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Racing Stripes
Racing Stripes is a cross between "Babe" and "Seabiscuit" but isn't as good as either of those films. It doesn't have the heart. The movie's best moments come from a pair of computer generated flies voiced by David Spade and Steve Harvey. Small kids will like it, and adults can sit through it, which is a good thing.
3 Stars Out of 5
Radio
Cuba Gooding Jr. stars in Radio as the mentally disabled title character. His performance takes a while for us to warm up to it. Once we do, however, we're hooked. The always-excellent Ed Harris plays the football coach who makes Radio his special focus. Harris commands the film, and really anchors it. It's nice to see Debra Winger again. After her strong performance here, I want to see her more! Radio is not a bad movie. I don't think it will win any awards, but it is a sweet, likable film that provides good family entertainment.
4 Stars Out of 5
Raise Your Voice
If you go to see Raise Your Voice, you deserve what you get. It's an overlong, bland story about musicians in a music school played by actors who obviously have no idea how to play those instruments. It follows the formula and has a politically correct ending, with plenty of chances for the too cute Hillary to sing her pop songs, and try to sell more CD's. Raise Your Voice is Hillary Duff Fluff
2 Stars Out of 5
Raising Helen
Raising Helen is more of a tear-jerker than I expected. My wife broke out the Kleenex early and often…This has a heartwarming story and a great cast who are all so appealing, (especially Kate Hudson and John Corbett) that they make this a pretty good chick flick.
3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Raising Victor Vargas
Raising Victor Vargas avoids the typical youth coming of age formula and is sweaty and real. It has sweetness, warmth and humor that is not very common in most films and is mostly accomplished by the wonderful nonprofessional actors and an improvised script. Victor's journey of discovery is subtle and rewarding.
3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Rambo - Lionsgate - Rated R
Rambo fans won't be disappointed in the latest chapter of the series. Sylvester Stallone wrote, directed and is the star. This edition ratchets up the gore-quotient. It is brutal and violent with loads of digital mayhem. People are cut in two with machine guns, blown to bits by land mines, and more. There's not much story to get in the way of the carnage, but that's just what we expect in a Rambo movie. 3 Stars Out of 5
Ratatouille
Ratatouille has lots of food and lots of heart. The animation is spectacular. There are some amazing action sequences that at times feel like an amusement park ride. But wait, there's more…lots more! Foodies will love this culinary delight with its accurate portrayal of food prep at a five star restaurant. Families will love the story. It's really not a kid's film. It is an animated film for the whole family. Adults may like it more than the kids do. I loved it! 4 ½ Stars Out of 5
Ray
In Ray, Jamie Foxx turns in the best performance in any movie this year, and the performance of his life. Jamie Foxx doesn't play Ray Charles, he becomes Ray Charles. He has captured every nuance. The film is powerful and moving, and doesn't pull many punches when it comes to dealing with the darker sides of Ray Charles. The overall result of the film is ultimately uplifting, celebrating a man who turned adversity into brilliance.
5 Stars Out of 5
The Real Cancun
Despite what the studio wants you to believe, "The Real Cancun" isn't "Girls Gone Wild." It is really just a longer, un-bleeped version of "The Real World," that is a little bit naughtier. It pretty much kept me involved for the film, in a weird voyeuristic sort of way. The highlight was watching Alan take his first drink, and turn into one of the biggest party animals among the individuals in the film.
2 Stars Out of 5
The Reaping
The Reaping has Hillary Swank wading through a river of blood, battling locusts, and other biblical plagues in a role she took only for the paycheck. It's barely comprehensible script has a few cheap jumps, and Swank can make almost anything watchable, but this one will be much better sampled on your TV when it's a 99 cent rental. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Recruit
The Recruit is pretty much your average meat and potatoes spy thriller. It does keep you guessing until the end. And Colin Farrell is starting to get our attention. His performance is the highlight of this mostly enjoyable film.
3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Red Dragon
But, this is better than "Hannibal", and almost as good as "Silence of the Lambs." Anthony Hopkins is back as Hannibal Lecter, but Emily Watson and Ralph Fiennes are the real standouts in an absolutely outstanding cast. This is a terrific movie with a very frightening ending. You won't want to miss it!
4 ½ Stars Out of 5
Red Eye
Red Eye is an above average thriller with some tense moments. It is standard action thriller fare for most of the film, but adds in some mind games that will make you squirm in your seat. It takes a little while to get going, then gets pretty good before it goes brain dead for the conclusion. If you don't think much and just take it at face value, you'll enjoy Red Eye. 3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Reign of Fire
This started with a great idea: Wake up ancient dragons, and they dominate and destroy the world. But poor direction and a soap opera-like script take that great idea and scuttle it. An over the top performance by Matthew McConaughey makes matters worse. We hardly see the very impressive dragons, and are forced to labor through lame, melodramatic dialogue.
2 1/2 Stars Out of 5
Reign Over Me
Reign Over Me features Adam Sandler's best performance ever. The entire movie is very well acted with the great Don Cheadle doing most of the heavy lifting. This is a warm, heartfelt and touching friendship tale. 4 Stars Out of 5
Rendition - New Line - Rated R
Long and slow, Rendition is a political film with an agenda. It portrays our government as the heavy handed bad guys torturing an innocent resident alien, while terrorists are shown with a somewhat sympathetic eye. I left the theater thinking that there should be a warning label for propaganda films. 2 Stars Out of 5
Reno 911: Miami
Reno 911: Miami is funny but much cruder than the TV show. That might alienate some fans. It didn't me. It is entirely entertaining and cameos from Danny DeVito, and The Rock add just add to the fun. If you're a fan of the show, and even if you're not, you'll love the movie. 3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Rent
I never saw the stage production of Rent. Maybe that's my problem. All I had to go on was the movie. It really made very little sense to me. And at times, it was laughingly stupid. The opening scene takes place on an empty stage while the characters give their all to an empty house. The film is clunky, flat, and is not compelling. There is no emotional connection to anyone in the film. They are all unlikable in one way or another or just left me cold. There is some great singing, the cast is attractive, but that's not enough. I wanted to like it, but this is just a bad movie…evict it. 2 Stars Out of 5
Resident Evil Apocalypse
Resident Evil Apocalypse contains bad acting, bad dialogue, and a few good jumps. Midway through we also get a tiny bit of a plot, which is more than we can say for the first film. This actually improves on its predecessor. If this keeps up, number three ought to be all right!
2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Resident Evil: Extinction
Resident Evil: Extinction is the third in the series and you need to see the first two to know what is going on. Milla Jovovitch is easy on the eyes, and there are a few good jumps, but there's not quite as much action as in the first two. This won't disappoint fans, I liked it, but it leaves you hanging…It looks like there will be a fourth. 3 Stars Out of 5
Resurrecting The Champ
In Resurrecting the Champ, despite some very bad makeup that makes him look flakey rather than aged, Samuel L. Jackson delivers, as always, a very good performance. Josh Hartnett, upon whom the movie rests, is another story. He is his usual wooden self. Teri Hatcher injects some life with her comic portrayal of a studio head. But the net result is flat, and there is no knock out punch. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Return
45 minutes into The Return, I found myself looking at my watch and saying to myself, "who cares?" I didn't care about anyone or anything in this boring and predictable supernatural thriller that isn't thrilling at all. The film makers seem to know that as they hit the audience with a few loud noises once in a while to wake us up from this snoozer. 1 Star Out of 5
The Ring
The number one movie for the weekend, about a videotape that kills you seven days after watching it...This is not what you might expect. It ends up being fairly intelligent, and is really hair raising! This is easily the scariest movie of the year. One that sent chills up my spine for an hour after it ended!
4 1/2 Stars Out of 5
The Ring 2
The Ring 2 starts out promising, with some jumps and chills. But there is nothing new in this film. With a different director at the helm, this is not as dark, and not as spooky as the first film, and ends up being kind of bland. I was a big fan of The Ring. This movie only vaguely resembles it. Instead of The Ring 2, it should have been called The Ring Lite. They took out all of the good stuff, and it's really just watered down.
2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Road to Perdition
I was expecting a different movie. I was expecting a "Godfather" or "Goodfellas" type mob movie. What we get is a story of a father and his son. There are at least two or three Oscar nominations for acting in this film. If Paul Newman doesn't get nominated, I will be VERY surprised. With a rich story and brilliant performances this is a must see!
4 1/2 stars out of 5
Robots
Robots is spectacular. It's wildly original and very funny. It has so much to see, it'll be fresh the 10th time you watch it! I marveled at the minds that conceived it and carried it out. The story is terrific, the animation awe inspiring, and it is a blast! It's a film that will please the adults and the kids alike. Go see it even if you don't have a kid to tag along. Oh, and Pixar watch out. This rivals anything they have turned out.
4 ½ Stars Out of 5
Rocky Balboa
Sylvester Stallone brings back Rocky for a sixth and (maybe) final film. If it does turn out to be the last, it will be a fitting conclusion to the series. It's closer to the original in feel and has an ending you don't expect. I enjoyed Rocky Balboa very much. 4 Stars Out of 5
Roll Bounce
Roll Bounce is devoid of true fun or feeling. Bow Wow, Nick Cannon and even Wayne Brady get into the act all centering around disco roller skating in the seventies. They get to wear afro wigs, but it all feels contrived. This has stupid comedy with sappy drama tossed into the mix. All that does is throw rocks into it's wheel bearings. Throughout, there is meaningless posturing and posing that passes for bad acting. The skating sequences are dull, and while Bow-Wow's character is supposed to be the best skater, he is clearly out-skated by his competition. Roll this one to the discount bin, and bounce it into the dollar section. 2 Stars Out of 5
Rugrats Go Wild
The under 8 crowd will enjoy this movie, while the adults that take them will find the extra sleep time refreshing. This movie only appeals to the kids, while the adults will find it fairly tedious.2 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Ruins - Paramount - Rated R
The Ruins might sound silly - it's about man eating plants in the Mexican jungle - but it does manage to avoid being absurd. Surprisingly, it builds a lot of tension and produces a few scares and a few more winces. It ends up being pretty entertaining. I liked it. 3 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Rules of Attraction
Maybe they should have paid more attention to the rules of filmmaking! First, you need a story, a script, and something that people will actually want to watch.
1 Star Out of 5
Run, Fat Boy Run - Picturehouse - Rated PG-13
Run, Fat Boy, Run is from first time director David Schwimmer (Yes, THAT David Schwimmer, star of the TV sitcom Friends). Star Simon Pegg gives his all in this sports movie, romantic comedy mix. The result is a mildly funny and overly heartwarming film that doesn't so much run, but kind of meanders its way to its obvious, predictable Hollywood conclusion. 3 Stars Out of 5
Running With Scissors
Running With Scissors is a schizophrenic film that isn't worthy of its cast or their performances. It is manic in its ups and downs. Sometimes it is wildly comedic and other times it is depressing drama. It is a bizarre, psychotic trip with exceptional performances from Annette Benning and Jill Clayburgh, but even their performances don't make the film watchable. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Rumor Has It
Rumor Has It has an interesting concept…what if The Graduate was real and the family it was about is alive and well and living in Pasadena? It's all fun when Jennifer Aniston tries to find out the truth. Kevin Costner is great in this movie, Aniston is very appealing, but it is Shirley MacLaine who steals the movie and gives us its biggest laughs. The film is nicely written but does have a predictable outcome. 3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Runaway Jury
Runaway Jury is one of the most implausible movies I have ever seen. If this much jury tampering and court corruption really did go on, we'd be better off with anarchy. This film is quite heavy handed in its portrayal of the gun issue. When the DVD comes out, this should be packaged with Bowling for Columbine. That said, the extremely talented cast does it's best with flawed material and keeps us involved. I give them 3 Stars Out of 5.
The Rundown
The Rock makes a case for his being crowned action star royalty in The Rundown. He continues to surprise me with what he can do! He plays Beck, a character that is a bill collector for a mob boss who hates to use guns. So we are treated to several unusual ways he uses to get the job done. Christopher Walken, as usual, does a great job playing the bad guy. This movie is a whole lot of fun. You'll leave the theater with a smile on your face.3 Stars Out of 5
Running Scared
Running Scared is stylish, bloody, ultra violent and has loads of action. It moves at break-neck speed and barely gives you time to catch your breath before giving something bigger and badder. That's a good thing, because it doesn't give you time to think about the plot. You just get to enjoy the ride in this fun, action packed and, on a very base level, extremely satisfying film. 3 ½ Stars Out of 5
R.V.
R.V. is called a comedy, but I had a very tough time finding even one laugh in it. The filmmakers think everyone who stays in a campground is a brainless backwoods hick and therefore someone who should be ridiculed. Most in the audience, however probably don't appreciate the stereotype. I didn't. This film also features unbearable teens who talk to their father in ways that, in my house, are punishable by years on restriction. Robin Williams sleepwalks his way through this and only shows glimmers of life. This ends up being a very pale imitation of National Lampoon's Vacation, but without the laughs and without the fun. 1 ½ Stars Out of 5
