The best and worst movies of spring 2008

 by Jeff Mitchell
 published on Monday, April 14, 2008

Photo Courtesy of MCT

A ‘RUIN’OUS FILM: Stacy (Laura Ramsey) and her boyfriend Eric (Shawn Ashmore) come undone when they are trapped at a mysterious Mayan temple in DreamWorks Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment’s new movie “The Ruins.”

Spring is here, and there is an abundance of choices at your local movie theater.

Here is a guide to the top four movies you must see, and the top four you should avoid at all costs.

AVOID

"Leatherheads"
2 stars

George Clooney, Renee Zellweger and John Krasinksi star in a throwback comedy about the birth of pro football in the 1920s. Unfortunately, they seem to have more fun on screen than we do in the audience. The story and music — especially the music — are too corny, and its lightweight tone misses the mark.

"Prom Night"
2 stars

This formulaic slasher film about a girl (Brittany Snow) and her friends terrorized by a killer during their senior prom disappoints. Director Nelson McCormick tries to scare us with cheap camera tricks and dream sequences rather than actually making a genuine horror film. You'll get more chills by pulling out your parents' old senior-prom photos.


"The Ruins"
1 star

We've all heard this plot before: Five college students are attacked by man-eating plants on an ancient Mayan pyramid. OK, maybe we haven't heard this plot before, but the film has virtually no story or scares, but tries to make up for it with an amped-up gross-out factor. Don't waste your time.

"10,000 B.C."
1 star

Wow. The film bombs on almost every level: the comical script, the difficulty in following plot lines and the costumes. While the film runs 1 hour and 49 minutes, it seems like four hours. If you want to break up with your significant other, take them to this film first. After watching "10,000 B.C.," they'll be numb for any follow-up "we-need-to-talk" conversation.

MUST SEE

"The Bank Job"
4 stars

This complex and layered bank heist that takes place in Britain in 1971 is intelligent and smartly written. Jason Statham leads a talented ensemble cast that finds more than it bargained for in the stolen safe-deposit boxes. This film is the surprise of 2008 so far.


"Shine A Light"
4 stars

Martin Scorsese captures every earned wrinkle on Mick, Keith, Ron and Charlie's faces in a brilliantly shot close-up of the Rolling Stones' performance in the intimate Beacon Theatre in New York City. The Stones' interviews from "yester-decade" dropped in between songs give us perspective on their long and storied career.

"Snow Angels"
4 stars

Director David Gordon Green weaves a sullen but powerful tale of family dysfunction in rural Pennsylvania. The mood and details of small-town America are dead-on as Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell give Oscar-caliber performances. And Michael Angarano and Olivia Thirlby ("Juno") offer us hope with their budding romance.

"21"
4 stars

An exciting romp about MIT students hitting the books during the week and counting cards in Las Vegas on the weekend plays as big and bright as Sin City itself. Kevin Spacey is terrific as the mad scientist, and Kate Bosworth and Jim Sturgess display great chemistry on-screen.

Reach the reporter at: jeffrey.mitchell@asu.edu.