Below are Mini Reviews from Cineman Syndicate for two films opening on Friday, August 7, 2009.

A PERFECT GETAWAY. A honeymoon couple encounters more excitement than they bargained for in this nifty thriller set on a Hawaiian island. Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich portray the LA lovebirds and Timothy Olyphant and Kiele Sanchez are the feral couple they meet while hiking to a secluded beach. Another pair of newlyweds was butchered in Honolulu the day before and all parties are on edge, viewer included. Writer/director David Twohy injects enough substance into a scenario designed to exhilarate with situational tension and, ultimately, violence. What looks like a "Survivor" rip-off is actually an ideal summer flick boasting beautiful scenery, hard bodies and shrewdly deranged minds. (R) GOOD THRILLER. Director - David Twohy;  Lead - Steve Zahn; Running Time - 98 minutes.  

JULIE & JULIA. Nora Ephron does American womanhood proud in this salute to iconic gastronome Julia Child (Streep) and one of her admirers (Amy Adams). Also celebrating the joys of fine food and supportive spouses, the writer/director recounts Child's struggle to publish "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" along with a young blogger's attempt to make each of the cookbook's 524 recipes over the course of a year. Ephron's breezy style reflects Child's optimism and both ladies' perseverance; and while it's undoubtedly a light refreshment, Ms. Streep boosts the movie's flavor and fiber content. The cuisine may be French but the spirit is as American as apple pie. (PG-13) GOOD BIOGRAPHY. Director - Nora Ephron;  Lead - Meryl Streep;  Running Time - 123 minutes. 

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(Both capsule reviews by John P. McCarthy.)