Opening in wide release today:

KILL BILL VOL. 2
directed by Quentin Tarantino, starring Uma Thurman and David Carradine
Rated R, for strong bloody violence, language and some sexual content
Official web site | IMDB entry

The second part of Tarantino's epic revenge saga continues The Bride's (Thurman) hunt for the title character (Carradine). After handily dispensing Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox) and O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu) in Vol. 1, our heroine will first track down Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah) and Budd (Michael Madsen) before getting to the big man himself in a conclusion that, based on the title, is unlikely to be much of a surprise to anyone.

The critics' take: 86% fresh at Rotten Tomatoes.

My take: Tarantino doing what Tarantino does best.

THE PUNISHER
directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, starring Thomas Jane and John Travolta
Rated R, for pervasive brutal violence, language and brief nudity
Official web site | IMDB entry

The first attempt to bring Marvel's anti-hero to the big screen resulting in the 1989 flop starring Dolph Lundgren. While that film excised the aspects of the long-running comic in favor of a generic actioner, trailers for the new film indicate that this version may remain truer to the source material. Travolta's villainous turn as Howard Saint should be a highlight.

The critics' take: 31% fresh at Rotten Tomatoes.

My take: If you need a comic book fix, see Hellboy, or wait for Spider-Man 2 this summer.

CONNIE & CARLA
directed by Michael Lembeck, starring Nia Vardalos and Toni Collette
Rated PG-13, for thematic elements, sexual humor and drug references
Official web site | IMDB entry

In a bizarre cross between Sister Act and Victor/Victoria, this comedy features Vardalos and Collette as two Chicago-based singers who accidentally witness a mob hit. Fearing for their lives, they flee to Los Angeles and assume new identities--as drag queens.

The critics' take: 55% fresh at Rotten Tomatoes.

My take: In a testosterone-soaked weekend, counter-programming for women and the elderly only.

Opening in limited release:

Gypsy 83, a Goth drama
Not Rated
NYC only

Klezmer on Fish Street, a documentary about a group Jewish musicians in Poland
Not Rated
NYC only

Paper Clips, a documentary about children in rural Tennessee who build a Holocaust memorial
Rated G
NYC only

Robot Stories, a sci-fi anthology film
Not Rated
SF and Berkeley only

A Thousand Clouds of Peace, a Mexican import
Not Rated
NYC and LA only

Young Adam, starring Ewan McGregor & Tilda Swinton
Rated NC-17, for some explicit sexual content
NYC and LA only