The Matrix

1999
Warner Bros. Pictures/Village Roadshow Pictures
R


Remarkably stunning visual feast following computer hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves) who discovers from an idol, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) that the world he lives in is actually a computer-generated world that is controlled by machines, who are attempted to be brought down by a rebellion in an underground city where they build their shelter. Upon Morpheus' ship, the Nebuchadnezzar, he encounters romance with crew companion Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), and raucous villainy with digi-agent Smith (Hugo Weaving).
With visual effects that anyone would feel jealous of and originality that snatches your bone and twists you along a dazzling ride, this feels like these characters are actually drawing you into the universe and describing it clearly while you're right by their side. Don't miss this!

The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl

2005
Dimension Films/Columbia Pictures
PG


Robert Rodriguez brings his second 3-D picture to the screen with this kiddie adventure, as bullied, tormented Max, who doodles in his journal, is brought to Planet Drool by his favorite characters Sharkboy (Taylor Lautner) and Lavagirl (Taylor Dooley), to save the planet from Mr. Electric (George Lopez) who resembles his teacher, and Minus, who resembles his school nemesis Linus.
Based on the imaginary world created by Racer Rodriguez's drawings, young viewers may marvel at the wondrous imagery, but with dialogue this contrived, redundant, and frivolous, the elders will be driven crazy by the way too familiar characters and video-game-worth special effects.

Watchmen

2009
Warner Bros. Pictures/Paramount Pictures
R


Zack Snyder has returned with his sweeping stylish action for the adaption of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' graphic comic following the life of the costumed hero organization who have been broken up and disbanded after Nixon being elected for a third time. Writing the happening in his journal, Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) takes his business into being imprisoned, Doctor Manhattan flees to Mars upon the learning of a nuclear war, while the rest focus on the world they know crumbling upon the rocks.
Some have said that people who have never read the comic may consider this too complex to be appealing, but I've barely even opened it and now it's beaten my top favorite. Once you get a good taste of its atmosphere, there is no point to get out.

Valkyrie

2008
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists
PG-13


Well plotted but extremely poorly told historical thriller dealing with General Claus von Stauffenberg's (Tom Cruise) plan to put his plan to kill Hitler into effect, with government officials strongly declining.
With a story like this, many critics have said this could succeed with substantial limits, but it winds up so boring you'll have to get up at least once if you're going to stay awake through it. It starts to get pretty tense by the end, though.

Quantum of Solace

2008
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Columbia Pictures
PG-13
1/2

Picking up where CASINO ROYALE left off (which has never happened in Bond films before), James Bond (Daniel Craig) has captured an associate of Le Chiffre's, Mr. White (Jesper Christensen), and is now involved in saving Bolivia's water supply from finance interest Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric). Camille Montes (Olga Kurylenko) aids him as she shares a vengeance issue as he does, but now M (Judi Dench) has lost trust with him.
Though the script may not be that witty as its predecessor, this is a fast-paced, humorous, and action-packed fun thrill ride for action fans, and Bond fans will not be disappointed. Still, in a clear sense, CASINO ROYALE was better.

Casino Royale

2006
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Columbia Pictures
PG-13
1/2

In this new James Bond entry, newly appointed 007 (Daniel Craig) has been reported to find out how many terrorist organizations are financed when M (Judi Dench) and the MI6 know nothing about them. Being put into a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro Casino Royale against stock gambler Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), Bond finds love with the attractive Vesper Lynd.
After a long line of inaccurate performances after Sean Connery, Craig gives just the right Bond personality gentleman spy. The action is terrific, and humor is appealing. Followed by QUANTUM OF SOLACE.

10,000 BC

2008
Warner Bros. Pictures
PG-13
1/2

In a desperate attempt to save his loved one, D'Leh (Steven Strait) sets out on a journey to a place where his tribe is being enslaved by pyramid builders who haunt them with mammoths. Evolet (Camille Belle), D'Leh's love interest, is believed to be related with Lordship to the pyramid builders.
With absolutely nothing to rely on here but visual effects, (which are very superior) this epic contains a lousy script and plotline that makes it completely boring. Only a battle finale saves my least favorite film of all time, which was released on my birthday.