Dan's Papers - March 14, 2008 - Mike Vilensky's Mini-Movie Reviews

Scientists must create a cure for a lethal virus that is on the loose in London. You've probably seen this movie before in some form - and liked it!

With plays on words like that title, this Jim Carrey animated comedy delivers. Surprisingly complex - an elephant realizes that a seemingly unimportant spec of dust is actually a planet of miniature people - the film offers lessons about helping others, even when they're an arguably invisible species called the Whos.

This horror remake offers a mundane family getting slowly tortured - abused by sophisticated freaks, both psychologically and physically. Take the kids.

Djimon Hounsou becomes a mentor for a rebellious high schooler who finds himself in an underground fight club. Testosterone and such ensues in what seems like it should have gone straight to DVD.

In this funny, family-friendly comedy, the sassy girl from "That's so Raven" plays a good, high school girl who wants to let loose as she tours America's universities - but her dad (Martin Lawrence) comes along for the ride. Can't a girl go to a frat party in peace? Stay sober, Raven.

Will Ferrell is back, coaching a Harlem Globetrotters-esque basketball team that includes Woody Harrelson, in this semi-funny film.

If you thought last year's 300 was brawny, imagine a young mammoth hunter fighting to secure his tribe. This epic, entertaining, quasi-sci-fi flick will keep you interested with fast pacing and sweet special effects through each man versus animal action sequence. Metaphorical? Meaningful? Perhaps.

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?

Consider this: A group of lowly criminals think they are stealing money, but are actually unknowingly on a top secret mission to steal photos of a royal princess in some compromising positions. Smart and suspenseful, this alternative heist film - based on a true story - will steal... your mind.

Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman play sisters in competition for the affections of King Henry VIII. Based on a best-selling novel, this film is a geek boy's delight - and a period piece for all interested historians.

A romantic comedy located in Lebanon, in which five women contend with marriages, careers, and religions while shooting the breeze in a Beirut beauty salon.

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.