21 (2008)

The term "loosely based on the novel" immediately comes to mind. Sometimes that's not a bad thing. Here it spells implausibility. Events feel very amped up in order to deliver a Hollywood type film that contains enough eye-catching scenes to fill a movie trailer. For that reason you will be entertained, but left feeling a bit empty. Not unlike the way you feel when leaving Vegas.

Rating: C

Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)

Funny scenes throughout, but the plot was a little out there. An ok escape.

Rating: C

The Rules of Attraction (2002)

Caught this on IFC. Not much going for it except a few choice scenes. My favorite was the fast paced travelogue of that dude's European vacation. I'd see an entire film of people sharing their summer vacation stories with each other in this fast forward manner.

Rating: D

Superman Returns (2006)

I expected so much from the director of the first 2 X-Men films (since the third one sucked), but all I got were cool special f/x and not a whole lot more. The plot was ridiculous, and the pacing was way too slow for what is supposed to be a fast action superhero movie. There was such an opportunity here to make something fresh and new. Instead we received a compost pile of old clips and story lines. Not super at all.

Rating: D