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This movie is sadly disappointing, one of those things I wish we could unmake. It takes the fantastic x-men universe built over 40 years and through Bryan Singer's two movies and feeds it mercilessly to the Hollywood standard formula, without regard or respect to the ideas that makes X-Men endlessly intriguing. The conflicts of philosophy between Prof. X, Magneto, humans of various views show us that every side has its story and that there is no simple solution. X-Men: The Last Stand takes a giant dump on this beautiful conflict and simplifies everything to a thin gruel. The cure is absurdly handled, it hints at "choice" but never consequences, and motivates action without contemplation. It alters and betrays the very ideas that makes X-Men entertaining, awe-inspiring, thought-provoking.

It's interesting that on this opening night, there is a 7.9 rating, with a preposterous amount of 10's, with the top-ranked reviews ranking it very favorably, only to be followed by a sea of bad reviews. Does this seem a bit suspicious to anyone?

Anyway, it's a shame, on so many levels.

Stealth is devoid of higher thinking (or maybe any thinking at all). However it has couple of good things going for it:

1. Special effects are well-used. the planes and missiles and explosions rock. the dog fights do not rely on editing but are given a good effort.

2. Yes the premise is dumb - we assume correctly it would not be supported by thoughtful investigation into the mechanics behind the artificial pilot. However, the movie recognizes this fact and does not pretend to have given the matter much thought. It is straight and honest, though still mindless. But hey, that's alright sometimes.

3. The story is simple, but not linear - and that counts for a lot in a movie of this type, because it is unexpected and not required. Stealth has moments where it feels like an epic, albeit a mind-free one.

4. Have you noticed that it's often better to imply a romantic sentiment between the main characters rather than slamming it in your face, especially in an action movie which has precious little time to develop the relationship to begin with? You haven't? Uh that's not good... Anyway, Stealth doesn't kid us with a hasty obligatory romance but gives its characters some room to maneuver between inter-pilot and inter-personal relationships. What was the last summer popcorn movie you can remember that similarly uh, respected our intelligence? I am giving Stealth a lot of credit here. Let's just say if it insulted my intelligence, I was happy to let it slide this time because I was having a good time.

5. Ultimately Stealth is entertaining from beginning to end. It "respects" our intelligence by not appearing to be smarter than dumb. Stupid is less stupid when it doesn't pretend.

I hope you give this movie a chance, and notice how it differs in the formula and execution from what you may have anticipated and from other mindless summer blockbusters.

Thanks.

I used to be quite afraid of the dark. I was afraid of what might be lurking in its depth. Sometimes I would let my imagination run and let it dream up that unseen terror. I can't remember what all I conjured up in my imagination, but I can remember how scared I had made myself.

The Blair Witch Project did an effective job of tapping into this realm of my psyche. It gave me a place to contemplate and imagine what was so terrifying out there in the darkness, to imagine what would be so frightening to me. It gave me everything to do this - the situation, the setting, the myth, people whose mental state I can understand, the noises in the night, and of course, the dark. It gave me everything except the visualization of the horror and left room for me to imagine it. It didn't visually show me, but gave me all the tools to dream up that which scares me the most. And that is truly frightening.

What is the scariest thing you can think of? I would venture to say everyone would have a different answer. The Blair Witch Project doesn't try to paint it for you, but instead hands you the palette and brush. Those who take and use the brush will have the most fun and scare out of this movie.