You Don't Mess With the Zohan

Tired of all the fighting in his country, legendary Israeli commando Zohan (Adam Sandler) fakes his own death and goes to New York, where he can fulfill his fondest dream: to become a hairstylist. Zohan's sexy way with a cut and curl makes him a hit with Manhattan's women, but when enemy Arabs spot him, Zohan has to call on his military skills if he is ever to wield scissors again

Other than Billy Madison, I don't find Adam Sandler's shtick funny or entertaining. Actually, whenever I tell a fellow movie fan how much I enjoyed Billy Madison I secretly do an inner body cringe. One can't blame someone for thinking it was a childish, sophomoric, dim-witted act in film-making. However, I like it to this day and find myself always sucked it to its silly humor whenever it airs on TBS or TNT.

You Don't Mess With the Zohan is one of many Sandler comedic vehicles that falls flat with me. The premise is dumb and uninteresting. What few laughs exist do not make up for poor acting by Sandler and over acting by his usual band of merry misfits such as Rob Schneider. Has Schneider ever been in a good film?

Over the past few years Adam Sandler has tried his skill in a few dramas. Although those films have not made lots of cash, his performances garnered some good reviews. His act is already old for me. If he wants to keep whatever good will exists between he and his fans, I think he should participate is a few more dramas while his career is still relevant to a select few.

My Top 5 Adam Sandler Films:
1. Spanglish
2. Billy Madison
3. The Wedding Singer
4. Punch Drunk Love
5. Reign Over Me

THE RUINS

Bright sun, warm waters and sandy beaches beckon countless Americans every year, particularly young adults seeking inexpensive fun. Enter Amy and Stacy, two best friends who bring along their very different boyfriends--focused med student Jeff and free-spirited partier Eric. As the group's vacation nears its end, they journey into the lush Mexican jungle in hopes of seeing some ancient Mayan ruins. But when they arrive at the magnificent site, an unexpected event drives the frightened travelers to the top of the crumbling stone structure, where they confront hidden deadly horrors and engage in a brutal battle for survival.

Surprisingly, The Ruins started out as a pretty good horror flick. In fact, it was a better than average horror flick up to the last 60 seconds of the film. The Ruins provide suspense and more than enough "gross-out" scenes (FYI...I watched the un-rated version on DVD) that all good horror films should deliver. Unfortunately, I think the movie studio ran out of cash. During the climatic finish, simply stated...the movie ended. I felt short-changed, not that horror films have a reputation of finishing strong, I still expected more. Although I enjoyed a few aspects of The Ruins, especially of who/what the "bad guy" was or wasn't....the film didn't have enough bang at the end to easily recommend. Jamie says "5".

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army

After an ancient truce existing between humankind and the invisible realm of the fantastic is broken, hell on Earth is ready to erupt. A ruthless leader who treads the world above and the one below defies his bloodline and awakens an unstoppable army of creatures. Now, it’s up to the planet’s toughest, roughest superhero to battle the merciless dictator and his marauders. He may be red. He may be horned. He may be misunderstood. But when you need the job done right, it’s time to call in Hellboy (Ron Perlman). Along with his expanding team in the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense—pyrokinetic girlfriend Liz (Selma Blair), aquatic empath Abe (Doug Jones) and protoplasmic mystic Johann—the BPRD will travel between the surface strata and the unseen magical one, where creatures of fantasy become corporeal. And Hellboy, a creature of two worlds who’s accepted by neither, must choose between the life he knows and an unknown destiny that beckons him.

The first Hellboy was very under-rated. It made a modest haul at the box office and I gave it a "6". After seeing it a few more times...it deserves a "7". Hellboy 2: The Golden Army also gets a "7". Both films have great action sequences and Ron Perlman as Hellboy is great. Make sure to catch both films on DVD.

WANTED

25-year-old Wes (James McAvoy) was the most disaffected, cube-dwelling drone the planet had ever known. Until he met a woman named Fox (Angelina Jolie). After his estranged father is murdered, the deadly sexy Fox recruits Wes into the Fraternity, a secret society that trains Wes to avenge his dad’s death by unlocking his dormant powers. As she teaches him how to develop lightning-quick reflexes and phenomenal agility, Wes discovers this team lives by an ancient, unbreakable code: carry out the death orders given by fate itself. With wickedly brilliant tutors—including the Fraternity’s enigmatic leader, Sloan (Morgan Freeman)—Wes grows to enjoy all the strength he ever wanted. But, slowly, he begins to realize there is more to his dangerous associates than meets the eye. Wes will come to learn what no one could ever teach him: he alone controls his destiny.

Wanted is an odd action movie. It's a cross between The Bourne series of films and at the same time has elements from The Matrix. I was pleasantly surprise to learn that Jolie only had a supporting role as the assassin Fox. I've feel that Jolie is over exposed and over-rated. She does a poor job in Wanted. Part of the problem is that she is so skinny in this film, she actually looks sickly. She is very unappealing on screen and for that matter off screen also.

I like James McAvoy. Over the past few years he has built his resume up quit nicely. The plot of this film fits him because in reality...McAvoy is very small in stature. Although I like him, I can't see him doing other action movies like this one. Wanted is a good theater film with lots of action. Leave your brain at the door and enjoy the ride. Jamie says "6".