Happy Feet (DVD)

Happy Feet (2006) with the voices of Elijah Wood, Nicole Kidman, Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman. Young Mumble, an animated penguin, can dance but he can't sing -- which is a problem in this movie because every penguin must have a "Heartsong" to win a mate. It's basically a penguin musical, which is, I guess, an original concept. But the movie takes a sharp left turn into weirdness in the final half hour, and what little charm it had is lost. Grade: C+

Freedom Writers (DVD)

Freedom Writers (2007) starring Hilary Swank, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey. Idealistic young teacher (Swank) is posted to an inner-city school that is racked by gang violence. She inspires her class by getting them to read "The Diary of Anne Frank" and go to the
Holocaust Museum. The at-risk kids respond to her teaching methods, but the school administration (embodied by Staunton) doesn't. Her struggle to teach in unorthodox ways and outfox her enemies in the bureaucracy make up the meat of this movie. There's a lot of rap music involved, most of which I found hard to understand. Younger viewers might get more out of it. Grade: B

The Queen (DVD)

The Queen (2006) starring Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen. Mirren won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II, who faces an angry public after Princess Diana's death in an auto accident. Why don't the royals respond to the public's outpouring of grief? There are a few striking images in this movie, but Sheen seems a bit off as Prime Minister Tony Blair. Grade: B

Notes on a Scandal (DVD)

Notes on a Scandal (2006) starring Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett. Dench and Blanchett are both excellent in this story in which one high-school teacher has an affair with a student, and an older teacher finds out about it. Dench, as the older teacher, must decide between turning in the offender or trying to use the information to her advantage. Grade: A-

The Last King of Scotland (DVD)

The Last King of Scotland (2006) starring Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Gillian Anderson. Whitaker won an Oscar for his portrayal of brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin; McAvoy plays a Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan, who becomes Amin's personal physician. The problem seems to be that the focus of the movie is on Dr. Garrigan, and Whitaker has too little screen time. There are some chilling scenes, though, and Whitaker earned his Oscar. Grade: B

Come Early Morning (DVD)

Come Early Morning (2006) starring Ashley Judd. Judd plays Lucy, a 30-something small-town southern girl who makes a habit of drinking too much and waking up next to strangers. Powered by alcohol and country music, this independent movie is more a slice of life than a story with a beginning, middle and end. We see Lucy make a little progress, but it's hard to tell if she's really going to be all right. Grade: C+

The Silent Partner (DVD)

The Silent Partner (1978) starring Elliot Gould, Christopher Plummer, Susannah York. Not-so-timid bank teller Gould manages to cut himself in on a robbery by Plummer, who then comes after him for the balance of the money. One scene of graphic violence is particularly jarring, but the rest of the film stands up well. Look for John Candy in an early screen appearance. Grade: B

Volver (DVD)

Volver (2006) starring Penelope Cruz. Single mom Cruz hears that her mother has come back from the dead and is haunting the village where she grew up. She goes back for a visit in this charming film, written and directed by Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar. Grade: B+

Sleeping Dogs Lie (DVD)

Sleeping Dogs Lie (2006) starring Bryce Johnson, Colby French. Amy, while a college student, performed a rather shocking sex act with her dog. Now, years later, the question arises: Is she obligated to be totally honest with her fiance? This film follows a mostly predictable trajectory once you get past the premise, but amuses nonetheless. Grade: B

Candy (DVD)

Candy (2006) starring Heath Ledger, Abbie Cornish, Geoffrey Rush. Australian film about two junkies in love. Not a bad drama, but not top-notch. The dialog is difficult to understand because of the Australian accents, and subtitles in English are not available on this disc. Grade: B-

Charlotte's Web (DVD)

Charlotte's Web (2006). When Wilbur the pig discovers he's destined for the dinner table, kindly spider Charlotte (voiced by Julia Roberts) hatches a plan to keep him around. Dakota Fanning plays sensitive farm girl Fern in this children's tale based on the book by E.B. White. The DVD features two commentary tracks and two making-of features. While adults might find it a bit saccharine, it's a fine movie for youngsters. Grade: B+

The Good Shepherd (DVD)

The Good Shepherd (2006) starring Matt Damon, Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie. Fictionalized account of the birth of the CIA, following one agent's (Damon) career from World War II through the Bay of Pigs debacle. Thinking about the movie after watching it is more interesting than actually watching it, partly because of slow pacing, partly because of the long running time of about two and a half hours. There are moments when the movie comes alive (a particular torture scene comes to mind), but for the most part the glacial pacing and Damon's dead-fish portrayal of super spy Edward Wilson make it a chore to watch. Grade: B