"The Good Shepherd" is not the James Bond spy story to which we have become accustomed. Rather it describes in overly lengthy detail the career of Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) who becomes a spy master after being recruited from the halls of old Eli where he and others like him are members of the super secret and ultra prestigious Skull and Bones Society. Apparently the society's penchant for secrecy and loyalty to brothers above all else are highlyprized attributes in the spy world. (Note our current president is a member) Edward's taciturn and somewhat ammoral personality enable him to survive in this world where the terms friend and foe are interchangeable. Who you trust and who you serve is often dictated by what the other guy has on you. The mysterious undercover world of secret agents is seriously deglamorized as Edward Wilson dons his topcoat and hat and boards a commuter bus to work each day.

The role of Beatrix Potter is tailormaid for Renee Zellwegger whose eternally pursed lips seem to personify the repressive mores of the Victorian age, especially of those ladies who have not married by the age of thirty. Of her own volition Beatrix has elected not to marry but to seek out the means of becoming a liberated, fulfilled, and independent woman independent of men for sustenenance. She does so by becoming a successful author with help of a love-smitten Ewan McGregor who assists her in the publication of her books. This ever-so-chaste romance becomes later the source for breaking out the hankies. Overall the movie does not generate any real emotion but it is rather a pleasant way to pass the time.

"Perfume" should be a cautionary tale for those seeking the ultimate scent. Jean Batiste, a parfumier's apprentice, sets out to seek a way to distill the essential oils to make the ultimate perfume, the scent of which will generate a feeling of love and good will to all who are touched by the aroma. The extraordinarly bizarre manner in which he accomplishes his dream ultimately leads to his conviction and sentence of execution. The last ten minutes of the film reveal how well he accomplished his goal and how the scent wafted out with flutter of a handkerchief to the angry crowd awaiting his execution is transformed. Without giving away the ending, one might say the whole town was em-bare-assed!

It must be the season for British senior ladies to come forth and show the youngsters what acting is all about. Dame Judy Dench as an elderly spinster teacher with latent lesbian tendencies makes your skin crawl a little as she goes about carrying out her seduction of a younger teacher. Cate Blanchett as a new teacher whose marriage has gone stale finds solace in the arms of hormone-laden adolescent student. Other than the lesbian aspect of the plot, doesn't this seem to be a scenario out of the pages of the newpapers every other week or so. My long term memory maybe failing me, but I don't recall any of my high school teachers that I would want to be seduced by.

Helen Mirren's performance in this film is unquestionably Oscar worthy. She brings to the role the humanity, vulnerability. and inner torment of a woman dedicated to preserving the royal family in the face of the swell of anti-monarchy feelings in the aftermath of Princess Diana's tragic death. The scene that touched me most is when the Queen first sees the outpouring of public sentiment in the form of flowers and notes outside the gates of her estate. Among the notes are some that strongly critical of the royal family's conduct in dealing with the "People's Princess"'s death. But when a small child presents her with bouquet the Queen begins to understand that there is still hope for the monarchy. The men in the Royal family do not come off as partictularly sympathetic characters. Prince Phillip is a real stiff neck whose idea of helping the young princes' grief is to take them deer hunting. Prince Charles comes across as somewhat smarmy by trying to ingratiate himself with the new Prime Minister, Tony Blair, so that he can be portrayed as a truly grieving ex-husband. In some respects the movie gives us some insight that in spite of their exalted status and enormous wealth the Royals have some of the same attributes, foibles and familial troubles as the rest of us.

Curse of the Golden Flower' is a worthy addition to the tradition of Chinese direction and cinematography with its opulent sets, sensous colors, acrobatic martial arts, and overwhelming battle scenes. Life in the palaces of the Tan dynasty must have been a surfeit of color and activity with kowtowing servants, rose petal baths, and elaborate costumes. Against this almost overwhelming background a family tragedy is played out replete with treachery, incest, adultery, recrimination, and murder. Gong Li, as the scheming empress, and Chow Yung Fat, as the embattled emperor, live their roles to the fullest. The best way I can think of to enjoy this movie is to sit back and just go with the flow!

Even thought I give this movie only two stars, I must say I enjoyed it and I don't feel guilty about it. Maybe it's because I saw it with my granddaughter who most certainly was entertained by it. The premise that the exhibits in the Museum of Natural come alive after hours because of a magical Egyptian tablets is something kids with active imaginations can relate to. Us adults will look for wisp of a plot involving a loser's search to gain his son's affection, a smidgeon of romance, and the theft of the magical tablet by three old codgers. So don't be a Scrooge, take the kids to see the movie.

Watching this Pedro Almodovar film unfold on the screen is like watching the petals of a flower unfurl. Each element of the plot is presaged and logically concluded. So at the end you can rightfully say that is the only way the movie should end and have the satisfaction of having seen a master director, Almodovar, at his best. Penelope Cruz certainly delivers an Oscar nomination worthy performance in a role far different from her Barbie Doll Hollywood made movies. While the movie won't necessarily change your life, it may give you pause to think about how justice can be served in unexpected ways.

Yo, Rocky fans, it certainly looks like the Italian Stallion has left the arena for the last time covered with blood, as usual, but having exorcised his demons and given his opponent a lesson in courage. The story line does not even hint at the possibility of a future "Son of Rocky" sequel. To which we must say amen.

If you are a fan of this particular movie genre be prepared, it's "Deja vu all over again"! It has little that is original including a noble hero with a magic sword, a princess with problem to solve, a shape shifting wizard, and a flying dragon with a sexy voice (that last one might be different). If anything is new, it might be some grand vistas of the Hungarian mountains, but you will need a flying dragon to enjoy them. But don't despair loyal fans of Eregon, the door is left at the end for a certain sequel.

The movie leave little doubt that the road to happiness the American Dream is be rich rather than poor. And so Chris Gardner ( Will Prince) sets to overcome the personal and financial problems that plunge him into despair and temporary homeless. And so true to the "rags to riches" scenario, Chris succeeds in landing a broker internship and ultimately a job at prestigious Dean Witter. This all happens as he runs pell mell through streets of San Francisco. If any kudos are in store, consider giving them to Jaden Christopher Syre Smith (Will's real son) who plays Chris's son in a natural and non-precociuos manner. Just goes to show nepotism isn't all bad!

You have seen this movie before, Phoenix rising from the ashes in many varations. This is about the true story of a town devastated by a plane crash which kills Marshall University's entire football team, it's coaches, and several prominent townspeople and athletic boosters. All of the stock tragedy-stricken characters are present; the devasted father of the team's best player, the weepy fiance of said player, the noble school president, and of course, the newly hired football coach who promises to bring the glory days back to the university. Matthew McConaughy, as the feisty new coach, predictably chews up the scenery affecting an indeterminable accent which appears to be produced by a chaw of tobacco that is lodged in his cheek. Overall, the movie is pleasant enough and at the predictable end leaves a warm glow and a feeling that given hope and trust everything will be OK. Does that sound like metaphor for these times?

Post release reviews of Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto" will undoubtedly be filled with wordy blather about the underlying meaning of the film and about how it may be a metaphor about the rise and fall of civilization. They will rail about the excess of blood letting and human sacrifice. But, folks, that is the way it was back then and continues to this day, witness Bosnia, Darfur, Rwanda, etc. But at the heart of movie is a story of extraordinary courage and determination from a young man whose idyllic life is suddenly destroyed when his village is destroyed and he is taken prisoner after hiding his son and pregnant wife. A natural phenomenon enables him to escape and his captors set off to run him down in a chase through the jungle that will raise your adrenalin level. So enjoy the movie and let the movie lirterati worry about the meaning.

About the only reason I would find to recommend this movie is to see two actors vie for the title of who best represents the "School of Facial Contortions as a Substitute for Acting", Cameron Diaz and Jack Black. I will tell you in advance that Cameron Diaz wins hands down. But if you are into "Meet Cute" (Hollywood parlance for finding cutesy ways for their stars to meet) or you are easily seduced by the "Awww Factor" (the hero man reveals two adorable daughters; the heroine finally learns how to cry, etc.,etc. ) by all means put on wading boots and plunge into the syrupy stream. "Nuff Said!

I confess I am not into diamonds as a token of affection or display of wealth. A rock is a rock is a rock. Seems to me a new Ferrari is a more substantial symbol and more useful. But "Blood Diamonds" illuminates well the underbelly of the diamond trade with its cruelty, voraciousness, and indifference to the human toll in producing the so-called "conflict' stones. The story is tempered by sub-texts of the strength of familial love, brotherhood, redemption and a smidgeon of romance and is overall worth the popcorn even though it is at 2 1/2 hours a bit long. One other thing - Leo, lose the accent!

Sometimes it's a relief to experience a movie without car chases, thunderous explosions, explicit sex, ear shattering sound soundtracks. "The Painted Veil" is one of these. Edward Norton and Naomi Watts deliver superb performances as spouses who find true love after infidelity. Set in China in 1925 during a devastating cholera epidemic, each comes to an understanding of the true nature of their relationship. Adding to the tone and atmosphere of the film is the truly wonderous cinemetography of the China landscape with its breathtaking views of craggy mountains and lush valleys.

If not for my grandaughter, I wouldn't normally go see a movie about precocious teeny-boppers outsmarting dim-witted adults. But I must admit to having fun with it along with the rest of the audience. A woman in the row behind me almost went into cardiac arrest during a scene when one of the characters broke wind in an air duct. So go along with the kids and enjoy an early Christmas goodie and don't feel guilty about enjoying it.

This movie might better titled "A Star is Born". Jennifer Hudson's musical soliloquy, "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going", displays an emotional and vocal ability that absolutely steals the show from Beyonce and Jamie Foxx, who do well in their own right. The libretto loosely based on the the rise of the Supremes and Mowtown has incidental subtexts racism and payola in the music industry, it does not detract from a superb collection of female vocalists who populate this movie. That said, Jennifer Hudson's star shines the brightest.

You would think Hollywood would run out of plot ideas for holiday films. But here again is another “good guy, lovable villain” fable for the season. See it if your kids must, but don’t say I didn’t tell you.

Relax, Bond fans. 007 lives on. Daniel Craig will be a worthy successor to those that went before him. In this film, he is in the beginning of his career as 007 and without the gimmicks of later films. He displays all the attributes of cynicism, vulnerability, and charisma that will develop into a smaller Sean Connery. No doubt he will soon show how he prefers his martinis.

It’s Denzel Washington. What else do you need to know? The explosions, and car chases are still there and Denzel comes through again as the hero he is. The plot strains credibility a bit and requires a “suspension of disbelief”. But who cares? It’s Denzel.

If you are thin skinned, easily offended, committed to political correctness, or just biased to any ethnic group, forget about this film. In fact, don’t come within two blocks of any theater where it is being shown. Sacha Baron Cohen manages to offend almost everybody and exposes the biases that are just under the skin of the American psyche.