Match Point

Starring Scarlett Johansson, Emily Mortimer, Jonathon Rhys-Meyers. Rated R

You gotta see this if: Your motto is “Tempt Fate.”

final analysis: ***½ The theme of this movie is, “I’d rather be lucky than good.” And luck follows ex-tennis pro Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) when he befriends the affluent Tom and marries Tom’s sister Chloe, a match that serves up Chris’ dreams of wealth and success. However, Chris is equally hooked by Tom’s alluring fianceé Nola (Scarlett Johansson) and can’t resist their ensuing affair. What happens next is a study of man’s morality versus human nature and how far good luck can carry one in life. “Match Point” is one of Woody Allen’s best films since the ‘70s. Fortunately, he remains off camera for this one and chose to place the events in London rather than his beloved New York City. The result is a fresh look for Allen and seems to be just what he needed to get his groove back. This movie is thought provoking and suspenseful. The plot has been compared to Dostoyevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” albeit a lighter, sexier take. The actors play the game expertly and the film’s outcome will hit you like a foul ball to the head. Game, set and match.

Fun with Dick

and Jane

Starring Jim Carrey, Téa Leoni, Alec Baldwin. Rated PG-13

You gotta see this if: You thought “Ace Ventura” was the pinnacle of comedic bliss.

final analysis: ** See Dick. See Dick mug. Mug, Dick, mug. See Dick run. Good riddance Dick. “Fun with Dick and Jane” is another excuse for Jim Carrey to make faces and pratfalls. The plot, a remake of a 1977 version, is about an affluent suburban couple who fall out of the lap of luxury due to an Enron-esque scandal. After failing to earn money legitimately, the hapless couple decides to rob convenience stores wearing outlandish costumes. The movie wants you to feel sorry for them for being the pawns of corporate fraud, but they’re too busy feeling sorry for themselves. Besides, any emotional legitimacy this movie might have had is wrung dry by Carrey’s acrobatics. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” proved Carrey’s talents as an actor but, truthfully, I think he’d be happier working with Jim Rose or Barnum and Bailey. Téa Leoni tries hard to keep up but is consistently overshadowed. The movie offers everything in excess except its running time, which is a merciful 85 minutes. Goodbye Dick, goodbye.

Rumor Has It

Starring Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Costner, Shirley MacLaine. Rated PG-13

You gotta see this if: You’ve ever dated one of your parent’s exes.

final analysis: ** What a disappointment! I really wanted to like this one. Shirley MacLaine is a favorite, Mark Ruffalo is adorable, and I’d like to see Jennifer Aniston make a decent movie. Too bad this isn’t it. It’s main problem is a premise that wallows in ickiness. Aniston stars as a neurotic, insecure journalist home for her younger sister’s wedding. A chain of events lead her to suspect that her family is the basis for the novel and movie “The Graduate.” She also suspects that the man who slept with both her mother and grandmother may be her real father. She finds the man, played by Kevin Costner, and despite her paternal suspicions goes to bed with him herself. Let’s say it together, Eeeewwwwww! Aside from that revolting plot twist, the movie is otherwise unfunny. Aniston’s character is so neurotic and jittery that she comes across as irritating rather than sympathetic. Shirley MacLaine is good as the acerbic grandmother, but it’s a role she perfected long ago. And Costner, as the man who seduced three generations of women? Let me just say that Dustin Hoffman was far more seductive.