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Something New (2006) --> A better than average romantic drama, Something New is directed by Sanaa Hamri and stars Sanaa Lathan as Kenya McQueen and Simon Baker as Brian Kelly. Something New is a love story complicated by race. When Kenya a black woman, becomes attracted and then sleeps with Brian, a white man, issues of colour materialize. Hair extensions, respect at work, the blessings of family members, all enter the picture to thwart the two from establishing a long term relationship.

This film is smartly made by Hamri. There are no portrayals of black men in gangster garb shooting each other or selling drugs to local crack addicts. The men and women you see in this film are professionals leading affluent lifestyles. Kenya is an investment consultant up for a partnership in the firm she works for. Her father is a doctor. It is refreshing to see a movie that portrays African American in a positive light. Do Kenya and Brian overcome the obstacles and marry; you will have to watch the film to find out.


Full Spectrum Staff

Little Miss Sunshine (2006) --> You don't know whether to laugh hysterically or be extremely shocked by the ending of this Michael Arndt written and Jonathan Dayton/Valerie Faris directed film. The whole film was a yawn fest up until that point having the camera record the boring everyday happenings of a dysfunctional family on the road to California to register their daughter in a kid's beauty pageant. The moral condemnation veiled as wry humour by the director at the film's climax is not lost on this reviewer.

A beauty pageant for little girls can be seen from a certain point of view as a vulgar display of child pornography and a pedophile's wet dream. What was particularly biting was that the director, out of all the girls competing, left the main character the most chil-like. Olive didn't wear tons of make-up, she wasn't dolled out in an adult's evening dress or a two piece bathing suit. She kept her appearance as child in her mannerisms. She didn't walk with hips swinging as the other girls did to make themselves appear the most mature and womanly. So when it was Olive's turn to show off her talent, taught by her grandfather no less (which throughout the film we were kept in the dark about), it was like jumper cables attached to cerebral cortex.

What was really shocking though was the ignorance of all other girl's mothers who were shocked at Olive's display yet didn't understand that they, with the make-up, dresses, bathing suits, and coquettish mannerisms of their daughters, were worse peddlers of child exploitation. At least Olive's display was honest and as everyone knows, sometimes the truth hurts the most.

But what is the most mind-blowing is contemplating about the grandfather. You have the understanding through different scenes that Oliver and her grandfather have a close bond. He, even more that Olive's parents, spends the most time with her. So after the film's climax, knowing that the grandfather taught Olive her talent, you are caught trying to answer an unanswerable question: Was Olive's display a way for the grandfather to show his disgust for the whole sick institution of children's beauty pageant, or, is the grandfather a closet pedophile who used the talent portion of the upcoming contest as an excuse to get his granddaughter to behave in a sexual manner towards him? Little Miss Sunshine is a brilliant film even though it took the ending to show off the reason why.


Scott D. Brown

Flyboys (2006) --> The only cool thing that this film has going for it is the realistic portrayal of the first fighter planes in battle against each other. Otherwise, the film has little interest. You feel little for the characters and the story seems like a glossed over Disney version of WWI. These guys died at an alarming rate whether from enemy gunfire or mechanical failures, yet I don't believe anyone watching this film would shed a tear. Perhaps director Tony Bill should get some tutoring from Spielberg and try again with another period film.


Full Spectrum Staff

Accepted (2006) --> When Bartleby Gaines (Justin Long) fails to get accepted to any university in the country he takes it upon himself, with the help of friends, to open his own institution of higher learning to both fool and postpone disappointing his parents. Steve Pink's comedy is every post high school student's dream of what university should be like. Choose and teach your own courses whether about skateboarding or cooking. As a film it is fun to watch but doesn't have enough originality to merit any high accolades.


Full Spectrum Staff

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