Jack the Giant Slayer

Jack the Giant Slayer (PG-13) 2013

Directed by Bryan Singer

Starring:  Nicholas Hoult, Eleanor Tomlinson, Stanley Tucci, Ian McShane, Bill Nighy, Ewan McGregor, Eddie Marsan, Ewen Bremner, Christopher Fairbank and Warwick Davis

Here We Go:  The classic story of Jack and the Beanstalk gets a special effects makeover for this larger than life giants vs. humans face-off.  The scale of this movie is impressive and the story all makes sense, but there is just something about this movie that is just a little underwhelming.  The action/fighting scenes are pretty cool and love interest angle is predictable but sweet enough.  There's just something that was missing.  I guess there's just too much predictability and not enough twist, but I can see how kids would like this.

Bottom Line:  Watch it if you need a time killer or if you're sick of playing with your Legos - but only if it's free.

Mirror Mirror

Mirror Mirror (PG) 2012

Directed by Tarsem Singh

Starring:  Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane, Mare Winningham, Michael Lerner, Sean Bean, Danny Woodburn, Martin Klebba, Sebastian Saraceno, Jordan Prentice, Mark Povinelli, Joe Gnoffo, Ronald Lee Clark and Robert Emms

Here We Go:  This version of the Snow White story finds Snow White (Colins) running from her evil stepmother (Roberts) to the helping hands of a scrappy group of dwarfish thieves.  The dwarfs teach Snow White how to use the art of thieving to win back her kingdom and free her people from the Queen's tyranny.  Of course, the basic story line of this fairy tale is true to form; however, this version is very refreshing!  It is colorful, feisty, funny and fun!  Children and adults will get lost in this magically whimsical world, the costumes are amazing and the Indie number at the end puts a charming cherry on top.

Bottom Line:  Grab some popcorn, because this one is one to watch!

300

300 (2007) R

Directed by Zach Snyder

Starring: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Dominic West, David Wenham,Vincent Regan, Michael Fassbender, Tom Wisdom, Andrew Pleavin, Andrew Tiernan, Rodrigo Santoro, Stephen McHattie, and Alex Ivanovici

Here We Go: This is one of history’s most interesting, heroic and inspiring stories and, for some reason, Hollywood felt the need to add monsters to it.  While it is loosely based on the facts surrounding the real battle at Thermoplyae, some liberties are taken for dramatic effect.  Those would have been fine had they limited the liberties to human beings.  The real battle involved 7,000 Greeks holdings off an army of 100,000 – 300,000 for seven days.  That doesn’t need monsters for dramatic effect.  Let me say that again: 7,000 vs. perhaps 300,000. Being outnumbered 42:1 is terrifying – no supernatural creatures needed.  History aside, Gerard Butler is very good as King Leonidas and the final scene with Dilios leading the Spartans into the battle of Plataea will give you chills.

Bottom Line: Historical inaccuracies aside, this movie is definitely worth watching (but we’re looking forward to Hollywood telling the real story of Thermoplyae).

Rat Race

Rat Race (2001) PG-13

Directed by Jerry Zucker

Starring:  John Cleese, Rowan Atkinson, Whoopi Goldberg, Cuba Gooding Jr., Seth Green, Jon Lovitz, Breckin Meyer, Amy Smart, Kathy Najimy, and Dean Cain

Here We Go:  A group of people are selected by a wacky rich guy to race each other from Vegas to a train station in New Mexico, and whoever gets there first gets $2 million.  The obstacles that these characters encounter along their way are hysterical.  This movie has everything from Lucille Ball impersonators to a Jewish family riding around in Hitler's car.  Sure, some of the comedy bits are absurd and cheeky, but sometimes it's that light, comedic absurdity that really triggers the funny bone.  Jon Lovitz couldn't have done more to make me laugh - his facial expressions alone are classic.  If you're looking for an easy and light movie that offers plenty of laughs, this is the movie.

Bottom Line:  Watch it!  It's just plain funny.