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Down to Earth

Directed by Paul Weitz (American Pie) and Chris Weitz

Starring Chris Rock, Regina King

Chris Rock stars as a bike messenger who dies before his time in a car accident. Upon arriving in heaven, however, he discovers to his happy surprise that there's no room, and that his death was a mistake. So the powers that be return him to Earth until his number is really called... in the host body of a rich white man whose wife and mistress are both after revenge. Add to this the romantic feelings that Rock's character develops for social activist Suntee (Regina King) and you've got your typical remake-of-a-remake comedy shaping up. Originally made in 1941, Here Comes Mr. Jordan was then the basis for Warren Beatty's 1978 comedy, Heaven Can Wait, which in turn spawned Down to Earth. Some things are better left alone.

Sweet November

Directed by Pat O'Connor (Circle of Friends, <I>Dancing at Lughnasa)

Starring Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron

Following their 1997 pairing in The Devil's Advocate, Reeves and Theron team up again in Sweet November. This time around, Theron plays a woman whose life's mission is to date a man a month, improving her man's existence in some way, then moving on to another charity case. Reeves plays Mr. November, a man who thinks he can make Theron his forever. Of course, Reeves has yet to figure out why she limits her romances to a month each. More of a character study than anything else, Sweet November appeared for the first time in 1968 under the same title and was easily contemporized into its modern counterpart. Bring tissues, or your date's sleeve.

In the Mood for Love

Directed by Wong Kar-wai

Starring Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung, Lai Chen

When Chow Mo-Wan (Tony Leung) and Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) move into the same apartment building in Hong Kong, the chemistry between them is undeniable. The fact that both of their spouses are noticeably absent throughout most of the movie serves only to drive the two friendly neighbors closer together... until one day they discover their spouses are having an affair. In the Mood for Love is truly Wong's pet project, as he not only directed the film but also produced it and wrote the screenplay. Such a strong hand does not go unnoticed in movies of this sort; his artistic touch is visible in the sentimental and introspective nature of the work done both behind and in front of the camera.

The Price of Milk

Directed by Harry Sinclair

Starring Danielle Cormack, Karl Urban, Willa O'Neill, Michael Lawrence, Rangi Motu

Filmmaker Sinclair examines the age-old question, "How do you know if the person you're about to marry truly loves you?" Of course, you test that love. Duh. Weren't you paying attention during Kissing A Fool? Testing love leads only to mischief, as Rob (Urban) and Lucinda (Cormack) soon discover. Set in the rolling hills of director Sinclair's home of New Zealand, The Price of Milk has something to do with cows, quilts, most valuable possessions, trading, severed relationships, and a seduction. If you succeed in piecing all the elements together into a coherent fairy tale, let us know. In the mean time, enjoy the beautiful scenery and classical soundtrack.