Reviews and Editing by R. Allen Leider
with CJ Henderson, Andrew Johnson and Monis Rose

November 11th, 2011

"Jack and Jill"

This is one of Sandler's better comedies, concentrating on family relationships and relying on performances.

Public relatioons/Advertising executive Jack Sadelstein (Adam Sandler) is on top of his game, and has every reason to be thankful: he has a beautiful wife (Katie Holmes), great kids, a gorgeous house in L.A., and a successful job. Even still, Jack dreads the coming of Thanksgiving because for him, the holiday only means one thing: a visit from his needy, annoying, passive-aggressive, neurotic,identical twin sister, Jill. It also means that unless he gets Al Pacino ( playing himself) to star in a Dunkin Donuts commercial, his best client company wil pull out of his stable. Suddenly, his sister becomes the lynch pin in the projecy as Pacino is intrigued by this funny girl from his home town..Bronx, New York. As Jack tries to cope with the mercurial mood swings of his sibling while manipulating the relationship between Jill and Pacino, the four day visit turns to months.....will it ever end and happlily, too?

The Players: Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes, Al Pacino, and Elodie Tougne

The Filmmakers:
Directed by Dennis Dugan
Screenplay by Steve Koren and Ben Zook
Released by Columbia Pictures

"J. Edgar "

DiCaprio and Eastwood are certain for Oscar nominations for this intense examination of one of the most controversial icons of the 20th Century.

As head of the FBI for nearly 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio) becomes one of America's most-powerful men. Serving through eight presidents and three wars, Hoover utilizes methods both ruthless and heroic to keep his country safe. Projecting a guarded persona in public and in private, he lets few into his inner circle. Among those closest to him are his protege and constant companion, Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer), and Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts), his loyal secretary.


The Players: Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Armie Hammer, Josh Lucas, and Judi Dench

The Filmmakers:
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Screenplay by Dustin Lance Black
Released by Warner Brothers Pictures

"Immortals"

A brave young stonemason assembles a fierce band of warriors to prevent an evil king from acquiring the artifact that will permit him to rule the world in this epic mythological fantasy from visionary filmmaker Tarsem Singh. King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) is a brutal tyrant on a bloody mission to seek out the mythical Bow of Epirus. Should he succeed, even the gods of Olympus will be forced to bow before him.

In his efforts to locate the invincible and elusive weapon, Hyperion leads his Heraklion army on a brutal rampage across Greece, razing every town in their path, and killing with impunity. When the Hyperions lay waste to his village and cut down his mother in cold blood, vengeful stonemason Theseus (Henry Cavill) emerges from the rubble determined to make the king pay for his crimes. Later, the Sybelline Oracle, Phaedra (Freida Pinto), experiences a vision of Theseus' future that convinces her he will play a pivotal role in defeating King Hyperion. Armed with that supernatural knowledge, she agrees to help Theseus assemble a small army capable of defeating the tyrannical king and preventing him from enslaving the entire human race

The Players: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Freida Pinto, Stephen Dorff, and Kellan Lutz

The Filmmakers:
Directed by Tarsem Singh
Screenplay by Charley Parlapanides, Vlas Parlapanides
Released by Relativity Media

Coming November 23rd

"Hugo"