"About Schmidt"
Jack Nicholson steals the show as a man who, upon his wife's death, realizes he's wasted his life. The film manages to be warm, sad and funny, but can't mask being somewhat dull. Rated R. ***
"Adaptation."
A rare flower poacher, a novelist, a screenwriter and his sweetly moronic twin brother intertwine in this offering from director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. It's strange, clever and quite hilarious - maybe too much for its own good. Rated R. ****
"Daredevil"
Ben Affleck stars as the man without fear in this uneven adaptation of the popular comic book. Dark and surprisingly violent, the film has as many good moments as it does bad. Rated PG-13. ***
"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"
A shallow journalist takes an assignment involving getting a guy to break up with her in 10 days. A shallow advertising man takes a bet to make a girl fall in love with him in 10 days. Predictable and extremely obnoxious. Rated PG-13. **
"The Life of David Gale"
Kevin Spacey stars as a brilliant capital punishment abolitionist on death row in this often intriguing, sometimes silly drama. Rated R. ***
"Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers"
The second installment in Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's novels surpasses the first. Excellent character and story development and an hour-long battle sequence set this in a class all its own. Rated PG-13. *****
"Old School"
Will Ferrell steals the show in this welcome addition to the college comedy genre as a group of thirtysomethings start their own frat. It's as stupid as it sounds, but it is also one of the funnier films released as of late. Rated R. ****
"Shanghai Knights"
Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson team up again, this time seeking a diamond in turn-of-the-century England. A few good action sequences and a couple one-liners from Wilson can't hide the poor writing and been-there-done-that feel of this one. Rated PG-13. **
Opening this weekend: "Dark Blue," Action. Rated R
"Gods and Generals," War. Rated PG-13
"The Life of David Gale," Drama. Rated R
"Old School," Comedy. Rated R
A.P. Kryza is the State News film reporter. Reach him at kryzaand@msu.edu.
