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The X-Files: I Want to Believe (The X Files 2)

2.5 Stars

I wanted to believe, but alas, I couldn't. The Truth Is Out There...this film is a huge disappointment. It's a slow boring piece that reeks of a bad episode of the popular series. I was hoping this film would offer something intriguing, something dealing with earthshaking or otherworldly concepts, as the best tv episodes did; instead I got a dull, slow-paced kidnapping story with poor acting by the series' stars. They should have hung it up years ago, instead they tarnished a great show's memory. Stay Home.


Alyn Darnay
Chaos Films

AMERICAN TEEN

Starring: Colin Clemens, Hannah Bailey, Jake Tusing, Megan Krizmanich, and Mitch Reinholt

Directed by: Nanette Burstein

Rated PG-13 for some strong language, sexual material, some drinking, and brief smoking all involving teens

By John Delia

Summing up American Teen in a few words I would have to say ‘unrealistic, yet interesting.’ It’s a documentary about teens attending high school and letting everyone watch their lives play out over a school year, but without the cameras in their faces, I don’t know if director Burstein would have achieved the same resulting responsiveness of her characters. It’s the chance you take when you document any subject, but I think she missed the mark in American Teen as to the teen’s believability and sincerity.

The documentary follows the lives of five high school teenagers of different popularity and aspirations who in some way or another affect each other. There’s Colin a jock and star of the basketball team with a college sports scholarship on the line who’s being pressured by his team and his family to perform; the attractive and smart Hannah who happens to also be an outcast; then there’s the school nerd Jake who seems to have a set future even if he can’t seem to fit in with his fellow classmates, but the most popular is Megan who as student council VP who on top of smarts has wealth and beauty; and rounding out the final five is Mitch another member of the basketball team, his popularity is clouded by the choices he makes, especially his attraction to Hannah. During the school year we see their trials and tribulations, as they get involved with school tasks, events and their private lives.

To me it was like having the students in a fishbowl and being an outside observer of five persons coming of age and living out their goals and aspirations. Even in their daily lives, the camera follows some of their most intimate moments forcing the viewer to become a spectator to their private world. It is hard to explain, that even though the film is interesting, it is also disturbing in that the teens were not ‘movie stars’ playing out a script but ‘guinea pigs’ in an experiment that for some of them should not be repeated.

And actually I really don’t know what Burstein accomplished with her documentary other than a possible teen audience that may or may not ‘see themselves’ in the characters on the screen. Was it entertainment, maybe, in a dull voyeuristic kind of way?

If you’re a teen and are forced to take your younger sibling along, please note that there is some strong language, drinking and sexual material in the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: American Teen is an interesting experiment that may be fun for high school teens. 2 of 5 stars

A review of this movie.

Review of this movie.

Review of this good movie.

Alyn's Pick of the Month
Alyn Darnay - Chaos Films

Step Brothers
4 Stars

Hilarious and raunchy, this film filled with over-the-top performances by fearless actors is a fun fest of bad taste. Will Farrell and John C. Reilly comfortably join together again, this time to explore the relationship of first time 40 year old step brothers who have never grown past the age of 12, and they do it to perfection without a single misstep.

Every character is a comic gem in this wild romp, especially Kathryn Hahn (The Last Mimzy) as Ferrell's brother's wife. If you like Ferrell/Apatow style humor, you'll love this film.


Pineapple Express
4 Stars

A classic stoner comedy mixed with a buddy film and a touch of action/adventure. Seth Rogen is generating big laughs again only this time there's a constant joint hanging from his mouth and a buddy, James Franco, attached to his hip. On the run from everyone including themselves, these two likable losers are barely able to stay straight long enough to keep ahead of the bad guys. Great comic performances all around with stand out Danny McBride (Foot Fist Way) as the indestructible drug dealer Red. If you like this kind of stoner humor, the film was made for you. It's very well made and at times hysterically funny.

THE WACKNESS
(Running Time: 95 min; Rated: R)


FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS

Reviewed by Denise Castillón

GROWING UP’S “THE WACKNESS” IN THIS ‘DOPE’ COMING-OF-AGE FILM

In Jonathan Levine’s uniquely moving and very funny sophomore film, The Wackness, an awkward drug-dealing teenager, (JOSH PECK) is mentored through his education on love, sex, and adulthood by his equally depressed shrink, (SIR BEN KINGSLEY).

Set nostalgically in the summer of 1994, the emerging Hip Hop music movement permeates throughout the New Yorks’ city streets, as does Mayor Giuliani’s radical crime prevention campaign.

Among his high school peers, Luke, a drug dealer, is more popular for his merchandise than his personality. Through bartered services with Dr. Squires, a pill-popping, weed-smoking psychiatrist, Luke works out his feelings of isolation and frustration. His is disappointed by his childish parents, (TALIA BALSAM and DAVID WOHL), and has a crush on Dr. Squires’ step-daughter, Stephanie (OLIVIA THIRLBY), a girl out of his league. Meanwhile, Dr. Squires attempts to resuscitate his loveless marriage with his wife, (FAMKE JANSSEN).

Their strong friendship transforms both drug dealer and shrink, to the point that their roles merge, and then reverses.

The brilliant performances between Ben Kingsley and Josh Peck, as well as amongst Josh Peck and Olivia Thirlby, are both amusing and profoundly touching.

The films’ superb acting is further sustained by cast members Method Man (Garden State), Luke’s Jamaican drug supplier, Mary-Kate Olsen (Factory Girl) and Jane Adams (Little Children), as troubled dopers.

Written and directed by Jonathan Levine (All the Boys Love Mandy Lane). Produced by

Keith Calder, Felipe Marino and Joe Neurauter. Edited by Josh Noyes. Cinematography directed by Petra Korner. Distributed by Sony Picture Classics.

Review of this good movie.

MAMA MIA

Starring: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Stellan Skarsgard and Dominic Cooper

Directed by: Phyllida Lloyd

Rated PG-13 for some sex-related comments

By John Delia

I really enjoyed Mama Mia, a wonderful musical that’s got a lot going for it including a good cast, excellent direction and an amazing location. The lively movie features most all of ABBA’s best hits. Much like Sex in the City this film’s audience has a direct link to females, but males should enjoy Mama Mia much better than the ultimate chick flick.

20-year-old Sophie (Seyfried) is preparing to marry her boyfriend Sky (Cooper) at her mother's (Streep as Donna) hotel on an island in Greece. She seemingly has it all; a carefree life, loving boyfriend and happy friends but one thing has been missing all her life; a father. Her only wish now is to be given away by her dad at her wedding. By reading her mother's diary she discovers that she has three possible fathers (Firth, Brosnan and Skarsgard). Sophie then secretly invites all three men in a desperate bid to discover which of them is her father before the wedding bells start to chime! But not all goes to plan, old loves are re-kindled, new loves are formed and Sophie risks everything to discover the true identity of her father.

Making the film fun and lively, Streep, Walters and Baranski step it up with some great performances both in singing and dancing. For the wedding, Donna (Streep) invites her two best friends Rosie (Walters) and Tanya (Baranski). The three steal the show with their antics. I loved the bachelor-ette party where the three find themselves the belles of the event, singing and dancing the night away.

The music of Mama Mia comes from the legendary singers ABBA with songs like Dancing Queen, Fernando, Take a Chance on Me and of course the title song. The group’s songs have survived through the years and are still hits on many radio stations. The toe tapping sounds makes the film uplifting and fun. Most of all I thought that Streep was amazing good with all her numbers and should be honored for her performance. On a down note, Brosnan was not so good and crooned a little off key at times. But, who cares, since it’s Brosnan and the ex-James Bond guy can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned.

The real winner of the film is the location in Greece where the film was shot. The amazingly beautiful island made me want to start saving for a vacation to the enchanted land. If there was a category in the Oscars for ‘best locations’ this film would surly win the grand award.

FINAL ANALYSIS: If you love musicals, don’t miss the uplifting Mama Mia

SPACE CHIMPS

Starring (voices of) Andy Samberg, Jeff Daniels, Cheryl Hines, Kenan Thompson, Stanley Tucci, Kristin Chenoweth and Patrick Warburton

Directed by: Kirk DeMicco

Rated G

By John Delia

The good thing about the animated comedy Space Chimps is that it plays to both child and adult levels. The story may be a little silly, but the fun of it being played out on the big screen makes it a winner. Topped off with some great one-liners, the adults will be laughing as much as the kids. And best of all there’s no offensive language or other unpleasant things to which children should not be exposed.

The story surrounds Ham III, grandson of the first astronaut chimp that blasted into space leading the way to manned space flight. Ham III has lived in his grandfather’s shadow and has used the relationship to further his career as a stunt chimp in the circus.

In an attempt to land a probe on a far distant planet, the U.S. Space Administration’s spaceship enters a wormhole and lands on a planet but looses its signal. If this project fails, space exploration will suffer a major setback. Not wanting to risk human astronauts that will have to traverse the wormhole in order to get to the probe and get it working, they decide to use chimps. When they hear that Ham III is working with a circus, they recruit the reluctant slacker chimp for the space adventure. But, retrieving the space probe is harder than they expected, especially since the evil dictator Zartog (Daniels) on the planet is using it as his way to control the population and loving it.

The voices of the characters are amazingly good and their performances make the film work. Combined with a snappy script, the film plays on both adult and child levels making the film a great fun. The one-lines from Titan (Warburton) like ‘Chimp off the old block,’ ‘glob happens,’ and ‘I picked a bad week to go off bananas,’ are hilarious coming from the commander chimp who has the duty of getting the astronauts safely back to Earth.

The animation of Space Chimps is really well done, but should have been made in 3D. You can see that at many times there are a lot of things coming at the screen and probably was the intention of the makers to attempt the process, but although it does not distract, I believe it would have been a more magical experience if they had it in 3D.

If you go see this film, make sure you take children along, as they will help with the laughter in scenes with which you probably would just be entranced. There are a lot of great alien beings and some fun adventure situations.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Go see Space Chimps it’s a fun film that should make you laugh no matter how old you are.

ALICE’S HOUSE (A CASA DE ALICE)

Brazil (2007); Portuguese, with English Subtitles

Running Time: 92 min; Unrated

THREE OUT OF FIVE STARS

Reviewed by Denise Castillón

A HOME CROWDED WITH FAMILY SECRETS

A subtle film about a woman, trapped by her everyday life, attempts to escape her deceitful family’s disregard by betraying them.

Alice and her elderly mother live under the control of Alice’s husband, and her three grown sons in a cramp apartment outside of San Paolo, Brazil. Alice works long hours as a manicurist at a salon, while her mother runs the home, including all the cooking, cleaning and laundry. The women may overlook the men’s deceptions, ranging from infidelity to thievery; because they have secrets of there own.

After reuniting with her childhood flame, who’s now rich, but married, Alice considers an affair to flee her dead marriage.

For her poignant portrayal of Alice, Carla Ribas won multiple awards for best actress. Exceptional performances also delivered by Zécarlos Machado as the callous husband, and Berta Zemel as the neglected grandmother.

Also starring, Vinicius Zinn, Ricardo Vilaça, Felipe Massuia, Renata Zhaneta and Luciano Quirino.

Directed by Chico Teixeira. Screenplay written by Chico Teixeira, Julio Pessoa, Sabina Anzuategui and Marcelo Gomes. Produced by Patrick Leblanc and Zita Carvalhosa.

Released by FiGa Films.

Upcoming releases:

July 18th 2008 - FLORIDA

Miami - Cosford Cinema

Palm Beach Gardens - BMC-PGA Cinema 6

July 25th 2008 – NEW YORK

Ithaca - Cornell Cinema

THE DARK KNIGHT (Running Time: 150 min; Rated: PG-13)

FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS

Reviewed by Denise Castillón







NO JOKE! “THE DARK KNIGHT” IS NOT JUST ANOTHER COMIC BOOK MOVIE!

On top of intensely entertaining this summer’s movie-going audiences, the quality of The Dark Knight will delight discerning film lovers as well.

Christopher Nolan masterfully follows-up his film, Batman Begins, which established the dark origins of millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne’s disguised dual life as the crime-fighting Batman. His sequel progresses through the ripened storyline direction he co-wrote with David S. Goyer, and from his screenplay collaboration with brother, Jonathan Nolan.

The massive and action-packed opening scene introduces the viciously unscrupulous villain, “The Joker”, magnificently portrayed by Heath Ledger. The Oscar-talk, regarding Heath Ledger’s outstanding performance deserving a posthumous award for best actor, is not just hype.

Batman (CHRISTAIN BALE) and Lieutenant Jim Gordon (GARY OLDMAN) form a secret alliance to strike against escalating crime and their leaders. They soon include newly-elected District Attorney Harvey Dent (AARON ECKHART) in their plan to eliminate organized crime from Gotham City. Instead, the crime lords are unsettled by the arrival of brutal criminal mastermind dressed up like a freakish clown, “The Joker” (HEATH LEDGER). The intimidated gang leaders submit to the Joker’s nefarious agenda, which includes terrorizing the citizens of Gotham City, until Batman agrees to publicly unmask himself.

With her relationship now ended with Bruce Wayne, Rachel Dawes (now played by MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL), is presently romantically involved with her new boss, “The White Knight” Harvey Dent. The tough and strong-minded Assistant DA remains Bruce’s moral compass and loyal friend, despite her knowledge of his vigilante activities performed as Batman. His closest confidantes, Alfred (MICHAEL CAINE), and the ever-resourceful Lucius Fox (MORGAN FREEMAN), continue to mentor Bruce Wayne/Batman as he evolves into “The Dark Knight”.

Beyond the main plot, there are several other minor storylines with distinctive characters, ranging from corrupt cops to a criminal leader, who unexpectedly demonstrates a courageous act of humanity. Nevertheless, the film’s running time of two and a half hours speeds dizzying along.

Now almost commonplace in this year’s movie releases are disparaging references to contemporary U.S. politics. As for The Dark Knight, current governmental wire-tapping policies can easily seem inferred, when Batman enhances Lucius Fox’s sonar device to enable visual surveillance of Gotham City through each of its citizen’s wireless phone.

THE DARK KNIGHT’S dramatic opening title sequence of as well as other major action sequences were filmed with IMAX® cameras. This is the first feature to mix both traditional 35 mm and large-format in one film.

"The Dark Knight" is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. BATMAN was created by Bob Kane. Story by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer. Screenplay written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan. Directed by Christopher Nolan. Cinematography directed by Wally Pfister. Production designed by Nathan Crowley. Visual effects supervised by Nick Davis. Special effects supervised by Chris Corbould. Costumes designed by Lindy Hemming.

Produced by Charles Roven, Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan. Executive produced by Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull.

Distributed worldwide, by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theatres and IMAX.

Review of the movie SPACE CHIMPS.

Review of the movie MAMA MIA.

On the set of G E D the movie with Taye Hansberry.

Great Interview with actor FAIZON LOVE!

Review of the new Eddie Murphy movie.

HELLBOY II: The Golden Army
(Running Time: 110 min; Rated: PG-13)

Reviewed by Denise Castillón
Guillermo del Toro returns with a fresh and enhanced storyline for the his devilish comic book hero movie sequel, HELLBOY 2: The Golden Army, starting with using a bedtime fairytale to provide the plot’s backstory.
A hidden mythical world is led into a rebellion against mankind by Elf Prince Nuada (LUKE GOSS). Hellboy (RON PERLMAN) and his team, including love interest Liz (SELMA BLAIR) and Abe (voice by DOUG JONES) combat villainous creatures, such as flesh-eating tooth fairies and the titular Golden Army of indestructible, mechanical soldiers. The special paranormal squad is further aided by their new agent-in-charge, Johann Krauss (voice by SETH MACFARLANE) and Prince Nuada’s empathic twin sister, Princess Nuala (ANNA WALTON).

A romantic subplot reveals relationship troubles between Hellboy and Liz, and heart pangs for Abe. There’s an especially touching and fun musical moment between Hellboy and Abe.
Based on the comic book story by Mike Mignola. Screenplay written and directed by Guillermo del Torro. Produced by Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Mike Mignola and Joe Roth. Executive produced by Chris Symes. Cinematography directed by Guillermo Navarro. Film edited by Bernat Vilaplana. Production designed by Stephen Scott. Special Effects supervised by Brent Baker, Leo Burton, Michael Dawson and Manex Efrem.

MEET DAVE

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Elizabeth Banks, Gabrielle Union, Scott Caan, Ed Elms, Kevin Hart, and Austyn Myers

Directed by: Brian Robbins

Rated PG for bawdy and suggestive humor, action and some language.

By John Delia

The goof’s are sneaking through the cracks and the first one to hit the screen is Meet Dave, a trite film featuring nonsensical comedy. It reminded me of Murphy’s earlier flop The Adventures of Pluto Nash, which nose-dived at the box-office and rightly so. If there is any redeeming value in Meet Dave it’s the audience that it will attract; 6 to 9 year olds whose parents need some time to chill out while their youngsters laugh till their noses bleed.
Meet Dave goes something like this. A special sphere that will suck the salt out off Earth’s oceans and send it back to a far off planet that thrives on the spice hits New York City, but not where it was intended. Instead of falling in the ocean it ends up in the home of Josh (Myers) who stuffs it in his backpack.
The spaceship Dave arrives in New York lead by Captain (Murphy) on their quest to find the orb and throw it into the Ocean. Not knowing enough about Earthlings (although they already look like them and talk like them) Dave the spaceship roams the New York streets getting into some dumb situations until he finally meets up with Josh. When Dave finds out that the orb was taken from Josh by some bullies, the two start out to retrieve the item. Along the way the two get into some comical situations and the Captain gets ‘googly’ over Josh’s mom Gina (Banks). When the police get involved, thing go down hill for Dave.
Even though the film does have an audience, it is sad to see Murphy in a role that makes him look dumb. Looking wild and crazy is better for Murphy playing characters like Donkey in Shrek. What happened to the Murphy that did Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places, Coming to America and 48 Hrs.? In his hey day, no comedian could top Murphy’s talent. To add insult to injury, they wasted the fine talent of Gabrielle Union by having her play a part way below her stature. As number 3 she stammer around inside the Dave spaceship while backing Captain in all his decisions until you find out that she’s (well, I can’t give that away because it is the only adult plot point in the film.)
When you get past all the poop, nose and ingestion jokes, your children may start to ease off on the popping up an down. That’s when you can chill out and amuse yourself wondering why the film was made. There’s some language and suggestive humor in the film so be cautions when taking the very, very young.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Meet Dave, a film full of nonsense, has little going for it. (1 of 5 stars)

Review of the best comic book movie of the year.

BRICK LANE
United Kingdom / English & Some Bengali with English Subtitles
Running Time: 102 min; Rated: PG-13
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
Reviewed by Denise Castillón

A Still Yet Moving Cinematic Journey Down BRICK LANE

An eloquent portrayal of the inner isolation of a Muslim woman living in foreign country delivered by one of India’s leading actresses, Tannishtha Chatterjee in BRICK LANE.

At 17, an arranged marriage to an older man, in faraway London, tears Nazneen (TANNISHTHA CHATTERJEE) away from her beloved home, Bangladesh, and adored younger sister, Hasina.

Now a dutiful wife and mother, Nazneen has made a home for her foolishly idealist husband, Chanu (SATISH KAUSHIK), and her two teen-aged daughters, in East London’s multi-cultural neighborhood known as Brick Lane.

Long-term plans for the whole family’s eventual return to Bangladesh are jeopardized, when her husband quits his job to protest his pass over for a promotion. This is particularly upsetting for Nazneen, who has been quietly and persistently suffering from homesickness. The long-distance letters she receives from her sister not only fueled her nostalgia, but, on reading about her sister’s romantic life, also has created a longing for the same experience of love.

Highly motivated to return to her homeland, Nazneen steps out of the shadows and starts a home business sewing mass-produced garments. The young, handsome Karim (CHRISTOPHER SIMPSON) delivers her weekly assignments. Slowly, with each visit, their attraction develops into a passionate love affair.

Then, two commercial airline planes hit the Twin Towers in New York City.

Directed by Sarah Gavron. Produced by Alison Owen and Christopher Collins. Executive Produced by Tessa Ross, Paula Jalfon, Duncan Reid and Paul Trijbits. Written by Abi Morgan and Laura Jones. Photography directed by Robbie Ryan. A Red Rudy Film Production. Released by Sony Classics.

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH 3D
(Running Time: 92 min/Rated: PG)
Three Out of Five Stars
Reviewed by Denise Castillón

MAKE YOUR NEXT FAMILY TRIP A “JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH”

Like amusement park roller-coasters, the movie JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH 3D is great family entertainment. Just as long as every family member is tall enough to fit their seat, -and old enough for the movie’s PG rating “for intense adventure action and some scary moments”! At unexpected times, you will squirm and jump out of your seat, -thanks to the movies’ spectacular 3D digital effects, while being transported to a fantastic new world full of exotic creatures living beneath the earth’s surface.

Solitary bachelor and eccentric science professor, Trevor Anderson (BRENDAN FRASER), minds his apathetic teenaged nephew, Sean (JOSH HUTCHERSON) for his sister-in-law for a couple of weeks. In attempt to interest Sean in science, Trevor brings him to his research laboratory. Once there, Trevor observes that the Earth is displaying the same seismic conditions that occurred at the time when his brother, and Sean’s father, vanished, without a trace, ten years ago. Analyzing his findings, Trevor determines his brother traveled to Iceland at the time of his disappearance. With the single-minded purpose of finding his missing brother, Trevor reluctantly brings Sean along for the journey. Once in Iceland, they hire a beautiful and capable mountain guide, Hannah (ANITA BRIEM), and all three embark on an adventure of a lifetime and discover a world thought only to be merely conceived by the imagination of a storyteller.

Based on the classic science-fiction fantasy novel by Jules Verne, JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH is the first live-action feature film to be shot and released entirely in the newest digital 3D format, REAL D.

JOURNEY 3D is the part of a whole batch of upcoming three-dimensional movies. This modern new wave of 3-D pictures are seen by the movie studios as their best game plan to improve theater attendance and box-office grossess. Today’s 3-D digital systems require major financial investments, both by the studios and theater owners. To produce such films, a 3D camera is used to simultaneously record separate left and right-eye images onto two filmstrips – one for each eye. To project the REAL D format, IMAX theaters and other 3D-equipped movie auditoriums require a 3-D digital projector, which alternates the two polarized images clockwise and counterclockwise at 144 frames per second. The theaters also need a special silver screen, or IMAX screen, which is designed with a slight curve to integrate the audience’s peripheral vision. Until 3-D display technology is successfully developed, polarized 3D glasses are still necessary to fuse the two images together and create a single, larger-than-life image and the sensation of being “in” the movie.

Directed by Academy Award-winning visual effects veteran Eric Brevig (TOTAL RECALL, PEARL HARBOR), from a screenplay by Michael Weiss and Jennifer Flackett & Mark Levin. Produced by large-format film producer Charlotte Huggins. A co-venture between New Line Cinema and Walden Media.

A review of this movie.

A Review of this 3d movie.

THE RUINS DVD

Starring: Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramsey and Joe Anderson

Directed By: Carter Smith

Unrated contains: violence, language, gore, nudity and sexuality

By John Delia

Not being a huge fan of horror I was surprised when I came up liking The Ruins. The film has a story that’s very creepy, chilling and with today’s modern special effects, very scary. If you like your horror with a supernatural ingredient then The Ruins is a must see DVD.

The movie centers on a group of college friends who are on vacation in Mexico when they run into a young German tourist Mathias (Anderson) who tells them of an ancient Mayan pyramid dig his brother is working. Peaking the interest of Jeff (Tucker) and Eric (Ashmore) the two convince Stacy (Ramsey) and Amy (Malone) to take the side trip for their last day in Mexico. With Mathias as their guide, they go to the ruin. Arriving at the site in the thick jungle, the group gets surrounded by Mexicans who seem to be protecting the ancient temple. But, when they realize that the locals are not there to protect, but to prevent something very disturbing from being spread, the college kids are forced into inescapable terror.

The wonderful acting by the young newcomers adds a lot to the movie experience. Under the able direction of Smith, the performances by Malone, Ashmore and Ramsey provide a new dimension in fright. Although special effects and make-up play a large part in the grotesqueness of many scenes, the actor’s expressions of horror and terror make for some very morbid entertainment.

The film does borrow from some horror films of the past, but the way The Ruins incorporates the elements makes for more terrifying entertainment. I was jolted a few times when Amy and Stacy are trapped in the interior of the pyramid. And when night falls, the creepiness of their attackers gave me a chill. Add to this some very inventive gore and you have a weird treat for those that love their horror bloody and nasty.

The bonus features in The Ruins are slim, but interesting. There are some deleted scenes that should have been left in the original theatrical showing as one of them gives more depth to the characters and the alternate ending to me was a lot more disturbing. The behind the scenes featurette is a must see, but not until you have seen the movie as there are some spoilers.

The film contains nudity, sex, language, violence, gore and brutality and should only be viewed by responsible adults.

FINAL ANALYSIS: The Ruins is near the top of my fright list for 2008 and I highly recommend it as a must see for horror fans. (3.5 of 5 stars)

A review of this good movie.

A review of this good action movie.

A review of this good action movie.

SACHA BARON COHEN AND WILL FERRELL
DETECT NEW COMEDY BASED ON CHARACTERS OF
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND WATSON
FOR COLUMBIA PICTURES

--Judd Apatow and Jimmy Miller to Produce--

CULVER CITY, Calif., July 2, 2008 ­ Comedy superstars Sacha Baron Cohen and
Will Ferrell will team together for a Columbia Pictures comedy based on the
renowned characters Sherlock Holmes and Watson, with Baron Cohen taking the
role of the master detective and Ferrell as his partner in solving crime,
Watson, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach, presidents
of Columbia Pictures. The screenplay will be written by Etan Cohen (Tropic
Thunder). Judd Apatow and Jimmy Miller will produce.

The film will re-team Baron Cohen and Ferrell after their collaboration on
the 2006 box office hit Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. The
Sherlock Holmes characters by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle will inspire the
screenplay, which will use the works as a starting point for the comedy.

Commenting on the announcement, Tolmach said, ³Just the idea of Sacha and
Will as Sherlock Holmes and Watson makes us laugh. Sacha and Will are two
of the funniest and most talented guys on the planet and having them take
on these two iconic characters is frankly hilarious.²

SACHA BARON COHEN most recently appeared opposite Johnny Depp for director
Tim Burton in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Baron Cohen was, until recently, best known to the public as his alter ego
Ali G, the in-your-face host of HBO's popular multiple Emmy Award-
nominated comedy variety/talk show "Da Ali G Show." The show was already
the #1 comedy phenomenon in Baron Cohen's native England when he brought it
to the United States, where it became an instant sensation on HBO. After
completing two seasons, Baron Cohen set out to conquer the world with
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of
Kazakhstan, a feature film starring his second alter ego Borat Sagdiyev, a
Kazakhstani news reporter. Baron Cohen earned the Golden Globe for Best
Actor in a Comedy or Musical for his performance, as well as an Academy
Award® nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Baron Cohen's past film projects include the hit feature comedy Talladega
Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby which co-starred Will Ferrell and John C.
Reilly, and voicing King Julien, the lead character in DreamWorks
Animation's Madagascar, which grossed over $500 million worldwide. He is
set to reprise the role in the sequel to the animated hit.


WILL FERRELL has come a long way since his days on ³Saturday Night Live,²
crossing over from television icon to motion picture star shortly after
joining the ³SNL² cast in 1995.

He will next star in Step Brothers, which reunites him with his Talladega
Nights co-star John C. Reilly and director Adam McKay. Ferrell also
executive produces the project, co-wrote the screenplay with McKay, and
co-wrote the story with McKay and Reilly.

He most recently starred in Semi-Pro and just completed production on the
adventure/comedy Land of the Lost, set for release next summer. Prior to
that, in 2007, he starred in the comedy hit Blades of Glory with Jon Heder.
The film took in over $118 million at the box office.

In 2006, Ferrell demonstrated that his dramatic gifts equal his comedic
talents, earning his second Golden Globe nomination (Best Actor in a Comedy
or Musical) for his portrayal of IRS agent Harold Crick in Stranger than
Fiction, starring opposite Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah and
Maggie Gyllenhaal for director Marc Forster.

Earlier that year, Ferrell starred in the hit comedy Talladega Nights: The
Ballad of Ricky Bobby, with co-stars John C. Reilly and Sacha Baron Cohen.
Earning nearly $150 million at the U.S. box office, the film became the
season¹s #1 comedy (non-animated) and set records on DVD.

In the summer of 2004, Ferrell starred in the comedy Anchorman: The Legend
of Ron Burgundy for DreamWorks Pictures, which grossed over $85 million
domestically. Ferrell co-wrote the script with ³SNL² writer Adam McKay.
Judd Apatow (³Freaks and Geeks²) produced, with David O. Russell (Three
Kings) executive producing. Ferrell portrayed Ron Burgundy, a 1970s
anchorman with an inflated ego threatened by the arrival of an ambitious
female newscaster who, unlike him, has mastered journalism.


ETAN COHEN is one of the most sought after comedy minds in the business.
Named one of Variety's "10 Screenwriter to Watch" in 2006, Cohen has
written projects for some of the movies¹ biggest directors and stars,
including Jay Roach, Mike Judge, Ben Stiller and Will Ferrell.

Cohen recently wrote "Tropic Thunder"(Paramount) with Ben Stiller and
Justin Theroux which is set for release on Friday, August 15th and is also
one of the writers on Madagascar 2" (DreamWorks) set for release Friday,
November 7th.

A review of this good action movie.