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Clerks. (1994) C-92 min. D: Kevin Smith. Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonhauer, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Scott Mosier, Walter Flanagan, Al Berkowitz. $27,000 B/W film about a day in the lives of two unhappy clerks, one who works at a convenience store and the other who works at a video store. Smith's first film, often times very funny, but tends to drag on a bit and some of the acting is slightly bland. Some laugh out loud moments, such as the offscreen sexual encounter between the main character's ex-girlfriend and...well, I won't spoil it for you. But offscreen is indeed where it belongs once we find out the messy details. The big-screen debut of Jay and Silent Bob, who play drug dealers who spend their days outside the stores (but business seems to be very bad). Originally rated NC-17 for sexually explicit dialogue. RATING: 6 out of 10. Rated R for graphic sexual dialogue.

Saw (2004) C-100 min. D: James Wan. Leigh Whannel, Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Ken Leung, Dina Meyer, Mike Butters, Michael Emerson, Monica Potter, Ned Bellamy. The millionth serial killer movie since SILENCE OF THE LAMBS throws in every single genre cliché imaginable (how many times are the main character's wife and daughter going to be threatened in a movie like this?) not to mention surprisingly bad acting (except Glover) and an twist that is obvious from the opening minute. A doctor and a photographer are chained to pipes on opposite ends of a filthy torture chamber, victims of the Jigsaw, a serial killer who plays games in order for his victims to kill each other. Of course, the doctor's family has been taken hostage and time is of the essence. More gruesome than scary, with the all-too-familiar Hollywood shootout climax (isn't this supposed to be an independent film?) but there are some tense moments here and there. RATING: 5 out of 10. Rated R for graphic violence & gore, grisly images, and profanity.

'HEAD CASES'

Pros – Excellent start to the series. Upbeat, fast-paced, well-acted, and some interesting new characters in Brad Chase & Lori Colson. The opening credits are cool looking & the music is funky, wild, and different. The cases were also funny & the dialogue was witty and executed perfectly.

Cons – Rev. Al Sharpton's cameo was excessive & unnecessary. Also, Alan Shore worked better when he was the lone "insane" lawyer.

Summary - A definite lighter tone than The Practice but also worth the wait.

RATING: 8 out of 10