"Friday Night Lights"
Based on a true story, this gripping film about one West Texas high school's quest for a state championship title is one of the greatest sports films of all time. As the team's head coach, Billy Bob Thornton leads a cast of gritty young actors. "Lights" is based on H.G. Bissinger's 1990 best-selling book. It's ultimately a feel-good flick without the cheese.
Overall: 4 stars
"The Grudge"
An agonizingly slow plot from beginning to end hurts this film about a haunted house in Tokyo. Sarah Michelle Gellar stars and does a decent job at looking creeped out. There's no memorable frights here, but if you're looking for some short-term scary moments, "The Grudge" will do the trick.
Overall: 3 stars
"I Heart Huckabees"
It's an existential comedy - which means you'll have to think a little to truly enjoy this film. Jason Schwartzman plays a disillusioned environmental activist who enlists detectives to examine his life and solve his problems. Great performances ensue from Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin, Mark Wahlberg, Naomi Watts and Jude Law. The more you watch "Huckabees," the more you'll get it - and the more you'll enjoy it.
Overall: 4 stars
"Ray"
Jamie Foxx gives the performance of a lifetime, portraying music legend Ray Charles. This is one of the best biopics ever made. It glows with retro hues, swings with Charles' classic tunes and flawlessly fuses sarcastic comedy with traumatic drama to leave the audience in awed reverence.
Overall: 4 stars
"Saw"
In the tradition of "Se7en," "Saw" shows us even more ways for serial killers to torture people. The result is a terrifying film, one made by two young imports from Australia. It's about the Jigsaw killer, an elusive murderer who traps his victims in puzzles they must either solve or die trying. This disturbing film is unfortunately marred by some rough acting from star Cary Elwes near the end.
Overall: 4 stars
"Shall We Dance"
A lovely film that leaves you tapping your feet without cramming the corniness of a Broadway musical down audience members' throats. Richard Gere plays a businessman who wants more out of life and starts taking ballroom dancing lessons. Jennifer Lopez is his beautiful instructor - Susan Sarandon, his suspecting wife. See "Shall We Dance." Feel good.
Overall: 4 stars
"Shark Tale"
The makers of "Shrek" and "Shrek 2" can't deliver underwater. This computer-animated film about a little fish who poses as a shark slayer lacks the intelligent wit and parody that made its older siblings so memorable. Will Smith, Renée Zellweger and Angelina Jolie lend their uninspired voices. Only Robert De Niro is fun to hear as a sharky mob boss.
Overall: 2 stars
"Surviving Christmas"
The dopey Ben Affleck hams it up on screen in this poorly-timed and completely unfunny holiday flick. A lonely businessman, Affleck, pays a suburban family to recreate his favorite seasonal festivities. Even the comedically gifted Christina Applegate can't squeeze the funny out of this lemon.
Overall: 2 stars
"Team America: World Police"
The creators of "South Park" will steal some chuckles from the audience - especially with their cleverly crafted songs - but they ultimately fail as they resort to uninspired gross-out tactics. A puppet sex scene that borders on porn? That's just not funny no matter how you look at it.
Overall: 1 star
