WEEKEND PIC April 11 - 13 2008

Your Guide to the Weekend Viewing

1. NO COUNTRY OF OLD MEN (action thriller with Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem and Woody Harrelson) Rated * * * 1/2 (out of 4): Catch it if you want to know how this brutal kill-'em-all movie was picked Best Movie at the Oscars. Typical Coen Brothers pic with its signature unsatisfying ending. (Reviewed here in March)

2. DEFINITELY, MAYBE (romantic comedy with Ryan Reynolds, Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Weisz, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Derek Luke and Kevin Kline) Rated * * * (3 stars): A funny and witty treat for die-hard romantics and fans of Breslin who manages to steal the show from the adults. (See Review below)

3. NIM'S ISLAND (fantasy adventure with Abigail Breslin, Jodie Foster and Gerald Butler) Ratig * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Another Breslin vehicle based on the novel by Wendy Orr. It is whimsical but uninspiring. There's an attempt at charming the audience but no real sense of peril or suspense.

4. FEAST OF LOVE (romantic comedy with Morgan Freeman, Greg Kinnear, Selma Blair, Radha Mitchell, Alexa Davalos, Toby Hemingway and Jane Alexander) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Again, Freeman is in the sage role, dispensing advice and concern to a couple of lovers in this passable rom-com that's more of a snack than a feast. (Reviewed below)

5. STREET KINGS (cop thriller with Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie and Chris Evans) Rating: * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): A rather confusing saga of a 'dirty cop' made worse by foul language cuts. The twist at the ending is supposed to explain the incongruities but it turns out ridiculous and compromising.

6. THREE KINGDOMS: Resurrection Of The Dragon (war epic with Andy Lau, Maggie Q, Sammo Hung and Vanness Wu) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): Another disappointment by director Daniel Lee who spent so much effort and money to make an 'epic' that is so devoid of emotion and audience involvement. (Reviewed below)

7. DEATH SENTENCE (action thriller with Kevin Bacon, Garrett Hedlund, Kelly Preston, Jordan Garrett and Aisha Tyler) Rating * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Highly derivative revenge movie (a'la 'Death Wish') from James Wan the guy who did the "Saw" flicks. Looks like a mish-mash actioner with conflicting tones and touches.

8. THE WATER HORSE (fantasy adventure with Alex Etel, Ben Chaplin, Emily Watson and Brian Cox) Rated * * * (out of 4): This 'Free Willy'-type tale about the 'origin' of Loch Ness monster Nessie should delight kids under 10. For the older folks, it is still a passable flick for the family. (Reviewed below)