Every once in a great while, a movie that strikes a nerve in your mind comes out. It’s a good strike. One that compels you to seek something that is outside of you; one that stimulates you to find something to stand up for. V for Vendetta is that movie. From the makers of “The Matrix” comes a new tale of revolution, change and outright disregard for the opposing force you feel is pressing on you the wrong way. With lead woman Natalie Portman, she gives an air of niaveness and innocence to her character. Things have gone wrong for her, but nothing she talks about, until she meets V. The masked lead man known simply as V makes her face her past and fears, while at the same time leading a revolution of the fictional England the story takes place in. With a government in place much akin to George Orwell’s classic 1984, the Wochowski brothers have created a world that may not be so distant in the future for many countries. The movie has no word for what it stands for and what it can mean. People have to see it to understand the importance of the film and how creative movies can be.

Rating: 4 _ stars

Ever see a movie that starred the queen of suspense, Jodie Foster? Ever see one that stars Jodie Foster that was not suspenseful? Here’s your chance. Inside Man boasts the best bank robbery ever, right from co-starring Clive Owen. “Steve”, as he is commonly known among his gang, has spent many months planning the robbery of Manhattan Bank. While this is taking place, we are introduced to the other co-star, Denzel Washington, who plays the smooth-talking, but risky hostage negotiator. The bank’s owner now calls in Jodie Foster to help him do something that he won’t tell her. So, here’s the characters, and action? Not so fast. In most films, this is the point when suspense begins to build, ending in a cleverly directed sequence of events. Not so much for Inside Man. The story itself drags. Just like Mr. “Steve’s” plan. Yet, is that what director Spike Lee was going for, boredom, slowly lulling Mr. Washington and his audience to sleep trying to plan ahead of “Steve?” A well-crafted storyline; not so well directed. Those are the two points that make up the film. Honestly, a keen viewer could see the lack of emotion by the film’s greater stars. It was as if they were going through the motions to put out this film. Where are the days when Denzel cried on screen during Glory? Or when Jodie put on the headphones and gleams at the sound she hears in “Contact?” Those are the great movies. Bring them back.

Rating: 2 1/2 stars

Hilarious! Fox 20th Century has hit the nail on the head with Ice Age 2. With the success of the 2000 film, my hope for The Meltdown was that it could pull within reach of its predecessor. Never once did I suspect this, however. Returning Manny, Sid, and Diego to the cast, the jokes keep ona- coming. Oh, and let’s not forget my second favorite animated character of all time, Scrat. The quirky little squirrel- slash-rat creature breaks up the movie and gives major comic relief from an already hysterical movie. The additions of the almost cuckoo minded Ellie (Latifah) and her two “brothers” add more to this movie than the first could have hoped to achieve. Moments of love, suspense and pure enjoyment are followed, one after another, by jokes that put you on the floor, howling. Not very often does a movie come along that is so great. A do-not-miss! Go now, you won’t be sorry.

Rating: 5 stars

In She’s the Man, Amanda Bynes pastes on sideburns and a shaggy bowl-cut wig and struts around in a prep-school jacket attempting to pass herself off as a boy. But, let’s be honest. Bynes, with her chipmunk cheeks and googly eyes, is almost too girly to even begin to understand what her male compatriots are like. When she tries to talk ‘’masculine,’’ squeaking out lines like ‘’Hey, bruthuh!’’ with a rare mix of inner-city Ebonics and broken English, it’s so horrid you stare with a mix of fascination and horror.

She’s The Man, in which Bynes has to pretend to be her brother to play competitive soccer, is a role-reversal comedy that has too much slap stick and not enough comedy to be considered a comedy. As an actress, Bynes is faulty. She will only ever be a teenybopper- but-still-somehow-becamefamous- actress. If you don’t believe how bad this movie is, think about this; Amanda Bynes impersonates a teenage boy yet never gives him a dirty thought. Yet, it is an A+ movie; the best example that Hollywood produces for the young teenage crowd.

Rating: 1 1/2 stars