A bank robbery that turns out to be a hostage situation!  On the level, THE INSIDE MAN appears to be another one of those crime action thrillers than Hollywood churns out by the dozen.  NOT!  For one, THE INSIDE MAN is directed by Spike Lee, who despite not having a hit in the past decade or so, has never directed a commercial flick before.  Like Woody Allen’s MATCH POINT, Spike Lee’s (DO THE RIGHT THING, SCHOOL DAZE) INSIDE MAN is a pleasant, wicked surprise and a return to the director’s form.

V FOR VENDETTA is another comic book dark gothic fantasy that Hollywood seems committed to bring to the screen.  Based on Alan Moore’s graphic novel, written by The Martrix’s Wachowski Brothers and directed by THE MARTRIX RELOADED and THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS’ first assistant director, James McTeigue, V FOR VENDETTA has the same outlook as the last two MATRIX movies.  Unfortunately, the feel and effects are so alike.  Can one remember much about the last two MATRIX films?  Most likely not – except for the futuristic sets and CGI photography.

NIAGARA MOTEL, the second feature from Winnipeg director Gary Yates (after SEVEN TIMES LUCKY) tells the story of eight people who stay at or move in and out of NIAGARA MOTEL.  Niagara Falls is one of the eight wonders of the world and a highlight for tourists but anyone who has visited the Falls know that deeper into the town lie the cheesy stores and run down motels.  Yates’ film, based on George Walker’s “Suburban Motel” plays and co-written by him is set in that run down strip where losers, love-lost couples and hustlers congregate.

MEAN GIRLS with a touch of SAVED! – New Brunswick style.

Based on the book by Christopher Buckley and written for the screen and directed by Jason Reitman (Ivan Reitman’s son), THANK YOU FOR SMOKING is a satire on several subjects from congressmen, tobacco companies to Hollywood moguls.  The film is funny and entertaining enough, though it hardly succeeds as a biting satire.