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Twenty years after the last film in the series, John Rambo (SYLVESTER STALLONE) has retreated to northern Thailand, where he’s running a longboat on the Salween River. On the nearby Thai-Burma (Myanmar) border, the world’s longest-running civil war, the Burmese-Karen conflict, rages into its 60th year. But Rambo, who lives a solitary, simple life in the mountains and jungles fishing and catching poisonous snakes to sell, has long given up fighting, even as medics, mercenaries, rebels and peace workers pass by on their way to the war-torn region.

That all changes when a group of human rights missionaries search out the “American river guide” John Rambo. When Sarah (JULIE BENZ) and Michael Bennett (PAUL SCHULZE) approach him, they explain that since last year’s trek to the refugee camps, the Burmese military has laid landmines along the road, making it too dangerous for overland travel. They ask Rambo to guide them up the Salween and drop them off, so they can deliver medical supplies and food to the Karen tribe. After initially refusing to cross into Burma, Rambo takes them, dropping off Sarah, Michael and the aid workers…

Less than two weeks later, pastor Arthur Marsh (KEN HOWARD) finds Rambo and tells him the aid workers did not return and the embassies have not helped locate them. He tells Rambo he’s mortgaged his home and raised money from his congregation to hire mercenaries to get the missionaries, who are being held captive by the Burmese army. Although the United States military trained him to be a lethal super soldier in Vietnam, decades later Rambo’s reluctance for violence and conflict are palpable, his scars faded, yet visible. However, the lone warrior knows what he must do…

Sylvester Stallone writes, directs and stars as RAMBO, filmed on location in and around Chiang Mai, Thailand. Also starring are Julie Benz (Dexter), Paul Schulze (The Sopranos), Matthew Marsden (Resident Evil: Extinction, Black Hawk Down), Graham McTavish (HBO’s Rome), Rey Gallegos (American Wedding), Tim Kang (“Third Watch”), Jake La Botz (Ghost World), Maung Maung Khin and Ken Howard. RAMBO is produced by Avi Lerner, Kevin King Templeton and John Thompson. Executive producers Randall Emmett, George Furla. Executive Producers Jon Feltheimer, Peter Block, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein. Executive Producers Andreas Thiesmeyer, Josef Lautenschlager. Executive Producers Danny Dimbort, Boaz Davidson, Trevor Short.

The review:
The world changes, but Rambo doesn’t. At least that is what Stallone wants us to believe. It’s true… Rambo even says so with his too-angry-to talk tone: “things never change.” Even if things don’t change the overly aggressive killing machine can’t help but do the right thing no matter the situation.

Even if every speck of reality is thrown out with the corpses Rambo litters the earth with, this is one disturbingly fun action flick. It really helps us fellows get our testosterone out but not so interesting for the women in the audience–at least it’d seem. Rambo is a balls-to-the-walls killing machine. This is “First Blood” times ten.

Finally:
Stallone still shines as Rambo. It’s all rather shameless and not critic worthy and yet it’s a movie I thoroughly enjoyed watching and will again.

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Treasure hunter Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) embarks on a new adventure in director Jon Turtletaub’s sequel to “National Treasure.” Ben and his father, Patrick (Jon Voight), take great pride in their ancestors and their family’s devotion to the United States. When Mitch Wilkinson (Ed Harris) produces a page from the diary of Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth allegedly linking Ben’s great-great grandfather to the plot, Ben and Patrick set out on a path to clear their family’s name. Ben also believes that the diary page contains hints to the whereabouts of a treasure map leading to an ancient city made of gold, and soon the hunt is on. Tech expert Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) and Ben’s now ex-girlfriend Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger) join the Gates in their quest, which takes them from Washington, DC, to Paris, London and the Black Hills of South Dakota. It’s true that the storyline and the actions of Gates and his team–which include breaking into the Queen’s study at Buckingham Palace, sneaking into the Oval Office, and kidnapping the President of the United States–are completely unbelievable. But with a storyline built on true, interesting trivia and great locations, this film is an amusing, family-friendly romp. Cage has some great moments as Gates– loyal, patriotic, fair to a fault, and very funny as he goads on Buckingham Palace security. Harris plays Wilkinson with just the right air of mystery and menace: is he after fortune, or does he just want to leave his own mark in history? Helen Mirren fits the bill as Ben’s mother and Patrick’s estranged ex-wife, Emily, a scholar and historian in her own right.

The review:
“National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets” doesn’t have the vigor of the original. The story isn’t as fresh and maybe that’s because the concept was already played out. It’s the typical failed sequel where a formula worked for one move and the inevitable decision is made to make another. The problem becomes a business decision of not ruining the franchise while being too conservative and hurting the franchise. The entire premise of Gates’ connection with Abraham Lincoln is a huge reach just to make a movie. And Cage as Indiana Jones is a joke this go around. He couldn’t be a bigger bore. Especially after just seeing the new Indy movie.

The extras:
* Deleted Scenes with Jon Turteltaub
* Outtakes and Bloopers
* Audio Commentary with Turteltaub and Voight
* Secrets of a Sequel
* On Location
* Street Stunts: Creating the London Chase
* Inside the Library of Congress
* Underground Action
* Cover Story: Crafting the Presidents’ Book
* Evolution of a Golden City
* Knights of The Gold Circle

Finally:
This won’t even keep the attention of young adventure hunters. You have to wonder how long it will take for Cage to lose all credibility.

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Directed by Gregory Hoblit (“Fracture”), “Untraceable” follows F.B.I. cybercrimes specialist Jennifer Marsh (Diane Lane) as she attempts to track down a serial killer who brazenly displays his murderous deeds on the Internet. Aided by fellow agent Griffin Dowd (Colin Hanks) and local detective Eric Box (Billy Burke), Marsh tenaciously hunts for the elusive criminal in rainy Pacific Northwest settings, but as she closes in on her target, he deviously finds ways to get closer to her, all the while killing his victims in increasingly faster fashion. Clearly referencing a number of renowned thrillers–most notably the “Saw” films, “Seven”, and “Silence of the Lambs”–”Untraceable” is far from an original cinematic exercise. However, Lane’s steely, smart, and beautiful heroine ably anchors the film, which also benefits from its appropriately gloomy Portland, Oregon, backdrop. As with any effective suspense movie, the thrill is in the chase, with the cold-blooded killer proving to be quite adept at disguising his real location, even as his disturbingly popular site remains prominently on the web (hence the picture’s title).

The review:
There are a tons of movies that could be written around a cyber-killer–none have been good so far and “Untraceable” doesn’t change that. It’s almost laughable to have a guy kill and do it more viciously depending upon the number of people come to his site. Diane Lane should have known what she was getting herself into. “Untraceable” is little more than a movie made in hope of making money on YouTube fans. Director Hoblit tries hard to keep upping the ante of how to kill and torture people, but like most of the “Saw” movies it grows weaker instead of stronger.

“Untraceable” is unwatchable.

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Denzel Washington directs and stars in this uplifting drama based on a true story about a small East Texas all-black college in 1935 that rises to the top of the nation’s debate teams in a duel against Harvard. A poet and debating coach at Wiley College, Professor Melvin Tolson (Washington) sees debating as “a blood sport” and recruits the meanest and brightest, including troubled Henry (Nate Parker), driven Samantha (Jurnee Smollet), and the 14-year-old prodigy James Farmer, Jr. (Denzel Whitaker). Oscar winner Forest Whitaker (no relation) plays Farmer’s father, the initially unsupportive president of the school. There’s tough training, romantic heat over the attentions of fiery Samantha (the first girl on the team), and some no holds-barred racism (including a witnessed lynching) before the big match-up against the Ivy League school, adding to the overall emotional force. Though feel-good historical competition movies like this have been done before, Washington serves up his effort as a lean, mean family dinner, with minimum fuss and maximum nutritional-educational value. Historical accuracy may be thrown to the wind more than once–Farmer is the only real student among the team, and the final debate was against USC, not Harvard–but the acting is uniformly superb. It’s great to watch these kids slowly incorporate Tolson’s incredible poise and intellectual rigor into their lives, and the message is as important as ever. Oprah Winfrey served as producer.

The review:
As both a director and actor, Denzel Washington shines. This certainly isn’t an epic and yet it’s still very inspiring. The movie’s true power is in its cast. Forest Whitaker isn’t on screen very long but he makes a definite impression. The young cast featuring Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett and Denzel Whitaker are surprisingly good. Don’t be surprised to see more work from them. “The Great Debaters” is formulaic but that doesn’t hurt the movie to badly. It takes some skill to make sure it doesn’t get too sappy or slow. Washington does a good job directing and walking that fine line necessary to keep “The Great Debaters” interesting throughout.

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Academy Award® winner Diane Keaton (“Something’s Gotta Give”), Oscar® nominee Queen Latifah (“Chicago”) and Katie Holmes (“Thank You for Smoking”) star in “Mad Money,” a comedy about three ordinary women who form an unlikely friendship and decide to do something extraordinary—rob one of the most secure banks in the world. Mad Money is directed by Academy Award® winner Callie Khouri (screenwriter of “Thelma and Louise,” director of “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood”), from a script by Glen Gers (“Fracture”).

Bridget Cardigan (Diane Keaton) is shocked to learn that she is on the verge of losing her home and comfortable upper middle class lifestyle when her husband Don (Ted Danson) is downsized from his job. Armed only with a decades old English degree and years as a dedicated mother and corporate wife, Bridget is forced into the unfamiliar labor market with no job skills. Finally, she accepts the only position she can find— janitor at the Federal Reserve Bank.

The one-time suburban mom soon discovers she has more in common with her new co-workers than she thought. Bridget forges an unexpected bond with Nina (Queen Latifah), a hard-working single mom with two kids to raise, and Jackie (Katie Holmes), an exuberant free spirit with nothing to lose. Caught up in a system that underestimates their talents and keeps their dreams just out of reach, Bridget, Nina and Jackie set out to even the score.

After a lifetime of playing by the rules, the three devise a plan to smuggle soon-to-be destroyed currency out of the supposedly airtight Reserve. As the unlikely crime syndicate amasses piles of cash, it looks like they have pulled off the perfect crime—until a minor misstep alerts the authorities. With more money than they know what to do with, the women are pushed to the limits of their ingenuity to stay one step ahead of the law!

The review:
It seems important to mention that the original release date of this movie was January. Why is that significant? Because its going to backup this review. You see, January is the trashcan month for movie releases. The crap gets thrown out and movie studios pray someone comes along and picks up the scraps.

So far “Mad Money” is one of the worst movies released this year. To be fair however, I haven’t seen every movie that has come out. It’s a shame this is such a bad movie because Diane Keaton is a great actress. So why is she in this movie? Katie Holmes and Queen Latifah both have taken their chances with crap and don’t seem to mind more, but Keaton?

“Mad Money” isn’t cute, funny or interesting. Even worse its 100% implausible. It’s such a total mess that there’s not much left to write about.

Watch the trailer:

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Two-time Oscar winner Hillary Swank tries her hand at romantic comedy in this touching film based on the bestselling Irish novel. Holly Kennedy (Swank) and her charming Irish husband Gerry (Gerard Butler) are a young couple struggling to get by in New York City. Their marriage is 10 years strong, and they are madly in love, but the fates soon step in, when Gerry develops cancer and dies. Holly is completely devastated, and her friends Denise (Lisa Kudrow) and Sharon (Gina Gershon) do their best to console her. Her mother (Kathy Bates) and sister, Rose (Nellie Mckay), also offer their support, but it seems nothing can pull Holly out of her grief. Then one day, she begins to receive love letters Gerry penned before his death. The letters are filled with various stories and instructions, and one of them even contains a plan that sends her and her friends on a trip to Ireland. As Gerry’s posthumous letters buoy her up, Holly slowly begins to piece her life back together. His letters help her to celebrate their special love story, and remind her that she must continue to live her life, and seek out happiness. The film’s stellar cast delivers many tearjerker moments, and “P.S. I Love You” does a fine job of yanking on the heartstrings. However, the tone often shifts so abruptly, it at times feels as though they couldn’t quite decide if Holly was a steel magnolia, a Bridget with a diary, or a devil in search of some Prada. But the strong performances manage to hold the tale together, and the story is ultimately moving, and yes, romantic.

The review:
Hilary Swank is the type of actress that creates a level of expectation whenever she is in a movie. There are times where she has made mistakes, “The Reaping” and “The Core” however it seems she often picks really good movies. “P.S. I Love You” ends up somewhere right in the middle. It’s not bad but its not great. The story is interesting and keeps the movie moving along as you wait for what will come next. There are occasions when the movie feels slow and other moments where it feels just right.

This is an emotional movie that caught a guy like me on a rainy day. You know, the kind where you’ll cry at the drop of a pin? Well I wouldn’t admit to crying any way, but this is a tearjerker. The cast is quite good lead by Swank and Gerard Butler and the supporting cast of Kathy Bates and Lisa Kudrow. Swank certainly shines above all the rest. Because she appears so human you can’t help but love her character. Swank makes it look effortless and you believe every emotion.

Finally:
“P.S. I Love You” won’t win any awards and its hard to say what makes for a good romantic comedy. A good comedy makes you laugh and a good chick flick might make you laugh or fall in love with the characters. “P.S. I Love You” has some of those ingredients–it just never quite gets them all in perfect harmony. That said–it’s still worth renting on a rainy day.

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“The Golden Compass” is an adaptation of the first book in the beloved but controversial fantasy series by Phillip Pullman. The story opens with Lyra Belacqua (Dakota Blue Richards) an orphan girl who lives in an alternate world that is similar to earth, but where people’s souls exist outside of their bodies in animal form. The people are ruled by a shadowy and oppressive council known as the Magisterium, which is doing it’s best to keep everyone from getting information about what is called “Dust.” Lyra’s Uncle Asriel (Daniel Craig) has been researching Dust, and he has seen to it that Lyra is given safe shelter at Jordan College. But when the visiting Mrs. Coulter (Nicole Kidman) arrives, she asks Lyra to accompany her on a trip to the North to meet the Panserbjorne, a race of armored bears. Before Lyra leaves, the Headmaster gives her a golden compass, a device which only she can read, and from which she can intuit the truth. Lyra leaves with Mrs. Coulter, but when she learns that her friends have been kidnapped by “Gobblers,” she heads out to find them, and soon joins forces with the nomadic Gyptians, some witches, and an armored bear called Iorek Byrnison (voice by Ian McKellen). Lyra finds her friends, and so discovers the evil plans the Magisterium has cooked up for the world’s children. By the film’s end, she has vowed to track down her Uncle Asriel, and to discover the true power of Dust. Hollywood had a tricky time of taming this tale, as Pullman’s books portray religion – the Catholic Church in particular – in a less than flattering light. The film version carefully steers clear of these themes, and instead puts its enormous budget into creating visually stunning effects. While fans of the books may find fault with this streamlined version, children are sure to revel in the many talking animals and whimsical airships.

The review:
I find it amazing that “The Golden Compass” only recieved a 41% rating on RottenTomatoes.com. Not only did my kids love it–but I found it to be the best movie I’ve seen for kids in quite some time. The closest thing to compare this movie to would be “The Chronicles of Narnia.” It’s not as good as Narnia–but its not that far from being as interesting and fun. There are numerous interesting characters and theCGI is brilliant, in particular the armored bear named Iorek.

Lyra, played well by Dakota Blue Richards, takes one heck of a magical trip. One of the more interesting aspects are how each child has their own daemon, a creature that holds their human companions soul. Daniel Craig, though often absent, provides a very strong character role as Lord Asriel. The most surprising is how brilliantly Nicole Kidman plays the role of the evil Mrs. Coulter. There are also some very good character actors to fill in the holes–like Sam Elliott and Ian McKellen, who lends his voice to the armored bear. McKellen gives this CGI bear lots of soul. So much so that Iorek steals ever scene.

The extras:

* Commentary with Writer/Director Chris Weitz – An interesting discussion about the differences made in the movie compared to the film.
* Origins: The Novel, The Adaptation, and Oxford
* Behind the Scenes: Finding Lyra, Costumes, Music, Production Design, The Launch – A great look into the development of the movies visual effects.
* Lyra’s World: Armored Bears, The Alethiometer and Daemons
* Image galleries

Finally:
“The Golden Compass” may not impress the critics and might not be every parent’s cup-of-tea but kids love it. There hasn’t been a week that has gone by where my kids wouldn’t inquire when “The Golden Compass” would be out on DVD. It was good to finally surprise them with it and in just 4 days they watched it half-a-dozen times.

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Jane is idealistic, romantic and completely selfless – a perennial bridesmaid whose own happy ending is nowhere in sight. But when younger sister Tess captures the heart of Jane’s boss — with whom she is secretly in love – Jane begins to reexamine her “always-a-bridesmaid….” lifestyle.

The review:
Katherine Heigl had far more spirit in “Knocked Up” than she does in this painful romantic comedy. Yes, its a chick flick and yes my wife liked it more than me (she probably should have reviewed it) but this is a pretty tired romantic comedy. Heigl isn’t given any thing to work with as the dumb-blond who is dying to one day be a bride–rather than a bridesmaid. Heigl is the only real saving grace in an otherwise boring film. She is fun and cute and occasionally interesting. The problem is you can only be as good as the material you are given and she isn’t given much.

Finally:
“27 Dresses” is a dud.

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In the tradition of “The Ring,” “The Grudge” and “Dark Water,” “One Missed Call” is yet another moody Japanese ghost story to be adapted for American screens. Originally made by cult director Takashi Miike in 2003 from Yasushi Akimoto’s novel CHAKUSHIN ARI, this American version retains the elements that are sure to please J-Horror fans–jerky apparitions, ghostly children, desperate messages from beyond the grave, possessed electronic devices, and strong female characters. While this remake, which is the debut English-language film from French director Eric Valette, dispenses with some of the freakiness of Miike’s version, the creepiness remains. Shannon Sossamon is Beth, a developmental psychology student who has plenty of cause for concern after her friend Leann (Azura Skye) receives a panicked cell phone message from herself days in the future. After Leann falls in front of a train at the same date and time on the message, Beth suspects that she may be next. Beth’s fear seems even more justified after her friend Taylor (Ana Claudia Talancon) befalls a similar fate as her phone message is being investigated by a reality TV host (Ray Wise) who specializes in unexplained phenomena. With the help of police chief Jack Andrews (Ed Byrnes), Beth discovers a link between the calls and a deceased mother and daughter. A slow burning ghost tale, “One Missed Call” establishes a mood of creepiness before the opening credits and sustains it right through to the conclusion. Instead of major shocks or gore, we’re given subtle glimpses of ghostly figures or slightly distorted faces that are effective in creating unease. Sossamon makes a pleasing heroine, and the always excellent Wise makes the most of his small role. Almost old-fashioned in its restraint, the film is a good candidate for family viewing–and spooky enough to give all but the most jaded horror fan goose bumps.

The review:
J-horror, thats what all the hip movie critics are call it. The fact that there is a name proves its all crap from this point forward and I have “One Missed Call” to prove it. Director EricValette does such a great job screwing this up that there isn’t even a sliver of hope that it could have ever been good. Ever since “The Ring,” movie studios have been buying these imported scripts hoping to create theMcDonaldization of cinema. Let someone else do all the work and we’ll make it American–which means more expensive and shittier than the original.

The whole notion of a cursed mobile phone seems as lame as a killer tomato. And those damn tomatoes were a lot scarier, messier, and yes tastier, than “One Missed Call.” The lack of suspense and horror means this is as mundane as any poorly conceived movie drama. I’ve seen scarier episodes of Roseanne. Every moment of the movie appears too well rehearsed, too inorganic and almost never scary. The cast wilts with a lack of direction and talent.

Finally:
It would be impossible to convince me that any actor involved in this movie thought it could be good. Even a poorly conceived movie can occasionally turn out good. This train-wreck has me wishing that we’d just throw some subtitles in the J-horror movies, or at least hire the guys who do voice-over work for MXC to come and help.

Corporate line:
The word “quirky” has become the quick and easy way to describe films such as “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Lars and the Real Girl” that straddle the lines between indie and studio films and comedy and drama. While “Juno” fits into that same category, this distinctive dramedy is in a class all its own. Ellen Page (“X-Men: The Last Stand”) stars as Juno, a witty teenage girl whose boredom doesn’t lead her to the mall. Instead, she makes a one-time trip into the arms of her best friend Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera). When Juno discovers that she’s pregnant, she’s forced to grow up fast as she tries to find adoptive parents for her quickly growing child. JUNO might have a lot of strengths–Page’s award-worthy performance, a pitch-perfect soundtrack, excellent direction from Jason Reitman–but it’s the screenwriting debut of writer Cody Diablo that makes this such a winning film. Famous for her blog and her book CANDY GIRL: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF AN UNLIKELY STRIPPER, Diablo has a unique voice and an incredible ear for dialogue. But even the nearly perfect script wouldn’t sound so good if it weren’t for the talents of these actors, particularly Page. She won raves for her first major role in HARD CANDY, but this performance proves it wasn’t a fluke. The rest of the cast, especially J.K. Simmons as Juno’s dad, is just as worthy of attention. JUNO continues Cera’s cinematic ascent after his success with the hit comedy “Superbad,” and his “Arrested Development” costar Jason Bateman uses his dry delivery to great effect as a potential parent for Juno’s baby. Songs from Kimya Dawson perfectly capture the film’s tone with the music’s sweet, smart, and funny sounds.

The review:
“Juno” is cute and sassy–but the first thing that came to mind watching the movie was “over-rated.” What 16-year-old kid talks this way? Now don’t get me wrong, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was way over done but it was fun. I might believe a 16-year-old girl listening to The Stooges, I barley believe it, but Mott the Hopple? Not even 40-year-olds still dig all those young dudes. This was written by a woman who is over 30 and wrote herself into the character of a kid. The dialogue is way too contrived and not real. And how could anyone under 40 even know who the hell Soupy Sales is? It felt too much like “Arrested Development” without all the great characters and snarky appeal.

The plot is actually interesting but it was far to difficult to get over the dialogue, which in my opinion hurt the brilliant Ellen Page. She is quite the actress–too bad she had to spew so much nonsense. One of the best characters ends up being secondary–her father and Jason Bateman. Juno doesn’t come off as witty and interesting–after a while you just wanted her to get the kid out.

Extras:

* Diablo Cody is Totally Boss featurette
* Jason Reitman for Shizz featurette
* Way Beyond “Our” Maturity Level: Juno – Leah – Bleeker featurette
* Honest to Blog!: Creating Juno featurette
* Gag Reel
* Gag Take
* Cast and Crew Jam
* Screen Tests
* Deleted Scenes
* Commentary with director Jason Reitman and writer Diablo Cody

Finally:
“Juno” is a certainly an acquired taste.