Sidewalks On The Corner

I got a chance to view three new movies: "Next" starring Nicolas Cage, "Shrek The Third" with Mike Myers, and "Pirates of The Caribbean: At World's End" starring Johnny Depp.

Follow up:

Here are my quick reviews:

NEXT
Nicolas Cage and Jessica Beal star in the film adaptation of a Philip K. Dick’s short story, "Next." Cage plays Cris Johnson, a Las Vegas magician and a psychic who is enlisted by the FBI in order to stop a nuclear terrorist attack on U.S. soil. "Next" is a thrilling, suspenseful joyride that doesn't bubble over the top with techno babble and gratuitous action and sex scenes. And it boasts some great stunt sequences similar to the "Matrix". The story is just right, but feels a bit lite when compared to films like "Minority Report" and "Deja Vu" which have a much more compelling story line.

Also staring in the film is Julianne Moore as the hard-nosed FBI agent Callie Ferris who pursues Cris and friend Irv, played by Peter Falk who makes a brief and forgettable appearance. Biel gives a believable but somewhat average performance as Liz. There isn't enough spark to Liz, however the sex appeal is faintly there. Biel brings her character to life none-the-less. Cage needs a little help in the romantic scene department; his performance with Biel is a little creepy and feels stockerish, but it is one his best performances since "The Rock" and "Gone in Sixty Seconds." Moore is spot on if a little robotic as Callie Ferris but pulls her character off well as the no non-since agent.

Overall a must see.

SHREK THE THIRD
"Shrek The Third" is another shining example of follow-ups. He was a bachelor living in the swamps who just wanted to be left alone in the first "Shrek" … until he met Donkey and Princess Fiona. Shrek and Donkey became friends, and he married Princess Fiona. Then Shrek met the in-laws in "Shrek 2", now in "Shrek The Third," Shrek is facing fatherhood. With the king of far far away about to croak, Shrek and Fiona are left to run the castle, but Shrek isn't interested in the becoming king. So he sets out to find a rightful heir, but on his way he finds out he's going to be a father. What is an ogre to do?

Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy are back in this hilarious third sequel. Adults can enjoy this spoofy animation, filled with all your favorite fairytale creatures, just as much as the kids can. Although there are musical montages and old clichés and jokes only adults can understand; laughter from kids is just a bi-product of the animated characters acting silly on screen. There are some nice rib tickling jokes and gags, and great voice over by Myers, Diaz, and Murphy. There are some new characters to fill out the rest of the hilarious cast.

Over all "Shrek The Third" won't live up to the first "Shrek", but it is a decent follow up.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END
"Pirates of The Caribbean: At Worlds End" is the sequel that all Pirates fans have been waiting for. Questions that fans have had since the first two will be answered. Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Kiera Knightley, and Johnny Depp all make a triumphant return is this highly anticipated sequel. Chow Yun-Fat joins the cast this time around as Captain Sao Feng, the Pirate Lord of the South China Sea.

Captain Jack Sparrow was sentenced to spend eternity in Davy Jones' Locker, now it's up to Captain Barbossa (Rush), Elizabeth Swann (Knightley) and Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) to free Captain Sparrow from the bowels of insanity. Meanwhile, Davy Jones and the crew aboard the Flying Dutchman, who are ruled by the East Indian Trading Company, terrorize the seven seas freely. In a test of strength and will, Elizabeth, Captain Barbossa, Will, and Captain Jack Sparrow and crew must travel to the ends of the earth to save humanity. The battle scenes are spectacular and endless, and the acting is done tongue in cheek.

The over the top performance from Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow, has to be one of the greatest characters he's ever played. Knightley is powerful and strong as Elizabeth Swann. This is her most powerful since the second Pirates. Orlando Bloom is dashing, cocky, and takes charge as Will Turner. The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards makes a comical appearance as the father of Jack Sparrow.

The special effects are eye catching and dazzling. Gore Verbinski, who is a brilliant director, filmed pirates beautifully and made some of the most difficult action sequences look easy. The only down fall to this film is the almost 3 hour running time, which is needed in order to tell the whole story. Those who love the first two are in for a great ride. A must see.