Babylon A. D.

Is this Mad Max meets Snow Dogs? Is it Minority Report meets Sound of Music? Or is it Terminator meets Frankenstein? You decide.

The best part about this movie is all the "new technology". It used to be one had to watch a Bond movie to see this many new gadgets. This movie has more than one can keep track of. It's fun to watch.

And just when you think it's over it kicks into another gear. Make sure you check out the deleted scene AFTER you have watched the movie. The rest of the Special Features are quite good. I recommend watching the Prequel before the movie if you have not read the book.

Vin Diesel does what he does best. Tough guy with a soft heart. Michelle Yeoh does a great job here acting both sides of her religious fence. French woman-child star Mélanie Thierry makes a very good impression in her first real US film with lines.

The supporting cast are all well-placed and many are recognizable.

If you like sci-fi action thrillers with car chases, fight scenes, muted romance, and uncertain bad guys, you will probably like this one.

Watch this movie with one fist in the popcorn and the other gripping your partner's hand.

The Rocker

What would happen if the big dopey guy from TV's The Office (Rainn Wilson) came out of the closet to admit he had been the original drummer for a mega-metal band. Would you buy it? That is actually the premise for this movie - more or less. And don't tell me it's like that rumor about Chevy Chase being the original drummer for Steely Dan. Not the same thing.

If you grew up dancing to, or imitating or lusting after, the big hair bands of the 70's and 80's, you may actually like this movie. I didn't. If you are a fan of Wilson's playing the ever-awkward-uber-geek, you may enjoy this story.

Christina Applegate plays a single mom who is sort of almost kinda like a love-interest to Wilson's character. Thank goodness that is not a major part of the story.

I have to admit the music to this is very good. But don't let anyone tell you this is a "That Thing You Do" for the current generation of rockers. Not even close.

Watch this with someone who has a high tolerance for over-acting by the main character. If not, they probably won't finish the movie.