DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS (USA 2010) ****
Directed by Jay Roach

I must admit that I was not too pleased when I heard that Hollywood was remaking the France Veber French comedy LE DINER DE CONS (THE DINNER GAME).  For one, that film was overly sentimental, not that funny and a mild success at the box-office.  But, surprise, surprise this remake by Austin Powers’ director Jay Roach pushes ridiculousness to the limit and it works.  Though a bit inconsistent in times, DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS has enough side-splitting lines to make the film worthwhile.  In some parts, the audience would laugh till their sides hurt!

COUNTDOWN TO ZERO (USA 2010) ***
Directed by Lucy Walker

The threat of nuclear weapons, the danger to all humanity and how all this can be stopped is the topic of the scary documentary COUNTDOWN TO ZERO.

GASLAND (USA 2010) ***
Directed by Josh Fox

Upset and shocked by what the natural gas companies have done to his land, the one-man crusade Josh Fox embarks to tell the world what is happening and to hopefully make thing right.  The result is a documentary that tells its story in pretty much the same way as films like AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, LAND, FUEL, but still hits its point effectively home.

SALT (USA 2010) **
Directed by Phillip Noyce

The new action Angelina Jolie vehicle SALT begins with high expectations with a scantily clad Evelyn Salt (Jolie), a CIA tortured and ordered out of a country.  The skimpy plot involves the testing of Salt’s loyalty when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy.

RAMONA AND BEEZUS (USA 2010) **
Directed by Elizabeth Allen

RAMONA AND BEEZUS follows the misadventures of 9-year old, young grade schooler Ramona Quimby (Joey King) from Beverly Cleary’s popular children’s book series.  No magic or danger in this story, just everyday happenings – which can make for a real life, down to earth or dead boring movie.