Shooter

** Stars

Shooter tries to disguise itself as a top notch political thriller, but falls into a formula that is so predictable, that even Mark Wahlberg cannot save.

Now, if I had to make a list of the most badass things in the world, it would be Marky-Mark as a tactical sniper, popping people from more than a mile away. Wahlberg manages to bring out his bold charisma in this film and shows why he became a movie star. But as a movie, Shooter tries to combine The Fugitive with Fox's 24 and ultimately falls flat.

Bob Lee Swagger (Mark Wahlberg), a former Marine Corps sniper who leaves the military after a mission goes bad. After he is reluctantly pressed back into service, Swagger is double-crossed again. With two bullets in him and the subject of a nationwide manhunt, Swagger begins his revenge, which will take down the most powerful people in the country, including Colonel Isaac Johnson played by Danny Glover.

Danny Glover?

Yes, the most nortorious villain in this thriller is Danny Glover, who brings the reputation of villains to borderline mental-retardation.

Now if this movie had accepted itself as a corny, yet gritty action movie, with Wahlberg leading the show, we could have seen the next Rambo. But instead, Shooter tries to justify itself as a message movie. The message is that there may be crooked-politicans in Washington. As Danny Glover in this movie would say, Really?

Reign Over Me

*** Stars

What you could call as the third motion picture of September 11th, Reign Over Me is a movie that is hard to hate. It rises above a cliched melodrama thanks to two strong performances from Don Cheadle and Adam Sandler, in which is the best performance of his career.

Charlie Fineman (Sandler) and Alan Johnson (Cheadle) were college roommates several years ago. After Charlie Fineman loses his family five years prior on 9/11, the two reunite. Charlie, once a successful dentist, has retreated from his life, and Alan is stunned to see the changes in his formerly gregarious friend. At the same time, Alan (still a successful dentist), who should be enjoying his beautiful wife, children and career, is overwhelmed by his responsibilities. Their rekindled relationship becomes a lifeline for the two men, who are both in need of a trusted friend at this pivotal moment in their lives.

This a great movie to see with your best friend. This is a story about male friendships and how males deal with loss, careers, and families. What Charlie goes through in this film is a monumental psychological breakdown. Adding the layer that Charlie lost his family in 9/11 makes it more emotional and personal to the viewer. This is a film that should be watched during psychology class. In a scene between Alan and his wife Janeane (Jada Pinkett-Smith), Janeane thinks Alan is actually jealous of Charlie, and how he can do anything he wants and does not have to deal with family issues. Alan begins to realize that he does not open up enough to his wife.

Director Mike Binder (The Upside of Anger) has a lot of talent here. About two-thirds of this film is exceptional. The other third seems too familiar (there is romance for Charlie near the end) and choppy. I recommend this film to those who want to see some truly great acting (mega-props to Sandler and Cheadle) and how friendship can truly save a life.

300

**** Stars

300 is a groundbreaking vision of cinematic filmmaking. It is a full testosterone rush that will literally blow your mind. This is the best movie of the year so far.

Based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, 300 is loosely based on the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae, where King Leonidas of Sparta (played with unyielding force by Gerald Butler) led his army of 300 men against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian enemy, drawing a line in the sand for democracy.

The story is clearly not historically accurate, and that is the point. 300 packs all the myths and legends into one, creating a mix of Gladiator and The Lord of the Rings only pumped with excess forces of steroids. Like Sin City, Frank Miller's comic book adaptation to film with 300 is everything a movie should be.

The Number 23

** Stars

Jim Carrey looks like he thought real hard (maybe about 23 times) and decided to finally agree to this choppy and not-as-smart-as-it-thinks-it-is throwaway movie. Carrey (in a mildly solid, yet completely forgettable performance) plays Walter Sparrow who becomes obsessed with a book that appears to be based on his life but ends with a murder that has yet to happen in real life. Screenplay writer Fernley Phillips seems to know wonders of the number 23, but who cares? These connections are completely farfetched.

Ok, so the year is 2007. 2+0+0+7=9. Ok so 14 is my birthdate in the month of September. September is the ninth month. 9+14=23. See, I can do this too.

Zodiac

***1/2 Stars

Zodiac is David Fincher's (Panic Room, Seven) first film since 2002. Simply said, it was worth the wait.

An all star cast shines in this ultra gritty thriller that, like last month's Breach, deserves to be released towards the later half of 2007 so it won't be snubbed out of next years Oscar race. The cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Edwards, and a fabulous Robert Downey Jr., who gives his all as a confident, yet incoherent journalist named Paul Avery, who unevenly guides Robert Graysmith (Gyllenhaal) into the world of the infamous Zodiac Killer.

A serial killer (nicknamed himself The Zodiac) in the San Francisco Bay Area taunts police with his letters and cryptic messages. We follow the investigators and reporters in this lightly fictionalized account of the true 1970's case as they search for the murderer, becoming obsessed with the case. Based on Robert Graysmith's book, the movie's focus is the lives and careers of Graysmith, the detectives, and newspaper people.

Not only is this a great suspense film, but also a fascinating study of journalism, and how the media can impact a series of crimes. In this case, we never truly know for sure who the Zodiac killer really was, so through this you may find the ending unsatisfying. But I guarantee you, that after this film you will drive and/or walk very quickly and lock your door the minute you get home.

Reno 911: Miami

* Star

Why did I enter this film with somewhat high expectations? Am I that blind? What the hell is wrong with me?

This 84-minute grotesque bundle of lard is a jaw-droppingly, brain-fryingly unfunny load from comedic hell. Public Relations managed to drop all the good gags in the trailer, therefore offering no reason to see the film iteself. The officers of the Reno police department visit a national police convention in Miami Beach. When the convention center is bio-attacked, it's up to Reno's "finest" to save the day.

I think after this movie, I would have gladly gone to see Norbit. Ok, I'm kidding...


But not really.