Greetings fellow movie goers, it's time to take a look at what's being featured at the theatres this weekend.

Photo: Contributed - Paramount Pictures

     The Dictator

In Sacha Baron Cohen's latest comic misadventure he plays a North African dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.

     My Take

I'm not an enormous fan of Sacha Baron Cohen so I am approaching this film with some trepidation to say the least. I found some of Ali G amusing, I laughed my butt off during Borat and I absolutely loathed Brüno.

In The Dictator, Cohen is once again playing an over-the-top foreigner who doesn't understand the ways of the west and is totally politically incorrect. I'm sure he will try to offend as many minority groups as he can possibly get away with all in the name of satirical comedy.

This one looks to be a more straight forward plot driven film rather than the pseudo documentary style he employed with Borat and Brüno, and like those other two films it's directed by Larry Charles, who is best known for having worked on Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He's assembled an interesting supporting cast which includes Ben Kingsley, Anna Faris, John C. Reilly and Jason Mantzoukas.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that this will be more than just another dumb, slapstick comedy. We'll see.

     Battleship

Based on the classic Hasbro naval combat game, Battleship is the story of an international fleet of ships who come across an alien armada whilst on a Naval war games exercise. An intense battle ensues over sea, land and air. What do the aliens - known as "The Regents" - want?

     My Take

Wow, so Hollywood is really becoming so creatively bankrupt that they have to start making movies based on board games now. What's next - Monopoly: The Legend of the Community Chest starring Wilford Brimley as Rich "Uncle" Pennybags?

Yes, I know they made a movie based on Clue back in the eighties, but at least that game had developed characters already established so it wasn't as much of a stretch. This looks like another over budget, epic-scaled excuse to blow stuff up and numb the filmgoers senses.

Despite the fact that Liam Neeson is in the film in order to lend some gravitas, the rest of the cast looks about as shallow as can be. I mean, come on, pop star Rihanna, swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker and pretty boy Taylor Kitsch (yes, I know he's from Kelowna) don't exactly scream quality now, do they?

Hey, I hope I'm wrong but to me this looks like another loud, formulaic, popcorn muncher meant for people with less than discriminating tastes.

     What to Expect When You're Expecting

A look at love through the eyes of five interconnected couples experiencing the thrills and surprises of having a baby, and ultimately coming to understand the universal truth that no matter what you plan for, life doesn't always deliver what's expected.

     My Take

Well, the title of this film is a mouthful and to be honest I'm not expecting much from it. This romantic comedy/drama is definitely not targeted towards single males such as myself, but rather to young couples who are going through the trials and tribulations of starting a family.

Director Kirk Jones - who made the charming Waking Ned Devine in 1998 - gathers an all-star cast for this one, including Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick, Chris Rock, Dennis Quaid, Matthew Morrison and Chace Crawford. Of course the films Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve also used the gimmick of an all-star cast and those movies were atrocious, so draw your own conclusions.

This doesn't look like my cup-of-tea but for those of you who like these thinly plotted rom-coms, have at it. I hope it's enjoyable for you.

Also starting this weekend is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel which is about British retirees who travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel, only to find that it is less luxurious than its advertisements. Nevertheless, the Marigold Hotel slowly begins to charm them in unexpected ways. It features a top-notch cast of veteran actors like Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy and Maggie Smith and is directed by Shakespeare in Love's John Madden. This will most likely be a nice one for the geriatric set out there.

A Little Bit Zombie is a low budget Canadian comedy/horror film that is getting a limited screening here in town. Infected by a virus during his bachelor party, a mild mannered HR manager attempts to fulfill his overwhelming desire for brains and avoid Max, the obsessed Zombie Hunter hot on his trail. All while keeping it together so as not to incur the wrath of his Bridezilla-to-be. I loved Shaun of the Dead so if this is at all similar it could be some campy, cheesy fun.

Six Degrees of Chuck Norris

Sacha Baron Cohen from The Dictator was in Hugo (2011) with Christopher Lee, who was in An Eye for an Eye (1981) with Chuck Norris.

Liam Neeson from Battleship was in Les Misérables (1998) with Uma Thurman, who was in Kill Bill: Vol. 2 with David Carradine, who was in Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) with Chuck Norris.

Cameron Diaz from What to Expect When You're Expecting was in Vanilla Sky (2001) with Kurt Russell, who was in Silkwood (1983) with Ron Silver, who was in Silent Rage (1982) with Chuck Norris.

Chuck Norris Fun Fact:

Why did the terrorist cross the street? To get hit by a car before Chuck Norris could get him.