Here is my attempt at being a Film Smellfungus (I love this word... stumbled across it in a thesaurus and wanted a chance to use it ... check out link for meaning ... no it has nothing to do with smelly socks).  Basically a Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down (I know how original) with a few comments.  Each movie is linked to the Internet Movie Database  where you can rate it yourself, read credits, or other reviews from other Film Smellfungi.

Zero Effect - Excellent whodunit.  Bill Pullman plays a modern day whacked out character as the worlds most private detective, in the mold of Sherlock Holmes. With Ben Stiller playing his sidekick, in the Watson like role. May be one of best movies that no one saw this year.
Fallen - This Movie did nothing for me.  Denzil Washington was good as usual but the plot was inane.  Denzil a police officer battles a Fallen Angel. I don't know about anyone else but if I see another movie come out of Hollywood about Angels I think I'm going to puke!!!!!   I couldn't wait until this movie finally came to its predictable conclusion.
Boogie Nights -  I Loved this one.  A lot of people seem to either love or hate this one.   I thought Director Paul Thomas Anderson (son of Cleveland native and hero Ernie (Ghoulardi) Anderson)  did a great job.  He took on a subject (Adult Film Industry) that we haven't seen covered (or should I say uncovered) much in Hollywood. Here we get a behind the scenes look that is often times hilarious other times tragic.  His camera work was some of the best and most unique I've seen in ages.  Can't wait to see his next film this guy has a bright future.  On top of all this Burt Reynolds turns in the performance of his career as an adult film director.
The Big Lebowski-  One of the funniest films I've seen this year.  The Coen  Brothers (Raising Arizona, Fargo, Blood Simple) turn in another quirky, hilarious, never dull movie.  The thing I love about this (and other Coen Brother movies) is they come up with such interesting characters.  Their movies are never the same old predictable Hollywood crap.  Jeff Bridges is great along with the rest of the cast.
The End Of Violence- Some critics called this movie one of the best of the year???.........Huh???  This movie quite simply sucked.  I don't know what movie they were watching but I found this movie a confusing mess!!  Yes Bill Pullman, Andie Macdowell, and Gabriel Byrne turn in good performances despite the confusing and in my opinion stupid plot line.  But no performance could save this one.
Saving Private Ryan- Saw this one at the theater which is probably the best way to see it.  The camera work really pulls you in and makes you feel (quite uncomfortably) like you are there.  Tom Hanks turns in his usual great performance.  This movie more than just about any other war movie that I've seen lets you experience and feel what it must really be like.  And believe me its nothing like those old John Wayne war movies. You really can feel what it must have been like for these men to have been going in to almost sure slaughter when they are storming the beach. The movie should be required viewing for any President or Congressman.  Just a hint don't start eating your popcorn at the beginning of this movie if you have a weak stomach ;-)
Something About Mary-This one had me laughing until I was crying.  The Farrelly Bros. (Dumb & Dumber, Kingpin) made this one.  Although I thought their other movies were horrible, this one really is a hilarious must see.  Yes it is sick bathroom humor but it is FUNNY!!   Cameron Diaz and especially Ben Stiller turn in great performances.  See it you won't be disappointed unless you don't have a funny bone in your body.
X-Files-Although not a huge fan, and don't religiously watch it, I like this TV show. I was disappointed in the movie.  It starts out good but starts to drag towards end of movie.  Seems like just another episode expanded to two hours and with better special effects. Some of the special effects were so murky though that you can't tell what the hell is going on (maybe because I saw it on video)?  And the big question my wife and I had watching it was Mulder's snow tractor in Antarctica runs out of gas, all the others evacuate, Mulder & Scully are last seen wet, exhausted and apparently stranded in the freezing temperature: So how do they get back to D.C. by Monday?  And how with little clothing and miles away from anywhere do they keep from freezing to death???
City of Angels-  Meg Ryan, and Nicholas Cage turn in good performances and I did like the first half of the movie despite being another Angel movie (see review of Fallen) but the second half is sooooo predictable and the ending you could see coming for the last half hour of the movie.  Pass this one up unless you just can't get enough Angel movies.
The Avengers-  I was looking forward to this movie being a huge fan of The Avengers TV show.  This movie was a huge flop.  Who the hell wrote the plot for this movie.  A child in grade school could have wrote a better and more mature plot.  The whole movie seemed to be geared to grade school kids.  Its like the plot was just an excuse to lead into all sorts of lousy special effects.  The only plus in this movie is Uma Thurman.  Pass this one up!!!
Rush Hour-  I guess I would rate this movie in-between a thumb up and thumb down.  It has its comedic moments but what really pulls it through is Jackie Chan.  I love this guy his stunts are incredible and I think he has real comedic talent.  He is so good at pantomiming.  The story is lame but as in all Jackie Chan movies the story is secondary the stunts are what everyone goes to see.
Antz- Excellent movie for children but I think adults will understand and enjoy it even more.  The computer graphics are amazing and the story is excellent.  Woody Allen does an great job on the voice of Z the lead character.  Sly Stallone turns in his best performance since Rocky as an army ant.  The only complaint I have is that much of the movie takes place underground in the dark and it is hard to see some of the graphics when the ants are underground.  When they go above ground into the daylight is when the graphic really come to life.