MOVIES THIS WEEK

Jan 7 2007 Edited By Mickey Mcmonagle

PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS (12A) 3/5

Will Smith is Chris Gardner, the real-life, down-on-hisluck guy who landed an internship with a top stockbroker. He and his young son had to sleep rough during the unpaid training scheme. Stirring stuff.

LAST KING OF SCOTLAND (15) 5/5

Scots director Kevin McDonald is on great form with the story of Scots medic Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) in Uganda. A twist of fate makes him tyrant Idi Amin's (Forest Whitaker, left) personal doctor.

SMOKIN' ACES (18) 5/5

A stellar cast including Ben Affleck, Jeremy Piven, Alicia Keys, Ray Liotta team up for the tale of a Las Vegas magician set to inform on his Mob pals. Hitmen try to take him out before he can be whisked away by the Feds.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (12A) 2/5

Two stars - and they're for Jessica Simpson's prime assets. A couple of dozy warehouse workers fight for her attention in this formulaic, dull comedy affair. As lame as a movie can be, this is Friday-night fodder for silly teenagers.

APOCALYPTO (18) 5/5

Mel Gibson's talent as a director is undeniable as he follows The Passion Of The Christ with another historical epic. It's the story of Jaguar Paw, a peaceful Mayan taken by Holcane warriors as a human sacrifice.