“Road to Perdition” photo courtesy of DreamWorks

Often compared to the mob classic "The Godfather," "Road to Perdition" is sure to be a strong Oscar contender this year. Directed by Sam Mendes, whose credits include Academy-Award-winner "American Beauty," "Perdition" is the Depression-era story of Michael Sullivan, (Tom Hanks), a hitman for mob patriarch and racketeer John Rooney (Paul Newman).

Sullivan’s elder son Michael Jr., played by newcomer Tyler Hoechlin, witnesses a massacre at the hands of Sullivan and Rooney’s son, Connor, played by Daniel Craig. Not convinced the boy will remain silent, Connor hires a hitman to kill the entire Sullivan family. Sullivan and his elder son survive, but his wife (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and his younger son are shot to death.

"Perdition" delves deep into the father-son relationship between the elder and younger Sullivans, and between Rooney and Mike Sullivan Sr., as the two surviving Sullivans embark on a six-week odyssey across the Midwest to Perdition, meaning hell or eternal damnation, and back to get their revenge on Connor. Throughout their journey they are pursued by a hit (Jude Law) who photographs the people he kills.

Both Newman and Hanks should expect Oscar nods for their deeply felt performances. The movie is violent, but not gratuitously so, and the shots of Jude Law at work are reminiscent of the inventive camera work in "American Beauty." It’s an intelligent, well-acted drama.

Rating: Worth $6.50 and a bucket of popcorn.

“Men in Black II” photo courtesy of Sony

Once again, actor Will Smith proves that he can act against computer-generated aliens. The sequel to 1997’s summer blockbuster "Men in Black" is filled with more laughs and extra-terrestrial creatures than the original.

"Men in Black II" stars Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as Agents Jay and Kay. Kay, who was "neuralized" at the end of the first movie, is no longer an agent with Men in Black and works for the U.S. Postal Service. Jay convinces him to aid in an investigation into Laura Flynn Boyle’s character Serleena, a monster from the planet Kylothian disguised as a lingerie model who tries to take over the galaxy.

Johnny Knoxville provides comic support as a two-headed alien and right-hand man of Serleena. Frank the Pug, voiced by Tim Blaney, returns in the sequel as the agents’ sidekick. His fast comebacks and song stylings leave the audience laughing.

The screenplay by Robert Gordon and Barry Fanaro is based on the comic book written by Lowell Cunningham. Director Barry Sonnefield returns for the sequel. His credits include "Big Trouble" and "Wild, Wild West."

Rating: Worth $6.50, popcorn debatable.

Cool cars, spectacular stunts and Vin Diesel. Sounds like 2001’s summer hit "The Fast and the Furious." Capitalizing on the success of that blockbuster, Diesel again pairs with director Rob Cohen and producer Neal Moritz for a new take on spy films.

"XXX" is an action-packed spy movie for a new generation-in other words, James Bond with attitude. The spy, Diesel’s Xander Cage, is an extreme-sports star who gets recruited somewhat unwillingly by scar-faced government-agent Gibbons, played by Samuel L. Jackson, to save the world from Russian terrorists. It is a typical spy-movie plot with a miniscule love story thrown in.

Lacking plot and intelligent dialogue, the only thing that holds this movie together is the fast-paced action sequences. Even with its plot holes, "XXX" is entertaining and does not take itself too seriously, and with funny one-liners such as, "Stop thinking cop and start thinking PlayStation," neither does the viewer.

Diesel’s acting is mediocre at best, but he looks good doing it, which is all that matters for an action star today. With his gravelly voice and huge biceps, he promises to be the James Bond of the 21st century.

Jackson is good, but the character is not often onscreen, and the viewer forgets his performance after leaving the theater.