The Other Boleyn Girl — Columbia Pictures

History remembers Anne Boleyn, King Henry the Eighth’s second wife.  But, it was her sister, The Other Boleyn Girl, who had first crack at the king.

Scarlett Johansson plays Mary Boleyn, the titular character.  She and her sister, Anne, played by Natalie Portman, are set upon a task by their father to advance their family’s status by courting the king.  The pair are steadfast in their efforts, but one filled with ambition and the other true affection.  A bitter rivalry results, which makes for a tabloid history lesson.

This is a powerful cast, with Eric Bana also starring as the lusty King Henry the Eighth.  Those familiar with his story know the outcome, but the journey to history’s outcome is quite a baudy one.

While the cast is good, the director is not quite up to the task of making this an epic piece.  It plays more like a big screen soap opera.  But, it’s still a lesson in history that’s a lot more entertaining than your Seventh Grade teacher’s classroom.

And then there’s Will Ferrell, back for another slapstick comedy, Semi-Pro, which takes his now familiar antics to the basketball court.

Semi-Pro — New Line Cinema

Ferrell plays the owner of the Flint, Michigan Tropics, an ABA team.  But, he’s also the team’s coach and a player.  And, he’s the man who may take the team to NBA status.  Or not.

If you like Ferrell’s brand of humor, you’ll probably like this movie.  Otherwise, there’s nothing new to offer here.  And, the attempts at humor often bounce off the rim, rather than slam dunk to score laughs.

If there’s anything positive, it’s Woody Harrelson, who returns to the Silver Screen basketball court, and to comedy.

Otherwise, eh.

The Other Boleyn Girl isn’t getting great reviews, but I think it’s worth a watch on the big screen.  It’s baudy, historical sibling rivalry with a stellar cast.

Semi-Pro, on the other hand, isn’t one of Will Ferrell’s winners.  I say wait for the DVD, lower your expectations and then you might like it!