Cheadle (Basher Tarr), Bernie Mac (Frank Catton), Julia Roberts (Tess Ocean), Casey Affleck (Virgil Malloy), Scott Caan (Turk Malloy), Vincent Cassel (François Toulour), Eddie Jemison (Livingston Dell), Carl Reiner (Saul Bloom), Shaobo Qin (Yen) and Elliott Gould (Reuben Tishkoff).

Lots of funny moments, lacquered with a style that heaps on considerable charm. Some of it is a little too inside hollywood for most kids and adults to get. Still a wave worth catching. A B.

 The Plot: (from IMDB.com)

A stylistically daring CGI feature, "Surf's Up" is based on the groundbreaking revelation that surfing was actually invented by penguins. In the film, a documentary crew will take audiences behind the scenes and onto the waves during the most competitive, heartbreaking and dangerous display of surfing known to man, the Penguin World Surfing Championship.

''Surf's Up'' is rated PG (Parental guidance suggested). Characters flirt, urinate on one another and behave lewdly with surfing trophies.

The Review:

The battle between the gentle touch of pederasty and the gee whiz minds expanding themselves for the future is a weird and great mix.  Some oddly delightful fun to be had here. A B+.

The Plot: (from IMDB.com)

In 1980s Britain, a group of young men at Cutlers' Grammar School all have the brains, and the will to earn the chance of getting accepted in the finest universities in the nation, Oxford and Cambridge. Despite the fine teaching by excellent professionals like Mrs Lintott in history and the intellectually enthusiastic Hector in General Studies, the Headmaster is not satisfied. He signs on the young Irwin to polish the students' style to give them the best chance. In this mix of intellectualism and creative spirit that guides a rigorous preparation regime for that ultimate educational brass ring, the lives of the randy students and the ostensibly restrained faculty intertwine that would change their lives forever.

WITH: Richard Griffiths (Hector), Frances de la Tour (Mrs. Lintott), Stephen Campbell Moore (Irwin), Samuel Barnett (Posner), Dominic Cooper (Dakin), James Corden (Timms), Jamie Parker (Scripps), Russell Tovey (Rudge), Samuel Anderson (Crowther), Sacha Dhawan (Akhtar), Andrew Knott (Lockwood), Penelope Wilton (Mrs. Bibby), Adrian Scarborough (Wilkes), Georgia Taylor (Fiona) and Clive Merrison (Headmaster).

The Review:

 I loved Peter O' Toole's performance in this movie. I think he was cheated out of a much deserved Oscar. Worth a look if you have the time. Good ensemble acting. A B+.

The Plot: (from IMDB.com)

Maurice and Ian are successful but aging actors, close friends whose conversation revolves around theatrical shop talk and the infirmities of septuagenarianism. Ian in particular is fearful that death is right around the corner, so he agrees to let his niece's daughter Jessie move in to his flat to care for him. Jessie, a provincial girl in her early twenties, turns out to be a nightmare for Ian, a hard-drinking, rude, and dismissive twerp. But Maurice sees something else in the girl, a potential for humanity which blossoms under his kindness and gentle guidance. Something else blossoms, for Maurice, as well: romantic love for a girl fifty years younger. Surprises follow, all around.    

WITH: Peter O’Toole (Maurice), Leslie Phillips (Ian), Jodie Whittaker (Jessie), Richard Griffiths (Donald) and Vanessa Redgrave (Valerie).

A movie that has a better grip on its themes than its characters. Some nicely done turns by Juliet Binoche and Jude Law. Still more treatise than tender. A B+.

The Plot: (from IMDB.com)

A mother and her daughter, a mother and her son, and a man living with one and attracted to the other. Miro, a teen from Sarajevo, lives near King's Cross with his mother; he's nimble, able to run across roofs, so his uncle hires him to break into office skylights, so the uncle can boost computers. Twice they steal from Will's architectural firm, so Will stakes it out at night. He follows Miro home and returns the next day and meets Miro's mother, Amira. At home, Will's relationship with Liv is strained - he feels outside Liv and her daughter Bea's circle. The stakeout and Amira's vulnerability are attractive alternatives to being at home. The police, too, watch Miro.

The Review:

A loaded allegorical western about revenge starring Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan. Interesting for what it is, but not really much of a classic Western. Watch it on mute and it really improves. B-.

The Plot: (from IMDB.com)

In the 1860s, five men have been tracking a sixth across Nevada for more than two weeks. They shoot and wound him, but he gets away. They pursue, led by the dour Carver, who will pay them each $1 a day once he's captured. The hunted is Gideon, resourceful, skilled with a knife. Gideon's flight and Carver's hunt require horses, water, and bullets. The course takes them past lone settlers, a wagon train, a rail crew, settlements, and an Indian philosopher. What is the reason for the hunt; what connects Gideon and Carver? What happened at Seraphim Falls?

The Review:

The great slob responsibility comedy of our age. It creeps up on you in a nice kind of way. Conservative movie wrapped in liberal values. Now that is something for everyone! A-.

The Plot: (from IMDB.com)

Slobby Ben and up and coming career girl Alison meet at a bar, and end up having a one night stand. Eight weeks later, Ben is shocked when Alison meets him and reveals that she is pregnant. Despite having little in common, the two decide that they have to at least try to make some kind of relationship work for the baby's sake.

WITH: Seth Rogen (Ben Stone), Katherine Heigl (Alison Scott), Paul Rudd (Pete), Leslie Mann (Debbie), Jason Segel (Jason), Jay Baruchel (Jay), Jonah Hill (Jonah) and Harold Ramis (Ben’s Dad).

The Plot:  (from IMDB.com)  

Jenna is a small-town waitress at Joe's Diner, who has a great knack at making delicious pies there. However, Jenna is in an unhappy marriage to her controlling and immature husband, Earl, who always takes the money she works hard for, but Jenna keeps some of it hidden from him. Jenna suddenly finds her life has taken an unexpected turn when she discovers she's pregnant with Earl's baby. But the unhappy pregnancy changes Jenna's life as she becomes determined to win the $25,000 pie contest prize money and begins an affair with her handsome, married gynecologist that gives her confidence and an attempt at happiness.

Written and directed by Adrienne Shelly; director of photography, Matthew Irving; edited by Annette Davey; music by Andrew Hollander; production designer, Ramsey Avery; produced by Michael Roiff; released by Fox Searchlight Pictures. Running time: 104 minutes.

WITH: Keri Russell (Jenna), Nathan Fillion (Dr. Pomatter), Cheryl Hines (Becky), Adrienne Shelly (Dawn), Eddie Jemison (Ogie), Lew Temple (Cal), Jeremy Sisto (Earl) and Andy Griffith (Old Joe).