Secretariat

"Secretariat" offers everything that an old-fashion, feel-good sports movie should and not an inch more. It starts with some well-crafted racing scenes, throws in some solid performances, strikes a few emotional chords, delves into a couple of cliches, ties it all together with a rousing score, and calls it a day. If that's all you're looking for, you'll enjoy it. But if you're expecting something more substantial (a la "Seabiscuit"), you're going to be disappointed.

Bryce **1/2

Chase **1/2

Landon **1/2

Logan **1/2

BANGERANG SCORE: **1/2

Despicable Me

It doesn't make sense. "Despicable Me" is one of the most critically and publicly acclaimed animated movies of the year. How is this possible? Especially in a year where it is placed in direct contrast with the likes of "Toy Story 3" and "How to Train Your Dragon"! There hasn't been an animated movie that's fallen this flat in quite some time. The thing is filled to the brim with cheap sight gags and juvenile bathroom humor. It tries to tie it all together by pulling at your heart strings towards the end but it's too little, too late.  In the end, there's very limited enjoyment. If any of the aforementioned qualities sound appealing to you, by all means see it.  But your money is better spent elsewhere.

Bryce *1/2
Chase **
Landon **
Logan *1/2

BANGERANG SCORE: *1/2

Inception

There hasn't been a movie with a concept this ambitious in a long time. Probably ever. With "Inception", Christopher Nolan throws you into a complex labyrinth of dreams and dreams within dreams that's a lot of fun to get lost in. The cast is great and the smart, layered script holds it's mind-blowing charm throughout, providing one "wow" moment after the next.  Not to mention some thrilling action scenes.  If there's any gripe to be had with this movie it's that its emotional core which, while very well acted, isn't quite as relatable or compelling as it attempts to be. Even with that, this is one of the best movies of the year by a mile and has to be seen

Bryce ***1/2
Chase ****
Landon ***1/2
Logan ***1/2

BANGERANG SCORE: ***1/2

Dinner for Schmucks

Raunchy comedies like these are just not funny. Sure, Steve Carrell is a good actor, especially in movies like "Dan in Real Life" and on TV like his role in "The Office". It has now gotten to a point where he's being cast in the same role over and over again. His characters are all tactless bumbling idiots with a severe lack of self-awareness. It has worked in the past, but doesn't work here. The script for this film is horribly written and the humor is very stale and filled to the brim with sexual content. Stay away from this one. Definitly not worth your time

Landon *1/2

BANGERANG SCORE: *1/2

Toy Story 3

The question of whether or not the wizards at Pixar could crank out a third great "Toy Story" movie has been answered with authority. Of course they can - they're Pixar. "Toy Story 3" is one of the best movies the studio has ever produced and is an extremely satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. It's funny, looks great and has a heart the size of a bowling ball. A few of the plot elements may be similar to the second installment but the way the movie wraps up these character's story is perfect. This is a fantastic film that just may be the best in the series.

Bryce ***1/2
Chase ***1/2
Landon ***1/2
Logan ***1/2

BANGERANG SCORE: ***1/2

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

It may not be high praise, but "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" is, by far, the greatest video game adaptation ever made. Given the pathetic history of movies in that category it only has to be a decent movie to clinch that title. Let's start with the pros. The visuals effects and production design are incredible to watch, the action sequences are surprisingly stellar, and Jake Gyllenhaal does a good job in the title role. On the flip side, the supporting characters are dull (and lazily named) and the story is way over the top. If you can look past that and focus on how the movie looks, you'll have a good time with this one. For me though, it falls somewhere in between.

Landon **1/2
Logan **1/2

BANGERANG SCORE: **1/2

Iron Man 2

Let's just get this out of the way: the original "Iron Man" is a great film.  One of the best superhero movies ever made.  Riding the heels of a movie like that certainly raises expectations and "Iron Man 2" fails to meet them.  While the special effects are as exceptional this time around as they were in the first film, it's the story and especially the dialogue that fall short.  The snappy exchanges between Stark and the crew really made the first movie stand out from your typical superhero flick. The actors here do the best they can with what is ultimately an uninspired and overstuffed script.  The overall ride is still fairly enjoyable thanks to Downey and co. but it's still a missed opportunity that falls short of a recommendation from us.

Bryce **1/2
Landon **

BANGERANG SCORE: **