Many saw evil, they dared to stop it. At the height of WW2, a group of high-ranking German officers hatched a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, and seize power of the military command in order to end the war. The operation was codenamed "Valkyrie", for the emergency plan that was meant to be used in case of a revolt against the Nazi government. These men sacrificed their lives for their failure, but they were some of the few who would not let the road to damnation be paved with apathy.

Say what you will about Superman Returns, but Bryan Singer is a good director, the man knows how to craft a fine film.  And yeah, so what if Tom Cruise has been using the same intense face for his past several films and coasting mostly on his celebrity, he's pretty good in in this movie. Oh and the supporting cast, it's totally awesome. Eddie Izzard flexing his dramatic muscle, Terrence Stamp being Terrence Stamp, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, and Tom Wilkinson. It's an all star cast of conflicting accents, but it works. This is the same team behind the camera and script as The Usual Suspects, so despite the negative buzz preceding this film, rest assured it's good stuff. The pacing is perfect, as the films run time breezes by in a flash. The acting is across the board solid, the direction and everything else that went into making this thing is also top notch. It's tense, suspence packed fun, and you'd be hard pressed to find much fault with it, pending you have no Tom Cruise hang-ups. Now, I wouldn't go saying this bad boy is going to be bringing home any hardware come February, but it is one of the shining lights this Christmas's releases, something worthwhile if you don't feel like sitting through another Adam Sandler comedy or a bad Owen Wilson flick.

So yeah, Tom Cruise uses his regular accent, and so what if you already know the ending, (Spoiler Alert! Hitler lives!), it's a well acted, enlightening piece of filmmaking and I'd encourage interested parties to see it. Most folks are relegated to the idea that all German's during this period in history were all Nazi's or Nazi supporters, and this film lets us know that not only were there German's who were anti-Hitler, but also German's who were so adamantly against him that they laid down the ultimate sacrifice for their beliefs. So get over your preconceptions and give this one a chance.

Reviewed by: Greg MacLennan

Adam Sandler has had an interesting career. First, he starred in weird 'n' wacky films, which as a kid I loved watching with my older brothers, learning the F word at much too young of an age. Then he started making films where he just screamed for 90 minutes, and I got really turned off. And THEN he made some honest-to-goodness GREAT films (Punch Drunk Love, I'm lookin' at you), but then, that Sandman, he regressed back into some shitty films. Take a look at his recent ones, and you cannot disagree with me. So, what happens when Sandler decides to make a film his children can watch and he tries to meld it with a shell of his older self? Ugh...we get a crapload of yelling, boogers, and a ridiculous CGI guinea pig with eyes only a mother could love. Did I mention that Adam "I make shitty movies" Shankman directed it? Still not convinced this movie is not worthy of your money? Okay, read on.

Bedtime Stories is the tale of Skeeter Bronson, a handyman at a Los Angeles hotel that used to belong to his late father. Though Skeeter still believes that new owner Barry Nottingham (Richard Griffiths) will someday make good on his promise to Skeeter's pop to let him run the place, he's unlikely to usurp Kendall (Guy Pearce), the slick, sycophantic manager who's dating Nottingham's socialite daughter Violet (Teresa Palmer). Russell Brand (yes, sex addict and alcoholic Russel Brand) plays Skeeter's loyal waiter sidekick. When Skeeter's sister (Courteney Cox) goes out of town, she asks Skeeter to babysit her kids, and he shares the task with her friend Jill (imminent love interest Keri Russell). Skeeter quickly learns the path to avuncular success involves elaborate bedtime stories. Jonathan Pryce makes a cameo as Skeeter's dad and also narrates.

Now, Bedtime Stories could have taken the path to A Princess Bride, but it too just becomes 90 minutes of Sandler screeching. With children laughing in glee and Greg and I wincing in pain, I can only imagine this film would only appeal to those too young to rent any of Sandler's better films. And as much as I love using fat animals as comedic relief, a disgusting CGI guinea pig with huge eyes used over and over and over again made my heart hurt.

Although this film is horrific, seriously, don't see it unless you have children to placate, no matter how big of a Sandler fan you once were, there are some shining beacons of light. Namely Kerri Russell, who mostly is relegated to a Prius-driving priss, but also gets to charm audiences with her affable and soothing ways. Also, I cannot believe I'm saying this, but it's definitely a weird flick when Russell Brand is stealing the show of a children's movie. While his hosting duties of the MTV VMAs were like nails on a chalkboard, Brand is considerably fun to watch, and he even puts that mop top of his away for a couple of scenes. Pryce is cute in his brief role, but the usually remarkable Pearce looks old, tired, and confused why he's in this film. We are too...

With so many options this XMAS of films to see to avoid your fam, Bedtime Stories is only something to take your screaming young'uns to once their new toys have lost their luster. 

Reviewed by: Darcie Duttweiler

Based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald story, director David Fincher takes the reigns to tell the curious story of a man who was born old, only to spend his life aging backwards. Now for Fitzgerald and short story purists, the film hardly resembles the original work, outside of the general plot and setting, but it was a short story with underdeveloped ideas and characters, so we will forgive. The tale takes place in New Orleans, where we find an ailing Daisy (Cate Blanchett) instructing her daughter read the journal of the unbelievable story of Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt.) The story takes us from his difficult birth, to a series of vignettes that show a man youngening through history. Many will bring Forrest Gump to mind, but I assure you, the comparisons aren't accurate. Though the two films share a writer, the case of Benjamin is far less sappy, gimmicky, and goofy.

Fincher seems to have taken the film out of his head and used all heart. Yes, the film is a love story, yes there are sweet and cute moments, but trust me, this film is heart wrenching. And everything about the film is pretty much absolutely perfect. Pitt and Blanchett are in top form, as is most of the supporting cast, particularly Taraji P. Henson, who plays Benjamin's adoptive mother, Queenie. The love, joy, and humor she shares with us is second to none this year. Well, as far as other movies are concerned. Brad Pitt deserves an Oscar--I don't think he will finally get one this year--but man does he deserve one. To see him layer on the makeup and CGI of an old man, while still conveying that childhood curiosity and innocence is something to behold. The same goes for his portrayal as he becomes an older soul in a much younger looking body.

Which brings us to the effects, which are spectacular. The way Fincher has blended the performance with the technology is jaw dropping. To see Brad Pitt, with his Thelma and Louise looks, walking around a screen is slightly eerie, but mostly incredible. Blanchett looks down right angelic in her younger, ballet dancer days, and old Benjamin is just astonishing to watch. Everything is great in this film, the screenplay, the pacing, the acting, the production design, the camera work, the cinematography. People who claim digital filmmaking loses soul need to watch this film.

With Benjamin, life isn't measured in the minutes, but in the moments. And in the grand scheme of things, the moment you get to spend with this film, will make you want to freeze it and make it last forever.

Review by: Greg MacLennan

Jim Carrey has a secret, and it makes us laugh. Jim Carrey goes around his daily life with that secret to hilarious results. Then someone important in his life finds out he has a secret, gets mad, and then ends up forgiving him so we can have a happy ending. No, this isn't the premise for Liar Liar 2: Pants on Fire, it's the basis for a lot of Jim Carrey movies, including his latest, Yes Man. Does the fact that this film is formulaic and generic totally rob it from any fun? No, far from it. I found myself chuckling several times throughout the film, but it makes you wish Jim would try some other form of humor and steer clear of the safe kind. I miss my Cable Guy Jim Carrey.

Carrey plays Carl, a recently divorced, socially retarded man in a dead end job. After an old friend urges him to go to a self-help seminar, he finds himself forced to say "Yes" whenever any opportunity is presented to him. He soon finds this "yes" lifestyle can reap wonderful rewards and continues on until he realizes "yes" isn't always the best answer.

There's good and there's bad in this film, but, suffice to say, Jim Carrey is back in good form. He makes zany faces, acts totally crazy, and you are actually laughing with him again, which is a nice change. Sadly though, despite the good performances, the plot just isn't anything special. What is special is Rhys Darby (Murray from Flight of the Conchords). I don't know if it's just me, but anything this guy said had me rolling in the aisles. Zooey Deschanel also does a fine job of making us all wish we could meet her in real life, because we are so certain we'd hit if off and fall madly in love if only we got the opportunity. Add in some Bradley Cooper, Danny Masterson, and a surprisingly funny turn from General Zod himself, Terrence Stamp, and you have yourself quite the enjoyable comedy.

Just remember to temper your expectations, I went in needing a laugh, and Carrey and company delivered. It's cute, funny, and disposable. Pretty much exactly what you need when you're desperately searching for a reprieve from too much family time this holiday season.

Review by: Greg MacLennan