Directed by: Chris Columbus
Written by: Steven Kloves
Based on the books by: J.K. Rowling
Produced by: David Heyman
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Kenneth Branagh, Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, Robbie Coltrane, Toby Jones (voice)

Harry Potter is about to start his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. One night in his bedroom, a house-elf named Dobby visits his bedroom warning him not to return to school. Harry says he will still return, and Dobby then causes his Muggle relatives to lock him in his room. He thinks he has no chance to going back to school, until his friends, Ron, Fred, and George rescue him with the help of a flying car. Fast forward to Kings Cross station, where Harry and Ron can't get through the barrier to Platform 9 3/4, and they decide to get to school using the car. They have a safe trip until they crash-land into a violent tree ("Sorry Professor Snape, but I think it did more damage to us."). The next day at school, Ron gets an angry letter from his mother, and the second year have their first class with Gilderoy Lockhart, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher who only thinks about his charm and good looks. One night, blood is found written on the wall saying the Chamber of Secrets has been opened, and a monster is now lurking through the corridors at Hogwarts to kill any Muggle-born it passes. It is up to Harry, Ron, and the quick-thinking Hermione to save Hogwarts once again. This is a charming sequel that actually surpasses the first film in greatness. Once again, The supporting actors give brilliant performances and the special effects are magnificent. As an added bonus, the cinematography by Roger Pratt is flawless.

BAFTA Film Award nominations: Best Sound, Best Special Visual Effects, Best Production Design

"Film Website" Awards: Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography
Other "Film Website" nominations: Best Supporting Actor (Kenneth Branagh)

Directed by: Chris Columbus
Written by: Steven Kloves
Based on the book by: J.K. Rowling
Produced by: David Heyman
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Robbie Coltrane, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Ian Hart, Tom Felton

Harry Potter is an orphan living with his aunt and uncle. He has a horrible life, but one day he is visited by a giant who explains to him he is the son of two powerful wizards. He also finds out he is famous for killing an evil emporer. He later finds himself on a train to school for young wizards and witches. There he makes friends with Ron, a red-haired boy who is prone to magic and Hermione, an intelligent girl who can cast any spell. He also meets some enemies, like Draco Malfoy, a slick-talking boy with a sinister family background and Professor Snape the potions teacher. Harry is soon picked to join his dorm's Quidditch team, in a violent game where he has to catch a flying golden ball, while dodging hard balls that knock you off your broomstick. He then finds out about a magical stone inside the school, that is going to be stolen. Now he, Ron and Hermione have to find out who is trying to get it and why. This is a wonderful adaptation of a wonderful book with more promising installments to come. The three leads gives charming performances, but it's the British veteran actors who provide the Oscar-worthy roles. Despite its long running time, this film never gets old along with an amazing score by the always perfect John Williams and some top-notch special effects.

Oscar nominations: Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design

Directed by: Alfonso Cuaron
Written by: Steven Kloves
Based on the book by: J.K. Rowling
Produced by: Chris Columbus, David Heyman, and Mark Radcliffe
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane

With a new director, the Harry Potter series takes a large turn of events in this darker, but weaker chapter in the franchise. After blowing his aunt up with humourous results, Harry heads off to his third year at Hogwarts, with best friends, Ron and Hermione. Meanwhile, Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban prison and is said to be the reason for the death of Harry's parents, and now he plans to murder Harry to finish the job. Soon, the soul-sucking dementors of Azkaban are heading to Hogwarts to search for Black. Two new teachers are in this chapter of the series. Adding much comic relief to the film is Professor Sybil Trelawney, the Devination teacher played by the always enjoyable Emma Thompson. While the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, this year is Remus Lupin, a man with a dark secret. Despite being darker then the previous films, this installmant is also funnier with many funny moments mostly from one-liners by Ron who seems to be taking an interest in Hermione. As always, the who's who of British are all excellent especially David Thewlis, Emma Thompson, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, and Michael Gambon taking over for the late Richard Harris. The special effects are all amazing with the biggest stand-out being Buckbeack, a griffin-like creature called a Hippogriff. Alfonso Cuaron gives a solid direction in a quickly-edited and moving picture. Bring on Goblet of Fire.

Oscar nominations: Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects

"Film Website" nomination: Best Visual Effects

Directed by: Joe Johnston
Written by: John Fusco
Produced by: Casey Silver
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Omar Sharif, Zuleikha Robinson, Louise Lombard, Said Taghmaoui, Adam Alexi-Malle, Silas Carson

"They don't make films like that anymore." That's the thought that I had when I left the cinema. This Raiders of the Lost Ark-style picture has the all the right ingredients of an old action blockbuster. There's an ever comical hero, his helpful companion, a damsel in distress, and an evil villain who won't let anything get in his way. Frank Hopkins is a very distinguished rider, who loves a good race, but doesn't care whether he wins or loses. Him, and his horse, Hidalgo are then asked to race in a race in the Arabian Desert. At first, he refuses, but then decides to do it. There, he meets Lady Davenport, who will stop at nothing to get her horse across the finish line. When the race organizer's daughter is kidnapped by raiders, Frank volunteers to save her, which he does. Now it's time to win the race, without any distractions. The lead actor, Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings) plays Frank like a young Kirk Douglas. Along with amazing special effects, and wonderful backdrops of sand, sand, and more sand, this film is fun. Just put your feet up (not literally) and relax.

Golden Reel Award nomination: Best Musical Editing

Directed by: Woody Allen
Written by: Woody Allen
Produced by: Letty Aronson
Starring: Woody Allen, Tea Leoni, George Hamilton, Treat Williams, Debra Messing, Marian Seldes, Tiffani Thiesson, Mark Webber

Woody Allen makes a brilliant come-back in this wonderfully written comedy about a director trying to make a come-back. Val Waxman is a two-time Oscar winner who is stuck making television advertisements in Canada. He is then sent a screenplay for a new $60 million picture. He agrees to make the film despite being produced by his ex-wife and her new fiance. Before the first day of shooting, Val becomes blind. He can't lose this deal, so with the help of his agent, he directs the picture with no eyesight, without anyone else knowing. Woody Allen gives a capital direction and a brilliant script. Tea Leoni and Debra Messing also give great performances as his lovers.

"Film Website" nomination: Best Original Screenplay

Directed by: Will Finn, and John Sanford
Written by: Will Finn, and John Sanford
Produced by: Alice Dewey
Voices of: Roseanne Barr, Judi Dench, Jennifer Tilly, Randy Quaid, Cuba Gooding Jr., David Burnham, Charles Dennis, Steve Buscemi

In this enjoyable hand-drawn animated film from Disney, we see something that isn't normally tackled from them. Home on the Range is a musical about cows. That's right, and they are voiced by Roseanne Barr, Judi Dench, and Jennifer Tilly. When a small dairy cow farm must pay $750 or be auctioned off, the cows decide to catch the cattle stealer, Alemeda Slim and collect the reward. Slim meanwhile uses hypnotic yodeling to catch the cows, but he is unable to hypnotize the charming Grace. The cows have to watch because the famous bounty hunter, Rico and his horse, Buck are also out to catch Slim. Although this isn't Disney's best, it's a cute little film with wonderful songs by Alan Menken, and wonderful voices by the entire cast, especially Roseanne.

Annie Award nominations: Best Director (Will Finn, John Sanford), Best Storyboarding, Best Character Design

Directed by: Terry George
Written by: Terry George, and Keir Pierson
Produced by: Terry George, and A. Kitman Ho
Starring: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Desmond Dube, Fana Mokoena, Nick Nolte, Lebo Mashile, Tony Kgoroge, Joaquin Phoenix

Don Cheadle gives a brilliant performance as real-life hotel manager named Paul Rosesabagina who saved millions of lives during the Rwandan genocide. The conflict between the Hutus and the Tutsis is getting worse then before and many people are getting injured and even killed. The UN arrives but as one Canadian soldier puts it, "we're peace keepers, not peace makers." Soon, Paul (a Hutu) takes it upon himself to keep all the Tutsis in his hotel, so that they are not killed. This is pretty much Don Cheadle's show and he gives an excellent performance, but the film has too many boring bits to keep it mostly interesting. It does succeed in giving an emotional pull, and makes you think as well, however that is not enough to get this past a 7 rating.

Oscar nominations: Best Actor (Don Cheadle), Best Supporting Actress (Sophie Okonedo), Best Original Screenplay

"Film Website" nomination: Best Actor (Don Cheadle)

Directed by: Vadim Perelman
Written by: Vadim Perelman, and Shawn Lawrence Otto
Based on the book by: Andre Dubus III
Produced by: Vadim Perelman, and Michael London
Starring: Ben Kingsley, Jennifer Connelly, Rob Eldard, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Jonathan Ahdout, Frances Fisher, Kim Dickens

A truly-inspiring film from new-comer, Vadim Perelman, it keeps you wondering what will happen next. Kath has just inherited her father's house, and now she's lost because the county gave her a tax she didn't owe. Soon, the house is auctioned off, and is bought by an Iranian immigrant, Colonel Behrani. He plans to auction the house himself and get $175,000 for it. Meanwhile, Kathy is living in her car, and attempts her house back no matter what. Soon, a policeman comes to her aid attacking the Behrani family, and having an affair with Kathy. Behrani's wife sees her differently, and helps Kathy like her own mother. This is a brilliantly-scripted film with wonderful performances all around. Ben Kingsley gives one of his best performances since Gandhi, while Jennifer Connelly and Shohreh Agdashloo give stunning performances as well, as does Roger Deakin's cinematography. This film will have your heart pumping until the very end, although it is very sad at parts.

Oscar nominations: Best Actor (Ben Kingsley), Best Supporting Actress (Shohreh Aghdashloo), Best Original Score

"Film Website" nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor (Ben Knigsley), Best Actress (Jennifer Connelly)

Directed by: Ron Howard
Written by: Jeffrey Price, and Peter S. Seaman
Based on the book by: Dr. Seuss
Produced by: Ron Howard, and Brian Grazer
Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin, Josh Ryan Evans, Anthony Hopkins (voice)

In the city of Whoville, the Whos are obsessed with Christmas. Only little Cindy Lou Who doesn't understand why everyone becomes so "cabobbled" over the yuletide holiday. Meanwhile, up on Mount Crumpet, the Grinch hates Christmas. It all goes down to when he was a young boy, when his classmates made fun of all his hair. Cindy decides to pay the Grinch a little visit to see what he is really like, and invits him down to Whoville. When he arrives, the Mayor gives him a shaver. Angry at all this, he burns the whole town down. The Whos rebuild it in a hurry, and so decides to steal the holiday from them. Dressing up as Father Christmas, he goes down there and steals everything. The un-recognized Jim Carrey gives a wonderful performance as the Grinch, while Taylor Momsen is cute as Cindy. Overall, the sets, makeup, and direction by Ron Howard are fantastic.

Oscar: Best Makeup
Other Oscar nominations: Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design