Lucas - **1/2

Decent teen film, neither funny comedy or high drama about a boy who doesn't fit in yet tries desperately to for the affection of the girl he loves. Cute girls date hunky jocks, homely girls date geeky boys. It won't teach you anything you didn't already know, nor does it give you hope that stereotypes can be avoided. Kind of a "Rudy" for nerds with Charlie (Ma)Sheen(!) as the jock.

On Golden Pond - ***1/2

You'd be hard pressed to find a film boring with two amazing actors as your leads combined with a great story, even when it's about two old poops spending a summer at a lake cabin. Ten Oscar nominations with winning lead performances by Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda, as well as a win for screenwriter Ernest Thompson (based on his play), make this film a true treasure of American cinema.

Ordinary People - ***1/2

Slow start builds nicely to this film, wholly responsible for the Lifetime network and every "very special episode" in 80's sit-com history. Academy Awards for Director (Redford), Supporting Actor (Hutton), Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture, with two additional nods for Supporting Actor (Judd Hirsch) and Supporting Actress (Mary Tyler Moore) and an overlooked Donald Sutherland make this well worth your time. The scenes with Hutton and Hirsch were obviously an inspiration to Damon and Affleck when writing Good Will Hunting.

Angel Eyes - **1/2

If you can put "JLo" out of your mind and remember what it was like watching Jennifer Lopez in "Out of Sight", you should give this movie a chance. Not great, but certainly not terrible, especially because of Jim Caviezel's somber performance. However, he needs to do a comedy soon.

Blood Simple - ***

Film noir from the Cohen brothers. What else can be said that hasn't already. This isn't my favorite from them, but well worth your time. Saying anything more would reveal too much and deprive you from a fantastic cinematic experience.

My Beautiful Laundrette - ***

Stephen Frears is hit and miss with me, but always an intriguing filmmaker. I wish I had written something down after seeing this film as I really liked it, but mostly it just made me want to watch more films with the astonishing Daniel Day-Lewis, who I've been avoiding since The Last of the Mohicans save for The Gangs of New York.

Ravenous - **1/2

Gory depiction of cannibalism in an 1800's army outpost. Far superior to any teen slasher out there, but not quite Dances With Wolves. A good choice if you're up for something with creepy atmosphere, a plentiful serving of gore (Har!) and good performances.

My First Mister - ***

Wonderful performances by Albert Brooks and Leelee Sobieski make this Harold & Maude inspired dramedy much more than what it seems on the surface.

All That Jazz - ***

Fosse! Fosse! Fosse! Think "Purple Rain" meets "A Chorus Line". Actually, don't. Roy Scheider and cast turn in good performances in this film loosely based on choreographer Bob Fosse but the real reason to see this is for the dance numbers.

Force 10 From Navarone - **1/2

Force 10 From Navarone - **1/2

Engaging but somewhat lengthy WWII drama starring Harrison Ford and Robert Shaw. Edward Fox's performance stands out. Harrison fights the German's better with a whip and fedora.

McCabe and Mrs. Miller

McCabe and Mrs. Miller - ***

Altman's terrific direction brings us into a mining town in Canada in the 1800's where Warren Beatty sets up a brothel with the help of Julie Christie. Unusual film with a view of the "old west" not typically seen. Terrific set design but story loses its appeal in the third act.

Klute - ***

Klute - ***

Jane Fonda's Oscar-winning performance turns a moderately paced thriller into an interesting character study in one woman's attempt to escape a life of prostitution. Alan Pakula's story slowly unfolds but Fonda and co-star Donald Sutherland bring depth to two people trying to ignore their mutual attraction while trying to solve the mystery of a man's disappearance.

Two and a Half Men (Monday/CBS/9:30 PM PST) is the best new show of the fall season. However, after only seeing two episodes of Arrested Development (Sunday/FOX/9:30 PM PST), this opinion may change.