Below are Mini Reviews from Cineman Syndicate for two films opening on January 15, 2010.  

THE BOOK OF ELI. The first major action film of 2010 is more pensive and lyrical than advertised. The downside: it's uneven and still superficial. Deftly using his machete to cut down anybody who messes with him, a lone stranger of faith (the always-convincing Denzel Washington) treks across post-apocalyptic terrain carrying a copy of The Holy Bible. Nearing his destination after thirty years, he gains a worthy adversary (Gary Oldman) and a disciple of sorts (Mila Kunis). The Hughes twins incorporate numerous cinematic precursors -- Spaghetti Westerns, Asian martial arts flicks, and futuristic actioners such as Mad Max -- and avoid creating a mindless bloodbath, but cannot plausibly embody Judeo-Christian principles. (R) FAIR ACTION-DRAMA. Directors - The Hughes Brothers; Lead - Denzel Washington; Running Time - 115 minutes. (Capsule review by John P. McCarthy)

THE SPY NEXT DOOR. Following in Mr. Nanny and The Pacifier's dubious footsteps, Brian Levant's film reduces Jackie Chan to a bad parody of his rock-'em-sock-'em big-screen persona. Chan plays a Chinese super-spy on loan to the CIA who, during his off-hours, lives undercover as a suburban pen salesman and boyfriend to his neighbor (Amber Valletta). He's tasked with fighting a Russian villain and wooing his girlfriend's three kids, dual assignments that generate all the momentum of a Disney Channel original movie and play out with such toothless inanity that they come off as even beneath the star, who has never shied away from a broad googly-eyed reaction shot. (PG) POOR COMEDY; Director - Brian Levant; Lead - Jackie Chan; Running Time - 92 minutes. (Capsule review by Nick Schager)

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