I know that I have been a pretty lame critic lately, producing only 3 reviews thus far in 2007. But it has been a rough month and a half for us here in Central Ohio. First of all we fell into that post-Holiday release slump where the biggest release of the first month was a lightweight You Got Served knock off that scored a whopping 26% on the RT Tomatometer. February has improved a bit, but we were all but burried by 3 inches of snow that shut down all of Columbus and held me hostage in my own home. So I missed a few screenings. So I am in need of some help. Thankfully, I have plenty of friends from the Central Ohio Film Critics Association (cofca.org) that can help me spell it all out for you. Check out their takes on some recent releases below:

Hannibal Rising — February 9
reviewed by Jason Zingale (Bullz-eye.com)
“If this sounds a little too much like a revenge flick, it’s because it is. The story has absolutely nothing to do with the serial killer that we all know and love, except for the fact that it spends nearly two hours explaining why it is that he’s resorted to cannibalism.”

Norbit — February 9
reviewed by Mark Pfeiffer (Reel Times: Reflections of Cinema)
“If NORBIT doesn’t kill cinema, nothing will.”

Because I Said So — February 9
reviewed by John DeSando (WCBE)
“No doubt our pop culture needs to confront the obsessive mom, as I did my first wife, but it needs to rid itself of clichés and add wit.”

Music and Lyrics — February 14
reviewed by Kristin Dreyer Kramer (Nights and Weekends.com)
“As they say, some things just get better with age—like fine wines…cheese…certain ‘80s pop stars…and Drew Barrymore.”

Breach — February 16
reviewed by Kevin Carr (7m Pictures)
“Rather than being a high-action thriller, “Breach” is more of a slow burn through the night. It has a steady build to the inevitable and predictable end. I commend the filmmakers for offering a sense of realism and soberness over the tempting car chase you might see in a Bruce Willis film.”

There you are. I hope that will give you something to munch on for now. As for me, I can promise plenty more news, reviews and distasteful opinions in the coming weeks.

At least you have something to look forward too…