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Directed by: Frank Miller. Drama, Action, Fantasy. Starring: Gabriel Mecht, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johannson, Eva Mendes, Louis Lombardi. Drama

SYNOPSIS: THE SPIRIT GOES AGAINST THE OCTOPUSS, HIS ARCHENEMY AND THE EVIL GENIUS CRIME LORD OF THE CITY, LITTLE DOES HE KNOW HE HAS VERY MUCH IN COMMON WITH OCTOPUSS.

Well, o.k. Wow. Not sure how I really feel about this one. Strong feelings both ways, actually. (Guess I have to be a little clearer than that, don't I?) The thing is, I'm not really positive about how to accurately tell you what I thought about this one. Did I like it, you might ask? It was o.k. Did I think it was a good movie? Nope, can't say that. Did I think it was a bad movie? Nope, can't say that. Was it mediocre, you might then ask? (Impatiently) Can't say that, either.

O.k., here goes. Visually, its stunning. Those of you who like the "comic book come to life" effect that worked so well in Sin City & Max Payne will want to check this one out on visual effect/cinematography alone. I do think the preoccupation with the color red is a little over the top, but that was kind of the point.

But, alas, when you get right down to it, this flick, its impressive cast notwithstanding, is just not as good a flick as Max Payne and its not even close to being as good as Sin City.

The chief problem, in my humble opinion, is the story. And what is wrong with the story, you might ask?

Well, there wasn't much of one. Or at least one that can be easily discerned, followed, or is very interesting. Now, having said that, I will say that there are some very good scenes. And, when you have actors like Samuel L. Jackson (Basic, 187) playing the arch enemy Octopuss along with Scarlett Johansson (Just Cause, Black Dahlia) playing his faithful sidekick, you're going to walk out of the theater or eject the DVD with some indelible, if slightly ridiculous, images in your mind.

The sight of the two of them dressed in Nazi garb, for example, while they explain their wicked plans and attempt to use the Spirit (Gabriel Mecht) for the evil deed is something that is hard to describe.

As is most of the movie, as I've said before. It is probably appropriate that such a visually stunning movie has not one, but two, stunning cast members in Johansson and the Spirit's childhood flame gone bad (Eva Mendes, The Women, Stuck On You) ( I know, ladies, I know...that is just the male point of view. But, its the only view I've got. I realize some of you probably won't mind looking at Messrs. Mecht or Jackson during the flick) But, once again, an actor like Ms. Mendes is not only visually stunning, but very talented and, in my view, once you see her in this flick you will not think of it as one of her better performances.

Mecht is o.k. as the Spirit, a kind of cartoonish caricature of the good guy who can't be corrupted, is so honest it borders on being square, has spent a significant portion of his life in the gym, and has the gift (curse?) of being nearly impossible to kill...just like his arch enemy, Octopuss. But, I think that is just how the Spirit is supposed to come off.

What I'm saying is, I believe it is the story, not the performers. In fairness, I have to say that I know this flick is based on a comic, which I have never seen. So, possibly, those who are familiar with the Spirit in comic form will some, or much, to appreciate that went over my head.

If you're like me, and loved Sin City, and saw Miller's name as the director, I think you will be somewhat disappointed, if that is the only reason you want to see this flick: thinking it will be as good. Its important to remember, however, that although Miller got a director credit for Sin City, it was really directed by Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Till Dawn), the director credit for Miller was just an acknowledgement of Miller granting movie rights for his successful graphic novel.

I'm not putting down Miller. I just don't think this flick worked very well and I'm sure some of those involved were disappointed, though I don't know of any of them saying it publicly.

But, I wouldn't stamp this as one to avoid at all costs. Lets be honest, seeing Samuel L. going way (and I do mean way) over the top in an over-the-top role, or seeing Ms. Mendes or Ms. Johansson move around the film in the epitome of sultriness notwithstanding one-dimensional and silly roles, is not exactly the worst way to spend a couple of hours if you love flicks.

Not to mention, you may see something in The Spirit that your old pal here missed.

Hell, you just might even really like it.

Animated. Directed by Brad Bird. Voices of Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson, Holly Hunter, Dominique Louis, Spencer Fox, Sarah Vowell, Jason Lee.

  Synopsis: A family of super heroes go into retirment and try living as a normal suburban family after public opinion turns against them. Years later, bored by civilian life, they find themselves drawn back into another adventure to save the world..where they go up against an adversary from the past.

I wanted to see this when it first came out in the theaters, but, believe it or not, I just recently had the chance to watch The Incredibles recently.  It was certainly worth the wait, this is probably the best animated film I have ever seen, and you're talking about a guy who really loves animated stuff.

The premise is unique, which makes it fresh and interesting right out of the gate. Bob Parr is Mr. Inredible (Craig T. Nelson Poltergeist, Devil's Advocate), a superhero with unbelievable strength who also has a love of being a superhero. His best buddy is fellow superhero Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson Do The Right Thing, Basic), who can use immediate streams of cold air and ice for do gooder purposes. Mr. Inredible has a friendly rivalry with Elastigirl (Holly Hunter The Firm) a/k/a Helen, yet another superhero. Turns out that Bob and Helen are actually engaged and due to be married on the same evening that they butt heads over thwarting a bad guy.

It seems that Mr. Incredible has an overzealous fan who wants to be his partner. Incrediboy (Jason Lee) has his own suit made to match Mr. Incredible's and is gung ho. But, Mr. Incredible more or less blows him off. Incrediboy is too young, too raw and, he's not a real superhero. That decision might come back to haunt Mr. Incredible later.

The political winds change due to some frivilous lawsuits and headline seeking politician, superheros are no longer popular and have to go into hiding as normal, every day folks.

We fast forward 15 years and find Bob and Helen living the quiet life, now with two children, Dash and Violet. Helen is a homemaker and Bob is working unhappily, as an insurance adjuster. We can see by Bob's paunch that the time away from saving the world has not been kind to him. He gets to hang out and talk about the old times with Louis (Frozone), but its just not the same plus the superpowers of his two older kids have to be kept in line.

This all changes when Bob gets an offer from a mysterious agency to revive Mr. Incredible-coming at the right time as he has been fired from the insurance company-and go on some top secret missions. Well, everything is not what it seems and soon Mr. Incredible and his superhero family are back in the fight against good and evil...with the stakes higher than ever.

The animation and effects are so good, at times you forget that you are watching what people of my generation would describe as a cartoon. Its more like an alternative world where these characters are human like, with only some differences from me and you. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and they could not have done better in casting Nelson and Hunter together as Bob and Helen. It might sound corny, but they sound just like you would think they would sound.

There is a little bit more of an adult theme than most animated movies, but have no fear of your little ones looking at this, they will love it, too. The humor that will make you laugh will go over their heads a' la King of the Hill or The Simpsons. 

As you might guess, there are several great special features, my favorite being a skit between Craig T. Nelson and Samuel L. Jackson as their superhero characters with 1960's era animation. Trust me, its hilarious.

This one goes right into the collection after just one viewing.      

Directed by Joe Roth. Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Julianne Moore, Edie Falco, William Forsythe, Ron Eldard, Aunjanue Ellis. Drama.  Novel and screenplay by Richard Price. Synopsis: A police detective assigned to a notorious housing project becomes involved with a case in which a woman alleges that her son was abducted in a cajacking that occurred near the project. The situation soon escalates into a tense , combustible matter where issues of class, politics, and race on the forefront.

This is a difficult film to categorize, and I can see how some who view the trailers or make an assumption from the box cover might think its something that its not. It is not a thriller, nor is it, really, an action flick, despite having the "King of Cool", Samuel L. Jackson. Its a drama set in a gritty urban setting that touches on some very sensitive issues, including race and the victimization of children, but I could not say that those issues are the only focus of the film.

I can see how this movie might not work for some people, despite the solid cast. But, without a doubt, it worked for me and I would guess it will for most people, although I see this as the type of movie that most film watchers will either really like, or really dislike.

The story starts in a tough housing project in a fictional New Jersey town where we are introduced to Detective Council (Jackson Jurassic Park, Shaft) who is, obviously, a tough cop who is well known and respected, if not liked, by the residents of the project, particularly a young woman in a tough relationship named Felecia (Aunjanue Ellis Undercover Brother).

One night while on duty, Council receives a dispatch from the precinct that informs him that a woman has been carjacked near the project. Initially curious that no one around has seen or heard anything, Council proceeds to the hospital to meet and interview the victim, a woman named Brenda (Julianne Moore Boogie Nights).

Brenda is hurt with cuts to her hands, clearly distraught, and from the first minutes onscreen we can see her mental stability starting to erode. It is minutes into the interview before Brenda tells Council-inexplicably, she had not mentioned it earlier- that her 4 years old son was in the backseat of the car  and that the carjacker was a black man of average description.

This revelation immediately speeds up the pace of the film in concert with the frantic pace of the story. It turns out that Brenda is a recovering addict who is a volunteer at the nursery school in the project and is well known and liked. Furthermore, she has a brother (Ron Eldard) who is a detective from a neighboring town called Gannon.

What follows is the almost surreal action of police literally looking down the project in hopes of finding the carjacker. The mood of the residents of the project, skeptical at first, gradually evolve into anger and then the threat of violence.

Council finds himself somewhat caught in the middle as a cop who is empathetic to both the victim of the crime, as well as the innocent people in the project who are being treated like criminals because of where they live. This is made more difficult for him by the fact that, despite his sympathy for Brenda, he is growing increasingly skeptical of her story.

Aiding Council in his dilemma is his solid partner (William Forsythe) and the leader (Edie Falco Copland) of a civilian group dedicated to finding missing/abducted children. As the story progresses, we see Brenda being consumed more and more with her feelings of grief, and  her descent into instability.

I refuse to intentionally spoil any film I blog about (unless I just feel like it), but I will say that the conclusion of the story will not surprise most people and, unlike some who might say that makes the movie a failure, I think it is a mistake to assume or expect that any decent movie, somehow, has to shock you or totally surprise to have been worth your while. 

Also, some might find the premise a little over the top, but any that have been in law enforcement or remember situations such as what occurred in Philadelphia with the Move group in the early '80's or in many housing projects in Boston after the false implication by Charles Stuart in 1989 can certainly imagine something of this nature happening, with the right (or wrong) factual, emotional, and political factors.

I think this is a very good film because the story, in so many ways, is timeless and realistic on many levels. There are some holes in the script which I won't mention here because I would be giving away the plot, but they are not fatal. What makes this movie so good, as it always does in movies that are good, are the performances of the actors.

Samuel L. Jackson is almost legendary for his screen presence and his "tough cool", and you see some of that here, but those who know him primarily from his bigger movie roles such as Pulp Fiction, Die Hard III, Jackie Brown, Basic, or Shaft will be surprised to see a lot more vulnerability in Sam in this film than in those. He doesn't physically intimidate in the film, in fact, he is asthmatic as well as guilt ridden over his parenting of his son. Jackson shows his range here, and while some fans may not like his softened fole, he shows why his the most prolific actor of his time.

But, he doesn't take the prize for film standout here. That award is split between Edie Falco and Julianne Moore. Falco might just be the best actress working today, particularly if she is cast correctly. Here, we see a dark haired Falco who is the strength of the film. Her monologue to a grieving Moore is awesome and, in my humble opinion, should get her a Supporting Actress nomination alone.

Another Oscar worthy performance is turned in by Moore. Her character will, at times, infuriate, disgust, and just plain anger you but she pulls it off and you cannot help but feel some sympathy for her. I've never seen Moore like this before and I've never seen her better, which from me is high praise because I've always thought she was darn good.

You also see some good performances by Eldard (Sleepers), Forsythe (Out For Justice), and Ellis, who don't have enough screen time to stand out as much as they might have otherwise. Forsythe is one of the better character actors out there. This is a good role for Ellis, who has shown her talent before, but in more glamorous roles that take advantage of her beauty. In this film, that substantial beauty is not displayed, and we see once and for all that she is a very talented actress. I've always like Ron Eldard, though he hasn't been in as much as I would think his talent deserves. He brings the anger and outrage to the movie from the law enforcement side. I do think his character could have been used better in the film.

Overall, a good movie about important things. Even if you find the story  uneven, anticlimatic, or unrealistic, you will still enjoy the product of several very, very good actors. And, if the acting is good, the movie is good almost by default, isn't it?