TALK TO ME (R) Don Cheadle, an actor who is rarely less than remarkable, turns in another fine performance as Petey Greene, a silver-tongued devil and perennial bad boy who used his position as a Washington, D.C., talk-radio host to shake up the political and cultural landscape of America in the '60s and '70s. Director Kasi Lemmons, who tugged a bit too aggressively at heartstrings in 1997's Eve's Bayou, does a commendable job here, although she gets a little lazy in Talk To Me's second half, skipping too quickly through key events in Greene's life and then allowing Petey to all but disappear from his own story during the final act. This allows Talk To Me to begin focusing more on Greene's manager, Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor, also excellent), but even here the film offers unexpected pleasures in illuminating the almost symbiotic relationship between the two men. Factor in the best soundtrack of the year (how much Otis Redding and James Brown can your heart stand?), and some spot-on conjuring of superfab '60s/'70s vibes, and that makes Talk To Me a movie to see. Also stars Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps and Martin Sheen. 3.5 stars
TRANSFORMERS (PG-13) Armageddon and Pearl Harbor director Michael Bay plays with the most expensive toys in the planet in this loud, destructive live-action version of the Hasbro properties. The plot, themes and characterization are laughable at best (except for Shia LaBeouf's ingratiating, steadying work in the leading "human" role), but the special effects extravaganza of giant robots whaling on each other is kind of awesome. 3 stars — Curt Holman
UNDERDOG (PG) Yet another vintage Saturday morning cartoon comes wagging its tail all the way to the big screen. Everyone's favorite talking, super-powered beagle protects truth, justice and a really cute cocker spaniel, with Jason Lee providing the canine hero's voice — a casting coup reeking of pomo irony and undoubtedly dreamed up by the same geniuses who put Bill Murray and Garfield together. Also stars Patrick Warburton, Amy Adams, Peter Dinklage and Jim Belushi. (Not Reviewed)
