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• Superbad, Becoming Jane, The Last Legion, and The Invasion

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Jonah Hill (left) and Michael Cera stoop the ground to make it to the party of their lives in Superbad.

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Superbad

And Super Funny

4 Stars

-Kevin Olsen

The makers of The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up continue their cinematic success, performing another feat of comedic genius in the form of Superbad. This obscenity-laced, sexually crude film is bound to be another instant classic from producer Judd Apatow.

Michael Cera (Evan) and Jonah Hill (Seth) star as two best friends trying to make it to the party of their lives before they graduate and head off to separate colleges. They are joined in their mission to supply alcohol for a party that will be attended by the girls of their dreams, by newcoming-actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse, who shines as Fogell, or "McLovin," according to his Hawaiian fake ID.

The film is crude but smart as the audience follows the tribulations of Evan and Seth in a time of transition to college, featuring girls and possible changes to their lifelong friendship. Run-ins with the police and other constant obstacles stand in the way of the duo achieving their night of glory.

Situations bordering on ridiculous and embarrassing fill this film with non-stop laughter as Hill and Cera perfectly perform their roles, putting them on what should be the fast-track to becoming future comedic stars. Seth Rogen, who co-wrote the film as well as co-starred as Officer Michaels, follows his success in Knocked Up and remains the core of a rising group of young actors looking to supplant the "Frat Pack" as the next generation of comedic players.

Rogen and co-officer Bill Hader almost steal the show as two cops more interested in getting drunk and partying than performing their simple patrol duties. They intertwine with the three friends throughout the film, providing for some of the movie's funniest scenes.

After following these best friends through a memorable night, it will not be long before you are craving a second viewing of Superbad.

Becoming Jane

Touching, Not Sappy

3 1/2 Stars

-Syd Slobodnik

Becoming Jane is director Julian Jarrold's entertaining fictionalized biography of the early creative years of writer Jane Austen's life when she fell in love with a rather rough, untamed Irish lawyer. It offers interesting speculations for what inspired the literary ideas of a woman who wrote six major novels in her short 41-year-old life.

Anne Hathaway stars as the young Jane in the narrative presented by screenwriters Kevin Hood and Sarah Williams. Clearly inspired by true events, the film seems almost like an amalgamation of several of Austen's own novels, without the requisite happy ending. Troubled by traditions of the time, the daughter of a landed country clergyman - Jane struggles to balance duty to family, personal beliefs and desires, without a complete necessity to fulfill the expectations of a late 18th Century middle-class woman.

Jarrold tells the story of Austen's life with an obvious modern sensitivity, including some slightly feminist interpretations of Jane's actions. By choosing a career of writing and selecting a life-partner based on the passions of the heart, rather than financial expediency, Jane seems to be a mild trend setter. Despite stern lectures by a mother who says, "Affection is desirable; money is indispensable," Jane lives by her heart and imagination.

Don't be fooled: this entire story is not a weepy chick flick or a depressing literary romance. It has many moments of true dry British humor, too. When Jane is about to receive a proposal from the awkward, but wealthy, nephew of Lady Gresham the Great, Maggie Smith exclaims in wonderment, while Jane walks away and begins writing in a notebook, "What is she doing?!"

When one of Jane's parents replies, "writing," Smith's sarcastic reply is, "Can anything be done about it?" - as if Austen was inflicted with an illness.

This co-Irish/English production has gorgeous production values from its Irish country estate locations to its richly decorated sets, lavish costume designs and film score. Its supporting cast of mostly English actors, including Maggie Smith, James McAvoy as Jane's Irish love interest, James Cromwell and Julie Walters. Also adding to the outstanding performance are Jane's parents, who are excellent compliments to a surprisingly believable and demanding performance by the American star Hathaway, who has grown considerably as an actress since her Princess Diaries films.

The Last Legion

And Hopefully the Last Chance for Director Ben Kingsley

2 Stars

-Cliff White

The Last Legion becomes another fantasy/sci-fi movie that Ben Kingsley should be ashamed of (like BloodRayne and Thunderbirds). Ben Kingsley's inclusion in this film means it lacks any real originality or charm. While Sir Kingsley is one of the finest actors of our day, he appears to lack the same taste in these types of genre films as his contemporaries Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. From the opening voice-over to the awkward fighting of Colin Firth, The Last Legion is pure agony for any adults who happen to see this movie. Those of us who have seen, much less read, any tales of the Arthur legend will gape at the changes that have been made to it to fit this silly story. This movie is for 10-year-olds who don't know any better. Ultimately, The Last Legion is a sweet movie for boys too old to enjoy the Disney version but too young to learn the nasty bits of the legend.

The Invasion

Same Creepy Plot Gets Old

2 Stars

-Colin Bird

The Invasion is an intense psycho-thriller that stimulates the body while keeping the mind mildly engaged. The movie doesn't hesitate to jump right into the nitty-gritty, which happens to be the elimination of the human race. It all begins with one (eerily) familiar scene of a space shuttle burning up in the atmosphere. Not long after that, an invasive species begins to take over the human race. The bacterium attaches itself to its host, and while they sleep, it takes over. When the individual wakes up after their body has been invaded, instead of being identified as "he" or "she," their identity becomes "they."

If this sounds familiar, that's because it is. The concept has been played upon since the late 1950s and perfected in the 1978 interpretation of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, by Philip Kaufman. Since then, there have been dozens of knock-offs, from DoppelgÑnger to Body Snatchers and now The Invasion. Warner Brothers, however, says The Invasion isn't a remake of The Body Snatchers. Screenwriter Dave Kajganich distinguished the movie enough to be its own separate concept.

Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Jeremy Northam are simply going through the motions as they act out this stale story. On the other hand, cinematographer Rainer Klausmann should be commended for his focus on creating tension. Klausman films his scenes very tightly, giving you little chance to anticipate impending danger. Combined with superb usage of lighting and costumes, this movie was almost adequate. Ultimately, Kajganich's conceited act is a major foul because The Invasion has now become a clichÇd notion rather than an exemplary remake.