Men of Honor

While cornier than a 500-pound bag of Jiffy Pop, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro provide acting fireworks in this story based on the life of an African-American Navy man who became a master diver while facing seemingly insurmountable odds. Gooding delivers his best work in years as the determined diver, and De Niro is his always amazing self as his instructor, although his character is oddly reminiscent of his Max Cady in Cape Fear. Clichés abound, but the performers put this one over the top, and the movie does give the emotions a notable stir.