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Hey everyone, I've got some more movie trailers for you. I'm loooking forward to all of these flicks.

Black Snake Moan
Reign Over Me
The Lookout
Hot Fuzz
Live Free or Die Hard
Shooter
Seraphim Falls
Rescue Dawn

Dreamgirls

Dreamgirls

3 stars

Since “Moulin Rouge” was dubbed the second coming of the movie musical in 2001, audiences have been waiting for that second coming. “Chicago” was a hit in 2002, and now “Dreamgirls” 2006. But with it too being dubbed the second coming of the movie musical, I’m left to wonder, just how long will we have to wait for that genre to be fully realized in the 21^st century?

“Dreamgirls” is the story of a struggling girl group called The Dreams in the 60’s and 70’s, based on The Supremes. Pop superstar Beyoncé Knowles, relative newcomer Anika Noni Rose and former “American Idol” contestant Jennifer Hudson star as Deena, Lorrell and Effie (respectively) the groups founding members. The movie tracks their ascension to stardom, with the help of manager Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx) and their writer/choreographer C.C. (Keith Robinson). The girls start as the back up singers for soul star James “Thunder” Early (Eddie Murphy), and soon eclipse him in popularity. On the brink of making it big, Effie catches diva fever and is asked to leave the group. From then on it’s torrid love affairs, drug use and backstabbing, everything you’d expect from a musical biopic.

Murphy is fantastic as Early, who is probably based on a composite of Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye and James Brown. He was a dynamite performer, hitting with dead on accuracy the on stage antics and mannerisms of a 60’s soul and R&B singer. Knowles in the Diana Ross inspired role of Deena Jones was impressive, both vocally and dramatically, and comes into her own as an actress. Foxx and Robinson are both engaging in their supporting roles

Hudson is garnering the most notice from award shows and major critics. And I for one don’t understand the accolades. It was her film debut, and it showed. She can sing, and I’ll give her that. She has an amazing set of pipes on her. But in a film, even a musical, vocal talent is only a portion of what makes a great performance. Her acting was right at where I’d expect a newcomer to be. It needs work. It wasn’t quite there for me. And for that, I can’t really understand why she’s getting the most notice.

Where this film really falls apart is the storytelling. Director Bill Condon adapted Tome Eyen’s stage musical, and it’s poorly structured. It reminds me of when a five-year-old is telling a story, it just comes across as “and then this happened, and then this happened and then this happened” with absolutely no grasp of flow or basic story telling elements.

There seemed to be a heavy emphasis on style over substance. It was flashy, shiny, and hits you with a beautiful visual presentation, but there wasn’t much more to it than that. It’s almost fitting that a former “American Idol” contestant stars in this movie, as the best way to describe it is a quote often used by “Idol” judge Simon Cowell: “Yeah it was good, but so what?”

I was entertained, and it was pleasing to the eye, but at the end of the flick, I didn’t really care. It was two shallow hours. It’s not a bad thing, but this film was made with higher intentions than sheer entertainment, and it failed to achieve those higher intentions.

Top 10 Films of 2006

Top 10 Films of 2006

1) Brick

Joseph Gordon Levitt (“3^rd Rock From The Sun”) stars in this classic/hype (modern) noir fusion juxtaposed into a high school setting. The talented young cast handles the archaic genre with a certain flair and earnestness that kicks you in the gut, and leaves you begging for more. Think “The Maltese Falcon” meets “The Breakfast Club.”

2)The Departed

Director Martin Scorsese delivers a gripping, compelling and slickly violent film, which could finally win him that Oscar he’s been long overdue for. Stars Matt Damon and Leonardo Dicaprio outshine their more seasoned costars, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen and the legendary Jack Nicholson, and deliver career defining performances.

3) United 93

Director Paul Greengrass gives us an unflinching, heartbreaking and gut-wrenching account of the final moments of the ill-fated flight that never reached its intended target on 9/11. I can’t think of a more fitting cinematic tribute to fallen heroes. It’s no frills movie making, and it delivers an emotional blow without delving into the politics of 9/11.

4) Clerks II

Kevin Smith finally does what he tried to do with “Jersey Girl”- balances his trademark wit and bawdiness with heartfelt sentiment. More of a piece on growing up, moving on and friendships than it is about sex jokes. But there’s no shortage of those, mind you. It almost pains me to say that it surpasses the original “Clerks”, just because that was such a landmark film.

5) Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Sacha Baron Cohen’s scathing satire of the American way of life forces you to take a
long hard look at the country you live in. Niiiiice! The funniest scene in the whole flick, involving a “Baywatch” book and a hotel, is one you want to forget as soon as you see it, but will be forever burned into your memory, and will make you both laugh and cringe just thinking about it. HIGH FIVE!!!

6) Find Me Guilty

Sidney Lumet shows us why he’s been making movies for almost 60 years, and that even a lunk-head like Vin Diesel can pull off a fantastic and engaging performance every once in a while. The funniest courtroom movie since “My Cousin Vinny,” but there’s a distinct, more intense tone to this one.

7) Thank You For Smoking

Absurd, crass, and just too funny to pass up, “Thank You For Smoking” is one of the sharpest, darkest comedies to come along in years. It will have you rooting for the bad guy the whole way through. Aaron Ekhart becomes a full-fledged leading man with his role as smooth talking tobacco lobbyist Nick Naylor.

8) A Scanner Darkly

Insanely trippy and mind-blowingly good, Richard Linklater takes another crack at the roto-scoping animation technique he first tried in 2001’s “Waking Life”. The always spot-on Robert Downey, Jr. gives a magnificent performance in the tale of a new psychotropic drug in futuristic Los Angeles. And keep you’re eye on Keanu Reeves, he’s not as flat as he usually is.

9) Little Miss Sunshine

Proof that family road trip movies aren’t dead, they just need the right medicine. Equal parts heartwarming and heart breaking, “Little Miss Sunshine” is one finely crafted film. The film is most notable for its stars, including 10 year old break out Abigail Breslin and funny-man Steve Carrell, who plays it straight as the gay, suicidal uncle.

10) Blood Diamond

Leonardo Dicaprio gives the strongest performance of his career as Danny Archer, a diamond smuggler embroiled in a personal moral conundrum involving the location of a rare pink diamond. The one to watch though is the always engaging Djimon Hounsou (“Gladiator”) as the desperate Mende father trying to keep his young son out of the guerilla troops of Western Africa, and Archer is his only ally in doing so.

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