Now Playing

As most probably know, for the past few years I've served as the film reviewer for the local newspaper, The Paso Robles Press. Though I'm no longer at the paper full-time, I still contribute, including weekly film reviews. Each week I'll offer readers here a sneak peak at my reviews of films in theaters. This week's entry, the first such "Now Playing" feature, will be a little longer as I make note off all the films playing locally that I've seen or reviewed.

"Avatar"

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Giovanni Ribisi and Zoe Saldana

Quick Take: This film, directed by James Cameron, is the highest grossing film of all time. It's also earned multiple Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture. While the special effects and technological advancements pioneered in the film are impressive, the story — a modern day take on Pocahontas — is weak. There are also some new age undertones that didn't sit well with me.

Rating: PG-13 for intense, epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language, and some smoking.

Verdict: Two stars out of four

"Crazy Heart"

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Robert Duvall

Quick Take: This is another strong Academy Award contender, particularly for the acting of Bridges, as washed up country music star Bad Blake, and Gyllenhaal. The music is moving, the story is well-told and the performances are great. The content may not be appropriate for younger viewers.

Rating: R for language and brief sexuality

Verdict: Four stars out of four

"Dear John"

Starring: Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried

Quick Take: Based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks ("The Notebook," "A Walk to Remember"), this is a love story about two young people who are separated by war. The film deviates from the novel when it comes to the conclusion. Some of the story is compelling but the leads lack chemistry.

Rating: PG-13 for some sensuality and violence

Verdict: Two stars out of four.

"Edge of Darkness"

Starring: Mel Gibson

Quick Take: Based on a British mini-series, this film is a comeback vehicle for Gibson and was billed as a revenge thriller. Though the plot's got more depth than that, the film will most likely appeal to fans of the genre or fans of Gibson's particular style. It does have more than its fair share of violence.

Rating: R for strong, bloody violence and language

Verdict: Three stars out of four

"Valentine's Day"

Starring: Julia Roberts, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Ashton Kutcher and George Lopez, among others.

Quick Take: A sprawling, star-packed romantic comedy from director Garry Marshall ("Pretty Woman," "The Princess Diaries"). The film is what you'd expect it to be. There are some amusing and touching moments, but most of it is pretty cliche.

Rating: PG-13 for some sexual material and brief, partial nudity

Verdict: Two stars out of four.

"When in Rome"

Starring: Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel

Quick Take: A ridiculous "romantic comedy" about a girl who soon finds herself with a plethora of suitors after stealing coins from the fountain of love in Rome. The script is dull, as are the performances. A forgettable film, thankfully.

Rating: PG-13 for some suggestive content

Verdict: One star out of four.

"The Wolfman"

Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt and Sir Anthony Hopkins

Quick Take: This re-make of the 1941 Lon Chaney, Claude Rains classic pays homage to monster movies of old — at least in terms of its tone and visual style. The violence, however, is like something straight out of a Quentin Tarantino film. The performances are solid, the story is boring and the violence is too over-the-top to make the film work.

Rating: R for bloody horror violence and gore

Verdict: Two stars out of four.