The Lake House – PG

Keanau Reeves and Sandra Bullock have a great chemistry together and they are both good actors. Once you suspend belief about the premise of the movie, it’s very enjoyable. If you can believe they can write to each other instantly, even though they are separated by two years, them continue to suspend belief and just enjoy the movie.


Ladder 49 -- PG-13

Men. If you go by yourselves, bring tissue. If you take your wives, bring a box. This is an emotional heart tugger that is extremely well acted by Joaquin Phoenix, John Travalta, Morris Chestnut, Jay Hernandez and Billy Burke. It’s the story that answers the question of why a man would rush into a building that everyone else is rushing out of, to try to save strangers. It tells of the emotional strength their wives and children must have, in order to celebrate their husbands, fathers and uncles.


Lady in the Water -- PG-13

Very suspenseful movie about a fantasy fairy tale come true. Behind every myth is a truth, as this movie shows. Ron Howard’s daughter is very good as the woman in the water, and Paul Giamanti is just outstanding. He could do a peanut butter commercial and make is Oscar© worthy. Definitely worth the money to see.


The Ladykillers -- R

This Tom Hanks movie is laugh out loud in parts. I had a serious problem with Marlon Wayan's use of the "n" word so often. It wasn't "cute" or funny. It was offensive. A whole generation of people have to die before that word will ever be acceptable. The language was the reason for the R rating.


Lara Croft: Tomb Raider -- PG - 13

The first movie made $250 million dollars world wide, and I really, really wanted to see this one. I was disappointed. Mediocre film. Angelina Jolie was good (acting and looking), special effect were bad and the story was horrible.


The Last King of Scotland -- R

This movie deserves all the Oscar buzz it is getting. Forrest Whitaker is simply outstanding as the charming and brutal dictator Idi Amin. James McAvoy, last seen in The Chronicles of Nardia, is also outstanding as the fictional Scottish physician whose point of view the movie is told from. Kerry Washington, last seen as the wife of Ray Charles in the movie Ray, is equally outstanding, as she usually is.


The Last Samurai -- R

Outstanding scenery and battle scenes in 1800 Japan. The martial arts fights were exact and exciting. The love scene was forced and unbelieveable, but everything else was realistic. The violence was the reason for the R rating.


Laws of Attraction -- PG-13

Pierce Bronson proves that there is life after Bond, once again. He plays an idealistic divorce lawyer, who thinks lawyers are the scum of the earth. His counterpart, Julienne Moore, is a divorce lawyer who thinks marriage should be outlawed. Needless to say, they get thrown together, get terribly drunk and end up married to each other while they are fighting a big, big case! Language and sexual situations are the reason for the PG-13 rating.


The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen -- PG -13

An extremely good action adventure movie, where a group of unique individuals form united squad to prevent the mysterious evil genius, Phantom from the proliferation of weapons at the turn of the century -- the 20th century. The hunter, Allan Quartermain, accompanied by the seafarer, Captain Nemo, the vampires, Mrs. Jonathan Harker, the American Secret Service detective, Tom Sawyer, the immortal Dorian Grey, the cunning and greedy Invisible Man, and the double-minded Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde join forces in 1899 to save the world from an all encompassing war. After seeing this movie, I wanted to get the books about these literary people and read more of their adventures. There is a lot of fantasy violence. There is a vampire in it, after all. And, I might add, an American agent during the 1890's, so a lot of people get shot or bitten. The violence, however -- and there's always a however in life -- is seen as the bad guys getting what comes to them. There was four incidences of vulgar language (mild expletives) and no sexual situations.

The Lion King: 2-disc Special Edition -- G

Prior to Finding Nemo, this was the best selling animated feature of all time. This 2 disc special edition shows why. The special features are a new song, seamlessly inserted into the movie, several games, including a virtual safari, music videos and the words to all of the songs in the movie. Disney has really outdone themselves this time. If only all DVD's had this much! Although the movie has an appropriate G rating, the death of a parent (as in most Disney animated movies) occurs, that could frighten small children. Otherwise, the movie is for all ages.

Little Black Book -- PG-13

Brittany Murphy is funny and very good as an associate producer of a day-time Ricki Lakes/Jerry Springer type TV show hosted by Kathy Bates. Her boyfriend never talks to her about his ex-relationships, so when he goes out of town and leaves his palm pilot, she is egged on to call in all his ex-girlfriends to invite them onto the show by her friend, Holly Hunter. The plan goes well until Murphy becomes close friends with one of the girls and has to reveal who she really is Sexual content and language is the reason for the 13 of the PG-13 rating.


Little Man -- PG-13

Hilarious movie by the Wayan brothers. This movie is the live action version of the Bugs Bunny/Elmer Fudd cartoon about a bank robber who passed for a baby. Marlon is outstandingly funny, as usual, and his brother Shawn plays the foil. Kerry Washington is beautiful and a wonderful actress is this comedic turn, and John Witherspoon is his "bam, bam!" perfect self. Tracy Morgan and Chazz Palmintero round out the staring cast in a movie that you shouldn’t see if you are eating are drinking. Stuff will come out of your nose.


Little Miss Sunshine -- R

This movie makes you wonder if there is such a thing as a "normal" family. In this dysfunctional family, an overweight little girl wants to compete in a beauty pageant. Her mother encourages her, and her father is a motivational speaker that can’t get more than eight or nine people motivated enough to come to his seminars. Her grandfather was put out of a senior citizens home for sniffing heroin, her uncle tried to kill himself after his male lover abandoned him for another man and her older brother has refused to speak for two years.


Live Free or Die Hard -- PG-13

Bruce Willis returns as John McClane who takes on an internet-based terrorist group that attempts to break down the government systems. Lots of action and gunplay and explosions and car chases. Best for teenagers and older.

The Longest Yard -- PG-13

A successful remake of the 1973 movie starring Burt Reynolds, this film is about an ex-professional quarterback (Adam Sadler) who goes to jail for being drunk, attempting to elude the police and destruction of property. The warden of the prison has ambitions of being governor using the momentum of his winning football team manned by guards. In order to help them get sharp for the season, the warden forces Adam to form a prisoner team for a tune-up. True football tackles, minor violence and language causes the 13 of this PG-13 rating.


Looney Tunes: Back in Action -- PG

A fun, family film with the Bugs Bunny-Daffy Duck characters from the Looney Toons cartoons of old. Brenden Fraiser and Jen Elfman are their usual fabulous selves. The cameos are funny and visually fun.


The Lord of the Ring: Return of the King -- PG-13

One of the few trilogies where the movies get better and better. This dark, fantasy epic is the strongest and best of the three stories. The violence, although most of it is fantasy violence (creatures killing people and vice versa, giant elephants and dragons stepping on people, etc.) is intense and earned this movie the 13 of the PG - 13 rating. If you liked the first two or thought it was appropriate for your child, you’ll love this one and it’s just as appropriate, or inappropriate, as the case may be.


Lost in Translation -- R

This movie is about being bored and depressed, and that's exactly how I felt after watching it. Language and sexual situations not approriate for kids. It probably earned it's R rating. I was too bored to be sure.


A Lot Like Love -- PG-13

When two strangers (Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet) join the "Mile High" club and decide to go their separate ways, the story of a seven year off and on again relationship is begun in this romantic comedy. Although they live in different cities and have different careers and different relationships with other people, they manage to constantly cross paths. Sometimes accidently; sometimes on purpose. They start off as lovers. Now the question is, can they become friends? PG-13 for sexual situations and nudity. The envelope is beginning to stretch.

Love Actually -- R

One of the best romantic comedies of the year. This movie showcases 7 or 8 relationships; some good, some bad. Some touching, some devastating. Some sensual, some sexy. But all heart-warming. The situations with the rock star, the writer and the porn star stand-ins gave this movie the R rating.


Love Don't Cost a Thing -- PG -13

A remake that didn't need to be. Storyline: nerdy guy pays popular girl to prentend to be his girlfriend so that he can become popular. Somehow, the plan backfires. Who'd 'a thouight?


A Love Song For Bobby Long –R

A headstrong teenage girl returns to New Orleans after the death of her mother, ready to reclaim her childhood home. As she returns, she finds her mother’s home occupied by two of her mother’s friends. One, an alcoholic ex-literature professor, and the other, his protégé. Since they all have no intentions of leaving or giving up the house, they learn to live together – and grow together. Outstanding movie! Language and sexcual situations earned this movie it’s R rating.


Lucky Number Sleven -- R

This movie stars Josh Hartnett, Morgan Freeman, Lucy Lui, Ben Kingsley, Stanley Tucci and Bruce Willis in a mixture caper/crime/drama/romance/comedy. As strange as that sounds, this cast pulls it off, due to some great writing and fun acting. They really seem to enjoy themselves. A case of mistaken identity (Josh Hartnett), in the middle of a gangster war (between Morgan Freeman and Ben Kingsley) sends a coroner (Lucy Lui) on a tangent of discovery and mystery. A famous hitman (Bruce Willis) appears and makes it even more confusing. Very delightful movie, but not for kids.

Lucky You -- PG-13

A hot shot poker player (Eric Bana) tries to win a game against his hotter father (Robert Duvall) who meets and falls for an honest woman (Drew Barrymore). If you enjoy poker, you will LOVE this movie. As a romance movie it was adequate.