THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES

Jared Grace (Freddie Highmore) moves into an old house with his family, including his twin brother Simon (also Highmore) and sister Mallory (Sarah Bolger), that they've inherited from their great uncle Arthur Spiderwick. When bizarre things start happening on the estate, Jared finds a book that holds the secret to the mystery, which includes several strange creatures who lurk in the shadows. Based on the bestselling series of books.

With movies like THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES adults must watch with the eyes of a child. Reality must be placed aside and you must believe in the unbelievable things that Hollywood movie magic presents. THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES is a kids/family movie. I tend to grade such movie with the following criteria: When watching a kids/family movie would kids like it as well as the adults watching it with them. In this case, the answer is yes. The film is far from perfect but the special effects are good and I enjoyed the themes of family bonding to be well received. Jamie says "6".

DEFINITELTY, MAYBE

As a father (Ryan Reynolds) goes through a difficult divorce, his young daughter (Abigail Breslin) starts questioning him on his entire romantic history. So, he tells her the tale of the three great loves of his life and she must guess which woman eventually became her mother. Is it the sweet-as-pie girl-next-door Emily (Elizabeth Banks)? His best friend (Isla Fisher)? Or the flaky journalist (Rachel Weisz)?

As chick-flicks go...DEFINITELY, MAYBE won't be difficult for a guy to sit through. Ryan Reynolds is fun to watch as he uncomfortably relates the tall tale of his 3 great loves of his life. Usually I dislike child actors, however, Abigail Breslin has won me over the last 3 years. While watching I kept thinking..."thank GOD Dakota Fanning isn't n this".

The one plot point that I has issue with was that the daughter is approximately 10 years old. This is the very first time she has inquired about how her mother and father met? I give DEFINITELY, MAYBE a "6". The film is simply...OK.

Take note of Isla Fisher. In a post from almost 3 years ago I stated that she was going to be a big star. She's not quit there yet...But she's getting close.

DOOMSDAY

In the future, the aggressive Reaper virus has wiped out most of the Earth's population, and the only way authorities can think to contain it is to wall off infected areas. The plan works for a while, until the virus reappears in non-infected areas years later. That's when a team of specialists led by Eden Sinclair (Rhona Mitra) is forced to drive into the infected areas and figure out a cure before humanity is totally eliminated from the planet.

DOOMSDAY is a cross between Mad Max movies, 28 Days Later, Escape From New York, and any film that takes place in medieval times. DOOMSDAY is crazy fun. Are you squeamish? Don't see this movie. Its very bloody and intense. I hope there's a sequel. Jamie says "7".

THE BANK JOB: The First Really Good Movie of 2008

Terry (Jason Statham) is a car dealer who just wants to put his old crooked life behind him and start all over with a new family. However, when Martine (Saffron Burrows) offers him the job of a lifetime — robbing a bank on London's famous Baker Street — Terry can't resist. After breaking into the bank and stealing cash and jewelry from dozens of safety deposit boxes, only then does Terry find out what he's really being used to steal: sexy photos taken of a royal family member. Based on a true story.

THE BANK JOB is the first really good movie of 2008. As a new release last weekend, it was disappointing to see that it only had the 5th highest gross of the week. It received good reviews for its slick storyline and good performances. Jason Statham has been around now for a decade. A poor-man's Bruce Willis, he is very entertaining to watch. Below, I have his top 5 films. THE BANK JOB is directed by Roger Donaldson...he is a real pro that never gets mentioned as one of this generations great directors. His top 5 directorial efforts are below. THE BANK JOB gets an "8".

Jason Statham's Top 5 Movies

1. The Bank Job

2. The Italian Job

3. The Transporter

4. Cellular

5. Snatch

Roger Donaldson's Top 5 Movies

1. No Way Out

2. Thirteen Days

3. The Bank Job

4. The Recruit

5. White Sands

Vantage Point

When President Ashton (William Hurt) is assassinated while making a speech in Spain, it's up to two Secret Service agents (Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox) to find the culprit. Even though dozens of cameras on-scene, including one held by an American tourist (Forest Whitaker) and ones managed by a TV news producer (Sigourney Weaver), the truth of what happened isn't evidently clear. Even the question of just who was assassinated remains to be settled.

There are some exciting moments in VANTAGE POINT, however, the shtick of the plot gets old quick. The re-telling of the same 20 minutes gets old after the second time. There are 5 or 6 re-tellings of the 20 minutes in question. Each point of view gives the viewer more and more info on who the assassin is.

All of the points of views were a little to gimmicky for me. When it comes down to it, the entire story isn't that exciting. Jamie says "5".

Semi-Pro

Kissing his career good-bye...

In 1976, Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell) is a washed-up one-hit wonder who uses his brief moment of fame and fortune to buy a professional basketball team. He purchases the Flint Michigan Tropics, elevates himself to their top player and quickly transforms the team into the worst franchise in the fledgling ABA league. The Tropics are on the verge of being disbanded when the ABA folds into the NBA, so Jackie must rally his fellow players to actually win a game before they're forced to call it quits.

Will Ferrell's game is getting tired. Semi-Pro is Ferrell's forth foray into the sports genre. The same lame jokes that bombed in Blades of Glory are re-hashed here. Ferrell is slowly joining the "I'm Not Funny" club as its third member...Robin Williams and Whoopie Goldberg are getting lonely. Semi-Pro gets a "1".