"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. 2.5 out of 5 stars
"Dreamcatcher"
Sometimes great, more often silly adaptation of Stephen King's story of four friends, psychic powers, a hunting trip and some really pissed off aliens. Good effects and lots of gore can't cover up a wasted cast and rip-off plot. Still, it's better than "Signs." Rated R. 2.5 stars
"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"
A shallow journalist takes an assignment to get 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. 2 out of 5 stars
"The Hunted"
Benicio Del Toro and Tommy Lee Jones chase and stab each other to a pulp in William Friedkin's dazzling action entry. It's gruesome, it's stealthy and it's wholly entertaining despite its overwhelming resemblance to "First Blood." Rated R. 4 out of 5 stars
"The Life of David Gale"
Kevin Spacey stars as a brilliant capital punishment abolitionist on death row in this often intriguing, sometimes idiotic drama. Rated R. 3 out of 5 stars
"The 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. 5 out of 5 stars
"Old School"
Will Ferrell is great in this welcome addition to the college comedy genre as a group of thirtysomethings who start their own fraternity. It's as stupid as it sounds, but it is also one of the funnier films in the theaters. Rated R. 4 out of 5 stars
"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. 2 out of 5 stars
"Tears of the Sun"
Bruce Willis leads a group of Navy SEALs on a rescue mission into genocide-plagued Nigeria. Plodding and insultingly bad, this poor attempt stinks of pro-militaristic propaganda. Rated R. 1.5 out of 5 stars
Opening this weekend:
"Basic" Rated R, miliraty/thriller
"Head of State" Rated PG-13, comedy
"The Core" Rated PG-13 action/disaster
A.P. Kryza is the State News film reporter. Reach him at kryzaand@msu.edu.
