Because I Said So (D-)

Despite a solid cast that includes Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore and Lauren Graham, this would-be romantic comedy is just plain bad – with unlikable characters doing unrealistic things in contrived and unfunny situations.

I really wanted to like &#8220Because I Said So,” but ultimately I just felt pity for it. You expect films like &#8220Epic Movie” to be bad, but a film with this much wasted potential proves to be an even more depressing movie experience.

Breach (A-)

Writer/director Billy Ray follows up his successful film &#8220Shattered Glass” with another complex character study.

Chris Cooper gives a masterful performance as Robert Hanssen, the FBI agent responsible for the biggest security breach in the history of the United States.

Bridge to Terabithia (B)

This adaptation of the popular children’s book is a very powerful family film with solid performances from Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb (who has come a long way since &#8220Because of Winn Dixie”) and a nice visual eye by director Gabor Csupo (whose previous work was &#8220The Rugrats”).

Daddy’s Little Girls (C)

Writer/director Tyler Perry’s third film is probably his best, but still features way too many over the top dramatic situations and characters that saps all the strength from the material.

Dreamgirls (A)

This adaptation of the Broadway musical loosely based on Diana Ross and the Supremes features an enjoyable soundtrack and a star-making performance from Jennifer Hudson.

The former &#8220American Idol” contestant is on such a different stratosphere in her role as Effie, that she manages to upstage a cast that includes Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover, and Beyonce.

Epic Movie (F)

This spoof from creators Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer (the same team behind the worst movie of 2006, &#8220Date Movie”) barely clocks in at 80 minutes, but manages to deliver a multitude of unfunny gags and pop culture references that makes it almost as painful as its predecessor.

Factory Girl (B-)

The true story of Andy Warhol &#8220It” girl Edie Sedgwick has some serious flaws, but works thanks to solid work by Sienna Miller as Sedgwick and a barely recognizable Guy Pearce as Warhol.

Ghost Rider (C-)

This latest adaptation of a Marvel Comic has some OK special effects, but features a goofy plot and some serious miscasting. Nicholas Cage and Eva Mendes are way to old to play the devil’s bounty hunter Johnny Blaze and his long lost girlfriend, although I will admit seeing Peter Fonda as the devil is kind of fun.

The Messengers (C)

Another Japanese-influenced horror film with another ho-hum result. Dylan McDermott and Penelope Ann Miller star as a couple who move their family to a South Dakota farm – only to discover a dark secret.

The film builds to a plot twist that is so predictable they might as well have announced it from the beginning.

Music and Lyrics (B)

Writer/director Marc Lawrence gets a lot of mileage out of what is essentially a razor-thin premise, with a huge assist from his cast.

Hugh Grant has been playing a variation of this character for so long he can practically do it in his sleep. Drew Barrymore has really developed a knack as the sweet-natured love interest, and she doesn’t disappoint here. Both performances are made even better by the natural chemistry between the two leads – so critical in a romantic comedy.

Night at the Museum (B-)

This family-friendly, &#8220Jumanji”-like adventure features some nice comic set pieces with some great visual effects (that are really neat in the IMAX version I saw with my family). The film is so visually appealing, it’s a credit to &#8220Museum,” despite the fact the movie has a flimsy plot full of hokey clichés and contrived plot advancements.

Norbit (C-)

This Eddie Murphy vehicle isn’t as bad as some would suggest, but it isn’t very good either.

The best moments come from other cast members, especially Eddie Griffin as a wanna-be pimp.

The Queen (A)

One of the best films of 2006, centers around how British Prime minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) and helped guide Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) and the royal family through a near public mutiny following the death of Diana.

Mirren is the front runner for best actress, while Sheen is just as good as Blair.