V For Vendetta

Starring Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, John Hurt. Rated R

You gotta see this if: You own a copy of “The

Anarchist Cookbook.”

final analysis: *** How you interpret “V For Vendetta” will probably depend on which end of the political spectrum you’re on. The film takes place in a futuristic, totalitarian England where the government uses the fear of terrorism to cow its people and strip them of their liberties. The protagonist is V, a Shakespeare spouting, knife wielding figure in a Guy Fawkes mask who, like Fawkes, vows to blow up Parliament on November 5. V is undoubtedly a terrorist, but begs the question; where does terror end and revolution begin? At V’s side is Evey, played by Natalie Portman, a young woman who resists V until the government imprisons and tortures her to obtain her knowledge of V. Despite Portman’s flat-as-a-pancake performance in the Star Wars movies, her acting skills shine here. And Hugo Weaving, as V, manages to be extremely charismatic without ever showing his face. “V For Vendetta” is never black and white, and reminds us in our post 9/11 world that a revolution can begin with the storming of the Bastille and end with Bonaparte.

She’s the Man

Starring Amanda Bynes, David Cross, Julie Hagerty.

Rated PG-13

You gotta see this if: You prefer your stereotypes half-baked with extra cheese.

final analysis: ** Basing teen comedies on Shakespearean plays seems to be all the rage right now. “She’s the Man” is supposedly based on “Twelfth Night,” but I’m pretty sure the Bard would not want his name associated with this mess. Bynes plays Viola, an athlete who poses as her twin brother Sebastian, so she can join the boy’s soccer team at her curiously missing brother’s prep school. Along the way, she falls for Duke who likes Olivia who has the hots for Bynes as a boy. Sound familiar? This movie may use some of Shakespeare’s names and references, but it is essentially 1985’s “Just One of the Guys” revamped, including the obligatory chest flash at the end to prove Bynes’ femininity. The biggest problem with “She’s the Man” is Bynes lack of believability as a male. Joyce Hyser’s Karate Kid impersonation in “Just One of the Guys” might have fooled her own mother. Bynes’ in a bad wig, wouldn’t even pass for butch in a lesbian bar.

Thank You

For Smoking

Starring Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, William H. Macy. Rated R

You gotta see this if: You’ve saved a bunch of money by switching to Geico and you’ve never squeezed the Charmin.

final analysis: *** “If you argue correctly, you’re never wrong.” That’s the motto of Nick Naylor, celebrated spin doctor and tobacco lobbyist. Nick pays the mortgage by promoting cigarettes, refuting health studies, and making payoffs to cancer victims. He’s scum, yet aptly justifies his actions to himself, his 12-year-old son, and the media. The movie is above all else, a satire. The characters are larger than life and the dialogue fires like an AK-47. Aaron Eckhart is perfectly cast as the square jawed, all-American lobbyist who holds his head high, even when his adolescent son begins to question his morality. “Thank You For Smoking” illustrates the world of big business. It’s a disturbing movie, yet profoundly funny as it skewers the spin industry and shows the lengths to which it will go to convince you that Hitler was misunderstood, guns don’t kill people, smoking is glamorous, and the Brooklyn Bridge is on the market … cheap.