Without trying to give away too much of the plot, I'm going to try to break it all down for you. “The Clone Wars” began in a decidedly non-star-wars like fashion. Without sounding too much like a Star Wars nerd myself, I have to admit starting up the movie without the scrolling text and instead having some guy that sounds a lot like the movie-theater-trailer voice man (RIP) doing some kind of unnecessary voice-over seemed almost unholy, at the very least unconventional. Here I sit, expecting the tried and true scrolling text helping me catch up on roughly ten years in the life of the main characters, and instead I'm brought into what almost looks like an ad to join the army from the original “Starship Troopers” movie. Ships flying everywhere, things blowing up, some kind of mechanical octopus-like thing coming and eating another ship, all while the same movie trailer voiced man was yelling about Jabba the Hutt's son being kidnapped and the Jedi agreeing to help save him.

That's right. Jabba the Hutt, who might as well be a slug dropped in HGH, somehow managed to produce offspring that was never mentioned in any of the other Star Wars movies. But fine, I can even buy this, maybe the guy had some fling off-world and he started the illegal trading to afford the child support, who knows. Regardless, the next scene is where my jaw dropped.

Anakin and Obi-Wan are on a planet they had recently freed from the bad guy Seperatists, (remember in Episode III, when Anakin kills Count Dooku on the ship in front of the Emperor? He was the guy in control of the separatists and the droid army and all of that. This movie takes place before that but after Episode II.) So, expecting troops and provisions and the like to help defend against the remaining baddies, a ship comes down with - you guessed it - one nine year old girl! Eventually we find out that she was a new Padawan Apprentice assigned to not Obi Wan, who had applied for the job, but the soon-to-be genocidal madman Anakin Skywalker. The future destroyer-of-worlds ultimate bad guy now has to deal with a tagalong in the form of a slightly irritating little girl. Right away, she justifies the dull pain in my forehead by nicknaming Anakin Skywalker “Sky-guy”, (you better believe the clone troops get a chuckle out of that) although they eventually bond in the end. (Yay!)

The rest of the movie can be summed up by mentioning a few key scenes, for example when Obi Wan and the murderous Separatist general decide to meet and dish about terms of surrender over what looks kind of like coffee. Or maybe later when Obi Wan meets up with Jabba and listens to the big brown anti-snail call his son his little “punkymuffin”. After hearing so many gems like this, it was difficult not to run out of the theatre right then and there.

So why the confusion about the movie? You might ask. Why not just tear up the ticket stubs, demand that the ticket payment be cancelled from your credit card and move on with your life? Not that easy, I would reply with a disgusted sigh. Although this movie deviates from the Star Wars norm, and it sure wouldn't be ranked up there with any of the other top-grossing films birthed out of George Lucas' brain, I have to admit it did exactly what it set out to do.

No more are the Star Wars films going to be focused on deep character development, twisting plot lines, odd romances (“you're my sister?!” “You're a wookie?!!?!”) and how exactly they fit James Earl Jones into that skinny black metal suit. Readers, we are witnessing the end of an era. The transition to the kids movie. It's animated, it doesn't really follow some of the facts set forth by the original movies, and for the most part morals are set, cut and dry dark side vs. light side. Whether it's because of all of the criticism he received for episodes I-III so he went in another direction, or because he knows all he has to do is make a movie and instantly he gets another hundred bajillion dollars, George Lucas is turning Star Wars kid-friendly.

This film, although certainly a let-down for the intensely jaded Star Wars fan, is entertaining and stays in the “kids movie basepath” well, with its flashy graphics, easy storyline, and bright and shiny action. Definitely a precursor to a possible show on the WB or something to that end. Worth seeing with a little brother or sister, and in the end I grudgingly give it a 7/10.

Alright, maybe I know a little about the movie. I believe that Will Smith plays a hero that kind of messes up his heroic acts. He's that hero that we all long for and more. He has issues. He screws up. He's perfect for us all. A hero with super powers that has issues. Sign me up, I'm down with that. To me the fact that he seemingly is going to be a bit of a “normal” human and yet a superman of sorts, makes it all the more appealing. I urge you to go out and see this one. Get a group of friends and grab your little woman and buy some tickets and that awesome popcorn and see “Hancock” coming soon in July! I'll be there, will you?

CLOVERFIELD:

Lot of hype and speculation on this one from producer J.J. Abrams, but from what's been gathered the plot seems to center around a giant monster attack on New York. After seeing the trailer that premiered with Transformers, which had a release date but no title, moviegoers are sure to flock to theaters just to see what's going on. (JAN 18)

MEET THE SPARTANS:

This year's round of parody films kicks off with this sequel to Epic Movie that mainly spoofs 300 but also rips into other films and pop culture, like Spider-Man 3, You Got Served, American Idol and Deal or No Deal. Sure to be a must for fans of the Scary Movie flicks and similar spoof movies. (JAN 25)

RAMBO:

John Rambo is back, and this time the Vietnam vet takes on the Burmese army to rescue kidnapped humanitarian aide missionaries. Given the surprise success of Rocky Balboa, Stallone's return to the other character that made him famous is sure to draw in action fans and those who want to see some explosions. (JAN 25)

THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES:

Based on the popular children's book series by Holly Black and Tony Diterlizzi about the magical adventures of the Grace children when they discover a fairy world beneath the home of their great-great-uncle Arthur Spiderwick. A good family flick that'll make a nice tide-over until the next Harry Potter comes out. (FEB 15)

BE KIND REWIND:

When he accidentally erases all the tapes in the local video store with an electromagnetic surge, Jack Black and his buddy Mos Def re-film all the movies for the store's loyal customers. Yeah, sounds a little silly, but that's what Jack Black does best. (FEB 22)

10,000 B.C.:

At the dawn of man, a mammoth hunter becomes the world's first hero to save his tribe from extinction and rescue his kidnapped love from a tyrant. Directed by Roland Emmerich (Independence Day), this should be a hit with fans of 300 and similar epic, period-piece films. (MAR 7)

HORTON HEARS A WHO!:

Horton the elephant protects a speck of dust, home to the Whos of Whoville, despite torment from his neighbors and the evil plans of Sour Kangaroo. Jim Carrey does another Dr. Seuss-based, and the use of CGI rather than live action could give it a better look than previous live action outings. (MAR 14)

HAROLD AND KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY:

Sent to Guantanamo Bay after lighting a bong on a plane, Harold and Kumar encounter a whole new batch of strangeness as they try to get out. Perfect for those who enjoyed the first film or those who just want some pointless laughs. (APRIL 25)

REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA:

The GeneCo company provides organ transplants during an epidemic of organ failures, but for those who can't keep up with the payments, they send their “repo men” to take the organs back. It may have Paris Hilton among the cast, but curiosity about a “horror musical” alone may bring in the fans to see it. (APRIL 25)

IRON MAN:

Based on the Marvel comic book about an inventor who builds a high tech suit of armor to escape his terrorist kidnappers and become a hero. Lot of positive buzz on this one, from the casting of Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark to the special effects by Stan Winston. (MAY 2)

SPEED RACER:

Directed by the Wachowski brothers, this live action version of the hit anime series has Speed (Emile Hirch) taking on the Crucible, the dangerous cross-country race that took his brother's life, to uncover corporate corruption. After being in development since 1992, the success of the long-awaited film could seal the fate of future anime-based films. (MAY 9)

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN:

Based on the second book of C.S. Lewis' hit fantasy series, this sequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has the four Pevensie children returning to Narnia to help young Prince Caspian reclaim his kingdom from his uncle, the evil King Miraz. Another fun fantasy outing, especially for those who enjoyed the first film. (MAY 16)

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL:

Harrison Ford dons the fedora to once play the globe-trotting, bullwhipping Dr. Jones, this time to take on the Soviet Union during the Cold War in the hunt for a crystal skull said to have mystic powers. The long-awaited fourth film in the series has much buzz surrounding it, particularly whether or not new sidekick Shia LaBeouf really does play Indy's son. (MAY 22)

SEX AND THE CITY: THE MOVIE:

Based on the hit HBO series about four single New York women who discuss their love lives, fantasies and sexual desires, with the original cast (Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon) reprising their old roles. Sure to be a hit with fans of the old series. (MAY 30)

THE INCREDIBLE HULK:

Sequel/reboot to the previous film Hulk, on-the-run scientist Bruce Banner struggles to rid himself of the monster within him while also battling the Abomination, a similar gamma-powered being who is unable to change back. A new cast that includes Edward Norton as Bruce Banner and new director Louis Leterrier has sparked positive buzz for this one, despite the disappointment of the first film. (JUNE 13)

HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY:

The gun-toting, cigar-smoking demon who protects humanity from the things that go bump in the night returns to take on a new threat to the world, with the rest of the BPRD right behind him. Creator Mike Mignola wrote the script with director Guillermo del Toro, and Ron Perlman returns to kick ass as Hellboy. (JULY 11)

THE DARK KNIGHT:

The long-awaited sequel to Batman Begins picks up where the first film left off, with Batman (Christian Bale) fighting to clean up Gotham City as a new psychotic criminal mastermind, the Joker (Heath Ledger), rises up to spread chaos. Fans are eagerly awaiting this one, especially after seeing Ledger's portrayal as the re-imagined Joker in trailers. (JULY 18)

THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR:

Adventurer Rick O'Connell and his family take on a whole new mummy when they're tricked into releasing an undead emperor and his army upon the world. Though it's been awhile since the last Mummy movie, fans of the series may still check it out, if only to see Brendan Fraser take on bad guy Jet Li. (AUG 1)

DRAGONBALL:

The live action adaptation of the hit anime follows Goku (Justin Chatwin) as he searches for the mystical Dragonballs, which are capable of granting any wish, before the evil Piccolo (James Marsters) does. The fact that this didn't take long to produce after its 2002 announcement, and the fact that Hollywood isn't cramming too much into the plot, will no doubt attract both anime fans and newcomers. (AUG 15)

PUNISHER: WAR ZONE:

Based on the Marvel comic, ruthless vigilante Frank Castle, aka the Punisher, takes on psychotic mob boss Jigsaw, whom Castle disfigured, while also being hunted by the Punisher Task Force. With a new Punisher (Ray Stevenson takes over from Thomas Jane, who stepped out due to differences on story) and a new director (Lexi Alexander), this is said to be a bit of a reboot of the franchise, with no connection to the previous Punisher film. (SEPT 12)

DEATH RACE:

Remake of 1975's Death Race 2000, where a prisoner (Jason Statham) is forced to race against other inmates in future America. Remakes seem to be big in Hollywood these days, and fans love a movie where Jason Statham plays a bad-ass driver. (SEPT 26)

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE:

Based on the popular children's book about Max, sent to his room without supper, and his imaginary adventures in a land of monsters. A combination of live action, suitmation, animatronics and CGI bring what could be a fun family film to life. (OCT 3)

SAW V:

The plans of serial killer Jigsaw still continue even after his death, with the fate of Corbett (from Saw III) and more details behind Billy the puppet said to be revealed. It just wouldn't be Halloween without a new Saw film, and fans will flock to theaters to see what twisted game Jigsaw (or one of his apprentices) has cooked up this time. (OCT 24)

BOND 22:

The latest Bond film follows up on the Casino Royale reboot, with James Bond still maturing as Agent 007 as he investigates a mysterious criminal organization and deal with the betrayal and death of lover Vesper Lynn. With cool cars, hot women, plenty of action and Daniel Craig back as a bad-ass Bond, this latest outing is sure to be a hit as the rest of the series. (NOV 7)

MADAGASCAR 2: THE CRATE ESCAPE:

Sequel to the hit CGI film, with the animals making their way to Africa and meeting some of Alex the lion's family. Another family fun movie that all could enjoy, especially those who want to see what trouble the former zoo crew gets into this time. (NOV 7)

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE:

Based on the sixth book in the hit series, Harry and his friends must deal with both the war against Voldemort and their own problems, and Harry learns the secret to destroying the Dark Lord. Given the success of the books, the movie is sure to be a hit, and may inspire Hollywood to get on the final one before the kids get too old. (NOV 27)

STAR TREK:

The eleventh Trek film, which looks like it could also be rebooting the series, focuses on the early adventures of James Kirk and Spock. Plot details are still sketchy (including the role of villain Nero, played by Eric Bana), but the buzz surrounding the project (especially with Zachary Quinto playing Spock to the approval of fans) should inject some new life into the franchise. (DEC 25)