Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (DVD)

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) starring Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom. Pirate Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp) tries to weasel his way out of a blood debt with the ghastly Davey Jones (Bill Nighy), who looks like an octopus is sitting on his head. After the ultimate battle with the Kraken, a mighty beast from the depths, we learn that this movie, long as it is at two and a half hours, is just the set-up for a sequel, which will be released in 2007. Depp fans will not be disappointed, but I found the whole thing rather disappointing. Grade: B-

The Oh in Ohio (DVD)

The Oh in Ohio (2006) starring Parker Posey, Paul Rudd, Mischa Barton, Danny DeVito. Priscilla (Posey) and Jack (Rudd) are a married couple on the verge of breakup because Priscilla can't achieve the big O, also known as an orgasm. Priscilla has an affair with a vibrator which seems to be going well when she decides it's not enough, and she breaks up with the vibrator by putting it down the garbage disposal. Later, stretching the bounds of credibility, it turns out that Wayne, the Pool Guy (DeVito) is the first man she's ever slept with who can bring her to orgasm. It's all low key and only mildly entertaining, but Posey is fun to watch. Grade: B

Little Miss Sunshine

Little Miss Sunshine (2006) starring Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carell, Alan Arkin, Abigail Breslin. A dysfunctional family embarks on a life-altering road trip to the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant, encountering mind-boggling obstacles along the way. This is a delightfully daffy movie. Grade: A-

The Ant Bully (DVD)

The Ant Bully (2006) with the voices of Julia Roberts, Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep. Kids might enjoy this animated tale about a boy who terrorizes an ant colony -- until he is shrunk down to ant size and becomes a member of the tribe. There is one set piece -- a battle with an exterminator -- that may prove especially exciting. But adults will be bored, as there is no meaningful subtext, no double entendres that both adults and children can enjoy. Grade: For kids, B+, for adults, C-

Goldeneye (DVD)

Goldeneye (1995) starring Pierce Brosnan as Agent 007, James Bond. Brosnan stars in his first Bond film, but the formula is pretty familiar by now. A little romance, a lot of action, some nifty gadgets thrown in, and a Bond girl/villain played by Famke Janssen. Her character's name is Onatopp (heh heh). You also get explosions. Lots and lots of explosions. Brosnan does all right in bringing off Bond's trademark cheeky attitude. At two hours and ten minutes long, though, this action/adventure film seems to go on forever. Grade: B-

Scoop (DVD)

Scoop (2006) starring Scarlett Johansson, Hugh Jackman, Woody Allen. A young American journalism student (Johansson) chances upon a major news story (the scoop of the title) while visiting London in this comedy directed by Woody Allen. Although it's not among Allen's best work, I found this simple tale to be entertaining enough. Then again, I'm a big fan of both Johansson and Jackman. Grade: B+

An Inconvenient Truth (DVD)

An Inconvenient Truth (2006) starring Al Gore. Gore, the former vice president of the United States and unsuccessful presidential candidate, explains global warming in pretty substantial detail. He paints a scary picture, and if he's right, we're in trouble. This movie is a bit dry at times, but is surprisingly engaging. Grade: A-

Who Killed the Electric Car? (DVD)

Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006) In the 1990s, General Motors -- pushed largely by legal requirements instituted in California -- began production of the EV1, a zero-emissions electric car. This film documents the puzzling rise and fall of the electric car. Although it worked well and had enthusiastic drivers, the car was pulled from production, and all the cars that had been produced were withdrawn and destroyed by GM. Why did the electric car fail? Was it the oil companies, the government, the car manufacturers who wanted to see it fail? This documentary provides interesting and somewhat depressing answers. Grade: B+