Great performances, good music, mediocre story. Joaquin Phoenix is a credible as Johnny Cash. Unfortunately, Mr. Cash marched a very self-indulgent path in life, thus his film suffers. The story arc is not the only problem. Much blame rests with the release date.

Timing plays a big role in the audience perceptions. When two thematically similar movies hit the market within a short time span, if both are of comparable quality, often the last one out fizzles. A recent example of the first time home run, second time ground ball effect: Cinderella Man. A solid, well-written and executed story, the Depression era boxing docudrama chased the heels of Million Dollar Baby. Audiences had their fill of boxing and the story of Maggie Fitzgerald and Cinderella Man underperformed. Last year Ray, the story of Ray Charles, stormed the theaters, leaving Walk the Line stale popcorn. Had I not seen Ray, I would have enjoyed Walk the Line a bit more.

Verdict: Worth a look. DVD rental.

Three, three, three movie reviews in one! Been a long time waiting, for certain, and here’s a multi-movie review wrap up.

Harry Potter: Goblet of Fire
Oh boy, another solid adaptation of the Harry Potter series, this episode is two hours and thirty minutes of fun. These films are loved universally, so I’ll not squander breaths nitpicking. I must say, though, those children are rather oldish looking these days. Maybe that’s a good thing. Also, what the hell is up with the catcalls from the audience when half naked Harry slides into the bath? Note to tomcats on the prowl: fourteen will get you five. Unless you live in Mississippi, where fourteen will get you twenty. So let us hope you’re a female teacher from Florida, because that only draws probation.

Verdict: Theater, matinee. Needs a big screen for full effect.

Saw II
There’s a soft spot in my heart for well done serial killer movies, and this one fits the bill. Enter Jigsaw, the manipulative mastermind who lures his victims into a game situation and lets them decide between life or death. I love suspenseful movies with twist endings, and particularly liked this one. Fans can see the first film — or walk in cold — but I recommend a Saw, Saw II double bill. Definitely not for the faint of heart, lots of blood and gore. Advice for dieters: come to Saw II with an empty stomach; it’s a surefire appetite suppressant.

Verdict: Theater, full price ( if you’re cool ). DVD purchase ( if your wife refuses to come along )

A History of Violence
A man. A family. A small town. A killer. An interesting premise halfway realized. This film has lots going for it: an excellent cast, a well-written story, and a man on a journey back from a violent past. Unfortunately, the director made some…different sort of choices, and squandered lots of screen time on what could have been a slow buildup to the question, is this small town hero the same man the Mob claims is a contract killer? I wanted to keep guessing a lot longer. It’s still a good movie, but it had the seeds of greatness, which makes the ending harder to accept.

Verdict: Theater matinee, DVD rental.

Less secure men avoid chick-lit flicks like In Her Shoes. A word to the less secure dudes: films marketed at females draw them like sales. You sir, can be the only man in theater. Odds don’t get much better than that.

I’m a quasi-chick lit fan. Any genre that move books in big quantities is worth my consideration. This commitment has led me down roads both dark and terrible, such as the Vampire Chronicles.

In Her Shoes is the tale of two sisters, joined by love and hate. Basically, first they hate each other, then they love each other. Along the way they stop talking. Exciting? Not really. Gripping? Like the klemph. Believable? Yes. The credibility factor, combined with the performances, deliver this movie from the bargain bin. Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette seem like real sisters, one drama from a knife fight. Or a hug.

What works about this movie:
1) Performances. Toni Collette at a career best. Even better work than the creepy mom in Sixth Sense.
2) Plot. A few glitches here and there, but any oversights are forgiven.
3) Cast. The actors fit the characters.
4) Direction. The director nursed laughs at the right moments.

Verdict: Girls, test your man’s security and demand a date with this film. Guys, you’ve been warned. DVD purchase, or matinee ( for the Girls Club Squad ).

Wallace and Gromit rule. There’s no point in concealing my bias on the subject; it’s inescapable.

The Curse of the Were-Rabbit reunites America’s favorite man and dog crime fighting team from England. Yep, lousy teeth and cheeky senses of humor. Ah, Britain. Like usual, Wallace, the madman inventor, lands them into trouble. Gromit, the unassuming hero and lovable canine, rescues the day.

Such is the formula that drove the classic shorts, and now pay handsome dividends as a full length feature film. The duo operates a pest control operation. They specialize in the humane removal of rabbits. As many customers have prize vegetables and rabbits enjoy sacking gardens, Wallace and Gromit are neighborhood heroes. Until – cue the ominous background music – a new invention goes awry, unleashing the were-rabbit.

Then the carnage begins. Can the team save the gardens before the last carrot disappears?

What works about this movie:
1) For clay based characters, the amount of movement and facial expressions is incredible. Also, the sets are major improvements over the salad days. Niceties like these give the film a polished look the shorts never had.
2) Gromit is the man! Err..I mean dog.
3) The simple premise works for 94 minutes.
4) Ralph Fiennes can do voices. Amazing.

Verdict: DVD purchase. That means less children cackling in the theater.