Captain Jack is Back!! This is the slogan that most movie goers have been familiar with since the advertising blitz began almost a year ago. In the most easily anticipated film this year, Jack Sparrow returns to break more box office records.  Anyone who knows me, is familiar with what a big fan I am of not only the original movie but also the ride.  I was ecstatic when the first movie came out and it became my favorite movie of all time.  The question remained when a sequel was announced if it could be better or on par with the original.  Pirates of the Caribbean; Dead Man's Chest shatters the notion that sequels can not be good as the originals. Gore Verbinski and Jerry Bruckheimer return crafting a new story that involves a debt that Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) made with Davy Jones (Bill Nighly) and now he has to pay his debt. Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth (Kiera Knightly) return to help Jack find Davy Jones' chest.  This movie is the second part of a trilogy that will conclude next summer.  This film is near perfect, the cinematography and feel are very similar to the first. Most of the CGI is perfect including a CGI Davy Jones and crew.  The only flaw in this film was the CGI work on the "Kraken," Davy Jones' creature that he unleashes on ships.  Another change is the score veteran Hans Zimmer takes over for Klaus Badelt adding some subtle additions to the original music.  Some people will leave the theatre upset due to the cliffhanger ending but keep in mind this is the second movie in a three part story.  All in all this film is a MUST see, catch this film you will not be disappointed and remember you heard it here first.

     Superman returns after 19 years to the big screen after going through three directors and multiple scripts.  Director Bryan Singer (X-Men, X-Men 2) takes the helm of the fifth superman film and adds a bit of nostalgia along the way.  Staying faithful to Richard Donner's original Superman including the title sequence, score and even Marlon Brando's voice over's from the original.  Singer always stated that this film would chronologically follow the second film thus avoiding the critically bashed third and fourth movies.  Though Donner tries to stay faithful to the original feel it handicaps his ability as a director and script writer to stay within this realm which turns this into nothing more than an ode to the original film.  The shining stars in this film are newcomer Brandon Routh as Superman/Clark Kent and Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor.  The story itself is full of holes and leaves you thinking why they couldn't think of something much more exciting and entertaining.  One of the biggest plot surprises (I will save the surprise for the movie) only backs the story into a corner for the rest of the sequels.  I was honestly looking forward to this film for a long time, and though visually beautiful it fails to live up to the hype.

     Jared Hess (Napolean Dynamite) in his second directorial outing moves from the farm fields of Idaho to the wrestling world of Mexico.  This story follows Ignacio played by the brilliant Jack Black as he moves from the world of priesthood to becoming Mexico's greatest wrestler, Nacho Libre.  He is joined on this venture by his trusty sidekick Esqueleto (Hector Jimenez).  Ignacio dreams of not only helping the orphan children he cares for but to become the greatest wrestler in Mexico.  Nacho has a choice to make either stick with his priesthood or to become a wrestler which is forbbiden by his religion.  If you are looking for a light hearted comedy, Nacho Libre will make you laugh as well as keep you entertained for an hour and a half.  Although not as funny as Napolean Dynamite, Jared Hess improves as a director making a studio film he can be proud of.  Although not perfect it is entertainment in its fullest. 

     The Second sequel to the highly popular X-Men franchise minus Bryan Singer who opted to film Superman Returns instead.  Brett Ratner of Rush Hour fame comes in to complete the trilogy that Singer started although falls far short of the magic Singer was able to instill in this franchise. The movie was rushed into production by Fox to make the Summer 2006 deadline and it definitely shows in the production quality.  Although the entire cast returns in the film most of their roles are limited to mere facades of their characters.  This film focuses on a "cure" for the mutant gene and Magneto's (Ian McKellen) plan to fight humanity for treating the mutants like a disease.  New characters are introduced such as Angel who appears in the film for about 10 minutes and old ones resurrected (Famke Janssen as jean Gray).  Although some scenes such as the climax are visually stimulating they do not make up for the empty dialogue.

      The novel that took the world by storm is now a major motion picture directed by Ron Howard.  Summer officially kicks off with this adaptation that sticks closely with the book but still somehow manages to miss the essence that Dan Brown instilled in his novel.  Tom Hanks plays Robert Langdon a famous symbologist called to a crime scene that takes him and the beautiful police cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) on a hunt around the world for the Holy Grail.  Although Ron Howard and Tom Hanks try their best at adapting the book it falls short of the excitment and drama the book brings.  The best performances in this film are by Ian McKellen as Sir Leigh Teabing and Paul Bettany as the murderous priest Silas.  Although I am sure most people will be happy with this adaptation it still does not beat a good read.

Film Grade: B-   Book Grade: A

Big Momma's House 2

     Martin Lawrence returns in the sequel to the $118 Million original mega hit.  Malcolm Turner return's as a FBI officer who goes undercover in a suspected criminal's house as a nanny.  Malcolm is now married to Sherri (Nia Long) who disapproves of his undercover job.  Much of the same laughs return from the original but with a few more zany laughs.  If you want to watch a movie where you really don't need to think but want to laugh this is the one.  Like most sequel's this one is still inferior to the original.  A family comedy that will be sure to please the kid's but lacks the originality we saw in 2000. 

Grade: C+

Underworld: Evolution

       One of the most highly anticipated sequels this year.  Kate Beckinsale reprises her role as Selene as the war between the Licans and Vampires intensifies.  This films fills in a lot of gaps on the origin of the war between these two clans.  Marcus the third vampire elder is awoken and he is in search of his Lican brother.  It is up to Selene and Michael Corven (Scott Speedman) to save the world.  Although just as visually stimulating with its grand gothic themes as the first it seems as if the story is taking a new turn from the one that was set up in the end of the original. If you loved the first film, you will be definitely entertained.

Grade: B

      I believe this is the first F I have given a movie on my site and I hope the last.  Normally if I watch a movie and don't like it, I usually don't review it.  I can not even fathom why 20th Century Fox green lit this film.  Alyson Hannigan of American Pie fame stars as Julia Jones who is a fat young girl working in her parent's restaurant.  She falls in love with a British customer and goes to a Hitch like person to help her whip into shape.  This film pardoies all those "chick flicks" including Hitch, Wedding Planner, Bridget Jones' Diary, and every Hugh Grant movie.  The script is awful and a 3rd grader could do a better job.  Production seems rushed and this film was put out to get a few extra bucks for Fox.  I think E! News put it best, "...the biggest problem with Date Movie is that it just ain't that funny."

Grade: F

      Harrison Ford returns to his action star status as Jack Stanfield who works as a bank security expert.  Although in his 60's it is easy to forgive his age because he is of course...Harrison Ford.  Unfortunately this film is not exactly one of the best platform's for his return.  Basically Warner Bros. is using the typical template of bad guy kidnaps family to use dad to gain entry into the bank security system to steal money.  If you have seen Hostage or Panic Room, this will be pretty boring.  The only real shining light in this film is Paul Bettany who plays Bill Cox the man who takes Jack's family hostage.  Although boring at times the only real action comes at the end.  If you are looking for a way to kill an afternoon and you love Harrison Ford give Firewall a look.

Grade: C-