Grumpy Old Men Movie Review

One of the most superb comedies ever filmed, Grumpy Old Men showcases the multidimensional talents of two of Hollywood's most accomplished actors, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. With the additional brilliant comic performance of Burgess Meredith, Grumpy Old Men transforms from a gem of a picture into one of the funniest movies ever made. A sweeping commercial success, the film spawned the sequel Grumpier Old Men - a rare breed of movie that almost lived up to the quality of the original.

In Grumpy Old Men, lifelong friends and neighbors John Gustafson (Jack Lemmon) and Max Goldman (Walter Matthau) trade jibes on a daily basis against the backdrop of the frozen Minnesota tundra. Maintaining a relationship that appears to be nothing more than a give and take of acerbic sarcasm, the two men actually enjoy a strong bond of kinship that has lasted all their lives. Widowed and retired, both men live a confined and comfortable existence, defined by routine ice fishing trips and visits from immediate family.

But John and Max both find new life when a rambunctious vixen named Ariel Truax (Ann-Margret) moves into the neighborhood. Ariel befriends both men who act as if they aren't interested in her because of their inner fears of leaving their comfort zone. It takes the actions of their friend, local fish store owner Chuck (Ossie Davis), to jar the two men from their comfortable, yet boring lives. When Chuck pays a visit to Ariel's house late one night, he rouses the jealousy of both men who instantly transform into competitors for Ariel's affections.

While Max seemingly has the upper-hand in the quest, the tables quickly turn in John's favor when Ariel communicates her feelings during a late night visit to the Gustafson abode… Meanwhile, John's daughter Melanie (Daryl Hannah) and Max's son Jacob (Kevin Pollack) develop a romantic relationship with one another.

With John and Ariel becoming an item themselves, a wedge is further driven between John and Max who continue their feuding unabated. Only a true father can break up these two fighting boys, which John's father does… But will their friendship be ruined forever?

Flooded with countless one-liners, perfect delivery of insults, and an endless number of comic scenes, Grumpy Old Men is one of the most hilarious films you'll ever have the pleasure of enjoying. The onscreen magic between Lemmon and Malthau is unsurpassed by any comedy duo before or since, and the screenplay is expertly written. In fact, the closing credits may actually be more entertaining than the film itself, which is quite an accomplishment. As the credits run the course of the screen, original outtakes from the film are shown. Burgess Meredith steals the show with his matter-of-fact, coarse utterances, such as "Looks like Chuck's gonna' bury his bone!"

With well-timed humor, and the ingenious performances of several Hollywood veterans, it's no surprise that Grumpy Old Men ranks as a definite must-see film. If you haven't seen it, you have no idea what you've been missing. Trust me, you could rent a hundred films before coming across something that's even close to being as funny as this one.

The Transformers Movie

What’s cool about the advancement of technology is that there are certain pieces that were simply made for advanced pieces of technology, but were created too soon. A prime example would be “Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd. The sonic landscapes and incredible details of the album were simply born to be enjoyed on the crisp, clean sound that a CD player could only provide. Even though “Dark Side” was released in 1974, its full appreciation couldn’t be discovered until the advent of the CD some 15 years later. Now, “Dark Side of the Moon” is the first CD you purchase when you grow out of your little crappy radio to a full-fledged adult, amazing kick-ass stereo system.

Which brings us to film; special effects have always been an integral part of creating worlds that moviegoers could believe in. From the colorization of Oz to Moses parting to Red Sea to being chased by the Death Star, special effects are just as important as the lead actor in some films. And while we’ve always been amazed at what was created for its time, it would be interesting to see what could be done then with the technology of today.

If there is one movie that’s destined for today’s technological and special effects advances, it comes out in July of 2007: the Transformers. For years, fans and enthusiasts would imagine what a real life Transformer would look like. How would the classic cartoon incarnation of Optimus Prime, Megatron and the other Autobots and Decepticons translate to a live action, big screen adventure? Well, this year, that question will be answered.

Forget about story or character or plot development for a second, and simply focus on big giant robots beating each other up. And then, in an instant, those big giant robots will transform into a truck or a plane and rip through the city at an incredible pace. In the early days of film, the concept would probably be impossible to place on the screen and do it justice. In the golden age of film, it would look interesting, but laughable. In the special effects era of movies, it would look passable, but not believable. But now, in 2007, with all the possibilities and abilities which special effects wizards have at their disposal, the Transformers, should, at the very least, look realistic.

A common source of debate for the upcoming Transformers movie is how the characters should look. The classic cartoon appearance, while iconic and nostalgic, supposedly does not translate that well onto a live action, big screen experience. Therefore, a whole new redesign of all the characters was necessary in order to make this movie appear realistic. And that is one of the main objectives behind this movie: it has to look absolutely real. In today’s age of special effects magic, there shouldn’t be too many movies that have cheap looking production values. But, in terms of scope and size, the visual challenges of the Transformers represent some of the biggest in moviemaking history.

Of course, because this is a big-budget adaptation of a classic 80’s cartoon and comic, the whole idea is to make this a trilogy. But, nobody is going to be interested in Tranformers 2 & 3 if the first one looks amateurish. This is one of those movies that could never have been made at any other time before this one, and it’s just as imperative that all the effects are done to perfection. There are some cracks at movies that you only get one shot at, with no remake really possible. This is one of those movies!

Can’t wait to see it!

Get Smart

When the headquarters of U.S. spy agency Control is attacked and the identities of its agents compromised, the Chief (Alan Arkin) has no choice but to promote his ever-eager analyst Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell), who has always dreamt of working in 40-Year-Old Virgin star Steve Carell steps into the telephonic shoes of television's most beloved bumbling detective in this big-screen adaptation of the hit 1960s-era comedy series created by Mel Brooks. The evil geniuses at KAOS have hatched a diabolical plot to dominate every living man, woman, and child on the planet, and their plot gets under way as they attack the headquarters of the U.S. spy agency Control. As a result of the attack, the identity of every agent working for Control has been compromised. Realizing that the only way to thwart KAOS' evil plan is to promote eager but inexperienced Control analyst Maxwell Smart (Carell) to the rank of special agent, the Chief (Alan Arkin) reluctantly teams Smart with Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) -- a veteran super-spy whose beauty is only surpassed by her lethality. With no real field experience to speak of and nothing but sheer enthusiasm and a handful of fancy spy gadgets to help him accomplish his deadly mission, Maxwell Smart his new partner, Agent 99, will be forced to faces malevolent KAOS head Siegfried (Terence Stamp) and his loyal army of minions in a decisive fight that will determine the fate of the free world. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, David Koechner, Terry Crews, and Ken Davitian co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Get The Best Kids Bedding

Kids bedding does not have to be a boring and dull thing. There are many ways of improving your kids bedding in such a way that your kids will not just look at their bedrooms as places to sleep. There are so many different ways and themes of baby bedding and kids bedding presently on the market. But, you don't have to go through it one by one. Rather than deluging yourself with all the choices available, why not think first of the theme you want for your kids bedding?

1. Theme

The theme of your kids bedding should match the room of your children. At the same time, pick a theme that your kids would love too. Oftentimes, getting a kid to sleep in his or her own bed is a difficult thing to do. Therefore, the theme of the kids bedding should make them feel that the room is theirs, a place that they want to come home to. Kids bedding themes vary in the market. There are many themes you can choose from. Some themes focus on simple color coordination. Others are more gender specific such as flowers or toy cars. Let your children know that you are buying kids bedding for them. They might help you pick the bedding they want. Also, when choosing kids bedding, do remember that most children want to have the latest children's movie in their bedding. This may, however, prove to be costly and exhausting task. At the average, there is a new children's movie every six or less months. Unless, you don't want to change the bedding look every six months, this task can be daunting. Instead of having the latest movie as kids bedding, why not use popular TV shows or cartoons that run longer or seem to last forever, like Sesame Street.

2. Age

Take into consideration not only your child's present age, but his future tastes as well. For example, a three-year-old child may like Teletubbies for his or her kids bedding, but what happens when he or she turns a year older or two? Chances are the Teletubbies bedding would be discarded soon enough before its maximum usability.

3. Designs

You might prefer bedding with a coordinated color pattern than bedding with some characters from a cartoon series or show. In fact, there are many available patterns of color in the market. Most of them are yellows, bright reds, blues for males, pinks, purples, pastels (for girls), flower-prints, dark colors, as well as animal prints that are gender-neutral. If you want to stick with cartoon characters, be sure that your kids would like your choice. The most popular characters this time are Rugrats, Spongebob Squarepants, and South Park, among others. Aside from the wide availability of various cartoon themes, toy themes are available too. Themes for girls include Barbie, Bratz, Mickey Mouse, and Kill Bill. Remember that there are also some themes that have disappeared a long time ago, but now have come back with a vengeance. Such examples include the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Goonies, and Friday The 13th.

4. Tips

- Remember that some bedding themes and styles are available only in certain sizes
- It might be wise if you ask your children for their three favorite colors and three favorite cartoons
- If the kids bedding you are choosing is not a gift it is a good idea to let your kids to select their own bedding
- If your child wets their bed regularly, a yellow sheet may help to conceal this from their friends

Excalibur Swords - Awesome Power, Legendary Beauty, Lasting Appeal

Excalibur - the famous "Sword in the Stone" Take a moment and let your mind's eye picture the images those words evoke. No sword, real or mythical, is more renowned, more beloved, than Excalibur. There is one simple reason, Excalibur is intimately associated with the myths, legends and romance surrounding King Arthur, Camelot, and the Knights of the Round Table.

According to legend, Excalibur was a mysterious sword with magical powers, sometimes blinding Arthur's foes with a blazing-bright light. As legend has it, Arthur became the rightful king of Britain because, even though many others tried, he was the only man able to pull Excalibur out of the stone. Alternate legends say that Arthur received Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake after he broke his first sword, Caliburn. Either way, Excalibur was a magical sword with awesome power and legendary beauty.

No one knows if King Arthur is an actual historical figure, if he actually wielded Excalibur, or if the entire story is merely an entertaining myth. But everyone knows the lore of Excalibur and its royal owner. And the epic film "Camelot" enhanced the mystique and appeal of this famous sword, whetting peoples' desire to have an Excalibur Sword for themselves.

The Modern Excalibur Sword.

The modern Excalibur Sword was born out of legend, out of mystique, out of the mists of the past. "Movie swords" such as replica Excalibur Swords are extremely popular with film buffs and with people who have an affinity for the history and lore of the Middle Ages.They are also sought-after by people who love historical fiction and fantasy books such as the Arthurian novel "The Once and Future King." One look at an Excalibur Sword will easily evoke images of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

Excalibur Swords are very collectible and can be a bold addition to a home's decor. And Medieval tournament re-enactments have become very popular. An Excalibur Sword worn by a man attending a Medieval re-enactment would be the perfect complement to a period costume from that era.

Elegant Yet Powerful.

Usually double-handed, there are several varieties of the Excalibur Sword. All are beautiful, and all evoke the pageantry and glory of long ago, heroic times. Some Excalibur Swords have leather-wrapped hilts and rough leather or wood scabbards or sheaths. Other Excalibur Swords have chrome-plated steel hilts and blades. Still others have solid silver or brass hilts and polished stainless steel blades. Some have hilts that have been etched with the traditional triple crown design of King Arthur. And some have precious or semi-precious gems and jewels inlaid or set into the hilt.But no matter what metal is used for the sword, and no matter how ornately or simply decorated, the design always harkens back to those that were used when King Arthur and his knights lived and died so valiantly. And to magic and mystery.

Lights, Camera, Action: Top NYC Television and Movie Sites

A unique type of student travel is available In New York City, where groups can learn about the world of television and movies with visits to sites made famous on both the big and small screens.

In the 1990s, Georgette Blau moved into an apartment on the East Side of Manhattan, only to discover that she lived near what had been the Jefferson apartment in the long-running situational comedy, The Jeffersons. This gave Blau an idea to create tours that allow people to straddle fiction and reality by passing the doorsteps of television and movie characters and real-life celebrities. As a result of Blau's imaginative idea, student tours can shop, eat, drink, and dance at the New York sites that have been featured in movies and on television, including visits to some of the hotspots featured in such shows as The Sopranos, Spider-Man, Friends, and Cosby.

The New York TV and Movie Sites tour is a three-hour motorcoach tour that covers more than 40 sites featured in over 60 television shows and movies. Tourists head to locations from The Devil Wears Prada, The Interpreter, and The Apprentice. From the bus, students also catch a glimpse of the restaurant used in Spider-Man. After so many years seeing it on the television screen, students visit the familiar apartment building where Monica, Chandler, and the other Friends live. Great photo ops are available on the steps of the Cosby townhouse, the Ghostbusters firehouse, and to the diner used in Men in Black and Woody Allen's Manhattan.

Tours can also be combined with a visit to the historic NBC Studio. An NBC Page serves as a guide for student tours as they visit the television operating center and NBC/Sharp History Theater. The tour also includes a visit to a couple of NBC's most famous studios, including Saturday Night Live, Today Show, and others. In the make-up room, students see prosthetic pieces built for Saturday Night Live and Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

The two-hour Central Park Movie Sites Tour walks student through some of the famous park's movie sites, including the Boathouse Cafe used in When Harry Met Sally and the park's Bandshell from Breakfast at Tiffany's and Kramer vs. Kramer. Groups also take a water break at Bethesda Fountain, used in Ransom and One Fine Day. There are great photo-ops at the famous Tavern on the Green, used in Ghostbusters and Wollman Rink, featured in movies like Love Story and Serendipity. In all, the tour covers more than 40 movie and television locations.

Sopranoland has never been more alive than it is now with a four-hour bus tour of sites made famous in the smash-hit The Sopranos. More than 40 location sites on the tour include Father Phil's Parrish and the high school where A.J. dumped pizza boxes into the pond. Tours also see Pizzland, the Muffler Man, and other sites from the opening credits. Memorable photo-ops are taken at the restaurant booth where Tony sat in the final scene of the series and on the steps of the diner where Chris met his untimely end.

For those student tours visiting Washington, D.C., tours are also available of the Capitol city's television and movie sites. The three-hour bus tour features more than 30 locations from 50 movies and television shows on this guided tour.

Student tours enjoy shopping at the mall where No Way Out and True Lies was filmed, followed by a chance to stand on the steps of the house used in The Exorcist. The tour also visits locations from Wedding Crashers, West Wing, X-Files, Independence Day, and Forrest Gump. Along the way, student tours also take in some of the Capitol's most important and famous government sites. From classic films of the 1970s such as The Godfather II to the recent Mission Impossible III, the tour of Washington, D.C., movie and television sites takes student tours on a journey of the timeline of filming in D.C. Tours are led by local Washington, D.C., actors.

Harley Davidson & The Movies - Fifty Years Of Movie Parts

The most recent film starring the American icon, the Harley Davidson motorcycle, was called 'Wild Hogs'. Named after the nickname given to its riders in the 1970's, this family comedy with an all star cast including John Travolta didn't quite meet its hyped expectations. Falling flat in plot and more importantly, script, the movie was a disappointing attempt at capturing the lure of the Harley and the thrill of the open road. It should have been no surprise. Putting Disney together with Harley Davidson was a little like asking John Carpenter to do a remake of Bambi. " Nice death scene, but it didn't quite capture the mood of the original!"

Hollywood however, has had a love hate relationship with this most unlikely of stars for more than half a century. It unwittingly threw the spotlight on what had been an American standard of industry, only to demonize the name to the extent that The Harley Davidson Motor Company nearly went bankrupt. As with most relationships though, time heals all. It would be the elevation into cult status of the very same movies that nearly destroyed the company, that would raise the phoenix of Harley Davidson from the fire, and turn it into the iconic symbol that it is today.

As with the careers of most movie stars, early appearances and bit parts are mostly forgotten. You may catch a glimpse of a Harley in WWII movies. (The motorcycles were supplied to the army as utility transport during both World Wars until the Jeep took over as the main utility vehicle in 1942). The big break for the Harley Davidson came in 1953 when it was cast alongside, or should I say under, Marlon Brando in The Wild One. The movie, which told the story of Jonny, the bike gang rebel, reflected the tone of rebellion sweeping America at the time amongst the nations teenage youth.

Unlike today however, 1950's society was not one driven by youth culture. The impact of the openly anti-establishment images that the genre portrayed did not spark a boom in sales for Harley Davidson as it would later achieve for such products as Ray-Ban sunglasses following the 1982 movie Top Gun. The effect in fact, was the opposite, leading the motorbike manufacturer into a period of declining sales. Conservative, middle America in the 50's was not willing to support what Harley Davidson had become and the youth generation that idolized the films and their stars were not yet in charge of the finances to supplement their dreams.

Whilst commercially Harley Davidson was in trouble, its portrayal in movies continued to flourish. The notable peak in came in 1969 with the movie 'Easy Rider'. Once again cast as the bad boys favourite mode of transportation, the Harley Davidson Chopper cruising the open highway, will always epitomize freedom and rebellion. Maybe it is this dichotomy of emotions, so fundamental to American history and the 'American Dream' that has been the backbone of the Harleys endurance.

The nineties saw Mickey Rourke and Don Jonson take up the gauntlet, although in this film it was Mickey Rourke's character that bestowed the Name Harley Davidson to the title of the film. Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man once again cast the character of the rough neck to, yes you guessed it, Harley Davidson.

As the nineties progressed, the teenagers that had idolized Marlon Brando and those early biker movies in the 50's were maturing into the wealth of America. Like an old friendship lost but never forgotten, it was these middle aged rebels of yester-year that would rekindle the corporate fortunes of Harley Davidson. they customized their bikes to stand out in a crowd and create for themselves a separate identity apart from the rest of the corporate clones. They were rebels that may have succumbed to the corporate ladder but now had the finances to relive the youth they could never afford.

So, it is with somewhat of a saddened heart, that the movie that was to portray the story of this revival and tell the story of those 50's youth reborn, should have turn out to be such a damp squib. Maybe Harleys executives still feel the pinch of the bad boy image and this is why they turned to Disney to tell the story. Personally, I think they should have gone with Tarrentino, the guts and the glory, the true Harley Davidson.

Step Brothers Movie Review-Will Ferrell At His Best!

I have to admit, I love Will Ferrell. The trouble is, when you love a guy, but his comedy starts to stink, and get stale, what do you do? This is what I was up against in the last few years with Ferrell's tiring attempts at comedy. So, when I decided to give this one a last ditch attempt and a final one more time, I have to say, I'm in love again. Step Brothers is an absolutely hilarious film.

From end to end, I don't remember the last time I've laughed this hard, without stop. This is what Ferrell needs to do, no more of those bio-spoofs of idiots that fall flat due to their tired joke. He is unstoppable as a part of an ensemble when he doesn't have to be the center of attention for an hour and half. Think not so funny but smart and witty.

Having a guy like John C. Reilly to play off of helps rein him in and give the audience a break, allowing the jokes to breath and not become stifled by the monotony of his schtick. The pairing of these two is a good combination. Reilly always plays it cool although he spices things just enough without going over the top like Ferrell get awfully into.

One of the refreshing points to this movie is that there is no romantic love interest. And many of the recent comedies starring Ferrell, there seems to be the token woman that he has to fall in love with and they have the awkward goofy romantic relationship. It seems like they've figured out that that's not necessary after all, people just want to go to the movies and laugh. This movie delivers on that point complete with gut wrenching bent over hilarious laughter.

Don't expect to see this one of the Oscars however. The movie's premise involves the get together of two older brothers who are almost in their 40s and are still living at home and with out any serious job prospects. Nancy Huff, (Mary Steenburgen showing that she is still around Hollywood), and Robert Doback, (Richard Jenkins letting his funny side out to complement the wonderful dramatic turn he gave in this year's The Visitor), are in love and perfect for one another.

With it to get together, their sons soon to be stepbrothers get to know each other. The two stepbrothers quickly realize that they are soulmates and are actually two children who were strapped in 40-year-old bodies. Thus, the comedy ensues. The chemistry between Ferrell and Reilly is unstoppable on screen, they are having fun, they must be improvising, and the movie continues to move forward with a great pace and lively energy.

As usual, this movies lined up with all the gags you can expect. The movie comes complete with rap music, grotesque singing, and of course gratuitous nudity. Give Ferrell a chance to rub his genitalia on Reilly's drumset. Wrap this all up with a whole bunch of swearing and were good to go. Surprisingly this movie did not receive and are raving. The fact that a couple lines from the trailer didn't make the final cut shows that the actors must have improvised and done multiple takes of each scene.

The movie makes use of director Apatow's genius, and delivers it in much the same way the movie Knocked Up did. Apatow and Ferrell combined with Reilly make an excellent combination and this is just another one in the steam roller hits that Apatow has come to be known for. If you enjoyed John C. Reilly in Walk hard: the Dewey Cox story, and Ferrell in movies like Elf, but you're sure to enjoy this one.

Spanglish, Movie Review

Adam Sandler has become a very rich man by dishing out some entertaining but less than critically acclaimed movies. Anyone seen The Waterboy, Billy Madison, Little Nicky, Big Daddy, or Happy Gilmore recently? Although you have to love Happy Gilmore if for no reason than the Bob Barker/Happy Gillmore throw down. But I digress.

If you’re in the mood for a different side of Sandler, I recommend you take a look at Spanglish. He displays a much wider range of acting ability than in his other roles, and the results are grea. Sandler plays a chef/father that’s going through some challenging times at home with his “a bit too intense wife” played by Tea Leoni. As the title of the film would suggest, the primary focus is on Paz Vega, a recent immigrant that takes a housekeeping job at the home of Sandler and Leoni, and her daughter. The daughter goes through some tough times as she gets used to being around the money of Sandler and his family while also being the voice of her mother who only speaks broken English. The resulting clash of cultures is interesting to watch and Sander does a great job trying to maintain control over his extended family. It’s nice to see him in a more serious role while leaving the punch lines to others…most notably the mother of Leoni’s character that happens to be an ex-jazz singer that hits the sauce at about 9am every day. On the whole, Spanglish is a great movie.

Atonement Movie - A Touching Love Story

“Atonement” is a fantastic movie directed by the renowned director Joe Wright. It is basically a romantic film full of high voltage drama. The story of this film is based on the popular novel written by the well known author McEwan. One can not find many movies based on such a theme that became hit in the first few weeks of the release. The star cast of the movie include James McAvoy, Kiera knightly, julia West, etc.

“Atonement” movie has become very popular among the viewers of all ages. It is a touching film that depicts the story of love and misunderstanding between two lovers. The story follows a 13 year old girl who falls in love with Robbie, the lead actor in the movie. The girl named Cecilia loves Robbie and therefore her sister Briony is jealous of this affair. Robbie is sentenced for five years because he was accused of being a sex maniac. Later on Briony realises her mistakes and apologises to both her sister and her lover. However, they do not reunite because of the differences occurred between them in the mean time. Hence, the movie ends on a sad note and gives the audience a lot to think.

All the actors in the movie have justified their roles. The sad scenes give lively experiences to the viewers. Some of the breathtaking songs have been given by Dario Marianelli, the music director of the film. The lead actors James and Keria have given emotion-filled performances that draw the attention of movie viewers. The ending scenes are very touching and full of emotional dialogues.

Atonement Movie CD/DVD can be availed from many places such as music stores, super markets and shopping malls. Huge discounts are also given under different packages on these places. The online shopping portals are also the places from where one can get the CDs/DVDs at discounted prices. These websites give a lot of benefits to the customers so that they could increase the traffic on their webpages. Purchasing the latest “Atonement” movie DVD from the online portals has many advantages. One can get attractive schemes and deals there which make the shopping more enjoyable.

Some websites provide the facility of comparing prices of a particular movie CD/DVD offered by different retailers. This comparison exercise helps the buyer in choosing the best available deal. The price of “Atonement” movie DVD is lesser on these sites in comparison with the music stores. The portals are able to offer such a price because they deal directly with the manufacturing companies. One can also win exciting gifts and products on these sites. Various online contests are run there and the winners get the DVDs free of cost. Overall, “Atonement” movie is a wonderful film that is gaining huge popularity in the UK markets. One should not miss the opportunity to watch such a sensational movie.

Horror Movie Reviews - Resident Evil: Extinction And More

Reviews of some horror movies I've watched.

Resident Evil: Extinction

In this third installment the entire planet has been overrun by zombie creatures, and Milla Jovovich tries to survive in this Mad Max-like world. Several scenes seem "borrowed" from other movies, like the bird attack straight out of Hitchcock's "The Birds." I wasn't impressed with the CGI, and there's no real tension in the movie - but there is some nice kick-butt-zombie-action. If you liked the first two "Resident Evil" movies, you'll enjoy this one as well. Grade: 3 out of 5

Wind Chill

In a chilling winter landscape two college students crash with their car. Soon they encounter ghosts. There's a very creepy atmosphere in this movie, and the acting is excellent. But the movie is also painfully slow, and it's far between the scares. More drama than horror. Grade: 2 out of 5

The Hitcher

Decent 2007 remake of the original Rutger Hauer movie. A young couple on their way to spring break pick up a dangerous hitchhiker, who turns their lives into a nightmare. This time around we se Sean Bean as the hitcher, and he always delivers. Despite some plot holes this is an okay remake, but I prefer the original. Grade: 3 out of 5

Alone

From the directors of "Shutter" come this better-than-average ghost horror from Thailand. It's about a dead siamese twin that comes back to haunt the sister who is alive. I really wanted to give this movie a higher grade, but I can't because the ghost scares and the twist are very predictable - but it's a pretty solid movie anyway. Grade: 3 out of 5

Premonition

Middle-of-the-road thriller where Sandra Bullock loses her husband in a car accident. But a few days later he's alive again. Was his death just a premonition of what to come, and can she stop it? The movie is slow paced and confusing as it jumps back and forth in the story. The suspense is almost non-existent, but there are some touching moments between the characters. The movie held my interest to somewhere around the halfway mark, then I got tired of it. Grade: 2 out of 5

The Breed

Michelle Rodriguez just doesn't have any luck with islands. First "Lost" and now this. A bunch of friends arriving at an island are attacked by genetically manipulated rabid dogs. And the dogs are real, no CGI dogs, thank you very much. There are some suspenseful scenes, and the movie is better than I expected, but it's not good enough. Grade: 2 out of 5

Take the Empire Magazine Bond Quiz: Test Yourself for Bond Movie Trivia

Do movie trivia for a hobby? You can test your James Bond movie trivia skills by taking the Empire Magazine Bond Quiz online. The recent publishing of the quiz in early December will afford you the chance to brush up on those movie trivia skills that you've been having so much fun in doing for the past 20 years.

• In order to test your knowledge of the ongoing Bond movies from 1962 through 2006, go to the site online at Press Dispensary, pressdispensary.com, to gain information on how to access the quiz at Empire Magazine's online website, which has a comprehensive 20-question quiz over the extensive Bond movie library and presents a challenge, even to the most knowledgeable movie trivia experts.

When you're finished taking this 20-question quiz by Empire Magazine, let us know what you think about the Empire Bond Quiz. The test is designed to cover all the Bond movies that have shown since 1962, so remember to brush up on all the Bond movie trivia that you can in preparation for this movie trivia skills set exam. But have fun doing it.

Empire Magazine is a British film magazine that can be subscribed to online at Empire's website at empireonline.com.

Sweepstakes Lets Movie Fans Go For The "glory"

Are you a well-groomed perfectionist like the "Blades of Glory" character Jimmy MacElroy or do you relate to his feisty flirt of a cohort Chazz Michael Michaels?

If the answer's "yes," you're likely a fan of the riot-ous 2007 Will Ferrell flick and can't wait to get your hands on a copy of the newly released DVD, which includes special features like deleted scenes, gag reel and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

What's more, in honor of the release, from now through October 29, 2007, you can log on to www.SmilesofGlory.com to register for a chance to win great prizes in the Crest Whitestrips Daily Multicare "Glorify Your Smile" sweepstakes.

There's no purchase necessary, and one lucky grand-prize winner will win a trip for two to Hollywood-complete with travel, accommodations and a tour of the world-famous Paramount Studios. Also to be awarded to both the grand-prize winner and an additional 30 first-prize winners: a copy of the "Blades of Glory" DVD and a kit of new Crest Whitestrips Daily Multicare, the five-minute daily solution for your smile. Winners will be chosen on or around November 1, 2007.

Top Five Movie Cars Of All Time

1. 1981 DeLorean DMC-12,"Back to the Future"
Notable Features of Doc Browns DeLorean include Gull-wing doors, 16-port twin exhaust boxes, Flux Capacitor and ability to travel time when travelling at 88 mph. Even more impressively in the third and final film the DeLorean has the ability to run solely on trash demonstrating its environmentally friendly features.

2. 1959 Cadillac Ambulance, "Ghostbusters"
The iconic Cadillac Ambulance in Ghostbusters, may lack action under the bonnet but it makes up for it in style with tailfins, flashing lights, sirens and an attached ladder, all the necessities for ghost hunting. The car itself was used to carry the team's ghost-capturing equipment. Special features include a special pull-out rack in the rear containing the staff's proton packs, which facilitates a quick retrieval without the complication of having to reach into the vehicle's rear and its distinctive siren wail.

3. 1964 Aston Martin DB5, "Goldfinger"
With bulletproof glass, machine guns, incessantly beeping radar screen and a beautiful body the 1964 Aston Martin from Goldfinger could not be missed out. Driven by Sean Connery as the legendary James Bond this Aston Martin is not only kitted out with the best gadgets of its time but it is fast and looks amazing.

4. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder “Ferris Bueller's Day Off”
This classic vehicle featured as the untouchable car owned by Cameron Frye's dad in the teen movie Ferris Buellers Day off, in which Frye is persuaded to skip school and take his dads beloved car out for a spin. Much of the movie’s plot revolves around the ill fate of the Ferrari which ends up going backwards through a garage and going tail end into a forest ravine.

5. 1948 Ford Convertible “Grease”
Grease Lightening was constructed by the Thunderbirds in the movie Grease. It has a white paint job with silver car graphics including some nifty lightening graphics. The car takes John Travolta’s character Danny to victory at Thunder Ally and helps him bag the girl, Sandy. The end of the movie sees Greased Lightening carrying the lovebirds up into the clouds.