Week ten of blockbuster season takes us into the Fourth of July holiday, where there is much money to be made as families gather and head out to the darkened cinemas before firing up the grills, cracking open the beer, and getting burned with firecrackers. The weekend features two new movies in wide release: a family animated comedy/adventure and a period gangster film. Two films and two vastly different audiences. I have intentions of catching both at some point in the near future. And yes, I know the films have already opened; I completely forgot about the Wednesday openings!

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. (2009, 94 minutes, PG, animated) The latest animated feature to take advantage of the new 3D process. I must admit to being very impressed with the quality of the 3D, as well as the positive signal to noise ratio in film makers using it effectively and not just as a gimmick. The gimmick is there, but it is still in the background. I wonder how this one will be? Perhaps it will be enough to distract me from a potentially bad movie. I liked the first movie, but the second, well, not so much. This outing sees Manny trapped in an underground world where they meet dinosaurs, Sid steals dino-eggs, Scrat meets Scratte, and is Diego too laid back? I cannot say any of the descriptions sound all that exciting. So long as the Scrat segments are good I am sure to find something to like. The voice cast have all returned from the last movie, including Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, and Queen Latifah. Joining the stars in the supporting cast are Bill Hader, Simon Pegg, Jane Lynch, Seann William Scott, and Kristen Wiig.

Public Enemies. (2009, 143 minutes, R, drama) I have high hopes for this movie. Michael Mann knows how to craft a living breathing film (even Miami Vice). Take Mann's skills with the camera and bring in the talent of Johnny Depp and Christian Bale and it looks like a recipe for success. Of course, he last time I saw Bale, he was shouting at everything, all the time, and not very well. I suspect that was a fluke and he will be on point for this outing. The movie takes us back to the days when gangsters were national heroes and no one could stop them. Depp is John Dillinger, perhaps the greatest of them all. On his trail is Bale as Melvin Purvis, an agent of the FBI. Who will win? My knowledge of these men is pretty much non-existent. I do not expect the film to depict the true to the hard reality, but I do expect it to be honest with itself and entertaining in execution. I love the trailer and the music used, hopefully it will pay off.

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

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