[Anne Fletcher] makes the reasonably insightful, moderately funny point that modern American weddings, however they may strain for individuality and specialness, are all pretty much alike.

The problem is that much the same could be said about modern American romantic comedies. There is a touch of idiosyncrasy here and there — in this one the heroine’s dad is a widower who owns a hardware store! — but most of the elements might as well have been pulled off the registry list at a high-end chain store.

-A.O. Scott, "Bridesmaid Revisited, Again and Again," New York Times

The reviews for Robert Zemeckis' Beowulf can mostly be summed up as: "Mediocre! But with great effects!" One thing most the critics agree on, however, is that the 3-D digitalized epic (which opens today) is "viscerally gripping" and far less "creepy" than Zemeckis' previous effort, The Polar Express.

And though many acknowledge that "the motion-capture animation style [total realism] leaves us with a couple of big questions, [m]ainly, 'Why?'" they nonetheless insist the flick is meant to be viewed on the big-screen.

So why not enter to win free tickets to see the movie on the biggest screen of all (the IMAX)?

If not for its amazing 3-D graphics and groundbreaking computerized animation then for those of you who, like slightly-pervy film critic David Foucher, get a rush from discovering that "Beowulf took on Grendel in the buff." Or because you can't resist the allure of the gross, freeze-dried (but surprisingly addictive) movie theater nachos and cheese.

Now that The Sopranos has faded to black, HBO is on the delirious hunt for another hit that will once again make it a must-pay-for premium channel. Big Love has some ground to cover in that department, Entourage still isn't required viewing, and new offering Flight of the Conchords didn't keep us past the first 30 seconds. So what's left?

John From Cincinnati, which might be about a surfer, or might be about Jesus. Either way, the dude levitates. Also "either way": HBO is shoveling an extra helping of hope on its success. Which might explain why they're desperate to attract audience — and critical acclaim. So much so, in fact, that they might just be making it up.

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