This edition of the ‘Reviewers’ Roundup includes African Cats, I Saw the Devil’, 'Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold', and 'Winter in Wartime' for the movies opening April 22, 2011.

The following quotes were pulled from reviews written by AZ Weekly Entertainment Magazine's Film Section contributors to present readers with a wider perspective about this weekend's new releases. Read Joseph J. Airdo, Randy Montgomery and Stan Robinson's full reviews exclusively online at Examiner.com, AZWeeklyMagazine.com and ScreenScene.org, respectively.

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'African Cats'

A lioness and a mother cheetah teach their cubs the ways of the wild, illustrating family bonds on the African savanna. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson. (G – 89 minutes)

Joseph: “Paws-down one of the best nature documentaries to be released in recent years, 'African Cats' transcends the genre by establishing an emotionally enthralling fairy tale that will completely captivate moviegoers of all ages with characters about whom you sincerely care. Simba ain't got nothing on these fantastic felines.” Grade: B

Stan:  “If there was ever a ‘nature themed’ movie with extraordinary cinematography that makes one think very seriously about the shared inhabitants of our planet, including mankind, ‘African Cats’ is it.  As closing credits roll over the stirring song ‘The World I Knew’ sung by Jordin Sparks, both the young and old experience an awakening to the reality of the societal structures that truly exist for all levels of life on Earth.  Grade: B+

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'I Saw the Devil'

The line between good and evil begins to blur when an agent (Byung-hun Lee) goes on the hunt for the serial killer (Min-sik Choi) who brutally murdered his pregnant fiancée. Screening 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23 at Madcap Theaters. (NR – 141 minutes)

Joseph:“Director Jee-woon Kim's hardcore horror flick could easily be called the Korean 'No Country for Old Men.' With its sights set on vengeful violence and the boundless bloodshed that ensues as a result, this one-of-a-kind impassioned thriller is not for the faint of heart. Still, those who can handle it will be in their gory glory.” Grade: A

Randy:“An IMDB search confirms what I have been thinking; South Korea has become the horror /suspense capital of the world! From director Jee-woon Kim ('Tale of Two Sisters'), 'I Saw the Devil' will have you on the edge of your seat at times and cringing most of the way through. What transpires is classic gore – South Korean style. Amazingly shot and surprisingly western, this should appeal to fans of the genre.” Grade: C+

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'Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold'

Branding, advertising and product placement provide the funds for a movie that covers those same topics. Starring Morgan Spurlock. Playing exclusively at Harkins Camelview 5. (PG-13 – 90 minutes)

Joseph:“Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock has outdone himself with 'The Greatest Movie Ever Sold,' an unprecedented entertainment experiment resulting in sheer comic brilliance. Through his trademark use of gimmicky non-fiction, Spurlock has created something that is as insightful as it is hysterical, both censuring and celebrating his subject at the same time.” Grade: A

Stan:“A documentary film is one of the hardest formats of movie making, add to that the subject matter of advertising, branding, and the ever so prevalent product placement in movies, you’re talking a tall challenge.  Entertainingly insightful, we join filmmaker/star Morgan Spurlock as he ‘pitches’ to advertisers to participate in his movie about: you guessed it, ‘Advertising, Branding, and Product Placement!’ and, succeeds!”  Grade: A-

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'Winter in Wartime'

A boy joins the Dutch Resistance in World War II and learns to separate reality from fantasy. In Dutch and German with English subtitles. Playing exclusively at Harkins Shea 14. (R – 103 minutes)

Joseph:“Beautifully directed by Martin Koolhoven, this coming-of-age period drama provides a stirring look at the events of World War II as seen through the eyes of a teenager. Moreover, it pairs the serious melodrama typical of foreign-language films with out-of-the-ordinary action, both of which will leave moviegoers engrossed.” Grade: B

Stan:“Winter in Wartime’reminds us all of the impact that the adult world around us has on children, in peace time as well as war, especially when faced with occupation by an opposing military force.  Director Martin Koolhoven brings right up front the primary elements of trust, allegiances, and beliefs of ideologies to the extent of giving one’s life in support of them, whether as an adult or a child, in time of war.”   Grade: B

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