X-Men

X-Men - ***1/2

Comic book movies have completely saved the high budget movie genre. Combine a kick ass cast (Anna Paquin, Halle Berry, Ian Mackellen, Hugh Jackman) with a daring director and a little bit of money, and a movie can be wholly entertaining. I think what really succeeds about the movie is that it doesn't try to follow the comic too closely. Courage to challenge the comic traditions is why this movie, the following sequel and the Spiderman movies all suceeded. Thumbs up.

The Replacements

The Replacements - ***

So much more fun than I remembered. Favs, Orlando Jones and a surprisingly compitent comedic performance by Keanu Reeves make this completely watchable. I'd point out however that it could have done with being 20 minutes or so shorter. 2 hours is too long for a sports comedy. Thumbs up though.

Jersey Girl

Jersey Girl - ***1/2

The most irresistably cute movie of 2004. The second viewing has really brought light to how good Liv Tyler was. She really does bring something more to what is somewhat of a typical Kevin Smith leading lady character. Kevin's writing gets a bit lazy at some points, but a fantastic leading cast provides more than enough charm to make this probably the best date flick you'll see this year. Thumbs up.

X2

X2 - ****

With Bryan Singer at the helm, consider my confidence in the Superman movie restored. Of course, the film does benefit from a top tier cast (including a pair of Academy Award winners, Anna Paquin and Halle Berry) and is based on a truly legendary comic strip, although that could also have served to complicate things. Thumbs up.

Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Ancorman - ***1/2

Absolute unbridled hilarity. There were parts of this movie in which I laughed for minutes on end. All sorts of top tier cameos make this easily the funniest movie of the year. Thumbs up.

Spiderman 2

Spiderman 2 - ****

I noticed on the credits that Gough and Millar wrote the script, and I can see the Smallville similarities. Like Smallville, it's going to be fun watching Harry Osborn turning into the man he swears he won't become in Spidey 3. I don't get it though, Mary Jane runs off on Jonah's son to be with Peter and he... continues to work for The Daily Bugle? I don't remember him getting fired from the paper in the comics. Thumbs up, of course.

The Bourne Supremacy

The Bourne Supremacy - ****

After two movies, the Bourne Trilogy still has all the freshness of the first film. This is another superbly put together film that showcases both Matt Damon's acting chops and Paul Greengrass' superb direction. It's got to be one hell of a job taking the reigns from Doug Liman, and Greengrass captures the pace of the original while turning the tables from a character standpoint. It's hard to compare the two films, because they're completely different animals, but both are excellent. Thumbs up.

The Bourne Identity

The Bourne Identity - ****

As far as popcorn action movies go, it doesn't get much better than this. Poor Affleck, Bourne Identity-lite (aka Paycheck) paled so far in comparison. Checking Supremacy out tonight. Thumbs up.

Seeing Other People

Seeing Other People - ***

While the script could have probably done with a rewrite (to revitalise some of the second act dialogue), it builds really well to the desired goal. Some of the supporting cast is weak in performance, Julianne Nicholson is really fabulous. A funny, sad and sometimes romantic comedy that has more working for it than against. Thumbs up.

Little Black Book

Little Black Book - **

A cinematic dilemna. Perfectly compitent on the acting front, but the creative end of things are rather bleak. The script is mismanaged with dramatic, comedic and romantic bits, with a little bit of satire thrown in. Brittany Murphy gives reason to believe she's better than films like these. Thumbs down.

I, Robot

I, Robot - ***

Will Smith gives perhaps the best performance of his career as a hybrid of comedy and drama. He's deadpan when he needs to be, and passionate when he needs to be. An above average script that asks real moral questions elevates this above the typical action movie level. A flawed, but ultimately entertaining movie. Thumbs up.

The Ladykillers

The Ladykillers - **

The Coen brothers attempt to utilize style to overcompensate for a lack of quality content. It attempts to strike the comedic Ocean's Eleven vein, but instead runs 20 minutes too long and spreads its cast out too far. Hanks is the only redeeming quality of the film, and even he is a far cry from his Oscar winning form in this one. Again, thumbs down.

Scooby Doo 2 - Monsters Unleashed

Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed - *1/2

This is just corny annoying bullshit that lacks anything redeeming for anyone over the age of 10 (with the lack of one brief moment towards the end of the movie, which I laughed at). I'd hate to be a parent taking his or her kid to see this. Thumbs down.

Leon

Leon - ****

Natalie Portman was even fantastic here at 12, and of course the amazing Gary Oldman is good here as well. The key here is the relationship between Portman's Matilda and Jean Reno's Leon. Entertaining till the last moment. Thumbs up.

Connie and Carla

Connie and Carla - *1/2

What a fucking trainwreck. Shitty music sang poorly mixed in with lame humour and David Duchovny. From now on, Nia Vardalos should stop writing movies unless they're about big Greek weddings that happen to be a little fat. Thumbs down.

Garden State

Garden State - ****1/2

Garden State is the superbly written and directed debut of Zach Braff, who plays JD Dorian on NBC's Scrubs. It is both poignant and hilarious, sweet and sad; all the while enhanced with a savvy soundtrack that compliments the film's mood. The acting performances are really what makes Garden State such a gem. Natalie Portman plays by far her most original character to date, and manages to remain sweet while playing a noticeably unperfect person. Peter Sarsgaard is obviously brilliant, although one has come to expect such from the man who I consider to be the most talented actor in the business today. Ian Holm is the hidden gem of the film, playing the distraught and confused father of Braff's Andrew Largeman, seeing medication as the answer to his son's problems. Rarely has such a sweet ode to one's birthplace been made, and Zach Braff's debut film ensures that he will be around for a long time. Thumbs up, although I want to see the film again before I say too much more.