Merrick here...

The Southerner sent in this look at THE GOOD SHEPHERD -- a Robert De Niro directed tale about the early days of the CIA. It hits December 22. CHECK OUT THE TRAILER.

SHEPHERD has a fabulous cast and, in theory, this subject matter could be intriguing. Alas, Southerner wasn't exactly compelled by what he saw.

Here he is to tell you more...

I just got back from a morning trade screening of The Good Shepherd.

What follows is a relatively spoiler free, brief look at the new Robert De Niro directed movie the Good Shepherd, starring Matt Damon as Edward Wilson, Angelina Jolie, William Hurt, Joe Pesci, and a slew of others.

I don't remember This Boy's Life in detail so its hard for me to say whether or not De Niro has grown as a director. Before I jump into the movie, let me preface it by saying a little about what I want from my movies. I want to be moved. I want that 900 lb. weight holding me in my chair ten minutes after the credits spool back to the take up. The weight was there for Seven, Requiem, Private Ryan, Eternal Sunshine, and a few others. Granted, The Good Shepherd isn't a movie like those, but I still need to be skull-fucked by a hammer for a film to make a long-lasting impression OK.

First off, the problems. We are shot through time without any warning and an unclear indicator that we are jumping. When we're in 1940, Matt Damon is wearing the same type of clothes and the same glasses as he is when we jump to 1960.

If you look closely(really closely!) you can spot a bit of gray in 1960 Damon, but it is really hard to discern the two Damons. The year shift is indicated in small lettering at the bottom right hand of the screen. So when you go see this, keep an eye out or you might get lost. Another problem is keeping up with which characters Wilson is on good footing with and which ones are the 'snakes in the grass,' because they all look the damn same. One last problem is with Edward Wilson. I don't think I can fault Damon here. Wilson is a very dull and boring character to spend 2 hours and 45 minutes with. He is dry to the point of Sahara. (*SLIGHT SPOILER*) The reason he is the way he is was revealed early on at his initiation into the Skull and Bones group(Replace the boys of Skulls with Josh Jackson, with 40s attire and that's about the only difference between the two.) He had a brief conversation about ethics and lying just before his father (Timothy Hutton) blew his head off. *END SPOLIER*

That's all well and good and if I had been subjected to that, I might wind up being an emotionally withdrawn humorless drone, but the character could have been spiced up a bit. I know this is based on some truths, but for the sake of the audience, a little spice would've been nice.

THE GOOD- Well, Damon plays all of the dryness and sourppussy stuff rather eloquently. He did well with what he was given. Jolie was gorgeous as always. She plays his unstable wife really well, but since Girl,Interupted, she can do unstable with her eyes closed. You can see why De Niro chose her. I would have to say the best performance and subplot in Shepherd belongs entirely to Michael Gambon. He plays a German professor living in the states until an action taken by Wilson gets him deported by the FBI. While in Germany , it becomes unclear as to allegiances. Or maybe not. It is heavily implied that he is a danger because of his "sexual actions." This seems like a direct stab at the current administration's demonization of homosexuality. Gambon plays a man secure in his beliefs and his sexuality. He makes no qualms about it. He accepts himself as well as his superiors weariness of him. Gambon proves once again his worth as an actor.

My overall opinion of this movie is drowned in boredom. There are very few moments of excitement. I'm not talking about the lack of action. I knew there was going to be little to no action. The excitement I speak of, is the lack of electricity that should be there when discussing matters of national security or a characters' demise.

The Good Shepherd is like a dull blade. Upon first glance it seems like the perfect instrument to peel out your heart, but when used it barely dents the surface of your chest. If you wind up checking this one out drink plenty of coffee. An Adderral might be a good idea too. It isn't a bad movie, but it didn't leave me with much.