Mad Hot Ballroom (PG)
No, this isn't about America's preference for boxer shorts. A heartwarming documentary examining competitive ballroom dancing among New York City grade-schoolers. These kids are mostly poor, therefore their parents can't send them to private piano or ballet lessons. This a critical time for these youngsters. The drugs, gangs and weapons are waiting for them in middle school. What they learn about discipline and teamwork and the self-esteem that many acquire will hopefully inspire them to become responsible and career oriented teenagers. 105 minutes.


Made (R)
Jon Favreau wrote and directed this very funny crime film. Favreau and Vince Vaughn star as Bobby and Ricky, lifelong West Coast friends who are hired by a gangster (Peter Falk) to fly to New York City to do a job. This is not a typical "buddy flick" nor is it just another Mafia movie. Favreau and Vaughn have more chemistry than Pfizer and the dialogue is crisp and witty. Also starring Sean Combs and Vincent Pastore ("The Sopranos"). Two canolis up.


Maid In Manhattan (PG13)
This modern day Cinderella is actually a lot like one of those innocent romantic pictures that they used to make in the '50's. A hotel maid (Jennifer Lopez) is mistaken for a wealthy guest by a well-known politician (Ralph Fiennes) who is staying there. They fall in love but the deception is continued because she feels he will not respect a mere chamber maid. Despite Fiennes being slightly creepy, the stars make this fine little film work. Also starring Bob Hoskins (Who Framed Roger Rabbit?), Stanley Tucci (The Pelican Brief) and Natasha Richardson. 105 minutes.


The Majestic (PG)
Jim Carrey stars as Peter Appleton, an early1950's Hollywood screenwriter who has been blacklisted by the movie industry because of alleged Communist associations. Appleton gets drunk, goes for a drive, crashes off a bridge, hits his head, loses his memory, awakens on a beach, is discovered by a retired man (the great James Whitmore), brought to a small nearby town, is mistaken for a presumed dead local World War Two hero and is given immediate celebrity status. Sounds interesting? It's not very. This highly over-rated film is a long, schmaltzy trip filled with clichéd dialogue and predictable events. Not even the monkey in the Mercedes can save this turkey. I'm all for an old-fashioned feel good family film that extols the virtues of Tiny Town, USA and gets people to rally around the stars and stripes but The Majestic seemed too contrived and self important. Comparing this film to It's A Wonderful Life is like comparing me to Sting (pick two names dude). Also starring Martin Landau, Laurie Holden, David Ogden Stiers (pick two names there, Charles) and Hal Holbrook. 143 minutes.


The Man From Elysian Fields (R)
Unable to support his wife and young child, a struggling writer (Andy Garcia) reluctantly accepts a job as a high class escort. This film is what happens when an intelligent script meets a great cast. Nothing like the stinky American Gigolo. Also starring Mick Jagger, Julianna Marguiles, Angelica Huston, Olivia Williams and in his final role, the late, great James Coburn. 107 minutes.


Man Of The House (PG13)
After witnessing a murder, a group of college cheerleaders must let a Texas Ranger (Tommy Lee Jones) move in with them for protection. This film was not made available for critics to preview but it didn't matter because the theatrical trailers had already revealed most of the recycled plot and all three of the laughs. Also starring Anne Archer. 97 minutes.


The Man Who Wasn't There (R)
The Coen Brothers (Oh Brother Where Art Thou?, Fargo) are back with a stylistic film-noir entitled The Man Who Wasn't There. This is a smart film and Billy Bob Thornton turns in a very fine performance as a chain-smoking barber with very little to say, except for his character's almost constant narrative. This movie is beautifully filmed in black and white. Beethoven piano sonatas and a somewhat slow pace leisurely float the audience through a plot filled with greed, passion and ironic chuckles. Also starring Frances McDormand, Michael Badalucco and James Gandolfini.


March Of The Penguins (G)
Captivating documentary about the life cycle of Antarctica's emperor penguins. Every year thousands of them march single file seventy miles or more to their breeding ground. Once there they pair up, mate and the female lays a single egg. The females then march back to the ocean to feed, leaving the males to literally stand around and shiver for months while protecting the egg. A joy to watch but the film leaves many questions unanswered. Do the penguins mate for life? Do they all repeat this mating behavior annually? Why can't they mate closer to the food? Why don't they find or create some sort of shelter from the frigid temperature and harsh winds? Morgan Freeman's silky voice-over was so effective in The Shawshank Redemption that its constant presence in so many subsequent films is like too many slices of your favorite chocolate cake. 80 minutes.


The Matador (R)
While in Mexico City, a hitman named Julian Noble (Pierce Brosnan) who has lost his edge, befriends Danny (Greg Kinnear), an American on an important business trip. Six months later, Julian shows up at Danny's home in suburban Denver seeking friendship and perhaps help performing one last job. This solid dark comedy co-stars Hope Davis (Flatliners, Arlington Road, Hearts In Atlantis, Proof, The Weather Man). 97 minutes.


Match Point (R)
In his early days as a filmmaker, actor, writer and director, Woody Allen was best known for his comedies. Beginning with What's Up Tiger Lilly in 1966 and continuing with hits like Sleeper (1973), Love And Death (1975) and Annie Hall (1977), it was a laugh a minute with The Wood Man. Seeing Annie Hall in a sold-out mid-town Manhattan theater the week of it's release is an experience that I'll never forget. Then in 1978, Allen made a sudden u-turn, releasing his cold as ice dramatic nod to Ingmar Bergman, Interiors. Since then his body of work has been hit and miss. Allen's serious work was occasionally heavy handed while his comedies more often than not seemed like stale rehashes with a few notable exceptions such as Manhattan (1979) and Hannah And Her Sisters (1986) which were sort of dramatic comedies. With his latest crime-drama Match Point, Woody Allen has once and for all shown the world that he has what it takes to make a great serious film. This British upper-crust love triangle tale is his best work in years and definitely one of my favorite movies of 2006. Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers (pick TWO names Limey dude), flavor of the decade Scarlett Johannson, Emily Mortimer, Brian Cox, Matthew Goode and Penelope Wilton. 124 minutes.


Me And You And Everyone We Know (R)
One of those quirky indies in which seemingly random off-beat characters' lives intersect. You have to give this film points for originality. I'm no prude but I believe that placing minors, some of them quite young, in sexually explicit situations is still inappropriate in 2005. Is it possible to make films like Me And You And Everyone We Know and the recent Palindromes without presenting kiddie-pornesque images? In order to make an impact, contemporary filmmakers feel as though they must "push the envelope" and be on "the cutting edge". Child-sex is one of the final taboos. Times sure have changed. Written, directed and starring Miranda July. 95 minutes.


Melinda And Melinda (PG13)
Director and writer Woody Allen's newest film. Playwrights discuss a scenario in which a pretty but troubled woman named Melinda shows up unexpectedly at a dinner party. With only a few other details, two stories unfold; one tragic and one comic. As usual, neurotic New Yorkers indulge their ids in a very sophisticated way. A few laughs. Tepid drama. Not one of Allen's best. Starring Will Ferrell (playing a part Allen himself would have played 20 years ago), Chloe Sevigny, Johnny Lee Miller and Amanda Peet. 120 minutes.


Memento (R)
Guy Pierce ("LA Confidential") is right on the mark as a man with no short term memory in search of his wife's killer. Pay close attention! This film can be a bit confusing as the scenes are shown from end to beginning.


Memoirs Of A Geisha (PG13)
When I was a child, the mention of the word geisha in our house would send me into fits of anticipatory delight. It meant one thing. We were going to be having Geisha brand mandarin orange segments (packed in heavy syrup) for desert that evening. This film is another classic case of style over substance. The sets, locations, costumes and exotic Far East culture are intoxicating. But when you break it all down it's just a fancy story about Japanese children being sold into prostitution with a creepy sub-plot about a rich middle aged man who falls for a cute ten year old girl named Chiyo. This older benefactor makes sure that Chiyo is taken care of and then makes her his mistress when she is of age but only after her owners have auctioned off her virginity. 137 minutes.


Men In Black II (R)
I bought my ticket, popcorn (kiddie size, no butter flavor topping) and soda. I plunked myself down right in front of the screen. Thirty minutes into the film I was content. Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones and Rip Torn were back fighting strange looking aliens and making it look good. About thirty minutes later reality set in. Smith, Jones, Torn and director Sonnenfeld were simply back for more cash. Whereas Men In Black was fresh, exciting and funny, Men In Black II is a shameless retread. Not horrible but horribly disappointing. 88 minutes.


The Merchant Of Venice (R)
William Shakespeare's classic tale of greed, deception, revenge and prejudice is brought to the screen brilliantly by director Michael Radford. Al Pacino (The Godfather, Dog Day Afternoon, Sea Of Love) is especially brilliant as the Jewish money lender Shylock. For the first time ever, more spit hits Pacino than exits his mouth. Merchant will be a tough pill to swallow for mainstream audiences because nobody dies and nothing blows up. 138 minutes.


Million Dollar Baby (PG13)
Frankie (Clint Eastwood), an aging trainer, reluctantly agrees to teach Maggie (Hilary Swank), a tenacious 31 year old, the sport of boxing. Frankie is haunted by his past and his association with Maggie may prove to be a redemption of sorts for him. Eastwood acts and directs with flair and Swank simply shines. Like some of my favorite Irish songs, Million Dollar Baby is extremely captivating but very, very sad. Also starring Morgan Freeman. 132 minutes.


Millions (PG)
The latest from Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later). A young boy whose mother has recently passed away finds a gym bag filled with cash. Now he and his brother must decide what to do with it. This heartwarming fantasy deals with themes such as greed, charity and faith. Bring the kids. 98 minutes.


Mindhunters (R)
A group of FBI recruits are flown to a remote island training facility where they begin getting murdered. The many exciting scenes are nullified by a preposterous story and some dumb dialogue. Starring Val Kilmer, Christian Slater and LL Cool J. 106 minutes.


Minority Report (PG 13)
Steven Spielberg hits a home run with men on first and second in his new futuristic sci-fi cop thriller Minority Report. The year is 2054. Through the medium of precogs (precognicient human beings whose thoughts are transmitted electrically and recorded), murders are predicted and thereby prevented by special police. The would-be perps are arrested before the crime is ever committed. This "pre-crime" unit is deemed infallible until it is forced to go after one of it's own officers who may have been set up. This deliberately grainy and jerky film is visually striking. The plot is extremely clever, witty at times and original. Much like one of my favorite films The Fugitive, my only nit-pick is with the very end. They both involve a dignitary filled dinner leading up to a somewhat predictable conclusion. No big deal though. Go see this. Starring Tom Cruise and Max Von Sydow (The Exorcist, Hannah And Her Sisters). 135 minutes.


Miss Congeniality 2: Armed And Fabulous (PG13)
Sequel to the tepid Miss Congeniality. Lame and flatulent. What a waste of time and money. Bad on every level. Ms. Bullock should concentrate on bland supporting roles. William Shatner is simply embarrassing. Did Elisabeth Rohm leave "Law And Order" to do crap like this? Not good. Please read the following carefully. DO NOT WATCH THIS FILM. IF YOU ARE BLIND DO NOT LISTEN. Oh how I wish that I could have my 115 minutes back.


Mission Impossible III (PG13)
It's easy to hate Tom Cruise these days. He's rich, good looking, not a brilliant actor and more overexposed than a subway flasher. This film had disaster written all over it but it is actually pretty good, although I'm getting really sick of plots that involve "a mole in the agency". Can't contemporary filmmakers remove these moles permanently? I know what you're probably thinking. How can he like a mainstreamer like MI3 and dislike the arty Hard Candy? Get over it! Also starring Ving Rhames, Michele Monaghan and Phillip Seymour Hoffman (select TWO names Phil). 126 minutes.


Monsoon Wedding (R)
Set in modern day Delhi, India, Monsoon Wedding is a colorful feast for the eyes, ears and mind. This arranged marriage festival is a four day affair. The wedding planner and his crew are busy constructing tents, floral arrangements and entertainment and catering stations. The extended family members begin arriving and the pot starts to simmer. Even though this is a different culture, we see that the family dynamics are very familiar. The father of the bride tries to keep costs down, an uncle may be a bad seed, the bride's younger brother is "trying to find himself," the bride has a secret, the wedding planner longs for a wife...... all climaxing with a rousing traditional ceremony during a heavy downpour. "Will the tent, fall down or bend?" "Not on your life, my Hindu friend!" In English, Hindi and Punjabi with subtitles. 114 minutes.


Monster's Ball (R)
A bigoted southern corrections officer (Billy Bob Thornton) and a pretty black waitress (Halle Berry) are brought together by mutual loneliness and tragedy in the fine new motion picture Monster's Ball. This is the type of film that actors fight to get a part in, critics love and a great percentage of the audience finds boring. For the potentially bored, may I suggest Collateral Damage? Also starring Peter Boyle (Young Frankenstein) and Heath Ledger (The Patriot). 108 minutes.


Monsters Inc. (G)
If you need to bring youngsters to a movie that you can also enjoy, you can't do much better than Pixar's (Toy Story) new Monsters Inc.. The clever story, combined with Pixar's state-of-the-art animation makes for first rate entertainment. My only nit-pick is the use of established film and television stars. This trend started about ten years ago and it continues to put professional voice-over talent out of work. While I'm at it, why does Kevin Bacon insist on trying to be a rock star? Starring the voices of John Goodman, Billy Crystal, James Coburn, Steve Buscemi and Jennifer Tilly.


Moonlight Mile (PG13)
The passing of a loved one can profoundly change the lives of those who are left grieving. After the sudden, violent death of a couple's (Susan Saranwrap, Dustin Hoffman) engaged daughter, their would be son-in-law (Jake Gyllenhaal) changes their lives by questioning the status quo and being truthful. What a concept. This offbeat psycho-drama is well written and beautifully acted. It tries too hard though, to be quirky. The tidy feel good ending doesn't suit it either. Also starring Holly Hunter (Raising Arizona, Broadcast News) and Dabney Coleman (Nine To Five). 123 long minutes.


Moolaade (Not Rated)
Set in a small African village, Moolaade is a tale of rebellion against female circumcision. Unbelievably, this is still carried out in some parts of the world and mostly by Muslim extremists. They refer to the gruesome procedure as "purification". Isn't that the term the Brits used when William Wallace was drawn and quartered in Braveheart? Colorful and thought provoking. Subtitled. 124 minutes.


Mostly Martha (PG)
"Cooking", says Martha "is all about precision and timing". So, it would seem, is her life. She lives by herself and her apartment and workplace are highly organized. Organized that is, until the restaurant where she cooks hires a spirited Italian chef and her niece moves in with her. Martha must learn to live in the real world where things are not always so orderly. This is a splendid film. Perfect to see before going out for a meal. In German with subtitles. 107 minutes.


Mr. And Mrs. Smith (PG13)
Two assassins, married for "five or six years", discover each other's occupation when they are assigned hits on the same man. Their next targets are each other. What is billed as a sophisticated "Spy vs. Spy" action film boasting two of Hollywood's biggest stars is, in actuality, little more than a bloody and predictable waste of time. Starring (insert yawn here) Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. 119 minutes.


Mr. Deeds (PG13)
One schtick pony Adam Sandler is Longfellow Deeds, a naive New Hampshire pizza shop owner. Mr. Deeds is thought to be the only living heir to a fortune. The trustees of the estate (Peter Gallagher and Nord Sahajian) bring Deeds to New York City. The movie plays out like an episode of The Beverly Hillbillies with a few bright spots. Versatile John Turturro aptly portrays a Spanish butler with a foot fetish. Naturally, Deeds needs to fall in love only to have his heart broken. The queen of sibilance, Winona Ryder, is cast as Deeds' love interest and she practically manages to bring the proceedings to a halt. There are some funny lines and gross outs but not enough of them to recommend this hackneyed film. 97 minutes.


Mulholland Drive (R)
People and things are not always what they seem in the bizarre film-noir world of David Lynch's ("Blue Velvet", "Twin Peaks") Mullholland Drive. The movie centers around a beautiful amnesia victim who wanders into the life of a pretty young actress. This convoluted story has many sub-plots and characters that weave their way in and out of the ladies' lives. Fine American film making. I wonder just what color the sun is on David Lynch's planet.


Munich (R)
Director Steven Spielberg uses the 1972 Olympic massacre as a springboard for this intelligent and spellbinding examination of terrorism in Europe and The Middle East. The audience gets a truly realistic glimpse at the motivation behind the various factions, their methodology and the ultimate futility of it all. WARNING: Watching films like this and Syrianna and then going home to scan back to back "Law And Order" re-runs may lead to paranoia and depression. 164 minutes.


Murder By Numbers (R)
Two spoiled and creepy high school students (Michael Pitt and Ryan Gosling) commit a cold-blooded murder because they are bored. They deliberately leave enough clues to implicate themselves but not enough for the police to charge them. One of the detectives (Sandra Bullock) has a skeleton in her closet, a sympathetic partner (Ben Chaplin) and a boss who is constantly threatening to discipline her. Murder By Numbers is a disappointing combination of all too familiar characters, dialogue and situations. It's really not very good. 119 minutes.


The Musketeer (PG13)
If you are a big fan of swashbuckling swordsmanship, medieval costumes and martial-arts type action, then The Musketeer is for you. I found it badly acted, poorly scripted and very very boring. Justin Chambers stars as D'Artagnan in this variation of the usual "Three Musketeers" theme. I guess we can expect "The Two Musketeers" next. I can hardly wait. Also starring Tim Roth, Mena Suvari (American Pie 1&2), Catherine Deneuve (of that guy) and Stephen Rea. All for one and one half dalmations and one and one half dalmations for all.


Must Love Dogs (PG13)
Serendipity, a lightweight and preposterous romantic comedy starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, was my guilty pleasure of 2001. Could lightning strike twice? The answer is a resounding no. Dogs is full of stereotypical characters, lame dialogue and a father (Christopher Plummer) with an Irish accent that probably has Michael Collins spinning in his grave. Skip this and rent you know what. Starring John Cusack, Dermot Mulroney (is he related to Keanu Reeves?) and Diane Lane as Sarah: dippy divorcee. Did you know that Lane was in A Perfect Storm (2000), Chaplin (1992), Rumble Fish (1983) and A Little Romance (1979)? 98 minutes.


My Big Fat Greek Wedding (PG)
A teacher (John Corbett) falls in love with a Greek travel agent (Nia Vardalos). After meeting her close-knit, extended family, he realizes that he is marrying into a wacky ethnic world. Based on Vardalos' one woman show, Greek Wedding is fast paced and funny. Even the most hardened cynic will leave this film with a warm feeling. Also starring Michael Constantine, Lainie Kazan and Andrea Martin. 95 minutes.


My First Mister (R)
Leelee Sobieski (I know how to spell her name from memory now) continues her one woman assault on the American public in director Christine Lahti's My First Mister. Ms. Sobieski's most recent films include Joy Ride, The Glass House and a made for TV World War Two piece. Jennifer (Sobieski) is a withdrawn and troubled seventeen year old. She is into the gothic/punk lifestyle (i.e.. black clothing, purple hair, piercings, tattoos, self mutilation, etc), can not relate to her family and has no friends. Applying for a job at a shopping mall, she is reluctantly hired by Randall (Albert Brooks), the introverted manager of a men's clothing store. Forty-nine year old Randall then persuades Jennifer to tone down her appearance and discovers that she has a flair for sales. Jennifer helps tight-ass Randall loosen up and enjoy life a bit. There is a good odd-couple chemistry between Brooks and Sobieski. Lahti knows how to press the right emotional buttons. Unfortunately, she presses them just a bit too often. Sobieski shows that she is worthy of all the film work she has gotten of late. She makes the most of a good role. The last twenty minutes are a bit too maudlin, but this is a very watchable film. Enjoy. Also starring Mary Kay Place (you know the drill), Michael McKean, John Goodman, and Carol Kane (Annie Hall).