Flags of Our Fathers (2006)

Saving Private Ryan handled the war scenes much better and the sentimental scenes have been done more effectively in almost every other movie that deals with regret and memory. It doesn't excel at anything it attempts, so what's the point of its existence? It's just slow-moving and carries no real impact.

The most interesting portion of the movie came at the very end, when we were treated to photos of the actual men whose stories were being told in the film. When a photo album is the best thing about your movie, you've just wasted a whole lotta money and time.

C-

The Band's Visit (2007)

As the film begins, we read an on-screen message: "Once - not long ago - a small Egyptian police band arrived in Israel. Not many remember this...It wasn't important." Turns out that should have been labeled "spoiler alert" and I should have heeded the warning.

The movie is so gentle -- so deliberately gentle -- that its effect is almost nil. Yes, I can read a lot into the barely-there longing in the conductor's eyes, but it seems less than fair that I should be expected to put more work into finding meaning in the images than the filmmakers did.

C-

Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2004)

This is Nick Broomfield's second documentary about Aileen Wuornos. In the first, "The Selling of a Serial Killer," he shone an unfavorable light on those who stood to gain from her death sentence. By putting together this film, he basically exposes himself as one of those opportunists.

It tells us nothing new and seems to simply exist to celebrate the fact that Broomfield was Aileen's favorite interviewer. It feels like a "look how much she trusts me" vanity project -- a completely boring and inept mess. We learn almost nothing about this woman except for the fact that she had become certifiably paranoid after her years in prison. And, really, is that enough to justify the release of a film?

D

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

"Guy loves a sex doll and everyone goes along with it" is what I knew about this film going in. Is what I thought I knew about this film, I should say. And, while that one line synopsis is technically correct, the movie is so much more.

In actuality, it's about community love - kindness and patience that's willing to be uncomfortable. It's about a group of people working together to let someone do what he needs to do in order to, as the producer said, "join life." I loved the way the inhabitants of this small town all grew a little bit in their understanding of themselves and each other through this communal exercise in compassion.

Truly surprising and moving.

A

Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (2006)

I'm not sure if laughter "counts" when I'm this ashamed for it afterward. The television show is one of my guilty pleasures, but the movie cured me of telling anyone I'm a fan. Need an example of why I'm over The D? Watch this (warning: definitely NSFW).

They did, however, score a casting coup with the young JB.

C-

I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With (2007)

Jeff Garlin is James, a chubby Second City actor who overeats (duh), still lives with his mother, and struggles in his romantic life (ya think?). He walks and quips with his quirky friends and has a standing date with convenience store clerk who is more concerned about Jeff's diet than Jeff is.

I got the feeling that this is more autobiographical than Garlin intended and it felt a little sad and altogether self-conscious. Though there are some great one-liners, those should have been incorporated into a stand-up routine and the movie put aside until there was more material to justify one.

In short, it was enjoyable in parts and often made me chuckle, but just didn't feel worthy of a feature film's length.

C+

The Brave One (2007)

Could have just as well been titled "Jodie Foster: Crime Magnet."

First, she and her fiance are beaten in Central Park - he to death and she into a coma. When she awakes, she's changed. First she's agoraphobic, then she's a vigilante, a career path made easier since crime occurs wherever she goes.

The beginning was brutal and horrifying. The middle was kind of "okayyyyyy..." I mean, I was skeptical but went with it because the acting is strong and it was certainly diverting. The end, however, went off the rails into almost insulting territory.

C

The Hammer (2008)

I've not been a fan of anything Adam Carolla's done to this point (not on TV, the big screen, OR radio), so my affection for this movie is due solely to the strength of the material.

Truly funny and charming -- everything's played just right. I watched it with Gary and we were both grinning.

B+