Some quick capsule reviews of stuff I have seen lately:

Queen of the Damned

Starring Aaliyah, Stuart Townsend, Lena Olin and Vincent Perez

Directed by Michael Rymer

If you like MTV, then you’re set. Its really just a glorified music video, and I have seen music videos with better plot threads. It’s got cool vampire stuff, though Townsend is no Tom Cruise. Thankfully, this flick never takes itself nearly as seriously as “Interview” did. I have to admit, Aaliyah stank the place up. Not nice to rag on dead people (no pun intended) but I kept hoping Wesley Snipes would appear as Blade and cut her damn head off. The girl could NOT act. Hell, Jet Li stole scenes from her in “Romeo must Die”. Not action scenes, DIALOGUE scenes, and he barely speaks english. Just don;t go into this one expecting too much folks. (Also, remember Blade II premieres at SXSW this year!) 2 cell phones.

Hart’s War

Starring Bruce Willis and Colin Farrell

Directed by Gregory Hoblit

Bruce is sleepwalking. Colin Farrell is a good kid, but a little flat. There is way too much going on here, none of it particularly well explored. Wait for the video. 2 Cell phones.

The Count of Monte Cristo

Starring Jim Caviezel, Guy Pierce and Richard Harris

Directed byKevin Reynolds

I dug it. I read the book as a kid, I love sword and swashbuckler movies, I spent five bucks and it was worth it. In retrospect, I saw it a month ago and have almost forgotten it, but it’s a good time killer on a slow afternoon. 3 cell phones for this one.