Unthinkable

Samuel L. Jackson, Carrie-Anne Moss, Michael Sheen, Stephen Root, Gil Bellows, Benito Martinez, Martin Donovan -- All the actors in the world could not save this film! An FBI agent (Carrie-Anne Moss) and a CIA spook (Samuel L. Jackson) have three days to break a subject (Michael Sheen) before three nuclear bombs go off in the United States. The first 15 minutes was exciting. The last hour and 15 minutes were sheer torture. I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars. (2010-R)

Harry Brown

Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer -- A widower (Michael Caine) takes the law into his own hands after his "mate" gets brutally murdered by some street thugs. Check out the pot plants! I liked it, but it was panned by critics. Emily Mortimer plays a police detective. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

The Killing

Sterling Hayden, Vince Edwards -- A film noir directed by Stanley Kubrick. It's about a heist at the race track. It was very good. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. (1956-NR)

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Jason Robards, Diane Ladd, Pam Grier -- It is the early 1900's. A carnival comes to town. The head of the carnival is actually the devil. He comes collecting souls. A father (Jason Robards) tries to prevent it from happening. Produced by Walt Disney. It wasn't very good. I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (1983-PG)

The Back-Up Plan

Jennifer Lopez, Alex O'Loughlin, Robert Klein, Tom Bosley, Linda Lavin -- A guy (Alex O'Loughlin) and a girl (Jennifer Lopez) meet, fall in love, and start a family. Not necessarily in that order. A chick flick. I liked "Monster-in-Law" better. I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars. (2010-PG-13)

Longitude

Jeremy Irons, Bill Nighy, Michael Gambon, Brian Cox -- Two, two, two films in one. In the first one, takes place in the middle of the seventeed hundreds. It concerns a man (Michael Gambon) and his son inventing a time-piece that is super accurate. That is the only way that longitude (of latitude and longitude) is figured out. In the second one, it takes place just before World War II. It concerns a man (Jeremy Irons) who discovers the chronometers and sets about restoring them. Interesting! I would rate it 4 1/4 out of 5 stars. (2000-PG)

The Last Song

Miley Cyrus, Greg Kinnear, Kelly Preston, Liam Hemsworth -- This time Miley Cyrus is a werewolf and terrorizes the town she is in. Justin Bieber plays a vampire with one thought in mind - kill the werewolf. Actually, I was making it all up. Miley Cyrus stars in a sickeningly sweet love story about a summer romance. Her father (Greg Kinnear) has cancer but doesn't let Miley or her brother know it. Definitely a chick flick, and actually a chick flick for 15-year-olds. Don't waste your time! Though the acting is okay. I would rate it 2 3/4 out of 5 stars. (2010-PG)

The Losers

Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Jason Patric -- I had to watch it three times to make it all the way through to the end. A 12 year old boy's perfect movie. The rest of us - rather annoying. I won't tell you what the plot is, because it is that bad. Skip it. I would rate it 1 1/2 out of 5. (2010-PG-13)

Fido

K'Sun Ray, Carrie-Anne Moss, Dylan Baker, Billy Connolly, Tim Blake Nelson -- Aaaaahhhh- zombies!!! A boy (K'Sun Ray) gets a zombie. His father (Dylan Baker) is afraid of zombies. His mother (Carrie-Anne Moss) makes the zombie feel welcome. The End. I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2006-R)

Down to the Bone

Vera Farmiga, Hugh Dillon -- A depressing situation in which a mother is a cocaine addict and the steps that she takes in order to rid herself of the addiction. I thought it was maudlin, however I would still would rate it 3 1/4 out of 5 stars. (2004-R)

Operation: Endgame

Ving Rhames, Ellen Barkin, Zach Galifianakis, Jeffrey Tambor, Rob Corddry - It is Obama's swearing-in ceremony. Meanwhile, over at the CIA, the bloodletting begins - quite literally! I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars. (2010-R)

A Prophet

Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup -- A guy (Tahar Rahim) is throw in to a French prison. The Corsican mafia rules the roost. The Godfather was played by Niels Arestrup. Yada, Yada, Yada. The end. It was in French and Arabic. I could not figure it out. I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

Running Scared

Paul Walker, Vera Farmiga, Chazz Palminteri, Cameron Bright -- A "comic book" style of piece that had a lot going on. I found it confusing. Similar to "Sin City" and "The Spirit". Violent with plenty of drug use and sex. I am sorry to see Vera and Chazz make such an awful movie. I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars. (2006-R)

Greenberg

Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Jennifer Jason Leigh -- A story that went on for an hour and three quarters but it felt like five hours to me. Don't rent this movie! Ben Stiller plays a carpenter trying to find work while stays in his brother's house (while the brother and his family go to Vietnam on vacation). While there he gets involved with his brothers family's personal assistant (Greta Gerwig). That's it. I would rate it 2 1/4 out of 5 stars. (2010-R)

Havoc

Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bijou Phillips, Laura San Giacomo -- A completely made up story about some rich white kids in Beverly Hills trying to act "Street". It was laughable! I'm sorry to see Anne Hathaway and Joseph Gordon-Levitt make such a poor production. I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars. (2005-UR)

Blood Diamond

Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly, Stephen Collins, Michael Sheen -- Chalk up another one in Leo's "Hit" category. This time Leo plays a diamond smuggler in Sierra Leone. A worker at the diamond mine (Djimon Hounsou) discovers a huge gem. He and Leo try to smuggle it out of the country. I would rate it a 4 out of 5 stars. (2006-R)

Finding Bliss

Leelee Sobieski (Polly Hamilton from "Public Enemies"), Kristen Johnson (Sally from "3rd Rock From the Sun"), Matthew Davis (Warner from "Legally Blonde"), Denise Richards (Lt. Carmen Ibanez from "Starship Troopers") -- Absolutely abysmal!!! About a film school graduate going to work as an editor in a porn film so that she can make enough money to make the film she wants. For shame!!! I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

Day Night Day Night

Luisa Williams -- The last two days of a female suicide bomber who sets her sites on Times Square. Made several years before the Faisal Shahzad (the Times Square bomber) incident. Disturbing! I really liked it, but I don't think I will go to Times Square anytime soon. I would rate it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2006-NR)

The Wind That Shakes the Barley

Cillian Murphy, Orla Fitzgerald, Padraic Delaney -- About the Irish Republican Army back in the 20s. I thought it was awful "Left Leaning". It follows two brothers in the IRA and the turmoil that follows them. I would rate it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2006-NR)

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Catherine Keener, Pierce Brosnan, Steve Coogan, Rosario Dawson, Uma Thurman, Joe Pantoliano, Max Van Ville -- A guy and his friends rescue his mother from Hades. In the end, he gets to meet his father. The End. A tweens guide to happiness. Like "Clash of the Titans" only better. I would rate it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2010-PG)

Accidents Happen

Geena Davis, Harrison Gilbertson, Viva Bianca -- Two words - family angst. A family gets in to a car accident. The daughter is killed, and one of the son's is left in a permanent vegetative state. About the family's learning to cope. Spoiler alert, Mrs. Smolensky hides the bowling ball. I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

Hot Tub Time Machine

John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Crispin Glover -- The worst John Cusack movie I have ever seen! Even worse than "2012", and I didn't think that was possible. The title says it all. Awful!!! I would rate it 1 1/8 out of 5 stars. (2010-R)

Night Train

Danny Glover, Leelee Sobieski, Steve Zahn -- Two passengers (Leelee Sobieski and Steve Zahn) and a conductor (Danny Glover) heist some diamonds on a passenger train. Leelee Sobieski is nice to look at! I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

The Bounty Hunter

Gerard Butler, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikas -- I made it through 1 1/4 hours before I turned it off! Horrible! Sorry, Gary, I thought it was insipid. (Look it up in your Funk and Wagnall's) If you want a real laugh, I can suggest "Midnight Run" starring Robert DeNiro and Charles Grodin. It is a comedy, and it's good. I would rate it 1 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2010-PG-13)

Snow Cake

Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, Carrie-Anne Moss - Think "Rain Man" only in Canada. Alex (Alan Rickman) is driving to see his sister. Along the way he picks up a hitchhiker. Alex gets in an accident, and the hitchhiker is killed. Alex goes to the hitchhiker's hometown and apologizes to her mother. The mother (Sigourney Weaver) has autism. Charlie Babette tugged and pulled and hurt my neck! I would rate it 3 1/4 out of 5 stars. (2006-NR)

It's the Rage

Joan Allen, Jeff Daniels, Robert Forrester, Andre Braugher, Bokeem Woodbine, Anna Paquin, David Schwimmer, Josh Brolin, Gary Sinise, Giovanni Ribisi -- All the stars in the universe couldn't save this one. It's about gun violence. Everybody as a gun. I didn't like it very much. I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (1999-R)

Middle of Nowhere

Susan Sarandon, Eve Amurri, Anton Yelchin -- A girl (Eve Amurri), who dreams of going to medical school, and her cohort (Anton Yelchin) hatch a plan to sell "product" (marijuana) in addition to their summer jobs. She played the punk rocker in "Saved!". I liked it! I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. (2008-R)

Saint John of Las Vegas

Steve Buscemi, Sarah Silverman, Tim Blake Nelson, Romany Malco -- An insurance adjuster (Steve Buscemi) and his partner (Romany Malco) travel to Las Vegas investigating an fraud case. Along the way, they have many adventures. I liked Sarah Silverman as Buscemi's girlfriend, Jill. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

The Runaways

Dakota Fanning, Kristen Stewart, Michael Shannon, Tatum O'Neal -- So much hype - so little product. I expected a kick-ass story of "The Runaways", but what I got instead was some over- acted piece of fluff. Even their smash hit "Cherry Bomb" was a real disappointment. Oh well. I guess they are 50 now. I would rate it 2 1/4 out of 5 stars. (2010-R)

Population 436

Jeremy Sisto, Fred Durst, Charlottel Sullivan -- I watched it because a friend told me to. It was mildly amusing. Jeremy Sisto (most famous for "Law & Order") and Fred Durst (who is the lead singer from the band "Limp Bizkit") are in it. Suspenseful. I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars. (2006-R)

Brooklyn's Finest

Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ellen Barkin -- A gritty look at New York's finest. One of the producers is John Langley of "Cops" fame. Everybody gets killed in the end except Richard Gere. Violent! I would rate it 4 1/4 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

The Runner

Courteney Cox, John Goodman, Joe Mantegna, Bokeem Woodbine, Steve Schirripa, David Arquette, Ron Eldard -- A whole lot of stars, not much action. Mildly amusing, but no great shakes. I think I saw it around 10 years ago. I remember John Goodman and the black widow spiders. A runner (a guy who bets money for a 3rd party) in Las Vegas falls in love with a cocktail waitress. I would rate it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. (1999-R)

S. Darko

Daveigh Chase, Briana Evigan -- An even weirder tale than "Donnie Darko" (at least the first one had all sorts of stars in it). One was made in 2001, and one was made in 2009. The thing is, they are exactly the same (time travel, a preacher that does wrong, and sleepwalking). The only thing that is the same is Daveigh Chase, who plays the sister of Donnie Darko in both productions. I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

Donnie Darko

Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze, Seth Rogen, Noah Wyle, Drew Barrymore, Mary McDonnell, Daveigh Chase -- A really weird tale that has some thing to do with time travel. I liked it, though it is not for everybody. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. (2001-R)

Don McKay

Thomas Haden Chuch, Elisbabeth Shue, Melissa Leo, Keith David -- A really weird tale about some high school janitor going home after 25 years. He finds himself "ensnared in a web of conspiracy, deception and murder". Like I say, a really weird tale. I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

The Last Supper

Cameron Diaz, Courtney Vance, Bill Paxton, Nora Dunn, Mark Harmon, Jason Alexander, Charles Durning, Ron Perlman -- Five friends invite an acquaintance over for dinner. With murderous results - time and time again. It was okay, but no great shakes. I would rate it a 2 3/4 out of 5 stars. (1995-R)

The New Daughter

Kevin Costner, James Gammon, Ivana Baquero -- I recognized Costner ("Dances With Wolves" and "The Untouchables") and Gammon ("Major League" and "Silverado"), but the rest of the actors I didn't know. Horrible for the first hour and a half, but the last 15 minutes were okay. I wouldn't recommend this one! I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars. (2009-PG-13)

Possession

Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lee Pace -- I thought that when I looked at the box cover, a good horror-fest would be forthcoming. (I figured from the producers of "The Grudge" and "The Ring" - what's not to like). What I got was a sore attempt at making a horror film. Don't rent this! I think I saw it on "Lifetime" network a few months ago. I would rate it a 2 1/4 out of 5 stars. (2008-PG-13)

She's Out of My League

Jay Baruchel, Alice Eve, Debra Jo Rupp, Geoff Stults -- Slub of a guy meets perfect 10. Further hijinks ensue. I thought it was all right when just the two of them were together. The other times, it tried to hard. I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

SugarTime

Mary-Louise Parker, John Turturro -- Sam Giancana (John Turturro) , the Chicago mob boss (and some say, the man who got John Kennedy elected), and Phyllis McGuire (Mary-Louise Parker), of the McGuire Sisters, are lovers. End of story. Both Turturro and Parker were absolutely flat. I couldn't wait for it to end! I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (1995-R)

Circle of Pain

Dean Cain (???), Ling Bai, Kimbo Slice, Tony Schiena -- Dean Cain in the worst martial arts movie I have ever seen. "Rocky" was more real in the fight scenes. Shades of WWF. I could tell by the first 20 minutes of it that had "loser" written all over it. I'd give it a 1 1/4 out of 5 stars. (2010-R)

Youth in Revolt

Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Ray Liotta, Justin Long -- A guy (Michael Cera) invents a character to do all his nefarious deeds in order to prove his love for a girl (Portia Doubleday). Along the way, he deals with a cantankerous Mom (Jean Smart), a couple of his mom's boyfriends (Roy Liotta and Zach Galianakis), and a do-nothing Dad (Steve Buscemi). He also eats some mushrooms with his girlfriend's brother (Justin Long). It wasn't Michael Cera's best work, but it was okay. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

Fantastic Mr. Fox

George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Owen Wilson, Willem Dafoe -- Mr. Fox saves everybody. Because that is what foxes do. What the Cuss? I would rate it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2009-PG)

From Paris With Love

John Travolta, Jonathan Rhys Meyers -- This episode pits 007 with agents from S.P.E.C.T.R.E. and a beautiful Russian spy. Bond is sent on a mission to Istanbul, where he must hijack a Russian cypher machine. Wait a second. I'm sorry, it's Paris not Russia. Oops. In this one, John Travolta plays a spy sent to stop a terrorist attack on Paris. He kills a lot of people. But in the end he succeeds. I've liked it, although the first half an hour was dull. I would rate it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

Edge of Darkness

Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston -- I don't like Mel Gibson. As a matter of fact, the last movie I saw was "We Were Soldiers" and last thing I saw that he directed was "The Passion of the Christ". So I have been "sans Mel" for eight years. The reason? I don't like what said about people of the Hebrew faith. (When he got busted for drunk driving.) Well, I saw my first Mel Gibson movie in a long time and it was good. Gibson is a Boston police detective whose daughter is killed before she can expose nuclear secrets. The only thing that I can't understand is the last five minutes. Why don't you see it and help me out. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

The Cry of the Owl

Julia Stiles, Paddy Considine -- the rather convoluted tale of a murder plot. I thought with Julia Stiles in it that it would not be such a bad stinker. I was wrong! Don't rent this movie (it went straight to video)! I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

The Boondock Saints

Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery, Willem Dafoe, Billy Connally -- Italians mobsters vs. Russians mobsters vs. Irish mobsters. And the hits keep comin'. I think I liked the second one better. I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars. (1999-UR)

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day

Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery, Julie Benz, Billy Connolly, and yes, Willem Dafoe -- This time there is a woman FBI agent. And all whole bunch of shoot-'em-ups. Italians versus the Irish in south Boston. Like I say, Eunice Bloom (Julie Benz), the female FBI agent, was cool! The rest of the cast .... Augh. I will have to watch the first "Boondock Saints" again. I would rate it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2009-R)

The Red Baron

Matthias Schweighofer, Lena Headey, Joseph Finnes -- Manfred von Richthofen (Matthias Schweighofer), The Red Baron, and his exploits during World War I. I thought that the battle scenes were cool (although they were done on green screen), but where was Snoopy? I would rate it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2008-PG-13)

Gun Crazy

Peggy Cummins, John Dall, Russ Tamblyn -- A guy (John Dall), a girl (Peggy Cummins), and guns. A Film Noir. Watch for Russ Tamblyn as young (age 14) Bart Tare. A "Bonnie and Clyde" type of story. Originally shot as "Deadly Is the Female". I liked it! I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. (1949-NR)