Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) is a thief who specializes in the art of extraction, the stealing of secrets from a target's subconscious. Though his profession cost him everything he has ever loved and has turned him into a fugitive, an offer for a final job -- one that requires him to plant an idea instead of pilfering it -- could be his chance at redemption.
Buzz:
Our founder has already called this "the movie of the decade".
When CIA officer Evelyn Salt (Jolie) is accused of being a spy by a Russian defector, she goes on the run, putting all of her experience and skills to use to elude capture, learn the truth of her identity, and hopefully clear her name.
Buzz:
With Angelina Jolie in front of the camera and sensitive guy Phillip Noyce behind it, I have to stop and recall the point in time when this movie was almost made by Tom Cruise and director Michael Mann. We're thinking this could be the best one-off spy story since The Long Kiss Goodnight (a 90's fave), and the real-life outing of Russian spies in the U.S. couldn't have been more timely! Did you see Angelina in the newest issue of Vanity Fair? She (still) has it.
A trio of orphan girls cause the normally deplorable Gru to rethink his plan to steal the moon.
Buzz:
Universal is still looking for its first animated hit, and we think its gutsy for them to push an original story out into the summer's box-office waters. Initially annoying, Gru and those orphan girls have grown on us (the minions? um, no.), and we're hoping that families, still smiling from Toy Story 3, will be attracted to this tale.
Master sorcerer Balthazar Black (Cage) recruits a seemingly everyday guy (Baruchel) in his mission to defend New York City from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Molina).
Buzz:
Everyone's harping on Nic Cage's hair, his financial woes, and how 2010 seems to be his Dungeons & Dragons year. If National Treasure mastermind Jon Turteltaub were not behind this project, I'd have serious doubts about its chances; as it stands, I semi-seriously hope it's a surprise blockbuster -- maybe it'll even earn a sequel? I feel like parents and kids alike could entertained by the story and visuals. Strange how Monica Bellucci's presence is being played down ...
Woody (Hanks), Buzz (Allen), and the rest of their toy-box friends are dumped in a day-care center after their owner, Andy, departs for college.
Buzz:
Easily one of the biggest movies of 2010, the secret weapon here is screenwriter Michael Arndt, who wrote Little Miss Sunshine; his sentimentality is evident in the trailer, which causes Rex-sized lumps in our throat.
When grade-schooler Ramona Quimby (King) senses that her family's home is danger, she uses her boundless energy and enthusiasm to save the day.
Buzz:
A special-effects free family movie is a rare thing these days, although today's parents are probably more familiar with the name Beverly Cleary than their kids? I could be wrong there. Fox-Walden probably shelled out a bit in casting Disney Channel star Selena Gomez, but she's a good face for the marketing campaign as Ramona's long suffering older sister, Beezus. (Also, Ms. Gomez cost way less than Miley Cyrus, who was first approached for the role.)
After their high school basketball coach passes away, five good friends and former teammates reunite for a Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Buzz:
Adam Sandler didn't have much luck with Judd Apatow, but his success with director Dennis Dugan is nearly unparalleled. Together, with plenty of their famous, lovable friends and colleagues in tow (and Rob Schneider) they appear to be channeling 80s-era family comedy and trafficking in the getting-older themes of which Sandler has become so fond. Meanwhile, is Kevin James, in Chris Farley mode, the real draw here?
Bella Swan (Stewart) oscillates between vampire Edward Cullen, who wants Bella's hand in marriage, and werewolf Jacob Black, who has just declared his love for her. Meanwhile, the Cullens and the Quileute werewolves unite to stop an army of powerful vampires from seeking their revenge on Bella.
Buzz:
Call this third chapter the guy-friendly saga since the story provides both supernatural reveals and borderline epic action. Goth parents should revel in Peter Murphy's cameo, and newcomers should feel welcomed by the amount of back story built into the events here. Since Eclipse the book really pushed Stephenie Meyer's work into the spotlight, is it fair to say this movie might improve on New Moon's phenomenal success? The Fourth of July weekend berth should help in this matter.
Aang (Ringer), a young successor to a long line of Avatars, learns that he possesses the power to engage the Fire Nation and hopefully end their century-long war against the Water, Earth, and Air nations.
Buzz:
Regardless of the range of opinions on (1) M. Night Shyamalan's career trajectory and (2) the project's "racebending" controversy, TLAs trailers contain some of the best money shots of the year thus far. The springtime announcement that the movie will be converted into 3D was no surprise, but also entirely welcome. We're unsure exactly how big it will be in the U.S., though this is more worldwide entertainment -- the beginning of a potential trilogy and a renaissance for Shyamalan, who is attached to develop the other two films if all is a go.
A group of elite warriors are hunted by members of a merciless alien race.
Buzz:
When it comes to competing franchises, Predator is way less enduring than Alien, wouldn't you agree? Maybe that's why this reboot doesn't make me red-hot angry as much as Fox's planned Alien prequel. The cast is lean (hopefully Splice will be seen by the naysayers who think Adrien Brody isn't tough enough for the genre), and you really could ask for a much worse director/producer combo than Nimrod Antal and Robert Rodriguez. Truthfully, doesn't it just come down to how cool the creatures look?
Ever since you were a kid, you’ve been told that you could do
anything. Now you’re wondering if someone’s been lying to you all
these years.
You set your sights on business, you got the “right” degree, and you
landed a great job. As hard as you work, though, it seems like the
“glass ceiling” is quadruple-paned, and you’re not getting ahead.
You’re a minority at work. Even in this day and age, could that be the issue?
Maybe. Maybe not.
In his new book Good is Not Enough (with Sonia Alleyne), author Keith R. Wyche says that you can get ahead in business, no matter your gender or ethnic background. It’s just going to take a little more work at work.
Congratulations, the job is yours. Sweet words, aren’t they?
But hold up. Long before you sign an acceptance letter, Wyche says, be sure that the corporate culture is going to be a good fit for you. Have you done your research about this particular business? Are you willing to do what it takes to assimilate?
On the job and off, never underestimate the power of networking. Nurture your contacts and look for a mentor (someone you choose) and a sponsor (someone who chooses you) to help navigate this job and beyond. Utilize those people to garner inside information, and be ready to sponsor or mentor someone when it’s your turn to do so.
Be willing to stand out and be seen. You may already be visible by virtue of your minority status, but Wyche says you should also volunteer for extra work and off-hours events, and seize every opportunity for face-time with senior-level management or out-of-town corporate visitors.
Demand (nicely) a quarterly progress report and heed it. Make sure you and your boss are in agreement with how your job should be performed. Be willing to make lateral moves. Always prepare better than do your colleagues. Be ethical because you won’t get a “second chance.” If all else fails, have a good exit strategy and never give up.
When I got my copy of Good is Not Enough, I was intrigued. Here’s a book expressly for young minorities, written by an African-American man. There must be some in-the-trenches, in-the-know, double-secret information in here, right?
Yes and no.
Wyche, who is the president of U.S. operations for Pitney Bowes Management Services, uses personal stories and those of friends and colleagues to illustrate paths and pitfalls for passionate people eager to move up in business. The interesting thing is, although he includes plenty of information specifically for non-white as well as non-male professionals, much of the advice he offers is useful for anyone of any race or gender who wants to get ahead in the workplace.
Be aware that this isn’t a book for someone who just “wants a job;” instead, it’s heavy on corporate America-type careers. But if you’ve got your eyes on the corner office and the salary to go with it, reading Good is Not Enough is a pretty good start.
Good is Not Enough by Keith R. Wyche with Sonia Alleyne c.2008, Penguin Portfolio $24.95/ $27.50 Canada 242 pages
Terri Schlichenmeyer has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books.
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Ever since you were a kid, you’ve been told that you could do
anything. Now you’re wondering if someone’s been lying to you all
these years. 
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