Zelig (DVD)

Zelig (1983) starring Woody Allen, Mia Farrow. It's weird to watch a charming, funny movie from Woody Allen, knowing what has happened since between him and Mia Farrow. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this mockumentary about Leonard Zelig, a man who first turned up in the 1920s and who had the chameleon-like ability to transform himself into the likeness of whomever he was hanging out with. Film trickery allows Zelig to turn up in some very surprising surroundings, and the film succeeds in being entertaining and, at times, funny. Grade: B+

Year of the Dog (DVD)

Year of the Dog (2007) starring Molly Shannon, Peter Sarsgaard, Regina King, John C. Reilly, Laura Dern. Shannon plays Peggy, an upbeat secretary whose life takes a nosedive when her beloved dog, Pencil, suddenly dies. Although it is billed as a comedy, I found this movie rather sad. Peggy tries to fill her empty life with her love of animals, especially dogs. Given the right treatment, this theme might have made a moving film; but here, it's told in vignettes that don't really fit together. Grade: C+

The Lives of Others (DVD)

The Lives of Others (2006). In 1984 in East Berlin, a secret police spy bugs the apartment of a high-profile couple. He spies on the successful playwright and his actress companion, but begins to feel himself drawn into their lives. Frankly, I didn't know quite what to make of this movie. It got excellent reviews elsewhere, but I felt that I missed something when I watched it. Grade: B

Fracture (DVD)

Fracture (2007) starring Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling. Legal thriller with Hopkins as the man who shot his unfaithful wife, Gosling as the prosecuting attorney who is trying to convict him of the crime. The twists and turns of the plot are too many to detail here, but when you think about it, it all doesn't quite hang together. Grade: B-

Sweetie (DVD)

Sweetie (1989) starring Karen Colston, Genevieve Lemon. Jane Campion's directorial debut plumbs the depths of a dysfunctional Australian family. There are no subtitles, and the Australian accents are impossible to understand. What would otherwise be just a strange movie becomes incomprehensible. Grade: D

Zodiac (DVD)

Zodiac starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Edwards, Chloë Sevigny, Brian Cox, Dermot Mulroney, John Carroll Lynch. Gyllenhaal plays Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle in the 1960s and '70s who becomes obsessed with the Zodiac killer and eventually writes a book about the still-unsolved case. Unfortunately, this movie, which runs over two and a half hours, spends most of its second half showing him doing research for his book -- not exactly riveting viewing. Dates and places where action takes place are shown in fine white type which is not legible while viewing the DVD. Grade: B

Days of Glory (DVD)

Days of Glory (2006) starring a cast of unknowns. North African soldiers join the French army to help liberate France from Nazi occupation during World War II. The film dramatizes a lost chapter of history and pays tribute to the heroism of these forgotten troops. It also shows how little gratitude France showed to her Colonial soldiers. In various languages, with English subtitles. Grade: B

They All Laughed (DVD)

They All Laughed (1981) starring Ben Gazzara, John Ritter, Audrey Hepburn, Dorothy Stratten. A private eye team is hired to track down two women suspected of infidelity, but they can't seem to separate business from pleasure. Makes great use of Manhattan locations, and many pretty actresses are on display, but mostly falls pretty flat. Hepburn and Gazzara both look past their sell-by dates. Notable for appearance by Stratten, young actress who was killed before the film was released. Grade: C+

Hot Fuzz (DVD)

Hot Fuzz (2007) starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost. A top London cop (Pegg) is transferred to a bucolic village because he's making everyone else on the force look bad. He gets more action than he bargained for when a series of grisly "accidents" starts hitting the people of the hamlet. Brought to you by Edgar Wright, director of "Shaun of the Dead," this is part action movie, part murder mystery, but mostly just goofy fun. Grade: B-

1900 (DVD)

1900 (1977) starring Robert De Niro, Gerard Depardieu, Sterling Hayden, Donald Sutherland, Burt Lancaster. Bernardo Bertolucci directs this epic tale that follows the lives of two Italian men -- a peasant and a landowner -- both born on Jan. 1, 1900. Friends as children, the two become estranged as their differing social status pulls them apart. Their personal conflicts mirror political events in Italy, as both fascism and socialism gain footholds in the country. Sutherland, De Niro and Depardieu look remarkably young. De Niro and Depardieu both appear totally nude in one scene where they attempt to employ a young prostitute. Ultimately, though, this movie is just a five-hour-long mess. Grade: C-

The Butcher Boy (DVD)

The Butcher Boy (1997) starring Eamonn Owens, Stephen Rea. Disturbing and surreal story of Francis Brady (Owens), young bully in Irish village whose horrific home life is eventually acted out in murderous fashion. The film is imaginative in its use of unreal imagery, including space aliens, an atomic bomb attack on the village, and Sinead O'Connor appearing to Francis as the virgin Mary. But on the emotional level it somehow fails to connect, and ends up as just a string of events that, while interesting, doesn't really move us. Directed by Neil Jordan. The English subtitles really helped me, because everyone spoke in an Irish accent and I would not have been able to follow it without the subtitles. Grade: B-

Extras: Season 2 (DVD)

Extras: Season 2 (2006) starring Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Ashley Jensen. The second season of this HBO comedy series from "Office" genius Gervais is hilarious, at least judging from the first disc. Gervais, as struggling actor Andy Millman, has managed to score the starring role in a sitcom he created for the BBC. But he finds his original vision destroyed by meddling network executives. Guest stars Orlando Bloom, David Bowie and Daniel Radcliffe all add extra pizazz to the mix. The DVD also features backstage commentary by Gervais and writing partner Merchant, plus a short reel of outtakes. Grade: A

After the Wedding (DVD)

After the Wedding (2006) starring a cast of Danish actors who will not be familiar to most Americans. A man who is running an orphanage in India comes home to Denmark on a money-raising trip. The wife of the billionaire from whom he is soliciting funds turns out to be an old flame, and that is only the beginning of the surprises, secrets and lies that soon come to light. The movie takes a marginally soap-opera turn, then the ending seems rushed. But there are extras on the DVD -- a conversation with director Susanne Bier, and a slew of deleted scenes -- that may help the viewer appreciate the experience more. Grade: B

The Last Mimzy (DVD)

The Last Mimzy (2007) starring Rhiannon Leigh Wryn, Chris O'Neil, Joely Richardson, Rainn Wilson. Two children discover a magical box of toys that's been sent from the future, and soon start to develop some inexplicable, unearthly abilities. As their mother and teacher delve into the mystery, the adults as well as the children are drawn into a strange and unpredictable world, and Homeland Security even gets involved. There's a lot that's nonsensical here, but also an entertaining story and some good visuals. Grade: B+

Fast Food Nation (DVD)

Fast Food Nation (2006) starring Greg Kinnear, Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, Bruce Willis. A corporate executive with a national fast-food chain (Kinnear) follows beef's journey from the corrals to the slaughterhouse and ultimately to our stomachs. Early on, we learn that "there's shit in the meat," and the film slowly narrows in on the part of the butchering process where this takes place. The scenes in the slaughterhouse are progressively more harrowing. This may be a necessary film, if not one to savor. Grade: B

The Perfect Crime (DVD)

The Perfect Crime (Crimen Perfecto) (2004) starring Guillermo Toledo. Spanish-language film with English subtitles has hilarious take on Hitchcockian murder plot. Salesman accidentally kills rival, gets unexpected help covering up his crime from a homely sales girl. But she wants his love in exchange, and it's more than he's willing or able to give. Nevertheless, she blackmails him into sex, then a relationship, then to marriage. Grade: B+

The Holiday (DVD)

The Holiday (2006) starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Edward Burns, Rufus Sewell. Both seeking to escape their disastrous love lives, two young women (Diaz and Winslet) agree to swap homes for the holidays. One lives lives in England, one in L.A. Each finds that in her new surroundings, there are people worth getting to know. And all turns out well in the end. This disc, from Netflix, started skipping and freezing during the last half-hour. It was very irritating. Grade: B-

Breach (DVD)

Breach (2007) starring Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, Laura Linney, Dennis Haysbert, Caroline Dhavernas. Soon after landing a plum assignment working for FBI operative Robert Hanssen (Cooper), Eric O'Neill (Phillippe) realizes he's been brought in to spy on his boss, who is suspected of selling secrets to the Soviets. Cooper is a great actor, but Phillippe seems weak cast opposite him. Even though we know how the movie will end, there are some genuinely suspenseful moments. Based on a true story, in which the worst known spy in U.S. history was finally caught. Grade: B

Shortbus (DVD)

Shortbus (2006). An unknown group of actors combines to present this unrated, rather kinky view into the fringe world of sexuality in New York City. Lots of sex and nudity, but strangely unappealing; mostly homoerotic action, not my thing. Sincere, but amateurish. Grade: C-

Bridge to Terabithia (DVD)

Bridge to Terabithia (2007) starring Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Robert Patrick, Zooey Deschanel. Two fifth-grade outcasts become friends and create the make-believe kingdom of Terabithia, where they reign supreme and plot revenge against the school bullies. But the film is not, as Disney might want us to believe, a fantasy wonderland with happy ending. Well into the story, it takes a tragic turn, and becomes a rather serious movie about loss and transcendence. Grade: B+

Maxed Out (DVD)

Maxed Out (2006). Somewhat depressing documentary about the load of debt, both personal and national, being carried by Americans. Ringing indictment of the credit card industry and the major banks. Subtitles are not available in English, so some of the dialogue is hard to understand. Grade: B

The Painted Veil (DVD)

The Painted Veil (2006) starring Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber, Diana Rigg. Kitty (Watts) marries Dr. Walter Fane (Norton) to escape her parents' home, and ends up traveling with him to China, where he is fighting a cholera epidemic. Although she didn't marry him for love, she finds herself admiring his dedication to the cause. This understated period drama (it takes place in the 1920s) will reward the thoughtful movie viewer. Grade: B+

Children of Men (DVD)

Children of Men (2006) starring Clive Owen, Michael Caine, Julianne Moore. Dystopian drama set in 2027, in a world in which humans have lost the ability to reproduce. When a single woman mysteriously becomes pregnant, a conflicted government bureaucrat (Owen) tries to protect her. Based on the novel by P.D. James, directed by Alfonso Cuaron. If this relentlessly downbeat movie has a point, it escaped me. Grade: C

The Italian (DVD)

The Italian (2007). Six-year-old Vanya is about to be handed every Russian orphan's dream: A loving Italian family wants to adopt him and take him away from the run-down orphanage where he lives. But he can't get the thought of his birth mother out of his mind, and runs away to find her. This film, with an apparent happy ending, seems chiefly designed to reveal the plight of orphans in Russia today. The young actor who plays Vanya is not especially good. Grade: C+

Letters from Iwo Jima

Letters from Iwo Jima (2007) starring Ken Watanabe and a large cast of Japanese actors who will be unfamiliar to American viewers. Directed by Clint Eastwood. Excellent companion piece to Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers," this Oscar-nominated movie tells the story of the World War II battle for Iwo Jima from the Japanese point of view. Outnumbered and outgunned, the Japanese defenders of the island do not think of surrender, but of dying honorably -- even if this means suicide in the face of defeat. Eastwood does a good job of humanizing our former enemies, and even shows American soldiers being brutal in one memorable scene. Grade: A-

Venus (DVD)

Venus (2006) starring Peter O'Toole, Jodie Whittaker. Slightly creepy story of veteran actor, played by O'Toole, who falls for the niece of the daughter of a friend. He's in his seventies, she's in her twenties. It's rather entertaining to see how far they'll go (hint: not very); and O'Toole's character shows great insight into the female mind and heart. But even though it's handled with delicacy, the story of a March-December romance has a high "ewww" factor. Grade: B-

Apocalypto (DVD)

Apocalypto (2006) directed by Mel Gibson. In a time long ago, primitive natives live and hunt in the jungle, only to have their existence disrupted when a gang of slave-hunters from the great Mayan civilization which dominated Mexico sneaks up on their village and takes most of them captive, killing the rest. It's a fascinating and disturbing portrait of what life might have been like in the Mayan Empire before Europeans came on the scene. There's a lot of violence and bloodshed, but it's done as tastefully as can be expected. There's also a powerful twist at the end of the movie which, if you become as absorbed in the story as I did, you may not see coming. Also available on the DVD are a short on how the convincing look of Mayan civilization was created, and a commentary track by Mel Gibson and his co-producer. Grade: B+

The Good German (DVD)

The Good German (2006) starring George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Tobey Maguire. Uninspiring tale of intrigue in post-World War II Berlin, not terribly well made. Army correspondent Clooney gets involved in intrigue with his prewar mistress Blanchett. Clooney gets beaten up several times and Blanchett gets her wish to escape Berlin; but her movie husband Emil Brandt, the "good German" of the title, ends up dead. Grade: B

The Dead Girl (DVD)

The Dead Girl (2006) starring Toni Collette, James Franco, Giovanni Ribisi, Mary Beth Hurt, Mary Steenburgen, Brittany Murphy. A series of vignettes shows how the body of a girl is found in a field, how those who knew her are affected, and ultimately who did the crime. Absorbing and, taken as a whole, very sad. Grade: B

Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock? (DVD)

Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock? (2006). True story of trailer park resident Teri Horton , who buys a painting at a thrift store for $5 and becomes convinced that it is a genuine Jackson Pollock. But the painting is unsigned and lacks "provenance," meaning a paper trail that shows who has owned it and can be traced back to Pollock. After 15 years, no one has been able to prove whether it is real or fake, but Horton is convinced that it is real. By the end of the movie, she is offered $9 million for the painting, but refuses it, because she believes it is worth more the $50 million. Grade: B

Army of Shadows (DVD)

Army of Shadows (1969) starring Lino Ventura, Simone Signoret, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel. Director Jean-Pierre Melville's experiences as a member of the French resistance during World War II inform this movie about a civil engineer who becomes one of the chiefs of the underground movement. Apparently, the Resistance is a controversial subject in France, but it will have little resonance for American audiences. The final half-hour of the film is rather interesting. In French, with English subtitles. Grade: B

Pan's Labyrinth (DVD)

Pan's Labyrinth (2006) in Spanish with English subtitles. In 1944 in Spain, Franco's army sets up an outpost in the effort to suppress the rebellion of the left against the Fascists. Meanwhile, a young girl stumbles on a labyrinth guarded by Pan, an ancient faun who claims to know her destiny. A deeply moving motion picture. Directed by Guillermo del Toro. The commentary track by del Toro is illuminating, and the subtitles are bright and bold, easy to read. Grade: A

The Pursuit of Happyness (DVD)

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) starring Will Smith and his real-life son, Jaden Smith. Struggling single parent goes from dead-end job to unpaid internship at a stock brokerage firm. It's all about Will Smith's charm, and what a struggle life is when you're pinched for money. I loved the happy ending, but couldn't help but wonder what happened to all the other homeless who weren't so blessed. Grade: B+

Little Children (DVD)

Little Children (2006) starring Kate Winslet, Jennifer Connelly, Patrick Wilson. Sarah (Winslet) and Brad (Wilson) meet at the playground, where they have taken their respective children. Even though he has a beautiful wife named Kathy (Connelly) at home, Brad is titillated by the idea of a fling with the rather more plain Sarah. Meanwhile, Sarah's husband Richard is entranced by Slutty Kay, an Internet porn star. And woven in and out of this narrative is the story of Ronnie McGorvey, the town pervert, who was once arrested for indecent exposure.

It's all about "grown ups" who don't know how to be parents to their kids. I found the voiceover to be a bit annoying, but Winslet looks lovely and does a passable American accent. Grade: B+

Dreamgirls (DVD)

Dreamgirls (2006) starring Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson. Hudson, an "American Idol" reject, won an Oscar in this musical about three black women who seek fame and fortune as a singing trio. Unfortunately, the songs are mostly pretty uninspired, although the performers try to make of them all they can. In a movie which should be driven by that catchy Motown sound, the music just drags it down. Grade: C

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

The Bridesmaid (DVD)

The Bridesmaid (2004) starring a cast of French actors who will be unfamiliar to Americans. At his younger sister's wedding, Philippe meets Senta, a bridesmaid. Sparks of passion soon fly between the two, but Senta has some pretty dark ideas about how Philip should prove his undying love. Based on a novel by Ruth Rendell, this movie nevertheless still has a very strong French flavor. The extras on the DVD are revealing about the director's mind-set. Grade: B

Casino Royale (DVD)

Casino Royale (2006) starring Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Eva Green, Jeffrey Wright. Lots of action in this film adaptation of Ian Fleming's first novel about Agent 007, James Bond. It's supposed to tell Bond's back story, but it's obviously set in the present, which was a bit anachronistic to me. Can't be helped, I guess. Grade: B

The Prestige (DVD)

The Prestige (2006) starring Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie. Rival magicians go all out trying to outdo each other with their tricks -- on and off stage. Three separate time lines keep the action unnecessarily confusing, while Jackman and Bale look enough alike that it's easy to get them confused in some of the more rapid cutting scenes. It's all an elaborate revenge flick, and as such it lacks heart. Grade: C+

The Departed

The Departed (2006) starring Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin. An undercover cop (DiCaprio) curries favor with a Boston Irish mob kingpin (Nicholson), while a career criminal (Damon) rises through the police ranks. Both sides soon discover there's a mole among them, and most of the dramatic tension in the movie derives from the attempts by both to discover the "rat." Won the Oscar for Best Picture, which I don't think was deserved. The cutting back and forth makes it hard to follow, and the action is hyper-violent. Director Martin Scorsese won for Best Director. Grade: B

Hollywoodland (DVD)

Hollywoodland (2006) starring Ben Affleck, Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Bob Hoskins. Dogged private eye Brody investigates the death of George Reeves, the actor who played Superman on TV in the '50s. Was it suicide or murder? By the end of this movie, you probably won't care any more than you do now, but the film is an interesting snapshot of Hollywood during the '40s and '50s. Grade: B

Borat (DVD)

Borat (2006) starring Sacha Baron Cohen. As Kazakhstani reporter Borat, Cohen cruises across the U.S., making fun of American institutions and making satirical points as he goes. Very funny if you're in the right frame of mind. Grade: B+

Babel (DVD)

Babel (2006) starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett. Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. An American couple (Pitt and Blanchett) vacationing in Morocco fall victim to a random act of violence. Meanwhile, a Mexican nanny takes her two young charges to a wedding south of the border, and a deaf-mute Japanese school girl struggles with her place in society. The seemingly disparate stories are all connected, and as the title implies, it's all about the necessity and the impossibility of human communication across boundaries. Grade: A-

The Heart of the Game (DVD)

The Heart of the Game (2005). Documentary telling the story of a gifted young black female basketball player who attends a predominantly white high school because her mother thinks she'll have better academic opportunities there. Shot in a suburban Seattle high school over a seven-year period, director Ward Serrill's documentary explores the relationships among gender, race and organized sports. Young Darnellia Russell, the talented young player, becomes the focus of the documentary as her life outside of school and basketball begins to get complicated. Grade: B+

Stranger than Fiction (DVD)

Stranger than Fiction (2006) starring Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah. A novelist (Thompson) struggles with how to kill off her main character, IRS auditor Harold Crick (Ferrell). Crick begins hearing her narration in his head and begins trying to avoid being knocked off.
With Will Ferrell in the lead, you expect a comedy, but this is more of an offbeat drama with comedic overtones. The bottom line for me is, I just don't like Will Ferrell. But I do like Maggie Gyllenhaal, so Grade: B

Invincible (DVD)

Invincible (2006) starring Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear. Average Joe and devoted Philadelphia Eagles fan Vince Papale (Wahlberg) manages to land a spot on his favorite NFL team in open tryouts in 1976. Papale has just lost his wife and his job as a substitute teacher, so making the team turns a terrible year into a winner. Based on a true story.
If you're a Philadelphia Eagles fan and come from Philadelphia, you might enjoy this movie. Others should save their money and their time. Grade: C

Shut Up and Sing (DVD)

Shut Up and Sing (2006). Controversy swirled around the Dixie Chicks after lead singer Natalie Maines told a London audience in 2003 that she was ashamed that President Bush was from Texas -- where the Chicks are from. Country music fans vilified the band, crushed and burned their CDs, and even made death threats. This movie takes a look at the three band members during the period from '03 to '06, how they dealt with the controversy and how it affected their lives. Probably best if you're a fan of the Dixie Chicks' music. Grade: B

For Your Consideration (DVD)

For Your Consideration (2006) starring Christopher Guest, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Fred Willard, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, Eugene Levy, Ricky Gervais. During the making of a schlock independent drama, "Home for Purim," rumors arise on the Internet that some of the actors may be up for Oscars. Guest's reliable troupe of improv actors deliver a funny and poignant and sometimes savage take on Hollywood. Extras on the DVD include a number of worthwhile deleted scenes and outtakes. Grade: B+

Marie Antoinette (DVD)

Marie Antoinette (2006) starring Kirsten Dunst. Profoundly boring portrait of Marie Antoinette, naive Austrian princess who married Louis XVI of France right before the French Revolution. The film explores her luxurious yet terribly confining lifestyle and seems to suggest that it was her overspending that brought down the monarchy. Grade: B

Half Nelson (DVD)

Half Nelson (2006) starring Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps. Inner-city teacher (Gosling) spends most of his time nursing hangovers. But one of his students (Epps) is on to him, having witnessed him smoking crack in the girls' locker room. They develop an engaging, if unlikely, friendship. Grade: B

My Favorite Year (DVD)

My Favorite Year (1982) starring Peter O'Toole, Bill Macy, Joseph Bologna, Mark Linn-Baker. O'Toole stars as washed-up, booze hound matinee idol Alan Swann, who is forced by financial considerations to make an appearance on a live comedy-variety TV show in 1954 New York. The unknown actor Mark Linn-Baker plays a junior writer whose job it is to make sure that Swann shows up for rehearsals and his appearance on the show. Made in 1982 and set in 1954, this movie feels dated, but O'Toole's performance is vintage quality. Grade: B

Flags of Our Fathers (DVD)

Flags of Our Fathers (2006) starring Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach, Jamie Bell, Barry Pepper, Tom Verica, Paul Walker, Robert Patrick, Neal McDonough. Clint Eastwood directed this World War II drama that tells the story of the small band of soldiers that were famously photographed raising the American flag on a mountain on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. Based on the book of the same name, the film reconstructs the events that preceded and followed the snapping of the photo. The parts of this movie are admirable, but it's a little over-ambitious, overlong and over-stuffed. Grade: B+

Sherrybaby (DVD)

Sherrybaby (2006) starring Maggie Gyllenhaal. After her release from prison, Sherry Swanson (Gyllenhaal) returns to the realities of life, visiting with her parole officer, finding a job and trying to be a mother to her five-year-old daughter. There are some unforgettable scenes and a superb performance by Gyllenhaal. Grade: A

This Film Is Not Yet Rated (DVD)

This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006) directed by Kirby Dick. Documentary investigating the secretive and inconsistent process by which the Motion Picture Association of America rates films. Dick hired a private investigator to find out who the members of the motion picture rating board are (their names had previously been kept secret). This film makes for an interesting look inside the flawed rating process. Grade: B+

Umberto D. (DVD)

Umberto D. (1952) starring Carlo Battisti. An old man in post-war Rome struggles to survive on his small pension. Bankrupt and lonely, he has only his beloved dog and a maid as friends. Could have been titled "An Old Man and His Dog." It's a good film, but not very exciting by current Hollywood standards. Directed by Vittorio De Sica. In Italian, with English subtitles. Grade: B+

Jules and Jim (DVD)

Jules and Jim (1961) starring Oskar Werner, Henri Serre, Jeanne Moreau. Two writers who are close friends fall in love with the same woman in Paris right before World War I. The fact that it is basically a true story gives it heightened impact. Based on an autobiographical novel by Henri-Pierre Roche. In French, with English subtitles. Grade: A

The Four Hundred Blows (DVD)

The Four Hundred Blows (1959), directed by Francois Truffaut. In black and white, French with English subtitles. The cast of this film will be unrecognizable to the vast majority of Americans. In the movie, an adolescent Parisian boy is neglected by his parents, acts up in school, and turns to a life of petty crime. He doesn't get very far, and his parents turn him over to the care of the state. I think this is meant to be a commentary on society, but since it's French society, maybe something was lost in translation. I was very involved in the story, but the ending seemed a little flat. Grade: B

The Illusionist (DVD)

The Illusionist (2006) starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel. A magician (Norton) returns to public life after a long absence, and finds that his true love (Biel) is engaged to be married to a prince. How can he win her back, and win her freedom? Giamatti is great in a supporting role. Grade: A-

The Devil Wears Prada (DVD)

The Devil Wears Prada (2006) starring Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, Simon Baker. Small-town girl Andrea Sachs (Hathaway) takes a job as assistant to powerful fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly (Streep). At first, Andrea is indifferent to the fashion world, but soon finds herself sucked in by the force of her boss' personality. Streep is masterful as the boss from hell, and Hathaway charms as she goes through the transition from fashion slob to "glamazon." Emily Blunt is a standout in the supporting role of Priestly's assistant. Grade: B

A Scanner Darkly (DVD)

A Scanner Darkly (2006) starring Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder. Directed by Richard Linklater. Based on Philip K. Dick's novel. Reeves plays an undercover cop working in a world, "seven years from now," where almost everyone is addicted to a drug called Substance D. The most notable feature of this film is the rotoscoping, whereby live actors are "animated" by tracing over their image in every frame of the movie. The effect doesn't contribute much to the work, other than to make it look weird. Grade: B-

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+

Strangers With Candy (DVD)

Strangers With Candy (2005) starring Amy Sedaris. Sedaris portrays 46-year-old Jerri Blank, newly released from prison and looking to start life over again by going back to high school. The title is funny, the premise is promising, but there's little payoff in the form of funny jokes. Grade: C

Monster House (DVD)

Monster House (2006). Animated. Three kids -- D.J., his chubby friend Chowder and pretty Jenny -- go up against the house across the street, which seems to be possessed. The animation is excellent and atmospheric as the three friends seek out the secret of the Monster House. This is one cartoon movie that may actually be too scary for young children, so parental guidance is recommended. Grade: B+

Over the Hedge (DVD)

Over the Hedge (2006) with the voices of Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Thomas Haden Church, Nick Nolte, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Avril Lavigne, William Shatner, Wanda Sykes. A group of forest animals awake in the spring to find themselves hemmed in on all sides by development. An outsider -- a raccoon, voiced by Willis -- convinces them to try to steal food from the humans who now surround them. Kids might like this animated movie, but even for a cartoon it's lacking in humor and warmth. Grade: C

The Break-Up

The Break-Up (2006) starring Jennifer Aniston, Vince Vaughn, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau. Aniston and Vaughn play a couple who break up, but can't afford to move because neither of them alone can pay the mortgage on their condo. So they stay together and torture each other in ways that are uncomfortable to watch. For a movie that's supposed to be a comedy, this one left me feeling awfully sad. Grade: C

Cars (DVD)

Cars (2006) with the voices of Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt. Well made animated feature from Disney/Pixar about anthropomorphic cars. The story is chiefly for kids, but the movie also contains a paean to old Route 66 which will resonate with some adults. The DVD also offers a few extras (two short animated pieces and some commentary) that add value. Grade: B

Mission Impossible: III (DVD)

Mission Impossible: III (2006) starring Tom Cruise, Keri Russell, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hyper-kinetic, overly gimmicky, not even barely believable. Grade: C+

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (DVD)

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974). What a piece of crap. Grade: F

Reds (DVD)

Reds (1981) starring Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson. Beatty plays John Reed, an American correspondent with radical politics who got caught up in the spirit, euphoria and aftermath of Russia's 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. Beatty also directed this movie, for which he won an Oscar. He mixes romance and politics in telling Reed's story, and Keaton is appealing as the romantic interest and Reed's wife. But will you want to spend three hours-plus watching it? I doubt it. Grade: B-

Slither (DVD)

Slither (2006) starring Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks. Written and directed by James Gunn. Tongue-in-cheek horror about a small town being invaded by parasites that turn humans into zombies. Might be good if you enjoy gore. More gross-out than scary. Grade: C+

Click (DVD)

Click (2006) starring Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken, David Hasselhoff. Sandler, as a workaholic architect, discovers a "Universal" remote control which allows him to control real life. He uses it to skip through the bad parts of life, and some of the good. But the catch is, the remote is an intelligent device which learns his preferences and starts automatically controlling his life. Sandler is Scrooge in the last act of A Christmas Carol and George Bailey in the last act of It's a Wonderful Life, learning lessons about life even as he botches his own. It almost works, but I've never been able to actually like Adam Sandler. Grade: B-

Lucky Number Slevin (DVD)

Lucky Number Slevin (2006) starring Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis, Lucy Liu, Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley. A seemingly innocent man (Hartnett) is mistaken for someone else, and finds himself in the middle of a mob dispute. But all is not what it seems, and the film gradually spins into an elaborate revenge thriller. The script is, if anything, too clever. Grade: B-

A Prairie Home Companion (DVD)

A Prairie Home Companion (2006) starring Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Lindsay Lohan, Kevin Kline, Garrison Keillor. Directed by Robert Altman. The script, penned by Keillor, traces the last broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion," the fictional radio show based loosely on the real radio show of the same name. It's like watching an episode of the radio show brought to the screen, and if you're a fan of the radio show you're almost guaranteed to like the movie. Grade: B+

Pretty Poison (DVD)

Pretty Poison (1968) starring Anthony Perkins, Tuesday Weld. Perkins plays just-released-from-the-loony-bin Dennis Pitt. Posing as a secret agent, Pitt begins life anew in a tiny town and takes up with high school student Sue Ann Stepanek (Weld). At first it seems Pitt is the crazy one, but Stepanek proves more than his match. Grade: B+

Thank You for Smoking (DVD)

Thank You for Smoking (2005) starring Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Katie Holmes, Robert Duvall, William H. Macy. Big tobacco spin doctor Nick Naylor (Eckhart) is on a mission to make the country forget the dangers of his product. He works to promote smoking in the movies and hush former employees who bad-mouth cigarettes (namely, the Marlboro Man, who has cancer) -- all the while trying to remain a role model for his young son. Mildly entertaining, but somehow lacks bite. Directed by Jason Reitman, based on Christopher Buckley's novel. Grade: B

The Lake House (DVD)

The Lake House (2006) starring Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock. Remake of a Korean film about a magic mail box which allows two strangers, a doctor and an architect, to communicate with each other across a gulf of two years. The architect lives in the lake house in 2004, the doctor in 2006, yet when they place letters in the mail box the letters are delivered to the other as if by magic. There is never any explanation as to how this occurs, so don't look for one. If you can suspend your disbelief (a big "if"), you may find this to be a charming romance. There is an abundance of logical contradictions, but the chemistry between the leads is certainly good. Grade: B-

The Notorious Bettie Page

The Notorious Bettie Page (2006) starring Gretchen Mol as Bettie Page. Although she longed to be an actress, an unassuming girl from Nashville would ultimately become the nation's first bona fide bondage queen. Mary Harron directed this biopic about 1950s pinup girl Page, who innocently posed for sadomasochistic photos and movies before becoming the target of a U.S. Senate investigation and later retreating back into Christianity. Not as sensational as you might fear (or hope). Mol delivers a great performance. Grade: B

Wings of Desire (DVD)

Wings of Desire (1987). Wim Wenders won Best Director at the 1987 Cannes film festival for this vision about an angel (Bruno Ganz) who falls in love with a beautiful circus performer while drifting unnoticed through West Berlin. Overcome by the girl's beauty, the angel decides he wants to become human. Peter Falk co-stars as himself, and aids the angel in his decision-making process. At two hours plus, the movie is way too long. (In German and English, with English subtitles.) Grade: B-

Hope Floats (DVD)

Hope Floats (1998) starring Sandra Bullock, Harry Connick Jr. A woman (Bullock) finds out on a Jerry Springer-like talk show that her husband has been having an affair with her best friend. The movie is all about her return to her home town and her recovery from the devastating news. Except for the opening scene, the film is relatively formless, with no real narrative drive. Grade: B-

Hard Candy (DVD)

Hard Candy (2006). Newcomer Ellen Page stars in this story about the encounter between an online predator and the 14-year-old girl who agrees to meet with him. After meeting in a cafe, he convinces her to come to his house, where she proceeds to turn the tables on him. It's a pretty interesting movie, but tends to get repetitive. Grade: B-

Friends with Money (DVD)

Friends with Money (2006) starring Jennifer Aniston, Joan Cusack, Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand. Slice-of-life drama about four women who have remained friends into adulthood even though one (played by Aniston) has failed to prosper and is working as a maid. The movie is interesting to watch but has an incomplete feel to it. Grade: B-

United 93

United 93 (2006). A cast of unknown actors stars in the harrowing story of the flight in which the passengers rose up against their Muslim hijackers. A well told and affecting film. Grade: B