This film charts the rise and fall of Yuri Orlov, from his early days in the early 1980s in Little Odessa, selling guns to mobsters in his local neighbourhood, through to his ascension through the decade of excess and indulgence into the early 90s, where he forms a business partnership with an African warlord and his psychotic son. The film also charts his relationship through the years with his younger brother, his marriage to a famous model, his relentless pursuit by a determined federal agent and his inner demons that sway between his drive for success and the immorality of what he does. Written by davidgraham83@hotmail.co.uk

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If you’re wondering whether “Jarhead” is a message movie, you’ll find your answer in a line from the film. When the Marines in his sniper unit begin discussing the reason behind America’s involvement in Desert Storm, Troy (Peter Sarsgaard) says, “To hell with politics. We’re here now.” That sentiment sums up what “Jarhead” the movie is all about. To hell with politics, arguments over whether or not America should have been involved in protecting Kuwait from Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi troops, and other concerns over the justification of sending Americans to fight in Desert Storm.

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“This Summer It’s All About Sticking Together.”

Movie sequels are always a scary proposition. If the original was good enough to deserve a sequel, then the sequel will be fighting an uphill battle to be just as entertaining. Fans have high expectations - as they should - of films that continue where their favorites left off. Studios should feel a sense of obligation to not just cash in on the original’s success, but to place the best possible follow-up product on the market. Too many sequels skate by on the original’s merits, and never even attempt to come close to providing quality entertainment. That said - “American Pie 2” does come as close as possible to delivering the goods.

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Jim (Biggs), Oz (Klein), Finch (Thomas) and Kevin (Nicholas) are four friends who make a pact that before they graduate they will all lose their virginity. The hard job now is how to reach that goal by prom night. Whilst Oz begins singing to grab attention and Kevin tries to persuade his girlfriend, Finch tries any easy route of spreading rumors and Jim fails miserably. Whether it is being caught on top of a pie or on the Internet, Jim always end up with his trusty sex advice from his father (Levy). Will they achieve their goal of getting laid by prom night? or will they learn something much different. Written by Film_Fan

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I didn’t have high hopes when I sat down for a screening of “I Spy.” Let’s face it, there haven’t been that many good buddy films recently and Eddie Murphy’s last couple of films have been real disappointments (Did anyone see “Pluto Nash?”). But I am a fan of Owen Wilson and of Eddie Murphy’s earlier cinematic offerings, so I decided to throw caution to the wind and go into “I Spy” with a mostly open mind.

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Maverick is a hot pilot. When he encounters a pair of MiGs over the Persian Gulf, his wingman is clearly outflown and freaks. On almost no fuel, Maverick is able to talk him back down to the Carrier. When his wingman turns in his wings, Maverick is moved up in the standings and sent to the Top Gun Naval Flying School. There he fights the attitudes of the other pilots and an old story of his father’s death in combat that killed others due to his father’s error. Maverick struggles to be the best pilot, stepping on the toes of his other students and in a different way to Charlie, a civilian instructor to whom he is strongly attracted. Written by John Vogel {jlvogel@comcast.net}

White Goodman is the owner and founder of Globo Gym, and would love nothing more than owning Average Joe’s Gymnasium. Peter LaFleur doesn’t want to lose his gym to Goodman, but can’t find a way to get $50,000 in time. Peter and his gang of gym buddies think of ways to raise money, finally settling on winning a dodgeball tournament. White Goodman retaliates by creating his own dodgeball team to finish off Peter. Peter’s team doesn’t do too well, until legendary ADAA champ Patches O’Houlihan turns up ready to train them. Written by FilmFanUK

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A con man flees to Southeast Asia when an international scam he was involved in goes sour. Suspecting he’s been double-crossed by his long-time mentor, he sets off to Cambodia for his promised cut. What he finds there is a mysterious and hostile environment where even the most polished criminal can end up on deadly ground. Written by Sujit R. Varma

Director Peter Jackson had big shoes to fill in creating “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” - his own (albeit in reality said shoes were most often missing, exposing feet that have been described as ‘hobbit-like’). With the first film garnering 13 Academy Award nominations, picking up American Film Institute and Screen Actors Guild Awards, doing boffo business at the box office, and accomplishing the near impossible - exceeding many Tolkien fanatics’ fantasies of a live action trilogy - Jackson set the bar incredibly high. Fortunately, this short, stout, visionary director turns out to be quite a high jumper.

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