My Super Ex-Girlfriend

Just to prove that I'm not all intellectual and brooding all the time, let's talk about something completely different. Okay, okay, okay, so the trailer may sort of scream stupid, but give it a chance. Matt Saunders (Luke Wilson) is a mild mannered everyguy who's been unlucky in love when he meets gorgeous Jenny Johnson (Uma Thurman.) Of course he remains unlucky in love as Jenny is two fries short of a Happy Meal - controlling, manipulative, and jealous. But wait, there's more - she also just happens to be the alter ego of G-Girl - super hero. Dumping a psycho girlfriend who might key your car simply does not compare with dumping a psycho girlfriend who can put your car in orbit.

So this isn't the film to impress at the next meeting of Mensa, but if you're sharing a pizza and beer with the buds - it is a kick in the ass. Nimbly directed by Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters, Dave,) and having a great cast including Eddie Izzard as the lovesick, arch villain - Barry, it's simply a bit of fun. Official website here.

Children of Men

Random explosions, armed police in the streets and immigrants being rounded up for deportation. Greeley, Colorado? LA? How about the UK in 2027, in Alfonso Cuaron's vision of a world without a future. Enter Theo (Clive Owen) as our hero without hope because humanity has stopped reproducing and the youngest human is 18.

Okay, it doesn't sound all that bad at first listen especially if you've ever had a rug rat behind you on a plane - but THINK about it. Exactly how do you think humanity would react to the news that the fat lady has sung? I have to admit I think ol' Alfonso pretty much nails it. Let the killin' begin.

When the lovely maid in distress shows up, preggers, things get jumping as Theo tries to get her safely to where the maybe scientists might show up and figure out how to save us all, while everybody else acts like - well - people, and tries to nab the gal and impending babe for insert your self serving purpose here. Supported by Michael Caine and Julienne Moore, Owen is incomparable, but this is dark stuff. Although the violence isn't sensationalized a'la Gibson, this is not for the faint of heart. My only complaint is a bit of blood that hits the lens of the camera during an extended FX scene that was left in probably because it was too costly to reshoot - it made me suddenly aware I was watching a movie. Other than that - good story, great cast, well done! Check out the official website HERE.

Pan's Labyrinth

For all you folks who shy away from foreign films because reading dialogue is just soooo tedious, this is one of those times you need to suck it up. This little gem won 3 Oscars for a REASON. Besides being visually stunning in a so-not industrial light and magic sort of way, this is a story that requires some intellectual soul searching. Try to remember you are watching a film made for another culture - and all those lovely countries south of our border - where the magical and the spiritual constantly invade our mortal world.

Director and writer Guillermo Del Toro takes us back to the Spanish civil war, where we meet our heroine Ofelia - brilliantly portrayed by 12 year old Ivana Baquero. Ofelia is living the nightmare of war, shipped off with her pregnant mother to where her stepfather is busy quelling the last of the rebellion. The Captain is a classic bogeyman, oozing menace ... so it's little wonder that Ofelia is not at all put out by creepy bugs that become only slightly less creepy fairies who lead her into things that just get creepier... so is Ofelia's labyrinth real or only a projection of the evils of wartime from a child's mind? Anyway you look at it, it's worth the trip - the effects are great, there's a ton of violence for the boys, but in the end all fairy tales have a happy ending.... or do they?

Official selection from Mexico, Pan's Labyrinth was nominated for Best Foreign Film, and won Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Makeup against all our domestic stuff. See the official website HERE.