Synopsis: Theatrical version of the television series based on Candace Bushnell’s book Sex and the City, which chronicles the sexy exploits of New Yorkers

Review: This big-screen adaptation might be a little glossier than we’re used to, but it’s also as familiar and comfortable as slipping into a pair of Manolo Blahniks.

Acting: For our four lovely leading ladies, reprising their Sexy alter egos must have been like riding a bicycle. Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis and Kim Cattrall defined their “SATC” roles so succinctly during the HBO show’s six-year run that watching them again feels as if they never stopped. Parker especially eases right back into Carrie mode, albeit older and wiser. Gone are her earlier, youthful hang ups about commitment replaced by a stronger, more mature Carrie – who still has her quirky insecurities. And of course, her fabulous one-liners still fly fast and furious (“I need to get out of this Mexi-coma” is a personal favorite). Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson adds a fifth element to the proceedings as Carrie’s smart and sassy assistant, who has firm belief in love. The men of “SATC” also fit right in again. Noth’s Big in particular continues to frustrate but ultimately becomes the man we all knew he could be.

Direction: The road to a big-screen adaptation of “Sex and the City” was also not a smooth one. After the show ended in 2004, there were immediate talks about doing a movie version. But not everyone in the cast was ready to continue the gig – namely, Kim Cattrall, who decided she needed a break (and possibly more money). Still, through the perseverance of producer Sarah Jessica Parker and writer/director Michael Patrick King, SATC The Movie finally became a reality – and we are very thankful that it did. Many fans just couldn’t let go after the show’s series finale; they wanted more. And so the film gives back in spades, bringing us back into these women’s lives for awhile longer – almost to a fault, actually. The half-hour TV show was perfect, but a SATC film at two hours and some change drags a little in the middle. There’s also the fact the film is certainly grander, glossier in scale than the more grounded TV show. Nevertheless, it’s just what the doctor ordered for those lovers of all things “Sex and the City.” Bring on the sequels!

Bottom Line: Hollywood.com rated this film 3 stars.

Synopsis: The Incredible Hulk kicks off an all-new, explosive and action-packed epic of one of the most popular Super Heroes of all time. In this new beginning, scientist Bruce Banner desperately hunts for a cure to the gamma radiation that poisoned his cells and unleashes the unbridled force of rage within him: The Hulk. Living in the shadows – cut off from a life he knew and the woman he loves, Betty Ross – Banner struggles to avoid the obsessive pursuit of his nemesis, General Thunderbolt Ross, and the military machinery that seeks to capture him and brutally exploit his power. As all three grapple with the secrets that led to The Hulk’s creation, they are confronted with a monstrous new adversary known as The Abomination, whose destructive strength exceeds even The Hulk’s own. One scientist must make an agonizing final choice: accept a peaceful life as Bruce Banner or find heroism in the creature he holds inside – The Incredible Hulk?

Review: This time they got it right; The Hulk really IS incredible! Iron Man was just the warm up for this mega-tons of fun, super powered summer movie adrenaline blast that will probably have you leaping out of your seat.

Acting: Marvel Studios is on a roll when it comes to unique casting ideas this summer. First, they re-ignited 40-something Robert Downey Jr.’s career in an inspired idea to make him Iron Man – and now travel the unlikely route of putting Edward Norton, a fine actor not known for popcorn action fare, in the Bruce Banner part. Norton brings an urgency, wit and intelligence to the role that was sorely missing when Eric Bana took it on in Ang Lee’s version. We really understand the anger raging within, and Banner’s determined desire to get rid of it. Just as in classic movie monsters like King Kong, there is great empathy for the monster that is unleashed in the form of the Hulk. Much of that is due to Norton’s smart take and dedication (he’s an uncredited co-writer) in creating this incarnation of Banner. He owns this role now. Whatever reported conflicts happened in production, the final results are worth it. Tyler’s Betty Ross is nicely played and full of the appropriate passion, while Tim Blake Nelson has some hilarious super-hyper moments as the scientist who may hold the key to Banner’s salvation. Hurt is properly authoritative and evil as the General out for Banner’s power. And finally Roth, scrappy and fierce as Norton’s main nemesis and his perfect match.

Direction: Young French director Louis Leterrier (Transporter 2) proves the perfect choice to finally make Hulk work on screen. His fast-paced, take-no-prisoners filmmaking style – mixed with his professed love of all things Hulk when he was growing up as a kid in Paris – have paid off handsomely. He clearly has a vision and moves this thing along like a freight train, almost a non-stop chase in the same spirit that powered last summer’s supreme sequel The Bourne Ultimatum. Not shackled with Ang Lee’s problems in creating a credible monster, Leterrier is the beneficiary of strong advances in CGI and the Hulk and Abomination are both state-of-the-art iconic visual effects. The ultimate “Godzilla vs Mothra”-style battle at the end is flawlessly pulled off and a marvel to watch (pun intended). Leterrier has achieved some of the best action sequences ever, but not at a human cost, which is really remarkable in a summer comic book blockbuster like this. At the center are recognizable people we can root for – and against – right up to the end of the breezy 104-minute running time when an unexpected cameo in the form of another comic book superstar makes a surprise appearance.

Bottom Line: Hollywood.com rated this film 4 stars.