Hitman - should have stayed a video game

"Hitman" should have stayed a video game. It lacks any sort of plot, and it is just all violence without a story to it.

"Hitman" Web site.

Well, the movie is about hitmen. These hitmen only know themselves and people only know them as the barcode on the back of their head. This story follows Agent 47 played by a no name actor, Timothy Olyphant, when the part was made for Vin Diesel or Jason Statham from "The Transporter." Those two would have probably made it a better movie alone.

Agent 47 finds himself in a political conspiracy that leads his own company and the Russian military after him to take him out of the game as he travels through Eastern Europe.

The plot is very difficult to follow in the film, as much as it was for me to try to type it. Not to mention, it is stuck between murder and mayhem.

Rottentomatoes.com said that it "features excessive violence, an incoherent plot and inane dialogue." Plus, only "10 percent" of the people that reviewed it liked it.

It probably could not have made it as a movie anyway. Most movies derived from video games seem to only make a fart on the box office charts. The only video game movie to actually be successful enough to make sequels was "Resident Evil," but even that died. The last two in the trilogy did not do as well as the first movie in the series.

Maybe producers and writers should take a hint. From a video game into a movie just does not work or make money.

Enchanted - best family Disney movie this year

"Enchanted" was number one at the box office this Thanksgiving holiday weekend for good reason. This movie has spark, wit and a new twist on the princess routine.

The "Enchanted" Web site.

Rottentomatoes.com gives "Enchanted" the certified fresh award of the week that only happens when most people review the movie as at least 75 percent or higher on the tomatometer. That means, most people enjoyed the movie.

Rottentomatoes.c om also give the movie a "93 percent" of the critics liked the movie.

This Web site says it "features witty dialogue, sharp animation, and a star turn by Amy Adams."

Adams is the lead character, Princess Giselle, who is a fairytale princess from the past and then gets banished to present day New York City by an evil Queen played by Susan Sarandon.

Giselle changes her view on love and life after she meets a New York City lawyer played by Patrick Dempsey.

This movie is both live action and animation much like one of my favorite kid movies released in 1988, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." Roger and many characters were called toons, and they were animated. There were also characters in the movie that were not animated like Eddie Valiant played by Bob Hoskins.

About "Who Framed Roger Rabbit."

In most recent memory, the newer "Scooby Doo" movies were both live action and animated. Scooby was not a real dog. All of the other characters were actors like Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne.

Scooby Doo 2:Monsters Unleashed Web site.

"Enchanted" will most likely become a family Disney movie classic within the next month and especially when it comes out on DVD because it has something in there for all ages and is funny.

This Christmas - the usual family issues holiday story

"This Christmas" is packed with holiday family moments and some funny family issues.

"This Christmas" Web site.

It is about the Whitfield family that is having a holiday family celebration for the first time in four years.

Chris Brown, the rapper and owner of "Kiss Kiss" the number one single in America, also is one of the stars in this movie.

Some of the other stars include, Regina King, Mekhi Phifer and Loretta Devine from "Grey's Anatomy."

Although this movie is packed with great actors, it cannot save the script. It is predictable and bland with all of the usual family moments at every holiday.

Rottentomatoes.com says that only "56 percent of the people that reviewed the movie would recommend it to another person." Therefore, it is rotten.

It just seemed like every other holiday family get-together movie that anyone has seen. It is lacking a spark that ignited "Home for the Holidays" back in 1995. "This Christmas" needs more laughter and unusual family matters not what everyone experiences. "Home for the Holidays" is about a unique, hilarious family, and that works.

The Mist- some good with some bad

"The Mist," based on the Stephen King short story book was said to be terrible by a customer at Carmike Cinemas Southland 9 Sunday night. He said that it may be even worse than the 2005 movie "The Fog."

"The Fog" Web site.

Many other people think differently about "The Mist" though.

Rottentomatoes.com says that "68 percent of the people who reviewed this movie would recommend it to another person, and it is fresh." So more than half of the people that saw this movie, enjoyed it. Maybe it was the surprise ending that the gentleman did not like at the theater.

This movie adaptation holds true to the original story.

It is about a storm that blows in blood-thirsty creatures in a mist, so the towns people cannot see them. People from the town that are shopping in a grocery store while the mist comes in, barricade themselves in the store to save their lives from these monsters.

The special effects were also very well done. The monsters, the blood and the mist itself were all threatening and made the audience watch inattentively waiting for the next person to die or to find out what or who is doing this to the small town.

Thomas Jane played the lead well except for the very beginning because some of those lines seemed a bit forced out of him. Overall, the acting was great by the entire cast. That's more than I can about some other films I have seen recently.

This is an "R" rated feature. It is intended for those mature enough to handle blood and gore. Remember, this is a horror movie.

Beowulf - great holiday fun!

Beowulf has phenomenal special effects, especially in RealD 3D. It is animated, but it is very well done. It does not look like the animation of the past, the characters actually look life or video game like. It does not look like a colorful Disney movie either.

Beowulf's Web site.

Unfortunately, not all theaters have it in 3D. The theater must have DLP (digital lens projection) or IMAX in order to have it the 3D. Other theaters have it in just regular 2D. It is well worth extra money to see it in 3D though.

This animation is not exactly for kids either. There are some risky things in it. Angelina Jolie's character is almost nude, as well as the backside of Beowulf in one scene. There are also lots of blood and fighting.

Rottentomatoes.com says that, "69 percent of people liked the movie. Groundbreaking animation, stunning visuals, and a talented cast."

If you see it in 3D, there is drool that will drip on you from Grendel's mouth. Sure, it is not real drool, but it will gross you out unless you like that stuff.

It is however, only loosely based on the epic poem. The movie is much different from the book.

Beowulf is a warrior, and he defeats the monster Grendel, who is terrorizing towns. After defeating Grendel, her mother starts killing out of revenge. Beowulf must then face Grendel's mother.

There is a lot of good warrior fighting and fun to watch.

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium - just another Willy Wonka?

"Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" is just like another Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory story with only a toy store instead of chocolate. I would prefer the chocolate, especially this time of the year.

Mr. Magorium's Web site.

The "Wonder Emporium" is also lacking a spark that the Chocolate Factory had both times with the original in 1971 and the remake named like the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" in 2005.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Web site.

The "Wonder Emporium" was also a book before this movie, and it probably should have stayed a book because of its lack luster performances and story line.

Rottentomaotes.com says that, "37 percent liked it. Colorful visuals and talented players can't make up for a bland story."

The movie is about an assistant to the 243-year-old Mr. Magorium, who may or may not take over the store.

When she does take over the store, dark and mysterious things start to happen to the store and the toys.

The special effects are the only parts of the movie with the flying and magical toys.

The costumes, especially Dustin Hoffman's Mr. Magorium, lacks realism in his hair and lisp. It just could have done better than what it is now.

Fred Claus - just another Christmas movie

The Warner Brothers' movie "Fred Claus" starring Vince Vaughn (Santa's brother) and Paul Giamatti (Santa) is just another Christmas and Santa Clause movie without Tim Allen.

Fred Claus' Web site.

It reminds me of the 2003 movie "Elf" starring Will Farrell but only with Vaughn.

Elf"s Web site.

Dont' get me wrong, Vaughn is a great actor and co-producer for the movie, but it lacks the spark that "Elf" and the "Santa Claus" movies, especially last year's third installment in the series had.

The Santa Claus 3 Web site.

"Fred Clause" did not have a good opening at the box office, and it continues to drop each week. Vaughn is the only character with any of the funny lines, and it just seems like every other Christmas movie that comes out every year.

Rottentomatoes.com says that, "22 percent liked it. A slew of talent is wasted in this contrived Christmas film."

Rotten Tomatoes and "Fred Claus."

What we need is something new and fresh from Hollywood. Not remakes or the same movie with different stars with just a few things different every year. Where are the creative forces in this world anymore? Because, they are certainly not in Hollywood.