Colleen Stein

Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (Rated PG)Warner Bros.Directed by Raja Gosnell (Home Alone 3, Never Been Kissed, Big Momma’s House)

This sequel to the Warner Bros. remake of the popular ’60s cartoon was not well received by most movie critics.

Although it stars the hot Hollywood couple Sarah Michelle Gellar (Daphne) and Freddie Prinze Jr. (Fred) and the ever-amusing Matthew Lillard (Shaggy), the movie does not do justice to the hit cartoon.

Final Verdict: If you must see Gellar kick some monster ass, rent a season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on DVD.

Man on Fire (Rated R)20th Century Fox FilmsDirected by Tony Scott (Top Gun, Days of Thunder, Enemy of the State)

Man on Fire makes a lengthy but engaging action/drama. Denzel Washington plays Creasy, an ex-military operative agent who finds himself guarding the daughter of a Mexican corporate big shot (Marc Anthony).

Just as Creasy realizes that protecting the pure-hearted little Pita (Dakota Fanning) has given him something to live for, she is kidnapped.

Final Verdict: You’ll be cheering Washington on as he goes on a rampage to bring down the men responsible for Pita’s kidnapping and Fanning is sure to steal your heart as Pita.

If you get queasy watching torture and graphic violence, this movie is not for you.

Rent instead: If you crave a flick starring Washington, and prefer less bloodshed, go with Philadelphia or Antwone Fisher.

Young Adam (Rated R)Sony Pictures ClassicsDirected by David MacKenzie (The Last Great Wilderness, Asylum)

Ewan McGregor stars in this Scottish film as a drifter-turned-bargeman whose sole purpose, it seems, is to have as much sex as possible.

The storyline includes a long series of flashbacks and McGregor’s character, Joe, lacks sympathy.

Aside from the graphic and disgusting sex scenes, the plot-line is weak and the characters neglect to gain the viewer’s compassion.

Rent instead: McGregor’s best movie yet is Trainspotting. In this film McGregor plays Renton, a quasi-heroic, heroin addict who terrorizes the slums of Edinburgh, Scotland with his clan of junkie friends.