Dan's Papers - February 22, 2008 - Mike Vilensky's Mini-Movie Reviews

A young man played by Hayden Christensen discovers he has the power to teleport from place to place, as well as the power to seduce Rachel Bilson. Christensen uses his teleporting powers to avenge the death of his mother and fight the organization trying to eradicate "jumpers" like himself, but the complicated plot is less interesting than the chemistry between the co-stars.

Twin brothers move into a depressing new neighborhood, only to find it enlivened by the existence of magical creatures. For your daughter, the bros also have a sister and some fairy friends. For your (young) family, this is the movie.

Five different points of view are interweaved to paint a multi-perspective picture of an assassination attempt on the President. Dennis Quad stars in this interesting albeit gimmicky thriller. If only I could get such perspective on my failed relationship. Excuse me?

A boy who fails to fit in at his new public school begins listening to the many problems of his young peers as their makeshift therapist and drug dealer! An interesting albeit odd idea for a film, no? With subtle points and young talent, this could be, finally, an original and relevant teen movie. I Can't Hardly Wait (for real!).

Auteur Michel Gondry of Eternal Sunshine fame (a Montauk favorite) takes his talents to comedy in this film starring Jack Black as a quirky rental video store employee - reminiscent of his beloved High Fidelity role - who makes makeshift, re-made versions of the tapes he accidentally erased (starring himself). The film that might make you cancel your NetFlix subscription.

A father, Ryan Reynolds, in the middle of a divorce, reconsiders his past romantic options - three intriguing women - while explaining the melodrama to his daughter, the adorable Abagail Breslin, as she tries to figure out who her mother is. A sort of High Fidelity without the music or profanity, and a hopeful (and cute) movie for those who have hoped their ex might reconsider!

Art students compete in the medium of dance with Maryland's most notorious underground dance troupe in this pseudo-sequel of sass and dirty (albeit Disney-approved) dancing.

A couple on the rocks hunts for buried treasure, only to find their lost romance in this action/romantic comedy. The movie reunites Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, making it sort of like How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days on an island, only not very funny.