Breaking and Entering - Dir: Anthony Minghella

It'a another Jude Law relationship movie, but who would have thought that this one could have been so turgid. Oscar winning director Anthony Minghella (The English Patient) wrote and directed this movie which also stars decent enough actresses Robin Wright Penn and Juliette Binoche. The problem is it never really goes anywhere and doesn't really tread any new ground. It's all too predictable really and no one really gets past first gear. From such a lauded Oscar winning director this is disappointingly average. This is a JM THUMBS DOWN.

Man on Fire - Dir: Tony Scott

A classic re-visit today for a film you may have missed. This 2004 film is actually a remake of a 1987 film and for once is a remake that was justified. Denzel Washington stars as the alcoholic bodyguard on a mission to track down a kidnapped child in Mexico. He is phenomonal as always and it is a crime to think he didn't get nominated for any Oscars that year especially when up against the likes of Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl) and Jude Law (Cold Mountain). Tony Scott's MTV style direction works well here unlike some of his other movies. This is very much a JM RECOMMENDS.

All The King's Men - Dir: Steven Zaillian

This remake of a classic 1949 movie should be amazing. An accomplished writer and an amazing cast including Sean Penn, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins and James Gandolfini. Surprisingly it all ends up being blander than bland and leaves you with a vaguely pointless feeling. Sean Penn is always great to watch but there's a sense of not knowing really what he's trying to accomplish. It's hard to get away from seeing Gandolfini as Tony Soprano and Hopkins as Lecter in moments of boredom. It looks beautiful and the direction is solid enough, but it all ultimately feels as if it leads to nowhere. This is a JM THUMBS DOWN.