AnnikaLen

I don't usually write a review, but I feel compelled to defend this film against critics who, I feel, have unfairly given it a low rating. While its premise is not necessarily unique and it has its fair share of clichés, The Judge is a deeply moving film that showcases the acting powerhouse that is Robert Duvall and the undeniable versatility and magnetic screen presence of Robert Downey Jr. There are also strong supporting performances from Vera Farmiga (she and RJD have great chemistry), Billy Bob Thornton, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Jeremy Strong. I dare anyone who has dealt with family issues not to be affected. Forget the critics - they don't know everything - and do yourself a favour and watch The Judge. You won't regret it.

It's a shame The X-Files: I Want to Believe didn't have a better release date than one week after The Dark Knight opened and one week before The Mummy 3 premieres. I truly believe it would draw more crowds had its timing been better. That's because it is a solid piece of entertainment. Sure, it has its share of flaws and it's certainly the most subdued of all of the touted blockbuster films this summer, but it's a thoughtful, adult thriller that had me engaged throughout. And I must say, hearing the first six notes of the X-Files theme and seeing Mulder and Scully together was just about worth the admission price. I didn't realize then how much I had missed the series and the quiet tenderness with which Mulder and Scully interacted with each other. They have this wonderfully inexplicable chemistry that I don't think will ever be duplicated on either television or film.

I so hope that more people will go see this film, so that the producers will agree to financing a third X-Files movie. Like many X-Philes, I would like to hold on to Mulder and Scully for a little while longer.

I am convinced that this film would not have been as engaging and enjoyable if it had another actor in the lead role. Daniel Day-Lewis is quite possibly the greatest living actor today - his performances are uniformly jaw-dropping. In his last few films, he has played darker, heavier roles, so what a treat to watch this film and see him as a smoldering hero.

I, too, have objections to the director's expanded edition and continue to hope that the original version will be released on DVD. But, despite its flaws, the expanded edition does not take away the enjoyment of watching this film. It's not perfect - the lovely Jodhi May's talents are just about wasted, and a couple of the scenes are poorly edited. But it has many virtues: good action sequences, an exquisite score, a wonderful romance, and a sensational Daniel Day-Lewis.