Set in a sleepy little town on the edge of a NASA facility young David Gardner (Hunter Carson), a young astronomy enthusiast and penny collector, lies on his back next to his father as a meteor shower sends slivers of light racing across the evening sky. In a story that develops quite precociously, young David is tucked in by his parents as a thunderstorm descends with heavy rain, frequent lightning and raucous thunder. David, unable to sleep, groggily opens his window for fresh air and sees a huge peanut shaped spaceship encapsulated in electricity slip behind the hill in his backyard.

After seeing these events, David charges into his parents room and has a freak out/meltdown. The parents eventually calm him down and get him to sleep. In the morning David’s father goes over the hill to check things out and eventually returns acting mysterious and drone like. As the film goes on, many of the town members are lured over the hill and begin to appear drone like and hold another similarity; they all have band-aids on the back of their necks.

Without going into too much detail, Invaders From Mars is an interesting movie that develops at an intermittent pace, culminating in a huge military battle in Martian constructed caverns beneath California. Instead of being “little green men”, the Martians are 12 ft. tall fat slimy meatball looking aliens who are controlled by a hive brain with eyes and slimy tentacles. It is definitely worth hanging around to see these aliens.

The plot develops steadily but the acting is horrendous. I’ve seen better acting on the WB network and that’s not saying much. The plot is draped loosely around NASA’s Mars Viking mission, copper and a little boy who still gets tucked in at 12. I really enjoyed this movie when I was a kid, but watching it about 15 years later, I now realize how it found its way into the colon of my movie collection.

As the lights dimmed and the trailers began to roll, viewers were treated with previews for the next Die Hard film and a host of other action thrillers, but many remained seated as to not miss the mayhem and chaos that would shortly be delivered to us via rage infected zombies craving human flesh.

The film begins innocuously enough in a small cabin where survivors of the first outbreak remain barricaded indoors, hushed quietly; as to not attract a horde of potential rage infected denizens. A young boy battering the door in an attempt to escape a horde of rage-infected zombies shatters the silence. The survivors, fearing for their own safety, hurriedly and frantically debate what course to take and, albeit hesitantly, offer sanctuary to the young boy. With all access points to the outside world barricaded and the only glimpse of the world provided via a slit in the fortified structure, one of the survivors peeps out to view the lush spring world outside the cabin.

What follows is a scene of unprecedented brutality and slaughter. Words can do no justice to the events that ensue, all I can say is that the following hour and a half will draw you to the edge of your seat and consume your mind hours after you leave the theatre. This is arguably the best new release this spring and is a must see for anyone who considers themselves a fan of the genre. I have been awaiting this movie since late 2004 and am looking forward to any sequel or sequels that may/will be coming.

Here is the opening scene from 28 Weeks Later, enjoy!

The second installment, directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, features an all-new cast, thrilling soundtrack and an even deadlier strain of the rage virus. Rose Byrne and the upstart Jeremy Renner are featured in this film along with a troupe of prominent British performers from such films as S.W.A.T., Troy and even The Matrix Trilogy.

With incredible talent in hand, Fresnadillo sets the stage with the United States Army declaring the war against the rage virus won and slowly beginning the process of repopulating the quarantine zone in London. After the first wave of refugees return, a new strain of the rage virus crops up to decimate the repopulation efforts.

If you are a fan of the survival horror genre and zombie movies, 28 Weeks Later will not disappoint. The first film is one of my all time favorite movies and I have been anticipating this release since 2004, when I heard a sequel was in the works. I was somewhat apprehensive when I heard that their would be no cast members returning, however any reservation I had were set aside when I viewed the trailer as well as the star laden roster.

28 Weeks Later will be released on May 11th and promises to be an excellent kickoff to the blockbuster season.

Directed by Nimród Antal, Vacancy delivers an entertaining experience filled with the clichéd “Don’t go in there!”, “Don’t do that!” type of viewing made famous by slasher films of the late 70’s and early 80’s. The film reminded me of a toned down version of Saw or perhaps Hostel. The snuff film scenes were fairly disturbing, but were slightly overdrawn and, in my opinion, way too predictable.

All in all, I would consider Vacancy a decent rental for a night of drinking beers with the guys, or even for something in the background while playing Beirut (if the stereo isn’t working…)

After viewing Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed”, I have to say the film lives up to the hype. With richly developed characters and an epic story, Scorsese wastes no time captivating his audience with an introduction to the major players and also their back-stories. Nicholson’s performance was typical, maniacal Jack and held a few twists, but viewers will definitely appreciate stellar performances by both DeCaprio and Damon. There are many twists and turns throughout the film, as with any good film, but the ending will blow your mind.

“The Departed” is an excellent film, however I do not believe it was on par with genre greats such as “The Godfather” and “Goodfellas“, but Scorsese’s film will definitely not disappoint. I only had one qualm with the film. Being from New England and growing up just outside of Boston, the accents seemed forced and at times a little too overdrawn. It was really cool to see Boston landmarks during the film such as the Zacom Bridge and the downtown district. “The Departed” is a must see for any fan of the genre.

Having never read the “Left Behind” series, I never truly understood the religious fervor of religious groups and televangelists. If someone honestly believes this could, will or ought to happen they need to find some psychological help. I am not a bible warrior, and I would never pick a fight with religious nuts, but a river of blood… give me a break. This was pure drivel, I’m sure the film will make its fair share of cash, but I highly recommend saving your money or even ripping it up and eating it as opposed to seeing this film.

I guess if you enjoyed the “Left Behind” series and are a big fan of the Republican Party this is the film for you. The acting was uninspired; the movie was full of horrible clichés, way too long and has the most anticlimactic finale I can remember. Final word, save your money or donate it, don’t waste it like I did.

I digress, the filler I am referring to comes in three forms, (are you noticing a recurring theme?) the archaic/brutal films featuring epic battles, the barbaric/torture/snuff films and of course the coming of age films where an unassuming person is placed in an area where they might not fit in thus growing richer through the experience. There are many movies, which fall into these categories, and there is many more coming out this and next month that will fill out this seemingly endless roster.

Back to the filler, I went to see “Premonition” last week, and although it was entertaining, it was just white noise amidst the greater picture. This film was the equivalent of hearing seagulls at the beach. You could go to the beach for an afternoon and not even notice if the seagulls weren’t there, that is where this film stands against the great pictures to be released this summer. Prior to the film there must have been about 7 or 8 trailers, and out of all of them only one film (”Slow Burn“) looked promising. Almost all of the other films could slide neatly into any of the aforementioned categories.

There was one preview that stuck out head and shoulders above all the rest, unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the film, and I just remember the tagline. The tagline isn’t even in the movie; it is in fact a disclaimer citing the film contains “brutal violence throughout”. After visiting IMDB, I now know the film is entitled “Pathfinder“, if mindless brutality is your idea of a good time this film is for you.

“Slow Burn” stars Ray Liotta, L.L. Cool J as well as the aforementioned Jolene Blalock in what appears to be a story of drugs, sex, corruption and violence. Apparently the district attorney (Liotta) and his assistant (Blalock) are on the tail of a drug lord (Cool J.), but all the evidence isn’t adding up. Throw in a mysterious murder involving the seductive assistant district attorney, a malevolent love triangle and a cryptic stranger and you have, quite possibly, a reason to leave the house this week.

Although this movie was filmed in 2003, it went through a sort of studio stagnation and never saw the light of day. “Slow Burn” is definitely a good title for this film seeing as though it has been released slowly like gas in a crowded elevator (Toronto Sept.2005, France April 2006, Kuwait Dec. 2006 etc.). Either way director Wayne Beach may have a hit on his hands when the movie enjoys a limited release April 13th (yes, in the U.S.).

Anyway, “Are We Done Yet” features the Cube as a father who wants to move into the country to provide a better life for his children. In a movie, which has been described as a demented version of Tim Allen’s Home Improvement, apparently the Cube isn’t done running to the bank with bags full of money.

Chances are I won’t be going out to see this film, my suggestion to anyone thinking of taking the family to see it, go to Wal-Mart and buy Monopoly or save your money and take the family to see “Shrek 3” which opens May 18th.