Box Office Results

1. Up, $68.2 million

2. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, $25.5 million
3. Drag Me to Hell, $16.6 million
4. Terminator Salvation, $16.1 million
5. Star Trek, $12.8 million
6. Angels & Demons, $11.2 million
7. Dance Flick, $4.9 million
8. X-Men Origins: Wolverine, $3.9 million
9. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, $1.9 million
10. Obsessed, $665,000 million

RYAN: Well this weekend was predictable; after last weekend's shocker!

CAROLINE: No one, I repeat, no one suspected "Night at the Museum 2" would beat out "Terminator Salvation" last weekend.

RYAN: I can't believe how many people I've talked to who were very disappointed by the new "Terminator."

CAROLINE: I just find that crazy. It was such a cool movie.

RYAN: So now "Up" gets all the glory.

CAROLINE: It has received almost unanimously great reviews. Some people are even comparing it to last year's "Wall-E."

RYAN: I also made that comparison, at least in an early part of the film. It will be interesting to see if it gets an Oscar nomination.

CAROLINE: Well there's usually fewer nominated in that category than in the other ones.

RYAN: Does that make it more or less competitive?

CAROLINE: Well there are less animated films in general, so...

RYAN: I think "Up" will have major DVD sales too.

CAROLINE: True. The home video market for the little ones is huge. They'll watch things over and over and it's such a break for parents to just plop the kids down in front of the TV for a couple hours.

RYAN: I wonder if there will be an "Up" sequel... maybe "Upper"?

CAROLINE: [laughs] That might have to be R-rated.

UP

CAROLINE: There's a new animated 3D Disney/Pixar movie in town, and I'm thrilled I didn't have to see it. "Up" looks semi-cute, but you know how I feel about these things.

RYAN: I'm telling you, you would have liked this one. Remember last year's hit, "Wall-E"?

CAROLINE: Of course. I liked parts of it.

RYAN: Well, this one is almost on par with that, specifically the first twenty minutes of the film. There's practically no dialogue, and the animation is so good. It carries the movie emotionally and beautifully illustrates the story.

CAROLINE: I'm sure you're right, but I just don't dig on kids' films.

RYAN: Many family films cater solely to the young 'uns, and I like those a lot less. I'm happy to say this movie is enjoyable for all ages. There are no uber famous celebrity voices in it, but that didn't matter because it's such a clever, original tale.

CAROLINE: I don't even know what it's about. Enlighten me.

RYAN: Basically, this old man embarks on a stratospheric adventure in his own home, and lo and behold, there's a castaway on board in the form of a Cub Scout. Hilarity and obstacles ensue.

CAROLINE: Were there a bunch of kids at the screening with you?

RYAN: A few. But more than anything I noticed the positive reactions from the adults in the crowd. One of the best aspects of the film are the dog characters. They have collars which enable them to speak. Can you imagine if that were possible?

CAROLINE: Sounds like my worst nightmare. I like dogs about as much as I like children's films.

RYAN: That admission just saved me from having to shoot you down just now, you cold-hearted wench.

CAROLINE: [laughs] I know. How's the 3D?

RYAN: We've been so amazed by the most recent 3D technology; howe'er, much like "Battle for Terra," I didn't feel like the 3D in this movie was used to awe-inspiring levels. I was kind of disappointed.

CAROLINE: Yeah, it's like why bother even making it 3D if you're not going to use it to great effect?

RYAN: Exactly.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

RYAN: The real star of this movie is the story and its emotional core. There were very few dry eyes in the house both early on and at the end. It's thematically enjoyable for all ages, so I'd definitely recommend it. It's also the first time I remember seeing animated blood in a Disney film; though it's only a little bit.

CAROLINE: I'm sure it's a sweet movie that many people will love. I'm just not one of them.

-- RATING --

DRAG ME TO HELL

RYAN: "Drag Me to Hell" is a new horror film from director Sam Raimi who is most widely known for directing the "Spider-Man" movies.

CAROLINE: I didn't get to see it with you, and I must say I'm sort of relieved. I can't really stomach these horror movies. Was it super scary?

RYAN: Actually, yes. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's this decade's "Exorcist."

CAROLINE: Gasp! Was there a head spinning around moment and everything?

RYAN: No, but there are some horrific images that are sure to become iconic.

CAROLINE: Yikes. Do you think I would have been terrified?

RYAN: Yes, as was I, for at least the first half of the movie. Then at some point it kind of jumped the shark and became less scary. Also, I appreciated that some scenes were written as intentionally funny because that way the audience could get their laughter out at the appropriate time. There's nothing worse than inappropriate laughter during a horror movie.

CAROLINE: Yes, I hate that. How's Alison Lohman?

RYAN: She's fantastic and I really don't know why we haven't seen her in more movies. Her performance is so not the cliché screaming girl; she hits interesting notes throughout. Justin Long plays her boyfriend, and he's fine except for one scene where Alison's typing away on a Mac, and I couldn't help but think to myself, "Wonder how they got that product placement deal?"

CAROLINE: [laughs] I love it. What about the creepy old lady? She's freaky.

RYAN: She's in it way more than anyone wanted to see her, and it's just one disgusting thing to look at after the next with her.

CAROLINE: Ewwwww!

RYAN: The most disturbing aspect of the horror effects in this film was that almost all of it is focused on Ali Lohman's mouth. There was all kinds of vomiting and other disgusting stuff. I strongly suggest not eating right before or during this movie.

CAROLINE: Blech! I can't even stand to hear about it. I'm so glad I couldn't make the screening. I like a scary movie every now and then, but this one sounds just gross.

RYAN: It really is the scariest movie I've seen in recent memory. I could have done without some of the grossness, but I'm glad it wasn't cheesy and cliché the way most horror movies are these days.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

RYAN: It's truly a frightening film from beginning to almost end. Of special note is the sound design and editing. I think people will be talking about this movie for some time to come. If you want to be truly scared during a movie, this is the one to see.

CAROLINE: Thank you very much for seeing it without me.

-- RATING --

THE BOYS: THE SHERMAN BROTHERS' STORY

CAROLINE: I'm only a little sorry I missed "The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story" with you because it sounds somewhat interesting - and the music must be great.

RYAN: They were the real life brothers who Walt Disney hired on staff to write so much of the most memorable Disney music.

CAROLINE: They gave us all the hits in "Mary Poppins," "The Jungle Book," "The Parent Trap," and even "It's a Small World," which frankly, I think we could all have done without.

RYAN: [laughs] Speak for yourself. The story behind that song is brill. They also did the music in the non-Disney "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," among much more.

CAROLINE: So how was the documentary?

RYAN: I was most interested in it to see why two brothers who created such magic together sadly drifted apart and no longer talk. LBH, let's be honest, we want some drama in our movies.

CAROLINE: This is true... and?

RYAN: And the film doesn't explain why they stopped talking.

CAROLINE: That's rude.

RYAN: It may be because it's co-directed by each of the subject's respective sons. And Ben Stiller is an exec producer which just gives me the willies.

CAROLINE: [laughs] Is he in it?

RYAN: He is - pontificating on the significance of these songwriters which I shan't deny. But still, haven't we enough Ben Stiller this month?

CAROLINE: For this lifetime.

RYAN: I really loved the music and it was really a golden era for Disney; so, much of this documentary is enjoyable just for that reason. And it made me wanna go back and re-watch all the classic movies.

CAROLINE: Since I'm not a fan of family films, I might have taken a nap during this one.

RYAN: You also napped during "Star Trek."

CAROLINE: I stand by my right to nap when I'm bored beyond belief.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

RYAN: It's a decent documentary about a pivotal time in Disney history and American history. It's fascinating on those levels. But as a family story, it leaves more to the imagination than any imagineer would prefer. Maybe rent it or look for it on cable someday.

-- RATING --

Trailer Tuesdays!

RYAN: There's a major contrast in genres this Trailer Tuesdays what with a horror flick and a kids' movie. Guess which genre "Drag Me to Hell" is?

CAROLINE: Ha ha. It's from director Sam Raimi who got his start in horror movies but then went on to direct the "Spider-Man" franchise. I'm therefore assuming this movie won't be shlocky and cheesy.

RYAN: So many horror movies turn out that way, don't they? This one looks like it could be genuinely scary though, which is so fun.

CAROLINE: Fun for you, maybe! I get totally freaked out in movies like this so I don't really enjoy them. The old lady in the trailer is way creepy; I'm still not sure I have the stomach for this one. It stars Alison Lohman who was in that "White Oleander" movie with Michelle Pfeiffer.

RYAN: I loved her in "Big Fish" too.

CAROLINE: The old lady in this movie puts a curse on her or something.

RYAN: Yeah, Alison Lohman's character works in a bank and she denies this old lady's loan and then mayhem ensues. I like the creepy creature-esque look of this movie. It looks like nightmare material. Check out the trailer here:

CAROLINE: Next we have "Up," which is an animated 3D Disney Pixar film for the kiddies. As you can imagine, I have zero interest. But it's something about a floating house.

RYAN: There's a lot of great advanced buzz on this movie and the animation looks incredible. It's like this year's "Wall-E." I have high hopes for it.

CAROLINE: I don't know a thing about it myself. Does it have any famous people's voices in it?

RYAN: No one super famous and current, but it's got the voices of Ed Asner and Christopher Plummer among others. The trailer doesn't reveal much but it definitely teases you and whets your appetite for a great 3D Disney movie.

CAROLINE: I'm sure it'll be huge. Here's the trailer:

EASY VIRTUE

RYAN: I knew very little about the film "Easy Virtue" other than it starred Ben Barnes who's one of my favorite actors since I saw him in one of my all-time favorite movies, "Stardust."

CAROLINE: I loved this trailer when I first saw it. The cast is great - Colin Firth, Kristin Scott Thomas, and for some reason, Jessica Biel. It seemed like a cute, fun, comedic British period piece.

RYAN: It's from the same director as "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" and the way it started totally reminded me of "Moulin Rouge!" The music is great, and it's decadent and lush. I actually thought it was going to be a musical at first, and I was loving it. And then Jessica Biel opened her mouth.

CAROLINE: [laughs] That's where it all went downhill.

RYAN: Here's the one good thing I can say: she played an American.

CAROLINE: It took me a minute to realize that she just can't act. I really enjoyed the movie; it's frothy and fun at the beginning, and kinda kooky. I loved the music too. Overall, I liked a lot of things about this movie, but Jessica Biel was not one of them.

RYAN: She's so wooden and awful, and it was offset by how amazing everyone else in the cast was. Kristin Scott Thomas totally nailed her performance, Colin Firth is great in everything he does and Ben Barnes is a rising star; so it's such a letdown that Jessica Biel sucked as hard as she did. If there were a better actress in her role, this might have been a movie I'd buy on DVD.

CAROLINE: She looked terrible with blond hair. Why they gave her that color wig I will never understand. She also smoked very poorly. Clearly, she doesn't smoke in real life - which is a good thing. But she looked so uncool trying to do it on screen. She's supposed to be this free-spirited American who invades a wealthy British family's home after marrying their son, but she was just annoying.

RYAN: Her delivery wasn't good. Granted, Scarlett Johansson wouldn't have been much better. I actually liked Jessica Biel in "The Illusionist," but now I'm thinking she cannot act. At all. She embarrassed herself in this movie.

CAROLINE: Ouch. Her body is amazing though, and her face is OK; though I'm sure it's much prettier when she's not in a hideous blond wig. She was trying way too hard in this role. She has a few scenes that require some intense acting, and she just couldn't handle it.

RYAN: She's not sophisticated enough. Even though she didn't have to do a British accent, she couldn't really master the 1920s way of speaking. The two sisters in the movie are hilarious though.

CAROLINE: They had some great moments. There are several parts that made me laugh out loud, which I wasn't expecting from a period piece, so that was a fun surprise. It is based on a Noel Coward play, after all. I also left the screening thinking Ben Barnes is pretty hot.

RYAN: I knew that already. The costumes were great too, and I loved the movie's quirkiness.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

CAROLINE: It's a fun, light movie with a great cast. It's only out in limited release and I think it's even already out on DVD. You don't have to rush out to see it, but it's very cute.

RYAN: It'll be enjoyed by people who like period pieces, and it's definitely worth seeing for the performances by Colin Firth, Kristin Scott Thomas and Ben Barnes. Even though Jessica Biel drags the movie down, you can get over it because of how good the others are. It's shot so well and beautiful to look at, so I'd recommend it.

-- RATING --

TERMINATOR SALVATION

CAROLINE: One of 2009's most anticipated movies, "Terminator Salvation," is finally here, and we're totally on board. Nice work, McG!

RYAN: Seriously. We got to see some scenes from this movie a few months ago before all the effects were completed; and we've been drooling over its release ever since. I'm happy to report that the film does not disappoint. It's incredible.

CAROLINE: The special effects really are amazing. I definitely liked the first hour of the movie best; it started flagging for me after that. I'm a chick, so I can handle only so much sci-fi. But some of the action sequences were so exciting, I was practically leaping out of my seat and yelling at the screen.

RYAN: I haven't seen the previous Terminator movies, so -

CAROLINE: I'm sorry, what?

RYAN: This is the first Terminator movie I've seen.

CAROLINE: Are you serious? T2 was one of the seminal movies of the early '90s! I am in shock.

RYAN: Well, now I might have to run out and rent the earlier ones. I have to imagine this one is much bigger and better though.

CAROLINE: Well, at the time, "Terminator 2" was huge and no one could believe the technology. So 18 years later, special effects have certainly improved, but I think T2 stands the test of time. This franchise really has a way of coming out with the coolest effects and the most amazing technology, and it's great that this new one delivers.

RYAN: And as we all know, this one stars Christian Bale, who's probably the biggest action star in the world right now.

CAROLINE: The real lead is Sam Worthington though.

RYAN: Oh, definitely. He has a much larger part, and the movie is really his story. Christian Bale annoyingly does his Batman voice throughout much of the film.

CAROLINE: He needs to stop doing that immediately before he becomes a graduate of the Ben Stiller School of Acting wherein you play the same character in every role you do. There's no doubt that Christian Bale is a great actor; but after his tirade that was all over the internet, I kind of just think he's a jerk.

RYAN: There were scenes in the movie where he yells and gets angry, and I was like, "I wonder if this was the scene where he blew up?" He had several really intense moments that could have led to the rant.

CAROLINE: Bryce Dallas Howard is also in this in a thankless role.

RYAN: She's pregnant in it, but she doesn't do much else.

CAROLINE: Yeah, I think it was a real pregnancy too. Moon Bloodgood plays the token hot chick, but she really didn't have anything to do. I wasn't sure what her purpose was other than having a sick bod.

RYAN: Exactly. People were actually laughing at it. Her perfectly tousled hair, falling in waves when her helmet came off; it was a little much. But co-star Anton Yelchin is having the best summer between this movie and "Star Trek." We hated his Russian accent in "Star Trek" but he totally redeems himself here.

CAROLINE: 100%! He was amazing, as was the little black girl who played his sidekick. I was just so happy she wasn't Willow Smith.

RYAN: [laughs] Totally. Her character doesn't speak, so maybe Willow Smith thought the role wasn't meaty enough for her. I just want to congratulate McG, because after his "Charlie's Angels" films, this is a really huge deal for him.

CAROLINE: The only bad thing about the movie was Common's acting. People were laughing out loud.

RYAN: This just in - he can't act.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

RYAN: It's a must-see on the big screen. It's a thrilling spectacle for the eyes and ears - a blockbuster with all the makings of one - plus a lot of heart.

CAROLINE: I don't think anyone will be disappointed. It totally delivers with great action and effects. It's a little apocalyptic, and I'm a little tired of seeing movies like that lately between "I Am Legend" and "Blindness" and the forthcoming "The Road." I got a little tired of it all in the second hour, but I totally enjoyed the action parts. It's a boy movie, for sure, but girls will like it too.

RYAN: I don't like war movies, but I've realized I don't mind a sci-fi war movie like this one. Don't miss it!

-- RATING --

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN

RYAN: "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" is the sequel to Ben Stiller's "Night at the Museum," which I didn't love. This one I liked better, but only because it had Amy Adams.

CAROLINE: I couldn't go to the screening with you, which is no great loss for me. I would have considered seeing it because of our mutual love for Miss Adams, but my disdain for Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson makes me glad I didn't.

RYAN: This movie's very predictable. It's not exactly like the first one since it takes place in a different museum and there's a war going on, but I really didn't love it. It skews very young; it's definitely a little kids' movie.

CAROLINE: It's rated PG, so there you go.

RYAN: Here are the few positives: Amy Adams is fabulous. After seeing the trailer, I was worried that she was using her usual Giselle from "Enchanted" and "Miss Pettigrew" voice in this movie, but she really found a new voice for this character. Somebody give that girl an Oscar already! There are also some priceless moments with Jonah Hill and Hank Azaria. Robin Williams, Christopher Guest, Steve Coogan and Owen Wilson, however, are wasted in their roles. And Ben Stiller is just doing the same thing he does in every movie. He overacts with his facial expressions, and I just didn't buy it.

CAROLINE: I think he's phoning it in at this point, especially with a movie like this. It's a paycheck to him. He should stick to movies like "Tropic Thunder."

RYAN: The special effects are definitely great though. I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing Robin Williams go back and forth between coming to life and being a wax figure.

CAROLINE: Yeah, the premise is totally cool, and I'm sure the kids will want to see it.

RYAN: I was really happy to see the ruby slippers from "The Wizard of Oz" make an appearance since there is a pair on display at the Smithsonian.

CAROLINE: How nice for you. I'm still not sure why this movie's being released against "Terminator Salvation," which is PG-13.

RYAN: Well, this one is definitely for the much younger set. That was annoying. They could have so easily made this movie appeal to all ages, not just kids. I love children's films, but they're much better when they have innuendo and jokes for the adults. There's definitely a moral in this movie but I don't really agree with it.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

RYAN: It's a big blockbuster for the kids, and the effects are great. Some of the performances are worthy, and some are just embarrassing. I can't say it's a must-see on the big screen unless you have to take your kids.

-- RATING --

OUTRAGE

RYAN: We didn’t attend a screening of the new documentary “Outrage” but I actually went to the box office and bought a ticket to see it recently out of sheer interest.

CAROLINE: I’ve never heard of such a thing!

RYAN: [laughs] It is a rare occurrence in our world indeed.

CAROLINE: What so inspired you?

RYAN: It’s about closeted gay politicians in America.

CAROLINE: Them’s fighting words!

RYAN: I know! It’s a sad state of affairs, pun intended – that we live in a time and a place where there is such shame surrounding one’s sexuality – and it often drives these people to do terrible things.

CAROLINE: Like what?

RYAN: Well this movie provides facts on several politicians who have literally been caught having sex with men and then they go on the record voting against equality and such.

CAROLINE: That is an outrage.

RYAN: I know. The title is most appropriate.

CAROLINE: We’ve definitely come a long way in this country now that five states have passed marriage equality laws.

RYAN: The tide is turning for justice, it’s true. This documentary is more disturbing than it is entertaining though. The topic not as cleverly illustrated as, say, a Michael Moore doc.

CAROLINE: Well there’s only one Michael Moore.

RYAN: But it is a completely compelling situation.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

RYAN: It's an important look at a relevant issue. It's good to get it out in the open and I think people will be shocked at the hypocritical behavior of some elected officials highlighted in this feature. It's a little movie that could make a big difference.

-- RATING --

Trailer Tuesdays!

RYAN: This week's infamous movie release is "Terminator Salvation," which we all know is the film where Christian Bale had a hissy fit on the set.

CAROLINE: It's legendary at this point; too bad it's not in the trailer. We got to see a little sneak peek of some scenes from this movie a few months ago courtesy of Warner Bros., and it looked very cool.

RYAN: Both of our proverbial jaws dropped when we saw those early scenes. I'm thinking this might be the biggest blockbuster of the summer.

CAROLINE: It's certainly one of the most anticipated. We all know that Christian Bale's an awesome actor, though I fear he's overusing that gravelly Batman voice of late.

RYAN: Definitely. The movie co-stars this Australian actor, Sam Worthington, and Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of Ron. Wonder how she broke into the business.

CAROLINE: I remember loving "T2" way back when, so I'm hoping this one is just as good. Check out the trailer here:

CAROLINE: Next up is a movie I so don't care about, "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," which stars Ben Stiller. I'm not a fan of kids' movies, but I have to admit this cast is really great.

RYAN: Surprisingly, I didn't love the first one; I thought it was only fair. But I'm really looking forward to this one since it has one of my all-time favorite actresses, Amy Adams.

CAROLINE: Love her! And I adore Christopher Guest, Steve Coogan and SNL's Bill Hader. I can take or leave Ben Stiller at this point. I saw the first one on a plane, and it was OK. I didn't love it or anything, but I get why it's a cool concept that kids love. I'm a little surprised that this movie is coming out against "Terminator Salvation" though. It could be neck-and-neck at the box office this weekend; but I think we all know which one will come out on top.

RYAN: I just hope there's a scene in "Night at the Museum" where they find the ruby slippers and those come to life too, so everyone can go to Oz.

CAROLINE: Are the ruby slippers located in the Smithsonian?

RYAN: Yeah!

CAROLINE: Well, that's a whole different movie, honey. Here's the trailer:

RYAN: Must we even bring up "Dance Flick"?

CAROLINE: Oh God, I wish you wouldn't. If I see another ad for that movie, I might have to kill myself. You seriously couldn't pay me enough money to see it.

RYAN: I like these spoof movies, as you know, but even this one looks a little over the top. Here's the trailer:

Box Office Results

1. Angels & Demons, $48 million
2. Star Trek, $43 million
3. X-Men Origins: Wolverine, $14.8 million
4. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, $6.9 million
5. Obsessed, $4.6 million
6. 17 Again, $3.4 million
7. Monsters vs Aliens, $3 million
8. The Soloist, $2.4 million
9. Next Day Air, $2.3 million
10. Earth, $1.7 million

RYAN: As expected, the new "Angels & Demons" took the top spot at the B.O. this weekend.

CAROLINE: It's the order of things with summer blockbusters. Every new weekend, the newest one opens huge.

RYAN: When "The Da Vinci Code" opened, it made $77 million, but it was a more popular book and had a lot of controversy surrounding it.

CAROLINE: And we all know there's no such thing as bad press. The "Angels & Demons" worldwide take was over $150 million which made up for the cost of the film - $125 mill.

RYAN: I'm sure it will stick in theaters for a while. I think word of mouth will be good.

CAROLINE: Meanwhile, "Star Trek" has already made a total of $146 million and "Wolverine" has taken $151 million.

RYAN: Clearly, "Star Trek" will do better overall.

CAROLINE: Jennifer Aniston is out in a new Indie called "Management" but it didn't even break the top ten! Brangelina must be doing a hoedown.

RYAN: It's technically her worst-performing movie of any kind since 2005's "Rumor Has It."

CAROLINE: So as long as you're not Jeni Ani, it's a pretty good time to come out with a new movie.

ANGELS & DEMONS

RYAN: While walking out of the screening for "Angels & Demons," the new Ron Howard and Tom Hanks "Da Vinci Code" sequel, I have only two words: Ewan McGregor.

CAROLINE: [laughs] I know how much you love him, so I felt bad for you watching this movie. That's all I'm gonna say.

RYAN: I totally fell for this movie. I haven't read the book, and I normally can predict what's going to happen in a movie, but I had no clue what was going to happen next in this one. And that's surprisingly fun!

CAROLINE: I did read the book but it was years ago, so I remembered the gist of it, but not the details. The ending of the movie was little far-fetched for me, but the first two hours of it were riveting. It was so exciting and intense, and I was loving every minute.

RYAN: It's really a great thriller. And it feels a bit like an action film. There's intrigue and plenty of twists and turns, and it has one of the best climaxes of any movie I've ever seen.

CAROLINE: Can we discuss Tom Hanks for a minute? He's looking very slim and trim. There's an opening scene where he's swimming in a Speedo, and I was like, "Clearly that's a body double." We all know he's chunked out some in his older age. But then he looks up from the pool and it's totally him! He got in fab shape for this movie.

RYAN: Well, he's definitely willing to change his appearance for a film, as evidenced in "Cast Away" when he went practically Christian Bale in "Machinist" on us. He clearly worked hard to get in great shape for this film. At his age, to be an action star, which he basically is in this movie, you gotta look good.

CAROLINE: He's also lost the bad haircut from "Da Vinci Code," so he's really looking phenom.

RYAN: We need to discuss Ewan McGregor, because I've never been attracted to a priest in my life until now. He's my favorite actor, and I was swooning every time he came on screen. He really found a different voice for this character and gave a great performance.

CAROLINE: I thought Stellan Skarsgard was awesome, and I also loved the guy who played the Inspector. The female lead is good, but she's sort of superfluous because you're so focused on all the big stars.

RYAN: It's one of the best directed Ron Howard films ever. The camera movement and the cinematography were reminiscent of David Fincher and Robert Zemeckis. And I love films that discuss science vs. religion.

CAROLINE: The premise is just so cool and fascinating, even though I'm sure it's not entirely based in fact. But I love that it all took place in Rome with real sculptures and statues and churches. Clearly, they had to recreate a lot of it because they couldn't use the real churches, but they all looked very real. I totally got swept up into it. Just when I thought it couldn't get any more exciting, it did.

RYAN: I'm with you. I was totally involved, and I loved that I didn't know what twist was coming next.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

CAROLINE: I wholeheartedly recommend this movie. It's a great summer flick, and I think anyone who enjoyed the books or "The Da Vinci Code," will really love it.

RYAN: I liked it better than "The Da Vinci Code," which admittedly could be because of Ewan McGregor. M'pal Mark, who saw it with us, read the book and was disappointed by some omissions and changes, but also really enjoyed it. I'd definitely recommend it for the big screen because the effects are amazing and the story is so juicy.

CAROLINE: It got a little kooky for me at the end. The last 20 minutes were a little much; but I adored the rest.

-- RATING --

New Trailer - Nine the Musical

RYAN: I didn't realize it was possible to be so ultra excited about so many different upcoming movies all at once.

CAROLINE: Well I know you can barely stand the wait for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." What else are you dying over now?

RYAN: The film adaptation of the musical "Nine."

CAROLINE: Oh me too! It's directed by Rob Marshall who made one of my favorite movies "Chicago."

RYAN: Just look at the gorgeousness that is this trailer:

CAROLINE: How many Academy Award winners can be in one film? There's Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Dame Judi Dench, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Sophia Loren...

RYAN: That's outstanding. There's also Kate Hudson, who it's super fun to see dancing since we know that's how Goldie got her start; and Fergie.

CAROLINE: Can she even act?

RYAN: We'll see. Maybe she only sings in it.

CAROLINE: I'll be first in line with you. "Nine" opens November 25th.

THE BROTHERS BLOOM

CAROLINE: The much delayed Rachel Weisz/Mark Ruffalo/Adrien Brody flick, "The Brothers Bloom," is finally out in limited release starting tomorrow. It was supposed to come out in October or November, but it's just coming out now. And it was delayed other times before too.

RYAN: That's never a good sign.

CAROLINE: No, it certainly isn't. I was really looking forward to this movie because of my love for Mark and Rachel; but sadly, it didn't really deliver.

RYAN: I didn't get to go to the screening, but sounds like I didn't miss much.

CAROLINE: It has an interesting premise - Mark Ruffalo and Adrien Brody play con men who take advantage of a very wealthy but sheltered chick played by Rachel Weisz. She's quirky and funny in this, and her character has all these hobbies, like ping pong, skateboarding, breakdancing, etc. And she had to learn all of them for the movie.

RYAN: Yeah, I saw that in the trailer. I like the idea of her in a comedic role. How was she?

CAROLINE: Very cute. I love her. Rinko Kikuchi from "Babel" is also in it, but her character doesn't speak. Like, literally not a word. And she's a demolitions expert.

RYAN: What?

CAROLINE: I know. It's kind of a bizarre movie. I never got fully into it as a result.

RYAN: How are Mark and Adrien B.?

CAROLINE: They're good, as always, though Adrien is so skinny and bizarre looking. Half the time I didn't even feel like I knew what was going on though, because the movie is just odd. The guys take advantage of Rachel's naiveté to recruit her to pull off one final scam, and then mayhem ensues. They're all wearing these bowler hats, so I was like, "Is this an homage to 'A Clockwork Orange' or what?"

RYAN: Seriously.

CAROLINE: By the end, it got kind of violent and I was just over it. Some of the scenery is gorgeous though. They filmed in Montenegro on the coast and in some other European locations.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

CAROLINE: Even though I love the cast, I can't really recommend this movie for anyone not in the art house set. It's quirky and cute in parts, but mostly just bizarre and it never really came together. So given all the other big movies coming out right now, this movie feels like it's being buried. It's not a must-see on the big screen.

-- RATING --

First Look Trailer - New Disney Princess!

RYAN: Who's more excited than you about the upcoming new Disney Princess movie "The Princess and the Frog"?

CAROLINE: Uh, you are?

RYAN: Ok fair. It's the first new theatrical release in 2D animation from the studio and also the first new animated fairy tale in ages - along the lines of "The Little Mermaid," etc...

CAROLINE: It also delivers the first African American Disney Princess - voiced by Anika Noni Rose, whom we remember from the movie "Dreamgirls."

RYAN: Love her. She's also a Tony award winner.

CAROLINE: Yes. You know I'm not a big fan of family films, but since this one looks like a classic Disney feature, I think I may be able to get in touch with my inner-little girl.

RYAN: Me too.

CAROLINE: [laughs] Let's look at the new trailer:

CAROLINE: Oooh, who's the voice of the Prince?

RYAN: I think it's Terrence Howard. And Oprah's somewhere in the movie too.

CAROLINE: Of course she is.

RYAN: The movie opens December 11th.

Trailer Tuesdays!

RYAN: "Angels & Demons," the much anticipated follow up to "The Da Vinci Code," is in theaters this weekend, and I, for one, am very excited.

CAROLINE: Me too! "The Da Vinci Code" wasn't that well received, but I remember liking it. I read both books too and they're really fun. Hopefully this new movie will keep the momentum going. And having Ron Howard as a director certainly doesn't hurt.

RYAN: Thank God Tom Hanks doesn't have that ridiculous hair anymore.

CAROLINE: Seriously - what was up with that? So unnecessary. They also dumped Audrey Tatou as the sidekick. Now it's some new girl who gets zero face time in the trailer.

RYAN: All I can say about this trailer is "Helloooo, Ewan McGregor!" He's my #1 hot man in Hollywood and he looks so good, even as a priest. I can't wait to see him on the big screen again!

CAROLINE: I really hope this movie delivers. The book is really cool and suspenseful, and the trailer looks promising. Check it out here:

RYAN: Next up we have "Management," starring Steve Zahn and Jennifer Aniston in a bad wig.

CAROLINE: A seriously bad one. This movie looks sweet. Steve Zahn plays an overzealous hotel worker who falls for Jenny Ani and then starts to stalk her in a semi-cute way.

RYAN: I feel like we might be the only two people who've even heard of this movie. It doesn't have much buzz, and it's coming out on the same weekend as one of the biggest movies of the year.

CAROLINE: Yeah, this movie definitely has an indie feel. I doubt I'll rush out to see it, but maybe it'll be a good rental in a few months.

RYAN: Yeah, I'd call it a rental at best. When a movie like this gets released against something like "Angels & Demons," that doesn't bode well. But the trailer's cute - check it out here:

Movie News - Nic Cage Set Cursed?

RYAN: I just love Hollywood rumors and legend. It's the kind of stuff that lives on after a movie, even if the film tanked, you know?

CAROLINE: Remember the curse of the "Poltergeist" cast?

RYAN: Oh that was one of the worst! And then there was the curse on Brandon Lee and "The Crow."

CAROLINE: So now you're thinking of the Nic Cage movie, currently filming in NYC - "The Sorcerer's Apprentice"?

RYAN: Yeah. Nobody has died, thank goodness, but there's just been another car accident. Think of all the car chases we see in movies that are so out of control, yet we don't hear about accidents and this movie has had two already!

CAROLINE: It's pretty scary. Do we know the details?

RYAN: Well the second crash in one week resulted in nine people injured; however mildly. It wasn't part of filming. An NY taxi and random woman in an SUV collided on a sidewalk where crew members were perched.

CAROLINE: That's awful!

RYAN: I hope there are no other tragedies on the set. I'm really looking forward to this movie.

CAROLINE: I'm not.

Box Office Results

1. Star Trek, $72.5 million

2. X-Men Origins: Wolverine, $27 million
3. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, $10.5 million
4. Obsessed, $6.6 million
5. 17 Again, $4.4 million
6. Next Day Air, $4 million
7. The Soloist, $3.6 million
8. Monsters vs. Aliens, $3.4 million
9. Earth, $2.5 million
10. Hannah Montana: The Movie, $2.4 million

RYAN: "Star Trek" opened huge this weekend with a whopping $72 million - $76 mill if you include it's take from Thursday night.

CAROLINE: It's easily the biggest opening of any "Star Trek" film in history. Prior to this one, the best grossing Trek movie didn't even make this much in its entire theatrical release.

RYAN: I thought it was going to break $100; but still, to do this well, more than just the Trekkers had to show up.

CAROLINE: What's with this Trekkers? I thought they were Trekkies.

RYAN: They were, but to break out of the nerd stigma, they now wanna be called Trekkers. Respect.

CAROLINE: [laughs] Like that helps.

RYAN: Interesting side note, by next weekend, "Star Trek" will be the highest grossing Tyler Perry movie ever.

CAROLINE: Ha. I love it! It was so random seeing him in this movie. Though I slept through it, I'm glad for J.J. Abrams.

RYAN: Me too. I'd def like to see a sequel.

CAROLINE: "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" did better last weekend. And you thought "Star Trek" was a better movie.

RYAN: Right. That's why I thought this might have opened higher, but it still did a fine job. It's nice to see big box office since we love movies so much.

CAROLINE: Next weekend we have the new Da Vinci Code sequel with Tom Hanks - "Angels & Demons" - but that should attract an older crowd.

RYAN: It'll be interesting to see if it can best the Chris Pine Fan Club.

STAR TREK

RYAN: Much to the delight of Trekkies around the world, the new movie version of "Star Trek" is finally in theaters courtesy of "Lost" and "Alias" creator, J.J. Abrams.

CAROLINE: Ummmm.... yeah. I really have nothing to say about it. This movie was not for me. I was bored, and quite frankly, I didn't enjoy it at all.

RYAN: Wait a minute. Out of all the "Star Wars" movies, how many did you like?

CAROLINE: Well, I saw the first three when I was little so I barely remember them. And then I saw the first of the new ones, and it was so bad that I wanted to walk out of the theater.

RYAN: So let's be honest - you're really not a fan of fantasy and other worlds and creatures in movies.

CAROLINE: Correct. I do not enjoy science fiction. I thought I might get into this movie because of my love for J.J. Abrams, but no dice.

RYAN: Well, I'm not a "Star Trek" fan. I've never seen any of the TV shows or previous films, but I thought this movie was fast and smart, and I was totally swept up into it. I almost feel like I'd enjoy checking out some old "Star Trek" reruns.

CAROLINE: I just couldn't get into it. For starters, the opening sequence wasn't as good as it should have been. The next scene was cool, with an action sequence of Kirk as a young boy. After that, I just kept waiting for the movie to really take off, and it never did. I just don't get into sci-fi, so I never found myself caring about the characters or what was happening to them.

RYAN: Well, I'm a die-hard sci fi fan, as is my pal Mark who came to the screening with us, and he said the opening sequence was so good it made his nipples hard.

CAROLINE: [laughs] Well, that's a ringing endorsement, but I just wasn't feeling it.

RYAN: The film built with good momentum and became more interesting to me as it unfolded. The best part - other than Winona Ryder's appearance, which was basically just a cameo - was Leonard Nimoy. His performance is amazing, and his role just encapsulates what this movie is about.

CAROLINE: Did he always have that speech impediment or was it just for this movie? He's got some big fake choppers now.

RYAN: Oh, those veneers are no good. I think they were the culprit.

CAROLINE: I enjoyed a couple of the action sequences, though I wish there were some more of them. But again, I just couldn't get into the story. My favorite part was spotting the actors I recognized in their cameos, like Meghan from "Felicity" and Simon Pegg as Scotty.

RYAN: And hello, Tyler Perry! Seriously? That was so inappropriate.

CAROLINE: Just bizarre.

RYAN: There was one major negative to the film that I couldn't stand, which was the guy with the Russian accent.

CAROLINE: Aaaaacccchhh! That was a catastrophe. That actor was actually born in Russia, but he somehow couldn't do a Russian accent to save his life. He had such an annoying voice; every time he came on screen, he took me completely out of the movie.

RYAN: He must be sleeping with the film's producer.

CAROLINE: Ha. And then how about Harold of "Harold and Kumar" making an appearance?

RYAN: That was strange. He played the George Takei character. But getting back to how amazing the movie is - the effects were awesome, the sound design is among the best I've ever heard and I loved the little love story.

CAROLINE: I wish there were more of a love story. That would have made the movie a little more appealing to the womenfolk.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

CAROLINE: I'm sure the people who care about seeing this movie will love it, but it just wasn't my bag, baby. I do not find Chris Pine attractive at all; his nose is too small for his face. Zachary Quinto was kind of wooden, but his character is supposed to be that way I guess. It is what it is.

RYAN: "Wolverine" excited me last weekend, but now I'm doing my little summer blockbuster dance. This is a huge, awesome movie. It's sure to please old "Star Trek" fans and build some new ones. I could even see myself going back to see it again in the theater.

CAROLINE: That would be my worst nightmare realized.

RYAN: I'm not necessarily going to buy the DVD, but this was a fantastic theatrical experience. Sorry you didn't enjoy it.

CAROLINE: Oh, don't worry about me. I took a fabulous nap during the movie. That might have been my favorite part.

-- RATING --

RUDO Y CURSI

RYAN: "Rudo y Cursi" is a new Spanish language film from writer/director Carlos Cuaron.

CAROLINE: I wonder how he got into the business.

RYAN: I know! He's the brother of Alfonso Cuaron, who directed some of my favorite movies like "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," "A Little Princess" and "Y Tu Mama Tambien."

CAROLINE: Right. And the two stars of that movie, Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal, are reteaming for the first time since then for "Rudo y Cursi."

RYAN: They're both wonderful actors. It's a totally different movie from "Y Tu Mama..." They play brothers and it's a terrific story of competition and rivalry.

CAROLINE: I'm bummed I missed the screening. I really wanted to see it. How was it?

RYAN: It was really great. In addition to being a tale of two brothers, it's a soccer movie.

CAROLINE: Oh that's cool.

RYAN: And there's a musical moment as well.

CAROLINE: Never a bad thing for us.

RYAN: I think the real magic here is the story. It's not predictable at all and it really builds to quite a climax.

CAROLINE: How are the boys?

RYAN: They're wonderful. They really have incredible chemistry together and as brothers who have different passions but end up competing for the same thing, they really each have their own moments to shine.

CAROLINE: Gael is hotter than Diego.

RYAN: Totally. But they've both had some more mainstream hits recently. Diego was in "Milk" and Gael was in "Babel."

CAROLINE: Right.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

RYAN: It's a very real-feeling film with much emotion and passion. It's a serious movie but with sports action and suspense and it's overall very entertaining. If you like subtitled movies, this is a great one.

-- RATING --

Movie News - First Look - Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes

RYAN: One of the movies we're much anticipating later this year is the Guy Ritchie directed "Sherlock Holmes."

CAROLINE: Mostly cos it's starring Robert Downey Jr. and Rachel McAdams.

RYAN: And Jude Law. It is a hot cast indeed. And we're happy to give you our first look at the movie.

CAROLINE: Here's RDJ and Jude Law as Holmes and Dr. Watson:

RYAN: And we've also found a photo featuring Rachel Mac:

CAROLINE: I like the period look to the film. Rachel looks gorge. And knowing the way Guy directs, it's sure to have a lot of action and intrigue. Plus, we should finally be able to understand what the actors are saying in one of his movies.

RYAN: [laughs] So true! TG for some Americans. The movie opens Christmas Day so it may even become an Oscar contender.

New on DVD

RYAN: One of last year's biggest Oscar contenders, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is new on DVD today, but I can't say I'll be rushing out to buy it.

CAROLINE: Oh God, no. There's a special 2-disc edition for those who care, but I'm not one of them. This movie has some great stuff in it, but it's pretty bloated and long and boring in parts.

RYAN: I liked it more than you, but yes. It had the buzz of being the greatest movie of the year last year, but I can't say it was.

CAROLINE: I totally took a nap during the Tilda Swinton part. No movie needs to be nearly three hours long. And Brad Pitt can't do a Southern accent to save his life.

RYAN: It's worth seeing just because it's one of the biggest movies of 2008... but it definitely has its shortcomings. Next up is a cute movie starring Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, "Last Chance Harvey."

CAROLINE: This is a very sweet movie; not a great one, but worth renting if you like a love story. Which I do, of course.

RYAN: It's a romance about an older couple, so I couldn't entirely relate; but I think we can all understand the awkwardness of a first date and other relationship issues which this movie covers very well.

CAROLINE: Emma and Dustin are great together. And it's got a nice combo of comic and dramatic elements that make it very watchable.

RYAN: Finally, there's that tiny little Michelle Williams movie, "Wendy and Lucy."

CAROLINE: OMG, I'm dying to see this! It's already in my Netflix queue.

RYAN: How did you miss it last year?

CAROLINE: It was only playing in a couple of theaters and it got lost in the shuffle of holiday films. But I can't wait to see it; Michelle is supposedly fabulous. And it's only 80 minutes long.

RYAN: In that case, I might have to check it out myself!

Trailer Tuesdays!

RYAN: Geeks around the world are having a field day this week because "Star Trek" is finally back on the big screen. Some people thought it was never going to happen.

CAROLINE: Having never seen even one episode of "Star Trek" nor any of the previous film versions, I am not one of the geeks who cares about this movie. Howe'er, I'm a huge J.J. Abrams fan; so count me in for this one.

RYAN: I'm not a "Star Trek" person either, but I am a science fiction fan so this movie is way up my alley. I'm most excited about it because of Winona Ryder. Welcome back to the big screen, honey! But let's be honest, she's probably in the movie for about two seconds.

CAROLINE: Aside from Eric Bana, the main cast is only semi-famous: Zachary Quinto from TV's "Heroes" and Tori Spelling's old show "So noTORIous," and Chris Pine from that Lindsay Lohan movie "Just My Luck." But the movie's got tons of buzz based on the J.J. factor as well as the built in fan base. I hope the action and the special effects are awesome.

RYAN: The trailer is amazing. It's almost like a little movie unto itself. I can't wait for this one. Here's the trailer:

CAROLINE: Next up is the alternate movie for the weekend, "Next Day Air," with Mos Def and Donald Faison from TV's "Scrubs." Clearly this movie is going to get buried in the wake of "Star Trek."

RYAN: I don't care about this movie even a little.

CAROLINE: I love Donald Faison and "Scrubs," so I have minor interest.

RYAN: I only know him from "Clueless," but I loved him in it. I have no clue what this movie's about.

CAROLINE: Something about a Fed Ex package with cocaine getting delivered to the wrong address and mayhem ensues. Honestly, I'd probably only see this movie for free. There are too many other good things out there right now.

RYAN: So if there's a screening, we'll go; but this seems like the kind of movie that won't screen for critics. Check out the trailer here:

Movie News - Ghosts & the Sea

RYAN: Would you like some more Hugh Jackman?

CAROLINE: Yes, please.

RYAN: Me too and we're about to get it. Fresh off the success of "Wolverine," he's set to star in another comic book adaptation - this time about ghosts.

CAROLINE: Hmm. I could go either way on that. I'd prefer it more eerie than scary, you know?

RYAN: I'll take it any way they wanna serve it up. I like all genres. Anyway, it's Disney and it's called "Ghostopolis."

CAROLINE: Oh, it'll be a family film then.

RYAN: Most likely.

CAROLINE: And the only reason I might dare see it would be because of his huge ackman.

RYAN: [laughs] In other Disney news, they're working on a remake of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and may have cast Dwayne Johnson in it.

CAROLINE: Just call him "The Rock" already!

RYAN: Well he won me over in "Race to Witch Mountain" so I wanted to pay him respect.

CAROLINE: I didn't see it, but he's now and forever "The Rock" to me. And what a surprise - another family film and another remake. Yawn.

RYAN: I know - it's his thing.

CAROLINE: I'm disappointed in him.

RYAN: Do you actually want him to break out into serious roles?

CAROLINE: Not necessarily.

RYAN: I bet he could. He seems like a really nice person.

CAROLINE: Over it.

Box Office Results

1. X-Men Origins: Wolverine," $87 million.

2. "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past," $15.3 million.
3. "Obsessed," $12.2 million.
4. "17 Again," $6.4 million.
5. "Monsters vs. Aliens," $5.8 million.
6. "The Soloist," $5.6 million.
8. "Earth," $4.18 million.
7. "Fighting," $4.17 million.
9. "Hannah Montana: The Movie," $4.1 million.
10. "State of Play," $3.7 million.

RYAN: Swine flu or not, people packed the theaters this weekend for the fourth film in the X-Men series "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

CAROLINE: [laughs] I know. I wonder how many people went to the movies wearing face masks.

RYAN: They've told us in NYC that masks won't help. "Wolverine" is a great distraction from the woes of the world. And LBH, let's be honest, who wouldn't mind a little Hugh Jackman therapy?

CAROLINE: God, he's gorgeous! I love it when a hot man does a comic book movie - it makes it that much more palatable.

RYAN: There's nothing he cannot do - from musicals to big action blockbusters... he's really the quintessential movie star.

CAROLINE: And this success is a big deal for him, since he's a producer on the film.

RYAN: It also opened second best among the four X-Men movies. The same weekend last year, "Iron Man" opened with $98 million.

CAROLINE: Meanwhile, "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" opened at number two but with only $15 million. Maybe Matthew McConaughey will take a hint about doing another romantic comedy.

RYAN: What we're seeing is that even though we're in a recession, people are still going to the movies.

CAROLINE: May has really turned into the start of the Summer movie season. We've got big movies coming every weekend starting now.

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE

RYAN: Hugh Jackman is back as the iconic comic book character in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

CAROLINE: It's a sequel to the first three "X-Men" movies, but it's technically a prequel.

RYAN: And I'd like to officially say, "Welcome to 2009, Mr. Big Summer Blockbuster!"

CAROLINE: It hits all the right notes that a blockbuster should, with effects and surround sound and action, etc. But I just didn't love it as much as, say, "Iron Man."

RYAN: Well I'm not comparing it to anything else. I'm just saying it was big, entertaining and bad-ass.

CAROLINE: [laughs] That it was. And Hugh Jackman is hot. He worked out like a mad man and it shows. I'd like to personally thank the filmmakers for having him both shirtless and totally naked a great deal.

RYAN: He is a human work of art, and I just love him in everything he does. The make-up department did a great job. Even his hair contributes to his wolf-like appearance, as it does for Liev Schreiber.

CAROLINE: He's another hottie. And he really plays sinister so well. I really sort of hated his character in this movie.

RYAN: He does encompass bad-guy wholeheartedly; so much so that you think he might be an arse in real life... and then you remember he's procreating with Naomi Watts, so hopefully he's a sweetheart.

CAROLINE: And now we know why Ryan Reynolds is keeping so buff in Hollywood.

RYAN: Yeah - he wants to do the big movies and be an action star.

CAROLINE: He was really funny in this. Not that it's a comedic role; but his character was definitely quirky.

RYAN: He had very few scenes but does leave an impression.

CAROLINE: What did you think of the female lead, Lynn Collins?

RYAN: She irritated me at first but I thought she was good and ultimately, really pretty. She's from TV's "True Blood."

CAROLINE: She's gorgeous.

RYAN: This film really opens like you'd expect any blockbuster to begin - with a stylized, epic set up. And I'm glad the franchise decided to do a prequel with the Wolverine character. I was worried based on the trailer that this might be a bit of a war movie, but it's so not - that's just one scene.

CAROLINE: That was a cool scene. And the actors who play Liev's and Hugh's fathers look so much like them it was uncanny.

RYAN: That was some brilliant casting. They must have combed the earth to find those actors.

CAROLINE: I also liked seeing Dominic Monaghan from TV's "Lost" and the "Lord of the Rings" movies, though he also only has a smallish role.

RYAN: They did they right thing with the casting and there's a reason these movies do so well. Mutants are like human transformers in a way - superheroes, yet underdogs and outcasts in society.

CAROLINE: Okay, you're geeking out here and way over-analyzing this now. Settle down.

RYAN: [laughs] Okay.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

CAROLINE: I thought this movie was all right. I didn't love it, didn't hate it or feel irritated by it but it's not the kind of movie I'd be dying to see. It was definitely better than "Watchmen" earlier this year but not as great as "Iron Man."

RYAN: I'm just so excited about the year's first big blockbuster. I love indie movies, documentaries, foreign films and also these huge Hollywood vehicles. It's definitely one to see on the big screen, if you're gonna see it. And all due respect to Robert Downey Jr. and your "Iron Man" measuring stick, but I'm also on board the Jackman train. Woo woo!

-- RATING --