WHAT THE BLEEP DO WE KNOW? Rating: 4.0 Martinis
Attention bored movie goers everywhere... get ready to blow your grey matter cuz this is not your average movie. You don't have to live in an ashram or om shanti your way into understanding the film's simple premise. Put bluntly, it takes an in-depth look into a mixture of worlds, where spirituality meets quantum physics. Chock full of mind blowing multi-dimensional visual effects and animation, we're taken on a journey of a woman's life (Marlee Matlin) as we hear from leading scientists and mystics - who say that you're not just what you eat, but you're actually what you THINK! Deep and darn good conversation starter, Betty dug it for its fresh perspective on the age old questions of "who am I?" and "what the hell are we doing here?"

THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE Rating: 3.5 Martinis
Like creepy political thrillers that make the White House look a whole lot like hell? Well then rejoice conspiracy theorists - this topical remake of the 1962 original that featured Frank Sinatra) is worth a non-matinee ticket. Minus Frank but lifted on the shoulders of Captain Bennett Marco (Denzel Washington) this nail biter tells the tale of when Marco and Sgt. Raymond Shaw (Liev Schreiber) served together during the Persian Gulf War as a platoon of U.S. soldiers who were, at the height of the war kidnapped by a diablocial corporation, and brainwashed to become pawns once they return home.

Ten years later Shaw has aspirations of sleeping in the White House - literally - and his mother (played skin crawlingly well by Meryl Streep) is bound to make him the next vice presidential candidate... or else! Marco, however, eventually remembers being brainwashed and can't stop eating oodles of Cup O Noodles. Knowing that it's just a matter of time before Shaw is called to service by his handlers, Marco tries to save the day - well maybe even the planet - if you believe the folks in the Executive Branch can control the globe.

RIDING GIANTS Rating: 4.0 Martinis
Riding Giants takes us along surfing’s timeline from it’s early Polynesian roots, to its rebirth in the early 20th Century, to the development of a fledgling surf culture along the coast of Southern California in the 1940s highlighting the group of extraordinary adventurers that emerged: surfers who, not satisfied with the mere recreational and social aspects of the sport, began searching for bigger and bigger waves, pushing the boundaries of performance to explore the “unridden realm.” Riding Giants is the story of these big wave riders, of where and how their quest began, of the classic characters who throughout the eras chased their dreams out into the blue water, and of the surfers who still do today, riding 50, 60 and even 70 foot waves in a manner once considered the realm of fantasy.

FAHRENHEIT 9/11 Rating: 5.0 Martinis
If I could get my arms around director Michael Moore, I'd give him a big hug. While the right wing Republicrats are in threaten-the-theater-who-dares-screen-this-thing attack mode and Disney has refused to distribute the film (I guess those tax breaks in Florida have been swell)- the good news is Fahrenheit 911 will be seen by the public. And it don't look good for Bush and Company. Moore skipped the soapbox and went for recent film footage and actual interviews to make his case against the war in Iraq as well as informing the public about the cozy history between the Bush clan and bin Laden families as well as the Saudi Royals.

Moore’s blistering exposure is like disinfectant on an already creepy administration that has taken us into two wars with the promise of more endless adventures in the future, as well as record deficits and the loss of civil liberties. Other illuminating points include George W’s controversial victory of the 2000 presidential election (and that he spent 42% of his time on vacation pre 911) as well as the fact that 24 members of the Bin Laden family and several Saudi bigwigs were escorted out of the U.S. with White House approval right after 9/11. Shouldn't the FBI talk to them first? Moore even goes after congressmen leaving Capitol Hill and tries to persuade them to enlist their children to fight in Iraq. Not surprisingly, not one offers up their offspring. I would have to say that this is one of the most important films I've ever seen. Go see for yourself.

ETERNAL SUNSHINE ON THE SPOTLESS MIND Rating: 4.0 Martinis
Damn this was one cool movie. Joel (played by a Jim Carrey you can handle) finds out that his somewhat crazy ex-girlfriend, (played exquisitely by Kate Winslet), has undergone an experimental procedure in which all of her memory of Joel is removed. Frustrated that he's still in love with a woman who doesn't have a clue who he is, Joel agrees to undergo the procedure to erase her. Sounds like your run of the mill tit-for-tat right? But once the process starts, Joel realizes he doesn't really want to forget her, and thus the battle for love begins. Honestly, my measly description can't measure up to the film's fabulously frenzied pace and downright brilliant insight into the heart and mind, but trust me, this one is a gem.

KILL BILL: VOLUME 1 Rating: 1.0 Martini
First off, let it be known that I loved Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. Quentin Tarantino has impressed me on a number of occasions. That said, I must say that I'd rather eat my high school gym socks then watch this beyond long labyrinth of gore and haute couture. Despite some spectacular fight scenes (with the exception of one long drawn out 1/2 hour number) and a terrific Uma Thurman, Kill Bill hardly moves you anywhere past the first act - when Uma's character discovers how hospital orderly Buck - who apparently likes to F_ _ _ _ - has "taken" care of her. Clever Quentin, really. But the anime drenched in blood style of violence from revenge strives too desperately to be hip - and thus it ain't.

LOST IN TRANSLATION Rating: 2.0 Martinis
Hmm, this one was a toughie for me. Bill Murray already has a soft spot in my heart and he does manage to go places we've never seen him go before. But the story lacked something and I can't til this day put my finger on it. While there is always interesting Japanese scenery to view, nothing much in this film pulled me into their lives. Murray plays a washed-up TV star in Tokyo for a TV whiskey commercial shoot, who meets up with the very young wife of a photographer (Scarlette Johansson). Basically, the two end up spending a weekend hanging out there together at sushi bars and karaoke suites on a soul-searching mission that leaves you wondering why you forked out $8.50 to witness someone else's mid-life crisis.

STEP INTO LIQUID Rating: 4.0 Martinis
Hot damn this is one bitchin' surf flick! Not that I'm ever going to strap on a board and take a 66 foot wave, but these guys and gals do and it's a beautiful thing to see. This high action (and at times emotional) documentary profiles surfers from all over the world, both young and old taking on everything from the monstrous waves of Oahu's North Shore to the Mini Me versions in the Gulf shores of Texas where waves are created by oil supertankers. While this flick is a must-see for any surfer, it's also recommended for those who like to watch from the shore. A definite thumbs up for all ages!

CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE Rating: 3.0 Martinis
If you like totally over the top eye candy with absolutely no value other than sheer indulgence, than this movie is for you. If on the other hand you're looking for some deep meaning cinematic milestone, keep walking sister.

Charlie's Angels Full Throttle returns with our favorite cast of girlies - Drew Barrymore as Dylan, Lucy Liu as Alex and my personal fave, wacky Cameron Diaz as Natalie. This time around the gals go undercover to retrieve two missing silver bands that contain valuable encrypted information that reveals the identities of every person in the Federal Witness Protection Program. They're still beautiful, brainy and dangerous in heels, but for a new spin on things, they're also thwarted at every turn by a fallen angel played by Demi Moore.

Now, there are plenty of moments when this thing veers out of control and it does manage to rattle even the most loyal of Angels fans - but there are still tidbits of decadence and comic delight left for a hungry summertime audience. So while it has plenty of lowlights to spare, I say you should still check it out for the fashion factor alone.

BRUCE ALMIGHTY Rating: 3.0 Martinis
Bruce Almighty stars Jim Carrey as Bruce Nolan, a television reporter in Buffalo, New York who is basically a complainer. Almost everything in his life sucks. While he dreams of making anchor one day, he's always assigned the silly human interest stories. He's also stuck in traffic and his dog pees on the furniture... you get the idea. At the end of the worst day in his life, Bruce yells at God (Morgan Freeman) for doing such a lousy job and God responds by giving him his job, endowing Bruce with all of his divine powers. But as all of these so-so films go (and as Bruce finds out) the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

While Carrey does manage a few gags that will make you laugh- much of the film winds up leaving you flat. There's the relationship between Bruce and his girlfriend Grace (Jennifer Aniston) which never convinces you they've even ate dinner together, let alone slept together... and well, Jim may be funny when he gets all amped up but he really can't act all that well. Sorry, but let's not forget "The Majestic" folks. I rest my case. So if you want a couple of giggles with not a lot of meat, check out Bruce Almighty - just make sure it's a matinee!

HEAD OF STATE Rating: 1.5 Martinis
When a candidate dies in the middle of a presidential campaign, a group of clever Democrats decide to go with a nobody named Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock) as his replacement. Sounds like an odd premise for a film, and it is. While I give him credit for taking on just about every job available in this film - from that of producer, lead star and director - you can't help but think that Rock's taken on more than he can chew. In short, what he lacks is the on-screen stature to pull off this larger-than-life act.

The good news is that the film perks up a bit whenever he shares the screen with Bernie Mac, who plays his brother and yes, even his running mate. The bad news is that those scenes are rare and what the audience is left with are a string of corny played out one liners that do not a savvy political comedy make.

CHICAGO Rating: 4.0 Martinis
Muscials never get me all gooey inside but this one sure did. This highly anticipated film version of the Broadway hit is set in the roaring 20's, and it has all the razzmatazz appeal an Oscar can hope for.

Chicago chorus girl Roxie Hart (played by a magnetically magnificent Renee Zellweger) shoots her unfaithful lover dead after he renigs on a promise to give her a big break in showbiz. Going straight to jail, she meets Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), another showbiz murderess, who is currently the media darling. Seeing how this can work for her as well, Roxie makes a few changes with the help of her suave attorney, Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), and she soon finds herself becoming the most famous murderer in town. The rest is just icing on the cake as musical ensembles work their way onto the big screen with a resemblance to the days of old and knock out numbers by Zellweger and Queen Latifah, who plays the prison marm. A must see!

DARK BLUE Rating: 4.0 Martinis
In this gritty police drama, Kurt Russell plays veteran LAPD detective Eldon Perry who takes rookie cop Bobby Keough (Scott Speedman) under his wing. Set just prior to the Los Angeles riots in April of 1992, this film takes a grim, yet realistic view, at how power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. From using various forms of intimidation and corruption, Russell's character is one of those you love to hate, with just enough personal charm to get him into a whole lot of trouble. When assigned to a high-profile quadruple homicide that gets stranger by the minute, both the veteran and rookie get more than they bargained for.
Basically, this is a real treat for Kurt Russell fans who can expect one of his best performances to date. The film also has a great script that was massaged by David Ayer - the same man behind Denzel Washington's hit police flick Training Day.

FINAL DESTINATION 2 Rating: 3.0 Martinis
In this follow-up, a young college coed's premonition of a gruesome highway pileup helps save several lives...well, temporarily at least. What follows is a death extravaganza that works its way by going after every person who was supposed to die. Some might call it unrealistic, but that's the fun of it really. Poking fun at the whole horror genre is its saving grace. Just when you think you've figured out how somebody's gonna meet the Grim Reaper, the filmmakers switch the nutshell on you. That I enjoyed. Of course the plot twist does manage to tank when there's this rush to save the life of an unborn child. Whatever. But with the help of Clear Rivers, [played by Ali Larter] and the rest of the cast, a good time is still in store if you like to be teased with, scared and totally grossed out.

A GUY THING Rating: 1.5 Martinis
Just how bad is this movie? Let's put it this way - I fell asleep not once, not twice, but three times. This snooze-inducing romantic comedy stars the likable Julia Stiles and the interesting Selma Blair, but is weighed down with a weak premise and an even weaker script.

It starts out with a groom-to-be (Jason Lee) grappling with the idea that 'boys will be boys' and that a fling before walking down the aisle is almost expected of a man. But when he falls for a dancer at his bachelor party - he's forced to decide between going along with the wedding or going for a wild ride in the spontaneous lane. The catch is, this dancer just so happens to be his bride-to-be's cousin. Oy! A Guy Thing probably won't appeal to most women - or men for that matter. We've seen it all before in dozens of films. And what little progress it makes with laughs, it just falls flat on delivering interesting characters to invest in.

GANGS OF NEW YORK Rating: 3.5 Martinis
If you thought you knew American history - think again. According to director Martin Scorsese, it was a Mad Max-like, brutally bloody time when you took what you wanted and to hell with anyone else. Welcome to New York City during the mid 1800s. In addition to gruesome turf battles, there's complete disdain for Abraham Lincoln, the Irish and blacks. In other words, it's a city that's constantly destroying itself.

Now, the verdict's still out on Leonardo DiCaprio's performance- although he fit the suit I'm not certain he was the best man for the job. I mean he's great at playing Leo, but the real man to watch is masterful Daniel Day-Lewis who slithers his way on-screen as the venomous Bill the Butcher. He makes Tony Soprano look like a marshmallow. And Cameron Diaz? She's so-so as the love interest/pickpocket gal put in the middle of these two warring factions of testosterone. But for me, it was loathsome Lewis who really stole the show.

Just one warning: this film is WAY TOO VIOLENT. And that's really my only main criticism of the film. The blatant bloodletting got so bad, I felt like I was watching a young boy pull off the wings of a butterfly just so he could see it squirm. But then again, this is from the same director who gave us a booby-biting Robert DeNiro in "Cape Fear" and a head-bashing Joe Pesci in "Casino" - - perhaps Mr. Scorsese has some issues to work out. Whatever. Despite all the gore, Gangs is still worth a look-see.

THE HOURS
This fine film interweaves the stories of three women - a busy New York book editor (Meryl Streep), a young mother in 1951 California (Julianne Moore) and author Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman). The intensity level on this movie is way up - partly because these amazing actresses make you want to watch every moment. But it's also because you really don't know what's coming up next. And while it's patient in both tempo and pace, the story unfolds in such a manner that you just don't want to blink.

And luckily for fans of Michael Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film does stay somewhat true to the book. Director Stephen Daldry ("Billy Elliot") allows all of the characters to dwindle in pain and find their own way out. The Hours is slow, methodical and delicious to nibble on. Not one person turns in a bad performance in this film. Streep is, as always, irresistible to watch. Every time I see her I just want to have lunch with her so bad it hurts! I was also impressed with Nicole's take on Virginia Woolf. While it must've helped to have that fake nose, she really channeled Virginia's spirit on camera. All in all, "The Hours" is time well spent.
Rating: 4.0 Martinis

ADAPTATION
While most every critic is praising this film as if it were the second coming - I can't get my head around the fact that this was just plain bad. Yeah sure, there are few moments of in-depth witty banter and Meryl Streep is of course amazing to watch - but hell - she can make a box of potato flakes sound like poetry.

Adaptation is really a movie about its own ego. Nicolas Cage (The Id) plays Charlie Kaufman, the film's screenwriter, who is assigned to adapt Streep's character Susan Orlean's "The Orchid Thief" for the screen. And just when you start to not care anymore, in a desperate attempt to get rid of his writer's block Kaufman puts himself into the movie, as a writer trying to write. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. I get more kicks picking Christmas tree needles out of shag carpet!

And for whatever advances the film makes, the quirkiness fades rather quickly, right around the same time Charlie begins worrying that it's becoming too narcissistic (nerd alert: it is!)... and so he goes on fretting and sweating and masturbating and making my life miserable for yet another hour. In summary - this film is far from Oscarworthy - but methinks it will creepy crawl its way to the red carpet nonetheless with all the hoopla a really bad Beverly Hills haircut might receive.
Rating: 1.5 Martinis

ABOUT SCHMIDT Rating: 4.0 Martinis
May I first start out saying how nice is is to see Jack Nicholson in a slice of life reality flick. We sure have loved him as the Devil in Witches of Eastwick and as the nasty next door neighbor astronaut in Terms of Endearment, but this is perhaps his finest work.

Jack plays Warren Schmidt, a man who is searching for the meaning of his life following retirement and the sudden death of his wife. With meticulous attention to details Nicholson takes us on a journey into Warren's hopes and fears as he packs up his brand new 30-foot Winnebago to set out on a journey to attend his daughter's (Hope Davis) wedding to a waterbed salesman (played perfectly by Dermot Mulroney).

The joy of this film is in its simplicity really. This could be any man reflecting upon his life. This could even be your father or grandfather. He's just looking for a sign that his life mattered to someone - and that in itself can be the journey of a lifetime. Thankfully we have Jack along to drive the bus and a cast of fab actors (including a brave Kathy Bates who takes it all off in the hot tub) to enjoy the ride.

LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS Rating: 3.5 Martinis
Ah yes, finally the second part in the J.R.R. Tolkien saga - the meat of the sandwich so to speak - when hobbits Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) continue their drawn out quest to have the evil ring destroyed. Which is no easy feat for such big hairy feet since the united towers of Saruman and Sauron are nastier than any Sadaam Hussein or Osama Bin Laden put together.

Meanwhile, Aragorn (played by the steamy-n-strapping Viggo Mortensen) and his allies go on a hunt to rescue the other two hobbits from the nasty monster army that wants to help take over the world. Grand poobah wizard Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellan) also makes an appearance - although we see far too little of him.

As with the first installment, The Two Towers is visually stunning. The only thing that bothered me was the repeated good against evil act which gets repeated so much, you just want them to finish the damn story so you can go on about your life. After watching this film I couldn't help but say, "Great. Now I just have to wait another 365 days before I get some closure." But fear not, young Hob-sters, the scenery and digital mastery along with a sweaty Viggo on horseback is enough to keep you glued to your seat for most of the whopping three hours. After that, your butt is just plain stuck to the seat.

EVELYN Rating: 3.0 Martinis
Here's a good family movie. Nothing Oscar worthy but family friendly nonetheless. Desmond Doyle (Pierce Brosnan) is stuck with three kids in 1953 Ireland when his wife abandons the family the day after Christmas. When news that he's unemployed gets to the authorities they decide that the children should be put into the Catholic Church run orphanages. Historical Note: While not explored too much in this film, these places were breeding grounds for all sorts of physical and sexual abuse - along with all the normal Catholic guilt. In other words, these were places no one would ever want to live. Okay, back to the plot...

While his children - Evelyn, Noel and Brendan - are separated and sent to these horrible institutions Desmond remains committed to getting them back, no matter what it takes. In addition to cleaning up his drinking act, he must now get a job and battle the supreme court in order to bring his kids home.

The scoop? While there are some corny little moments here and there (and believe me, you'll know 'em when you see 'em) I actually found the film quite charming and quaint. The story is solid and much to my surprise Pierce does do a bang up job in the role. So for all it's worth, it's still worth a look-see.

ANALYZE THAT Rating: 3.0 Martinis
For fans of the first Analyze flick, the verdict on this one may be split. While I enjoyed some of the first one, the slow spell-it-out manner in which it played out did manage to bug me. Analyze That also has some of the same problems but once you get over the ridiculous setup, you do start having fun.

It's not so much due to the humor or gags related to mafia shtick - it's more because Robert DeNiro (Paul Viti) is just plain riveting to watch. Like a monkey in a zoo, you know he's stuck in there with not much of a natural habitat around him, just a few twigs and a tire... but you can 't take your eyes off him. He's good. No, no, he's real good.

Billy Crystal on the other hand is relegated to the neurotic reprisal role of his analyst, Dr. Ben Sobel. He's nervous about having to care for DeNiro's character, he's dealing with the death of his father and he's not as funny as before. That said, I did enjoy a portion of this film. Mostly for its mindless lighthearted feel and zings to the television industry... unfortunately, they didn't run with the ball on the angle of a real-life wiseguy telling Hollywood what to do. A decent matinee priced laugh or two.

DIE ANOTHER DAY Rating: 2.0 Martinis
Pierce Brosnan is back as Bond - James Bond - in the twentieth installment of the 007 series. With an overabundance of fast cars, faster women and a enough high tech gizmos to make The Sharper Image look like an amateur five and dime, Bond travels around the globe to unveil a traitor at MI6 and prevent a global disaster. On his way to saving the planet, he crosses paths with a woman named Jinx (played by Halle Berry) who has her own mission to tend to. She's smart, sexy and doesn't want to shoot him after cuddling. How refreshing.

Unfortunately that's where the refreshing flavor ends. This installment of the 007 series is so over the top and so loud (we're talkin' shards of glass shattering in Dolby stereo type of loud) -- that whatever enjoyment you do get out of seeing Halle get it on with Pierce is wasted. After a mission has gone awry, you start off witnessing Bond's capture and torture - nicely mixed with Madonna's theme song mind you. Then there's this whole mess with the villain who gets a new face (a la John Woo's "Face Off") and there's a double agent at MI6, Madonna makes a cameo, badly done CGI with Bond surfing a 100 foot wave... blah, blah, blah. Simply put, the 2002 Bond is just too unrealistic - the stunts are too unbelievable and the running time (a whopping 2 1/2 hours) is too long.

HARRY POTTER: THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS Rating: 2.0 Martinis
Talk about long! At 2 hrs. 41 min. in length, the second Potter has been reviewed by other critics who claim that it's, "A sequel better than the original--and better than the book on which it's based... It must be magic!" Yeah?

While I struggled through the first one because of the huge success of the book, this follow up did little to satiate my need for magical cinema. Yes, the use of computerized special effects can make a car fly and all sorts of visual cotton candy appear out of thin air. But mid way through this thing I kept asking myself, "why?" What am I getting out of this and why do I care about these people? Don't get me wrong, Daniel Radcliffe is genetically perfect as Potter - and his sidekick Ron (Rupert Grint) can be equally as adorable in a squeamish sort of way. But after watching them get into magical mess after magical mess you just get tired of it all.

Now for those of you sadistic parents who want to freak out the wee ones - based on the fact that the wizards-in-training discover a dark force that's terrorizing the school - this Potter is also a lot spookier than the first one - so consider yourself warned.

8 MILE Rating: 3.0 Martinis
While this is no Oscar contender by any stretch of the imagination, 8 Mile isn't completely daft and void of merit. Sure, Eminem does a fine job playing well, Eminem, but that's not the selling point, oddly enough. Thanks in great part to the direction of Chris Hanson (L.A. Confidential) there are a few things worthy of your precious time. One is Hanson's ability to allow the audience in on an intimate level with the rapper-turned-actor and the supporting cast. Kim Basinger as Em's on-screen white trash mama is right on the money as is Mehki Pfiefer as his rap world buddy. Just don't ask about Britany Murphy. Although she was definitely used for a quickie at the plant - in my opinion she was just plain under used in the film.

The only main pimple plaguing this film is the predictible script which follows Em's character, Jimmy Smith Jr. - a troubled youth who wants a way out of Detroit and his problems (after he gets his girlfriend preggers he finds himself in a low paying gig pressing bumpers). Just think Saturday Night Fever's Tony Manero. He's got to get out of this dead end world but he'll do it through dancing in a white suit. Eminem does it by hurling insults to a syncopated rhythm. My how times have changed. But say what you will - even though Eminem is no looker and his acting chops need a few filings, the man can rap. And that - for fans of hip hop - is worth the bumpy ride.

FRIDA Rating: 4.5 Martinis
This visually stunning film may just blow your socks off. While it doesn't focus all of its attention on famed Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek) - it does manage to show you her power to overcome some of the most painful curve balls life could throw at a woman. It also depicts the rocky love story between Kahlo and her philandering hubby (and fellow painter) Diego Rivera (played masterfully by Alfred Molina) that helped fuel her passion for life.

The verdict? Salma Hayek delivers a brilliant performance in the title role. Using the charm and sexual prowess of the controversial artist, Hayek captivates the audience from the get-go. And the film's unique and artful look plays well off of Hayek, making for one dreamy journey. Thanks to director Julie Taymor (Titus, The Lion King) the film literally jumps off the screen, delivering a gorgeous glimpse into the tumultuous life of Kahlo.

And if you thought this movie was easy to make, think again. Despite Frida's incredible story, it wasn't easy to get financial backing. Think about it, a film about a woman with one eyebrow and a mustache who was crippled by a tragic accident at 18, who then dives into a search for artistic and sexual fulfillment? Add to that, Kahlo was also bisexual and a communist, struggling with a life of excruciating pain that included the amputation of a leg, and finally, drug and alcohol abuse that killed her at age 47. But obstacles aside, "Frida" may not be a happy ending kind of fairy tale, but it's one you certainly shouldn't miss..

BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE Rating: 5.0 Martinis
God bless Michael Moore. Who else could take on such a touchy subject (Americans and their guns) with as much humor and grace and live to tell about it. If you don't know much about Michael you better get your progressive act together. He's the author of the hilarious must-have book, "Stupid White Men" and the diabolical genius behind "Roger and Me." And in "Bowling For Columbine" Moore does it once again by taking both a touching and terrifying look at violence in America.

With camera in tow, you're taken on a journey into the fear that fuels much of our homeland insecurity issues. From the Columbine High security camera tapes to an analysis of U.S. led military violence across the planet, this film grabs you from the very beginning. But it's more than just shock value - making the connection between what Big Brother does to keep the nation "secure" and what Billy Buck Schmuck does to his classmates is Moore's checkmate. Nothing less than brilliant and brutally honest.